Month: February 2012

SPEAKER: AZERBAIJAN TO SEEK LEGAL MEANS TO REMOVE FRANCE FROM OSCE MINSK GROUP

Trend
Feb 1 2012
Azerbaijan

France has lost the moral, rather than the legal right to the
co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group, speaker Oktay Asadov said
at a meeting of the Azerbaijani Parliament on Wednesday.

“We must determine the legal means of removing France from the
co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group,” he said. “This issue does
not depend on our wishes.”

MPs voiced the initiative to exclude France from the OSCE Minsk Group
to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as a sign
of protest against the law criminalising the denial of the so-called
“Armenian genocide” adopted by France.

On Jan.23, after eight hours of discussion, the Senate (upper chamber
of the French parliament) voted for adoption of the law criminalising
denial of the so called “Armenian genocide”. Some 127 senators voted
for, while 86 were against.

The bill demands about a year’s imprisonment and a fine of 45,000
euros for denial of the so-called “Armenian genocide”.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France, and the U.S. are
currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJANI AMBASSADOR: ARMENIANS TRY TO REPRESENT KARABAKH CONFLICT AS RELIGIOUS TO EUROPE

Trend
Feb 1 2012
Azerbaijan

Russia has recently proved that it wants the OSCE Minsk group to
promote the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict, the Azerbaijani ambassador to Italy Vagif Sadikhov said in
an interview with the Italian Limes newspaper.

“Russian presidents have organised over 10 meetings between the
Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents over the years. Unfortunately,
the Minsk group has worked since 1994 but hasn’t achieved any tangible
results,” inosmi.ru website quotes Mr Sadikhov as saying.

It should be remembered that the Armenian army occupies 20 per cent
of the Azerbaijani territories, the ambassador said.

“As a result of the aggression, ethnic cleansing took place in
Armenia where 250,000 Azerbaijanis, who had lived there for centuries
were forcibly driven out. Thus, it is possible to consider Armenia
a monoethnic state. On the other hand about 30,000 Armenians and
many interethnic Azerbaijani-Armenian families live in Baku,” Mr
Sadikhov said.

“Ethnic cleansing and expatriation of Azerbaijanis living in the
Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia, became the
second stage. The matter is that 70,000 people are forcibly displaced
persons, ” he said.

Occupation of seven provinces around Nagorno Karabakh is the third
element of Armenian aggression.

“These people also became victims of aggression and deportation. Thus,
we have 250,000 people deported from Armenia, 70,000 from Nagorno
Karabakh and 700,000 from surrounding provinces. In total there are
about one million refugees and displaced persons,” the diplomat said.

Mr Sadikhov said the situation hasn’t changed since 1994 and this one
of the outrageous violations of human rights when there are four UNSC
resolutions on the issue.

“It is very important that all people should know about it because
our Armenian opponents try to represent this conflict in Europe and
in Italy in particular as one between small Christian Armenia and
large Muslim states, namely Azerbaijan and Turkey.

However among the victims killed by Armenians in Azerbaijan there
were not only Muslim Azerbaijanis but also Jews and Orthodox Russians.

Therefore, there has never been a religious component in the conflict.

Armenians try to represent the conflict in this way but in fact and
our position is very clear on this issue. The matter is a classic
conflict, based on the territorial claims of one state to other,”
the ambassador stressed.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France, and the U.S are
currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES “ARMENIAN GENOCIDE” LAW ADOPTED BY FRENCH SENATE

Trend
Feb 1 2012
Azerbaijan

Today, Feb 1, at the first spring meeting session, the Azerbaijani
Parliament discussed the law criminalising the denial of the so-called
“Armenian genocide”.

Though Azerbaijan quite clearly demonstrated its position on this
issue, some mass media outlets try to ignore it, the MP from the ruling
New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) Siyavush Novruzov said at the meeting. He
decidedly condemned these actions.

“There shouldn’t be differences in this issue between power and
opposition. All should make a common cause. The Azerbaijani state
and Azerbaijani parliament will take steps in connection with this
French law. We have always been with Turkey. We observe the situation
and logically, in legal form, express and as required will state our
position,” Mr Novruzov stressed.

Parliamentary chairman Oqtay Asadov supported him and said the support
of Turkey is a heartfelt step.

“We have to wait and see what decision concerning the new law the
French Constitutional Council will make. However we will take all
the necessary steps after this happens as well,” the chairman said.

Azerbaijani MPs repeatedly expressed their position on this issue,
MP Ganira Pashayeva said.

“On the 20th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide committed by Armenians
against Azerbaijanis it is necessary to send an address to Turkey so
that it will officially recognise this genocide, “she suggested.

“It will be evidence of our brotherhood with Turkey and the
world will see against whom in fact the genocide was committed. I
believe the parliament of fraternal Turkey will positively meet
and appreciate this suggestion. It’s necessary to organise a rally
in the centre of Istanbul under the slogan ‘We are all Khojalians,
we are all-Karabakhis!’,” Ms Pashayeva stressed.

Co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Joseph Debono Grech and
Pedro Agramunt also addressed the parliament.

On Jan.23, after eight hours of discussion, the Senate (upper chamber
of the French parliament) voted for adoption of the law criminalizing
denial of the so called “Armenian genocide”. Some 127 senators voted
for, while 86 were against.

The bill demands about a year’s imprisonment and a fine of 45,000
euros for denial of the so-called “Armenian genocide”.

LAW ON “ARMENIAN GENOCIDE” ADOPTED BY FRENCH SENATE IS INAPPROPRIATE AND UNNECESSARY

Trend
Feb 1 2012
Azerbaijan

Law on so-called “Armenian genocide” adopted by French Senate is
inappropriate and unnecessary is said in response of deputy chairman
of the French Senate, Jean-Claude Carle to the letter of the Youth
Union of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP).

“French Parliament can’t deal with the evaluation of the history, it
is a deal of commission of historians and I consider that it would
be appropriate to create the international group of historians. I
hadn’t participated in voting on the inappropriate and unnecessary
draft law.” Carle noted.

Carle said, current legislation and constitutional basis gives an
opportunity to punish the negationists.

Members of NAP Youth Union sent a letter to Jean-Claude Carle which
purpose is to protest against the adoption of draft law criminalizing
the denial of “Armenian genocide” and to call the French Senate not
to repeat mistake and injustice of the parliament’s lower chamber.

“Armenian Diaspora and the State, realizing that the investigation
and study of historical documents together with Turkey will not
be able to substantiate their claims, are opposed to research and
international debate on this issue. In this case, the adoption of the
bill by the French Parliament without proved motives talks about the
biased position of the country,” the letter says.

SPEAKER OF AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENT OGTAY ASADOV: “AZERBAIJAN SUPPORTED AND WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT TURKEY CONCERNING THE LAW ADOPTED BY THE FRENCH SENATE”

APA
Feb 1 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku. Parvin Abbasov – APA. The issue on French parliament’s law
criminalizing the denial of made-up “Armenian genocide” was discussed
at the Azerbaijani Parliament’s meeting today, APA reports.

MP from the ruling party Siyavush Novruzov said that Azerbaijani
government and parliament supported Turkey in this issue. He condemned
some newspapers for their preconceived publications on this issue.

Speaker of the Parliament Ogtay Asadov joined the Novruzov’s ideas and
underlined that Azerbaijan supported Turkey but it didn’t render this
support in order to demonstrate it to anyone: “We took these steps
from our hearts and will do it further. Now we should be patient and
wait for the decision of the French Constitutional Council”.

ZAHID ORUJ: REGARDING NAGORNO KARABAKH PROBLEM AZERBAIJAN SHOULD REPEAT RUSSIA’S CHECHNYA POLICY

APA
Feb 1 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku. Parvin Abbasov – APA. “The Azerbaijani parliament should address
the Armenian community of Nagorno Karabakh. They should be explained
that they have no other choice but to be citizens of Azerbaijan.

Their security will be ensured, processes of integration organized if
they live in the territory of Azerbaijan. With this we will be able
to conciliate the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh, estrange Armenia from
the process of negotiation and achieve the resolution of the problem,”
Azerbaijani parliamentarian Zahid Oruj said, APA reports. He said by
taking this step Azerbaijan will repeat Russia’s policy with respect
to Chechnya to some extent.

“Kadirovs should be found in Karabakh like in Chechnya. But it is not
known whether Kadirovs will be found in Karabakh or not. If found,
he will unite the peoples from both sides under his leadership and
the problems will be gradually solved,” he said.

VLADIMIR ZHIRINOVSKY: “ONLY RUSSIA CAN SOLVE THE NAGORNO KARABAKH PROBLEM” – INTERVIEW

APA
Feb 1 2012
Azerbaijan

“We need Armenia to use it as leverage over Turkey”

Moscow. Farid Akberov – APA. APA’s correspondent in Moscow interviews
with the Russian presidential candidate, chairman of the Liberal
Democratic Party Vladimir Zhirinovsky

– How will the Russian-Azerbaijani relations be if you are elected
the president of Russia?

– Azerbaijan and Armenia can not solve the Nagorno Karabakh problem
without Russia. Therefore I will propose Azerbaijan and Armenia to
join Russia as a Trans-Caucasian Federal Region. Governorship of this
federal region should be given to Azerbaijan because of population
size, but the deputy governor can be elected among the Armenians. If
Azerbaijan and Armenia don’t accept this proposal, we will recognize
the independence of Nagorno Karabakh.

– Today Russia recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

– We will not do it. If we recognize, it will damage our relations
with Armenia. We need Armenia to use it as leverage over Turkey.

Turkey hinders Azerbaijan. If there is no Turkey, the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict would be resolved. Turkey is a great country, NATO member. It
has a strong army. Armenia defends our borders from the direction of
Turkey. We need Armenia for that reason.

– The French Senate adopted a draft law criminalizing the denial of
“Armenian genocide”. Is it possible to be adopted in Russia too?

– I positively accept the French Senate’s decision. We have no such
law in Russia. We don’t like to irritate Azerbaijan and Armenia by an
initiative of adopting similar law. Live just as you choose. You were
living in the Soviet Union better, but started to fight when you left
it. I am an Orientalist. I told these words 20 years ago too. The war
between Israel and Arabs will never end. It will never end between
Azerbaijan and Armenia too. Only Russia can solve this problem. I
don’t like the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The OSCE Minsk
Group, France and other will never assist the solution of the problem.

We can’t leave Armenian alone because of direct threats from Turkey.

Do you know the “3rd combat troops” plan of Turkey? They want to seize
whole Caucasus, Voronezh, Volgograd and Rostov. We can’t allow it.

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT: “ONE CAN NOT PLAY WITH TURKEY’S MOOD”

APA
Feb 1 2012
Azerbaijan

Tbilisi. Nizami Mammadzadeh – APA. “One can not play with Turkey’s
mood.

It can damage Europe, at the same time Georgia”, said Deputy Chairman
of Georgian Parliament, MP of Christian-Democrats faction Levan
Vepkhvadze commenting on the French Senate’s law criminalizing the
denial of made-up “Armenian genocide”. He noted that one needed to
approach such issues carefully: “It is needed to feel the pulse of
recent period and pass relevant decisions”.

Vepkhvadze reminded that many international projects directed to
the West cross via Turkey: “Europe must diversify imported energy
resources. As we know, the most part of Europe depends on oil and gas
pipelines coming from Russia. The pipelines coming from the Central
Asia and Caspian Sea region cross and will cross via Turkey. Turkey
will develop further. That’s why it is needed to think seriously”.

AVRANCHES A L’HEURE ARMENIENNE

la Manche Libre

1 Fev 2012
France

Avec l’exposition “Reflets d’Armenie”, le Scriptorial d’Avranches,
musee des manuscrits du Mont-Saint-Michel est au coeur de l’actualite.

L’Armenie est un pays qui fait couler beaucoup d’encre depuis que la
France a legifere sur le genocide de 1915. Cette loi est d’ailleurs
contestee par plusieurs parlementaires de gauche et de droite qui
ont saisi le Conseil d’Etat. “L’Armenie ce n’est pas que le genocide,
c’est 3 000 ans d’histoire”, a confie le directeur du musee armenien
de France.

Le Scriptorial d’Avranches propose d’en montrer les plus beaux
reflets du 4 fevrier au 6 mai a travers des manuscrits enlumines et
du mobilier liturgique de toute beaute. Ces objets ont ete pretes
en grande majorite par le musee armenien de France. La bibliothèque
nationale de France a confie au musee huit manuscrits originaux.

Raye de la carte pendant 1 000 ans, ce pays du Caucase, a cheval
entre Orient et Occident a su garde intact sa culture. Sa capacite
de resistance reside justement dans l’ecrit et la diffusion de la
langue armenienne qui a forge son identite. Son ciment est la religion.

L’Armenie est le premier pays chretien de l’histoire.

Pratique Vernissage vendredi 3 fevrier a 18h30 au Scriptorial, place
d’Estouteville. Exposition visible jusqu’au 6 mai 2012.

From: Baghdasarian

LA SENATRICE NATACHA BOUCHART ET LA RECONNAISSANCE DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN

nordlittoral.fr
le_la_communaute_armenienn.shtml
29 janvier 2012
France

Natacha Bouchart : ” Pour ma famille, la communaute armenienne, je
devais participer a ce debat ”

Elue au Senat en septembre 2011, Natacha Bouchart est intervenue pour
la première fois cette semaine en seance au Palais du Luxembourg.

C’etait lundi, le jour où…