Author: Andres-Papazian

WHITHER CSTO:
By Raffi Hovannisian

2010/08/14

RUSSIAN POWER, ARMENIAN SOVEREIGNTY, AND A REGION AT RISK

Yerevan-The second anniversary of blitzkrieg between Russia and Georgia
underscores the unresolved geopolitical undercurrents in this region
among the seas. Landlocked by the forces of history from the Caspian,
the Black and the Mediterranean, Armenia’s pivotal position remains
encircled by a neighborhood in strategic turmoil.

The inherent jeopardy flowing from Turkey’s now obviously disingenuous
engagement of Armenia, the challenges posed by Azerbaijan’s graduation
from its threatening language of war to its launch of a deadly attack
in June, and the general escalation of tension across the Caucasus
have combined to define the greater region as one at immediate risk
of deepening instability.

Against this backdrop of system-wide insecurity, Armenia is now facing
a dangerous alignment of outside interests and internal shortcomings.

While Yerevan’s “strategic” relationship with Moscow continues to
serve as the bedrock for regional peace and security, the nature of
the Armenian-Russian embrace is unduly lopsided.

The asymmetry of the Russian-Armenian relationship is most manifest
in the fundamental lack of equal and mutually respectful cooperation.

After all, Armenia’s hosting of the only Russian military base in the
area is no simple act of kindness, and must be anchored in a shared
regard for each other’s interests.

What is more, the Russian base is the only such facility outside
of the Russian Federation where the host country receives neither
rent nor reimbursement. Armenia pays for the totality of its costs
and expenses. Such a mortgaging of Armenian national security is
unacceptable and demands immediate redress.

In the new era, Armenian-Russian partnership, in order to be strategic
without quotation marks, must be sincere, really reciprocal and based
on horizontal respect, despite the differences in size and experience
between the two nations.

A case in point is the information recently leaked by the Russian
media and reactively confirmed by official Yerevan that the two
states, either bilaterally or under the auspices of the Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), intend to extend up to 49 years
the treaty arrangement for the Russian base and the deployment of
forces there. Matters of dignity aside, this flies in the face of
Armenian sovereignty, foreign policy independence, and vital national
interests. It also flouts the unlimited future potential of an actually
strategic partnership between us.

This holds especially true in view of the fact that the existing
base agreement does not expire until 2020 and can, if necessary,
be extended upon expiration for five or even ten years. Of further
consternation is the Kremlin’s military rapport with and sales to
Ankara, which stands in occupation of the historic Armenian patrimony,
has imposed a modern-day blockade of the Republic of Armenia tantamount
to an act of war, and continues to deny and shirk responsibility for
the Genocide and Great Armenian Dispossession of 1915.

A more contemporary source of outrage is Moscow’s military support
for Azerbaijan, which having launched a failed war of aggression
against Mountainous Karabagh and Armenia is today threatening renewed
hostilities, completing its occupation of the Armenian heartlands of
Shahumian, Getashen, Artsvashen, and Nakhichevan, and continuing with
impunity to destroy and desecrate the Armenian cultural heritage at
Jugha and elsewhere.

In this connection, in the event that Russia indeed carries through
with the reported sale of its S-300 weapon systems or other equivalent
armaments to the aggressive, belligerent, and revisionist regime of
Azerbaijan, Armenia should withdraw forthwith from the CSTO, of which
it is the sole member from the region, or at the very least require
full fair-market rent for the Russian base together with reimbursement
for water, electricity and other relevant expenses.

And finally, the ultimate achievement of Partnership between Russia
and Armenia, and between Russia and the West, will necessarily entail
an actual application of the Rule of Law-not only domestic but also
international-and hence the recognition of the Republic of Mountainous
Karabagh within its constitutional frontiers, as well as of Kosovo
and Abkhazia.

Anything else is partisan politics, petty political gain and sui
generis dissimulation, all of which might make sense for some and for
the moment but at bottom run counter to the aims of peace, security,
justice and democratic values for the critical landmass amid the seas.

Raffi Hovannisian, independent Armenia’s first minister of foreign
affairs, currently chairs the Heritage Party and represents it in
Parliament.

From: A. Papazian

Photographer Hrair `Hawk’ Khatcherian
By Editor on Aug 16, 2010 in Arts

Sourp Gayane Church in Armenia

NEW YORK – Hrair Hawk Khatcherian, who recently took a journey through
Western Armenia, will speak at the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern) on Thursday, September 9, at 7 p.m. at an event
hosted by the Zohrab Center and the Armenian Network of America
Greater New York region. The event is free and open to the public and
will be followed by a wine and cheese reception.
Below is an interview Taleen Babayan, interim director of the Zohrab
Center, recently conducted with Khatcherian about his work, his ties
to Armenia and Karabagh, and his passion for photography.

Hrair Hawk Khatcherian
Taleen Babayan: What inspired you to become a photographer?
Hawk Khatcherian: While at school at the age of 13 my friend’s brother
used to run a photo center and when I asked how a picture was
developed into an image, the answer was `you cannot do it, it is too
difficult.’ This was a challenge for me to try photography, so I bought a
tiny 110mm camera and started snapping at school and at the beach, and
have been hooked ever since.
TB: What is the story behind your name `Hawk’?
HK: Again it was during my school years. Back in 1975 there were no
e-mails, gmails, Facebook or Skype. We were pen-palling from one
school in Lebanon to Michigan where a student by the name of Jamie
Ledbetter was my pen pal. One day Jamie said please find yourself a
nickname I can call you. Hawk is my favorite bird of prey for similar
qualities, sharp eyes, independent, flight…. so the nickname was
approved and I used to sign off my letters with `Hawk.’ In 1992 I
earned my wings as a commercial pilot in Hayward, Calif. and my
nickname officially became my middle name, and today all my legal
documents such as passports, driver’s license all bear the middle name
`Hawk.’
TB: How does photography tie you to your ancestral homeland and to
Armenians worldwide?
HK: The war in Karabagh was a true introduction for me of what my
roots are. Back in 1988 when there were protests by the Armenians in
front of the Soviet consulate in Montreal, they were bearing the signs
`Karabagh is Armenia,’ `Karabagh is for Armenians,’ and when I asked
the demonstrators what is Karabagh, they responded by saying Stalin
had given the Armenian enclave to the Azerbaijanis back in 1922. My
questions were many such as, have you seen the land, or have you seen
the Armenians of Karabagh and their answer was no. So for the first
time in 1992 I traveled to Armenia and three days later I was in the
trenches rubbing shoulders with Armenians defending their land
Karabagh or Artsakh as it is known for them. During the war a man gave
me a book about the Armenian churches inside Karabagh and thus I
started researching and photographing them. Cancer hit my lungs in
1993 and was given 10 days to die. It’s at this crossroad in my life I
made a vow to photograph the Armenian churches worldwide and to
capture our heritage on film in the beginning and digital nowadays. I
have been totally cured and discovered the true passion and dedication
in photographing our rich heritage in Karabagh, Armenia and historical
Armenia (Turkey).
TB: Do you feel that you have been successful in presenting the beauty
of Armenia and its people to the world through your photographs?
HK: The fact that the majority of the people who have seen my
photographs see in them the reflection of my soul, which is simple and
honest and beautiful in every sense. Friends tell me how a simple
e-mailed photograph has made their day more positive and that is the
best satisfaction any professional can get.
TB: Where is the one place in Armenia that residents and visitors do
not know about but should?
HK: Armenia and Artsakh and historical Armenia are full of discoveries
to be made, even though I have canvassed many corners of this entire
region I am still at awe every time I discover for the first time a
new place or a new hidden treasure, for example the Monastery of
Yeghishe Arakyal in Northern Artsakh, the twin tallest khackars in
Erzencan region in Turkey and the Khoraget in Northern Armenia and
many places which can fill a few pages.
TB: How much of your work is about preserving history?
HK: My work is actually a passion of self-discovery and life, and I
don’t consider it as work. At school I was not interested in history
or literature or even Armenian history, and my teacher used to beat me
with a ruler and many times breaking them on my head and uttering the words
`you will never learn!’ I guess my stubbornness led me to discover our
heritage in many corners few people will venture to. And by doing so,
I believe I am preserving our history and culture and trying to
inspire the new generation to continue my work by getting inspired as
I have been inspired by others, including the late Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian who literally took my hand in 1997 for the first time through
historical Armenia and also the late Mr. Armen Hakhnazarian who for 30
years ventured and risked his life trying to document our heritage
inside Turkey and Iran. They both did contribute by publishing many
books (more than 100 of them in the last 10 years of the late
archbishop’s life alone!) Also following suit are seven books I have
published, the latest one with co-author and designer Armen Kyurkchyan
titled Armenian Ornamental Art, which is the fruit of 10 years of
photography and graphic design.
TB: What is your favorite photograph that you have taken?
HK: In 1999, while waiting for the last rain drops to fall on top of
the roof of our car which we had taken shelter in for more than an
hour, I stepped out in Southern Armenia with my camera and lens
pointing at a ruined church. Not much was inspiring even though a few
clicks were fired, and as I was heading back to the car, I bowed at
the secondary altar to have a peak and there it was that a bird must
have dropped a seed on the window and only dust as growing base this
thin plant had shot upward defying logic. Thus, it gave me the title
for this shot, `Window for Life,’ and I use it as the cover page for
my website.
TB: As someone who has visited more than 40 countries in the past 17
years, where specifically is your favorite place to shoot?
HK: It is so amazing to travel and see 44 countries and have passion
to live and discover people and the beauty of the earth. The world is
such a small place yet divine and majestic like Mt. Ararat, which I
used to photograph for its beauty and symbolism, but seeing it made me
realize how humble and tiny we are inside nature’s womb, thus respect
and awe are what I am left with, and Armenia, Artsakh and historical
Armenia are one tiny part of the earth I am still discovering, and
from high above – no man-made borders and no boundaries can limit its
awesome beauty. The salmon returns from the ocean back to the river
where it was born and lays eggs, same here, the call of our heritage
is naturally attracting me like a powerful magnet to Armenia.
TB: What do you see as your greatest accomplishment?
HK: Life and its challenges are still a long process in my daily
life. I have so much more to learn, to discover, to capture and to
share. Life is beautiful, life is living and I live on a daily
basis. Every minute is appreciated – that is my accomplishment.
TB: What advice would you give young Armenian photographers who aspire
to follow in the footsteps of Yousef Karsh, Hawk and other talented
Armenian photographers?
HK: We are all inspired by others, like I am by Henri Cartier Bresson,
Karsh, Ara Guller. I have no advice; just live life, shoot from the
heart and take no prisoners.

From: A. Papazian

MEDVEDEV’S VISIT IS SIGNIFICANT BUT DON’T EXPECT ANY BREAKTHROUGH: STEPAN SAFARYAN

Tert.am
16.08.10

Russia is a country that has broad interests in the region, and that
is what makes Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s upcoming visit to
Armenia significant, Head of Heritage Party’s parliamentary faction
Stepan Safaryan told Tert.am.

“The president of the Russian Federation is the head of a country
that has broad interests in the region, and that is what makes his
visit to Armenia significant,” said Safaryan.

Speaking about the possible extension of the duration of a contract
that allows the deployment of a Russian military base in Armenia,
Mr Safaryan said: “If heads of the CSTO [Collective Security Treaty
Organization] countries are meeting at an informal summit, it is hard
to imagine that such an agreement will be signed.”

Mr Safaryan attitude towards this possible extension of that contract
is negative, as according to him Russia should take up other measures,
if it thinks that Armenia’s security is exposed to threat.

Asked about developments in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict expected
after Medvedev’s visit, Stepan Safaryan said he did not expect any
breakthrough.

“I do not think there will be any breakthrough in the NK process
after Russian president’s visit because the parties have intransigent
positions. As what concerns the [potential] war, I don’t think
Azerbaijan will use a military adventure, as it is not ready for that,”
said Stepan Safaryan.

From: A. Papazian

Bushehr nuclear plant manifestation of Iran-Russia cooperation

Tehran, August 14, IRNA – Head of Iran-Russia Parliamentary Friendship
Group Mehdi Sanaei said on Saturday that loading fuel into Bushehr
nuclear power plant is manifestation of close cooperation between
Tehran and Moscow in the past two decades.

Speaking to IRNA, he said loading fuel into Bushehr nuclear power
plant can help improve and broaden existing ties and cooperation
between the two countries and also retain prestige of Russia in
observing its international commitments.

There is no doubt that the move would help increase the scope of
activities and cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and
Russia, he said.

It takes about two or three months for Bushehr nuclear power plant to
come on sreams, he said.

Bushehr nuclear power plant is now regarded a sign of joint
cooperation between Iran and Russia under supervision of IAEA which
should pave its normal path away from other issues, he pointed out.

Running of Bushehr nuclear plant is a great victory for the Islamic
Republic of Iran, he underlined.

The Americans seek to connect launch of Bushehr nuclear power plant
with Iran’s nuclear issue to fish in troubled waters, he said.

The Americans tried to put pressure on Russia to obstruct its
construction as well as its commissioning but Russia could
successfully carry out its obligations to this effect, he said.

On Friday, Russian and Iranian officials declared that loading fuel
into Bushehr nuclear power plant will start on August 21 and after one
or two weeks the nuclear fuel will be loaded into the heart of the
reactor.

From: A. Papazian

Moscow, Central Economic region Air Defense to receive S-400, S-500 systems

MOSCOW, August 14 (RIA Novosti)

The Air Defense System of Moscow and the Russian Central Economic
region will receive new weapons, including prestigious S-400 and S-500
air defense systems, Air Force Commander Colonel General Alexander
Zelin said on Saturday.

“We have Air Defense System which protects Moscow and the Central
Economic region; this system operates, accomplishes tasks and, of
course, undergoes changes,” Zelin said.

Central economic region is located in the European part of Russia; it
is the country’s major industrial region. Besides Moscow, major cities
include Nizhny Novgorod, Smolensk, Yaroslavl, Vladimir, Tula,
Dzerzhinsk, and Rybinsk.

“We will buy a significant number of S-400s before 2020. They will not
just go to the five anti-aircraft missile regiments equipped with this
system, but also to a much larger number [of regiments.] We are also
discussing the [purchase of] S-500 anti-aircraft missile systems,”
Zelin said.

The S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) is designed to intercept and destroy
airborne targets at distances of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles),
twice the range of the U.S. MIM-104 Patriot, and two-and-a-half times
that of Russia’s S-300PMU-2.

The system is also believed to be able to destroy stealth aircraft,
cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, and is effective at ranges of
up to 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles) and speeds of up to 4.8
kilometers (3 miles) per second.

Regular S-400 battalion comprises at least eight launchers with 32
missiles and a mobile command post, according to various sources.

In 2009, Russia deployed S-400 air defense systems in the Far East to
counter the potential threat posed by N. Korea’s missile tests.

So far, Russia has three S-400 battalions.

From: A. Papazian

Jirayr Sefilyan Again Denied Temporary Residency Status

[ 11 August, 2010 | 14:17 ]
society politics

The Committee in Defense of Jirayr Sefilyan’s Right to Citizenship has
stated that the RoA Police Department of Visas and Passports (OVIR)
has denied Sefilyan’s request for a one year temporary residency
status. The Department gave no reason for the denial.

The Committee also states that it was told that the Department would
no longer accept a citizenship application from Sefilyan, arguing that
he does not have temporary status. The Committee condemns the
arbitrary nature of the decision.

From: A. Papazian

news.az, Azerbaijan
Aug 14 2010

Azerbaijan should firstly focus on its possibilities in resolving conflict
Sat 14 August 2010 | 05:54 GMT Text size:

Luba von Hauff News.Az interviews Luba von Hauff, program officer on
the Russia/Eurasia Program at the German Council on Foreign Relations.

There is an opinion that Germany and EU began to pay much more
attention to the South Caucasian region. Can we expect that EU and
German relations with this region will be more active, especially in
economic and energy spheres?

There are voices in Germany and the EU advocating a more active
approach towards the South Caucasus, emphasizing economic
considerations and also eyeing upon the security situation in the
region. As for the former, the deepening of relations depends firstly
upon the EU-wide economic outlook which has been rather gloomy in the
recent past and has led to a current decline in the overall trade
volume. Secondly, EU and German engagement is contingent upon the
successful implementation of political as well as economic reforms in
the South Caucasian countries themselves, as the Eastern Partnership
Initiative demonstrates.

The EU attempts to raise its role in regional security issues as well.
Thus, Brussels has not only mediated a ceasefire after the
Russian-Georgian war but also, in the aftermath of the war,
established a monitoring mission (EUMM) in Georgia. However, in the
long run it remains to be seen as to whether the EU will be able and
willing to genuinely assume more responsibility in this realm.

Do you agree with people saying that after Russian-Georgian war in
2008 it’s already unsecure to supply energy resources from the
unstable South Caucasus to Europe?

The conflict between Russia and Georgia did indeed accentuate the
various economic, political and security risks that investors as well
as producers – not only in the realm of energy – face in the
post-soviet environment. There is insecurity regarding the region’s
unsettled conflicts as well as Russia’s general unpredictability with
regard to its neighbourhood which, among other, mainly internal
governance issues, dampens the preparedness of financially potent
institutions – at least from the European Union – to invest.

What is Azerbaijan for the EU? Is it just an energy supplier or something more?

The South Caucasus has a unique geographic position that endows with a
pivotal role in building an East-West corridor and connecting the
European Union to strategically vital regions such as Central Asia and
the Middle East. Energy, especially in regard of Azerbaijan’s Caspian
resources, may clearly be regarded as one of the major issues here,
however, one should not underestimate the region’s geostrategic
significance which emanates in the spheres of international diplomacy
and security. At the same time, due to its geographic position the
region acts as a hub for various trafficking and immigration flows and
thus presents a source of insecurity, too.

With particular regard to Azerbaijan, the `frozen conflict’ over
Nagorno-Karabakh as well as the unpredictability of President Aliyev’s
geopolitical orientation and his autocratic rule do pose further
potential security risks to the European Union, especially since there
has been massive armament on the Azeri side during the period of
economic growth.

Despite recent efforts the EU’s capability in resolving the
post-Soviet region’s frozen conflicts remains rather low. This is due
to the inherently intergovernmental character of the CFSP and ESDP as
well as to the role of the regional actors in the conflict such as
Turkey and Russia. It is not clear to me what Baku would expect from
Brussels as both parties to the conflict (and potentially some
regional powers, too) may have an economic and political interest in
maintaining the conflict and thus its underlying informal structures.
Therefore, Azerbaijan should firstly focus on its possibilities in
resolving the conflict and only then expect any concrete help on the
part of the EU.

Aliyah Fridman
News.Az

From: A. Papazian

Azerbaijani forces break ceasefire for 16 times

11:42 – 14.08.10

On August 12-13 the Azerbaijani side broke the ceasefire in the
contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan for 16 times.

According to a release issued by the Defense Ministry of Karabakh, the
Azeri side opened fire at the direction of the military posts in
Hadrut, Martouni, Askeran and Martakert regions.

The Azerbaijani side, according to the release, used weapons of
different calibers.

The Azerbaijani military stopped firing immediately after the
Defensive Army of Karabakh fired in response.

Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

Karabakh president Bako Sahakyan visited Martouni

10:08 – 14.08.10

On 13 August President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan visited
Zardashen village in Martouni region and held a meeting with the
community representatives, according to a release by the presidential
administration.

A wide range of issues related to the development of the village was
discussed during the meeting. Special attention was paid to the issues
of employment, development of the irrigation network and improvement
of the roads.

The Head of the State noted that the development of the village is
considered to be a strategic direction, which presupposes stable
socio-economic development of the republic.

In this context Bako Sahakyan highlighted the importance of the
initiative mentioning that its absence is one of the most serious
obstacles in implementing any project.

Writer and publicist, Hero of Artsakh Zori Balayan and other officials
accompanied the President during the visit.

Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

Le Progrès, France
14.08.2010

Les Arméniens de Décines construisent le Centre national de la mémoire

publié le 14.08.2010 04h00

C’est un projet ambitieux qui devrait bientôt voir le jour à Décines.
A l’étroit dans ses locaux historiques, la Maison de la culture
arménienne a déposé en juillet un permis de construire pour son futur
Centre national de la mémoire. Les travaux devraient débuter en
octobre. Le btiment de 840 m2 abritera le restaurant arménien, des
salles d’activité et une médiathèque. Le projet nourrit l’ambition
d’un rayonnement national pour rassembler et préserver les traces de
l’histoire de la présence arménienne, partager cet héritage, le mettre
en perspective en le confrontant aux expériences d’autres
communatutés, mais aussi créer et animer un réseau européen des
centres d’archives et de mémoires.

Coût du projet : 2 millions d’euros, financés en partie par les
subventions de la Région (350 000 euros), du Conseil général (350 000
euros), et du Grand Lyon (300 000 euros).

From: A. Papazian