Month: November 2009

Trend, Azerbaijan
Oct 31 2009

Jewish organization in US states impossibility of worsening relations
with Turkey

31.10.2009 13:34

Tensions in the Turkey- Israel relations will not affect the deep
Jewish-Turkish friendship, National Director of the giant U.S.
organization Anti-Defamation League, Abraham Foxman said, CNN Turk
reported.

"This is an old and strong friendship and therefore new problems
[between Turkey and Israel] cannot affect it," Foxman said at the
meeting on the relations of the Turkish and Jewish communities.

Tensions between the two strategic partners arose after Ankara’s
refusal to participate in joint military trainings with Israel on the
backdrop of Turkey’s rapprochement with Syria and Iran.

"If Turkey wants to be close to the Arab and Middle Eastern countries
– there is no problem. But why should it be to the prejudice of the
Turkish-Jewish friendship," Foxman said. "I hope these tensions will
be temporary in nature."

Regarding the 1915 "Armenian genocide", Foxman said the
Anti-Defamation League’s position on this issue remains unchanged.

According to Foxman, the problem of the "Armenian genocide" should be
solved between Turkey and Armenia, but not in the U.S. Congress or in
the French Parliament.

The draft resolution urging the Obama administration to recognize the
so-called 1915 "Armenian genocide" at the Ottoman Empire was submitted
to the Senate of the U.S. Congress on Oct.28. Senators Robert Menendez
(Democrat from New Jersey) and John Ensign (Republican, Nevada) are
the authors of the resolution, ITAR-TASS said.

Kshishtof Penderetsky’s `Eklogs’ first performed in Armenia
31.10.2009 14:46 GMT+04:00 Print version Send to mail

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Polish composer Kshishtof Penderetsky’s `Eklogs’
which has a history of 40 years was first performed in Yerevan in the
frameworks of Penderetsky Days held on October 26-29.

` `Eklogs’ is an utterly complicated musical composition requiring 6
vocalists. It took 40 years to find its first performers. I am very
happy and satisfied that Hover vocalists performed `Eklogs’ on the
highest level,’ composer told an October 30 news conference.

Kshishtof Penderetsky was born in Dembitsa, Poland on November 25,
1933, to a family of lawyer. Composer, conductor, public figure and
pedagogue, he is one of the most outstanding representatives of
contemporary musical culture. His creative art has acquired a
genuinely international character. Polish composer’s music is played
in the concert halls of Europe, Asia, America and Australia. He is
author of operas, oratorios and instrumental concerts. Almost all of
his works are recorded on discs and included in the repertoires of
such prominent artists as Z. Meta, I. Stern and D. Fisher-Dieskau.
Penderetsky is a holder of three Grammies and two Emmies and laureate
of numerous state awards.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Aysor, Armenia
Oct 31 2009

The Armenian President received Rafayel Marttinet

The Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has received the chairman of the
International Federation of Wrestling Rafayel Marttinet. As the Press
Office of the RA President informs S. Sargsyan assured that his visit
will serve a new stimuli to develop the cooperation.

`The wrestling in Armenia is traditionally respected and succeeded
type of sport, which today also gets a lot of attention though here as
in all other cases too we would like to have much better results’, –
told the head of the country. `That is the reason why our national
Olympic committee and the Ministry of Sport try to concentrate their
attention on this sport. We whish that much more children to get
involved in wrestling, we make the conditions better, we try to
organize competitions in Armenia as these are the ways that will bring
to better results.’

They have discussed the possibilities of passing the World Greek-Roman
wrestling tournament of 2010 in Armenia. The President of Armenian has
mentioned that our country is interested in organizing such high
quality tournaments.

`It will be a fest for the Armenian wrestling funs and the young
sportsmen as they will have that wish to see many prominent sportsmen,
and watch their performances’, – Serzh Sargsyan mentioned.

news.am, Armenia
Oct 31 2009

Gevorg Danielyan: Genocide denial must be criminally punishable offence

20:15 / 10/30/2009NEWS.am: Mr. Danielyan, how well, in terms of law,
is Armenia prepared for the possible reopening of the Armenian-Turkish
border, and what has to be done for this?
Answer: To be fully prepared for the reopening of the Armenian-Turkish
border ` in terms of law as well ` we have for a long time been
carrying out necessary work following the Armenian President’s
instructions. In general, we plan to introduce amendments to the law,
which, on the one hand, would legally rule out all threats to national
security and, on the other hand, create favorable conditions for
developing effective bilateral cooperation and protecting citizens’
rights. This is a most complicated process, which is impossible to
outline. Moreover, haste may seriously affect the priorities.

NEWS.am: Many people voice concern that Turks may purchase lands the
borderlands. Are the concerns well founded?
Answer: I am sure that the concerns are unfounded in the context of
both legal and political decisions. The matter does not concern Turks
alone. Restricting property rights of foreign individuals and legal
entities in some territories meets the national security interests. In
this context, I cannot understand the political figures that speak of
the borderline regions alone, which you have mentioned in your
question. We should not set limits on lands alone. This principle must
equally apply to any immovable property ` not only private property,
but also property right (leasing, free use, etc..).

The security zone embraces both some of the borderline regions and
state territories that are of special importance in terms of national
security. As regards the claims that foreign citizens can purchase
lands under assumed names (and, in this context, it is reasonable to
permit them to legally do it for the process to be transparent), they
are not serious. The persons making the claims are unprofessional. It
is clear that persons who aim at undermining the state’s security will
never act transparently.

Incidentally, under Article 35 of the Turkish Law `On land
registration’, foreign citizens and commercial organizations have the
right to purchase immovable property in Turkey on reciprocal terms.
Another law, `On confined military zones and security belts’,
prohibits foreign citizens and legal entities from purchasing
immovable property in such areas. By citing these numerous examples I
consider it advisable to stress that the reciprocity principle makes
us take preventive measures.

NEWS.am: The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) proposes a law
stipulating punishment for denial of genocide. Do you share this
opinion? If not, why?
Answer: Your question needs specifying. The ARF cannot propose such a
law for me to be `for’ or `against’ it. Article 379/1 of the RA
Criminal Code stipulates punishment not only for denying genocide, but
also for denying, encouraging, justifying or belittling the gravity of
crimes against humanity.

NEWS.am: The ARF’s position is that criminal punishment be stipulated
for denying the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey and Western
Armenia. They propose that five, rather than four, years of
imprisonment be stipulated¦

Answer: We have proposed more radical solutions to the Government.
First, we proposed a complete revision of the article and removal of
the motive-related signs. Thus, the denial of genocide must involve
criminal responsibility irrespective of the motives (racial, ethnic,
religious, stirring up hatred, discrimination, violence, etc..). This
position is in harmony with the bill proposed by the ARF. We think,
however, that all the motive-related signs should be removed. They
should be viewed as imparting quality to a deed, which must be
decisive in determining severer punishment.

I do no think that we should single out the Armenian Genocide by
imposing severer punishment ` a year more ` for it. It is politically
unacceptable either: we must regard each case of genocide recognized
by the Republic of Armenia as a punishable offence. It is just more
significant when we denounce the Armenian Genocide by adopting our own
politico-legal acts, which contain unequivocal appraisals. It should
be noted that the state recognizes the crime both by adopting relevant
statutory acts and by acceding to relevant international documents.
Specifically, the Supreme Council adopted the law `On denouncing the
Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915′ on November 22, 1988.

NEWS.am: Did Armenia really have to recognize Turkey’s present-day
borders to establish relations with it? Why did the Armenian side
agree?
Answer: In this respect claims are being made that this implicitly
`legalized’ the different treaties signed in the past, which run
counter to our national interests. I would like to specify that an
international agreement signed and ratified in conformity with the
established order can have legal force for our state. This requirement
is set by Article 6 of the RA Constitution. I do not think that there
are people who may claim that different interpretations of the
Protocols will make our state recognize the legal force of, for
example, the Treaty of Sèvres.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Today, Azerbaijan
Oct 31 2009

Russia’s role in resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to be
discussed in Moscow

31 October 2009 [13:16] – Today.Az

Round table `Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Providing conditions for peace
building. Russia’s role’ will be held in Moscow on Nov. 2.

The round table is organized by International Alert together with the
Center for Strategic Studies of Religion and Politics of Modern World
together with the Public Chamber of Russia.

The discussion will be attended by Azerbaijani and Armenian experts
and representatives of civil society, leading experts in the field of
studying the problems of the South Caucasus, including representatives
of leading Russian, Azerbaijani and Armenian media, members of the
Public Chamber of Russia and representatives of international
organizations.

The meeting will discuss possibilities of further development of
peace-building initiatives and public peacemaking dialogue regarding
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the role Russian society plays to
create conditions to establish peace around Nagorno Karabakh in the
context of the current situation.

/AzerTaj/

URL:

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Jerusalem Armenians rallied at the building hosting Turkish Republic
celebratory reception

31.10.2009 14:54 GMT+04:00 Print version Send to mail

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ About 30 Hai Day Bureau and Jerusalem’s Armenian
Community representatives held a protest rally in front of a building
hosting a reception in celebration of Turkish Republic Day, Hai Dat
Bureau representative in Jerusalem, Georgette Avagian told
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

”We expressed our protest against Israeli ministers and politicians
attending the reception, by reminding them that Turkey was 1,5 million
Armenians’ Genocide perpetrator and the one who deprived us of our
historic motherland. We condemn the Israeli government, whose nation
survived the Holocaust, for non-acknowledgement of the fact and
maintaining friendly relations with Turkey,” Georgette Avagian
emphasized.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Yerevan hosts International Scientific Conference on English Language
Teaching
31.10.2009 15:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ International scientific conference devoted to
contemporary and experimental study of English language teaching has
started today in Yerevan.

The objective is to introduce English language specialists with
innovative methods and approaches, promote experience exchange,
development and professional improvement.

Conference, which has brought together 100 specialists, focuses on 20
professional issues, including use of Internet and IT in teaching
process, international organizations’ educational programs,
contemporary issues, peculiarities of teaching the English language
etc.

Conference was attended by foreign specialists, including Professor
Sivakumar Sivasubramaniam from Abu Dhabi University of Art and
Sciences, representatives from US Embassy in Ukraine and senior
English language specialist Thomas Santos, and representative from US
Embassy in Georgia and senior English language specialist Judith
Elliott.

The event is organized by Association of English Language Teachers of
Armenia (AELTA) in cooperation with British Council, US Embassy in
Armenia, European Regional Educational Academy, Macmillan Armenia
publishing house and American Councils.

Reuters
Oct 31 2009

Armenia rejects Turkish demand on rebel region

Sat Oct 31, 2009 2:32pm IST
By Matt Robinson and Margarita Antidze

YEREVAN (Reuters) – Armenia’s foreign minister has rejected Turkish
calls for concessions in the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh in
exchange for the historic rapprochement between Yerevan and Ankara.

Speaking to Reuters late on Friday, Edward Nalbandian said
negotiations between Turkey and Armenia were over and both sides were
obliged to move quickly to establish diplomatic relations and open
their border under accords signed this month.

Turkish leaders say they want to see progress in negotiations between
Armenia and Turkish ally Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh before
parliament in Ankara ratifies the accords, a link Armenia rejects.

"Why did we sign two protocols if we are not going to ratify and
implement them?" Nalbandian, 53, said in an interview in the Armenian
capital, Yerevan.

"I think the whole international community is waiting for quick
ratification and implementation and respect for the agreements which
are in the protocols," he said, speaking in English.

"If one of the sides 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."

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in solidarity with
fellow Muslim Azerbaijan in its war with Armenian-backed ethnic
Armenians in the mountain region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Former Soviet Armenia and NATO-member Turkey have no diplomatic ties,
but a relationship haunted by the World War One killing of Armenians
by Ottoman Turks, a defining element of Armenian national identity.

But after a year of negotiations, Armenia and Turkey this month signed
accords looking to bury a century of hostility.

"SEPARATE PROCESSES"

The deal has encountered opposition in both countries, but full
rapprochement and an open border carries huge significance for
Turkey’s clout as a regional power, for its bid to join the European
Union and for landlocked Armenia’s crisis-hit economy.

But Ankara’s Turkic-speaking ally Azerbaijan has reacted angrily,
fearing it will lose leverage over Armenians in their conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh. The dispute threatens to tilt energy policy in
Azerbaijan, a supplier of oil and gas to the West through Turkey but
which is also being courted by Russia.

Diplomats and analysts say Turkey, before it ratifies the accords, is
seeking at least a small sign of progress in negotiations between
Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, where a fragile
ceasefire has held since 1994 but a peace deal has never been agreed.

Such a link is political dynamite for Armenians. The domestic
opposition and Armenia’s huge and influential diaspora say Turkey must
first recognise last century’s killings as genocide before ties can be
restored.

Nalbandian said the Armenian-Turkish thaw and the Nagorno-Karabakh
negotiations were "two separate processes."

"This is not only the Armenian approach but the approach of the
international community," he said, adding that negotiations between
Turkey and Armenia were over.

"Negotiations were finalised at the beginning of February."
Analysts are uncertain how firm the Turkish condition for ratification
really is, and say pressure on Ankara could mount with next April’s
95th anniversary of the killings, when the U.S. president
traditionally issues a statement of commemoration.

Armenia says the killings were genocide, and wants U.S. President
Barack Obama to stick to an election campaign pledge to say the same.
Turkey rejects the term, saying many people died on both sides of the
conflict.

Mediators from the United States, Russia and France say they are
making progress towards a peace deal on Nagorno-Karabakh in talks
between Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan and Azerbaijan’s Ilham
Aliyev.

But Nalbandian played down talk of an imminent breakthrough.

There is a "positive dynamic", he said. "But to say that tomorrow or
in one month’s time or in a very short period of time we will come to
the agreement, I don’t think this is very serious."

dNews/idINIndia-43575420091031?sp=true

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Genocide resolution hearings might be resumed at Knesset
31.10.2009 15:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Recently, Hai Dat Bureau representatives in
Jerusalem met Israeli Knesset members. As Hai Dat Bureau
representative in Jerusalem, Georgette Avagian told PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter, the parties discussed the possibility of Armenian Genocide
resolution’s inclusion on Knesset agenda. `We urged the
parliamentarians to refrain from linking the issue above to RA-Turkey
rapprochement process. Armenian Genocide discussions are scheduled at
Knesset in April, yet we’ll do our best for them to start earlier,’
Georgette Avagian noted.

news.am, Armenia
Oct 31 2009

Armenia ranks 4th in European Championship

09:19 / 10/31/2009 Armenian national team won no medal in the 17th
European Team Chess Championship 2009 in Novi Sad, Serbia.

Armenian chess players gained a victory over Swiss national team in
the ninth round of the championship. Levon Aronian drew with Yannick
Pelletier, Vladimir Hakobyan, Gabriel Sargsyan won Roland Ekstroem,
Tigran L. Petrosyan defeated Joseph Gallagher and Vladimir Hakobyan
was defeated by Florian Jenni.

Armenia ranked fourth (13 points) in the standings.

Azerbaijani team became the winner of the championship. It lost once
to Armenian players.

The standings are as follows: Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine and Armenia.