Author: Andres-Papazian

PRESIDENT SAHAKYAN RECEIVED LOS ANGELES PHILANTHROPISTS

Panorama
Nov 25 2010
Armenia

On 24 November Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan received in
Los Angeles entrepreneur and philanthropist Ray Hartoonian. Issues
related to the development of printing industry in Artsakh were
discussed during the meeting, Artsakh President~Rs information
department reported.

On the same day the President met philanthropist Harout Broutyan and
discussed with him prospects of carrying out different projects in
the NKR.

On 24 November Bako Sahakyan also met famous cardiologist Harout
Mesrobian. Issues related to prospects of cooperation in the health
care system were discussed during the meeting.

The Head of the State considered important the readiness of the
American Armenians to assist Artsakh in every possible way, underlining
that such cooperation would be beneficial both to the Diaspora and
the Motherland.

Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, executive director of the ~SHayastan~T
All-Armenian fund Ara Vardanyan, head of the Central information
department of the Artsakh Republic President~Rs Office Davit Babayan,
NKR permanent representative to the USA Robert Avetisyan, chairman
of the Artsakh Public TV and Radio company~Rs board Norek Gasparyan
and other officials partook at the meetings.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN-SYRIAN TRADE TURNOVER U.S. $4 MILLION

news.am
Nov 25 2010
Armenia

Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Hovik Abrahamyan held a number of
meetings in Aleppo and Damascus, Nov. 24.

The press service of the RA Parliament informed NEWS.am that Speaker
Abrahamyan held a meeting with Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Naji
al-Otari. The Syrian Premier briefed Speaker Abrahamyan on the
latest economic achievements, pointing out the need for intensifying
Armenian-Syrian economic cooperation.

The Armenian delegation also visited Aleppo, where they held a
meeting with the local authorities, particularly with Governor Ali
Ahmad Mansoura.

The Armenian delegation also attended the opening ceremony of an
exhibition of Armenian products. “Immediately after Armenia gained
independence, Syria and particularly Aleppo became ones of the priority
markets for us. The current trade turnover, U.S. $4 million, is far
from our real potential, which needs to be realized,” Abrahamyan said.

The Armenian delegation also visited the local patriarchate of the
Armenian Apostolic Church and held a meeting with representatives of
the Armenian community. On November 25 Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan is
to visit Deir ez Zor. On Nov. 25 evening the Armenian delegation is
to return to Yerevan.

From: A. Papazian

TURKMENISTAN, ARMENIA SIGN HUMANITARIAN AGREEMENT
H. Hasanov

Trend
Nov 25 2010
Azerbaijan

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan signed a package of intergovernmental
agreements on education, culture and economy in Ashgabat during his
official visit to Turkmenistan on Nov. 24-25, media reported today.

The sides signed a program of cooperation between the Turkmen
Makhtumkuli State University and Yerevan State University for
2010-2015, an agreement on cooperation between the Turkmen Chamber
of Commerce and Industry and the Armenian Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, an agreement between the Turkmen Culture and Broadcasting
Ministry and the Armenian Culture Ministry, an agreement between the
Turkmen Education Ministry and the Armenian Education and Science
Ministry, and an agreement between the Turkmen government and the
Armenian government on an intergovernmental Turkmen-Armenian economic
cooperation commission.

From: A. Papazian

SPEAKER OF SYRIAN PARLIAMENT TO VISIT ARMENIA

news.am
Nov 25 2010
Armenia

The Armenian people have warm feelings for the Syrian people, Speaker
of the Armenian Parliament Hovik Abrahamyan stated at a meeting with
his Syrian counterpart Mahmoud al-Abrash.

Speaker Abrahamyan invited his Syrian counterpart to pay an official
visit to Armenia. The sides discussed the development of bilateral
parliamentary cooperation, cooperation within international agencies
and other issues of mutual interest.

Speaker Abrahamyan stressed Syria’s crucial role in the Armenian
people’s history. Tens of thousands of deported Armenians found refuge
in Syria early in the 20th century. Speaker Abrahamyan made a high
appraisal of bilateral political relations.

Mahmoud al-Abrash thanked Speaker Abrahamyan for visiting Syria. The
sides stressed the importance of developing Armenian-Syrian
cooperation. They also discussed regional problems, the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and Armenian-Turkish relations.

Following the meeting, the sides signed a memorandum of understanding.

From: A. Papazian

EVERYTHING CHANGED WHEN ISRAELI LOBBY TURNED AWAY

Hurriyet
Nov 24 2010
Turkey

Those following Turkish American relations should know one thing well.

Israel is very important for the United States.

Turkish-American relations are based on Turkish-Israeli relations. If
you get in trouble with Israel, then they might conclude you are in
trouble with the U.S.

Maybe some will be astonished or react badly, but like it or not
that’s the truth. This reality better be accepted and politics
followed accordingly.

The Israeli lobby seems to be an extension of Israel and the country.

It controls Washington’s relations with Turkey and dominates politics.

They dominate in almost every area. A country on bad terms with Israel
always encounters the Israeli lobby.

So far so good, let’s get down to our subject.

Turkey follows politics that it deems right but these politics are
viewed differently on the Washington-Tel Aviv axis.

And the Israeli lobby has a big influence on things getting this far.

It is enough for the Israeli lobby to label Turkey as an “unwanted
country” due to Ankara getting close with a country that tries to
extinguish Israel.

Turkey can’t pass Congress any more

One of the institutions in which the Israeli lobby is strong and most
effective is the U.S. Congress.

Turkey is able to get across some politics to the White House, State
Department or Pentagon even if there is a difference in opinion. And
to some extent it receives sympathy, but with Congress it is different.

All representatives of the House and Senate (535 people in total) worry
about domestic politics. They don’t care about Turkey’s strategic or
regional importance. What’s important is making voters happy and say
what the media wants to hear.

For the majority of Congress members everything is either black
or white.

Either you are friends or enemies with the United States and Israel.

Iran is an enemy. Ahmadinejad is evil. And those who embrace the leader
of this country are also perceived as evil by those in Congress. You
may try and make yourself clear as much as you want. It doesn’t change
a thing.

Congress is a playground for the Israeli lobby.

Until now the Israeli lobby would protect Turkey against evil.

Regarding Cyprus it wouldn’t spoil Greek Cypriots and Greeks but watch
out for Turkey, turn a blind eye on human rights and the torture issue,
prevent voting on the Armenian genocide, not support the Kurdish issue
but help Ankara in the pipeline issue and accept whatever Turkey asks
for in respect to weapons.

Now it’s all done with.

The Israeli lobby has closed the doors of Congress for Turkey.

Not only Congress, but it also started influencing those who make up
politics. Their slogans are very effective:

– Turkey betrays the U.S.

– Turkey has become an unreliable country.

– Turkey has become friends with America’s enemies.

Media, NGOs, funds under the lobby’s influence

I might count other institutions like the U.S. media, academic
institutions and nongovernmental organizations that are among those
equally influenced by the Israeli lobby.

Big media and TV organizations are in the hands of Israeli supporters.

Those touching Israel burn their fingers badly. Those sources formerly
extremely praised Turkish Prime Minister Receg Tayyip Erdogan and
Turkey as being the closest ally Americas.

Today the same source heads a smear campaign. They say Erdogan and
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu try to pull Turkey in a different
direction.

The academic world and famous NGOs are under the influence of Israeli
supporters. They too have no longer the same perspective. Reports
and conferences in respect to Turkey are full of negativity.

And then there are also funds.

Investments of hundreds of billions of dollars managed by institutions
like the International Monetary Fund are also under the influence of
the lobby. The lobby may not as of yet become active in these fields,
but if the situation becomes tenser in the future, then we might face
a surprise.

The target is Islam and Davutoglu

An increase in the influence of the Republicans in American political
reality brings bad news for Ankara. Especially Eric Edelman, a former
U.S. ambassador to Ankara who is valued by the conservatives and
the Israeli lobby pronouncing openly things like “Stop spoiling the
[Justice and Development Party] AKP,” which he formerly used to say
behind closed doors, is a typical example of alarm bells ringing in
Washington. This is a development not to be underestimated.

Conservatives who used to support Turkey in the past now despise the
country just like Edelman. And their target is Davutoglu. They believe
he changed the course of Turkey and injected the Islamic ideology in
foreign affairs.

In case this campaign continues we may expect Davutoglu to become an
obvious target.

Will Turkey be remembered as being Islamic?

During conversations there was one more thing that stunned me. In
certain segments people started to remember Turkey’s Islam negatively.

The greatest milestone for the U.S. was the Sept. 11 Al-Qaeda attacks.

After this attack America perceived Islam as a dangerous religion.

They started perceiving Muslim countries differently. Formerly Turkey
could not be placed among them. This time, I noticed that Turkey has
been put in the same picture with Iran.

I feel that in case no precautions are taken, then Ankara and
Washington’s roads will split in such a way that they will not be
merged easily again.

And that has me scared.

From: A. Papazian

TURKISH, ARMENIAN NGOS LOOK TO HELP THAW FROZEN TIES
SONJA CAYMAZ

Hurriyet
Nov 24 2010
Turkey

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, center left, and Turkish
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, center right, shake hands during
the protocol signing ceremony in October 2009. AP photo

Armenian nongovernmental organizations are keen on continuing dialogue
with their Turkish partners to help thaw out the countries historically
frosty relations.

A conference in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, on Tuesday hosted
by the Eurasia Partnership Foundation, USAID and the Yerevan
Press Club inaugurated a new wave of projects to strengthen civil
society interaction between Turkey and Armenia despite slow-moving
normalization efforts.

“Good neighbors talk over the garden fence,” Jonathan Stark, a Eurasia
Partnership Foundation board member, told the meeting on Tuesday.

“This project will advance the concept of neighborly relations between
Armenia and Turkey.”

The new project is expected to last until September 2012 and has a
budget of nearly $2.5 million. It envisions support for cross-border
peer group projects and provides an opportunity for interaction
between state actors on various levels.

A landmark agreement signed last October by Turkey and Armenia to
establish diplomatic ties and reopen their border after decades of
hostility stalled after Yerevan halted the ratification process
of two protocols in April, pointing out Ankara’s linking of the
reconciliation efforts with Armenia’s dispute with Azerbaijan over
the Nagorno-Karabakh region as a key problem.

An Eurasia Partnership Foundation project, initially launched in
January 2010, was meant to be called “The Second and Third Days of
the Turkish-Armenian Rapprochement,” but unfortunately the protocols
were never ratified, said Gevorg Ter-Gabrielian, director of the EPF.

Speaking of a strategic vision for NGOs after the failure of the
rapprochement, Professor Mensur Akgun, director of Istanbul Kultur
University’s Global Policy Center, or GPoT, said civil society groups
on both sides have to be ready to approach relevant authorities and
deliver their messages. “Civic organizations have to be ready to be
facilitators for state actors.”

Dialogue between state actors

Another partner, the International Center for Human Development, or
ICHD, will facilitate dialogue and interaction between state actors
in the framework of the recently revived Armenia Turkey Rapprochement
Process, presented at the meeting in Yerevan on Tuesday.

The ICHD’s role will include the facilitation of off-the-record
discussions via video conference – as official travel is impossible –
engaging in capacity-building and skill training for state employees
at ministries and organizing town hall meetings on Turkish-Armenian
relations.

NGOs are important as long as there are no official relations, Vahagn
Kachaturian, the former mayor of Yerevan, told the Hurriyet Daily
News & Daily News.

“The future of Armenia lies as part of a region,” he said, adding
that he advocates an open-border policy in the neighborhood.

Regional cooperation should take place between Iran, Turkey, Armenia
and Azerbaijan, Kachaturian said. Manufacturing, science, innovation
and transport, especially railways, would benefit from open borders.

“In Turkey, they do not know Armenia; only a small group [of Turks] has
knowledge of modern Armenia,” said Tevan Poghosian, executive director
at the ICHD. Pointing out Armenia’s and Turkey’s EU integration
efforts, Poghosian said the European Union could be a common point.

The European Neighborhood Policy, introduced to tie those countries
to the east and south of the EU into the bloc, has had a positive
impact on the development of relations between Turkey and Armenia,
said Boris Navasardian, president of the Yerevan Press Club.

“The Eastern Partnership initiative has a positive impact on
democratization, stability and security in Armenia, which directly
affects the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement,” Navasardian told the
Daily News.

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIAN FM TO DISCUSS NK CONFLICT WITH OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS

Panorama
Nov 25 2010
Armenia

Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov had a meeting Wednesday
with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Bernard Fassier of France,
Robert Bradtke of USA and Igor Popov of Russia, as well as personal
representative of the OSCE chairperson Andrzej Kasprzyk.

Official Web site of Russian MFA reports the diplomats have been
discussing the actual problems of settling the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIAN FM MEETS KARABAKH MEDIATORS

news.az
Nov 25 2010
Azerbaijan

Sergey Lavrov Sergey Lavrov has received OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has today received OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs Igor Popov of Russia, Robert Bradtke of US and
Bernard Fassier of France as well as Personal Representative of the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk of Poland.

They discussed topical issues related to settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the context of an
OSCE summit due in Astana, December 1-2.

From: A. Papazian

BAKU EXPECTS OSCE TO TAKE MORE DETERMINED POSITION IN KARABAKH ISSUE

news.az
Nov 25 2010
Azerbaijan

Novruz Mammadov Baku expects OSCE to take more determined position in
the issue of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh
and will openly declare it.

This statement came from chief of department for external ties
of the presidential administration of Azerbaijan Novruz Mammadov,
reported Trend.

As for the possible signing of any agreement on the resolution of
the Karabakh conflict within the framework of the Astana summit,
Mammadov said he does not have such information.

‘Definite works are held’, Mammadov said.

The OSCE summit will be held in Astana on December 1-2 and will gather
together the heads of the states and governments of 56 member-states
and 12 OSCE partner-states, as well as leaders of 68 international
organizations.

From: A. Papazian

REP. SCHIFF DISCUSSES ARMENIAN AMERICAN ISSUES IN CONGRESS

Asbarez
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010
WASHINGTON

In an extensive interview with PanArmenian.net, Armenian Genocide
Resolution led sponsor, US Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), spoke about
Armenian American issues in Congress, including US aid to Armenia,
the Genocide Resolution and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We present
the interview below.

PanArmenian: For many years you’ve been struggling for Washington’s
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. What are the chances for the
adoption of Genocide Resolution by new Congress?

Adam Schiff: Passing this resolution and honoring the memory of
1.5 million Armenian men, women and children has been one of my
top priorities since coming to Congress. Building a broad coalition
of support is critically important as we look for opportunities to
bring the Resolution to the floor for a vote. Although the desire for
adoption of the Genocide Resolution is stronger on the Democratic
side than on the Republican side, there will still be strong,
bipartisan support for the resolution, regardless of which party is
in the majority. We are seeking to gain votes every day, and my hope
is to move the resolution forward as soon as we are confident that
we have the votes we need to adopt the resolution. If the Resolution
doesn’t come to the Floor during this session, I plan to reintroduce
the resolution in the new Congress.

P.A.: In 2007, you stated in the interview to PanARMENIAN.Net that
not only Turkish lobby and pro-Turkish congressmen but also the U.S.

Administration hampered adoption of Genocide Resolution. What’s the
situation at present? Did the Administration reconsider its position
on the issue?

A.S.: The U.S. has given in to Turkey’s bullying for far too long
and efforts to recognize the victims of the genocide have fallen short.

Although there is near unanimity among historians that the events of
1915-23 constitute genocide, the government of the modern Republic
of Turkey steadfastly denies that the mass murders carried out by
its predecessor was genocide and threatens any nation or group of
nations that recognizes the genocide.

I was very disappointed in April when President Obama again did
not use the term “genocide” to describe the events of 1915-23. I
will continue urging him to stand with the ever-dwindling number
of survivors, as well as the descendants of others, who survived
the Armenian Genocide and continue to suffer the “double killing”
of denial, by referring to it as a genocide.

Although Turkey won’t be pleased with U.S. recognition, we need to
speak frankly with each other as allies. I will not rest until we
have overcome Turkey’s threats and propaganda.

P.A.: What role does the Armenian Genocide Congressional Record
Project as well as Capitol Hill screening of Genocide film ‘Aghet’
play in this struggle?

A.S.: I started the Armenian Genocide Congressional Record Project as
part of an ongoing effort to parallel H. Res. 252, the Congressional
resolution I sponsored to recognize and commemorate the Genocide. The
submissions contribute to the effort to raise awareness about the
issue, and educate Members of Congress now and in the future on the
necessity of recognizing the Genocide carried out by the Ottoman
Empire from 1915 to 1923. I encourage survivors of the Genocide and
their families from throughout the country to participate in the
project by sending in the stories of what happened to their family
during the Genocide.

I was honored to host the screening of ‘AGHET: A CENOCIDE’ in order to
help educate my colleagues and their staffs about the first Genocide
of the 20th Century. In the fight for recognition, we are armed only
with the truth; but in the end, the truth will be victorious. I also
sent a letter to PBS regarding the powerful, comprehensive documentary,
urging the network to fulfill a great educational and public service
by showing this film and bringing the story of the Armenian Genocide
to the American people. This is the type of programming for which PBS
was created, and ‘AGHET: A CENOCIDE’ is a film that every American
should see.

P.A.: Can the Project promote President Obama’s recognition of Genocide
in his next year’s April 24 address?

A.S.: Yes, it is my hope that including in the Congressional Record the
stories of individuals who survived the genocide we can help educate
the Administration and Congress, and make the genocide a part of the
historic record of our government.

While the Armenian Genocide has been recognized by more than 20 nations
including Canada, Italy, Sweden, France, Argentina and Russia, as
well as the European Parliament, it has not been formally recognized
by the U.S. Congress or Administration in decades.

The President should take a stand. There are a couple of compelling
reasons for President Obama to recognize the Genocide, which transcend
party and political lines:

First, to be a moral force on issues like genocide, whether stopping
Darfur or preventing future atrocities, we have to speak unequivocally
about such occurrences – we cannot pick and choose which to recognize,
as it undermines our moral authority. And second, as there are still
survivors among us, there is a moral imperative that we recognize
the Genocide in their life time.

P.A.: Attempting to prevent U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
Turkey asserts that the recognition will hamper its rapprochement
with Armenia. Are such statements well founded?

A.S.: Some argue that the possible reconciliation between Armenia and
Turkey is a reason to hold off on recognition. This misapprehended
the nature of reconciliation, which can never find a sound basis in
the denial of genocide, or silence when confronted by denial.

Almost from the moment that it signed the Protocols, the Turkish
government gave every indication that it would not ratify or implement
the agreement and sought to make resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue a precondition for any action by the Turkish parliament. I
had repeatedly warned that Turkey would attempt to use the protocols
process as a means to prevent the Administration from using the word
“genocide,” and to try to forestall consideration of a genocide
resolution by the Congress. Linking the process of the protocols to
the Armenian Genocide resolution actually encourages Turkey to not
ratify them, since the Turks know that prolonging the process serves to
provide opponents of the resolution with a continuing excuse to delay
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. In any event, no nation should
have to accept the falsification of history in exchange for peace.

Given Turkey’s recent behavior, Congress needs to reevaluate whether
we should continue to dishonor the dead to placate Turkey. While
many Americans remember Turkey’s refusal to allow coalition forces
to enter Iraq from its territory in 2003, Ankara’s refusal to assist
American forces has grown to embrace an agenda that is at odds with
our own by cozying up to Iran and Hamas.

P.A.: Recently, Matthew Bryza’s nomination for the position of U.S.

Ambassador to Azerbaijan was blocked. Can President Obama exercise
his right and appoint the ambassador, bypassing the Senate?

A.S.: President Obama can use the power of a recess appointment to
appoint Mr. Bryza as Ambassador to Azerbaijan. Given the delicate
nature of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the importance of not
sending the wrong signal to the Aliyev government, I would hope
that the President would instead choose to work with the Senate to
address the concerns of several of my friends in the other body who
are champions of Armenia, namely Senators Boxer and Menendez.

P.A.: Can you please assess the situation in Karabakh conflict zone.

What do you believe is the reason for Azerbaijan’s increased
militaristic statements, constant subversive actions and ceasefire
violations?

A.S.: As a champion for modern Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, I have
been a steadfast supporter of self-determination for the people of
Artsakh, repeatedly pushing for economic assistance to the region.

Providing a more hopeful future for the people of Armenia and
Artsakh will continue to be one of my top priorities. As a member
of the Foreign Operations and Related Programs subcommittee of
the Appropriations Committee, I have fought for greater funding
for Armenia and Karabakh, as well as tightening of Section 907 of
the Freedom Support Act, which conditions security assistance to
Azerbaijan. I am greatly concerned by continued Azeri war rhetoric,
as well as Azeri acts of aggression along the Line of Contact that
have resulted in the deaths of Karabakh military personnel. Recently,
I worked with the Congressional Research Service to identify funding
shortfalls to Nagorno Karabakh for badly needed economic development.

I am following up on this issue with the State Department and USAID
and will work to ensure that Karabakh receives the assistance that
Congress intends.

From: A. Papazian