Month: November 2009

CSTO SPUTTERED OUT AS MILITARY ORGANIZATION

news.am
Nov 25 2009
Armenia

CSTO sputtered out as military structure and block to counterbalance
NATO, as unlike North-Atlantic alliance it does not have global
organization and material base to unite all member states, Gevorg
Aghbalyan told NEWS.am.

According to him, CSTO member states have conflicting geopolitical
interests and CSTO membership is of formal nature. "For instance,
Russia’s membership to CSTO does not prevent from expanding military
cooperation with Azerbaijan (not a block member) and Turkey-NATO
member. The mentioned two states are a direct threat to other CSTO
member-Armenia. In case hostility resumes in Karabakh conflict zone,
it is difficult to imagine that Central Asian states will lend a hand
of help to &’CSTO brother’- Armenia. They are likely to help GUAM
member — Azerbaijan, having economic and energy ties with the state,"
underlined expert. According to Aghbalyan, in the course of his visits
to Yerevan, CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha was repeatedly
asked whether CSTO will interfere if the military actions resume.

However, his replies are unclear and evasive.

Aghbalyan outlined that CSTO cannot lay claims to the regional actor
role in the South Caucasus, as it cooperates only with Armenia, unlike
NATO that works with three South Caucasian countries. "CSTO is not
taken seriously both by member states and NATO. Thus, Bordyuzha’s
hand of friendship extended to NATO is up in the air."

AZERBAIJANI DEFENSE MINISTER SPOKE OF WAR POSSIBILITY

news.am
Nov 25 2009
Armenia

As a result of Armenian aggression over million of our compatriots
are expatriated from their lands and the talks held in frames of OSCE
Minsk Group within 15 years are futile. Under these circumstances,
Azerbaijan has to do nothing but use military means for conflict
solution," said Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev in the course
of his meeting with Polish Minister of National Defense Bogdan Klich,
Azerbaijani mass media reports.

According to them, Abiyev spoke of military-political situation in the
region "with Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and its consequences." The
officials discussed the prospects of cooperation in military education
field and military-technical ties, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry press
service reports. Polish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Krzysztof Krajewski
also participated in the meeting.

NKR PREMIER MEETS WITH ARMENIAN COMMUNITY REPS IN USA

news.am
Nov 25 2009
Armenia

A delegation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) headed by Prime
Minister Ara Harutyunyan continues its meetings in the United States as
part of the annual telethon organized by the Hayastan the All-Armenian
Fund. This year’s telethon is to be held in Los Angeles on November 26.

The Public Relations Department, NKR Government, reported that the NKR
Premier held a meeting with the Board members of the Social Democratic
Party Hnchakyan in the western part of the United States. The party
delegation as headed by Board Chairman Ambik Safarian.

The sides discussed the Artsakh-Diaspora relations, the NKR’s
socio-economic development, Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and
Armenian-Turkish negotiations.

The NKR Prime Minister stressed the importance of developing the
Armenia-Diaspora relations. The sides stressed a vital importance of
developing the NKR to the benefit of all the Armenians.

The NKR Premier also held a meeting with the philanthropist Harut
Brutyan. The sides discussed the implementation of a number of programs
in the NKR.

Ara Harutyunyan also visited the central office of the Western
Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in North America. The NKR
Premier held a meeting with the National Council members and Armenian
community representatives. Ara Harutyunyan informed the participants
of the socio-economic situation in the NKR, development programs in
Shushi and the present stage of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.

The NKR Premier expressed his appreciation of the Church’s role in
preserving the Armenians’ national identity in the Diaspora.

Attending the meeting were Head of the Information Department, NKR
Presidential Staff, David Babayan and NKR Permanent Representative
in the United States Robert Avetisyan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJANI DEFENSE MINISTER DISCUSSES NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT WITH HIS POLISH COUNTERPART

APA
Nov 25 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. Within the framework of his official visit to Azerbaijan,
Defense Minister of Poland Bogdan Klich had a meeting with Defense
Minister of Azerbaijan, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev.

Press service of Defense Ministry told APA that the guest was solemnly
welcomed at the Ministry of Defense after visiting the grave of Heydar
Aliyev in the Alley of Honor and Alley of Martyrs. National anthems
of both countries were sounded.

During the meeting, Safar Abiyev updated his Polish counterpart of
the military-political situation in the region and problems occurred
as a result of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh. The
minister noted that more than one million Azerbaijanis have become IDPs
as a result of the Armenian occupation: "The Minsk Group mediation
has not brought any result for 15 years. Liberation of occupied
territories by military way will be inevitable in this situation",
said the Minister.

Along with other issues, military education and military-technical
cooperation perspectives between the two countries were in the focus
of attention at the meeting.

Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Poland to Azerbaijan
Kshishtof Krayevski also attended the meeting.

MANASYAN: IT IS NOT WORTH PAYING HEED TO ALIEV

Aysor
Nov 25 2009
Armenia

"Aliev’s statement was not an ultimatum, and I think it is not worth
quoting him, since his words are quoted in Azerbaijan and Turkey,"
said at press conference analyst Alexander Manasyan.

He said "It is not worth paying heed to Aliev’s statement as the
addressee of his sayings was not Armenia". But Armenia should, however,
take into account and discuss all versions, he added.

"First, Aliev’s statement was addressed to domestic ‘consumer’,
secondly, he addressed the statement to Minsk Group co-chairs, third,
he sent the statement to Turkey, and finally, it is just a method of
propaganda and warfare," said Alexander Manasyan.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN HOSTS EDUARDO EURNEKIAN

Aysor
Nov 25 2009
Armenia

Armenia’s President Serge Sargsyan has hosted Armenian-born Argentine
businessman Eduardo Eurnekian, Cabinet’s press office reported.

Eduardo Eurnekian told President Sargsyan about developing in process
of investment in various economical spheres and stressed that global
crisis hadn’t influence Armenia-related projects. All initiatives
are in progress, he said.

President Sargsyan praised the development in post services and
highlighted the importance of completed works in the Yerevan Airport
of Zvartnots. International Zvartnots Airport will serve nearly 3
million passengers each year since 2010, besides.

Armenian President also mentioned the importance of running and
planning projects of farm development and those projects which are
related to recycled food market. Armenia welcomes innovations and
other new ideas in agricultural sphere, said President.

"Injection of modern technologies, new ideas and views in agricultural
sphere can influence other sectors making them more developed and
can create good basis for general development in rural communities,"
said Serge Sargsyan.

ZERKALO: RESUMING HOSTILITIES MEANS SUICIDE

news.am
Nov 25 2009
Armenia

Despite the international community’s repeated warnings and statements
on the unacceptability of resuming the military conflict, the things
have gone as far as that the possibilities of neutralizing the external
threats that may arise in case Azerbaijan resumes hostilities are being
discussed. Specifically, the Baku-based Zerkalo (Mirror) newspaper
writes: "One can be entirely sure that Russia, the USA and European
Union, for different reasons, will unanimously pronounce against
Azerbaijan’s attempt to restore its territorial integrity by force."

The newspaper points that the Western states, particularly the United
States, have no military presence in the region, which means they
have no way of influencing the developments using force. The West
is well aware of the fact that any attempts to settle the conflicts
in the South Caucasus by force will enable Russia to strengthen its
politico-military presence in the region.

"No one can guarantee Russia’s neutrality in case of hostilities
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Nikolay Bordyuzha has repeatedly stated
that in case of war the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
will fulfill its commitments under a treaty of alliance with Armenia,"
the newspaper writes.

Thus, without external threats averted, "even the liberation of some
occupied territories will turn into a Pyrrhic victory for Azerbaijan."

Moreover, in this case Azerbaijan cannot rely on the politico-military
support of Turkey, its only ally in the region. "First, the relations
between the two allies have, to put it mildly, been showing signs
of a rift recently. Secondly, it should be admitted that Turkey’s
potential is not so great for it to oppose the combined efforts of
the USA, Russia and European Union…"

In conclusion, the author points out the need for a clear answer to
the question concerning Azerbaijan’s ability to avert the subsequent
"international threats," otherwise "resuming hostilities means
a suicide."

ARMENIA: SCANT CHANCE FOR SARGSYAN-TER PETROSIAN PACT, ANALYSTS SAY
Marianna Grigoryan

EurasiaNet
Nov 25 2009
NY

Controversy still surrounds ex-President Levon Ter Petrosian’s
statement that Armenia’s attempted reconciliation with Turkey rendered
President Serzh Sargsyan "a realistic and decisive statesman worthy of
the 21st century." Some see the remarks as a bid to make the country’s
largest opposition group still appear relevant, but few believe that
actual cooperation between the two longtime political foes is likely.

Despite the focus on his general support for Sargsyan’s Turkey policy,
Ter-Petrosian’s comments, delivered in a November 11 speech to Armenian
National Congress (ANC) activists, appeared double-edged. To explain
his support for Sargsyan’s policy, Ter Petrosian cited the example
of a 17th century "ambitious and vainglorious" priest, Eghiazar,
who allegedly became patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church
through intrigues that threatened national unity. The Church, in
Ter Petrosian’s telling, let Eghiazar stay as patriarch to avoid
additional trouble for the nation.

"Why would Serzh Sargsyan think that Armenians are unable to display
once again such wisdom and open-mindedness for the sake of national
goals?" Ter Petrosian asked supporters.

But if the Eghiazar allegory contained a barb, the ruling Republican
Party of Armenia has given no public sign of noticing it.

Republican Party of Armenia spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov commented
that he is glad that Ter Petrosian assesses President Sargsyan’s
work seriously.

"I’m very glad that the leader of the Armenian National Congress could
face the truth and assess the president’s policy from a political
viewpoint," Sharmazanov said.

Many opposition members, including the nationalist Armenian
Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutiun, have expressed suspicion
about the reasons behind Ter Petrosian’s statement after months of
demands from the ex-president for Sargsyan to resign. The result
has been a swatting match between the Dashnaks, as they are known,
and Ter Petrosian supporters over which side allegedly sold out to
the government.

One political analyst believes that while Ter Petrosian does not
share the government’s "ideology," "[i]n fact, he has refused the
option of revolution, and is trying to find something in common with
the authorities."

"The government is in rather a tight spot in terms of Armenian-Turkish
relations, and Levon Ter Petrosian might be trying to find his place
in this play," independent political analyst Yervand Bozoian commented.

One senior Ter Petrosian supporter, however, counters that many
outsiders want to make pragmatic hay out of the ex-president’s remarks.

"Everybody found in his speech the phrase that most benefited them,
taken out of context," said Suren Surenyants, a member of the political
council of the Republic Party. "There is nothing reprehensible in
the fact that Levon Ter Petrosian suggests the government should
. . . take some steps to promote public unity. This is nothing like
cooperation or making a deal with them."

Armenian National Congress (ANC) senior member Levon Zurabian earlier
commented to reporters that collaboration with the government was
possible if Sargsyan released opposition prisoners, punished "those
responsible for the March 1 events [when a clash between police and
protestors against Sargsyan’s 2008 election resulted in 10 deaths –
ed]" and met other opposition demands. He stressed, though, that the
ANC is not now cooperating with the government.

Members of the Armenian National Congress declined to discuss their
policy position further on rapprochement with Turkey – or with Sargsyan
– instead referring EurasiaNet to Ter Petrosian’s November 11 speech.

Manvel Sarkisian, a political expert at Yerevan’s Armenian Center for
National and International Studies, agrees with Surenyants’ analysis
of the speech. Ter Petrosian’s story about Eghiazar the priest suggests
that Sargsyan has no legitimate claim to power, he says.

"In this case, Serzh Sargsyan may start ‘bargaining’ himself and
set the political prisoners free," Sarkisian said. "In any case,
Levon Ter Petrosian will not cooperate with the authorities."

Some form of cooperation with the opposition could benefit the
government, even though the days of Ter Petrosian’s mass protest
rallies are long past, added Bozoian. Artur Baghdasarian, head of
the Rule of Law Party and a onetime outspoken opposition leader,
was effectively neutralized with the offer to become secretary of
Armenia’s National Security Council, a post he has held since 2008.

"Currently, the opposition poses no danger, and the authorities could
benefit from getting cozy with them," he said.

For now, that scenario looks remote. At a November 20 press conference,
Republican Party parliamentary faction leader Galust Sahakian stated
that while the ruling party supports the idea of "direct cooperation"
with the ANC, "[w]e are not going to urge them [to join us] in a
political sense."

"That’s unacceptable for us," he said.

Editor’s Note: Marianna Grigoryan is a freelance reporter based
in Yerevan.

ARMENIAN, JAPANESE FMS DISCUSS BILATERAL COOPERATION

news.am
Nov 25 2009
Armenia

Japan is ready to expand its cooperation with Armenia at both the
government and parliament levels, as well as assist Armenia in settling
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and normalizing its relations with
Turkey. The statement was made following a meeting between Armenian
and Japanese Foreign Ministers Edward Nalbandian and Katsuya Okada.

The sides pointed out the importance of developing the bilateral
political dialogue and economic relations.

The sides agreed on regular information exchange and diplomatic
consultations on bilateral relations and international politics.

The Japanese Government is ready to support the Armenian economy under
an official development assistance program, contribute to a peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under international law.

The Japanese Government welcomed the Armenia-Turkey normalization
process consolidated by the Armenian-Turkish protocols signed in
Zurich on October 10.

The Armenian Government appreciates Japanese companies’ activities in
Armenia and welcomes their larger-scale presence in the country. The
sides also pointed out the need for expanding intergovernmental
contacts and cooperation within international organizations, primarily
United Nations.

TURKEY HAS ROLE TO PLAY
By George S. Hishmeh
[email protected]

Gulf News
y-has-role-to-play-1.532314
Nov 25 2009
UAE

Erdogan’s condemnation of Israeli strikes on Gaza has helped to usher
in a new spirit of Turkish cooperation with neighbouring countries

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.Image Credit: APA new
bright star seems to have risen above the Arab world, heralding new
relationships that could benefit the region as a whole.

The Arab change of heart towards Turkey, the successor of the dreaded
Ottoman Empire, a colonial regime that ruled the Arab world for
centuries and collapsed about 90 years ago, came when the moderate
Islamist Justice and Development Party was elected five years ago. And
for the first time in nearly 100 years, Turkish troops descended
on Lebanon as part of a UN peacekeeping force following Israel’s
occupation of the Shiite-dominated South Lebanon.

But what has impressed Arabs recently has been Turkey’s protests
against Israeli policies, especially its brutal assault on Gaza last
December, which left about 1,400 Palestinians dead and, in the opinion
of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict’s
Goldstone Report, amounted to war crimes. In the aftermath, Turkey
cancelled joint air force exercises and there have been unconfirmed
reports that Turkey may stop buying Israeli arms.

Turkey’s new focus on its neighbours is also believed to be a
reaction to the lackadaisical attitude of the European Union, which
has yet to act on Turkey’s 10-year-old application for membership
in the 27-member organisation. This is over and above US President
Barack Obama’s symbolic gesture in visiting Turkey in April, which
is believed to have underlined Turkey’s geostrategic importance,
emphasising the country’s role as a bridge between East and West and
acknowledging its mediation in the Arab-Israeli conflict.

"For all the country’s wounded pride, Turkish officials and analysts
insist Turkey has no intention of abandoning the West," reported The
New York Times earlier this month. "Rather than reorienting Turkish
foreign policy toward the East, Egemen Bagis, Turkey’s minister
for European Union affairs, argued in an interview that the recent
outreach to its neighbours including the opening of its border with
Syria, the signing of a historic agreement with Armenia to establish
normal diplomatic relations and the engagement of Iran was helping
Turkey become a more effective interlocutor for its Western allies."

Benefit

Whether or not this is the case, the Arab world certainly stands to
benefit from improved ties with Turkey.

Dr Clovis Maksoud, a former Arab League ambassador and director of the
Centre for the Global South at the American University in Washington,
believes that the "improved relations between Arabs and others are
determined by those who constitute either an actual or potential
deterrence for Israel’s intransigence and impunity concerning
Palestinian rights."

He adds, "This is particularly true when the Arab deterrent to Israeli
aggression is relatively dysfunctional in view of the peace treaties,
especially between Egypt and Israel. The broad perception becomes
that Turkey in some form is taking the task of filling a deficit
in Arab deterrence. This does not mean that Israel is breaking some
of its strategic alliances, however, it is diminishing dramatically
developments of these alliances."

There is no doubt that the ability of Arab governments to influence
Western governments is virtually nil, as evidenced in the case of the
Obama administration, which to date has been impervious to Arab, and
particularly Palestinian pleas to proceed with the peace negotiations.

More to the point, the refusal of the Obama administration to challenge
the rightist government of Israel has been bewildering. Is this a
result of US timidity or, as optimists continue to believe, does
Obama have something up his sleeve that will be revealed in due course?

Either way, the current impasse has given Turkey, under the able
leadership of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President
Abdullah Gul, who once lived and worked in Saudi Arabia, a golden
opportunity to develop strong ties with its Arab neighbours.

More developments are expected when the Turkish leader visits
Washington for talks with Obama next month.