Month: November 2009

ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROCESS CONTRADICTS INTERESTS OF ARMENIA, NKR AND ALL ARMENIANS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
23.11.2009 15:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In a November 16 regional session, ARFD
Dashnaktsutyun branch of Nagorno Karabakh released a statement on the
current process and perspectives of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement,
"Aparazh" newspaper’s editorial office reported to PanARMENIAN.Net.

Activeness over Madrid principles testify to increased pressure on
Armenia. "However, no coercions or bellicose statements can make
Armenia back away from its national ideas. We ascertain that Hay Dat
struggle is not a protest by separate groups of Armenians. That’s
a struggle for an independent statehood and the national interests
of Armenians. Armenians’ victory in Karabakh war is not subject to
speculations. NKR ARFD will be determined in its efforts towards
fighting for Armenians’ rights in future," says the statement.

OPERA SINGER VANNO TADEO TO PERFORM IN ARMENIA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
23.11.2009 15:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Renowned tenor Vanno Tadeo (Vahram Tadevosyan)
will present a concert program in Armenia.

"My visit is dedicated to 140th anniversary of Armenian composer
Komitas and 18th independence anniversary. I aim to present the wealth
of Armenian classical music to my compatriots and will do my best to
contribute to the development of Armenian culture," Vahram Tadevosyan
said at November 23 news conference.

According to the singer, the first concert has already been held
in Vanadzor. The second one is planned after enthusiastic welcome
offered by local audience.

Concerts in Gyumri and Yerevan (November 28 and December 14), followed
by master classes, are on the tenor’s agenda. The first part of the
concert will feature foreign composers’ works. The second part is
dedicated to Komitas’ compositions.

In 1996 Vanno Tadeo was invited to Barcelona, and, with the assistance
of the Catolicos of All Armenians Garegin I, participated in F. Vinias
International Tournament, where he was awarded with diploma and Verdi
Prize. For the last 8 years Vanno Tadeo lived in Spain, performing
on major European stages.

ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN AND U.S. AMBASSADOR DISCUSS ARMENIA-AMERICA RELATIONS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
23.11.2009 15:53 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On November 23, Secretary of the National Security
Council of Armenia Arthur Bagdasaryan received the U.S. Ambassador
to Armenia Marie Jovanovich. During the meeting the sides discussed
issues of Armenian-American cooperation.

At the request of U.S. Ambassador Arthur Baghdasaryan presented the
functions of the NSC, as well as reforms implemented in Armenia’s
various spheres. The two sides touched upon regional issues, including
normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations, NSC press service reports.

At the request of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Secretary of the National
Security Council Arthur Baghdasaryan presented functions of the NSC,
as well as reforms implemented in Armenia’s various spheres.

TURKISH PRESIDENT OBSERVES HISTORICAL TURNING POINT IN RELATIONSHIP WITH ARMENIA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
23.11.2009 16:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish President Abdullah Gul observes historical
turning point in relationship with Armenia. "Barrier will soon be
overcome" Italia La Stampa quotes him as saying. "After signing the
agreement in Bern we’ll need ‘technical’ time since the document needs
consideration by both countries’ parliaments. Thereafter ambassadors
will exchange instruments, which will be followed by border opening.

As to the air space, it has been open for a long time," Gul said.

At that he noted that higher level of democracy helps overcome
the taboos. President Gul stressed the importance of normalizing
ties with Armenia following 2008 war in Caucasus. "Frozen problems
cannot be resolved by further freezing. That’s the simplest thing –
there’s absolutely no risk, but the region is in need of stability and
cooperation. Armenia is also situated in that region. Any developments
there will have positive effect in many spheres," Turkish leader said.

Mr. Gul also agreed that Baku closely follows development of between
Ankara and Yerevan. The only problem, unresolved so far, is Karabakh
conflict, but Turkish preisdent believes it will soon find solution.

With regard to Western countries’ support to Armenian-Turkish thaw,
Turkish President particularly focused on Russia which also plays a
key role in normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani ties.

Asked whether Turkey had really closed page on Armenian issue, Gul
said, "That’s our choice. We do everything within our power. But
others should have such intentions too."

YERKIR UNION ESTIMATES BREAK -DOWN OF ARMENIAN CHURCH IN TBILISI AS GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES’ CRIME

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
23.11.2009 16:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yerkir Union estimates break-down of Armenian Church
in Tbilisi as Georgian authorities’ crime and discriminative policy
towards Georgian Armenians, Yerkir Union reported to PanARMENIAN.Net.

By deliberately dragging out the resolution on legal status of
Armenian Eparchy in Georgia and return of Armenian churches, the
Georgian government is openly ignoring numerous requests of Armenian
Eparchy, Holy Echmiadzin, Armenian authorities, RA and Diaspora NGOs
as well as international organizations’ recommendations, throwing
out an open challenge to Georgian Armenians, as well as the states
and international structures, interested in preservation of peace
stability and democratic development in the region.

Georgian authorities’ policy of ignoring Armenian population’s issues
will lead to increase of disappointment and discontent among Georgian
Armenians.

Yerkir Union joins the appeal of the Supreme Spiritual Council of
Armenian Apostolic Church to Georgian authorities and Georgian Orthodox
Church to undertake immediate steps for granting legal status to the
Georgian Eparchy of Armenian Apostolic Church and returning Armenian
churches for normal organization of Georgian Armenians’ spiritual
lives and safekeeping of Armenian relics.

ICRC REPRESENTATIVES IN AZERBAIJAN MEETS WITH SIX CAPTURED ARMENIAN SOLDIERS

APA
Nov 23 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku. Kamala Guliyeva – APA. Representatives of the International
Committee of the Red Cross in Azerbaijan visited six captured Armenian
soldiers, ICRC spokeswoman in Baku Gulnaz Guliyeva told APA.

They monitored detention conditions of the captives and talked to
them separately.

Three Armenian soldiers crossed the contact line toward Azerbaijan
in February, 2009, two – in May and one – in July.

Three soldiers of the Armenian army – Grant Markosian, Alik Tevosian
and Arthur Sargsyan crossed contact line toward the Minakhorlu village
of Agjabedi region, Azerbaijan in the night from February 27 to 28 and
entered the territory under the control of Azerbaijani forces. They
explained their action with bad conditions in Armenian army and said
they couldn’t find even a piece of bread.

Other soldiers – Ohan Harutunyan and Gevork Tomasyan, 18 crossed the
contact line to the side of Azerbaijani troops in Goranboy region of
Azerbaijan at about 13.00 on May 31.

Karen Harutunyan, 19 passed to the Azerbaijani side toward Gadabay
region of Azerbaijan on July 15.

ACTIVE DIALOGUE UNDERWAY BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
23.11.2009 16:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Vahram Atanesyan: Frequent meetings between Serzh
Sargsyan and Ilham Aliev testifies that the two countries conduct
active dialogue, which does not result in anticiapted outcomes, Vahram
Atanesyan , chairman of Standing Committee for Foreign Relations of
the NKR Parliament told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. According to him,
the Armenian public is not happy with Madrid principles, perhaps this
is the reason the parties can not reach agreement.

He also commented on Ilham Aliyev’s threatening to start a new war
against Armenia on the eve of the presidents’ meeting, saying that
after the meeting Aliyev is unlikely to afford himself making such
statements.

November 22 Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev met in Munich. This is
the sixth meeting of the presidents for the current year.

EVEN TOLERANT EUROPE CAN’T CHANGE A TURK

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
23.11.2009 16:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish community in France is among the most
non-integratable ones, military psychologist Davit Jamalyan told a
news conference in Yerevan. "If a Turk does not change in tolerant
environment, how can he be expected to change in Turkey?" Jamalyan
questioned, adding that Armenia, still, has to seek rapprochement,
having a realistic view on the issue.

At that, he considers Turkish youth’s unawareness as to Armenian
Genocide to be an overstatement. "The question is whether they will
be sorry for their predecessors’ deeds after the truth becomes known,"
Jamalyan noted.

Commenting on apologies, made by Turkish student, following his
denial of Genocide, the psychologist noted that the apology would
not be uttered should the same happen in Turkey. "An inner pressure
is necessary for a Turk to change," Jamalyan emphasized.

Mustafa Dogan, a 13-year-old Turk, was suspended from a school in
Nancy for two days for denial of the Armenian Genocide.

Dogan’s history teacher asked a question about the Armenian Genocide
in a written exam. Having previously argued with the teacher over
the issue, the Turkish student wrote, "Even if it did happen, they
deserved it."

Following the quarrel, the school’s disciplinary committee suspended
Mustafa Dogan for two days and gave him an assignment in which he
was to recognize the validity of the genocide within two days. The
principal of the Jacques Marquette secondary school, Francis Vignola
said he supported the sanctions placed on Mustafa Dogan.

OSCE: PROGRESS IN AZERBAIJAN-ARMENIA TALKS

eTaiwan news
Nov 23 2009

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe says a weekend
meeting between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia produced
progress but no solution to their dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh
enclave.

The OSCE said in a statement Monday that the two presidents discussed
proposals put forward by Russian, French and American co-chairs of
the so-called Minsk Group.

It says "in some areas progress was made. At the same time, some
issues still remain open."

The four-hour meeting in Munich was the group’s sixth this year.

Nagorno-Karabakh is an enclave in Azerbaijan that has been under the
control of ethnic Armenian forces since a six-year conflict that
killed about 30,000 people and displaced 1 million before a truce
was reached in 1994. (AP)

DAILY TELEGRAPH: STAKES IN KARABAKH ARE HIGH

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
23.11.2009 16:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In a recent article titled Nagorno-Karabakh:
danger in the Caucasus, British Daily Telegraph touches on recent
meeting between Armenian and Azeri President, noting particularly
that conflict in Karabakh "has slid from public consciousness, at
least in the West, as one of those intractable problems that bedevil
the Caucasus. That neglect, however, has not deterred diplomacy".

The author states that "the future of Nagorno-Karabakh carries serious
implications for Turkey’s role in the Caucasus, and, by extension,
its bid for EU membership, for the supply of oil and gas to the West."

"Finding a solution, based on Armenia’s ceding of territory in exchange
for an eventual referendum on the enclave’s status, is daunting. But
the stakes, in an area of great strategic importance, are high,"
the newspaper reports.