Author: Andres-Papazian

Times.am, Armenia
Aug 14 2010

Abdullah Gul: The conflict gets very chronic character

By Times.am at 14 August, 2010, 12:25 pm
Talking about Russias role in the region and latest events in his
interview to APA, president of Tukey Abdullah Gul said that he doesn’t
think that these processes will prevent the solution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

`I know that Medvedev, Putin, Aliyev and Sargsyan don’t believe that
the status-quo will not continue so. They also want the issue to be
solved. During the `cold war’, the conflicts were in favor of some
countries. But now there is different situation’- he said.

According to Gul everyone makes serious efforts and should work hard
to find the optimal point because the problem gets very chronic
character.

`I am hopeful for stability in the Caucasus. Why not? These issues can
be solved through diplomacy and the discussions. If the problems are
not solved there can be uncontrolled problems. Therefore we need to
work insistently to solve the issue. We need in a `silent diplomacy’.
Last year shaking the stones kicked up a raw. The misunderstanding of
the issue created problems in Azerbaijan, in Armenia and in Turkey’-
he replied escaping from the question of the journalist concerning
Russias role in Caucasus, military agreement with Armenia and selling
S 300 defense systems to Azerbaijan.

Gul mentioned that in this stage they have reached the period of
silent, but resolute diplomacy: `I hope for excellent processes’.

From: A. Papazian

Times.am, Armenia
Aug 14 2010

Abdullah Gul: If 18-20 years passes since the independence of Nagorno
Karabakh, it is not a good case

By Times.am at 14 August, 2010, 12:10 pm
On August 16 Turkish President Abdullah Gul will visit Azerbaijan. As
it was informed the main topic of discussions will be Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. On the eve of his visit, Abdullah Gul gave an interview to
APA’s Turkish bureau.

`I believe that this status-quo in the Caucasus is not in favor of
anyone – Azerbaijan, Turkey or Armenia. The world is changing and we
need to solve the problems. If we freeze the problems, they can arise
again’,- he mentioned.

According to Abdullah Gul there are UN resolutions and the Minsk Group
is doing serious efforts, but unfortunately it couldn’t achieve
concrete results during 18 years. He also expressed opinion that if
18-20 years passes since the independence of Nagorno Karabakh, it is
not a good case.

`The territorial integrity of every country should be respected in the
contemporary world system. Armenia can establish good relations with
its neighbors and reach access to sea and join the communication
systems. Turkey is a great country. While reaching `zero problem’ in
the relations with our neighbors, it is not good to have problems with
Armenia. Therefore fair solution of the regional problems is in favor
of all of us’,- he said.
Turkish president is encouraging Minsk Group not to have just
touristic travels and think a little bit about problem solving. `I put
forward this initiative in 2008. First I visited Yerevan and then
Sargsyan visited Turkey. We informed President Ilham Aliyev about the
details of these processes. Putin and Medvedev also participated in
these processes. Russia is an important country in the solution of
this problem. Therefore we had detailed consultations around these
issues’- Gil mentioned in the Interview.

According to him such heavy problems can’t be solved under the
pressure of one country, they can be solved by the serious efforts of
the interested and regional countries. `I took it into consideration
and made this breakthrough in 2008 and the stones were shaken. There
were wrong understandings in Armenia, Azerbaijan and in Turkey as
well. If the difficult issues are solved easily they will not have a
chronic character’- he said.

Abdullah Gul also made an address to all leaders: ‘We will not stay
put and we will work unceasingly for the solution of the problem. The
solution and peace are not easy. We have to work insistently. I will
discuss these issues with my brother President Ilham Aliyev during my
visit. I believe it will be a useful visit from this point of view’.

From: A. Papazian

Times.am, Armenia
Aug 14 2010

U.S. revises relations with Turkey

By Times.am at 14 August, 2010, 9:20 pm
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton convened a special meeting of
State Department and National Security Council officials to discuss
the United States’ relations with Turkey in the backdrop of the
Ankara-Jerusalem crisis and following Turkey’s decision to vote
against tougher sanctions on Iran in the Security Council.

The aim of the meeting was to reevaluate US policy towards Turkey.
State officials stressed that the meeting was the first in a series of
important discussions on the matter.

US senior officials are infuriated with Turkey over its Iran
endorsement, a sentiment demonstrated by Republican senators’ refusal
to approve the appointment of designated US ambassador to Ankara,
Frank Ricciardone. While the objection is based on character issues,
the US administration is certain that a senate vote on the appointment
will prompt a public debate on US-Turkey relations and raise
opposition from both the democratic and republican ends of the
political spectrum.

Republic Senator Sam Brownback has filed a motion to halt the
appointment and according to one report is also preparing a paper for
Clinton explaining his opposition. Many other senators may follow
suit.

The official reasoning is that Ricciardone is the wrong man for the
job under the current climate. The opposers claim that during his
years in service in Turkey, Egypt, Afghanistan and Iraq Ricciardone
emerged as particularly sympathetic to the countries in which he was
stationed and less eager to promote American democratic and human
rights values.

According to Ynetnews, Ricciardone’s supporters regard him as a
competent professional with 34 years of experience in foreign service.
Nevertheless, his personal capabilities would not have been on the
agenda had US-Turkey relations not been in such a serious crisis.

From: A. Papazian

Panorama, Armenia
Aug 14 2010

Reconstruction works of St. Gevorg Church of Mougni to get underway next year

The Armenian delegation that visited St. Gevorg Church of Mougni in
Tbilisi, has returned to Yerevan. Deputy Culture Minister Arevik
Samuelyan told reporters today that a plan has been made for
reconstruction of the church which collapsed last year.

The Georgian side has affirmed that the sketch will be presented late
September and the final project will be ready by the yearend.

The sides agreed to launch the reconstruction works next year. The
amount of the financial means to be required for the reconstruction is
vague yet. The draft works have cost the Georgian side $ 26 thousand.

From: A. Papazian

Panorama, Armenia
Aug 14 2010

On 13 August President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan visited
the village of Zardanashen village in the Martouni region and met
representatives of the community.

According to the central information department of Artsakh president’s
office, 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 of strategic significance, which presupposes stable
socio-economic development of the republic.

In this context Bako Sahakyan mentioned the importance of initiative
on site noting that its absence is one of the most serious obstacles
in realizing any project.

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

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Aug 14 2010

Could intelligence agencies prevent Dink’s murder?

August 14, 2010 | 17:13

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has sent a request to the
Prime Ministry to investigate the National Intelligence Organization
(MIT) to find out whether they could prevent Hrant Dink’s
assassination, Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review reported.

In its reply to Prime Ministry, MIT said it had no documents or data
on this case. The ministry’s response should be signed by Premier
Recep Tayyip Erdogan to be sent to the prosecution.

`Any legal investigation of MÄ°T or its employees regarding actions
done in the line of duty needs approval from the Prime Ministry,’
Hurriyet Daily News says, adding that the request is likely to be
rejected.

According to the source, the lawyers of Hrant Dink’s family repeatedly
stated that MIT, police and the gendarmerie were aware of journalist’s
assassination, but took no action to prevent the crime.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Aug 14 2010

Turkey should think of other problems, ARFD

August 14, 2010 | 16:00

Turkey is occasionally trying to interfere in the Karabakh peace
process and influence the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, the Chairman of
RA NA Standing Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal
Affairs and ARFD member Hrayr Karapetyan told NEWS.am.

Hrayr Karapetyan labels Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s statement as
a continuation of Ilham Aliyev’s words. Earlier Gul stated that the
Minsk Group failed to achieve concrete results in the Karabakh peace
process within 18 years and called Co-Chairs’ regional visits `tourist
trips’.

Turkey and Azerbaijan do not want to accept that unilateral
negotiations held by the Azerbaijani side are the reason for Minsk
Group’s failure, he noted. Azerbaijan demands for unilateral
concessions, not taking on any commitments itself. According to him,
Minsk Group should remain the only international organization involved
in the Karabakh peace process, whereas Gul’s accusations pursue an
objective to compromise Minsk Group’s activities and shift the blame
onto Armenia.

The MP also commented on Gul’s assertion that Armenia should resolve
the Karabakh issue to establish normal relations in the region. `I
think that Turkey should first think about the problems depending on
country’s policy and then offer ways to tackle problems concerning a
third country. Turkey has to think about its responsibility and
undertake relevant steps – end Armenia’s blockade, open the
Armenian-Turkish border and only after that it can speak of Karabakh.
It is clear that all Transcaucasian problems cannot be solved
simultaneously,’ he stressed.

The ARFD member emphasized that at present the Azerbaijani-Turkish duo
is ready neither to settle the Karabakh conflict, nor normalize the
Armenian-Turkish relations.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Aug 14 2010

Azerbaijani side 120 times fired at Karabakh positions

August 14, 2010 | 14:22

On the night of August 12, as well as during the day, 16 ceasefire
violations were registered in the contact line between the Azerbaijani
and NKR armed forces.

The Azerbaijani units 120 times fired at the Karabakh positions in the
Hadrut, Martuni, Askeran and Martakert regions, NKR Ministry of
Defense press service informed NEWS.am. With retaliatory fire the NKR
Defense Army neutralized the enemy.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Aug 14 2010

Monument to Tigran the Great erected in Karabakh

August 14, 2010 | 13:21

A monument dedicated to the 2150th anniversary of Tigran the Great was
erected in the city of Tigranakert in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on the
initiative of Serund (Generation) group and with the assistance of NKR
Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs.

The monument was put up near Panakh fortress built in the 18th century
and presently functioning as a museum. The representative of Serund
initiative group Artak Movsisyan is confident that after archeological
excavations of Tigranakert are over, the monument will be carried to
the city entrance.

The head of expedition on Tigranakert excavations Hamlet Petrosyan
noted that the works will be completed by August end. `Excavations
revealed that Tigranakert is much larger than we supposed it to be. We
have found an ancient region with an area of 10 ha. To date, only 1-5%
of the city has been explored. We need 10 years to explore 20% to have
an idea of Tigranakert,’ said the expert.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Aug 14 2010

Zaven Andriasian tops standings

August 14, 2010 | 11:03

Armenian chess player Zaven Andriasian defeated Athanasios
Mastrovasilis (Greece) in the fifth round of the chess tournament held
in Chalkida. Vahe Baghdasyarn gained victory over Kavala championship
winner Adam Tukhayev (Ukraine), while other Armenian players – Elina
Danielyan and Nelly Aghinyan were defeated. After the fifth round
Zaven Andriasian topped the standings together with Suat Atalik
(Turkey).

From: A. Papazian