Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIAN DELEGATION LEAVES FOR JOHANNESBURG

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: The 60th Congress of FIFA (Federation
Internationale de Football Association) is scheduled to be held
June 9-10 in Johannesburg, the Republic of South Africa. An official
from the Armenian Football Federation (FFA) told Armenpress that the
reports on FIFA’s activities within 2009 and the prospects, as well
as the 2011-2014 prospective budget and 2011 budget will be presented
for discussion.

A wide range of strategic and current issues will be discussed as
well. Armenian Football Federation Vice-President Ashot Manukyan, AFF
deputy Chief-Executive Karen Dokhoyan and FFA National Teams Division
Chief Edgar Manukyan have already left for Johannesburg to represent
Armenia in the FIFA Congress. The participants of the congress will
also partake in the opening ceremony of 2010 World Cup and the South
Africa- Mexico match.

From: A. Papazian

LAWYER INVOLVED IN JOURNALIST MURDER CASE FOUND DEAD

BIAnet.org

June 7 2010
Turkey

Joint attorney of the family of killed Turkish-Armenian journalist
Hrant Dink, Hakan Karadag, was found dead at his home. Lawyer
Bakırcıoglu said that Karadag was found at 3.00 am on 4 June.

Erol ONDEROÄ~^LU [email protected] Istanbul – BÄ°A News Center07
June 2010, Monday Joint attorney of the Dink family, Hakan Karadag,
was found dead in the night of 4 June at his appartment in Cihangir
on the European side of Istanbul. The 40-year-old lawyer was one of
the attorneys concerned with the murder case of Hrant Dink, founder
and chief editor of the Armenian Agos newspaper, who was killed in
January 2007.

Another joint attorney of the Dink family, Hakan Bakırcıoglu,
announced that Karadag was already dead when he had been found by
a close friend at his home on 4 June. “We can be sure what happened
only after the autopsy report. A friend of Hakan found him that way
at around 3.00 am at night”.

A funeral service for Karadag was organized on Friday afternoon (4
June) starting from the Istanbul Bar Association. Karadag’s body
was then brought to Adana (eastern Mediterranean coast) where he
was buried.

Karada was a board member of the Istanbul branch of the Contemporary
Lawyers Association (CHD).

The CHD said in a written statement, “His mournful death leaves a great
pain in our hearts. He never refrained from the struggle for law,
rights and justice. At last, we exclaimed together with him ‘Long
live a free Palestine, stop the occupation and the blockade’. Our
companion, we will never forget you…”

Karadag had been threatened by Ogun Samast, prime murder suspect of
the Dink case, saying “If you come to prison…”. Then, Samast took
a note on a piece of paper and stored it in his pocket. The judge
took the paper from Samast and confirmed that Karadag’s name had been
written on it. (EU/VK)

From: A. Papazian

MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION SIGNED BETWEEN RA KOTAYK MARZ AND ITALIAN MILAN PROVINCE

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: Memorandum of Cooperation was signed
today at RA Government between the Armenian Kotayk marz and the Italian
province of Milan. Kotayk Governor Kovalenko Shahgaldyan and President
of Milan’s Provincial Council Bruno Dapei signed the document,
directed to the cooperation in the economic and humanitarian spheres.

An official from the PR office of RA Territorial Administration
Ministry told Armenpress that Armenian vice Prime Minister, Territorial
Administration Minister Armen Gevorgyan received the delegation of
Milan’s Provincial Council. He welcomed the visit of the guests and
mentioned that Armenia is interested in a stronger, decentralized
cooperation with Italy. As to the collaboration between Kotayk marz and
the province of Milan, Armen Gevorgyan said he considers the sphere
of tourism to be prospective and the Italian model for development
of small and middle-sized entrepreneurship- useful for Armenia.

Mr. Bruno Dapei informed that the Italian delegation is comprised
of representatives of all the political forces of Milan’s Provincial
Council. He added that the decision on the visit to Armenia was passed
unanimously. During the last two days, the delegation got acquainted
with the possibilities of Kotayk marz. Mr. Dapei presented the economic
opportunities of the province of Milan and said it is one of the most
developed provinces in Italy. He added that Milan is known for its
great productive potential.

The two sides also mentioned that the Armenian community, which
plays an important role in the life of the province, promotes the
establishment of bilateral strong relations. The province of Milan has
already recognized and condemned the historical fact of the Armenian
Genocide. Mr. Bruno Dapei has a great investment in that process.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN READY TO CONTINUE KARABAKH TALKS

news.az
June 7 2010
Azerbaijan

Elmar Mammadyarov Azerbaijan’s foreign minister, Elmar Mammadyarov,
met the OSCE mediators on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on 4 June
in Venice.

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Robert Bradtke of the USA, Bernard
Fassier of France and Igor Popov of Russia and Andrzej Kasprzyk,
personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office, attended the
meeting, APA news agency reported.

‘We discussed the possibility of holding meetings in order to move
on to the next stage in the negotiations. For our part, we are ready
for these meetings,’ the Azerbaijani foreign minister told journalists.

The minister said that if the Armenian side showed a genuine desire
for progress in the talks and did not try to drag out the process,
then Azerbaijan was ready for a meeting. He hoped that the Armenian
leadership would be equally keen to make progress, which would allow
the current two years of intensive talks to continue.

‘We hope that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will convey to the
Armenian leadership Azerbaijan’s position and, if the need arises,
another meeting will be held,’ Elmar Mammadyarov said.

The last meeting at the presidential level was held in Sochi in
January, the minister said, and it was suggested that a break be
taken in meetings at that level.

‘After the submission of the Madrid principles in Athens [in December],
the meetings were not productive,’ Mammadyarov said.

‘Everyone thought that the document, which had been worked on for two
years, would create the opportunity to begin work on a basic document,
but unfortunately I have to say that there was no agreement from the
Armenian side.’

The settlement process has in recent months got bogged down in mutual
accusations between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the degree to which
each side accepts the OSCE proposals, known as the updated Madrid
principles, as a basis for negotiations. The sticking point remains
the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan wants Karabakh to remain
part of Azerbaijan, while Armenia insists on the reverse.

Elmar Mammadyarov went on to say that the co-chairs had suggested
a break in the negotiations, but the break was lasting too long. ‘I
understand the co-chairs desire to step up the negotiating process,
because a document is ready, prepared by the three co-chairmen,
and is on the negotiating table. Let me say once again, that this
document did not come out of the blue – it took two years to agree
it with the sides. It was not by chance that the leaders of the OSCE
Minsk Group countries stressed at the G8 summit in Italy that the six
basic principles of the document reflect the common, united position
of the co-chairs.’

He said that the Azerbaijani side had familiarized itself with the
document, which contained nothing new.

‘To use football terminology, Armenia now have the ball,’ Mammadyarov
said.

Armenia now has to decide its position, the minister continued. ‘The
co-chairs have to convey to the Armenian side our current position.

Then the co-chairs will discuss the overall situation and it is quite
possible that they will make new proposals.’

On the possibility of Turkey’s participation in the talks as a co-chair
of the Minsk Group, Mammadyarov said that Turkey had been a member
of the OSCE Minsk Group since its creation and was a member of its
permanent council, APA reported.

On relations with the USA, the minister said: ‘There is no problem
in relations between Azerbaijan and the US. It is enough to see the
list of US dignitaries who have visited or will visit Azerbaijan.’

Mammadyarov said: ‘Azerbaijan has agreed to the appointment of Matthew
Bryza as US ambassador to Azerbaijan. Now it is for the US to decide
and hold hearings in the Senate.’

From: A. Papazian

OBAMA MOVES TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH AZERBAIJAN
By ANNE GEARAN (AP)

07/06/10
BAKU

Azerbaijan – In a letter to the leader of strategically important
Azerbaijan, President Barack Obama acknowledges the difficulties in
the relationship between the two nations, but says he’s confident
the issues can be resolved.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates hand delivered Obama’s letter
Sunday during a meeting to improve relations with the president of
this former Soviet republic that helps move supplies and soldiers to
the U.S.-led war in landlocked Afghanistan.

Tens of thousands of war-related flights have crossed over Azerbaijan
since the Afghan war began in 2001, and last year alone about 100,000
U.S. and allied personnel passed through the country. Azerbaijan also
is part of an overland supply chain that is a critical alternative
to the primary land route through Pakistan. About one-quarter of all
war goods come through the oil-rich Caspian Sea nation.

President Ilham Aliyev has complained that he gets too little attention
from Washington and that U.S. officials have not done much to resolve
a festering ethnic conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

He is also irritated by mild U.S. criticism of his track record on
human rights, press freedom and elections.

In the letter delivered by Gates, Obama thanked Aliyev “for the
partnership between our two countries.”

Obama said the decision to open Azerbaijan’s roads, rails and airspace
to the Afghan war resupply effort “has further strengthened your
country’s stature as a stedfast security partner.”

“I am aware of the fact that there are serious issues in our
relationship, but I am confident that we can address them,” Obama
wrote.

Gates met with Aliyev after attending a defense conference in
Singapore, where he told reporters that his stop in Baku was meant
to reassure the president that the United States does not take him
for granted.

“It’s important to touch base and let them know they do play an
important role,” said Gates, who was the highest ranking U.S. official
to visit since Obama took office in January 2009.

More high-level visits are in the offing, the Pentagon chief said.

Aliyev succeeded his long-ruling father in 2003 after an election that
the opposition said was rigged. He won a landslide re-election in 2008
that international elections monitors called flawed. A referendum last
year set him up to rule indefinitely. The country functions more as
a monarchy than a republic.

The imperatives of fighting a long war in a country without seaports
has forced the United States and NATO to cut deals with unsavory
leaders and sometimes unscrupulous businesses that get goods and
soldiers in and out.

The supply dilemma has been most apparent in Kyrgyzstan, home to an air
base that is the main air transit hub for the war, but involves deals
with other former Soviet republics and sometimes uneasy cooperation
with Russia.

Concern about creeping authoritarianism in Azerbaijan was one reason
top U.S. leaders stayed away. Aliyev’s protests include postponing a
joint military exercise with the U.S. and demanding that the U.S. go
over its books to ensure Azerbaijan was properly paid for allowing
commercial overflights.

From: A. Papazian

INSTEAD OF ANOTHER IGNORED REPORT
By Akiva Eldar

Ha’aretz

June 7 2010
Israel

It would be best to make the flotilla saga a turning point in Israel’s
policy governing the Gaza blockade and the continued occupation of
the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

In the same week the diplomatic tsunami caused by the fatal raid of
the Mavi Marmara left those trying to steer Israel’s ship of state
high and dry, two leaders of other countries, one in the Far East
and one in the West, both resigned their posts.

In Germany, Horst Koehler stepped down as president, penalizing himself
for saying that German military deployments abroad serve the country’s
economic interests. And Yukio Hatoyama resigned as prime minister of
Japan after breaking a promise to move an American military base off
the island of Okinawa.

In Israel, meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense
Minister Ehud Barak are evading responsibility for the disastrous
thinking that led to the flotilla raid, and using their purported
faith in the commandos who carried it out as a way of keeping that
disastrous thinking under wraps.

Netanyahu and Barak are right: There is no need for an inquiry. It’s
clear that their risk-reward assessment was faulty, since Netanyahu
was getting ready to head to the White House as the commandos were
firing on the passengers of the aid ship.

No political or military official who was involved in the decision
to mount a forcible takeover of the ships says that any option was
considered other than the vessels either being captured or reaching
the Gaza port.

Two dozen cabinet members – who are collectively responsible for the
crisis – say they first heard about the incident on the radio.

Not only is it unnecessary to appoint an inquiry committee to examine
the problematic takeover of the Mavi Marmara, but doing so is likely
to detract attention from the far-reaching strategic ramifications
of the Gaza blockade and its implementation.

Syrian President Bashar Assad wasn’t exaggerating when he described
the flotilla as a turning point in the Arab-Israeli conflict, by which
he presumably meant that the incident dragged the Israeli government
into the losing sphere of ethics and human rights.

In this assymetric struggle between the occupier and the occupied,
military supremacy not only fails to ensure victory, but easily
becomes a hindrance.

In the absence of a genuine peace process, the flotilla saga caused
the moderate Arab center, led by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, to lose what
momentum it had. Now the momentum is with the radical Islamists on
the fringes, led by Iran.

There’s no need to bother a retired judge just so he can rule that
the decision-makers should have been aware of the race for Middle
East supremacy.

And there’s nothing that any expert in maritime law has to say
that will prevent the Arab-speaking public from pressuring Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak to open the Rafah crossing.

We don’t need an inquiry committee to know that the blockade keeping
cilantro and cement out of Gaza has turned Tehran’s deniers of the
Jewish genocide and Ankara’s deniers of the Armenian genocide into
standard-bearers for assistance to the unfortunate children of Gaza.

At the same time, Hamas is laughing all the way from the smuggling
tunnels to the bank. The blockade has transformed Hamas, which the
United States and Europe classify as a terror organization, into a
victim of Israeli aggression.

You don’t have to be an expert on the Middle East to realize that
every day in which Israel drags its feet on peace talks with the
Palestinians bolsters Hamas’ position in Gaza. All you had to do was
see Iran’s ally to Israel’s north licking its lips in pleasure in
order to realize the price of the standstill on the Syrian track.

Even the best of Israel’s friends in the world have a hard time
understanding the Netanyahu-Barak government, not to mention justifying
its actions. Anthony Cordesman, a military expert at the Center for
Strategic and International Studies, a foreign policy think tank in
Washington, wrote in an article last week that “the depth of America’s
moral commitment does not justify or excuse actions by an Israeli
government that unnecessarily make Israel a strategic liability when
it should remain an asset.”

Cordesman, who previously served as director of intelligence assessment
in the Pentagon, also said America’s commitment to Israel “does
not mean that the United States should extend support to an Israeli
government when that government fails to credibly pursue peace with
its neighbors.”

Instead of just shoving one more report in the drawer, it would be
best to make the flotilla saga a turning point in Israel’s policy
governing the Gaza blockade and the continued occupation of the West
Bank and East Jerusalem.

Floating along in the direction we’ve been going will just get us
into hot water.

From: A. Papazian

FIVE PEOPLE DROWNED OVER 5 MONTHS OF 2010 IN WATER OBJECTS OF ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: Five people have drowned over the 5
months of 2010 in the water objects of the republic, 2 of them –
in Lake Sevan.

An official from the Emergency Management Center of the Armenian Rescue
Service of the Armenian Emergency Situations Ministry told Armenpress
that the above mentioned accidents are mainly connected with fishing.

The drowning cases in Lake Sevan have taken place in the beaches and
territories which are not controlled by water rescuers. After the
opening of the swimming period the control over 100 water objects of
the republic will be more strengthened.

Explanation works will be carried out in the circle of the population
to prevent the cases of water drowning. Within the frameworks of
“Emergency Situations Development Project”, besides the security
oversight of the shores of water objects, works on replenishment with
engineering, on regulating the traffic of boats and other means of
water transport will be implemented.

An official from the center told Armenpress that through the help of
the Armenian water rescue detachment a constant control in 19 points of
Lake Sevan will be possible to conduct. In the other shores, which have
been privatized, the control is either weak or just is not implemented.

Last year 20 cases of drowning were registered in the republic,
3 of which in Sevan. The accidents took place in non-controlled shores.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN WANTS ‘EASING IN TENSION’ BETWEEN TURKEY AND ISRAEL

news.az
June 7 2010
Azerbaijan

Asim Mollazade News.Az interviews MP Asim Mollazade, chairman of the
Democratic Reforms Party and a member of parliament’s international
relations committee.

What impact may the deterioration of relations between Turkey and
Israel have on Azerbaijan?

We regret very much the loss of life during the raid on the flotilla
taking a humanitarian cargo to Gaza. Azerbaijan also regrets the
near-suspension of the peace process in the Middle East and the
challenge to the peace negotiations posed by the incident.

The absence of progress on peace and the increased tension in the
region are very negative for Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani side is
concerned at the tension between Turkey, which is our fraternal
state, and Israel which is our partner. Our intention is to hold the
necessary investigation, find out who committed this crime and ease
the tension. Azerbaijan’s interests mainly lie in attaining peace in
our region and the Middle East as a whole.

Turkish political scientists known to be close to government circles
say that Ankara expects Baku to show more open support on the issue.

Will Baku be able to provide this support in the current situation?

I think Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry was right in declaring our
position. Azerbaijan is always at Turkey’s side on most issues.

Azerbaijan is always close to Turkey when there is a threat to the
country. Simply, in this case we do not see a threat to Turkey.

Therefore, Azerbaijan, since it sees no threat to Turkey, does not
think it necessary to voice a tough diplomatic position.

Azerbaijan has good relations with Israel, too. Therefore, Azerbaijan’s
intention is to prevent tension. The creation of a Palestinian state
in the Middle East is very important to Azerbaijan.

Therefore, an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement is important to
Azerbaijan.

As for Azerbaijani-Turkish relations, they do not depend on the will
of any political force, they are based on the single intent of the
Turkic world.

Is Azerbaijan’s role as a mediator between Turkey and Israel expedient,
considering our good relations with both countries?

I don’t think Azerbaijan has such a mission. And I think such
initiatives in international processes may have greater effect if they
come from international organizations or influential countries. For
its part, Azerbaijan supports peace and partnership in the region
and the peaceful co-existence of Israel and Palestine.

How can Azerbaijan benefit from Turkey’s growing influence in the
Arab world? Maybe in terms of overcoming support for Armenia from
some Arab politicians?

Turkey’s growing influence meets Azerbaijan’s interests. Considering
that the common values uniting Turkey and Azerbaijan are very important
and strong, any Turkish success is welcome in Azerbaijan.

As for the Arab world, there is no unity within it. The concept of the
Arab world is a system of countries with different interests. Islamic
morality and Islamic culture may be the only factors uniting us with
the Arab world, but we are glad that the Organization of the Islamic
Conference supports Azerbaijan, which is a very important factor.

In turn, Azerbaijan is always glad that Turkey’s position is
strengthening in this system.

From: A. Papazian

PROGRAM ON RA POLICE REFORMS PRESENTED TO OSCE COUNTRIES

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: June 4 in Vienna, Deputy Chief of RA
Police Arthur Osikyan presented to OSCE participant countries the
2010-2011 program on reforms of the Armenian Police.

Press service of the Armenian Forign Affairs Minsitry told Armenpress
that at the meeting Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Permanent
Representative of Kazakhstan to the OSCE, delivered a welcoming speech.

Welcoming the guests he particularly noted that the OSCE highly
assesses the steps undertaken by Armenia in this direction and
expressed hope that the successful implementation of the program by
Armenia can serve an example for other OSCE countries. OSCE Permanent
Representative, Ambassador Ashot Hovakimyan delivered a speech as well.

Arthur Osikyan thoroughly presented the program approved by the RA
government, noting that the experience of some member countries of
the European Union have served basis for drafting it. The goal of
the reforms is to increase the efficiency of the RA police and the
trust among the society through the help of distinct mechanisms
and standards.

Deputy Chief of Police assured that the Armenian authorities will
consistently implement the presented program on reforms and will
closely cooperate with all the interested organizations of that sphere,
including with the OSCE.

He also noted that in this sphere he highly assesses the role of
the OSCE office in Yerevan. During the meeting Armenian President’s
assistant Gevorg Kostanyan noted that the reforms’ program of the RA
Police is in the center of direct attention of the Armenian President.

The same day a meeting was held in the OSCE Secretariat with
OSCE Secretary General Mark Perrin de Brichambaut. During the
meeting the 2011 program on police reforms was briefly presented,
the opportunities of the involvement of the OSCE and support were
discussed. OSCE Secretary General, welcoming the achievements in
this sphere, assured that the OSCE, as previously, will consistently
support reform programs implemented in Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

LA PROTEST: TURKEY HAS BLOOD ON ITS HANDS

Ynetnews
,7340,L-3900904,00.html
June 7 2010
Israel

Some 5,000 people, including politicians, actors, community leaders,
participate in Beverly Hills rally in support of Israel, carry signs
reading, ‘Peace activists don’t use knives and axes’ and ‘Shame on
Turkey.’ Governor Schwarzenegger speaks with Noam Shalit

Shosh Maimon Published: 06.07.10, 10:59 / Israel News

LOS ANGELES – As anti-Israel protests are being held throughout the
world following Israel’s raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla, a rally in
support of Israel was held Sunday in Los Angeles in which 5,000 people
participated. The keynote speaker at the rally, which was organized
by the Israeli consulate in the city, was none other than California
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Supporters of Israel marched along Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly
Hills carrying Israeli flags in the largest pro-Israel rally in the
US since last week’s flotilla raid. In addition to Israelis and Jews,
the rally was also attended by leaders from the Iranian, Armenian,
and Mexican communities, as well as Catholic clergymen.

In the background, the songs Am Yisrael Chai, David Melech Yisrael, and
Hatikva were played over a loudspeaker system. One of the participants
blew the shofar. Thousands shouted: “Turkey is a friend of Hamas.”

Israeli and American flags at the Los Angeles rally (Photo: Linda
Kassian)

The protesters carried signs with photographs of those they called
“pacifists” beating IDF soldiers with clubs. Below the photos was
the title: “Peace activists don’t use knives and axes.” Another
photograph shows a range of knives and axes with above the title:
“Humanitarian aid – knives, axes, and clubs.”

In addition, signs were waved that said “Shame on Turkey,” “Israel
wants peace,” and “Turkey – you have blood on your hands.”

‘Release Gilad now’

Schwarzenegger told the crowd he supports Israel and its right to
defend itself. He spoke with Noam Shalit, the father of captured
Israelis soldier Gilad Shalit. The conversation between the two was
played over the loudspeakers for the crowd to hear.

Shalit called upon the rally participants not to stop fighting for
Gilad’s release. Schwarzenegger said that, being a father of four, he
could not imagine what it would feel like if one of his children were
held hostage, and, therefore, is calling for Gilad to be returned home.

Signs against Turkey at the rally (Photo: Linda Kassian)

Noam Shalit also said during the phone conversation that his son has
been held hostage for four years, without one day of light, without
anyone being allowed to visit him. He said that his son is slowly
disappearing and called upon the crowd to help release his beloved
son before its too late.

The Israeli Consul-General in Los Angeles Yaakov Dayan took the
stage wrapped in an Israeli flag, and called upon Israel supporters
everywhere in the world not to be afraid to rally in favor of the
country.

Cable news channels broadcast some of the rally live. Among the
speakers at the rally were Oscar-winning actor John Voight, Angelina
Jolie’s father, who presented himself as a supporter of Israel,
and Democrat Congressman Brad Sherman and Republican Congresswoman
Michelle Bachmann.

Religious officials also attended the rally. Catholic priests spoke
in favor of Israel in Spanish and in English.

Among the rabbis attending the event was head of the Wiesenthal
Center Rabbi Hier, who said that the aid flotilla passengers must
remove their cover of peace activists behind which thy are hiding
and reveal their true faces as terrorists.

Prof. Yehuda Pearl, father of reporter Daniel Pearl who was murdered
in Pakistan, also spoke at the rally, saying that the fight against
Hamas and Iran is a fight between civilization and barbarism.

Yitzhak Benhorin contributed to this report

From: A. Papazian