Author: Andres-Papazian

SCAFFOLDS DEFACING HISTORICAL IRANIAN CHURCH

Mehr News Agency (MNA)
July 28, 2010 Wednesday
Iran

TEHRAN, July 28 (MNA) — St. Thaddeus Church, an Iranian site which
was registered on the UNESCOâEUR(TM)s World Heritage List in 2008,
has been marred by scaffolds and metal buttresses.

The former Iranian government set up the scaffolds and buttresses
over 30 years ago to restore the ceiling and the dome of the church,
the Persian service of CHN reported on Wednesday.

The restoration remained incomplete after the victory of the Islamic
Revolution in 1979 and so far nothing has been done to remove the
temporary supports.

Experts believe that the dome and ceiling will collapse if the
scaffolding and buttresses are removed.

In addition, the growth of agrarian plants in the gaps between the
giant stone blocks used in construction of the ceiling and dome is
threatening the site.

The St. Thaddeus Church, also known as the Black Church (Qara Kelissa),
is one of Iran’s most interesting and notable Christian monuments,
located near the Chalderan region in Maku, West Azerbaijan Province.

One of the 12 disciples, St. Thaddeus, also known as St. Jude, (not
to be confused with Judas Iscariot), was martyred while spreading the
Gospel. He is revered as an apostle of the Armenian Church. As legend
has it, a church dedicated to him was first built on the present site
in 68 CE.

Nothing remains of this original church, which was extensively rebuilt
in the 13th century, but some sections around the altar may date back
to the 10th century. Most of the present structure dates to the 17th
century and is built with carved sandstone. The oldest sections are
made of black and white stone.

The Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew traveled through Armenia in 45
CE to preach the word of God. Many people were converted and numerous
secret Christian communities were established there.

Around that time, Abgar died after ruling for 38 years and the Armenian
kingdom was split into two parts. His son Ananun crowned himself in
Edessa, while his nephew Sanatruk ruled in Greater Armenia.

About 66 CE, Ananun gave the order to kill St. Thaddeus in Edessa. The
king’s daughter Sandokht, who had converted to Christianity, was
martyred with Thaddeus. Her tomb is located near the St. Thaddeus
Church.

The church is surrounded by thick walls which form the outer ramparts
of some abandoned monastery buildings.

A large part of the church was destroyed during the Genghis Khan
invasion. However, Persian scientist Nasir ad-Din Tusi, who was a
scientific adviser of the Mongols during the reign of Hulegu Khan (c.
1217-1265), grandson of Genghis Khan, restored it.

Each year, Christians from all over the world gather at the church
on July 1 for their annual commemoration of the martyrdom of St.
Thaddeus.

On July 6, 2008, St. Thaddeus Church and the Iranian churches of St.

Stephanus, and Dzordzor (Zorzor) were registered on UNESCO’s World
Heritage List.

From: A. Papazian

ARTISTS INVITED TO HELP ESTABLISH MUSEUM FOR GRIGORIAN’S ARTWORKS

Mehr News Agency (MNA)
July 28, 2010 Wednesday
Iran

TEHRAN, July 28 (MNA) — Painter Janet Lazarian has made a heartfelt
appeal for the establishment of a museum to permanently house artworks
by deceased Iranian-Armenian artist Marcos Grigorian.

Grigorian (1925-2007), who is recognized as the pioneer of Iranian
modern art, died from a heart attack at his home in Armenia in 2007.

His works are currently being kept at the Museum of Literature which
is now part of the Middle East Museum in Yerevan.

“Grigorian took his collection of artworks to Armenia almost 20 years
ago and displayed them at the Museum of Literature,” Lazarian told
the Persian service of ISNA on Wednesday.

This was supposed to be a temporary show as he was not planning to
store his collection there forever but he died before he was able
to remove it, she said, adding, “The museum is a place for books and
the location where Grigorian’s works are on display is too small.”

This is while it was previously reported in the news that Grigorian had
donated 5000 of his artistic creations to the government of Armenia.

She continued, “At first, Marcos was determined to convert the second
floor of his home in Yerevan into a museum and transfer the items
there, but he died before he was able to realize his wishes.

“Two years ago, Armenian Ministry of Culture asked for permission
from the heirs to convert Marcos’ house into a museum and transfer
his collection there, but it would seem the request was rejected.

“The heirs did not give the government permission since they felt the
house is not in a desirable location. They claimed that they plan to
sell the house and would purchase another located in the center of
the city specifically for Marcos’ artwork,” she added.

The heirs (niece and nephew of Marcos) reside in the United States
and are due to travel to Armenia to sell the house.

In Armenia, the houses of artists and authors are converted into
museums after their deaths, and in Yerevan alone, there are 35 museums
of Armenian scholars, she noted.

Tehran’s Art Center will be playing host to a commemoration ceremony
for Marcos this year in autumn.

Grigorian’s artworks encompass a wide range of themes. His first
paintings depict the violent despair of the victims of Auschwitz.

Later, turning to sculpture, his works were dominated by such themes
as Persian bread, abgusht (a type of Persian soup) and wheelbarrows
full of straw.

He is also renowned for sculptures that he crafted from a combination
of clay and straw. Grigorian was also fond of teahouse paintings.

Some of his works are now on display at the Museum of Modern Art
in New York, Tehran’s Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Museum of
Contemporary Art in Kerman.

From: A. Papazian

HAS THE WORLD LEARNT NOTHING FROM THE 1994 GENOCIDE AGAINST TUTSI? [OPINION]
Frank Gashugi

The New Times (Kigali)
July 28, 2010 Wednesday
Rwanda

The slogan “never again” was popularized after the full extent of
the Nazi Genocide during World War II became known to the world.

Only a few years have passed, and it seems to be forgotten and the
“never again” became “many times more”; in Armenia (1915), East Timor
(between 1975 and 1999), Cambodia (between 1975 and 1979) Bosnia
Herzegovina (1990s), and in Rwanda, more than one million Tutsis were
massacred by extremist Hutus during 1994, while the world stood by.

Today, the effects of the 1994 Genocide are still felt in many
different ways, both inside the country and in neighboring states,
including in the Eastern DRC, where the ex-FAR Interahamwe continue
to commit serious human rights violations, including abductions,
killings and rape.

Indeed the various past genocides, and specifically the recent 1994
genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, seem to have left no lessons.

There are scores of media houses and other self-styled politicians
who continue to sympathize with the Rwandan genocidaires, still at
large both in the DRC and Western capitals.

I am really irked by media houses that continue to give platform to
these genocidaires and their sympathizers, to spread their genocidal
propaganda. On 20thJuly 2010, gave Ingabire
Victoire a space to publish her malicious article in which she
undermined the hard-earned unity and reconciliation and development
in Rwanda.

In the article, Ingabire Victoire alleges that Rwandans are living
in fear of the dictatorial government and that the government is
intolerant with the opposition allegedly because President Kagame
wants to cling on power.

She goes ahead to attack the National Electoral Commission alleging
that it is partial. She maliciously undermines the level of unity
and reconciliation attained by Rwandans.

No one should be surprised by Ingabire Victoire’s allegations because
her political agenda has always been to destroy the unity of Rwandans
and has time and again been negating Tutsi genocide.

>>From the beginning of her political career, she has always negated
the 1994 genocide against Tutsi, misleading the world that there was
double genocide. Her interview at Gisozi genocide memorial site where
more than 250.000 genocide victims are buried is one example to show
how Ingabire is a genocide negationist.

In the interview, Ingabire said; “If you look at this memorial centre,
it only shows one side of the Genocide committed against the Tutsi,
there is another side of the Genocide committed against the Hutu”.

Invoking double genocide was indeed a mockery to those who died in
the Genocide, and reflected a deep sense of revisionism and negation
of the genocide against Tutsi.

According to reliable sources, Ingabire collaborates closely with
genocidaires, one of them, her close aide Joseph Ntawangundi, was
arrested and confessed to have killed Tutsi in Rukira Sector.

The 2009 UN Group of experts on Congo implicated Ingabire as one
of the funders of the genocidal FDLR militia group still roaming
in the DRC jungles. Ingabire has also been implicated in the acts
inciting violence and creating terrorists groups aimed at causing
state insecurity.

As a matter of fact, two suspects, Lt. Col Tharcisse Nditurende and
Lt. Col Noel Habiyambere, recently arrested in Burundi, admitted
having worked with Ingabire and Paul Rusesabagina to form a rebel
group (CDF) to launch offensives in the country. Lt. Col Tharcisse
Nditurende in particular admitted having travelled to Kinshasa from
Goma in September 2008 to meet Ingabire and again met her in Congo
Brazzaville to carry on with the plans to start the armed group.

Should the Rwandans allow a person with criminal charges still under
investigations to stand for the highest office in the land?

In the article Ingabire tries to sanitize her image misleading the
world that her cases are politically motivated and government’s
intentions to delay the registration of her party. Is she a genuine
politician? Why is she pushing for the registration of her party
before clearing her name in court?

Ingabire further tries to portray her party as a victim of what
she calls dictatorial regime, claiming that her supporters were
arrested and tortured while trying to stage manifestations. Were the
manifestations legal? Firstly, FDU – Inkingi is not registered and
therefore remains an informal group working and serving the interests
of negative forces against Rwanda.

Thus any manifestations by the members of this informal group are
prohibited under the Rwandan laws. Secondly, the manifestations were
aimed at orchestrating violence ahead of the elections.

Ingabire continues to mislead the world by distorting facts on the
ground so as to attract sympathy. It is very absurd for Ingabire to
claim that the people of Rwanda are living in fear and anxiety yet
the “2009 Global Peace Index” ranked Rwanda the second most peaceful
country in the region behind Tanzania. Ingabire herself knows that
she is sacrificing the truth for the sake of misleading some people in
the western world who have little or distorted information on Rwanda.

I wonder what is wrong with Ingabire, to have failed to see what
others, including foreigners, have appreciated. Indeed President Kagame
has received various awards recognizing his efforts in good governance
and promotion of peace, among them include: International Medal of
Peace by Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church (2009); Clinton Global
Citizen Award for Leadership in Public Service by William Jefferson
Clinton (2009); Innovation for Peace Award by the World Summit on
Innovation and Enterprise (2008); African National Achievement Award
by the Africa America Institute (2005); Global Leadership Award by
the Young Presidents Organisation (2003); and many others.

I was also surprised by Ingabire’s remarks that the National Electoral
Commission (NEC) is partial and that it will conduct sham elections.

Should I take my time to educate Ingabire on the composition of NEC?

Of course not because she deliberately evades the truth.

But for the sake of educating the audience she intends to mislead,
I will explain briefly on the composition and impartiality of the NEC.

The electoral body is a representation of registered parties, civil
society and special groups like women. As a matter of fact members
of the commission are: KARANGWA Chrysologue (RPF), HARERIMANA Fatou
(PDI); BURASANZWE Oswald (PL); UYISENGA Charles (PSD); MUSEFANO Juvens
(Civil Society); DUSABE Goretti – (Women Council); and NYIRACUMI Anne
Marie (PDC). Besides, all the parties will have observers at every
level of the electoral process.

How else does she want the electoral body to be impartial? Should
Rwanda privatize the commission to foreigners? Calling the elections
that are not yet conducted “sham” is aimed at pre-empting the election
results even before the elections are held and this is only aimed at
misleading the world.

Maliciously, she accused the government of having a hand in the
assassination of Andre Rwisereka Kagwa. Did Ingabire carry out
investigations? Can she volunteer to provide information about the
politician’s killers?

I think Police should use Ingabire as a prime witness since she
appears to have facts about the real assassin.

Why doesn’t she want to wait for the investigation report? The answer
is simple; she intends to pre-empt the investigations and as usual
tarnish the image of the government of Rwanda.

From: A. Papazian

“L. A. ARMENIANS MAY BE EXPELLED TO YEREVAN SUBURBS OVERNIGHT”

Today

July 29 2010
Azerbaijan

Interview with Azerbaijani political expert Vafa Guluzade.

In your opinion, why does Armenia reject the proposals to de-occupy
Azerbaijan’s territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh in the course
of 5 years?

Liberation of at least one region by Armenia will lead to a breach of
military engineering lines in the occupied territory. But even this
is not the main thing. It is Russia who holds keys to the resolution
of the Karabakh conflict. Moscow, in turn, does not want this conflict
to be resolved. Russia wants to prevent penetration of the U.S. in our
region, because the South Caucasus has traditionally been in the sphere
of Russian influence. I think, if Armenia agrees to de-occupy 20%
of Azerbaijani territory, there will be forces ready to prevent that.

As of late former Armenian President Ter-Petrosyan has been under
constant criticism by authorities for his statements that Armenia’s
development is impossible without solving Karabakh conflict on the
basis of compromise. Do you think there are still political forces
in Armenia ready for a constructive dialogue on Karabakh?

I would not call them “forces”. Armenia and all its policies are
controlled from outside. But, of course, in Yerevan there a lot
of sensible people who understand that without a solution to the
Karabakh conflict it is impossible to stop the degradation Armenia
is going through. These people are ready to go for a leader who
is determined to take active actions in Karabakh, because they see
that their neighbors have long entered the 21st century in terms of
development, while Armenia is still stalled in the 80s. Sober-minded
people in Armenia are ready to go for peace with its neighbors, but the
problem is that outside forces will never allow them to come to power.

Armenian diaspora has strong influence on many decisions adopted in
Armenia. In your opinion, is the diaspora ready to compromise in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution to pave a way for the country’s
development?

I am just wondering whether the Armenian Diaspora is aware that
it is being manipulated. For example, in the U.S. it is sometimes
advantageous for Washington speak through Armenian diaspora.

Therefore, their lobby still exists there. But if they cease to
be of interest to the White House, or will act against their will,
they will simply be “kicked out”.

This reminds me the moment in history after the surprise attack by
Japan on U.S. military base at Pearl Harbor. After that incident the
Japanese were unceremoniously expelled from the States, “free country”
with “much vaunted” democracy. Similarly, the Armenians of Los Angeles,
if necessary, may be overnight expelled to the suburbs of Yerevan,
where actions of the diaspora contradict Washington’s political
line. Therefore, the influence of the Armenian diaspora should not
be exaggerated.

Those in Armenia constantly declare that they will do everything to
extend Kosovo scenario to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan…

This is not even worth thinking. “Parade” in the world is managed by
the U.S., which is the sole world power. Yugoslavia’s disintegration
was advantageous for the U.S. So, several small states replaced
a single large country and this process of fragmentation is still
ongoing. With regard to Karabakh, Washington has entirely different
interests in this regard. Not accidentally, U.S. Assistant Secretary
Philip Gordon said that Kosovo and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are
totally different things. So, it is at least naïve to think that
Kosovo scenario will take place in Nagorno-Karabakh on Armenia’s
initiative.

From: A. Papazian

“AZERBAIJANIS AND ARMENIANS IN KOREA NEVER HAD CONFLICTS”

Today

July 29 2010
Azerbaijan

An interview with head of the Azerbaijan-Korea Student Organization
“Buta” Eltay Aslanov.

Can you, please, talk about your organization?

On March 21, 2009, a group of Azerbaijani students in the South Korean
capital Seoul, in conjunction with the Embassy of the Republic of
Azerbaijan, held a constituent conference of the Azerbaijani-Korean
student organization “Buta”. The key goal of the organization is to
bring together Azerbaijani students in South Korea, increase their
patriotic spirit, as well as to raise awareness about Azerbaijani
people, history, culture, socio-economic development in Korea. Not
so long ago we also launched a website of our organization, which
operates in Korean and Azerbaijani languages.

Can you name the distinctive positive features of education system in
South Korea? Which of them can be applied in Azerbaijan’s education
system?

As in most developed countries in the world, lectures in Korean
universities are accompanied by illustrative slides. Websites of the
university professors offer access to lecture topics, lesson plans
and exam questions. University has numerous libraries, special reading
rooms, equipped with computers and student clubs.

Along with local professors, lectures and seminars are conducted by
their foreign counterparts as well. Various programs are implemented
to put theoretical knowledge into practice. Scientific conferences,
symposia and seminars are held regularly. Specific educational
tours and exchange of views between students take place as part
of cooperation between Korean universities as well as with foreign
universities.

How many Azerbaijani students presently study in Korea?

Number of Azerbaijani students in the South Korean universities is
increasing every year. More than seventy students from Azerbaijan
get education in this country today.

Is there any Azerbaijani community in South Korea? Do they have a
diaspora organization?

Students make up majority of Azerbaijanis in South Korea. There is
very small number of Azerbaijanis in this country except students. So,
they are not united in any diaspora. However, in this context, I note
our embassy in this country, which very actively works to promote
Azerbaijan and to tell truth about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to
Korean public, maintains constant contact with all the local Armenians
and regularly marks all national and state holidays.

And what is the attitude of locals to Azerbaijanis?

Local people are very tolerant. Koreans have great respect for culture,
religion and customs of other nations. There is very good attitude
towards Azerbaijanis here. In response, we very diligently study the
Korean language, local traditions and make every effort so that Korean
people receive more information about Azerbaijan.

Is there Armenian community in Korea? Do Azerbaijani and Armenian
communities there experience contradictions?

You can meet Armenians in South Korea very rarely. This applies both
to students and to the representatives of various professions. So,
they have no diaspora organization. Besides, we never had any conflict.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN PROTESTS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES INVOLVED IN EXCAVATIONS IN KARABAKH

Today

July 29 2010
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has voiced protest against foreign countries participating
in excavations in Azykh cave, one of the oldest centers of civilization
in Azerbaijan’s occupied Karabakh region.

Azerbaijan’s Culture and Tourism Ministry official Arif Aliyev says
Azerbaijan has sent a note of protest to Spain, the United Kingdom
and Ireland through their embassies in Baku.

The letter of protest says carrying out excavations in Azerbaijan’s
territory without country’s permission contradicts international
conventions.

“Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism is going an appeal
to relevant authorities of Spain, the UK and Ireland, so that they
withdrew their specialists back. Azerbaijan has already handed
a protest note to the embassies of these countries. In addition,
the Foreign Ministry is preparing an appeal to foreign countries so
that they warned their company of the illegal activities of the work
carried out there,” Aliyev added.

From: A. Papazian

OSCE MG: ADDITIONAL ACTIONS ARE NEEDED TO REINFORCE THE CEASEFIRE BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA

Today

July 29 2010
Azerbaijan

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Igor Popov (Russia), Bernard
Fassier (France) and Robert Bradtke (United States) on Wednesday
met with members of the group in the Austrian capital Vienna, says
a statement issued by the co-chairs.

They briefed the Minsk Group on recent developments in negotiations on
the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including:
discussions held in St. Petersburg June 17, 2010 by the presidents
of the Russian Federation, Armenia, and Azerbaijan; the meeting of
the Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries
with the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia July 17, 2010;
and the joint statements issued by the Minsk Group Co-Chair countries
in Muskoka and Almaty.

The Co-Chairs stressed that the efforts made so far by the sides of
the conflict have not been sufficient to overcome their differences,
and that additional actions are needed to reinforce the ceasefire and
demonstrate a spirit of compromise. To assist the parties in their
efforts, the Co-Chairs plan to visit the region in early September,
says the statement.

From: A. Papazian

WHAT IS THE REASON FOR ROSOBORONEXPORT’S CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS ON ARMS’ SUPPLY TO AZERBAIJAN?

news.am
July 29 2010
Armenia

Hullabaloo over Russia’s possible supply of two batteries of S-300PMU2
Favorit air-defense system to Azerbaijan, is whipped up. First Russian
Vedomosti.ru spread this information referring to sources in the
Russian defense industry followed by immediate response from Baku.

Deputy Head of the press service at the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry
Teymur Abdullayev stated that Azerbaijan is strengthening its army
and intends to undertake further activities in this direction.

NEWS.am addressed Rosoboronexport for the details. Speaking to
NEWS.am’s correspondent, press secretary of the Rosoboronexport
Director General Vyacheslav Davydenko neither confirmed nor refuted the
reports. In a private talk, however, he said: “We are not allowed to
make any comments on the agreement, as the agreement has a relevant
stipulation. Russia signed an interstate agreement with one of the
partner countries, which has nothing to do with any others.”

Several hours after NEWS.am posted the article, Russian press spread
information saying that Davydenko refuted reports on an agreement
between Rosoboronexport and the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan.

NEWS.am once again contacted Vyacheslav Davydenko with a request
to comment on the contradiction in his statements. Davydenko said
that his official comments are as follows, “Rosoboronexport has no
information concerning the deal. We have no information on such an
agreement.” Davydenko also found difficult to answer who might spread
this information and what the reason was.

We can just make guesses about the reasons for such a contradictory
change of positions. It might be also caused by the opinions of some
experts who said that the deal will provoke hostilities in the region,
or, possibly, Rosoboronexport just disliked media’s deep interest in
the matter.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN DISMISSED

news.am
July 29 2010
Armenia

Seyran Shahsuvaryan has been dismissed from the post of a spokesman
for the Armenian Defense Ministry to be replaced by Mushegh Avetisyan,
former press secretary told NEWS.am.

Shahsuvaryan also noted that presently he holds the post of a chief
editor of Soldier newspaper – the official newspaper of the Defense
Ministry.

From: A. Papazian

VERDICT ON KOSOVO CREATES NO PRECEDENT, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN STATES

news.am
July 29 2010
Armenia

The International Court of Justice verdict on Kosovo does not serve
as a precedent for other self-declared formations, said Russian
Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vladimir Dorokhin.

According to him, importance of ICJ verdict should not be exaggerated,
as the court has considered only the issue whether Kosovo has a right
to adopt the declaration of independence from the legal viewpoint. The
Ambassador noted that the Hague court gave no response to a number
of questions, making a cautious and very neutral judgment. Dorokhin
also stressed that Russia adheres to its stance on the issue. Thus,
verdict on Kosovo does not create any precedent, as well as legal
basis to encourage separatist activities.

From: A. Papazian