Author: Andres-Papazian

INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR OPENS IN MINSK TODAY.

TVR

Feb 8 2012
Belarus

Over 20 countries presented their publications. By tradition, the
guest of honor has been selected. This year it was Venezuela. It
officially opened the Year of the Book in Belarus. Armenia is the
central exponent. Yerevan will soon become the World Book Capital.

Over the next four days, visitors and participants of the event will
be able to partake in a number of creative meetings, presentations
and conferences. Not to mention that the Fair showcases an enormous
selection of books.

(Alexander Radzkov, Deputy Head of Presidential Administration
of Belarus)

From: A. Papazian

EU WANTS BIGGER ROLE IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS

Vestnik Kavkaza
Feb 8 2012
Russia

EU Special Representative Philipp Lefaure met the Azerbaijani
president, ministers of foreign affairs, justice, national security
and other officials in Baku, head of the EU office in Baku, Roland
Kobia, said on Wednesday. One of the main topics for discussion was
the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Trend reports.

Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and
Security Policy, confirmed EU’s strive for a bigger role in the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process on her visit in Azerbaijan several
months ago. The EU supports efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and has
new ideas to offer to speed up the process if necessary.

Kobia said that the ideas were being discussed by Azerbaijani and
Armenian governments.

From: A. Papazian

TOP OFFICIAL: SOME ARMENIAN LOBBY CENTERS WANT TO DAMAGE AZERBAIJANI-TURKISH RELATIONS

Trend
Feb 7 2012
Azerbaijan

Some centers, operating in support of the Armenian lobby, want to
create a confrontation between Azerbaijan and Turkey, Azerbaijani
Presidential Administration Social and Political Department Chief
Ali Hasanov said.

“There are some centers, operating with the Armenian lobby’s support,
which want to create a confrontation, to destroy the brotherly and
friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey,” Hasanov told
Trend today.

Some media outlets, seeking to destroy the friendship between
Azerbaijan and Turkey, used all their imagination, Hasanov said. These
are similar media outlets in Turkey, Azerbaijan and other countries,
he added.

Earlier, some Turkish media outlets reported that Azerbaijan did
not support Turkey in connection with the adoption of the law in the
French Senate, which envisages the criminal prosecution of individuals
denying the fictional “Armenian genocide”.

He added that Azerbaijan was and will always be close to Turkey since
the issue of adopting the law criminalizing the denial of so-called
“Armenian genocide” has been initiated.

Turkey’s official circles appreciate the brotherly and friendly
relations with Azerbaijan and its support, Hasanov said.

He also touched on France’s withdrawal from the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairmanship.

“Turkey is a member of the Minsk Group,” he said. “It took the
initiative to withdraw France from the Group. In any case, Turkey
will raise this issue to be considered at a regular meeting of the
Minsk Group. Azerbaijan’s official circles discuss the measures that
can be taken from a legal point of view.”

After an eight-hour debate, the French Senate adopted the bill. Some
127 senators voted in favour, while 86 senators voted against on
Jan.23.

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

Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that the predecessor of the Turkey
– Ottoman Empire had committed the 1915 genocide against the Armenians
living in Anadolu, and achieved recognition of the “Armenian Genocide”
by the parliaments of several countries.

From: A. Papazian

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ALI HASANOV: “THE DECISION ADOPTED IN THE FRENCH SENATE IS NOT THE POSITION OF FRENCH PEOPLE, IT IS THE POSITION OF A GROUP OF SENATORSBRIBED BY ARMENIAN DIASPORA”

APA
Feb 7 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku. Kamala Guliyeva – APA. “The visit pf French Senate’s delegation
led by Nathalie Goulet, their meeting with the IDPs, voting in the
Senate against law criminalizing the denial of made-up “Armenian
genocide” shows that the decision adopted in the French Senate is not
a position of French people”, said Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of
the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov at the meeting
with Members of the French Senate.

He noted that the decision passed in French Senate is the position
of a group of senators bribed by Armenian diaspora: “Those who take
this step in France are under the influence of Armenian diaspora”.

Sneator Goulet said that the arrival of French senators to Azerbaijan
was planned before the Senate’s adoption of this law: “France always
supported the return of IDPs to their lands. The tragedy of refugees
and IDPs justifies Azerbaijanis position in this issue. But I believe
that Azerbaijan will not be emotional. The purpose of our arrival to
Azerbaijan is to become familiar with your country and deliver the
realities to our country.

French Senators met with IDPs settled in Sabunchu District’s Raman
settlement and Binagadi district in the morning today.

From: A. Papazian

TURKEY-AZERBAIJAN MILITARY COOPERATION DISCUSSED IN BAKU

APA
Feb 7 2012
Azerbaijan

Chief of General Staff of Turkish Armed Forces meets with Azerbaijani
Defense Minister

Baku – APA. Chief of General Staff of Turkish Armed Forces,
Army General, Necdet Ozel met with Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister,
Colonel-General Safar Abiyev, Defense Ministry’s press service told
APA. Solemn welcome ceremony was held at the Defense Ministry for the
Turkish guest, the national anthems of both countries were performed.

Safar Abiyev gave information about the military-political situation
in the region and the problems caused by Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
over Nagorno Karabakh. Minister said as the efforts made by the Minsk
Group towards the resolution of the conflict have not produced concrete
results, Azerbaijan is obliged to take back the occupied Azerbaijani
territories through other means, therefore it is strengthening the
Armed Forces.

Military cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan was discussed
at the meeting, the sides underlined the importance of enhancing
the relations.

From: A. Papazian

LES PARTIS SE LANCENT DANS LES PREPARATIFS ELECTORAUX
Stephane

armenews.com
mardi 7 fevrier 2012

Les quotidiens font etat de la reunion des leaders des trois partis
de la coalition au palais presidentiel, la deuxième au cours d’une
semaine, consacree aux prochaines elections. Si Haykakan Jamanak
relève que les parties auraient discute des sièges attribues au
scrutin majoritaire et des candidatures de leurs partis respectifs,
Jamanak dit etre informe que le President Sarkissian se serait ensuite
entretenu avec le leader d'” Armenie prospère “, Gaguik Tsaroukian,
en tete-a-tete, pour lui demander de lui confirmer son soutien lors
des elections presidentielles de 2013 [conformement au memorandum de
coalition signe en 2011 par lequel les trois partis de la coalition
se sont engages a soutenir la candidature de Serge Sarkissian]. Selon
168 Jam, le congrès du parti Republicain aura lieu le 17 mars. Sera
alors presentee la liste electorale du parti qui devrait inclure plus
de jeunes et de femmes et moins d’hommes d’affaires. Les quotidiens
rendent compte des attaques verbales entre les partis Republicain et
” Armenie prospère “, après que le porte-parole du parti Republicain,
Edouard Charmazanov, a accuse ” Armenie prospère ” de mener un ”
jeu non sincère ” [rappelons que celui-ci s’est joint a l’initiative
des partis Dachnak et ” Heritage ” pour organiser des auditions
parlementaires consacrees au passage a la proportionnelle integrale].

M. Charmazanov avait ajoute de surcroît que les actions d'” Armenie
prospère ” ne correspondaient pas a ses engagements. ” Armenie prospère
“, de son côte, a invite son collègue de la coalition a ne pas se
livrer a des jugements inopportuns. La dispute s’est poursuivie toute
la journee d’hier. Les quotidiens relèvent par ailleurs que l’ancien
Ministre des AE, Vartan Oskanian, n’a non seulement pas dementi les
informations vehiculees par les medias selon lesquelles il pourrait
etre le N°2 de la liste d'” Armenie prospère “, mais les a confirmees
explicitement, en notant qu’elles n’etaient pas infondees.

Il a dit avoir eu des discussions en ce sens avec les dirigeants d'”
Armenie prospère “, ajoutant toutefois qu’il a eu des discussions
similaires avec d’autres partis. A l’heure actuelle, il n’aurait
pas encore pris de decision finale concernant sa participation a la
consultation electorale de mai. Par ailleurs, M. Oskanian a lance des
critiques a l’encontre de l’administration du President Sarkissian
dont le parti recourrait d’ores et deja a la ressource administrative,
ajoutant que l’Armenie a besoin de reformes serieuses qui ne seront
possibles que lorsque la configuration politique a l’AN sera changee.

Pour y parvenir, il faut, selon M. Oskanian, tenir des elections
reellement transparentes a la proportionnelle integrale.

Le coordinateur du CNA, Levon Zourabian a, quant a lui, declare que
le CNA ne renoncait pas a sa revendication de tenir des elections
anticipees s’agissant des elections presidentielles. Suite aux
elections legislatives de mai, le CNA se lancera dans une lutte visant
a faire tomber le President Sarkissian et a obtenir l’organisation
de nouvelles elections presidentielles.

Ambassade de France en Armenie

From: A. Papazian

LES LIVRES D’HISTOIRE EN TURQUIE DISCRIMINANT LES ARMENIENS VONT ETRE REVUS
Stephane

armenews.com
mardi 7 fevrier 2012

Le ministre turc de l’Education nationale Omer Dincer a promis de
changer des passages dans les livres d’histoire en Turquie qui sont
antagoniques envers les armeniens et les Chretiens Syriaques, selon
Erol Dora, un depute d’origine Syriaque membre du parti de la Paix
et de la Democratie (BDP).

Erol Dora a rencontre Dincer le 12 decembre pour lui demander de
faire proceder a des changements dans les livres en question. Le
ministre Dincer a montre de près au sujet, a affirme Erol Dora ajoutant
qu’il avait dit au ministre que les passages contre les armeniens et
Syriaques dans des livres d’histoire scolaires sont contraires aux
declarations europeennes sur les droits des enfants et les droits de
l’homme, aussi bien que les resolutions des Nations unies.

” Ce n’est pas seulement les Syriaques et les armeniens, mais aussi
les familles turques et Kurdes et le pays entier qui ont besoin de
reagir a ces livres, qui inculquent l’hostilite a nos enfants. C’est
extremement important pour un avenir paisible ” a dit Erol Dora au
journal Hurriyet.

Erol Dora a affirme ” qu’a moins que le ministère ne prenne de mesures
decisives bientôt, un procès sera lance contre la Turquie. La diaspora
Syriaque s’est developpee en un lobby et il y a une reaction reciproque
sevère contre la Turquie ” .

Les passages impliquant l’hostilite envers les armeniens et Syriaques
sont apparu relativement recemment, a dit Erol Dora, ajoutant
qu’il n’avait pas rencontre de livres d’histoire qui denigraient
les Syriaques et les armeniens jusqu’a sa reception d’un diplôme de
l’ecole en Turquie en 1973.

” Les passages denigrant les Syriaques et les armeniens sont apparus
dans les livres il y a 12 ans. La Turquie a aussi change ses livres
d’histoire pour propager ses propres thèses officielles d’histoire a
cause des lecons dans les livres d’histoire que l’on enseigne dans
les ecoles de la diaspora armenienne ” a declare un administrateur
d’ecole d’une minorite au journal Hurriyet sous couvert d’anonymat.

” Dans le passe, comme ecoles d’une minorite, nous avons dû accepter
tout ce qui nous a ete impose, mais maintenant nous pouvons intervenir
” a-t-il dit.

From: A. Papazian

LE CNA REAFFIRME LA NECESSITE D’UN ” CHANGEMENT DE REGIME ”
Stephane

armenews.com
mardi 7 fevrier 2012

Le Congrès National Armenien (HAK) a reaffirme son intention d’employer
les prochaines elections parlementaires pour tenter d’abattre le
President Serge Sarkissian.

Levon Zurabian, numero deux du HAK, a dit que l’alliance considère
la periode electorale comme ” une plate-forme pour la production du
ressentiment populaire et des protestations civiques contre le regime
… et l’expression d’aucune confiance en Serge Sarkissian “.

L’ancien President Levon Ter-Petrosian a dit en octobre dernier que
le bloc de l’opposition cherchera a tirer profit de ” sa presence
importante ” dans le prochain Parlement pour mettre en accusation
Sarkissian ” tout seul ou dans une alliance avec d’autres forces “.

Levon Zurabian a confirme que 18 partis d’opposition et d’autres
organisations alignees dans le HAK ont officiellement choisi finalement
vendredi de conjointement participer aux elections parlementaires
prevues en mai. Il a dit que le Conseil politique du HAK commencera
a discuter de la liste des candidats la semaine prochaine.

” Nous n’avons aucune illusion, nous ne pensons pas que cela sera une
tâche facile ” a dit Levon Zurabian dans une conference de presse. ”
Aujourd’hui les autorites ont de serieuses esperances que le HAK ne
reussira pas a parvenir a un accord sur cette question … Mais c’est
ok, nous les decevrons de nouveau ” .

From: A. Papazian

MONUMENTS TO BE MOVED FROM TEGHUT

Aysor.am
06.02.2012, 18:57

There are some cultural monuments in Teghut recorded in the official
lists, said Hasmik Poghosyan, the RA Culture Minister, today and
added that those monuments will be moved to other places.

Minister reported that excavations have been implemented in Teghut
and the findings are being examined by the Institute of Archeology,
after that they will be given to the Armenian History Museum.

“There are remains of a few monuments in Teghut; one of them is church
of Bover, which is included in the official list and the decision
of the Government is required for taking up any activity. At present
Culture Minsitry prepares the decision of the Government for moving the
church to some other place,” said the Minister and added that in Shnogh
village an area has been found where the monument will be placed.

From: A. Papazian

ZARAKOLU NOMINATED FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

BIAnet.org
Feb 6 2012
Turkey

Swedish parliamentarians nominated arrested journalist, publisher,
writer and human rights advocator Ragıp Zarakolu for the Nobel
Peace Prize.

Oslo – BÄ°A News Center06 February 2012, Monday Members of Parliament
of the Swedish Left Party Amineh Kakabaveh, Jens Holm, Bengt Berg, Siv
Holma, Marianne Berg and deputies of the Green Party Jan Lindholm and
Valter Mutt applied to the Nobel Prize Committee in Oslo to nominate
Ragıp Zarakolu for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize.

In their application to the committee, the members of the Swedish
Parliament emphasized that Zarakolu was an internationally recognized
human rights defender who became a symbol for press freedom and
freedom of expression.

The application also mentioned several awards given to publisher,
writer and human rights advocator Zarakolu for his efforts in this
context.

A news article in the Radikal daily also referred to numerous prison
sentences handed down to the publisher on the grounds of books on the
Armenian genocide, the Kurdish question, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and
Islam – topics considered taboos in Turkey – published by Zarakolu
together with his deceased wife AyÅ~_e Zarakolu.

Despite all pressure and attacks, Zarakolu continued defending freedom
of thought and contributed to the reconciliation between cultures.

The Swedish parliamentarians put forward that Zarakolu became a target
of the state due to his efforts. “If Turkey established a commission
on law and reconciliation one day, Zarakolu should become head of
this commission”, the deputies stated.

Ragıp Zarakolu was arrested on 1 November 2011 in the context of
an operation against the Union of Kurdish Communities (KCK), an
organization founded by Abdullah Ocalan, imprisoned leader of the
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) recognized a terrorist organization by
the European Union and other countries. The International Publishers
Association (IPA) criticized his arrest and announced, “He does not
deserve imprisonment but the Nobel prize”.

Zarakolu received rewards of the IPA in 1998 and 2008; in 1995 and
2007 he was awarded by the Turkey Publishers Association; in 2003
he was awarded by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture and in 2010 he
received the National Library Award of Armenia. (AS/VK)

From: A. Papazian