Author: Andres-Papazian

news.az, Azerbaijan
June 25 2010

Azerbaijani diaspora in Canada should do much to resist Armenians
Fri 25 June 2010 | 07:04 GMT Text size:

Reza Moridi News.Az interviews Azerbaijani Reza Moridi, member of the
parliament of Canadian Ontario.

Are diaspora organizations interested in the direct working with
provincial parliaments and governments in Canada?

Naturally, the Federal parliament and the government of Canada are
settling many issues. At the same time, regional parliaments and
governments in this country have sufficient powers to settle a number
of questions. In particular, the Foreign Ministry reports to federal
government, while the spheres of education and health, including
universities and schools, as well as hospitals report to regional
governments. As for economy, a significant part of this sphere is
controlled by regional governments. The federal government regulates
only the monetary policy in the country.

Regional provinces are almost considered independent with their prime
ministers and parliaments. Regional legislative bodies adopt laws that
are implemented by the governments of the provinces.

Is it possible to attain the adoption of the issues directly
responding to Azerbaijan’s interests, in particular, recognition of
the Khojaly genocide in these parliaments?

Certainly, there is such an opportunity. Though, I would like to note
that Azerbaijan is not so well known in Canada as a country.
Azerbaijan gained independence just 20 years ago. Earlier, Azerbaijan
was known as part of the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, Canadians started
to get more information about Azerbaijan since the establishment of
the Azerbaijani embassy in Ottawa 4-5 years ago. The diplomatic
mission of Azerbaijan headed by Ambassador Farid Shafiyev has done
much for Canadians to learn more about Azerbaijan. I have also
contributed to informing Canadians, especially Ontario residents and
politicians, about Azerbaijan. However, huge work is to be done in
this direction. In this respect, the Azerbaijani state has a special
responsibility to develop cooperation with Canada. Naturally,
significant work has been held, for example, on May 30 we raised the
Azerbaijani flag in the Ontario parliament. On the same day I spoke at
the Ontario parliament regarding the problems of Azerbaijan. This work
is aimed to provide wider information about Azerbaijan in Canada.

Is the Azerbaijani diaspora in Canada active?

There are organizations of Azerbaijani diaspora. On the whole, the
Azerbaijani diaspora in Canada can be divided into two parts. The
first part of Azerbaijani immigrants in Canada includes those who
arrived in the country after Azerbaijan gained state independence.
This category of immigrants includes 25,000-30,000 people. The second
part of Azerbaijani migrants includes Iranian Azerbaijanis who arrived
in Canada after the Islamic revolution in Iran. This category of
Azerbaijani migrants accounts for 50,000-60,000 people in Ontario.
Thus, about 80,000 Azerbaijanis live in Ontario.

Does the Azerbaijani diaspora in Canada have real opportunities of
active participation in the sociopolitical life of the country?

The Ojaq society involving immigrants from both North and South
Azerbaijan was created in Canadian Toronto 20 years ago. Huge work,
including cultural events, has been held since that time. This work
still continues. Though, there is a need to hold a greater work in
this direction. This activeness of the diaspora is fruitful. For
example, the speaker of the Ontario parliament received representative
of the Azerbaijani embassy in Canada.

How does the Armenian diaspora in Canada organize its activity?

The Armenian diaspora is strong though their number is not so high,
for example, there are about 30,000 Armenians in Ontario. But they
have been living there for already 70-80 years. Therefore, the
Armenian diaspora has wider opportunities. Ontario has an Armenian
community that has held a huge work within that period. Naturally,
they are very active.

Does the Azerbaijani diaspora hold any work to neutralize the activity
of the Armenian diaspora aimed at the propaganda of `1915 genocide’?

The Azerbaijani diaspora will have to work much in this direction. At
the same time, this work should be held not only among politicians but
also among the population. It should be noted that this work is held
by the Azerbaijani embassy in Canada and the Azerbaijani diaspora must
also join the implementation of this task.

Is any work conducted for cooperation between the parliaments of
Azerbaijan and Canada?

There is an interparliamentary Azerbaijan-Cana group of friendship.
The mutual visits of parliamentarians are conducted and this may play
a fruitful role in establishing partner relations between the
parliaments of the two countries.

Which interests of Azerbaijan and Canada may play a role in
strengthening relations between the two countries?

The cooperation between Azerbaijan and Canada may be established in
most spheres. Both Azerbaijan and Canada, including Ontario have great
opportunities for mutual cooperation. Meanwhile, it should be taken
into account that there are 13 million people in Ontario whose annual
budget reaches $130 bn. Automobile construction is developed in
Ontario. A greater part of US cars are produced in this sphere.
Therefore, there is a great potential in the development of bilateral
cooperation between Azerbaijan and Canada including with Ontario.

U.U.
News.Az

From: A. Papazian

panorama, Armenia
June 25 2010

Armenian Government and UNICEF to cooperate

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan and representative of
UNICEF Leili Moshiri signed `action plan of 2010-2015 between the
Republic of Armenia and UNICEF.’
The action plan defines cooperation activities for 6 years which are
aimed to contribute to the improvement of children’s and women’s
situation and creating of friendly environment for the children.

MFA PR department reported children’s social security, protection of
their rights, improvement of education and other issues are to be key
focused.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
June 25 2010

Aliyev’s departure accounts for Russia’s unchanged position, Russian
expert says

June 25, 2010 | 11:37

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev hoped Russia will change its
restrained position on the conflicting parties and take a side with
one of them. However, Russia’s stance remained unchanged and this
provoked Aliyev to leave Saint Petersburg earlier, President of Center
for Humanities and Political Studies `Strategy’ Alexander Sungurov
told NEWS.am.

According to him, the fact, the negotiations were conducted is important.

`Aliyev’s departure probably accounts for he had other fish to fry,
though I think his participation in the International Economic Forum
would be more useful,’ he noted.

On June 17, Sargsyan-Medvedev-Aliyev meeting was held in Saint Petersburg.

The Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents held meetings with OSCE Minsk
Group Co-Chairs. Thereafter, the Azeri leader left for St Petersburg
and returned to Baku. Azerbaijani presidential press service had
earlier reported he would participate in the International Economic
Forum.

From: A. Papazian

news.az, Azerbaijan
June 25 2010

Armenians must ‘observe norms of international law’
Fri 25 June 2010 | 08:10 GMT Text size:

Thorbjorn Jagland The Council of Europe considers the soonest return
of the Azerbaijani soldier who died on the Armenian side of the
contact line to be important.

According to Council of Europe Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland,
Armenians must observe norms of international law.

‘The requirements of the international law include not only the return
of hostages but also the killed people. I am not quite familiar with
the incident but I read news in mass media. Today it is important to
ensure tranquility and everyone should calm down.

I urge both countries to restore peace, since this is their
responsibility assumed while joining the Council of Europe. The main
task today is to prevent development of tensions and repetition of
armed conflicts’, the CE secretary general said.

ANS PRESS

From: A. Papazian

Panorama, Armenia
June 25 2010

Turkish Deputy: Turkey should first challenge its domestic problems

The Turkish Parliament on Thursday approved a proposal by the Prime
Ministry to extend for the fourth time the mandate of Turkish troops
operating under the banner of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
for one year, starting Sept. 5. Opposition parties `Peace and
Democracy’ (BDP) and Republican People’s Party (CHP) protested the
decision, CNNTurk reported.
`BDP’ Deputy Hasip Kaplan declared: `This country should first meet
its domestic problems then try to solve others’ problems.’

`CHP’ deputy Onur Oymen said Turkish troops of 495 soldiers is located
in the most risky front. He reminded Lebanon is a state recognized
Armenian Genocide.

In an attempt to urge deputies to approve the motion, State Minister
Egemen BaÄ?ıÅ? said Turkey, which has been engaged in a number of
mediation efforts in the region, cannot simply ignore Lebanon.

From: A. Papazian

ATMOSPHERE OF TRUST IS IMPORTANT FOR EFFICIENT TALKS

11:42 am | June 23, 2010 | Politics

At the initiative of the PACE President, a meeting was held between
Armenian and Azerbaijani delegates in Strasbourg on June 22, RA
parliament’s press service reports.

According to an early agreement, the meeting took place in an extended
format with the participation of opposition representatives.

Present at the meeting were Armen Rustamyan and David Harutyunyan
from the Armenian side, and Sabir Hajiyev and Samad Seyidov from the
Azerbaijani side.

According to the Armenian delegates, the Azerbaijani side displayed
a comparatively wiser stance and agreed that “no progress can be
achieved unless the sides have clarified their future cooperation.”

Furthermore, they underlined that none of the PACE structures can
replace the negotiation format mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group.

We urged that the sides continue the consultation until they found
an answer to main questions. We questioned whether any PACE format
with no experience and institutional capacity could play a role in
the conflict settlement. Rashness in this question is inadmissible
and endangers PACE rating.

We are against a platform that might turn into a theatre of new
operations and entangle the tense situation. At this, the interlocutors
accepted our proposal to continue consultations between the sides.

We also suggested involving other delegates in the consultations. The
important achievement of this meeting was Azerbaijan’s willingness to
continue the cooperation, since up until now Azerbaijan was rejecting
any proposal to cooperate in any format.

We expect official Baku to confirm the stance of its delegates. We
reiterate our readiness to continue the consultations realizing
that the atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence between the two
peoples lays cornerstone for efficient talks,” announced the Armenian
delegates.

From: A. Papazian

MINISTER OF ENERGY: “HAVE I SAID ANYTHING WRONG?”

10:40 pm | June 22, 2010 | Economy

RA Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan assures
that it is still unclear whether there is uranium in Syunik province
or not. According to him, that is why NGOs “have gotten ahead of what
is actually being done.”

Environmentalists sound the alarm that the discovery of possible
uranium resources and their exploitation will turn into a great evil
from the angles of nature protection and healthcare.

During a press conference, Minister Movsisyan tried to mitigate the
concerns, mentioning that studies are still underway and only after
technological and environmental experiments will there be permission
for exploitation.

Studies will continue for the next two years. The “Armenian-Russian
Mining Organization” is in charge of searching and studying the
potential uranium resources in Syunik province, while the RA Ministry
of Energy and Natural Resources will ensure the project’s security.

The Minister considered it wrong to say that there is officially 30,000
tons of uranium in Armenia. “Have I ever told you anything wrong? I’m
telling you again-there were only developments of uranium after the
studies conducted in the Soviet era, but there were no resources
confirmed as ores. If there was uranium, why would we study again?”

For that reason, he considered the clamor raised by environmental
NGOs as populist. “I’m personally from Kapan and am well aware of the
issues. That issue is more painful for me than anyone, but it’s one
thing to exploit uranium correctly and another thing to bring that
issue to the right field. How many environmentalists do you know that
are from Syunik province when they talk about the province’s issues?”

As far as the announcements according to which underground waters
will receive the contagion after exploitation are concerned, Armen
Movsisyan stated: “There is no underground water where they are
conducting studies on uranium. The researchers will never reach the
water no matter how deep they dig. They dig up to 2,000 meters, but
there is no water there. Those waters flow at the lowest point and go.”

From: A. Papazian

MEETING AT BUNDESRAT

10:39 pm | June 22, 2010 | Politics

During his official visit to Berlin, RA President Serzh Sargsyan had a
meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel, which was followed by a meeting
with President of the Bundesrat of the Federal Republic of Germany,
Acting President of the FRG Jens Borhnsen.

Issues related to the expansion of the Armenian-German cooperation
in bilateral and multilateral formats. The parties stated that
Armenian-German relations are developing with the spirit of friendship
and mutual understanding and the new interstate agreements to be
signed will open new perspectives for deepening of cooperation.

The parties also spoke about opportunities for cooperation in the
spheres of advanced technologoies, tourism, energy, mining industry
and infrastructures.

The RA President’s next meeting will be with President of the Bundestag
Norbert Lammert.

From: A. Papazian

DC ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM OWNER OWES BACK TAXES, HITS DELAYS

Asbarez
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

WASHINGTON (Washington Business Journal)-The organization planning an
Armenian Genocide museum two blocks from the White House owes more
than $350,000 in back property taxes and is mired in litigation,
delaying the project by at least two years.

The Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial Inc., owner of the
long-vacant Federal American National Bank building at 14th and G
Streets NW, on Tuesday asked for, and received, a two-year extension
from the Board of Zoning Adjustments on zoning variances that it had
also received from the same panel in 2008. The bid for an opening
“before 2011,” as the museum’s website continues to promise, is
clearly not in the cards.

As it struggles to break ground on the 50,000-square-foot museum
complex – a memorial to 1.5 million Armenians killed in the final
days of the Ottoman Empire nearly a century ago – the nonprofit is
racking up a massive tax bill. The building, listed on the National
Register of Historic Places, has an assessed value of $8 million and
is subject to the District’s vacant property tax.

The museum owes $298,819 in real estate taxes – $217,280 in 2009 and
$81,539 in 2010 – as well as $57,998 in public space taxes and $4,876
in Business Improvement District taxes, according to D.C. tax records.

The organization collected $2.76 million in grants, contributions and
interest income in 2007, but only $742,474 in 2008, according to its
Form 990 filed with the Internal Revenue Service. The museum ended
tax year 2008 with $22.4 million in net assets.

Shane Dettman, vice chairman of the city’s zoning board, said the
Armenian museum has presented “substantial evidence” to justify
the extension. The issue, Dettman said, is an “inability to obtain
project financing partly because of the economic climate but also
due to some pending litigation that the applicant is tending to and
a reluctance by major financial donors to support the project while
that litigation is pending.”

Rouben Adalian, the project’s coordinator and director of the Armenian
National Institute, did not return calls for comment. In an affidavit
filed with the BZA, Van Krikorian, a museum trustee and chairman
of its Building and Operations Committee, wrote that the “prolonged
litigation” involves a donor who sought a return of prior contributions
with profit. That donor placed a lien on the bank building, and major
donors are “holding off until the litigation is resolved.”

When, and if, the project gets going, it will have to navigate touchy
diplomatic waters given its proximity to a White House fearful of
damaging U.S.-Turkey relations.

The Turkish government in March briefly recalled its ambassador
from the District to protest a U.S. House committee vote condemning
the Armenian mass killings as genocide. President Barack Obama, who
supported a similar resolution when he served in the U.S. Senate,
has ceased using the word “genocide” in statements on the issue,
spurring condemnation from the Armenian National Committee of America.

The bank building is an example of an “elevated bank,” according to
the Historic Preservation Review Board, which backed the museum’s
concept design in 2008. The banking hall, unique in D.C., is raised
up to the second floor to allow retail space at the street level.

The historically-protected Neoclassical exterior is clad in limestone
with two-story arched windows opening to the banking hall. The museum
proposes to use the hall and the fourth floor as exhibition spaces
and to construct a contemporary limestone and glass addition to the
rear of the building. The addition required a zoning variance, which
the museum obtained in 2008 but was set to expire this year.

Charles Reed, chairman of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission with
jurisdiction over 14th and G Streets, said the “beautiful” bank is
a blight on the high-profile block as long as it remains vacant.

“[Adalian is] missing the income that building should be producing,”
Reed said. “You wonder what’s the matter with him.”

Read more: D.C.’s Armenian Genocide museum owner owes back taxes,
hits delays – Washington Business Journal

From: A. Papazian

MANOYAN SAYS OSCE APPEASING AZERBAIJAN

Asbarez
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

YEREVAN (Yerkir)-The response by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen to
the violent attack by the Azeri Armed Forces last week was inadequate
and aimed at appeasing Azerbaijan, said Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Political Affairs Director Giro Manoyan Wednesday at
a briefing.

He characterized the attack, during which four Armenian soldiers
were killed on the frontline, as Azeri President Ilham Aliyev’s way
of exerting pressure on the parties involved with the peace process.

“Aliyev is trying to show that he is dissatisfied with the negotiation
process and can resort to other means, such as military action, if
the talks do not yield his desired results,” said Manoyan, adding
that the resulting reaction from the OSCE Minsk Group was in some
ways an encouragement for Aliyev to continue his modus operandi of
threats of violence.

The continued silence by the international community on this issue
will only give the green-light to Azerbaijan to continue its policies
of warmongering, he said, urging a more resolute approach by Armenian
authorities on the Karabakh matter.

Armenia should undertake serious and concentrated diplomatic efforts
in the realm of the Karabakh conflict resolution process, without
compromising its options to respond to military attacks, said Manoyan
who pointed out that Armenia should actively oppose Azerbaijan’s
anti-Armenian policies and take steps to better articulate the true
essence of the Karabakh question.

Manoyan added that while Azerbaijan was taking myriad steps to address
the Karabakh conflict resolution process, Armenia has not yet made
advances in conjunction with the current peace process.

From: A. Papazian