Author: Andres-Papazian

Panorama, Armenia
Sept 18 2010

Serzh Sargsyan: V. Hambartsumyan’s image encouraged many Armenian young people

On September 17, President Serzh Sargsyan awarded Viktor Hambartsumyan
International Prize 2010 in astronomy/astrophysics and related
sciences to famous Swiss astrophysicist professor Michel Mayor and two
of his team members Garik Israelian and Nuno Santos at a National
Academy of Sciences special general meeting.

During the prize award ceremony, President Sargsyan, particularly, said:

`It is an honor for me to award Viktor Hambartsumyan International
Prize. It is a new phenomenon in our life testifying to our interest
in astronomy/astrophysics and related sciences and to the importance
of these achievements in our public consciousness and public opinion.
This opinion and consciousness were formed by famous astronomer Viktor
Hambartsumyan with his Observatory and the school he founded. His
image encouraged many Armenian young people, and they chose the
profession of an astronomer and astrophysicist making progress in the
international sphere.

My congratulations to the prize-winners! I wish them success and new
scientific discoveries.

Everybody looks to the sky, but there are people who see much more
than we when looking to the sky. Today, in this hall, we congratulate
and honor them – Swiss astrophysicist professor Michel Mayor and his
team members, who saw and told the world what no one had seen before.

Many thanks to the organizers of the competition and to the members of
the commission.

My congratulations to all of us on this occasion!’

From: A. Papazian

Today, Azerbaijan
Sept 17 2010

“Prosecutor general” of so-called “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic” rejected
membership of International Association of Prosecutors

17 September 2010 [18:55] – Today.Az

Admitting a “prosecutor general” from a so-called “Nagorno-Karabakh
republic” to individual membership of the International Association of
Prosecutors has been removed from the association’s agenda after a
protest lodged by Azerbaijan, the press service of the Justice
Ministry reported on Sept. 15.

“Due to strong protest by Azerbaijan, the issue of admitting a
‘prosecutor general’ from a ‘Nagorno-Karabakh republic’ to the
membership of the International Association of Prosecutors has been
removed from the agenda of the Executive Committee [of the the
association],” said the report.

“Collections of documents and resolutions of the UN, OSCE, Council of
Europe and the EU on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were distributed
among the members of the committee. The head of our delegation
provided extensive information about the reasonable position of
Azerbaijan in the conflict,” the report continued. “As a result, a
decision was made that corresponds to our national interests.”

Hague (Netherlands) hosted the 15th annual conference of the
International Association of Prosecutors from Sept. 4 to 10.

General meetings and meetings of the executive committee were attended
by over 400 representatives from around the world, including the heads
of prosecutors’ offices, judges and other judicial bodies and
law-enforcement agencies.

Azerbaijan cooperates with authoritative international organizations,
including the International Association of Prosecutors, which has
consultative status at the UN Economic and Social Council and brings
together more than 100 countries. Azerbaijan has for years been
represented in the executive committee, the governing body of the
association.

As a member of the association, the authority of which is increasing,
Azerbaijan has been given the considerable opportunity of representing
the European continent on its executive committee. As a result of
competitive elections, the Azerbaijani candidate, head of the
Anti-Corruption Office under the Prosecutor General’s Office Kamran
Aliyev, was elected a member of the executive committee.

/Trend/

URL:

From: A. Papazian

Trend, Azerbaijan
sept 17 2010

Former Latvian president: It is time to find new group of negotiators
on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (INTERVIEW)
17.09.2010 16:57
Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 17 / Trend V.Zhavoronkova /

Trend interviewed Mrs. Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Former Latvian President,
Special Envoy to the U.N. Secretary General, Vice Chairman of the
Group of Experts on EU Long-Term Development.

Trend: How do you asses your recent visit to Azerbaijan? How has the
country changed since your last visit?

Vike-Freiberga: I could see how rapid the changes have been in
Azerbaijan in the last five years, it is visible to the naked eye.
Your country is growing and taking advantage of its natural resources
as well as looking after its human resources. My husband and I have
been to a number of institutions dealing with higher learning and
science and technology and it is clear that Azerbaijan is moving in
that area very vigorously and very rapidly.

I think that it is very wise and you have been very fortunate in
having an extremely intense period of high oil prices which have gone
into building up your country’s reserves, because the natural
resources are something that can not be relied on to provide
prosperity for ever and ever. The fossil fuels by definition will be
exhausted at some point, but even before that the oil prices fluctuate
so widely that every country-exporter need[s] to provide the cushions
for these reserves. So I think that you are very wise to have looked
to the future generations and to start building … capital of a
different sort for them to enjoy better incomes. I think your human,
of course, capital is your best investment because is renewable
capital, a renewable resource.

Q.: You recently proposed creating a U.N. special representative for
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Would this positively impact the
process of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict?

A.: If it is a question of the UN then some member countries of the UN
would have to make such a proposal and then they would have to get a
sufficient number of countries to agree to it. I must confess that the
length of time it has taken … the so-called Minsk Group to try to
come to an agreement and quite evidently without success it, seems to
me … an argument for looking to a different group of negotiators who
might have better chance of obtaining the resolution. Because, I think
negotiations are an art, not a science. The OSCE Minsk Group insists
on participation in the negotiating process, but without any results.
Maybe it would be a good idea and good reason to try to get a new
team. Now, of course, the old team’s members should agree to step down
to get a new team and I have serious doubts … that they would be
ready to do it.

Q.: How do you asses Azerbaijan’s role in terms of European energy security?

A.: I would say that Azerbaijan is located geographically at a very
strategic point, where it could serve as a bridge for both oil and gas
transportation from, for example, the Central Asian countries and of
course it is itself also a source of fossil fuel energy. The country
can provide alternative routes of providing both gas and oil to
Europe. Europe needs to have a common energy policy, but this common
energy policy means the need to diversify sources of energy.

Q.: You are also a vice chairman of the Group of Experts on EU
Long-Term Development. How can the EU help to stabilize the region
given its immense Caspian energy resources?

A.: On the one hand, the EU can contribute to stabilization through
participation in alternative routes of energy supply, investment in
pipelines and delivering on these routes. I think that the idea of
having liquid gas terminals in this region is good, because the liquid
gas can be transported more easily than the gas in its gaseous form.
At a different level – at a political level, of course one would like
to see this region gradually solve the frozen conflicts that are in
place and to solidify the democratic processes and structures and, of
course, develop societies that can enjoy growth and development and
prosperity as much as Western Europe can. We in Latvia, who were a
part of the Soviet Union as much as Azerbaijan was, sympathize,
particularly with your striving to catch up with us.

From: A. Papazian

Ceasefire violated: Corporal Andranik Sargsyan shot dead

armradio.am
17.09.2010 18:36

On September 17 the Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire regime at
different sectors of the line of contact between the armed forces of
Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

Press Service of the NKR Ministry of Defense reports that the rival
opened fire at the front positions of the Defense Army from sniper
rifles and large-caliber weapons.

Corporal Andranik Sargsyan, born in 1990, was shot dead at the
northeastern part of the contact line, Press and Information
Department of the Ministry of Defense reports.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Sept 18 2010

Armenian mass media identifies `the hero’ of Youtube scandalous video

September 18, 2010 | 12:58

Sasun Galstyan is the officer who humiliated and abused Armenian
soldiers in the Youtube scandalous video. According to the Zhamanak
daily, Galstyan served as deputy commander in the `Yeghnikner’
military unit.

As reported previously, RA Defense Minister stated he does not believe
in authenticity of the video. Nevertheless, commenting on the soldier
harassment video, in the Armenian army, he stated that experts are now
studying the video and promised to severely punish the one guilty, if
such a thing really happened. He also stressed that those who put the
video on Youtube will be punished as well.

An investigation is underway.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Sept 18 2010

Armenians visit Kars before Surb Khach church

September 18, 2010 | 10:34

Armenians that are visiting Kars on the occasion of the liturgy to be
held at Surb Khach (Holy Cross) church on Akhtamar Island, Van, on
September 19 have caused the local trade and services sector to
intensify its activities, a NEWS.am corresponding reports from Kars.

The route from Armenia to Van runs through Kars with its numerous
cultural and historical monuments. Armenians attach high importance to
cultural heritage and spend much money and time in Kars.
Interestingly, members of the Armenian community in Istanbul preferred
going to Van through Kars as well through the Istanbul-Van route does
not run through Kars. The Kars hotels, restaurants and stores did not
feel any lack of Armenian tourists on the occasion of the opening of
Surb Khach church.

The Kars residents are enthusiastic about such activity in the city.
`It is a pleasure to see the neighboring country’s citizens in our
city. Tourists will boost the Kars economy,’ said a middle-aged man,
who watched Armenians taking pictures in front of the Armenian
monastery in Kars. A travel agent said that on September 16-17 over
500 Armenians stayed at Kars hotels. Armenians from Armenia working in
Istanbul arrived in Kars as well.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Sept 18 2010

Armenia faces impending crisis, ARF states

September 18, 2010 | 12:25

All Armenian political parties are already making preparations for the
next parliamentary elections, Armen Rustamyan, an Executive Council
member, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), told NEWS.am.

He warned against believing the forces claiming they are not preparing
for the elections. `Some are more active others are passive – it is a
matter of political strategy. But all the political forces are
obviously preparing for the elections,’ Rustamyan said. He stressed
that, unlike other political forces, the ARF is not yet discussing the
slates, as the party has relevant regulations. `We have no problems
with party tickets. Let other political forces think of it – they face
splits over each slate. But it is they that most of all speak of
disunity within Dashnaktsutyun. For 20 years these political forces
have been saying that Dashnaktsutyun is close to a split, but the
party has existed for 120 years, and it will exist as long until the
Hay Dat problems are resolved,’ Rustamyan said.

Making political forecasts for this year, Rustamyan pointed out quite
vigorous processes are expected, as issues of national importance are
on the agenda: Armenian-Turkish relations, Nagorno-Karabakh problem,
worsening domestic problems, human rights and social justice problems.
`All this is evidence of serious domestic problems and of an impending
crisis,’ Rustamyan said. Evidence thereof is, he said, the increasing
`qualitative migration,’ when the young people supposed to shape
Armenia’s future are leaving the country.

From: A. Papazian

Panorama, Armenia
Sept 18 2010

Akhtala Church to be re-anointed, re-opened September 19

Lori province of Armenia will host the re-anointment and re-opening
ceremony of St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Virgin) Church of Akhtala September
19.

The re-anointment ceremony will be followed by a holy liturgy and
blessing of oblation. The offering will be given to people later.

`Kings, queens and princes’ information panels will open in the
territory of Akhtala Monastery. The panels provide information about
the castles, palaces and monasteries once built by the Zakarids.

The presentation of the book `Akhtala’, presenting the history of
Akhtala, will take place tomorrow.

The range of festive events include the opening of `Wedding Rings’
monument, as well as Barbeque Feast, accompanied by Armenian national
dance and songs.

Akhtala Monastery dates back to late 10th century. The Monastery
consists of a fortress, three churches, a chapel, a hall. The church
is known for its rich frescos, murals.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
sept 18 2010

Azerbaijan not to be intimidated by force, Turkish expert says

September 18, 2010 | 13:44

The Armenian-Russian agreement on longer-term Russian military
presence in Armenia poses a threat to the regional countries, first of
all to Turkey and Azerbaijan, said Sinan OÄ?an, Head of the Turkish
Center for International Relations & Strategic Analysis (TÃ`RKSAM).

In this context, he pointed out the necessity for a thorough analysis
of all the processes and for a tactic that would reduced all the risks
of the Russian military base’s presence in Armenia. By signing the
agreement Moscow must have sent out a signal to the conflicting
parties that it would not allow hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. Under
the circumstances, the task of Baku and Ankara is to win Moscow over
or, if they fail, at least to persuade it into neutrality. `Azerbaijan
is a full-fledged and strong state. It is not Georgia, which can be
intimidated with military force. Besides, all those planning to do it
must not forget the Turkish factor. Those who even think of causing
any damage to Azerbaijan will face Turkey. Unlike the USA, which
promised `virtual’ assistance to Georgia in August 2008, but never
supported it, Turkey will keep its promises,’ he said. On the other
hand, the expert is critical of the idea of deploying a Turkish
military base in Nakhichevan. `Moscow will not perceive the deployment
of Turkish troops in Nakhichevan, which will cause a crisis in both
Russia-Turkey and Azerbaijan-Russia relations. So it is too early to
speak of it. Our main task now is to change the situation in our favor
with composure and presence of mind instead of exacerbating the
situation in the region, which is strained as it is,’ OÄ?an said.

He does not rule out the deployment of Turkish peacemakers in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone in the future. Since all the three OSCE
Minsk Group Co-Chairs support Armenia, each in his own way, Azerbaijan
can demand the deployment of Turkish peacemakers in the future, after
an agreement settling the Nagorno-Karabakh has been signed, the expert
said.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Sept 18 2010

Turkish authorities take revenge on Armenian society?

September 18, 2010 | 13:49

The incident with the Armenian journalists at the Istanbul airport may
be linked to the Armenian society’s attitude towards the liturgy in
Surb Khach Church, President of the Yerevan Press Club Boris
Navasardyan said at a press conference in Yerevan on September 18.
According to him, Turkish side decided to give a `particular response’
since Armenia refused to participate in the liturgy.

Noteworthy, Holy See of Echmiadzin, Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem
and Holy See of Cilicia refuse to take part in the liturgy in Surb
Khach…

`After many Armenians refused to attend the religious service in Surb
Khach, Turkish authorities have decided to show Armenians are unwanted
guests’. Navasardyan stressed the Turkish policemen had carried out
passport check during the previous flights as well, however did not
make a fuss of it. He expressed hope for the Turkish authorities to
change their stances, given that it is not a favorable factor for
Turkey’s image.

As to whether Turkish Premier Recep Erdogan e-mailed a letter to
Navasardyan, inviting him to the liturgy, he replied that has no
intention to take part in the event and may have deleted the
invitation carelessly.

As reported previously, September 13, at 7:00 a.m. local time Armenian
journalists were held as hostages at the Istanbul airport for several
hours and not allowed to enter Turkey. The journalists left for Turkey
to participate in the seminar `The role of mass media in the Karabakh
conflict: regional security and the improvement of cooperation’,
scheduled for September 13-15. During the passport check of the
Armenian journalists and other Armenian passengers, Turkish border
guards took their passports and checked whether they had return
tickets and enough money for living. When President of Yerevan Press
Club Boris Navasardyan tried to interfere in the conversation, he was
threatened with expulsion from the country. The seminar was organized
by Yerevan Press Club, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Yeni Nesil
Azerbaijani Union of Journalists and Global Political Trends Centre.

From: A. Papazian