ARMENIAN FM TO VISIT INDIA
news.am
Nov 9 2010
Armenia
On November 10, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian will pay
an official visit to India, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei
Manasaryan told NEWS.am.
He will hold meetings with Indian leadership and representatives of
political forces, as well as local Armenian community.
Edward Nalbanadian will grant an interview to local mass media and
deliver a speech at a high diplomatic school.
From: A. Papazian
YEREVAN RECEIVED NO DOCUMENT FROM ICRC ON POWS’ REFUSAL TO RETURN
news.am
Nov 9 2010
Armenia
Armenian authorities have not received any document from the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), saying that Armenian
POWs refuse to return to Armenia from Azerbaijan or want to leave
for a third country, Armen Kaprielyan, head of a working group
at the Armenian Commission on POWs, Missing Person and Hostages,
told NEWS.am, commenting on the statement by secretary of relevant
Azerbaijani commission Shahin Sailov.
“We have not received any notification from the ICRC. I must say
that international humanitarian law based on 4 Geneva conventions
and adjacent protocols permits leaving for a third country. It is
individual’s right. Even if the statement is true, which I doubt,
we guarantee that those people would not face negative attitude in
Armenia and can leave for a third country,” Kaprielyan stated.
However, he considers Sailov’s statement strange in the light of
recent processes. “Despite Armenian authorities are ready to keep on
cooperating with relevant Azerbaijani agencies,” Kaprielyan noted. He
did not rule out possibility that Sailov’s statement is aimed at
blocking exchange of POWs.
As NEWS.am reported earlier, 6 Armenian POWs and a 5-member family
are presently in the territory of Azerbaijan. Yeghishe, Ruzanna,
Alfred, Gayane and Petros Gevorgyans crossed the border this January.
Servicemen Hrant Markosyan, Alik Tevosyan, Arthur Sargsyan, Ohan
Harutunyan, Gevorg Tovmasyan and Karen Harutunyan are in Azerbaijani
captivity.
From: A. Papazian
ARMENIAN NUCLEAR SMUGGLER READY TO NAME SUPPLIERS TO COMMUTE SENTENCE
news.am
Nov 9 2010
Armenia
One of the arrested Armenian citizens detained in Georgia for uranium
smuggling expressed readiness to name suppliers and producers of the
material if sentence is commuted, Russian Kommersant newspaper writes
refrying to its sources. “However, Tbilisi is confident that smuggled
uranium was supplied from Russia,” the newspaper says.
It is yet unclear whether Georgian law enforcers agreed to the deal.
Representative of Georgian Internal Ministry Shota Utiashvili stated
that they know suppliers, though “original source” has not been found
yet. He expressed confidence that uranium was produced in Russia.
However, the experts consider that Russian origin of uranium is
not obvious. Anatoliy Dyakov, Director of the Center on Disarmament,
Energy, and Ecology, told the newspaper that taking into account level
of enrichment, uranium could be used in testing reactors located in
one of the former USSR institutes.
It is not the first attempt to sell uranium in Georgia. In 2006
Georgian special services arrested RF citizen Oleg Khinchagov who had
smuggled 100 grams of 95% enriched uranium from Vladikavkaz to hand
it to the alleged buyer in Tbilisi. He was sentenced to 10 years’
imprisonment.
As NEWS.am reported earlier, two Armenian citizens tried to sell
highly enriched uranium to people who as they thought were terrorists.
This information was disclosed today.
It became known that Armenian citizens – businessman Smbat Tonoyan
and physicist Hrant Ohanyan were implicated in smuggling case and
pleaded guilty. They managed to transport from Yerevan to Tbilisi
18 grams of enriched uranium in a lead-lined cigarette box. Such
quantity is not enough to make a bomb. Smugglers were confident they
were dealing with Islamist extremist organization but in fact the
“buyers” were employees of Georgian special services.
From: A. Papazian
MILITARY BLACKMAIL BAKU’S ONLY WAY OF PREVENTING NKR RECOGNITION
news.am
Nov 9 2010
Armenia
International institutions are unable to make an appropriate assessment
of the disgraceful parliamentary elections, as they are “bound” by
Russia’s biased position on the issue, Manvel Sargsyan, an expert at
the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS),
stated at a roundtable.
According to him, Russian experts made a biased assessment of the
disgraceful elections in Azerbaijan by calling them free and fair.
“Against this background, European agencies are unable to make a
strictly impartial assessment of the Azerbaijani elections being afraid
of making it ‘draw itself into Russia’s embrace’,” the expert said.
As regards the impact the Azerbaijani parliamentary elections may
have on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, Sargsyan stressed that the
Baku authoritarian regime will go on making warlike statements and may
even try to put them into practice, whereas Yerevan’s inactivity may
contribute to this. According to the expert, Azerbaijan’s military
blackmail is the only way of keeping the world from recognizing
Nagorno-Karabakh. Manvel Sargsya regards as groundless the forecasts
about possible progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process after
the OSCE Summit in Astana. “No progress will be registered in the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace
From: A. Papazian
CIS, RUSSIA INTERESTED IN RESOLUTION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT
news.am
Nov 9 2010
Armenia
CIS and Russia are interested in resolution of the Karabakh conflict
and do their utmost to achieve it, said CIS Executive Secretary
Sergei Lebedev.
“Recently, in Astrakhan, the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
under the mediation of the President of the Russian Federation have
agreed to exchange dead bodies of servicemen, and it almost became
the first steps for rapprochement of positions. These are small steps,
but at the same time, we are discussing the liberation of the occupied
territories, creating a corridor between Azerbaijan and Nakhichivan,
Karabakh and Armenia,” the Azerbaijani Trend agency quotes Lebedev.
Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian leaders met in Astrakhan on
October 27. The joint statement reads, “The Armenian and Azerbaijani
presidents agreed that their first step would be an immediate exchange
of prisoners of war and the return of the bodies of those killed. This
would be organized with the help of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group and the International Committee of the Red Cross.”
From: A. Papazian
AT THE SITTING OF THE NA STANDING COMMITTEE ON STATE AND LEGAL AFFAIRS
parliament.am
Nov 9 2010
Armenia
On November 9 at the sitting of the NA Standing Committee on State
and Legal Affairs the conclusion of the Committee on the monitoring
of the procedure of the fulfillment of the proposals included in
the conclusion of RA NA Ad – hoc Inquiry Committee into the Events
Occurred on 1-2 March 2008 in Yerevan Ad-hoc Committee on the Events
and Their Reasons debated.
During the debates the NA deputies presented proposals, on the basis
of which the conclusion was edited and adopted.
From: A. Papazian
ENCYCLOPEDIC INFORMATION – SPECIAL FOR ILHAM ALIYEV
Armen Minasyan
Panorama
Nov 9 2010
Armenia
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev delivered a general public speech
full with grave mistakes. Though Azerbaijani President was reading a
speech incautiously written by his speechwriters, Aliyev junior who has
graduated from Moscow State Institute of International Relations should
have known those things rejecting his role of appearing as a clown.
First read those absurd thoughts voiced by Azerbaijani President:
“Nagorno-Karabakh is our home, our historic land. Azerbaijani people
have been for centuries living and creating in Nagorno-Karabakh and
adjacent lands. The current state of Armenia has been founded on
Azerbaijan’s historic territories. The khanate of Yerevan, makhal of
Zangezur both are our historic lands. We would never allow foundation
of second Armenian state on our lands of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani
people will never accept that situation.”
Since Ilham Heydaroglu’s observations have encyclopedia grounds,
we’ve requested them as well. Generally four encyclopedias have
more authoritative roles – English “Encyclopedia Britannica” ,
French “Grand Larousse encyclopédique”, German “Die Brockhaus
Enzyklopädie ” and Russian “ВоДÑ~LÑ~HаÑ~O СовеÑ~BÑ~AкаÑ~O
ÐнÑ~FикДопедиÑ~O “. Studying any of these encyclopedias
we could find necessary things and compare them with Azerbaijani
authorities’ phantoms and the reality.
Those who have no wish to go deep that cobweb of facts could read
another authoritative source – “World Factbook” of US Central
Intelligence Agency.
You can have the following information in section of “Azerbaijan”.
“Azerbaijan – a nation with a majority-Turkic and majority-Muslim
population – was briefly independent from 1918 to 1920; it regained
its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict
with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated
region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia
and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle
escalated after both countries attained independence from the
Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold,
ethnic Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also seven
surrounding provinces in the territory of Azerbaijan. Corruption
in the country is ubiquitous, and the government, which eliminated
presidential term limits in a 2009 referendum, has been accused of
authoritarianism. Although the poverty rate has been reduced in recent
years due to revenue from oil production, the promise of widespread
wealth resulting from the continued development of Azerbaijan’s energy
sector remains largely unfulfilled.”
While in case of Armenia the Factbook covers broader historical period.
“Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt
Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over
the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including
the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War
I in the western portion of Armenia, Ottoman Turkey instituted a
policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices
that resulted in an estimated 1 million Armenian deaths. The eastern
area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in 1828; this
portion declared its independence in 1918, but was conquered by
the Soviet Red Army in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by
the long conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily
Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s
by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988;
the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence
from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took
hold, ethnic Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a
significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides
have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward
a peaceful resolution. Turkey closed the common border with Armenia in
1994 because of the Armenian separatists’ control of Nagorno-Karabakh
and surrounding areas, further hampering Armenian economic growth.
However, in 2009 senior Armenian leaders began pursuing rapprochement
with Turkey, which could result in the border reopening.”
We think those remarks are enough to disperse Azerbaijani illusion,
but still Azerbaijan’s policy of deforming the reality of our days
is carefully veiled. The factbook reads Armenian leaders remain
preoccupied by the long conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh,
a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan
in the 1920s by Moscow. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold,
ethnic Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a
significant portion of Azerbaijan proper.
As for Aliyev’s resist to the foundation of second Armenian state,
we would recommend further information from encyclopedia.
In the political map of the modern world, the majority of units have
linguistic, religious, ethnic and many other commonalities.
Ilham Aliyev, for instance, could have revealed that English is state
language not only of United Kingdom, but of USA, Canada, South Africa
and in another fifty countries. The same is for French and Spanish.
We have lots of other examples when different states have the same
ethnical units. The Arab people have founded two decades of different
states on the previous lands of khanate. It’s interesting to know
which one of those states is doubted by Aliyev.
You would say it’s natural historic development. But it’s still not
true. Alban people have state of Albania and the world or at least
a part of it recognizes Kosovo. Stepanakert wouldn’t mind at least
partial recognition, but it’s different, while Aliyev’s postulate
is absurd.
Why is it absurd? Ilham Aliyev knows he’s saying nonsense, but still
he does it. We think he could know from his father’s heritage that
Azerbaijan recognized the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the
independence of “second Turkish state.”
From: A. Papazian
REMOVING ARMENIA FROM ENEMY LIST TURKEY’S POLITICAL INTRIGUE
news.am
Nov 9 2010
Armenia
Removing Armenia from the list of countries posing a potential
threat to Turkey was a propaganda move. Turkey tried to show its
willingness to improve relations with Armenia. However, this move
contains diplomatic and political intrigue, the military psychologist,
member of the Public Council, RA Ministry of Defense, David Jamalyan
told a press conference.
“If the Turkish authorities want to improve relations with Armenia
and do not view us as enemies any more, nothing can prevent Turkey
from improving relations with Armenia without any preconditions,”
Jamalyan said.
If Turkey tries to establish relations without preconditions, it
may have revised something in its policy. Otherwise, it is another
propaganda move aimed at forcing Russia out of the region, as Russia,
Armenia’s strategic partner, remains on the list of countries posing
potential threat to Turkey.
Jamalyan does not rule out that Armenian civil society may voice the
opinion that the Russian military base in Armenia is an impediment
to Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, whereas it is one more guarantee
of security for Armenia.
“If Turkey does not really view Armenia as its enemy, its position
must be reflected in consistent steps. First, Turkish society should
develop a ‘healthy attitude’ to Armenia, as improvement of bilateral
relations requires a change of positions by both sides,” the expert
said. He pointed out the need for certain changes in Turkey’s system
of values. Specifically, tolerance is a requirement. Turkey’s official
policy is currently showing some contradictions, Jamalyan said. “What
side will the Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance be aimed at if Armenia is
not Turkey’s enemy any more?” he asked.
From: A. Papazian
FUTURE DEFENDERS OF THE MOTHERLAND BLESSED BEFORE LEAVING FOR SERVICE
Parliament.am
Nov 9 2010
Armenia
On November 9, on the occasion of the seeing off of 24 recruits
of Mashtots Military Commissariat to the National Army in the Surp
Nahatakats/St. Martyrs Church Yard of Davitashen community of Yerevan a
festive solemn ceremony was organized. The Chairman of the NA Standing
Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs Hrayr
Karapetyan, NA deputies, high-ranking military, parents, families of
the recruits and others attended the ceremony.
The Chairman of the Committee wished the recruits good service and
return, peace to the country, noting that the Armenian Army should
be the exemplary part of our society with its discipline and moral
features. “There is the instruction of the Defense Minister to the
Military Commissars to see off the recruits to the army with solemn
ceremony during the summing of the recruiting. The Military Commissar
of Mashtots invited the NA Standing Committee on Defense, National
Security and Internal Affairs to take part in this beautiful event,
which I am sure should become traditional, in order the parents would
see that their sons are worth of respect and enjoy that by the NA
deputies, military and Defense Ministry,” Hrayr Karapetyan. Mr.
Karapetyan ensured that the committee would be permanently connected
with the national army, would get acquainted with the problems of
the military servicemen.
The NA deputy Ruben Gevorgyan, RA Defense Deputy Minsiter Ara Nazaryan
and the parents of the recruits addressed good wishes to the recruits.
In the church the shepherd of Davitashen community Khoren priest
Marukyan blessed the future defenders of the Motherland before leaving
for service.
From: A. Papazian
TURKISH DEPUTY: IT’S 30 YEARS I’M AWARE OF GUL’S ARMENIAN ORIGIN
Panorama
Nov 9 2010
Armenia
The reporter of Turkish “Aksiyon” weekly had interview with the
most scandalous Turkish opposition representative, Deputy Mrs. Canan
Artman. Turkish deputy answered to reporter’s question covering her
personal life and political activities.
The weekly published the interview in its website where the deputy
answers to questions over Turkish President having Armenian roots.
It’s worth reminding that this very issue has been touched upon yet
in 2008 when petition called “We are sorry, Armenians” was launched
and joined by thousands of Turks.
Read that part of the interview below.
– Do you regret for your statements claiming Abdullah Gul’s ethnic
roots?
– My words were distorted. I didn’t regret since I was not wrong. I am
a doctor. Ethnic identity is honor and dignity. I didn’t say anything
discriminatory and humiliating. I told it to a reporter of our party.
That was a frank talk. I remember I said why the campaign of apologize
from Armenians is condemned and president isn’t. And I hurried to
add “Maybe ethnic affiliation should be considered?”. I didn’t say
that for being published. I knew that for 30 years, but I have never
voiced that.
– But how do you know that?
– No details, please.
It’s interesting to remind that the editor of Turkish “Haberinyeri”
news website was sentenced for 11 months imprisonment for missing to
delete a sentence from his website – “Gul has Armenian origin.”
From: A. Papazian