Month: September 2013

EurasiaNet.org
Sept 29 2013

ICG: Heightened Risk Of Armenia-Azerbaijan War

September 29, 2013 – 12:02pm, by Joshua Kucera

The risk of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is increasing and
international meditors need to step up efforts to make sure that
conflict doesn’t arise in the “coming weeks and months,” says the
International Crisis Group in a new report.

The report (pdf), Armenia and Azerbaijan: A Season of Risks, argues
that internal tension in both Baku and Yerevan could cause a small
conflict on the border — which occur nearly constantly — to spiral
into a full-fledged war. In Azerbaijan, presidential elections will be
held next month, and Armenia’s recent abrupt announcement that it is
joining Russia’s Customs Union has thrown that country’s political
scene into turmoil, the report argues. This, combined with the arms
both sides (but especially Azerbaijan) have been acquiring, could be a
deadly mixture, the ICG argues: “Confrontation, low-intensity but
volatile, between Azerbaijan and Armenia has entered a period of
heightened sensitivity. The ICG “does not predict a second war is
either imminent or more likely than not. It does suggest the near-term
threats to stability are becoming more acute… Vigorous international
engagement is needed to lessen chances of violent escalation during
coming weeks and months.”

The report’s authors noted that in Baku, the planning for a military
solution to the conflict appears to be getting more detailed: “Baku
has increasingly emphasised a military solution, publicly and
privately. Strategic planners discuss this in much more specific terms
than even a year ago. Air strikes are mentioned as a first stage in
any offensive, targeting air defences, then infrastructure. ‘We are
confident we can retake a significant amount of territory in a
relatively short time and force the Armenians to make a deal’, said
one.” Armenians, meanwhile, are wondering if it may be worth carrying
out a preemptive strike against Azerbaijan while the military balance
is not too far in the latter’s favor.

Unfortunately, the report notes, the international efforts to tamp
down the conflict do not appear to be up to the challenge. It
criticized the international mediators of the OSCE’s Minsk Group for
being ineffective, and in the case of Russia, having too many
interests in the region to be an honest broker: “The strong and
coordinated intern
ational pressure needed to break the diplomatic deadlock is lacking…
. Russia’s position raises particular questions about the format’s
effectiveness. It is not only a Minsk Group co-chair but also has
major strategic interests in the South Caucasus and supplies arms to
both sides of the conflict.”

The full report, as is usually the case with the ICG, is worth
reading. But this one is especially foreboding.

From: A. Papazian

Fars News Agency, Iran
Sept 29 2013

Armenia Welcomes Resumption of Iran-G5+1 Talks

TEHRAN (FNA)- Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, in a
meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, welcomed
the start of a new round of talks between the Group 5+1 (the five
permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) and Iran on
Tehran’s civilian nuclear program.
During the meeting held on the sidelines of the 68th UN General
Assembly Session in New York on Saturday, the Armenian top diplomat
expressed the hope that Tehran’s nuclear standoff with the West would
be settled during the upcoming talks between the two sides.

Zarif, for his part, underlined the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear
program, and expressed Tehran’s readiness for the start of the new
round of talks with the world powers on the basis of equal footing,
confidence building and mutual respect.

The two senior officials also stressed the need to broaden bilateral
ties between the two neighboring states in all arenas.

On Friday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani underlined that his
government has full authority from Supreme Leader of the Islamic
Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei for talks with the world’s six
major powers.

`The government has sufficient authority to gain substantial results
in talks with the Group 5+1,’ President Rouhani told reporters at a
press conference in New York.

`The government has the necessary authority in nuclear talks and I
have chosen the foreign minister for negotiations,’ he added.

The Iranian president pointed to a recent meeting of foreign ministers
of Iran and the six world powers, and said, `The meetings of Dr. Zarif
with G5+1’s foreign ministers were held in a positive and inspiring
atmosphere and we hope that these talks could soon bear tangible
results.’

The foreign ministers of Iran and the six world powers said Thursday
they were pleased with their New York discussions over the settlement
of the Iran-West nuclear standoff, adding that they have set a new
round of negotiations for next month in Geneva.

The top diplomats of the Group 5+1 described their meeting with Zarif
on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly as “a change in tone”.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who chaired the
meeting, told reporters it had been `a substantial meeting. Good
atmosphere. Energetic’.

She said the two sides had agreed on an “ambitious timetable” to
address western concerns about Iran’s nuclear program and would meet
again in Geneva on October 15-16 `to pursue the agenda to carry on
from today’s meeting and to hopefully move this process forward’.

Ashton also added a note of caution, saying it was important to focus
on `effective work that we do on the ground’.

Iran says its nuclear program is a peaceful drive to produce
electricity so that the world’s fourth-largest crude exporter can sell
more of its oil and gas abroad. Tehran also stresses that the country
is pursuing a civilian path to provide power to the growing number of
Iranian population, whose fossil fuel would eventually run dry.

The US and its western allies allege that Iran is pursuing a nuclear
weapons program while they have never presented corroborative evidence
to substantiate their allegations against the Islamic Republic.

Iran is under four rounds of UN Security Council sanctions for turning
down West’s calls to give up its right of uranium enrichment, saying
the demand is politically tainted and illogical.

Iran has so far ruled out halting or limiting its nuclear work in
exchange for trade and other incentives, saying that renouncing its
rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) would encourage the
world powers to put further pressure on the country and would not lead
to a change in the West’s hardline stance on Tehran.

Iran has also insisted that it would continue enriching uranium
because it needs to provide fuel to a 300-megawatt light-water reactor
it is building in the Southwestern town of Darkhoveyn as well as its
first nuclear power plant in the Southern port city of Bushehr.

Tehran has repeatedly said that it considers its nuclear case closed
as it has come clean of the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA)’s questions and suspicions about its past nuclear activities.

In May, Iran and the six world powers wrapped up their 4th round of
talks after two days of intensive negotiations in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Iranian officials have always shrugged off the sanctions, saying that
pressures make them strong and reinvigorate their resolve to further
move towards self-sufficiency.

Russia unlike the western members of the G5+1 reiterates on the
necessity for recognition of Iran’s right of uranium enrichment.

The senior Russian officials have on several occasions emphasized the
need for progress in Iran’s nuclear case and the relevant negotiations
on the basis of mutual cooperation and respect.

Tasnim News Agency, Iran
Sept 29 2013

Iranian FM Holds Meetings with Counterparts from Region

September 29, 2013 – 12:10

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s minister of foreign affairs, now in New York
City to attend the 68th annual session of the United Nations General
Assembly, met with his counterparts from some regional countries on
Saturday.Print Mohammad Javad Zarif had meetings with foreign
ministers of some regional countries, namely Armenia, Turkmenistan,
United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Syria on Saturday on the sidelines of
the UN annual gathering.

In the meeting with his Armenian counterpart, Zarif expressed Tehran’s
determination to maintain, expand and bolster bilateral relations with
Yerevan.

The Armenian official, for his part, pointed to the significance of
joint economic projects between Tehran and Yerevan, and expressed
satisfaction with the status of cultural and parliamentarian
cooperation between the two nations.

In a separate meeting, Zarif and Turkmen Foreign Minister Rasit
Meredow discussed bilateral relations, particularly partnership in
transportation and transit fields. They also exchanged viewpoints on
expansion of energy cooperation between Tehran and Ashgabat.

Another meeting between the Iranian and Emirati foreign ministers
focused on the issues regarding Iranian expatriates in the Arab
country and economic ties between Tehran and Abu Dhabi.

Meeting Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem was among other
meetings in Zarif’s schedule on Saturday. The two top diplomats
discussed the latest developments in Syria during the meeting, and
conferred on the approaches to end the lingering crisis in the Arab
country.

From: Baghdasarian

Emirates News Agency (WAM), UAE
September 29, 2013 Sunday

Ministry of Foreign Affairs discuses cooperation with Armenia

ABU DHABI, 29th September, 2013 /WAM/ — The Director of the
Economic Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
/MoFA/, Jassim Mohammed Al Qasimi, has discussed with Gegham
Gharibjanyan, Armenian Ambassador to the UAE, ways to develop
cooperative relations between the two countries and to prepare for
the meeting of the Joint Committee meeting between the United Arab
Emirates and the Republic of Armenia.

During the meeting the parties also reviewed a number of topics of
mutual interest between the two countries.

From: A. Papazian

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Sept 29 2013

Iran’s Armenian connection contradicts Islamic solidarity policy

Ferhad Memmedov
29 September 2013 /Ä°REM KARAKAYA, ANKARA

Azerbaijan is critical of Iran’s growing ties with the Armenian
government, which forced 600,000 Muslims to leave their homes in
Nagorno-Karabakh and 400,000 Muslims to flee Armenia, as this
contradicts Iran’s pro-Islamic solidarity policy, says Ferhad
Memmedov, chief of the Baku-based Center for Strategic Research (SAM).
Speaking to Sunday’s Zaman, Memmedov said Azerbaijan has been closely
watching Armenian-Iranian relations and stated that there is a
contradiction between the Iranian government’s statements and its
actions on the Armenian issue.

`Iran’s Armenia policy has no logical explanation. Iran exerts efforts
for the pro-Islamic solidarity idea that it announces as the main goal
of its foreign policy. However, it doesn’t pay attention to the fate
of 600,000 Muslims who were forced to leave their homes in
Nagorno-Karabakh and 400,000 Muslims to flee Armenia. It doesn’t show
any official reaction to this invasion or impose any sanctions on the
occupying state. On the contrary, it keeps Armenia alive by supplying
financial aid to the occupying state,’ said Memmedov, pointing out
Iran’s mixed messages in the Caucasus region.

A bloody conflict erupted between ethnic Azerbaijanis and Armenians in
1991 over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous, predominantly
Armenian-populated enclave within Azerbaijani borders. Armenian-backed
armed forces seized 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories, killing
30,000 people. Hundreds of thousands fled their homes before a
cease-fire was signed in 1994, although there is no peace treaty as of
yet. In a display of solidarity with Azerbaijan on the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue, Turkey closed its borders with Armenia. This
sanction against Turkey’s eastern neighbor affected the Armenian
economy even further after Georgia, one of the countries with which
Armenia shares a border, closed its borders at the time of the
Russia`Georgia War of 2008.

On the question of whether Azerbaijan expects constructive steps in
Iranian-Azerbaijani relations, as Iran’s newly elected president
Hassan Rohani appears to be playing a conciliatory role in Iran’s
foreign policy, the think tank director draws attention to the power
of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Stating that the
latest presidential elections in Iran show that Khamenei controls the
political situation and affects the electoral results, Memmedov said
that Iranian officials are trying to broadcast Rohani’s moderate
stance, but Iran’s new foreign policy will prove itself through
concrete actions.

`As the director of a think tank, I believe that presidents change in
Iran but Iran’s politics remains the same, and it will continue its
current policies. The religious leadership of Iran and the political
background in the country show that Iran will be active and pursue
assertive policies in the Caucasus in the near future,’ he said,
stressing that although Rohani’s South Caucasus policy isn’t yet
clear, Azerbaijan doesn’t expect Iran to turn towards the Caucasus.

Rohani is the successor to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and his inauguration,
which was attended by heads of state as well as senior officials from
more than 50 countries, was held on Aug. 4. The inauguration of
Rohani, known as a moderate figure in Iranian politics, was perceived
as a sign of Iran’s new foreign policy as it was the first time that
foreign dignitaries had attended the inauguration of an Iranian
president.

On the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh issue between Azerbaijan and
Armenia, Memmedov hopes that the negotiation process will gain speed
with the upcoming presidential elections in Azerbaijan. Reiterating
Azerbaijan’s aim to find a solution for the area soon, the chief of
SAM said that Azerbaijan demands the withdrawal of Armenian troops
from its territory and explained that in the event of compliance with
this demand, a new era will begin in the South Caucasus.

`If Armenian troops leave Nagorno-Karabakh, all borders will be opened
to Armenia and it will be more independent. On the condition of the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is restored, the two sides can
reach a consensus on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh,’ said Memmedov.

Stressing that after October, there will be no elections in either
Armenia or Azerbaijan, Memmedov underlined that in that period there
will be no reason for either country to create artificial reasons to
prolong or obstruct negotiations. Memmedov also believes in the
necessity of solving the Nagorno-Karabakh problem for the Armenian
side, as the Armenian economy has been deeply affected by Turkey and
Azerbaijan’s policy of isolation against it. `Armenia is aiming to
open its borders with Turkey because of its economic collapse and
political instability, but this will only be possible if its occupying
troops leave Azerbaijani territory,’ he said and added, `Azerbaijan
appreciates Turkey’s punitive policy on Armenia.’

Construction on the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway, which began in 2007, is
expected to be completed by 2014. Saying that the railway project will
bring big business potential to Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan,
Memmedov also pointed out some global powers’ attempts to disrupt the
project as it leaves Armenia out of a regional cooperation initiative.
`Although the US wanted to prevent the project under pressure from
Armenian lobbies, now the railway will help NATO troops in their
withdrawal from Afghanistan. NATO’s munitions can be transported on
the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway ,’ said the Azerbaijani SAM director.

Memmadov also commented on the long-awaited visa exemption that
Azerbaijan agreed to sign with Turkey. The mutual deal to eliminate
visa requirements between Azerbaijan and Turkey was almost finalized
in 2009. The Turkish Foreign Ministry even announced that the official
signing ceremony would be held during a December 2009 visit to Ankara
by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. Despite these
widespread expectations, the visa exemption agreement was not
finalized during the visit. Turkey agreed to do away with visa
requirements for Azeri nationals, but for four years the Azerbaijani
government has postponed the issue for no apparent reason..

Memmedov said the deal has not been cancelled but merely delayed
because of technical issues. Underscoring his country’s good relations
with Turkey, he explained that the visa problems between the states
are minor. Memmedov noted that Turkish citizens can easily obtain a
visa from either an Azerbaijani embassy or at an airport and claimed
that to date no Turkish citizen has had difficulty in obtaining a visa
to enter Azerbaijan.

Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijan
September 28, 2013 Saturday

The Council of Europe will discuss another damning report on
corruption in Azerbaijan

Baku/27.09.13/Turan : Azerbaijan is indicated in the number of
countries with high levels of corruption in the report of the PACE
Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights , entitled “Corruption : a
threat to the rule of law” , compiled on the basis of the report of
the Estonian MP Mailis Reps faction of Alliance of Liberals and
Democrats for Europe.

PACE draft resolution consists of 63 articles and reflects the state
of corruption and fight with it in the Council of Europe.

Article 34 is fully dedicated to the scandal Gulergate in Azerbaijan.
In particular, it is noted that in exile the former rector of the
Azerbaijan International University Elshad Abdullayev , 25 September
2012 put on the Internet a video of his conversation with the then
deputy Guler Ahmedova , during which Ahmedova on behalf of the Head of
the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev promised Abdullayev
election to parliament in the 2005 election for $ 1 million.

Article 24 says that Azerbaijan on Corruption Perception Index of
Transparency International 2012 , occupies the 139th place and is one
of the five member countries of the Council of Europe, along with
Armenia (105), Albania (113), Russia (133 ) and Ukraine (144) .

Article 30 states on the corruption of law enforcement and the courts
of Azerbaijan.

Article 36 also states pursued by Azerbaijan so-called “caviar
diplomacy” in the Council of Europe and PACE to counteract the
appearance of reports criticizing the human rights situation and
political prisoners.

With reference to the former rapporteur on political prisoners in
Azerbaijan Christopher Strasser it is noted that caviar is distributed
to deputies from different countries for their vote in favor of the
authorities of Azerbaijan.

Article 46 states Azerbaijan among 11 countries that have not acceded
to the Convention on liability for corruption offenses.

It is expected that the draft resolution would be tabled in the PACE
autumn session September 30 – October 4. -03D06-

Le Figaro, France
Jeudi 26 Septembre 2013

Les chrétiens d’Orient en danger

Karam, Patrick

Les auteurs* appellent les diplomaties européennes à agir pour faire
respecter les droits de ces communautés. Villages rasés, massacres
collectifs, meurtres de religieux et de civils (femmes, enfants,
vieillards), viols, enlèvements, persécutions à grande échelle,
églises incendiées, monastères et écoles détruites, les chrétiens
d’Orient vivent aujourd’hui dans l’angoisse du lendemain, dans la peur
et la souffrance quotidiennes.Une épuration religieuse massive et
silencieuse est en cours en Égypte, en Irak, en Syrie et bientôt
peut-être au Liban.Une stratégie de la terreur est déployée dans cette
région du monde, elle vise à éliminer toute présence chrétienne, toute
identité multiple, tout souvenir du christianisme et de son rôle
historique dans la construction de ces peuples et de ces États. Elle
vise à rendre cet espace géopolitique hostile et impénétrable à
l’Occident.Et que font les diplomaties européennes ? Elles regardent
ailleurs. Elles ne veulent pas entendre l’indicible ou voir
l’impensable et se rendent coupables de complicité de crimes à grande
échelle, qui prennent le caractère de crimes contre l’humanité.Elles
parlent des droits de l’homme, de démocratie et, dans le même temps,
elles mènent des politiques qui sont dans les faits aveugles et
sourdes à la souffrance humaine lorsqu’il s’agit de chrétiens.

Elles combattent à juste titre des régimes au nom des idéaux
démocratiques et détournent le regard lorsque des alliés directs ou
indirects massacrent uniquement en raison de la religion.En Égypte,
pourquoi ne pas condamner les églises incendiées, les écoles brûlées,
les exactions quotidiennes contre les coptes exercées par les milices
des Frères musulmans ?En Irak, combien de destructions d’écoles et
d’églises, combien de massacres impunis de chrétiens sont intervenus
par la suite dans l’indifférence de l’Occident ?Faut-il rester
indifférents aux massacres de Syriens, uniquement parce qu’ils sont
chrétiens, et à l’enlèvement des deux évêques d’Alep et de prêtres par
les groupes islamistes ?En Terre sainte, le nombre de chrétiens ne
cesse de diminuer.Au Liban, pays francophone, les chrétiens
deviendront bientôt une minorité ; leur situation instable et précaire
conduit nombre d’entre eux à préférer l’exil aux incertitudes
sécuritaires et aux pressions des islamistes radicaux.Nulle pression,
nulle protestation ! Les puissances occidentales restent sourdes aux
suppliques des responsables et des organisations représentatives,
laïcs et religieux, qui tirent les sonnettes d’alarme et demandent une
réaction de la France et de l’Europe.Pourquoi ?Ont-ils anticipé la
disparition des chrétiens en Orient ? Ont-ils fait le deuil d’une
présence antérieure à l’implantation de l’islam, d’un peuplement
historiquement ouvert et bienveillant envers l’Occident ?Nous lançons
un appel à la France, aux Français et à l’ensemble des nations
européennes afin que la diplomatie prenne en compte l’existence de
populations chrétiennes, de problématiques spécifiques, d’un Orient
divers, et agisse désormais pour faire respecter les droits des
chrétiens en Orient.C’est l’intérêt de la France, de l’Europe, et de
la communauté internationale. Les chrétiens d’Orient ont toujours
représenté l’antidote de l’extrémisme ainsi qu’un vecteur de tolérance
entre les communautés. Leur disparition aboutira à l’exacerbation de
l’intolérance et de la violence aux portes de l’Europe.C’est aussi
l’intérêt des populations de cette région du monde. Les chrétiens
d’Orient ont toujours vécu en harmonie avec les musulmans et les juifs
et ils doivent pouvoir continuer à vivre de façon conviviale et
paisible avec toutes les communautés, afin de sauvegarder un Orient
multiculturel, qui porte un message universel de paix, de dialogue
fécond des cultures et de vivre-ensemble.La France et l’Europe doivent
évaluer leur politique dans cette région du monde et prendre en compte
son impact et ses conséquences pour les populations chrétiennes
concernées.Les gouvernements de ces pays, à l’instar de leurs
oppositions, doivent désormais être comptables de la survie et de la
sécurité des chrétiens. La France comme l’Europe doivent lier leur
aide et leur appui certes à la démocratie, aux droits des femmes mais
aussi à la défense des communautés chrétiennes et à leur droit de
vivre leur différence dans un espace qu’ils habitent depuis près de
deux millénaires.*Patrick Karam, conseiller régional, ancien délégué
interministériel, avec : Daniel Rondeau, écrivain, ancien ambassadeur
; Mgr Nasser Gemayel, évêque de l’Éparchie maronite de France ; Mgr
Charbel Maalouf, représentant du patriarche grec-catholique (rite
melkite) ; Mgr Abba Athanasios, évêque de l’Église orthodoxe copte
française ; pasteur Joël Mikaelian, président de l’Union des Églises
évangéliques arméniennes de France ; Patrice Djololian, président du
diocèse de l’Église apostolique arménienne de France ; Arménag
Aprahamian, Conseil national d’Arménie occidentale ; père Kevork
Assadourian, Église arménienne catholique ; Sona Attamian, Union
générale arménienne de bienfaisance (Ugab France) ; Pierre Awad,
Association copte d’Europe ; Thomas Aydin, Association cultuelle
syriaque (Syriens, Irakiens) ; Marc Fromager, directeur de « L’Aide à
l’Église en détresse » (AED) ; Moussa Ghanem, Regroupement des
associations de Libanais de France (Ralf) ; Adel Gorchy, Association
des coptes de France ; Élie Haddad, Parti « Rassemblement pour le
Liban » ; Jérôme Hajjar, Conseil économique de Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre
; Philippe Haroutiounian, Union franco-arménienne ; Pierre Joseph,
Union des patriotes syriens (Upsy) ; Arda Kalayjian, Groupe pour la
sécurité des Arméniens de Syrie ; Roueida Khoury, Association des
chrétiens de Syrie ; Jean Maher, Organisation franco-égyptienne pour
les droits de l’homme (Ofedh) ; Rezk Shehata, Laïcité pour tous ;
Bassam Tahhan, Rassemblement pour la Syrie (RPS) ; Michel Varton,
président de l’organisation Portes ouvertes ; père Élie Warde, Église
syriaque catholique ; Elish Yako, Association d’entraide aux minorités
d’Orient.Les chrétiens d’Orient ont toujours représenté l’antidote de
l’extrémisme ainsi qu’un vecteur de tolérance entre les communautés.
Leur disparition aboutira à l’exacerbation de l’intolérance et de la
violence aux portes de l’Europe

From: Baghdasarian

Le Figaro , France
Jeudi 26 Septembre 2013

La Turquie, étape forcée pour les chrétiens de Syrie persécutés

Marchand, Laure

SON GRAND-PÈRE a été égorgé, décapité, « puis ils ont joué avec sa
tête », raconte une vieille dame syrienne, foulard noué sous son
menton tatoué à l’encre. C’était lors du génocide des Arméniens
perpétré par les autorités ottomanes pendant la Première Guerre
mondiale. Sa famille à elle était syriaque mais entre les diverses
minorités chrétiennes, les sabres n’ont pas toujours fait la
différence. « Cela s’est passé pas loin d’ici », poursuit-elle.

À une trentaine de kilomètres de Mardin, ville du sud-est de la
Turquie, où elle est aujourd’hui réfugiée avec Jean, son fils, sa
belle-fille et ses deux petits-enfants. La famille Eilo a passé un
siècle à fuir les persécutions. Elle a d’abord échappé aux massacres
de 1915 en partant s’installer à Hassaké, grande ville à majorité
kurde, dans le nord-est de la Syrie actuelle. Près d’un siècle plus
tard, en 2013, elle a fait le chemin inverse, retournant en Turquie.
Cette fois-ci à cause des djihadistes. « Ils font des incursions dans
le centre d’Hassaké, certains ne parlent même pas arabe, raconte Jean,
qui était ptissier. Ils ont kidnappé mon beau-frère devant chez lui
et l’ont torturé. Il a fallu vendre sa maison pour pouvoir payer la
rançon. » Dès sa libération, ils ont traversé la frontière toute
proche. « À Hassaké, les seuls chrétiens qui restent sont les vieux
qui sont isolés et les plus pauvres qui n’ont pas les moyens d’en
partir. »Environ trois cents chrétiens du nord de la Syrie se trouvent
actuellement dans cette région turque frontalière, partie de la
Mésopotamie. « Les arrivées ont commencé l’an dernier, détaille Ayhan
Gürkan, un des responsables de la petite communauté syriaque de la
ville de Midyat. Le roulement est permanent, les nouveaux arrivants
remplacent ceux qui partent pour l’Europe clandestinement. » La
majorité a quitté la Syrie à cause des violences des rebelles
fondamentalistes contre les chrétiens.Melek Haccar vient également
d’Hassaké. Assis dans la fraîcheur de la cour de l’église Mor
Barsavmo, qui résonne des cris d’enfants syriens, il serre son fils
contre lui. Et il explique, les yeux remplis d’effroi, le contexte de
l’enlèvement de son neveu de 8 ans, il y a trois mois : « Notre
quartier n’est pas protégé par les forces kurdes, qui ont déjà fort à
faire dans les zones kurdes de la ville. Des gens d’al-Qaida l’ont
kidnappé dans la rue. Ils ont eu les renseignements grce à des
complicités. » Tout en tenant son fils de plus en fort dans ses bras,
ce charpentier de profession raconte que l’enfant a été séquestré 15
jours et que les ravisseurs appelaient son père avec un téléphone
satellite pour qu’il entende son fils le supplier de venir le libérer.
Ce qui fut obtenu contre l’équivalent de 20 000 dollars. « Nous
l’avons récupéré dans la maison d’un chef arabe, il a fallu lui donner
de l’argent, à lui aussi. » Le mois dernier, ils ont décidé de fuir
vers Midyat « déguisés en musulmans, avec des tchadors pour les
femmes, pour ne pas être enlevés aux check-points tenus par al-Qaida
».Ayhan Gürkan s’inquiète de ce flot de départs. « Pour l’instant,
nous faisons face et parvenons à assurer le logement, mais si Kameshli
(ville syrienne sous contrôle kurde de l’autre côté de la frontière,
NDLR) tombe entre les mains d’al-Qaida, ce sont 50 000 chrétiens qui
vont arriver d’un coup. » Les autorités turques viennent de construire
un camp réservé aux Syriens de confession chrétienne, juste derrière
le monastère de Midyat, sur un terrain donné par un homme d’affaires
syriaque local. Pour le moment, seules trois familles y sont
hébergées, dont celle de Melek Haccar. Lui aussi est originaire d’ici,
de cette région de Turquie appelée le Tur Abdin, qui signifie
littéralement « la Montagne des serviteurs de Dieu ». Ses églises,
dont la pierre prend une couleur dorée dans le soleil déclinant,
témoignent d’une présence chrétienne historique. La communauté a subi
une hémorragie tout au long du XXe siècle et elle ne compte plus que
quelques milliers de membres.L’arrivée des chrétiens de Syrie
pourrait-elle redonner vie à la Montagne des serviteurs de Dieu ?
Melek Haccar est retourné à Mardin, la ville de son grand-père qui
était tailleur de pierre. « Il avait réussi à fuir pendant le génocide
en marchant sur des cadavres. Je suis allé demander où se trouvait la
maison qui appartenait à «Melik Haccar, le tailleur de pierre». Elle
existe toujours, des Turcs habitent dedans. » Ce père de famille
espère désormais rejoindre l’Allemagne, via la Grèce et l’Italie,
comme l’a fait son frère. Il ne se voit plus d’avenir en Syrie et en
Turquie, « il n’y a plus de places pour les chrétiens ». Pour ce
chrétien d’Orient, la terre de ses ancêtres n’est plus qu’une étape
sur la route de l’exode.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. delegation left hungry due to meeting opposition in Nakhichevan

23:27 26/09/2013 » REGION

“Vasif Talybov kept American diplomat hungry and disgraced the famous
Caucasian hospitality,” the Azerbaijani portal “Minval” reads.

As the portal reports citing “Musavat.com” lawyer Derek Hogan who is
temporarily authorized in affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan
faced a shocking incident during a visit to Nakhchivan Autonomous
Republic of Azerbaijan. Note that Vassif Talybov is the head of this
autonomy.

The delegation headed by Derek Hogan had arrived a few days ago, in
order to find out the pre-election atmosphere in Nakhichevan. He met
with several representatives of local organizations, including –
representatives of the opposition party “Musavat” and Popular Front
Party of Azerbaijan. Despite the fact that in the framework of the
visit meeting with members of the ruling party “Yeni Azerbaijan” was
scheduled, the latter didn’t come to the meeting.

After the meeting with the local activists Derek Hogan and his
entourage wanted to have lunch and went to restaurant, “Soyudlu” where
the dinner was reserved beforehand since the morning and was agreed
with the administration of the restaurant. U.S. Embassy
representatives were shocked when they received a refusal and were
told that there was no food. At the same time, other visitors of the
restaurant were eating and drinking.

Local activists accompanying the U.S. delegation ordered tea for
face-saving. But in response to the request received a sacramental
phrase: “We have no gas, no water, and even if we had all of this
there would be no waiter here who would serve you.”
“Thus, the embassy representatives and persons accompanying them left
Nakhichevan, not having had dinner,” the article reads.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

MODERNIZATION OF 3 ARMENIAN BORDER CROSSINGS EVIDENCE OF EU’S CONSISTENT SUPPORT: HRISTEA SAYS

YEREVAN, September 27. / ARKA /. The project designed to modernize
Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan border crossings on Armenia’s border
with Georgia is another evidence of EU’s consistent assistance to
Armenia, according to the head of the EU Delegation to ArmeniaTraian
Hristea.

President Serzh Sargsyan traveled today to Bagratashen in northern
Armenia to take part in a ceremony that marked the launch of this
project.

Hristea said even if Armenia chooses another customs and trade regime,
facilitating trade with it will remain an important part of EU’s
relationship with it.

“For the citizens who will use the border crossings as well as for
companies which will benefit from them, this will be a small sign
that the EU is ready and determined to be useful ,” he told reporters.

Hristea said that facilitated border crossing for people and
transportation of goods will benefit both Armenia and Georgia.

Bagratashen , Bavra and Gogavan border crossings will be modernized
in conformity with the best international standards, he said.

In addition to the EBRD that has released 10.3 million euros, also the
European Investment Bank will release 30 million euros to finance the
modernization project. Funds will come also from the European Union’s
Neighbourhood Investment Facility and the United Nations Development
Programme and the government of Armenia.- 0-

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