Author: Andres-Papazian

CQ Transcriptions
May 30, 2014 Friday

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON JEN PSAKI HOLDS STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR
NEWS BRIEFING

[parts omitted]

Let’s go to Scott in the back.

Oh, did you have more on this specific issue?

OK. Go ahead, Scott.

QUESTION: Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani President Aliyev has
said that Armenia’s fate will be very dark if it does not withdraw
from Nagorno-Karabakh, saying that Armenia is led by a criminal,
corrupt and dictatorial regime.

Do you have any comment on that and what it means for the resolution
of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue?

PSAKI: Well, let me first say that inflammatory rhetoric and
statements that run counter to our principles raise tensions in the
region and damage the peace process. As a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group, we remain committed to helping the parties reach a peaceful
settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Joint statements by the Minsk Group presidents and co-chair countries
from 2009 to 2013 have made clear that a lasting settlement must be
based on the core principles of the U.N. charter and the Helsinki
Final Act, particularly with respect to the non-use of force,
territorial integrity and equal rights of self-determination of
people.

So we call on all sides to redouble their efforts at the negotiation
table and to focus on the benefits that peace would bring to people
across the region.

Go ahead.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIE
Un ours à Erevan : les services de secours appelés afin d’attraper la bête

Un ours a été repéré dans un quartier d’Erevan la nuit dernière et les
sauveteurs ont dû être appelé afin d’attraper la bête.

Un appel aurait été reçu au service des secours Mardi à 11h et les
brigades de secours se sont immédiatement rendus à l’endroit indiqué,
qui était la rue Halabyan à proximité de la piscine de Spitak dans le
Kentron.

> a déclaré le ministère des Situations d’urgence.

Il n’était pas immédiatement précis si c’était un ours sauvage qui
s’est égaré dans la ville ou si celui-ci s’était enfuit de son >.

Dans une autre affaire une femme a subi de multiples blessures, mais a
survécu après avoir rencontré un ours sauvage tout en cueillant des
plantes près du village de Rind dans la province du Vayots Dzor en
Arménie le mois dernier.

Siranush Vardanyan, 48 ans a dit plus tard aux médias qu’elle a
combattu l’ours et a réussi à appeler à l’aide.

dimanche 1er juin 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

BOXE PROFESSIONNELLE
Suzy Kentikian surnommée > a conservé son titre mondial
WBA des super-légers

L’Arménienne Suzy Kentikian appelée > (La Reine tueuse)
véritable phénomène des rings a conservé son titre mondial WBA des
super-légers samedi soir à Greyfeld (Allemagne). Suzy Kentikian s’est
imposée par une victoire avant la limite au 9e et dernier round face
la sud-coréenne championne du monde IFBA, Dan-Bi Kim. Face aux coups
terribles de Suzy Kentikian, l’entraineur de la sud-coréenne a préféré
jeter l’éponge. Suzy Kentikian compte désormais 33 victoires en 36
combats professionnels, dont 17 avant la limite.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 1er juin 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

New Russian-Turkish Conspiracy

Igor Muradyan, Political Analyst
Comments – Saturday, 31 May 2014, 19:55

Maidan has produced a tremendous effect on most states and not all
countries have realized the consequences of those developments for
their countries. In this situation, Turkey has gained considerable
advantage, which has not been fully covered by international political
literature, as well as Turkish mass media.

So far the relations between Turkey and Russia on Ukrainian
developments have not been substantial, and there is a mere exchange
of opinions without any radical steps and attempts at escalation.
However, the meeting of the foreign ministers of these countries in
Moscow has apparently led to considerable changes in relations,
including their positions on the topic of Karabakh.

At the same time, during these developments everyone realized that
controversies are too strong, and a lasting stage of balanced
positions has passed while latent issues have actualized. It is
meaningless to hide these problems, and it should be figured out how
the Turkish-Russian relations will be developing later.

Is it possible to return to the previous relations when problems were
latent, and the sides pretended as if mutual interests may “set off”
real problems or is there a necessity to set up new relations based on
compromise and concessions and what concessions will be essential in
the new state of affairs?

Apparently, Russia is not prone to return the former nature of
relations and is trying to achieve a breakthrough in its relations
with Turkey but it is possible only in case of a principal compromise.
Over the past 25 years Turkey has made considerable financial and
political expenditure on creating an ethnic hotbed of Crimean Tatars
and support to political claims, and Ankara’s project is threatened
now.

However, Turkey does not give up, and new interests may come up,
juxtaposed to some extent to American interests and already creating a
powerful factor of dissatisfaction in the political “field” of Russia,
which will form a sheer “belt” of dissatisfaction provided the
activation of Circassia issues.

Turkey will realize over time that while being part of Ukraine the
Turkish-Tatar Crimea was in a state of stagnation but had a
considerable influence on Russia. Under Ukrainian control, this region
did not have an operational importance while now, being the center of
a conflict, Crimea is an important tool for different undertakings,
primarily against Russia.

Moscow will not understand this, and now they see that Turkish
positions in Russia are stronger, and Turks have a new strong lever of
influence on Russia.

Nevertheless, the key issue remains the extent to which the United
States will prefer changing his policy on Turkey or continue the
policy of “double containment” on Turkey and Russia.

Not only decisions are concerned which have a temporary meaning but
important strategic issues of security and the United States would not
hurry to make such decisions unless it notices substantial changes in
Turkey’s policy.

Nevertheless, it is more important to Turkey to overcome the meaning
and concept of the “double containment” policy which makes it a
marginal, an ordinary regional state isolated in every dimension.

The Turkish political circles fear ending up like Iran, which will be
reflected in the economy with unpredictable outcome. Turkey has not
achieved a geopolitical breakthrough in any priority dimension due to
the policy of the United States and its partners there is a “short
circuit” of isolation in the Black Sea basic on which Turkey made a
large bid as a European region which would bring it closer to Europe.

Now Turkey again needs the Americans and Europeans to block Russians
in the south because it is believed that only Turkey can fulfill this
objective. In addition, Turkey has understood that it can have an
approval of closer rapprochement with Azerbaijan and Georgia when the
third player in the South Caucasus has stopped being a sovereign
actor.

It is not enough, considering that the United States and NATO
conducted a policy of increasing the distance between Turkey and
Azerbaijan for 20 years. However, Turkey will not be limited to this.
It will need new positions not only in the regions but also NATO, as
well as agreements with the United States.

The attempts of Turkey and Russia to bring their positions closer
cannot leave the United States and NATO as mere observers. The United
States will respond to the Turkish-Russian conspiracy and will not
allow a violation of the balance of forces in the Black Sea and the
South Caucasus. The United States will make efforts for quite powerful
pressure on Turkey.

Therefore, there are hopes and prospects that the “third force” will,
nevertheless, emerge in the region which will be responsible for
intensifying the “mosaic” of the Black Sea-Caucasian region. Turkey
must react to this U.S. policy and will most probably prefer the
classical foreign policy, i.e. maintenance of the balance of forces.

Hence, Turkey will not make a final decision unless it sees which side
is ready to cede but both sides understand that they will cede in the
Black Sea-Caucasian region because the United States and its partners
will not cede anything in the Near East, even at the cost of blockade
of Russia.

The bid is on Turkey and Azerbaijan but there are expectations that
this policy will not last long, and the West will return to the policy
of “double containment” when the issues of isolation and blockade of
Russia are resolved.

For its part, having thwarted Eastern Partnership, Russia has an
opportunity for a trade-off with Turkey on all the assumed issues,
including its interests in the South Caucasus. Davutoglu’s visit to
Moscow confirms the assumption that Turkey has not become a tool for
the United States and remains a serious problem for the Americans, as
previously.

Hence, the formation of a “double containment” strategy of Turkey and
Russia remains actual for the small countries of the South Caucasus
and soon there may be developments.

In terms of concept, it still has to be figured out which prospect is
more dangerous for the countries of the region, the Russian-Turkish
conspiracy or Turkey as a partner to the United States and NATO
policy. In this regard, the situation is not so pessimistic despite
the disaster.

One way or another, while Turkey and Russia are not ready to agree on
large-scale issues, they will easily reach an agreement on Karabakh,
of course, in favor of Azerbaijan. The situation is such that change
of the balance of forces in favor of Azerbaijan and the international
isolation of its rival is the key factor of implementation of the
goals of Turkey and Russia.

– See more at:

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S CONTROVERSIAL INVITATION PANNED

Daily Sabah, Turkey
May 30 2014

Daily Sabah

ISTANBUL — Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan recently created a stir
when he invited the next president of Turkey, who will be elected in
the upcoming August presidential elections, to the 100th Commemorative
Ceremony of the alleged Armenian Genocide planned to take place in
Armenia next year.

Expressing at the commemoration committee meeting that Turkey has taken
unprecedented steps toward reconciliation with Armenia, Sargsyan also
stated that Turkey has continued its “100-year-old policy of denial.”

“I officially invite the president of Turkey to Armenia to face the
compelling evidence of the Armenian Genocide on April 25, 2015,” said
the president, who received a wide range of criticism from Turkish
media outlets which called his invitation arrogant and impertinent.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a speech last month expressed
his condolences to the grandchildren of Armenians who were killed at
the beginning of the 20th century. The Armenian diaspora, along with
Armenia, have called on Turkey to recognize the death of 1.5 million
people due to the forced emigration policy of Armenians who lived in
Turkey during the later years of the Ottoman Empire as “genocide,”
while Turkey claims 300,00 to 500,000 Armenians were killed along
with Turkish people.

From: A. Papazian

LEBANON: ECONOMIC CONDITIONS PIT OPPRESSED MINORITIES AGAINST EACH OTHER

Al-Akhbar English, Lebanon
May 23, 2014 Friday

by: Paul Gadalla

Bourj Hammoud is not the first locality to witness the eruption of
racism and violence against foreigners and it won’t be the last.

However, what makes this eastern Beirut suburb unique is that its
residents are mainly Armenian, a group that sees itself as an oppressed
minority. This makes its oppression of another minority (the Kurds)
an important juncture as racism is on the rise in Lebanon.

There is no excuse for a minority haunted with victimization to oppress
another minority, but one wonders what will happen with each episode
of violence in this vicious cycle.In Beirut’s eastern suburb of Bourj
Hammoud, the general state of poverty and hardship does not unite the
diverse population living there. There is no excuse for a minority
haunted with victimization to oppress another minority, but one wonders
what will happen with each episode of violence in this vicious cycle.

The atmosphere of sectarian communities is charged with the hatred
of others. It brands them as immoral and blames them for the current
social and economic crisis. A quarrel between individuals, like
what happened last Saturday in Bourj Hammoud, becomes a trigger for
latent violence. It turns into an occasion to cleanse the area of any
racial and confessional impurity and protect it from being ruined by
the other.

The scene of the angry mob outside the home of a Syrian Kurd shows
that the reason behind the clash was more than what was being said
or the harassment of a young woman. That was even before Elie Kalash
sustained an injury while trying to calm things down.

The repercussions of the incident made clear the real reasons behind
the fighting. Groups of young residents started attacking any Kurd they
encountered. Some spoke about homes being raided and their inhabitants
assaulted. The state of lawlessness was not put in check despite the
heavy presence of the army and the Internal Security Forces (ISF),
who have been chasing youth gangs for the past few days.

While the ISF investigates the details of the events, there were public
calls to expel the Kurds from the area and close their shops, which
“deprive the Lebanese from their daily bread.” The neighborhood’s
municipality quickly played the card of reprehensible racism and
announced a nighttime curfew on foreigners, much like what a growing
number of municipalities are doing.

Nothing is particularly new about the latest clash. A similar
episode took place in Bourj Hammoud more than two years ago. The poor
crowded suburb of Beirut may have been the most affected by the Syrian
refugees. The number of Syrian Kurdish refugees multiplied, straining
the municipalities’ already stretched resources and increasing the
poverty rate.

They began competing with local workers for jobs, since they are
willing to accept lower wages and are coming in large numbers. Their
small shops started to crowd out stores owned by Armenians. The
Bourj Hammoud municipality could not respond to the cries of its
angry constituents, who called for the expulsion of Syrian Kurds from
its vicinity.

“The law does not allow the municipality to prohibit Syrians from
staying in the area,” explained Bourj Hammoud’s mayor, Antranik
Messerlian. A few days ago, however, the municipality began closing
down unlicensed shops owned by so called “foreigners.”

According to a Kurdish resident, the majority of the stores in the
area are not licensed, although they pay rent, water and electricity
bills, and all sorts of municipal charges. He said the municipality,
controlled by the Armenian Tashnag party is basically a “state within a
state,” practicing “tyranny and racism” against the Kurds. It requires
shops to receive the approval of the Chamber of Trade and Industry,
for example, under the penalty of closure.

Al-Akhbar asked Bourj Hammoud’s deputy mayor, Georges Krikorian, if
the decision to shut down the shops applied to all unlicensed ones
or just those owned by non-Lebanese. He replied “yes, in principle”
but the answer lies with the ISF.

He explained that the municipality’s legal mandate is “very limited or
nonexistent,”Although the measure was applied on some Armenian-owned
shops, Krikorian explained that “foreigners are required to get permits
from the General Security and the Labor Ministry,” in addition to
other official authorities, to open a “commercial establishment”
(or a small shop) in Bourj Hammoud.

It is worth noting that Al-Akhbar’s attempts to obtain a clear answer
about the issue from an official failed. The ISF’s public relations
office stated that the decision to close down unlicensed shops came
from the governor of Mount Lebanon, who has all the details. However,
it mentioned that one of the main reasons to close the shops was
“economic competition.”

Governor Antoine Suleiman, on the other hand, denied any knowledge
of the issue and referred it to al-Metn District Commissioner Marlene
Haddad, who could not be reached.

“Any group contains individuals who behave inappropriately, but we
cannot blame a whole community for the actions of those individuals,”
Krikorian replied to a question about how local authorities are
dealing with calls to expel the Kurds.

He explained that the municipality’s legal mandate is “very limited
or nonexistent,” despite “the municipality’s cooperation with groups
active on the ground and the security forces.” However, it applied
measures to “reduce the tension and reassure the people,” such as
controlling the residency of non-Lebanese and forcing them to register
at the General Security, in addition to the night time curfew.

It is now up to the state to put an end to the chaotic situation.

According to the Syriac League, there are those who “absolutely refuse
to be victims of unjustified hate.” The Kurdish Lebanese Association
condemned “the violence and counter-violence caused by the assault”
on May 17. It warned of the danger of “a personal dispute turning
into a state of popular unrest on both angry sides.”

Yet the state continued to deal with such incidents by trying to
absorb them, or more precisely put on a mere show of force and nothing
further. In this context, the Army Command Guidance Directorate issued
a statement on Wednesday, announcing that military forces in Bourj
Hammoud and Dawra arrested 25 people from different nationalities who
were not carrying their identification papers or who had committed
various violations. The detainees were handed over to the competent
authorities for further action.

Will this calm down the fear imposed on the residents of Bourj
Hammoud? Of course not.

This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition.

Firas Abou-Mosleh

From: A. Papazian

REPRESENTATIVE NIKI TSONGAS PLEDGES CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR ARMENIANS

11:03 30.05.2014

Activists with the ANC of Merrimack Valley (ANC-MV) met with
Representative Niki Tsongas (D-MA-3) in her district office on Friday,
May 23. ANC of Merrimack Valley co-chairman Aram Jeknavorian, Stephen
Dulgarian, and Tom Vartabedian held a successful meeting with the
Congresswoman as she reconfirmed her commitment to serving the
Armenian population.

“As a member of the Armenian Congressional Caucus, I look forward
to our continued work in promoting the mutual interest of our two
countries and celebrating our rich history together,” Tsongas noted.

“I will work to see that the mass murders of the Ottoman Empire
against the Armenians are properly recognized as genocide in Congress.”

The meeting served to inform Rep. Tsongas’ on a number of current
issues the ANC is focusing on including the critical issue of
support for Armenians who were forced to flee Kessab, Syria and
are now seeking refuge in Latakia following the March 21 attack by
rebels who crossed over the Turkish border. Additionally, the ANC-MV
activists urged Rep. Tsongas to co-sponsor House Resolution 4347-
the Turkey Christian Churches Accountability Act- calling for the
return of all Christian churches to various minority communities
in Turkey. Other current issues discussed included humanitarian aid
to the Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh and greater visibility for the
Armenian Orphan Rug, particularly in conjunction with next year’s
genocide centennial observances.

“It is important for us to continue to meet with our area
representatives and inform them of the critical, time-sensitive
issues we are facing as Armenian Americans, especially on the eve of
the 100th Anniversary of the Genocide,” stated Jeknavorian. “We are
fortunate to have a strong working relationship with Rep. Tsongas
and look forward to her leadership role on our issues.”

Jeknavorian and Dulgarian also reported on the recent unveiling of
“A Mother’s Hands,” a monument in remembrance of the victims of the
Armenian genocide located on public property at the Lowell City Hall.

Cong. Tsongas’ was unable to attend the dedication ceremony as she
was in Afghanistan visiting US troops — a practice she has made each
Mother’s Day as a member of the House Armed Services Committee

From: A. Papazian

WHOM NAZARBAYEV WAS READING THE LETTER FOR?

May 30 2014

Has Armenia ever officially announced about its desire of joining the
Eurasian Union together with Karabakh by the UN recognized borders? As
far as I know, no. Another thing that our government representatives
and supporters were hinting at allegedly the Karabakh issue will be
decided by the Customs Union or the Eurasian Union. This is either a
deliberate disinformation, or a delusion. Artsakh issue can only be
resolved in the result of negotiations with Azerbaijan. Relying on
any Union is naive here. I would say to overly enthusiastic advocates
of the EU that this problem would also incur in case of signing the
Association Agreement, Ilham Aliyev would write a letter, let’s say,
to Catherine Ashton, saying that, you know, Armenia is associated
with the UN-recognized borders. Ms. Ashton would probably not read the
letter at the meeting, but she would give effect by various instances
of the Brussels bureaucracy. Another thing that, still, Armenia,
in my opinion, should go for initialing, and then have signed the EU
Association Agreement. But it has nothing to do with Karabakh. Why
did Nursultan Nazarbayev publicly read Aliyev’s letter? Eventually,
they could discuss this issue behind closed doors. It also has its
explanation. It is obvious to me that the addressee of the letter was
not the President of Armenia, but Putin. Nazarbayev was “making him to
listen” to Aliyev’s concerns, first to tear off something from Russia’s
president, and then, to please its ally Azerbaijan. Was Serzh Sargsyan
confused? Was he surprised at Nazarbayev’s “reading”? To be honest,
I had not noticed it from the footages on TV. But let’s assume he was
in a panic. Is it essential or the fact that we are going to enter
into a union, in which two (three along with Kyrgyzstan) states are
Azerbaijan’s allies, and one of them, Russia, is supplying arms to both
us and Azerbaijan, probably, for ensuring peace in the region? Is it
essential or the fact of who was listening to the reading of Aliyev’s
letter with what expression of face? In fact, is Russia joining the
Eurasian Union with the UN-recognized borders? And is the Crimea
included in these borders?

ARAM ABRAHAMYAN

Read more at:

From: A. Papazian

WEAVING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY IN STEPANAKERT

Friday, May 30th, 2014

Flora, Rima, and Aveta clean raw wool before processing

STEPANAKERT–Among the most storied of Armenian artistic traditions,
carpet weaving had its historic epicenter in Artsakh, a crossroads
for traders between Asians from the east, Persians and Arabs to the
south and southwest, and Romans and other Europeans to the west.

The vivid hues, painstaking detail, and original designs made Armenian
rugs – particularly those from Artsakh – a prized good, highly sought
after for their quality and aesthetic depth. As traders exported
physical rugs, they took with them the stylistic elements unique to
rugs of Armenian origin that then infused rugs made in other regions.

Much of the Armenian rug industry was abruptly and violently uprooted
during the Genocide and the parallel physical and cultural destruction
of Artsakh’s Armenian population. During much of the 20th century,
Armenian rugs were usurped by Turks in the west and called Turkish
while Armenian rugs in the east were stolen by the Azerbaijanis and
called Azerbaijani.

Seamstresses producing new clothing

Some production continued in the Soviet Union but with millennia-old
techniques and processes violated and then sternly curtailed, Armenian
carpet weaving was a shadow of its former self. Independence changed
all that.

Today, Armenian rug making is being revived in Artsakh. And not just
the rugs. The actual process of the making rugs, using traditional
methods without the use of any mechanized machinery are also making
a comeback. These efforts are being spearheaded by the Stepanakert
Rug Company.

The previously derelict Karabakh Silk Factory shut its doors at the
fall of the Soviet Union but was recently born anew as the site of
a burgeoning business zone.

Putting to work dozens of employees from Stepanakert and surrounding
areas, the rug company leased a space in the factory and made it into
the main production center for high-quality, hand-woven Armenian rugs
from Artsakh.

Gino (Giuseppe) is the sewing facility’s engineer

Most of the employees at the factory are previously unemployed women.

With competitive pay and good working conditions, the rug company is
creating opportunities that are helping to train a new and skilled
workforce.

The rugs are completely locally produced good, 100% made in Artsakh.

Besides the workers, the factory, and the traditional designs, the
materials used in the rugs, particularly the pure lamb’s wool, are
locally sourced. In fact, once the raw wool arrives, it is taken to the
basement of the same building where another local company cleans it,
refines it, colors it, and then sells it to the rug making operation
upstairs. The synergies between the different businesses create jobs
from the farms providing the wool to the people working the machines
that refine and color the wool, to the carpet weavers.

The rugs are woven using the traditional Armenian method of a double
knot contrasting with the Persian one and a half knot, making the rugs
produced in Artsakh denser, of a better quality, and competitive. And
it’s all done by hand – no machines.

Student Ruzanna Hakopyan is a new employee at the factory

Artsakh doesn’t have a large market but that’s not stopping the
Stepanakert Rug Company from setting its sights on the global market.

With a short drive on the Stepanakert-Goris highway, built by Armenia
Fund, goods easily reach Yerevan for delivery anywhere in the world.

Envisioning a high demand for its product, the company has opened
two more production centers in the north and the south of Artsakh.

The export-oriented company’s success is encouraging larger enterprises
to consider Artsakh as a business hub with a talented workforce ready
to deliver high-quality products at reasonable costs.

Along with generous incentives from the government, the climate has
been ideal for other businesses to set up shop in the same facility
as the Stepanakert Rug Company. Among them is a wool processor,
textile fabric manufacturer, a clothier, and a nearby, renovated
building that will be the future home of food processing businesses.

Erik works on a wool processing machine

In another part of the building, massive silk processing machines
remained in the factory after it shut down, not sold as scrap metal to
Iran unlike was done in other parts of Armenia. The restored machines,
having undergone extensive upgrades, were fired up for the first
time in decades and are now functioning and productive parts of the
larger facility.

Together, these outfits are employing hundreds of locals, many of whom
did not have jobs for before the Karabakh Silk Factory was reopened
as a center for business.

Infrastructure is important. Highways, schools, hospitals, and
waterways form the foundation upon which creativity, ingenuity, and
growth thrive. So, while Armenia Fund, with its worldwide network
of benefactors, continues to strengthen Armenia’s infrastructure,
it’s worth occasionally stepping back and seeing the impact it has
already had in areas that might not seem connected but which are part
of the same flourishing ecosystem. The Stepanakert Rug Company and
its neighbors in the old Karabakh Silk Factory know that and they
represent the fruits of a decades-long faith in a better Armenia
built by all Armenians.

From: A. Papazian

TRADERS DELIBERATELY RAISE PRICES OF SOME PRODUCTS

Friday,
May
30

Big entrepreneurs deliberately raise prices of some products,
Chairman of the Agrarian-Peasant Union of Armenia Hrach Berberyan
told reporters today.

He said in particular that a few days ago flour prices went up without
any reason. According to the union chairman, flour prices went up by
8%, even though Armenia has sufficient stock of wheat.

A successful agricultural season is expected this year, H. Berberyan
said, adding that a poor apricot harvest (10-15%) was nevertheless
forecast, due to which apricot prices may reach 500-1000 drams.

TODAY, 15:19

Aysor.am

From: A. Papazian