Author: Andres-Papazian

TÉLÉVISION
Vivement Dimanche avec Aznavour (sous le signe de l’Arménie)

À trois jours de sa première à l’Olympia, le 7 septembre, Charles
Aznavour fait une halte chez son ami Michel Drucker dans l’émission «
Vivement dimanche » (France 2, 14h40). Une émission placée, entre
autre, sous le signe de l’Arménie avec des invités tels Serge
Bagdassarian de la Comédie Française, l’humoriste Mathieu Madénian,
Patrick Fiori, Hélène Ségara, le ballet Yeraz et Alexis HK (Alexis
Djoshkounian).

Était également au programme le ténor Ruben Elbakyan accompagné par
l’orchestre symphonique des Concerts Colonnes, dont la prestation ne
devrait pas être diffusée pour `raisons techniques’…

Parmi ses autres invités, l’incontournable ami de Charles, Michel
Leeb, Ours, le fils d’Alain Souchon accompagné par le fils de Laurent
Voulzy et Chico & les Gypsies.

Charles Aznavour, accompagné par 12 musiciens : 6 hommes et 6 femmes,
dont sa fille Katia, choriste, interprète deux titres de son nouvel
album Toujours, « J’ai connu », avec Hervé Gourdikian à la clarinette
ydich et « Va » son titre phare : Un album dans la tradition de ses
plus grands succès, avec en guest Thomas Dutronc dans un duo inattendu
et plaisant reprenant « She » dans une version revisitée intitulée «
Elle » (Tous les visages de l’amour).

L’émission

C’est donc la toute première fois, qu’en accord avec Michel Drucker et
Françoise Coquet, que Charles Aznavour consacre ce Vivement Dimanche
aux Arméniens et à l’Arménie.

S’exprimant en début d’émission, comme pour s’en excuser, il dira en
substance, que toute sa vie il a craint qu’on lui reproche de
promouvoir les Arméniens, mais qu’aujourd’hui il ne craint plus rien
et peut inviter tous les Arméniens qu’il veut.

Succédant à l’invité d’honneur, Patrick Fiori, présenté par Drucker
sous le nom de Patrick Chouchayan, chante `Ce pays que je ne connais
pas’ dédié à l’Arménie, écrit par Jean-Jacques Goldman. Puis Hélène
Ségara évoque, après sa prestation, son séjour en Arménie avec
Charles. Le souvenir d’un instant que tous deux ont vécus avec
émotion.

Séquence amusante avec un b`uf sur `Delé Yaman’ avec Hélène Segara,
Charles Aznavour et Patrick Fiori au doudouk. Charles mal à l’aise
avec le texte et Patrick pas trop doudoukiste…

Evidemment avec Mathieu Madénian, il fallait s’attendre à tout !

Arrivé avec un grand verre rempli d’un liquide incolore à la main,
portant un long toast en l’honneur de Charles et disant qu’il est pour
les Arméniens un Jésus Christ, le comique est interrompu par le
chanteur qui lui dit `mais vous n’allez quand même pas trinquer avec
un verre d’eau ?’. Ce à quoi Madénian répond c’est du Raki !. Un raki
bientôt accompagné par un plateau de charcuterie orientale, avec
pasterma (aboukht) et soudjouk (yérchik) que l’Arménien Aznavour
avalera avec appétit, buvant le verre de raki de Madénian. A la fin de
ce long toast porté en l’honneur de la vedette internationale,
Madénian à alors sorti de sa poche un bout de papier pour lire `tzezi
chad ge sirem’ dans un arménien plus qu’approximatif… Instant
mémorable qui a réjoui l’assemblée des Arméniens présents. S’en suivi
de réjouissants commentaires entre Michel Drucker et son invité.

La première partie de l’émission se termine sur un entretien avec
Levon Sayan, succédant à une liste de personnalités françaises
d’origine arménienne énumérées par Drucker et que Charles Aznavour
aurait pu également inviter.

En seconde partie d’émission (Vivement dimanche prochain), à 18h45,
le préfacier du livre de Charles Aznavour l’Intégrale, Atiq Rahimi,
d’origine Afghane, Prix Goncourt 2008, explique toute l’importance
qu’a eu Aznavour dans sa vie de francophile en Afghanistan.

Puis, entouré de Laurent Gerra, et Claude Sérillon qui consacre sa
chronique au nouveau livre de Charles `d’Une porte l’autre’, dans
lequel il avoue être ` un casse-pied de première ` avec lui-même,
Jean-Pierre Coffe présente, à la demande de l’auteur épicurien, un
navarin d’agneau au haricots blancs cuisiné avec la fameuse huile
d’olive Aznavour. Dans une précédente émission, Coffe avait préparé
des dolmas aux feuilles de chou.

Jean Eckian avec Ayk Potukyan

“Va” Charles Aznavour

samedi 3 septembre 2011,
Jean [email protected]

From: A. Papazian

SALON TANGO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ARGENTINA
By Melaina Spitzer

The World
September 2, 2011

Earlier this week dancers from around the world flocked to Buenos
Aires, Argentina, to compete in the World Tango Championships. Declared
by UNESCO as part of the world’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity,” tango seems to be catching on across the globe.

At this year’s championships, international dancers shocked the
audience in Buenos Aires with an impressive accomplishment. For the
first time in history, the top five ranking couples in the “salon
tango” category were foreign.

That includes an American pair of dancers: Brian Nguyen and Yuliana
Basmajyan, from San Francisco. They never thought they could make it
to the World Tango Championships. In fact, they never even planned
on becoming tango dancers.

Brian said he started out doing breakdance and salsa. “I ran into
tango by accident,” he recalled, “and from then on, I converted…

because it really was the dance for me.”

Basmajyan told a similar story. And it wasn’t easy for either of them,
because of their family backgrounds.

“I’m originally Armenian,” said Basmajyan. “I came over to the States
at the end of 1998. And I’m coming from a very traditional family
and culture. So this is against what our culture would normally do.”

Basmajyan said her family wasn’t happy when she decided to become
a tango dancer. “I’ve gone through a lot of struggles, [but] now
they feel more comfortable about the idea that I’m pursuing tango
and hopefully it will get better with time. This is my passion and
I want to follow my heart,” she said.

Nguyen can relate. His parents came to the US from Vietnam after
the Vietnam War. And he said being Vietnamese-American comes with
certain expectations.

“I’m expected to be an engineer or a doctor. But I didn’t decide to
be any of those,” Basmajyan said. “So of course my parents were mad
at me for a really long time.”

Brian said his family is coming around now, encouraging him. But he
can still feel their disappointment.

“My parents are always thinking, man, he should have been a doctor,”
But, oh well. I push on because it’s my passion. ”

And in Buenos Aires, Nguyen and Basmajyan’s passion was put to
the test.

At the salon tango finals, the dancers were rushed to the stage to
begin the competition. Salon tango is traditionally danced at milongas,
or social tango gatherings. And unlike the highly choreographed
“stage tango,” this competition was all about improvisation.

Ten couples took to the stage at once, gracefully circulating
counter-clockwise before a panel of judges. Basmajyan stood out in her
bright red velvet dress. And Brian’s slicked back hair was reminiscent
of tango’s golden age, in the 1940’s.

After four rounds of competition, the scores were announced. A Japanese
pair came in fifth. The Italians were fourth. And Basmajyan and Nguyen
placed third.

Taking the equivalent of the bronze medal in salon tango was a big
deal for the American pair, especially because they were only a
hundredth of a point away from a three-way tie for the top spot.

The Colombian and Venezuelan pairs went on to compete in a dance-off
for first place. And it was the Colombians who emerged as world
champions.

Backstage after the competition, Nguyen said the win changes
everything.

“Now it feels really good!” he exclaimed. “I think everybody can relate
to this. I mean, you go through life looking for a way to prove to
yourself that you’re worth something. And I found that in tango.”

As to what they’ll do next, Basmajyan said it’s time to get down to
work. “Get ready for next year, to compete again and dance more and
travel more,” she said.

But first, Nguyen wanted to celebrate by pouring some wine into their
third place cup.

From: A. Papazian

CONSECRATION OF ST. KIRAKOS CHURCH TO BE HELD THIS OCTOBER IN TURKEY

news.am
Sept 2 2011
Armenia

The consecration ceremony of St. Kirakos church in Turkey’s Diyarbakir
will take place on October 23, Armenian sources in Istanbul told
Armenian News – NEWS.am.

A source close to the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople,
reported that rumors about religious service in St. Kirakos church
scheduled for this fall are true.

“Most likely, liturgy in St. Kirakos church will be organized as
festive as it was last year in Surb Khach church on Akhtamar Island.

According to some information, many foreign guests have been invited,
but representatives of the Armenian community in Turkey have not yet
received a formal invitation,” said source.

St. Kirakos church in Diyarbakir has been abandoned since 1980s. Later
Armenians living in Diyarbakir and Istanbul, set up “Foundation of
St. Kirakos” to renovate it.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, a religious service was
held in Surb Khach church on Akhtamar Island last September after
nearly a 100-year break. However, Turkish authorities did not install
a cross on the roof, it was placed near the church.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA BEATS ANDORRA 3-0 IN EURO 2012 QUALIFIER

Houston Chronicle

Sept 2 2011
TX

ANDORRA LA VELLA, Andorra (AP) – Armenia beat Andorra 3-0 in a
qualifier for the 2012 European Championships on Friday.

Brazilian-born midfielder Marcos Pizzelli netted his third goal of
the group phase to open the scoring for Armenia in the 35th.

Forward Gevorg Ghazaryan added another in the 75th, and Henrik
Mkhitaryan sealed the victory in injury time from the penalty spot
after Andorra defender Ildefons Lima was shown a red card for a
challenge on Karlen Lazarian.

Armenia’s third win kept it in fourth place in Group B with 11 points.

Andorra remained in last place with zero points.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN’S MFA COMMENTS ON NALBANDIAN’S STATEMENTS

news.az
Sept 2 2011
Azerbaijan

`Status quo Armenia wants to keep is not acceptable for both Azerbaijan
and the world community`.

Azerbaijan is interested in conducting constructive talks and has
always been committed to such the position. The status quo Armenia
wants to keep is not acceptable for both Azerbaijan and the world
community, said Azerbaijan`s Foreign Ministry commenting on the
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian`s statements at a meeting
with students.

The press-service said Armenian leadership should not mislead both
its people and the world community.

“It is necessary to get down to the concrete work. There are some
agreements on the outlines of the deal. Azerbaijan has accepted
major principles of the updated Madrid document. Everyone knows
these principles. Armenia must first of all pull out its troops from
occupied lands of Azerbaijan and our citizens must return to their
homes. Armenia has refused to accept main principles of the updated
Madrid document for long time, “the statement says.

The ministry underlined Azerbaijan favors continuation of talks for
finding a solution based on international law.

From: A. Papazian

DISCUSSION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT IN UN PROMOTES LIBERATION OF OCCUPIED LANDS

news.az
Sept 2 2011
Azerbaijan

News.Az interviews Rafael Huseynov, member of PACE and deputy of
Milli Majlis.

The 66th session of the UN General Assembly will discuss two issues
regarding the Karabakh conflict. These documents are resolutions named
“Protracted conflicts in GUAM space and their impact on international
peace, security and development” and “The situation in the occupied
lands of Azerbaijan”. Is it expedient that Azerbaijan has been putting
these documents for discussion for over three consecutive years?

Azerbaijan joined the Council of Europe on 25 January 2001 and in April
of the same year that is beginning from the spring session of the CE
Parliamentary Assembly, the Azerbaijani delegation got an opportunity
to submit documents and speak in the Assembly, At that time, we
asked the PACE deputies from over 40 states to sign the documents
and resolutions adopted by UN on Karabakh conflict. These documents
reflected occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia, the problem of
refugees and displaced persons. However, some famous and influential
deputies of PACE refused even to read those documents and some even
accused us of ‘occupying’ Armenia. This state of affairs formed as a
result of Armenian policy, in other words, European parliamentarians
had a wrong opinion about the occupation of Azerbaijani lands. But in
2005 PACE adopted resolution No1415 in which Armenia was indicated
as a state that occupied Azerbaijani lands. It means that in just a
few years of Azerbaijan’s membership in the Council of Europe, the
position of European parliamentarians on Karabakh conflict has changed.

Nagorno Karabakh conflict, overall, Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is
not a problem solvable in an hour or in one document. The settlement
of this problem is a long process. If today all international
organizations, including the UN, have formed a clear view about
the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia, that Karabakh is an
Azerbaijani land and that over 300,000 Azerbaijanis were deported
from Armenia, it means the world community is already informed about
the essence of the Karabakh conflict.

On the other hand, each time when the problem of Karabakh is put to
the agenda of international organizations, including UN, Armenia gets
anxious, creates hindrances and speaks against such discussions. There
appears a question: if there is no need and expedience of discussing
the problem of Karabakh by international organizations, then why
Armenia is trying to hamper this through various diplomatic channels.

We can watch the same case, particularly, hindrance of discussions
of the Karabakh conflict by Armenia, in PACE. As is known, Armenia
hampers creation of the subcommittee on Karabakh settlement in PACE.

I want to note that it is very important to indicate the fact of
occupation of Nagorno Karabakh, problem of occupation of Azerbaijani
lands by Armenia, problem of refugees and displaced persons, problem
of vandalism in these lands, the damage caused by occupation to the
cultural monuments of Azerbaijan, in the documents of international
organizations.

For this reason, I think that the repeated discussion of the occupation
of Azerbaijani lands in UN. Such a discussion is at least necessary for
the most influential international organization to keep the problem of
Karabakh on the agenda. Additionally, it is important to adopt to adopt
a document by results of these discussions, naturally, to reflect the
fact of occupation. I think that such a position is closing Azerbaijan
to its final goal-liberation of the occupied lands-step by step.

Is it possible to expect that this resolution will be supported by
more states, compared to previous years?

The number of votes for the adoption of any document in UN cannot
be the indicator of support to Azerbaijan’s position in the Karabakh
issue, because Azerbaijan’s success can be considered the inclusion
of these documents onto the agenda of the UN General Assembly. If
Azerbaijan has attained inclusion of these documents onto the agenda
of the UN General Assembly, it means that official Baku has held a
definite work through diplomatic channels with the states that will
be voting for these documents. I am sure that Baku has held such a
work and for this reason I hope that the number of states to vote
for adoption of these documents will rise this year.

Can we expect the Minsk Group co-chairing countries to support those
resolutions as well?

I consider it important for the Minsk Group to continue its activity
as this OSCE group, represented by three big superpowers, can become
a mechanism for the resolution of the Karabakh conflict. Certainly,
Azerbaijan has to continue working with the OSCE Minsk Group
member-states for their stance on Karabakh settlement to be more
objective. I think that positive changes will occur in the position
of the OSCE Minsk Group with respect to constant criticism of their
activity and their incautious steps and statements in the past.

Does the inclusion of the resolution on Karabakh onto the agenda of
the UN session prove that the Minsk Group is inactive and does not
cope with its mission?

If we suggest that there is no need for Azerbaijan to raise the
issue in UN, the same approach should have been demonstrated in
other international organizations, particularly, the Organization
of Islamic Cooperation and the Council of Europe. For this reason,
I consider that Azerbaijan must raise the occupation of its lands at
all international levels and put for discussion the documents related
to this problem. Thus, to attain its goal, Azerbaijan must use all
possible channels, including such an important one, as UN.

From: A. Papazian

SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE HEARING; NOMINATION; TESTIMONY BY FRANCIS RICCIARDONE, MA

Congressional Documents and Publications
August 2, 2011

I am honored to appear before you today as President Obama’s nominee
to serve as Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, having served in
that capacity as a recess appointee since January 20, 2011. I am
grateful to President Obama and Secretary Clinton for their trust and
confidence in me. With me today is my wife Marie, who both studied
and taught in Turkish universities. During my 33-year career in the
Foreign Service, I have had the pleasure of having previously served
three times in Turkey, most recently as the Deputy Chief of Mission
and Charge d’Affaires from 1995 to 1999. Through more than three
decades I have observed Turkey’s continuing transformation into a more
democratic, more open, and more economically vibrant, modern state
and a player with growing influence on the world stage. If confirmed,
I look forward to continuing to work with you and your colleagues,
as well as with the many private American organizations with a strong
interest in Turkey and throughout the region, to advance United States
interests in this critically important and complex relationship.

Turkey remains as ever a key ally and strategic partner of the United
States and an important member of the NATO alliance. It is also a
member of the G-20 with one of the fastest growing economies in the
world. Noting Turkey’s history as a majority Muslim nation and as
a secular democratic state that respects the rule of law, President
Obama has cited Turkey’s “critical role in helping to shape mutual
understanding and stability not only in its neighborhood, but around
the world.” If confirmed, I will continue to do everything possible to
reinforce Turkish-American cooperation in support of our common goals.

For decades, Turkey and the United States have cooperated intensively
to promote regional stability, including by countering terrorism and
the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; resolving regional
conflicts; promoting energy security; expanding trade, investment,
and economic development; and, essential and integral to all of these,
strengthening democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Several
such strategic priorities merge in cases of particularly immediate
consequence, including in Iraq and Afghanistan, the quest for peace
between Israel and all its neighbors, and Iran’s evident pursuit of
nuclear weapons. Other conflicts with historical antecedents require no
less sustained and intensive joint attention and cooperation, including
the unresolved issues of Cyprus and normalization of relations with
Armenia. I have been privileged to serve in Ankara during the “Arab
Spring,” during which I have strived to enlist Turkish support for the
NATO role in Libya, for a successful transition to democracy in Egypt,
and pressure on the regime in Syria to cease its brutal repression
and to heed the will of its people.

Just as the Turkish Government has played an important role in
promoting these political transitions, the Turkish Government and
private sector are keen to support economic development in Egypt and
Tunisia that are so critical to long-term stability in the region,
by increasing their trade and investment in these countries. Wherever
possible, they are looking for partnerships with U.S. companies.

Let me describe Turkey’s role in relation to our foreign policy
priorities. If confirmed, my continued responsibility will be to
strengthen Turkey’s cooperation with us in all of these areas, as a
key bilateral partner and also as an essential NATO ally.

U.S.-Turkey cooperation in Iraq and Afghanistan has been robust and
critical to our success. Turkey shares our vision of a stable Iraq and
actively helps the Iraqi people develop a sovereign state that is at
peace with itself and its neighbors. This requires progress in Iraq’s
security, political, and economic infrastructure, and in each of these
areas Turkey has been an essential partner for our mission. Turkey’s
high-level strategic dialogue with the Government of Iraq and its
outreach to the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government have contributed to
the stability of Iraq. Turkey also is contributing to Iraq’s progress
by hosting regional meetings on political and economic cooperation,
and through trade and investment that promote Iraq’s reconstruction
and help develop Iraq’s oil and electricity infrastructure.

Additionally, Turkey is a crucial logistics hub, supporting U.S.

forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly 70 percent of the air cargo
for our mission in Iraq transits Incirlik Air Base, which is also the
primary refueling stop for flights to Afghanistan. Turkey provides
blanket clearance for U.S. aircraft supporting these operations and
authorizes the use of its bases and ports to support humanitarian and
reconstruction operations in Iraq, as well as the retrograde of U.S.

forces from Iraq over the course of 2011. The Habur Gate border
crossing serves as a key line of communication to Iraq; through it,
25 percent of our fuel and 40 percent of other sustainment requirements
enter Iraq. There are more than 1,700 U.S. military personnel stationed
in Turkey. Turkey has a long tradition of hospitality to our service
men and women, including hosting the USS Eisenhower in January.

Turkey is one of our strongest partners in the fight against
international terrorism. Turkey and the United States are working
together to fight the regional transit and support of international
terrorists, and last month arrested an alleged al-Qaeda cell plotting
to bomb western interests in Turkey, including the U.S. Embassy. I
have urged the Turkish Government and Parliament to pass stronger
legislation against terrorist financing, and hope the Parliament will
pass the Government’s bill when it reconvenes this autumn.

We support Turkey’s foremost security objective of defeating the
terrorist violence which the PKK continues to perpetrate, which has
led to the deaths of over 30,000 Turks since the 1980s. We support
Turkey’s operations against the PKK; we cooperate with EU partners
to cut off PKK facilitation efforts in Europe; and we support the
growing cooperation between Turkey and Iraq, including the Kurdistan
Regional Government, against the PKK elements that find refuge in
Iraq. We are in consultations with Turkey to step up law enforcement
cooperation against terrorism. Turkey’s leaders also recognize the need
for political, economic and cultural measures to counter PKK terrorism.

Turkey’s “National Unity Project” or “Democratic Opening” aims to
improve the human rights and economic situation for Kurds and other
communities of vulnerable groups in Turkey. We believe that further
pursuit of this initiative can help not only to undermine the terrorism
still conducted by the PKK, but it will also advance and strengthen
Turkish democracy and the human rights of all Turks. A record number
of Kurds were elected as independents to Parliament in June and we
commend their professed commitment to participation in a non-violent,
lawful political process to secure the full rights of all Turkey’s
Kurds as Turkish citizens.

>>From my current service in Ankara as well as my tenure as
Deputy Ambassador in Kabul, I can attest that Turkey has also been
an essential partner in Afghanistan, where it has long-standing
cultural and historical ties and has been a leading proponent of
Afghanistan’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Turkey
shares our goal of a stable Afghanistan that can protect itself from
al-Qaeda and any other terrorists who would use that country as a
base for international terrorist attacks. Turkey has some 1,600 troops
serving in the International Security Assistance Force, commands the
Regional Command for Kabul, and this year has sent still more civilian
humanitarian relief and development assistance experts to establish
its second Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Jowzjan Province.

It is also a leader on training the Afghan National Security Forces.

Turkey has pledged to train a brigade’s worth of Afghan National
Army troops. Just last week, I was proud to participate in the
opening of Turkey’s special training center in Sivas for the Afghan
National Police. Turkey has also pledged $300 million for development
projects in Afghanistan, built schools and clinics, and invested in
the repair or construction of bridges and roads and the drilling of
new wells, as well as facilitated economic development through support
to the agriculture, marble and carpet sectors. In addition to our
cooperation with Turkey through NATO/ISAF and our two Embassies on the
ground in Kabul, we see Turkey undertaking an influential and highly
positive role in rallying international support for Afghanistan’s
economic development, and in fostering political reconciliation of
its violent conflict with the Taliban. In support of cooperation
between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Turkey has hosted trilateral
summits in Turkey with the participation of both the Afghan and
Pakistani presidents, and later this year will host another summit
of Afghanistan and its neighbors.

Turkey and Israel are both important partners of the United States.

The two countries have shared vital political, economic, security,
and military ties for many years. The strains in their relations since
the May 2010 Gaza flotilla incident, risk setting back the vitally
important interests of both those countries, and of the United States,
in regional peace and stability. Therefore we have underscored to both
countries the importance to them, to us, and their region of repairing
their mutually beneficial relationship. Secretary Clinton continues
to urge both sides to find a way to put the flotilla incident behind
them, and we hope that efforts toward this goal over the past year
will soon meet with success.

On Iran, we work closely with Turkey on a range of the challenges we
face with Iran. Turkey shares a long border and history with Iran.

Turkey has said that it shares the international community’s
concerns about the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran, and repeatedly
has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding UN Security Council
resolutions in this regard. But we have not always agreed on tactics
regarding Iran, particularly with regard to sanctions. Turkey shared
our disappointment that Iran failed to engage meaningfully in the
talks hosted by Turkey in Istanbul last January between Iran and
the UN Security Council’s permanent five members plus Germany. If
confirmed as Ambassador, I will continue to urge Turkey to persuade
Iran to engage directly and seriously with the IAEA and P5+1 on the
international community’s concerns about its nuclear program. On
sanctions, we continue to urge Turkey to fully enforce UN sanctions,
which Turkey has publicly pledged to implement. We also are engaging
vigorously with Turkey to ensure that the CISADA (Comprehensive Iran
Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act) sanctions are fully
respected and to educate Turkish entities of the consequences should
Iranian companies attempt sanctioned transactions via Turkey.

The United States continues its long-standing support for Turkey’s
aspirations to join the European Union. The prospect of EU accession
has been a strong impetus for Turkish reform. Over the past few years,
Turkey has implemented meaningful political and economic reforms
necessary for EU membership, but more needs to be done. Turkish
citizens themselves are demanding further progress on promoting
human rights and the rule of law, including freedom of the media and
religious freedom. They seek, for example, the rights of minority
religious institutions freely to own their property and operate their
institutions. There could be no more powerful modern testimony to
Turkey’s historic legacy of religious tolerance than reopening the
Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Halki Seminary. Just this past month, I was
privileged to join Secretary Clinton in advocating for the reopening of
Halki Seminary and protecting the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
during her recent visit to Istanbul, and I will continue my advocacy
until this is addressed. If confirmed, I look forward to celebrating
the re-opening of Halki Seminary with His All Holiness Bartholomew,
and the leaders of the Government of Turkey (including the democratic
opposition) who, I dare hope, will show the courage and foresight
needed to redress a historical wrong.

The division of Cyprus has gone on far too long. The United States
encourages the negotiations between the two communities under the
auspices of the UN Secretary General, and we urge the leaders of the
two communities to seize the moment to negotiate a settlement that
reunifies the island into a bizonal, bicommunal federation. Turkey and
Greece can play a constructive role in helping the Cypriot parties
toward a lasting solution to their differences, and we continue to
urge them to do so.

Facilitating regional integration is a high priority for the United
States. Rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia will foster increased
stability and prosperity in the entire Caucasus region. We commended
the governments of Turkey and Armenia on signing the historic protocols
on normalization of relations on October 10, 2009 in Zurich.

During her visit last month, Secretary Clinton again urged Turkey
to ratify the protocols, and we will continue to support programs
that build understanding between Turks and Armenians. Last year,
the Government of Turkey permitted Armenians to celebrate religious
services at the ancient Akhtemar Church in Lake Van, for the first time
in decades. I was glad to see increasing numbers of private Turkish
citizens turn out this past spring in five cities across Turkey to
protest the 2007 murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink,
and to call for justice against the perpetrators. Last week, the
courts convicted and sentenced the murderer to 22 years in prison,
and we understand that official investigations, urged by President
Gul himself, continue into the conspiracy that reportedly supported
the heinous assassination.

The President and Secretary Clinton have established economic
cooperation with Turkey as a strategic priority, and have emphasized
the importance of supporting American firms and promoting U.S.

-Turkish trade and investment. During President Obama’s April 2009
meeting with Turkish President Gul, the two leaders agreed to elevate
our economic relations to the level of our already strong political
and military relations. To follow through on this commitment, the U.S.

and Turkey launched a Cabinet-level dialogue – the Framework
for Strategic Economic and Commercial Cooperation – during Prime
Minister Erdogan’s visit to Washington in December 2009. In addition
to our official dialogues, we have launched a public-private
sector U.S.-Turkey Business Council to advise the U.S. and Turkish
governments on strategies for increasing trade and relationships,
improving the business climate, and eliminating impediments to trade
and investment. Turkey is a leading focus in the President’s New
Export Initiative to double U.S. exports globally in five years.

Turkey’s economic role has only grown in importance since 2009,
as its booming economy is increasingly important to the global
economy and to propelling regional growth. Turkey has set an
ambitious goal of becoming a top ten economy by 2023, which will
triple the size of the economy and create more opportunities for
U.S. firms. The Turkish Government and private business associations
enthusiastically have supported our Global Entrepreneurship Program,
and our “Partnership for a New Beginning,” both intended to foster
a culture of entrepreneurship, especially among the young.

Building on our close cooperation in the 1990s that helped make
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) a reality, the U.S. and Turkey are working
together to bring Caspian gas to European markets for the first time
through a new route called the “Southern Corridor.” We welcomed the
June 2010 agreement signed by Turkey and Azerbaijan on the gas purchase
and transit of Azerbaijani gas to Turkey as an important milestone in
laying the foundation for the Southern Corridor. The corridor would
provide commercial benefit for the countries of the Caucasus and
Central Asia and also create a long-term partnership based on mutual
interests with Europe. Overseeing the safe passage of oil through the
Bosporus Straits and the transport of oil through the BTC pipeline,
which pumps nearly a million barrels of oil a day to the Turkish port
of Ceyhan, Turkey plays an important role in world energy markets.

Many Americans, including my family and I, have had wonderful
experiences living and working in Turkey. It has been a special
privilege to return to Ankara over these past six months to strengthen
the communications and friendship between our two peoples in all fields
of private as well as official endeavors, including the fields of
education, science, and health – in which my wife has practiced while
on previous service in Turkey. Led by this committee, the Senate has
formally recognized the importance of public diplomacy. Increasing
contacts and communications between Americans and Turks must be a
primary means of advancing our interests on all issues we face today.

If confirmed, I pledge that all members of U.S. Mission Turkey will
continue warmly to welcome the advice and support of the American
people, both through our elected representatives and through direct
and continuous contact and communication. In particular, I would
pledge the highest standards of service to the American community
and American travelers, whether for business or for the private
advocacy of the cause of freedom and human rights supported by our
Administration and our Congress.

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, if confirmed to continue my
service as Ambassador, in my service in Ankara as in my past service
at other posts, I will trust to your support and advice, and that of
your colleagues.

Thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you today. I
look forward to your questions.

Read this original document at:

From: A. Papazian

INTERNATIONAL MEDIATORS ON KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION TO VISIT REGION IN SEPTEMBER

news.am
Sept 2 2011
Armenia

BAKU. – Another visit of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs on Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict resolution to the region is scheduled for September 15,
Azerbaijani SalamNews agency reported referring to diplomatic sources.

The mediators will meet with the leadership of the parties involved
in Karabakh conflict to discuss future perspectives and steps on
peaceful resolution of the conflict. International mediators will
also visit Stepanakert to meet with the leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh.

At the moment details of the visit are being specified.

From: A. Papazian

NAGORNO-KARABAKH OBSERVES 20TH ANNIVERSARY LOOKING FORWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

HULIQ.com
Sept 2 2011
SC

Armenian dignitaries joined in the observation of the territory’s
20th anniversary of independence today and predicted the international
community will join them someday.

A crowd of thousands, led by Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian,
marched through the streets of Stepanakert, the disputed territory’s
capital, to lay flowers at the monument to those killed in the
three-year war with Azerbaijan triggered by Nagorno-Karabakh’s
independence declaration on Sept. 2, 1991. The day before, Bako
Sahakian, president of the unrecognized Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh,
gave out medals to military leaders and distinguished citizens.

The seeds of the secession, war and subsequent tense standoff
between Nagorno-Karabakh, its Armenian protector and the Republic of
Azerbaijan were planted in 1923, when the newly formed Soviet Union
gained control of both Armenia and Azerbaijan and incorporated mostly
Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh into Azerbaijan as an autonomous region.

When both countries regained independence with the breakup of
the Soviet Union in 1991, the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh and
a neighboring territory voted to declare themselves independent,
touching off a four-year war which Armenia also entered on the side
of Nagorno-Karabakh. More than 30,000 people perished in the conflict.

To date, no United Nations member state, including Armenia,
recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent country. However,
Armenian government officials have predicted that the international
community will eventually do so. Sarkisian, himself a Karabakh native,
reiterated that sentiment in today’s anniversary observance. ~SWhatever
was possible in 1923 is not possible in the 21st century,~T he said.

Sarkisian has been an active participant in talks between Armenia
and Azerbaijan seeking a peaceful resolution to the standoff along
the lines of principles most recently reaffirmed in an international
conference in Madrid. Sahakian has indicated that he is willing to
engage in direct talks with Azerbaijan should the Madrid process fail.

The government of Armenia has said that should war break out in the
region again, it will formally recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

Despite the lack of recognition, NagornoKarabakh has developed a
stable polity and economy, a situation analogous to that of Taiwan with
respect to China. ~SThe Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh is an established
state with all essential structures,~T Sahakian said Thursday.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN SOLDIER SLIT HIS WRISTS BECAUSE HIS MOTHER IS A JEHOVAH’S WITNESS?

Armenia Diaspora

Sept 2 2011

Epress.am — On Aug. 29, Artur Grigoryan, 19, who had been serving
in a military unit in Ararat marz (province) for six months, citing
family issues, asked for permission to leave the base for a few hours;
however, he did not return that day.

As reported by the newspaper Zhoghovurd (“people”), someone saw
Artur Grigoryan by accident the following day in Yerevan’s Arabkir
administrative district, in an area known as “the Molokans’ yard,”
with his wrists slit.

According to the paper, the young man had slit his wrists because
his mother is a Jehovah’s Witness.

Head of the defense ministry’s military police division Aram
Ter-Sahakyan told the paper that an investigation was launched and
material was prepared which will be sent to the military prosecutor’s
office. Ter-Sahakyan said there are suspicions that Grigoryan’s mother
was a Jehovah’s Witness.

Meanwhile, at the Armenia medical center, Grigoryan is slowly returning
to consciousness, writes Zhoghovurd.

From: A. Papazian