Author: Andres-Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: www.acnis.January

Jan 20, 2011

ACNIS HOLDS SPECIAL BRIEFING ON LESSONS FROM ONGOING UNREST IN TUNISIA

Yerevan–The Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS) held a special briefing on January 20 entitled, `An Assessment
of the Recent Revolution in Tunisia: Are there Lessons for Armenia?,’
with a presentation by ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian focusing on
the recent unrest in Tunisia that resulted in the overthrow of that
country’s long-serving president. Giragosian analyzed the events in
Tunisia with a focus on the possible lessons for Armenia in terms of
the need for political consensus, compromise and dialogue, and the
relationship between the authorities and the opposition.

After showing a video of recent demonstrations in the Tunisian
capital, Giragosian noted that `the wave of unrest was largely a
leaderless revolution that was both sudden and spontaneous.’ He
traced the lack of leadership to the fact that `most of the
demonstrators were driven by a spontaneous reaction to the
accumulation of frustration, hopelessness and humiliation of years of
corruption, restrictions on political freedoms and a general arrogance
of power exhibited by the Tunisian government.’

He further noted that the recent developments in Tunisia were
especially significant for Armenia, as the situation demonstrated five
key factors: (1) the inherent weakness and vulnerability of states
hindered by little real legitimacy; (2) the sudden and explosive power
of public rage and discontent; (3) the economic and demographic roots
of such popular discontent; (4) the power of the Internet and social
media tools in terms of activism and organization; and (5) the
cumulative effects of an `arrogance of power’ by the ruling political
elite. The analysis also examined the impact of economic pressure on
political stability and development.

Giragosian concluded by stressing that `although there were several
broader lessons from the Tunisian situation, what was most crucial for
Armenia was the recognition of the danger of ignoring public demands
for change and the need for deeper and durable reform.’ He also
stated that `the lessons from Tunisia were even more applicable to the
case of Azerbaijan, mainly due to the dynastic nature of the
Azerbaijani government, making Baku especially vulnerable to growing
discontent and possible unrest in the face of a pronounced lack of
legitimacy and its notable disregard for democratic reforms.’

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The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is
a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan,
Armenia. As an independent, objective institution committed to
conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to
raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public
engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater
and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the
institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia’s first
Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past fifteen years, ACNIS has
acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional
independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national
and international policy issues.

For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit

From: A. Papazian

RUBEN SAFRASTYAN: ‘THE ARMENIAN NATION DOES NOT WANT TO COME UNDER THE OTTOMAN INFLUENCE’

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 18, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS: Turkey tends to strengthen its
position in the region by using the neo-Ottoman ideology, according
to Ruben Safrastyan, Turkologist, director of the RA NAS institute of
Oriental studies. He added that the expansion of the influence on Near
East is based on Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoghlu’s thesis of
‘strategic depth’.

According to Ruben Safrastyan, ‘0 problem with neighbors’ policy,
according to which Turkey will tend to lead a hegemonic policy towards
its neighbors – mainly the countries, which were occupied by the
Ottoman Turkey in the past – reflects this policy. ‘These ideas come
from the neo-Ottomanism and they were to ensure the strategic depth
for Turkey,’ he said.

The Turkologist says in his speech in Cyprus the RA President gave
quite serious and fundamental assessments to the neo-Ottoman ideology.

The RA President described the Ottoman Empire as a country, which
brought no any good to its subjects, that is why this concept does
not have any prospect,’ Ruben Safrastyan mentioned. He added that
the Armenian nation does not want to come under the Ottoman influence.

Speaking on the attitude of the superpowers towards Ottomanism, the
Turkologist mentioned that the attitude of US and EU is negative. He
added that Russia and Turkey have ‘a geopolitical ceasefire’. ‘However
this does not mean that the traditional geopolitical competition
between Turkey and Russia is over,’ he said.

From: A. Papazian

NUMBER OF ARMENIAN CHURCHES IN GEORGIA REDUCES

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 19, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS: From over the 650 churches,
monasteries and chapels built in the Armenian-populated territories of
Georgia only some of them remained. An official from the CIS department
of the Armenian Diaspora Ministry told Armenpress that currently 44
churches are standing in Georgia of which just 38 are functioning.

The greatest number of churches (14) is operating in Akhalkalak and
its regions. In Akhaltskha and its regions 9 churches are functioning,
in Tsalka and Ninotsminda 4 and in Borjomi 2 churches. In Aspindza,
Tetritskharo and Batumi only one church is functioning.

In the capital of Georgia Tbilisi only two churches are functioning –
St. Gevorg founded in 631 and St. Etchmiadzin founded in 1805.

Chairman of the “Javakhq” National Union Shirak Torosyan told
Armenpress that the state of Georgia must recognize the Georgian
Diocese of the Armenian Church that does not have legal status yet.

Only in that case it will be possible to direct the Armenian churches
that are being Georgianized in the territory of the whole Georgia.

“Previously the Georgian authorities were promising that the religions
of minorities would be granted legal status. Today it is already
clear that stubborn fight is expected for the Georgian Armenians,”
Torosyan said.

He also noted that the situation of churches in Javakhq is
comparatively consoling as about 20-30 churches have been restored
with the means of Javakhq businessmen. But there is another issue
there: as far as it is closely populated territory it must have a
separate diocese.

From: A. Papazian

RICHARD GIRAGOSYAN SAYS WHAT TOOK PLACE IN SOUTH SUDAN, NK PEOPLE DID LONG AGO

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 19, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS: The vote of the people of South
Sudan for their independence was done in Nagorno Karabakh long ago
as a result of which all the experts are convinced that Nagorno
Karabakh will never be part of the Azerbaijani Republic, director of
the Armenian Center for National and International Studies Richard
Giragosyan said speaking to Armenpress. He said nevertheless there is
difference between the situation over the NK conflict and situation
in South Sudan.

According to the expert, the examples of Kosovo and South Sudan show
that the preference in the international policy is given to the right
of people to self-determination and not the territorial integrity
and it may serve as precedent examples. “The independence of South
Sudan and separation from Sudan is sponsored by a number of powerful
states who stemming from their own political interests with such step
punish the leaders of the political regime in Sudan. The punishment
is agreed with the policy carried out by Sudan and genocide committed
in Darfur,” Richard Giragosyan noted.

From: A. Papazian

POLITICAL ANALYST: TURKEY IS PASSING TO “NEW OTTOMANISM” POLICY

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 19, 2011
YEREVAN

The speech of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the House of
Representatives in Cyprus for the first time presents all the reasons
of failure of the Armenian-Turkish protocols. Political analyst Levon
Melik-Shahnazaryan said speaking to Armenpress that if till today the
RA President and different officials or political analysts were making
the main accent on forwarding of pre-conditions by Turkey after this
speech the political reasons of failure of the protocols have become
clear. “I was very glad to hear that the biggest threat is not the
forwarding of pre-conditions by Turkey but its gradual passing to
New Ottomanism policy,” the political analyst said, adding that the
“New Ottomanism” is a dangerous phenomenon not only for us but for
the people that suffered the brutality of the policy carried out
during the Ottoman Empire.

Levon Melik-Shahnazaryan said today it is impossible to revive the
Armenian-Turkish relations as the Turkish authorities adopted “New
Ottomanism” policy.

He also said during the recent 6-7 months great determination has been
noticed in the speeches of Armenian President, which is very important.

From: A. Papazian

ARKADI TER-TADEVOSYAN: ‘ARMENIA NEEDS ALLIES’

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 19, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS: Armenia needs allies and the RA
President’s visits to Cyprus and Greece is connected with this,
according to Major General Arkadi Ter-Tadevosyan. He said today at
a meeting with journalists that there are a number of states, among
them Argentina, Venezuela, which are ready to cooperate with Armenia.

Arkadi Ter-Tadevosyan says Azerbaijan spreads intentional propaganda
in all over the world and some negative attitude towards Armenia is
being formed because of that propaganda; yet Armenia is the country,
which liberated its territories by fighting a fair war.

‘This year no any change will be registered in the regulation of the
Nagorno Karabakh issue, as the regulation of the issue is connected
with not only Armenia and Azerbaijan, but also some geopolitical
interests,’ Arkadi Ter-Tadevosyan said. He added that geopolitics is
being changed gradually, as there appear new ‘players’.

According to Arkadi Ter-Tadevosyan, the possibility of a war in the
region was reduced drastically after the summit of Astana; however
Azerbaijan is increasing its military budget year by year.

From: A. Papazian

NEW FILMS ON EVENTS OF KHOJALI AND ‘LINE’ OPERATION TO BE SHOT

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 19, 2011
YEREVAN

This year two new films will be shot within the framework of the
‘Ordinary Genocide’ project. One of the films is dedicated to the
events of Khojali, and the other one is dedicated to the ‘Line’
operation.

Marina Grigoryan, head of the ‘Ordinary Genocide’ project, said
today at a meeting with journalists that 3 films, dedicated to the
massacres of Baku, Sumgait and Maragha, have already been shot within
the framework of the project.

‘The Azerbaijanis are still telling absurd lies on the massacres
of Baku and Sumgait; however they do not speak about the massacres
of Maragha at all, as the presented materials were exhaustive and
everything was quite obvious,’ Marina Grigoryan said.

The speaker said the Armenian party must undertake every possible
measure and use all the diplomatic ‘pipes’ in the propaganda front.

‘The Diaspora is one of our weapons. The Azerbaijanis use their
oil-dollars, and we should use the potential of Armenia and the
Armenian Diaspora,’ she said.

Marina Grigoryan says Armenia has to apply to the International Court
of Justice for an advisory opinion on the above-mentioned massacres,
as the events fully correspond to the term of ‘genocide’ of the
Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,
adopted December 9, 1948 by the UN General Assembly. ‘I think the
events of Maragha must be touched upon first,’ Marina Grigoryan said.

From: A. Papazian

CONGRESS OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF IRAQ TAKES PLACE

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 19, 2011
ETCHMIADZIN

The extraordinary congress of the religious leaders of Iraq took place
January 11-14 in Copenhagen with the participation of leaders of Suni
and Shia directions as well as leaders of Christian communities and
members of parliament. Primate of the Iraqi Diocese of the Armenian
Church Archbishop Avag Asaturyan participated in the gathering.

Holy See press service reported that the congress adopted a
declaration which says that the political revival of Iraq it is
necessary to ensure security of people, restore trust toward the
own country one of guarantees of which is prevention of violence
against Christians. According to the declaration, the principles of
public right and equality must be the basis of Iraqi constitution
and the service in state bodies must be implemented without religious
discrimination.

From: A. Papazian

BENELUX AZERBAIJANIS PREVENT ARMENIAN PROVOCATION

State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
January 17, 2011 Monday
Baku

Members of the Amsterdam-based Benelux Azerbaijanis Congress (BAK)
prevented another Armenian provocation at the international tourism
exhibition organized by the Dutch Centre for the Promotion of Imports
from Developing Countries (CBI), in Utrecht, Netherlands.

An Armenian delegation presented special Welcome to Armenia booklets
in the Armenia stand in order to attract tourists to Nagorno-Karabakh.

The booklet featured an announcement on Nagorno-Karabakh tours.

Nagorno-Karabakh was also indicated as a separate state on a map
of Armenia.

BAK representatives briefed CBI employees on the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, Armenia`s aggressive policy, Nagorno-Karabakh`s belonging
to Azerbaijan. They demanded to remove booklets and other materials
on Nagorno-Karabakh.

Official protest were e-mailed to exhibition`s project manager Wim
Heumen and CBI itself.

BAK honorary chairman Sahil Gasimov contacted CBI management in
order to inform them about Armenians` aims and demanded to take away
booklets targeting territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The embassy
of Azerbaijan also demanded to put an end to Armenians` actions
misleading the world community.

From: A. Papazian

YEREVAN MAYOR, IRANIAN AMBASSADOR DISCUSS COOPERATION ISSUES

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 19, 2011
YEREVAN

Mayor of Yerevan Karen Karapetyan and Iranian ambassador to Armenia
Seyed Ali Saghayan discussed a number of issues on bilateral
relations. Press office of the City Hall reported that during the
meeting the ambassador pointed out that the friendly relations between
the peoples of Armenia and Iran have rich historic-cultural history
which gives an opportunity to make the practical relations between
Yerevan and the Iranian towns more targeted. On his part the mayor
presented to the ambassador all the directions within the framework
of which the City Hall is ready to cooperate. Karen Karapetyan rated
high the establishment of the Armenian-Iranian friendship park in
Yerevan and the implementation of programs in nature protection and
transport spheres.

From: A. Papazian