Author: Andres-Papazian

BAKO SAHAKYAN PARTICIPATES IN CEREMONY DEDICATED TO THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HALO TRUST ORGANIZATION

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
STEPANAKERT

President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan visited the village
of Khachen in the Askeran Region and partook at a solemn ceremony
dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the HALO Trust organization’s
activities in Artsakh. Vice-speaker of the British Parliament’s House
of Lords Baroness Caroline Cox was present at the ceremony too.

Central Information Department of the NKR President’s Office told
Armenpress that the president expressed gratitude to the organizations
for its work calling it an important humanitarian mission. President
Sahakyan subsequently met teaching staff of the Khachen village and
discussed some issues related to school reform.

Artsakh Republic defense minister Movses Hakobyan and other officials
accompanied the President during the visit.

From: A. Papazian

TIGRAN BALAYAN: ‘PROGRESS IN THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS IS QUITE POSSIBLE, IN CASE AZERBAIJAN ASSUMES THE RESPONSIBILITY TO UNLEASH THE CONFLICT’

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: ‘A progress in the negotiation process
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is quite possible, in case Azerbaijan
stops mounting the high horse and assumes the responsibility to unleash
the conflict, in case it stops representing its ideas on rights as
international law and gives up fruitlessly distorting the essence of
the conflict and the plot of the negotiation process,’ Head of Foreign
Ministry’s Media Relations Division Tigran Balayan stated today.

At the request of the mass media he commented on the statements of
the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister and some other officials about the
‘attempts of Armenia’ to hinder the process of the settlement of the
NK conflict.

From: A. Papazian

NEGOTIATIONS ON KARABAKH ‘ENTERED FINAL STAGE’ LONG AGO

news.az
June 7 2010
Azerbaijan

Rasim Musabeyov EU has recently put sufficient pressure on Armenia.

The Azerbaijani-Armenian negotiation process has entered the second
stage that envisioning Baku’s negotiations with Russia and Turkey
on measures of pressure of these countries for it to accept the
updated Madrid principles and withdraw its troops from Karabakh,
said political scientist Rasim Musabeyov.

‘It became clear in Benice, where Azerbaijani FM Mammadyarov held a
meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs that Armenia does not
want to accept the updated Madrid principles proposed by the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs’, said Musabeyov.

‘But no matter what Armenia wants, this country is too much dependent’,
he continued.

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs are officials that have done their
work. These officials have no forceful methods of pressure. The
further processes depends not on them but on the leaders of the
superpowers-the Minsk Group co-chairs, considers Musabeyov.

‘As far as I know, this work is proceeding. We are negotiating with
Russia which is interested in the opening of the transport railroad to
Armenia via Azerbaijan and further to Turkey, opening of communications
for the armed grouping of Russia to Armenia. Today this transport
opportunity has almost been lost. Turkey and Russia hold due talks
and discussions are held in the United States and EU. EU has recently
put sufficient pressure on Armenia’, said the political scientist.

In the end, everyone understands that if there is no progress in
settlement, this will untie hands for the forced settlement of
the issue which is not expedient for any party, said the political
scientist.

From: A. Papazian

INDIA-TURKEY-CIS BUSINESS FORUM TO BE CONDUCTED IN ISTANBUL

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: India-Turkey-CIS business forum will
be conducted August 24-25 in Istanbul. Vladimir Amiryan, head of
the Armenian Chamber of Trade and Industry, told Armenpress that
at the forum the prospects of the economic cooperation between the
participant countries in a number of spheres – healthcare, jewelry,
IT, agriculture and tourism, will be discussed.

Armenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry receives from Armenian
businessmen applications for participation. V. Amiryan noted that a
similar forum is organized for the first time. The participation of
the Armenian businessmen will afford an opportunity to get acquainted
with the markets of different countries and to gain new partners in
different branches of economy.

From: A. Papazian

IPI’S “PRESS HERO” NEDIM SENER ACQUITTED

BIAnet.org
June 7 2010
Turkey

Journalist Nedim Sener was acquitted in the case on his book “The Dink
murder and the intelligence lies”. Sener had been facing imprisonment
of up to three years. The International Press Institute chose Sener
as one of the international “press heroes”.

Erol ONDEROGLU [email protected] Istanbul – BIA News Center07 June
2010, Monday The Istanbul 11th High Criminal Court acquitted Milliyet
newspaper reporter Nedim Å~^ener in the case related to his book
entitled “The Dink murder and the intelligence lies”. Å~^ener stood
accused of “violation of secrecy” and “identifying officials on
anti-terrorist duties as targets”.

In the book, he wrote about the negligence and attempts to cover up
this negligence of gendarmerie, police and the Turkish secret service
prior to the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in 2007.

In the previous hearing on 28 April, the prosecutor had demanded a
three-year prison sentence for Å~^ener under charges of “identifying
people as targets for terror organizations”. He was sued by Ramazan
Akyurek, then Chief of Police in Trabzon (Black Sea coast), Ali Fuat
Yılmazer, Deputy Chief of the Istanbul Police, intelligence police
officer Muhittin Zenit and Intelligence Branch Manager of the Trabzon
Police Directorate Faruk Sarı.

The complaint was filed with Å~^ener because he “obtained and published
confidential information” based on the transcript of a phone call
between police informant Zenit and Erhan Tuncel half an hour after
the murder of Hrant Dink.

Court: Dink file cannot be confidential However, in the hearing on
4 June, the court announced that the names of the complainants and
some of their code names were included in the Hrant Dink murder trial
file at the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court and thus confidentiality
had been lifted anyways.

Å~^ener’s lawyer Yucel DöÅ~_emeci requested the acquittal of his
client.

In his final plea he reiterated his demand not to punish Å~^ener
because of a violation of secrecy. “If it is not a violation of
secrecy to publish the documents, how can it be seen as a breach of
law to publish the included information?” DöÅ~_emeci asked.

DöÅ~_emeci stated that his client merely took the effort for the
public benefit to disclose illegal implementations of public offices
regarding a murder case that is being followed in the whole world.

Å~^ener one of IPI’s press heroes, awarded by the Turkish Publishers
Association DöÅ~_emeci drew attention to the fact that due to
his book Å~^ener was among a group of 60 journalists chosen as
international “press heroes” by the International Press Institute
(IPI). Moreover, Å~^ener received the Award for Press Freedom from
the Turkish Publishers Association (TYB) on 3 June.

In the hearing on Friday, intelligence officer Muhittin Zenit claimed
to punish Å~^ener, putting forward that he was being harmed because
his codename used for 15 years was disclosed in the book

In the hearing on 24 April, Å~^ener had presented a banner to the
court, showing Hrant Dink and an elderly women in Erivan under the
heading “1,500,000 + 1” (in reference to the killing of Armenians by
the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century). Å~^ener criticized,
“Look, the world cares for the Hrant Dink murder much more than we
do. We are even sued for writing about the extent of the unlawfulness
related to the murder”.

Defence lawyer Seyfettin Uzuncakmak demanded the punishment of
complainants Yılmazer and Sarı under article 6/1 of the Anti-Terror
Law (Disclosure and Publication). However, Prosecutor Celal Kara
objected.

After a brief intermission, the court announced its verdict and said
that there was no basis for a conviction. (EO/VK)

From: A. Papazian

“EU POLICY FOR SOUTH CAUCASUS MUST BE BOLD IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES”

Today

June 7 2010
Azerbaijan

The Parliament magazine published the article by Evgeni Kirilov, the
EU Rapporteur on the need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus,
entitled Broadening Horizons. Below is the full text of the article.

The South Caucasus is not only a region in the immediate neighborhood
of the EU (Romania and Bulgaria have a sea border with it), but
a region of great strategic importance in political, economic and
security terms. Therefore the EU`s main objective there should be
to participate actively in its stabilization and to encourage the
development of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia towards stability and
democracy, to establish good neighborly relations and integration
into the EU’s policies.

The European parliament strongly supports all the initiatives
which increase the EU’s presence in the region, and in particular
the most recent one the eastern partnership. Among other things,
it offers a valuable framework for increased regional cooperation,
the introduction of visa-free travel to the EU and the conclusion of
comprehensive free trade agreements.

Certainly, this is a two way process that requires effort and
dedication from both sides. It is in the vital interest of the three
countries to continue their efforts towards further democratization.

Good governance, political pluralism, the rule of law and respect
for human rights are of paramount importance for determining their
future relations with the EU.

Therefore, the EU should continue providing financial and technical
assistance to them in order to promote these principles and processes
within the framework of political conditionality.

The regions strategic geopolitical location, its increasing
importance as an energy, transport and communications corridor
connecting the Caspian region and Central Asia with Europe, and the
growing EU preoccupation with energy security suggest a more active
EU participation in the energy projects of the region, including the
completion of the Nabucco pipeline project.

However, these ambitious EU policies can hardly be achieved when
there is a big shadow over the region the unresolved conflicts in
Georgia and Nagorno Karabakh. They are also a serious impediment for
democratization, political stability and socioeconomic development.

Unfortunately, it was owing to the 2008 war in Georgia that the EU
realized it needs to play a more active role in the region as far
as conflict prevention and conflict management are concerned. The
deadlock situation due to these conflicts and the entry into force
of the Lisbon treaty justify an increasingly proactive EU policy.

This is particularly valid for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
where the EU has been practically absent. Simply stating support
for the work of the Minsk group at this stage is not enough if the
EU takes seriously its new, more active role in foreign policy. The
EU is the international mediator that is accepted by both sides
and whose presence does not raise controversies. There is a need
for the EU to lead the international efforts for rehabilitation and
reconstruction in this conflict area by initiating reconciliation
projects, people-to-people programmes and by sending a mission in
the region once a political solution is found.

The conflicts in the region demand a special effort also with regards
to the situation of the hundreds of thousands of displaced people,
which has serious humanitarian consequences. The EU has the means
and the experience to contribute to the creation of a more tolerant
atmosphere in the South Caucasus. It should also draw from its own
historical experience and show to the people from the region that they
can live together in peace and prosperity and that they can restore
the good relations and trust that historically existed. One of the
main tasks for the EU is to try to persuade the leaders and the people
of the region to support the peaceful initiatives, not the threats,
not the tensions.

From: A. Papazian

RA STATE COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION OF ECONOMIC COMPETITION DELEGATION TAKES PART IN THE 31ST SESSION OF THE CIS ANTI-MONOPOLY POLICY INTER-STATE COUNCIL

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: Chairman of the RA State Commission
for the Protection of Economic Competition Artak Shaboyan is leaving
today for the Russian Federation to take part in the 31st session of
the CIS Anti-Monopoly policy inter-state council scheduled for June
8-10 in the town of Suzdal.

Press service of the Commission told Armenpress that the session will
discuss the process of implementation of decisions adopted during the
previous session held in Armenia, implementation of the protection
of right of consumers, results of the cases implemented jointly and
a number of other issues.

Artak Shaboyan will come forth at the session with a report.

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIAN POLITICAL ANALYST ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT THROUGH PRISM OF RUSSIA-TURKEY RAPPROCHEMENT

Today

June 7 2010
Azerbaijan

Interview with Co-Chair of Russia’s Fair Cause political party,
political analyst Leonid Gozman.

Russian PM’s long-anticipated visit to Ankara was preceded by a
similar official visit to Turkey by Russian President. Experts say
the relations between the two countries have reached qualitatively
new level. How do you assess the current bilateral relations between
Moscow and Ankara?

Of course, these relations are developing at a fast pace. At present
the sides are discussing a number of economic and bilateral issues.

For example, the sides are negotiating to lift visa requirements. In
principle, the visa requirements were purely symbolic previously.

Russians only paid 20 dollars once they arrived in Turkey. It is
believed that Turkey opted to build closer ties with Russia after
it realized that it will not be admitted to the European Union any
time soon…

Well, I do not think that Turkey no longer aspires to the EU. Keep
in mind that Turkey is a country with enormous potential in almost
all fields. Today rapprochement with Turkey meets Russia’s interests.

In your opinion, may Russia-Turkey rapprochement influence early
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

In my opinion, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has no solution in the
foreseeable future because there is no solution formula that would
suit both parties. What suits Baku does not suit Yerevan and vice
versa. Talking about each of the two conflicting parties, I would like
to note that relations between Moscow and Yerevan are strong enough.

Russia and Armenia are partners and allies. This relationship has
lasted long enough, and I think no major changes will take place in
near future.

And what about the relations between Moscow and Baku? Do you agree
that they have become even closer and stronger over the past years?

I would say that Russia’s relations with Azerbaijan have always
been at the highest level. The basis of the high level of bilateral
relations was laid in Azerbaijan by Heydar Aliyev. Today this trend
is continued by current President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

So, continuing the theme of Russian-Turkish rapprochement through the
prism of effect on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, I hope very much
that conflict will not go back to the phase of military hostilities.

And if it happens, I hope that Russia will not be involved.

Currently, there have been wide discussions in Armenia over draft
amendments to the laws “On Language” and “On Education”, which involves
opening foreign-language schools in the country. Such amendments have
caused discontent with many among ordinary citizens, politicians and
even officials. Azerbaijan, which has always had schools in foreign
languages, in particular, in Russian, to put it mildly, is surprised
at this reaction.

One should bear in mind that Armenia is a mono-ethnic state with
Armenians making up 98 percent of the population. Perhaps, it is
one of the most mono-ethnic states in the world. On one hand, such
a reaction is understandable. There may be afraid of repeating the
Soviet past, when the main language was Russian in all former Soviet
republics and national language was of a secondary importance.

However, this is the case with all empires.

This was normal for the USSR. In India, for example, since its
colonization by Britain, education began to be carried out in English,
and only poor people could not give their children an education in
that language. However, national language should be principal in
independent countries.

However, if a country wishes to develop, if it intends to further
integrate into the global community, of course, it needs to provide
education in other languages as well. There is nothing bad about it.

There are only advantages. After all, the Armenian language is not
an international language.

From: A. Papazian

ERDOGAN’S HEBREW PHRASEBOOK REQUIRES UPGRADE

Salem-News.Com

June 7 2010
Oregon

The Turkish PM is the subject of Israeli attack for standing tall
against attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla

(ISTANBUL) – Following the May 31 massacre by the Israel Defense
Forces (IDF) of 9 Turkish humanitarian activists–one also an American
citizen–on board the Mavi Marmara en route to Gaza, the Turkish daily
Taraf sent reporter Tugba Tekerek to Tel Aviv to assess the mood on
the street. In the paper’s Saturday edition, Tekerek reports on her
interactions with Israelis, which are alternately characterized by
insistence that the aid boat was in fact a terrorist boat, threats
to boycott Turkey as a holiday destination, and suggestions for a
military coup against Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Tekerek also reports excessive exposure to the number 12,500, which her
interlocutors claim is the quantity of rockets fired at Israel from
Gaza in the past 3 years. As for other figures invoked to justify
Israeli behavior toward its neighbors, these are advertised by a
protester across from the Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv who translates
his poster for Tekerek, accusing the Turks of the following fatalities:
“1.5 million Armenians, 37,000 Kurds, and North Cyprus.”

Adolf Hitler might have engaged in a similar sort of auto-exoneration
by directing international attention to the victims of the
trans-Atlantic slave trade.

One of Tekerek’s interviewees, a grocer identified as Aaron, provides
an expanded analogy regarding the second group of Turkish victims in
order to absolve the IDF of the murder of 9 humanitarian aid activists:

Let’s say we Israelis decide, based on the bad conditions in which
the Kurds in [the southeastern Turkish city of] Diyarbakır live,
to send them aid. And let’s say that we’re going to send this aid in
trucks which will pass through the Turkish border without submitting
to customs inspection. What would you do in this case?”

Tekerek refrains from pointing out potential inconsistencies in this
comparison, such as that:

Kurdish citizens of Diyarbakır are often permitted to emerge
from their city and to move freely around Turkey’s 780,000 square
kilometers.

Kurdish citizens of Diyarbakır are permitted to import tahini,
pencils, diapers, and laundry detergent as needed.

Israel has already provided aid to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK),
in addition to selling Heron drones to the Turkish military in order
to aid in the PKK’s demise.

Another inconsistency in the analogy is thus that the activists
on board the Mavi Marmara were not simultaneously selling weapons
to Israel and bringing aid to Gaza. As for Aaron’s suggestion about
Israeli trucks crossing the Turkish border, both the Israeli government
and the IDF immediately acknowledged that Monday’s attack on the ship
had occurred in international waters.

When Tekerek asks Aaron if he killed anyone while performing
his military service on behalf of the state of Israel, he replies
affirmatively but explains that as a sailor “you kill from afar, you
don’t see the people you kill.” Sailor myopia apparently does not
apply to IDF commandos who have merely landed on boats by dropping
from helicopters, as autopsy reports have revealed that the Mavi
Marmara victims were shot at close range; Aaron’s excuse that “in my
book it’s better to kill than be killed” meanwhile stands in stark
contrast to the conclusion reached by Erdogan, who recently invoked
other relevant books in order to remind the Israelis in Hebrew of
the Sixth Commandment.

Belén is a feature writer at Pulse Media. Her articles also have
appeared in CounterPunch, Narco News, Palestine Chronicle, Palestine
Think Tank, Rebelión, Tlaxcala, The Electronic Intifada, Upside Down
World, and Venezuelanalysis.com. Her book “Coffee with Hezbollah,”
a humorous political travelogue chronicling her hitchhiking trip
through Lebanon in the aftermath of the 2006 Israeli assault, is
available at Amazon, Amazon UK, and Barnes and Noble.

Born in Washington, DC, in 1982, Belén earned her bachelor’s degree
with a concentration in political science from Columbia University
in New York City. Her diverse background of worldwide experiences,
created a fantastic writer; one whose work we are extremely happy to
share with Salem-News.com viewers.

From: A. Papazian

75 HYDROSTATIONS OPERATE IN ARMENIA, 70 ONES BEING CONSTRUCTED

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: 75 small hydroelectric power stations
are currently operating in the Republic of Armenia, 70 ones are
being constructed. President of Small Hydrostations Union Naira
Karapetyan said at today’s meeting with journalists that the whole
electricity is consumed in Armenia. ‘We want to develop this sector
by creating opportunities for the exportation of the electric power,’
she mentioned.

From: A. Papazian