Author: Andres-Papazian

L’UE S’INQUIÈTE DE LA FREQUENCE DES INCIDENTS ARMES AUTOUR DU KARABAKH

Le Monde

6 Sept 2010
France

L’Union europeenne a exprime lundi son inquietude face a la
multiplication ces derniers mois des affrontements armes entre
l’Armenie et l’Azerbaïdjan autour du Nagorny Karabakh, enclave
separatiste en territoire azerbaïdjanais soutenue par Erevan. “L’Union
europeenne s’inquiète de la frequence des incidents le long de
la ligne de cessez-le-feu. Il est necessaire de se concentrer
sur les negociations de paix”, a declare l’envoye special de l’UE
pour le Caucase du Sud, Peter Semneby a l’antenne de la television
azerbaïdjanaise ANS. Les affrontements entre forces azerbaïdjanaises
et armeniennes autour du Nagorny-Karabakh se sont multiplies ces
derniers mois, coûtant la vie a au moins seize soldats depuis le
debut de l’annee. Six militaires sont notamment morts la semaine
dernière lors de combats. Rattache a l’Azerbaïdjan pendant la
periode sovietique, le Nagorny Karabakh, peuple majoritairement
par des Armeniens, a proclame son independance, non reconnue par la
communaute internationale, après une guerre qui a fait 30.000 morts
et des centaines de milliers de refugies entre 1988 et 1994. Un
cessez-le-feu a ete signe en 1994, mais Bakou et Erevan n’arrivent
pas a s’entendre sur le statut de la region qui reste une source de
tension dans le Caucase du Sud, zone strategique situee entre l’Iran,
la Russie et la Turquie. L’Azerbaïdjan, qui accuse l’Armenie de
bloquer les negociations, a souvent menace ces dernières annees de
reprendre par la force le contrôle de sa region separatiste.

From: A. Papazian

HAUT-KARABAKH: L’OSCE CONDAMNE LES VIOLATIONS DU CESSEZ-LE-FEU

RIA Novosti

6 Sept 2010
Russie

Le president actuel de l’OSCE, le ministre kazakh des Affaires
etrangères Kanat Saoudabaïev, condamne resolument les violations du
cessez-le-feu qui se sont multipliees ces derniers temps le long
de la ligne de contacts entre le Haut-Karabakh et l’Azerbaïdjan,
a annonce lundi un communique de la diplomatie kazakhe.

“La croissance des pertes humaines des deux côtes du conflit suscite
une profonde inquietude”, lit-on dans le document.

Après avoir souligne que les violations du cessez-le-feu entravaient
les negociations menees dans le cadre du Groupe de Minsk (Etats-Unis,
France, Russie), M.Saoudabaïev a reaffirme son soutien aux copresidents
du Groupe qui ont appele le 6 septembre 2010 les parties en conflit
a faire preuve de retenue.

Le conflit du Haut-Karabakh a eclate en fevrier 1988, lorsque cette
region autonome principalement peuplee d’Armeniens eut annonce
son intention de se separer de l’Azerbaïdjan. En septembre 1991,
les autorites regionales ont proclame la creation de la Republique
du Haut-Karabakh avec Stepanakert pour capitale. Cette demarche a
fourni un pretexte a des affrontements armes d’envergure a la suite
desquels l’Azerbaïdjan a perdu le contrôle du Haut-Karabakh et de
sept regions adjacentes.

Des negociations sur le règlement pacifique du conflit sont menees
depuis 1992 dans le cadre du Groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE copreside par
l’Americain Robert Bradtke, le Francais Bernard Fassier et le Russe
Igor Popov.

L’Azerbaïdjan insiste sur la preservation de son integrite
territoriale, tandis que l’Armenie defend les interets de la republique
autoproclamee, le Haut-Karabakh n’etant pas partie aux negociations.

From: A. Papazian

DEPARDIEU WILL SHOOT A FILM ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
By Alexander Tagvoryan

YerevanReport.com
Sept 6 2010
Armenia

YEREVAN, September 06-Famous French actor Gerard Depardieu arrived in
Armenia with a two-day visit to take part in the international festival
“Karot” (Nostalgia), which started on September 2 in Stepanakert
(the capital of Nagorno Karabakh) and now continues in Yerevan.

On Saturday, September 6, Depardieu visited Tsitsernakaberd and laid
a wreath at the “Eternal Flame,” commemorating the victims of the
Armenian Genocide in 1915.

“Today I visited the memorial to the victims of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915, and it impressed me greatly, just like other
similar memorials, for example, the memorial of Yad Vashem (the
museum-monument to Holocaust victims) in Israel,” said Depardieu to
the Armenian journalists.

Gerard Depardieu also said that he had an intention to make a film
about Armenia, the Armenians and the Armenian Genocide. This film will
likely show some historical period in Armenia, and French actors of
Armenian origin will take part in it.

According to him, Armenia with it exceptional and interesting
geographical location and the Armenian people are very interesting. “I
know that this country is focused on the future, and my goal is to
show this Armenia, which is rapidly moving forward, but doesn’t forget
about the old wounds,” he said.

Depardieu also said he knows much about the Armenian people, because
he knows many Armenians that live in France now. “I know why and
how they went there [to France] and what does the Genocide that took
place in 1915 mean,” the actor said.

He also said that there are many famous actors and athletes with
Armenian origin in France now. The most interesting thing for him was
the fact that the French Armenians didn’t forget their traditions and
language. “They speak both their native language and the language of
the country that sheltered them,” said Depardieu.

According to Depardieu, his new film will tell about a young Armenian
man who lives in France and has never seen Armenia. He has heard
about his motherland from old stories only. In particular, he has
heard a lot about the Armenian Genocide and the horrors that the
Armenian people had to go through.

“Then, for example, this young man takes me to Armenia with him and
begins to talk and to present Armenia as he sees it. This is enough
to make a movie and to show today’s Armenia,” said Depardieu.

From: A. Papazian

THE CO-CHAIRS OF THE OSCE MINSK GROUP RELEASED A STATEMENT

Times.am
Sept 6 2010
Armenia

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group arrived in Baku on September 6.

Bernar Fassier(France) announced earlier, that they would be at
Baku on September 7, at Stepanakert on September 8 and at Yerevan on
September 9.

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors Igor Popov of
Russia, Bernard Fassier of France, and Robert Bradtke of the United
States, also released the following statement on 6 September:

“As part of their efforts to facilitate negotiations for the peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chairs expect to be particularly active in the months leading up
to the OSCE Summit.

“The Co-Chairs will travel to Baku, Yerevan, and Nagorno-Karabakh
September 6-10 to discuss additional actions necessary to strengthen
the cease-fire, to promote a spirit of compromise by all parties,
and to finalize modalities for further action. During the third full
week of September, the Co-Chairs will travel to Washington, D.C. and
then to New York to work with the sides on the margins of the United
Nations General Assembly.

“Between late September and mid October, the Co-Chairs will return
to the region to conduct the field assessment mission to observe the
humanitarian situation in the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh
that they had discussed previously with the sides in recent months
and the principle of which had already been agreed with the sides
before summer. A team of high-level advisors and experts, including
representatives from the office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees and others, are expected to accompany the Co-Chairs on
their mission, which will be the first international mission in these
territories since the OSCE fact finding mission in early 2005. Shortly
thereafter, the Co-Chairs will brief the OSCE Minsk Group in Vienna on
their findings. Then the Co-Chairs will present their annual activity
report to the OSCE Permanent Council and actively prepare the OSCE
Summit in Astana with the sides.

“During this period of intense activity, the Co-Chairs urge all parties
to respect strictly the cease-fire and to exercise restraint on the
ground, to make every effort to foster the spirit of compromise
necessary to make progress, to abstain from inflammatory public
statements, and to demonstrate the convincing political will to
engage in serious dialogue. In response to the most recent incidents
along the Line of Contact, they also strongly condemn any violation
of the cease-fire, in particular incursions across the line of
contact, deplore useless loss of life, and recall the statement
of their Ministers in Almaty, that the use of force created the
current situation, and its use again would only lead to suffering,
devastation, and a legacy of conflict and hostility that would last
for generations.”

From: A. Papazian

THE ORGANIZER OF THE SHOOTING IN MOSQUE IN AZERBAIJAN ARRESTED

Times.am
Sept 6 2010
Armenia

An organizer of the armed incident in Lankaran region of Azerbaijan
was arrested, Apa.az reported.

The deputy chief of Lankaran region police office Javid Agayev said
Arif Feyzullayev, who fired on peaceful people outside the mosque
was detained as a result of special operations. Other participants
of the incident aren’t found yet.

The incident happened in Gumbashi village of Lankaran region at 00.15
on September 3.

Gunmen in several cars fired on the people that gathered near Gumbashi
village mosque. As a result of the shooting, Elshan Alimammad Huseynov,
41, was killed. Ramin Baloglan Agamaliyev, 25, was wounded.

Two participants of the incident – residents of Masalli region Ramil
Ilham Humbatov and Emin Bagirov were also detained.

From: A. Papazian

ARAM SARGSYAN:”THE OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS HAVE THEIR OWN OPINION”

Times.am
Sept 6 2010
Armenia

As Times.am reported earlier, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will have
discussions at Baku, Stepanakert and Yerevan on the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue on September 7-9. Armenian polititians have spoken on the same
issue during different press conferances today.

“Dmitri Medvedev has controlled Azerbaijan, and now Aliev comes out
with a new antiarmenian resolution “,-said the deputy Rafik Petrosyan
today during the press conference.

He also said that there is probability, that Baku would manage to get
a new antiarmenian resolution at The UN, but this document will have
no legal strength, Aysor.am reported.

The head of Armenian Democratic Party Aram G. Sargsyan discussing
this issue at another press-conference,said that RA must send a
diplomatic note to the UN and explain the reality and show that
Azerbaijan destorts the truth, Tert.am reported.

According to Aram Sargsyan, RA must be an initiator and must rerpesent
such resolutions itself.

The speaker considers, that this resolution presented by Azerbaijan
can’t have any influence on the negotiations as the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs have their own opinion towards the Nagorno Karabakh issue.

From: A. Papazian

TURKEY HASN’T CHANGED: THE SAME AS THE YOUNG TURKS

Times.am
Sept 6 2010
Armenia

Although Turkish authorities assure that their country is tolerant and
democratic, modern Turkey sticks to Young Turks’ policy, an Armenian
expert said.

According to Ruben Melqonyan, the holy-mass which should be celebrated
at The Holy Cross church was just a turkish propaganda’s challenge
to armenians.The speaker considers that armenian discussions there
too superficial:”To go, or not. But the problem was deeper”, Tert.am
reported.

Ruben Melkonyan labeled Ankara’s allegation that there isn’t enough
time to hoist the cross on the dome of Holy Cross church as ridiculous.

“Installation of a 200kg cross doesn’t demand special efforts,”
he said.

There are more serious reasons. Constitutial changes at Turkey will be
held on September 12 and the turkish oppositive parties are against
it. So they can use the hoist of the cross against the government
during this elections,Panarmenian.net reported.

“Turkish electorate would react strongly to installation of a cross
on the dome of an Armenian church on the threshold of constitutional
referendum,” Melkonyan said.

From: A. Papazian

ASHOT MELKONYAN: WE DON’T NEED INVITATION TO VISIT OUR HISTORICAL LANDS

Times.am
Sept 6 2010
Armenia

Armenians do not need an invitation to visit their historical lands,
director of the Institute of History at the RA National Academy of
Sciences stated.

“We know where our historical monuments are located and should be
a part of a Turkish show,” Ashot Melkonyan said during a meeting of
the association of expatriate communities.

Professor Ruben Safrastyan, director of the Institute of Oriental
Studies at RA NAS, noted for his part that Shariat prohibits
installation of crosses on Christian churches,Panarmenian.net reported.

“With this cheap show, Turkey just feigns an intention to normalize
relations with Armenia,” he said.

According to Zhasmen Asryan, member of the sub-commission on religion,
diaspora and international integration at the RA Public Council,
Turkey will not only derive benefits from its show but will also
demand action on Armenia’s part.

The association said in the resulting statement that organization
of liturgy in Holy Cross Church is nothing but an attempt to improve
Turkey’s image in the eyes of the international community.

From: A. Papazian

GERARD DEPARDIEU TO MAKE A FILM ABOUT “ARMENIAN GENOCIDE”?

Today

Sept 6 2010
Azerbaijan

Famous French actor Gerard Depardieu visited the “Armenian Genocide”
memorial in Yerevan, according to Armenian media. Depardieu arrived
in Armenia to take part in “Nostalgie” International Festival, which
took off in Armenian occupied Khankandi, and then continued in Yerevan.

Reportedly, actor plans to meet with Armenia’s president and Minister
of Foreign Affairs as well.

Reportedly, Depardieu was very “impressed” by the “genocide” memorial.

At the press conference in Yerevan, Depardieu pointed out that he
knows many french armenians who’s ancestors managed to escape the
“genocide” of 1915.

According to Depardieu, in the future he might direct a picture
depicting one of historical periods of Armenia. “Armenia is a very
interesting country to me. I know it has its own cinema”.

Who knows, maybe Depardieu will direct an “Armenian Genocide” movie
one day.

From: A. Papazian

OFFICIAL STATEMENT: OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS EXPECT ACTIVITY FROM NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SIDES

Today

Sept 6 2010
Azerbaijan

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs – Ambassador Bernard Fassier of France,
Ambassador Robert Bradtke of the United States; Ambassador Igor
Popov of the Russian Federation expect particular activity of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict sides in the next few months, OSCE Minsk
Group’s official statement says. As part of their efforts to facilitate
negotiations for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs expect to be particularly
active in the months leading up to the OSCE Summit, the statement says.

The statement reads that the Co-Chairs will travel to Baku, Yerevan,
and Nagorno-Karabakh September 6-10 to discuss additional actions
necessary to strengthen the cease-fire, to promote a spirit of
compromise by all parties, and to finalize modalities for further
action. During the third full week of September, the Co-Chairs will
travel to Washington, D.C. and then to New York to work with the
sides on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.

Between late September and mid October, the Co-Chairs will return
to the region to conduct the field assessment mission to observe the
humanitarian situation in the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh
that they had discussed previously with the sides in recent months
and the principle of which had already been agreed with the sides
before summer. A team of high-level advisors and experts, including
representatives from the office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees and others, are expected to accompany the Co-Chairs on
their mission, which will be the first international mission in these
territories since the OSCE fact finding mission in early 2005. Shortly
thereafter, the Co-Chairs will brief the OSCE Minsk Group in Vienna on
their findings. Then the Co-Chairs will present their annual activity
report to the OSCE Permanent Council and actively prepare the OSCE
Summit in Astana with the sides.

During this period of intense activity, the Co-Chairs urge all parties
to respect strictly the cease-fire and to exercise restraint on the
ground, to make every effort to foster the spirit of compromise
necessary to make progress, to abstain from inflammatory public
statements, and to demonstrate the convincing political will to engage
in serious dialogue. In response to the most recent incidents along
the contact line, they also strongly condemn any violation of the
cease-fire, in particular incursions across the contact line, deplore
useless loss of life, and recall the statement of their Ministers in
Almaty, that the use of force created the current situation, and its
use again would only lead to suffering, devastation, and a legacy of
conflict and hostility that would last for generations.

From: A. Papazian