Month: September 2013

REVUE DE PRESSE N1 – 06/09/13 – COLLECTIF VAN

Publié le : 06-09-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN [Vigilance
Arménienne contre le Négationnisme] vous propose une revue de presse
des informations parues dans la presse francophone, sur les thèmes
concernant la Turquie, le génocide arménien, la Shoah, le génocide
des Tutsi, le Darfour, le négationnisme, l’Union européenne, Chypre,
etc… Nous vous suggérons également de prendre le temps de lire ou
de relire les informations et traductions mises en ligne dans notre
rubrique Par
ailleurs, certains articles en anglais, allemand, turc, etc, ne
sont disponibles que dans la newsletter Word que nous générons
chaque jour.

Pour la recevoir, abonnez-vous a la Veille-Média : c’est gratuit !

Vous recevrez le document du lundi au vendredi dans votre boîte email.

Bonne lecture.

Turquie : 1er baptême a l’église d’Aghtamar depuis 1915 Info
Collectif VAN – – Turquie : L’église arménienne
Sainte-Croix d’Akhtamar (Lac de Van) accueillera sa première
cérémonie de baptême depuis le génocide de 1915, durant la messe
du dimanche 8 septembre 2013 a 11h. ” Nous attendons une augmentation
énorme du nombre de personnes qui viendront a la messe ” a déclaré
Muzaffer Aktug, directeur du tourisme et de la culture de la ville de
Van, qui a mis l’accent sur les retombées positives du tourisme dans
le processus de paix. Effectivement, le ” tourisme génocidaire ”
prend chaque année de plus en plus d’ampleur en Turquie, des milliers
d’Arméniens de la diaspora faisant le pèlerinage sur les terres de
leurs grands-parents ou arrière-grands-parents, a la recherche de ”
la vie d’avant le génocide ”. Souhaitons que ces rencontres ne soient
pas seulement l’occasion, pour la partie turque et kurde, d’engranger
des bénéfices et qu’elles débouchent sur un véritable travail
de mémoire. Ce n’est pas gagné si l’on en juge les déclarations
de l’association négationniste ASIMDER, qui compte être présente
le 8 septembre a Aghtamar pour faire valoir sa vision mensongère
de l’histoire… Le Collectif VAN vous invite a lire la traduction
d’un article publié par le journal arménien de Turquie, AGOS,
le 26 aoÔt 2013.

Presse arménienne : Revue du 5 septembre 2013 Info Collectif VAN –
– “” La décision de l’Arménie de se joindre
a l’Union douanière ne signifie point la fin ou la suspension de
notre dialogue politique avec l’UE ”. V.

Sarkissian a réitéré les assurances données par le Président
arménien : Erevan reste déterminé a mener les réformes convenues
avec l’UE. ” Nous sommes conscients que l’adhésion a l’Union
douanière pourrait contrevenir certaines dispositions de l’accord
sur la zone approfondie de libre-échange avec l’UE.” Le Collectif VAN
vous présente cette Revue de Presse parue sur le site de l’Ambassade
de France en Arménie le 5 septembre 2013.

Erevan n’exclut pas une association avec l’UE L’administration du
président Serge Sarkissian a déclaré aujourd’hui que l’Arménie
espère encore finaliser un accord d’association avec l’Union
Européenne cet automne, malgré l’annonce inattendue du président
de rejoindre le bloc dirigé par la Russie.

Syrie : Francois Hollande lâché par l’Europe au G20 ”Nous
comptons sur le soutien des Européens et des pays arabes”,
assurait l’entourage du chef de l’Ã~Itat. Peine perdue. Francois
Hollande avait a peine posé le pied sur le tarmac de l’aéroport de
Saint-Pétersbourg qu’il était déja lâché par ses plus proches
alliés, les Européens.

Les Arméniens de Boston soulèvent 1,3 million de dollars pour
que les Arméniens de Syrie s’installent au Karabagh La communauté
arménienne de Boston a soulevé 1,3 million de dollars pour que les
Arméniens de Syrie puissent commencer une nouvelle vie au Karabagh.

Syrie : pourquoi la plupart des pays émergents sont contre une
intervention La crise syrienne n’est pas officiellement a l’ordre du
jour de la réunion du G20 qui doit se dérouler, jeudi 5 et vendredi
6 septembre, a Saint-Pétersbourg, en Russie. Mais l’éventualité
d’une intervention militaire contre le régime de Damas risque fort
de bouleverser l’agenda, et révéler une nouvelle fois le fossé
béant entre la Russie, pays hôte et soutien indéfectible a Bachar
Al-Assad, et les Etats-Unis et leurs alliés, qui entendent “punir”
Damas pour l’attaque chimique du 21 aoÔt perpétrée dans la banlieue
de la capitale syrienne.

Réactions des Européens au retournement arménien Selon l’actuel
président de l’UE, le lituanien Linas Linkevicius, l’engagement
surprise de l’Arménie dans l’Union Douanière dirigée par la Russie
serait incompatible avec l’élément clé de son accord possible
avec l’UE, a savoir la création d’une ” zone de libre-échange
approfondi et complet ”. Linkevicius a ajouté ” respecter le choix
du pays, mais il est impossible pour l’Arménie d’adhérer aux deux
associations ”.

DARFOUR : LE CORPS D’UN CASQUE BLEU DISPARU A Ã~ITÃ~I RETROUVÃ~I
Le porte-parole du Secrétaire général de l’ONU, Martin Nesirky,
annonce aujourd’hui que le corps d’un Casque bleu a été retrouvé
au Darfour, une dizaine de jours après avoir été emporté par des
inondations. ” La MINUAD a indiqué que l’une de ses patrouilles
avait retrouvé le corps d’un de ses quatre soldats portés disparus
au cours de ces inondations ”, annonce-t-il.

En Turquie, le pot de peinture comme arme de protestation massive
Depuis la fin du mois d’aoÔt, Istanbul et quelques dizaines d’autres
villes turques se couvrent d’arcs-en-ciel. La nuit, munis de pots
de peinture de toutes les couleurs, des Stambouliotes peignent des
escaliers et certains passages. Un mouvement artistique qui tend a
se transformer en mouvement politique : la poursuite, plus calme,
des protestations de la place Taksim, réprimées en juin.

Les Arméniens de Syrie préoccupés par l’effet négatif de possibles
frappes aériennes américaines La situation autour de la Syrie,
où les forces de l’opposition se livrent a des combats armés
contre les forces gouvernementales fidèles au président Bachar
al-Assad, s’est aggravée a la suite de l’utilisation présumée
d’armes chimiques le 21 aoÔt. Les Ã~Itats-Unis affirment posséder
des preuves concluantes que le régime d’Assad a utilisé du gaz sarin
près de Damas ce jour tuant 1429 civils, dont 426 enfants. Pendant
ce temps, les deux factions belligérantes en Syrie ont accusé leur
adversaire de l’horrible attentat.

Retour a la rubrique

PROSPEROUS ARMENIA MP EXPECTS EXPLANATIONS FOR ARMENIA’S DECISION IN FAVOR OF CUSTOMS UNION

13:48 04.09.13

In an interview with Tert.am, Secretary of the Prosperous Armenia Party
(PAP) parliamentary group, Chairwoman of the European Integration
Commission, Parliament of Armenia, Naira Zohrabyan commented on
Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union. She also answered the
question as to whether the issue of Armenia’s initialing an association
agreement with the European Union (EU) can be considered closed. Before
expressing her opinion she needs information on official Yerevan’s
position. However, officials of Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
have not answered her calls. She is critical of this behavior.

– Mrs Zohrabyan, was not the statement on Armenia’s membership in
the Customs Union unexpected? What are its political and economic
consequences?

– I think that questions should be addressed to the officials
responsible for Armenia’s foreign policy rather than to political
forces. The questions should be addressed to the ones that have been
conducting negotiations over the association agreement and a deep
and comprehensive free trade area agreement. As a citizen, Parliament
member and Chairwoman of the European Integration Commission, I would
like to get answers to the following questions:

First, in his interview with Komerstant, Armenia’s Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan stated that the international practice has no precedent
of a country joining a customs union without having common borders
with the union member-states; second, Armenia’s Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs Shavarsh Kocharyan stated quite recently that Armenia
joining the Customs Union meant losing its sovereignty.

So I want to receive the answers. I do not think that evading questions
is the right and honest answer. I think that the public must be clearly
informed of what happened within the next few days. I am going to
apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials who negotiate on
the association agreement. They must come and provide explanations to
Parliament if, of course, they are informed of anything at all. First
of all, we need it to make a sober assessment of the situation and
state our position. If they do not provide the explanations for what
happened and why it happened, what Armenia’s benefits are, it would
be illogical to expect political forces’ response now. My conclusion
is that we can regard as closed the issue of a deep and comprehensive
free trade area agreement. As to the association agreement, we need
clear information.

– Mrs Zohrabyan, in response to a recent question about the PAP’s
position on the association agreement, you said that you would
present it. Now that, according to some forecasts, the process has
got under way…

– I said that we would present our position after getting familiarized
with the content. My answer still holds good. When we receive
clear information on the content of the association agreement –
if the agreement will be initialed on November 21 (although it will
supposedly not be initialed) and the issue of the free trade section
can be considered closed as running counter to the Customs Union
Rules – we will be able to state our position.

– If you consider a retrospective view of the association agreement
impossible, can you present your view of the possibility of joining
the Customs Union?

– I am unaware of what kind of structure the Customs Union is going to
be. I do not think anyone is well-informed. It is the same story. I
say again that the political forces and Parliament must be provided
with clear information on Armenia’s possible benefits and losses from
joining the Customs Union.

Armenian News – Tert.am

REPUBLICAN PARTY SPOKESMAN: ‘THERE CAN BE NO TALK OF RUSSIAN PRESSURE’

Grisha Balasanyan

14:12, September 4, 2013

Hovhannes Sahakyan, Secretary of the ruling Republican Party
parliamentary faction told Hetq that President Sargsyan’s statement
yesterday that Armenian would join a Russian-led Customs Union should
have been expected.

“We are already included in a Russian security network, and thus
cannot remain aloof from any economic ties,” said Sahakyan.

The faction secretary said that Armenia would continue to cooperate
with the European Union and that Armenia’s joining the Customs Union
couldn’t upset such ties.

“We have said on numerous occasions that we are willing to deepen
our relations with the European Union to the extent that it is willing.

You know, there are different criteria and 28 nations. What road did
they take to become members? Thus, I believe the issue isn’t only in
our backyard,” Sahakyan said.

When I brought up the comments of certain EU member state
representatives, claiming that Russia had pressured Armenia, Sahakyan
said he regarded such talk as strange.

“Today, we have an established country, government and, most
importantly, a democratic state. We also have a skilled and experienced
leader who defends the interests of Armenia. Exerting pressure,
in such conditions, is impossible,” Sahakyan stressed.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CRRC: ARMENIA IS LEADING IN INTERNET USE IN REGION; 12% OF RESPONDENTS IN AZERBAIJAN HAVE NOT EVEN HEARD ABOUT INTERNET

11:13 04/09/2013 ” SOCIETY

According to the “Caucasus Research Resource Centers” (CRRC), the
level of Internet use in the South Caucasus countries, especially in
Armenia, is rapidly increasing, the article posted on the website of
the organization reads.

Thus, according to the 2012 data 44% of Armenians use the Internet
once a week or more. In 2010, this figure was equal to 28%. In the
same time, 9% use Internet once a month or even less. It is noteworthy
that there were no people left in Armenia who did not know what the
Internet was.

In Azerbaijan 19% of the population uses Internet once a week or more.

In the same time, 12% of the population still does not know what the
Internet is.

According to the CRRC, 35% of Georgian residents use the Internet
every week. 6% of respondents have not heard about the Internet at all.

The organization notes that the main Internet users are primarily
residents of capital cities aged from 18 to 35.

The lack of access to the network was given as a reason for not using
the Internet in Armenia and Azerbaijan. In Georgia the reason was
the shortage of computer.

“In addition, about a quarter of Azerbaijanis stated that they were
not interested in using the Internet,” reads the CRRC site.

The organization also inquired about the purposes for which the
respondents used the Internet. It turned out that most of the users in
Georgia, and about half of the Armenians and Azerbaijanis mainly use
such social networks as “Odnoklassniki” (“Classmates”), “Facebook”
and “MySpace”. Armenians often use Skype as well. A quarter of the
Armenians read online news. This rate in Azerbaijan equals 16%,
and in Georgia – 22%.

“Such activities as online games, dating sites, blogging, visiting
forums and shopping via the Internet are less popular in the region,”
add the authors of the research.

Source: Panorama.am

From: A. Papazian

TURKISH STUDENTS TO STUDY IN DILIJAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

14:20, 4 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. The Dilijan International School of
Armenia (DIS) considers admission of pupils from Turkey starting from
2014. Russia-resident businessman and benefactor Ruben Vardanyan’s
wife Veronika Zonabend stated this at the course of the press
conference held on September 4. As reports “Armenpress” Veronika
Zonabend highlighted: “We are hopeful that 4 students from Turkey
will come to study in the Dilijan International School of Armenia
(DIS) in the first year. It’s of a certain importance for Armenia
and Turkey.” In addition Zonabend stressed that there are two Turks
among the applicants from Turkey, along with an Armenian and a Kurd.

The Dilijan International School of Armenia (DIS) is intended to be
a vibrant and dynamic coeducational international boarding school,
for boys and girls aged 13 to 19, located in Armenia, at the heart
of the ever-shifting balance between the East and the West.

DIS will offer a globally regarded education to bright students
from all over the world, striving to be a beacon of excellence and
diversity in the region. The School’s location in a host country,
where ancient cultures of the East and the West have been absorbed
over millennia, will create a congenial environment shaped by the
enduring balance of its values and traditions.

At the heart of the DIS mission, is the desire to evoke in the students
the passion for sustainable excellence in educational, social and
environmental development. DIS will foster a harmonious learning
and living atmosphere, where these core values are comprehensively
embedded in the curriculum, facilitating the development of a deep
and holistic academic knowledge and guiding every student in the
acquisition of tools to develop their own potential.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DIPLOMAT WELCOMED ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S DECISION TO JOIN CUSTOMS UNION

13:45, 4 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS: Armenia should realize its
considerable geopolitical role in the world tangle and make steps
so that both Europe and the Russian Federation see Armenia in their
structures. This was stated by the former Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Armenia Arman Navasardyan touching upon the decision of
Armenia to join the Customs Union. “I was one of the supporters of
“and-and” idea. I think it is possible in Armenia’s conditions,
if we can work right. “Or-or” could make us harm. In that sense, the
decision of the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan to
join the Customs Union should be welcomed”, – said Arman Navasardyan,
as reported by Armenpress.

The former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia noted at
the same time that if the membership in the Customs Union brings to
the refusal from signing the Association Agreement, the country will
lose a lot.

In the result of the negotiations on September 3, 2013 in Moscow
the Presidents Sargsyan and Putin confirmed the aim of the Republic
of Armenia and the Russian Federation in the direction of further
development of economic integration processes in the Eurasian
territory. In that context the President of the Republic of Armenia
Serzh Sargsyan announced about the Armenia’s decision to join the
Customs Union and the necessity of implementation corresponding steps
for that aim and in future about participating in formation of the
Eurasian economic union. The President of the Russian Federation
Vladimir Putin expressed his support to the abovementioned decision
of Armenia and informed about the readiness of the Russian side to
support the process.

Earlier Armenpress published the speech of the Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan during the press conference on the results of the
negotiations with the Russian President Vladimir Putin:

“Honorable Mister President, respectable representatives of media,

I want to begin with gratitude word directed to Mister Putin for just
ended open negotiations, atmosphere of confidence and arrangements
directed to further development of Armenian-Russian relations. As it
was said in constructive atmosphere together with Russian President we
discussed the main issues of strategic partnership of our countries –
in political, trade-economic, energy, humanitarian and other fields.

Naturally we spoke about regional issues and settlement of
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I confirmed once more Armenia’s readiness to
settle the conflict exclusively peacefully on the base of principles
of self-determination of people, retraining from threat or use of
force, territorial integrity of states. I reconfirmed our readiness
to continue looking for solutions for the crisis on the base of
settlement principles and elements reflected in joint statements of
Russian, American and French Presidents. One of main topics of our
negotiations was the necessity of infrastructure reforms in Armenia,
securing modernization and diversification of economy where Russia
is represented with many enterprises. We discussed in details the
prospective directions of our cooperation. We also discussed issues
relating Eurasian integration and I confirmed Armenia’s wish to join
Customs Union and be involved in the process of formation of Eurasian
economic union.

20 years ago Armenia together with Russia and other CIS member states
formed its military security system in format of Collective security
treaty. During these decades the system approved its vitality and
efficiency. Today our CSTO partners form new platform of economic
cooperation. I have said many times that being in the same system
of military security it is impossible to isolate yourself from
corresponding geo-economic territory. This is a rational decision and
it comes from interests of the Republic of Armenia. This decision
is not refusal from dialogue with European organizations. During
these years Armenia in support of its European partners held serious
institutional reforms. Nowadays Armenia in this sense is much more
efficient and competitive country as it was several years ago.

Ladies and gentlemen,The results of our negotiations are reflected
in our joint statements signed with Vladimir Putin several minutes
ago. I am sure that realization of all arrangements will give new
impetus to strategic allied partnership.

Mister President, I am grateful for warm reception and made
arrangements”.

PROSTEST AGAINST ARMENIA’S MEMBERSHIP IN CUSTOMS UNION IN FRONT OF PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE

15:06 04.09.13

A protest against Armenia’s joining the Customs Union has started in
front of the Armenian presidential residence.

The number of participants is increasing. They have arrived with
“USSR” ice creams in their hands, hinting that Armenia is actually
moving toward the restoration of the USSR.

The protesters are demanding Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s
resignation. David Sanasaryan, a Heritage party member, told
journalists that “some backboned citizens” gathered to warn the
“unelected” president or other officials to play with Armenia’s
sovereignty.

“We have come to warn them against this step,” he said.

After the protesters attempted to cross Baghramyan Avenue toward
the presidential residence, they clashed with policemen. A number of
protesters were detained. Chairman of the Asparez club Levon Barseghyan
and Chairman of the National Self-Determination Union Paruyr Hayrikyan
participated in the protest.

Hayrikyan told journalists that this issue must be settled by means
of a referendum rather than by President Serzh Sargsyan alone.

Armenian News – Tert.am

CUSTOMS UNION IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF ARMENIA – MP

15:07 04.09.13

Armenia’s consent to join the Customs Union is in the best interests
of the country, a ruling party lawmaker has said, commenting upon
President Serzh Sargsyan Tuesdaystatement in Moscow.

“Nothing sensational has happened. We have acted in the interests of
our state,” Eduard Sharmazanov told Tert.am, reiterating the Armenian
authorities’ earlier promises for developing a simultaneous cooperation
with the Eurasian and European institutions.

The politician, who is a spokesperson for the Republican Party of
Armenia, said the negotiations in Moscow are in line with Armenia’s
foreign policy course. “I have to first of all note that the Armenian
authorities have for several years developed cooperation with the
Russian Federation, our strategic ally, expressing willingness to
focus more targeted efforts on the Eurasian integration,” he said.

Sharmazanov added, “We think that the Eurasian and European integration
processes supplement each other, and we have repeatedly stated
that. I would like also to note that the Armenia’s government has
signed a cooperation memorandum with the Eurasian Union. To say in
such circumstances that it conflicts with Armenia’s foreign policies
is far from being real.”

He referred particularly to President Serzh Sargsyan’s remark that the
cooperation with the Customs Union doesn’t mean Armenia is suspending
the dialogue with the European partners.

The Republican MP warned against any attempts to exaggerate things,
calling instead for a higher trust in the president.

“I think and I am sure that the president’s is very balanced, rational
and in the national interests,” he added.

Armenian News – Tert.am

EXPERT: ARMENIA NOT TO GET GREAT ECONOMIC BENEFITS FROM JOINING CUSTOMS UNION

September 04, 2013 | 14:09

Armenia will not get great economic benefits from joining the Customs
Union, Carnegie Center expert Alexey Malashenko said.

The decision made by Yerevan is an absolute victory of Russia in the
implementation of its project on Eurasian integration, especially
against the background of what is happening in the relationship with
Ukraine and Belarus.

Armenia’s decision was expected, given its strategic partnership with
Russia and the Karabakh issue. The status quo will not change because
of joining the Customs Union. The decision will face criticism from
the West, but it will not last long.

Vlasov noted that CSTO celebrated victory in the battle between the
Eurasian and European project. Armenian leader’s decision means that
after the recent Putin’s visit to Azerbaijan, Yerevan began doubting
that Russia will continue to act as guarantor of Armenia’s security.

The economic benefit of Armenia will be the fact that Russian companies
will finally upgrade their enterprises in the country. Now this will
be politically motivated, the expert concluded.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

KREMLIN’S FURTHER POSSIBLE STEPS IN ARMENIA

Serzh Sargsyan could not stand the Russian political and economic
pressure and actually handed over the sovereignty of Armenia. Russia
did not have to make big efforts apart from blackmail and hostile
wording to make Armenia the empire’s “exclave”, as they had promised a
few months ago. There were all the “grounds”: the former regime handed
over all the vital spheres of life, security and infrastructures
to Russia, the Armenian political and business elite are just a
“fifth column” with its experts, analysts, mass media outlets and
others who were ready to sell everything for their own interests,
including the homeland. They did prove it in the past few months.

Russia’s further steps will suit the exclave logic. In addition, the
economic factor is insignificant compared with the military one. In
Konigsberg, now Kaliningrad, which is Russia’s exclave, almost no
investments have been made since World War II, and the infrastructures
created by the Germans are still operational. Instead, Kaliningrad
is a front post for Russia against Europe where bases and different
missiles are located.

However, even from this point of view, the status of Armenia is more
than suspicious because the enemies of Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan,
are Russia’s friends. Russia needs Armenia not as a member of the
Customs Union but a territory which will ensure Moscow’s presence in
the region. All the economic pledges that were heard during the Moscow
meeting in Putin and Sargsyan are of no value because any economic
and technological development is ruled out in an “exclave”. It takes
as much economy as it is needed to serve the military bases.

Not so remote history y shows that one of Russia’s possible steps was
to return Karabakh to Azerbaijan. This also fits the “exclave” logic.

It will strengthen Russia in the region because in that case nobody
will be able to escape.

Russia does not even need Armenia but Karabakh where it will get
dominance in case it deploys troops there, particularly on the border
with Iran.

Besides, one could expect mass displacement of people into the
mainland which is already happening in Armenia. All kinds of social,
psychological and other reasons are in place in our country. An
“exclave” needs as many people as is required for serving the bases.

Besides, the oligarchy must stay in the exclave to supply the bases
and maintain experts, analysts and mass media outlets which must
justify all the steps of the metropolis.

An “exclave” does not have a foreign policy and armed forces. The army
is at the disposition of the metropolis, and our sons will sacrifice
their lives for the interests of the metropolis, not the homeland.

Haik Aramyan 14:54 04/09/2013 Story from Lragir.am News: