Author: Antonian Lara

RAFIK PETROSYAN: THE AUTHORITIES WILL NOT YIELD
Karen Ghazaryan

"Radiolur"
08.09.2009 17:23

The Armenian opposition is worried that Turkey may connect the
normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations and the opening of
the border with the Karabakh issue.

Member of the Republican Party Board Rafik Petrosyan stated today
that their party and the authorities would do their best to reach
establishment of relations with Turkey without preconditions.

"We should say that so far Armenia has not lost on any question,
as the opposition insists. The President of Armenia has raised the
question with great dignity and one cannot see Armenia’s weakness
anywhere. On the contrary, the President has declared very clearly
that Armenia will not continue the development of relations unless
Turkey starts a real process of normalization," Rafik Petrosyan.

"The normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations and the opening of
the border will equally benefit Armenia, Turkey and the international
community," he said.

According to the MP, it would no be correct to say that the process
of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations will not affect
the genocide issue. "However, Armenia will continue pursuing the
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide," he assured.

"The authorities are confident of the correctness of their steps and
they are not going to yield," Rafik Petrosyan concluded.
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Subject: Rafik Petrosyan: The authorities will not yield

Rafik Petrosyan: The authorities will not yield
08.09.2009 17:23

Karen Ghazaryan
â??Radiolurâ??

The Armenian opposition is worried that Turkey may connect the
normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations and the opening of the
border with the Karabakh issue.

Member of the Republican Party Board Rafik Petrosyan stated today that
their party and the authorities would do their best to reach
establishment of relations with Turkey without preconditions.

â??We should say that so far Armenia has not lost on any question, as the
opposition insists. The President of Armenia has raised the question
with great dignity and one cannot see Armeniaâ??s weakness anywhere. On
the contrary, the President has declared very clearly that Armenia will
not continue the development of relations unless Turkey starts a real
process of normalization,â?? Rafik Petrosyan.

â??The normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations and the opening of
the border will equally benefit Armenia, Turkey and the international
community,â?? he said.

According to the MP, it would no be correct to say that the process of
normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations will not affect the
genocide issue. â??However, Armenia will continue pursuing the
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide,â?? he assured.

â??The authorities are confident of the correctness of their steps and
they are not going to yield,â??
Rafik Petrosyan concluded.

ROCARD: ‘SARKOZY SHOULD CHANGE HIS POSITION ON TURKEY'[FR]

EurActiv
kozy-change-position-turkey/article-185201
sept 8 2009

In view of the geopolitical context and the risk of a deteriorating
situation in Turkey, French President Nicolas Sarkozy should give
the green light to pursuing EU-Turkey membership negotiations, said
Michel Rocard, a former prime minister of France, in an interview
with EurActiv.

Michel Rocard is a former French Prime Minister and member of the EU
Independent Commission on Turkey. He was speaking to Georgi Gotev.

You have signed a report, along with several eminent personalities
under the leadership of the Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari,
which will in some respects go against the views of certain European
capitals – such as Paris – in recommending to continue EU accession
negotiations with Turkey. What are your arguments?

This is the second European Commission report on Turkey. Since the
first report [published in 2004], the situation has deteriorated
markedly, European enthusiasm has next to disappeared in the Council
of Ministers and in certain countries in Europe, notably France,
Germany and Austria, who count for a lot. In the same fashion,
pro-European opinion has fallen below 50% in Turkey. That is serious,
because Europe doesn’t live in a peaceful neighbourhood.

The drive behind the evolution of reform in Turkey has been largely the
EU perspective given to the country. The European perspective opened
up space for an influx of foreign direct investment in Turkey, which
strengthen the country’s pro-European position; now that phenomenon has
faded. On the other hand, there is the view that Turkey’s traditions
are changing, that because Turkey has not known democracy for long,
as it is not a tradition for them, you cannot blame them, as this
is a 2000 year-long history. But from the shifting attitudes on
the Kurdish Problem, to being fair in the dispute with Cyprus, to
leaving history to decide what happened in 1915 with the Armenians,
it all needed strong European pressure, because such an evolution
shocks the Turkish community.

For the French public the problem is similar to the difficulties that
France had in recognizing the Vichy government for what it was. De
Gaulle had the attitude that the Vichy government was made up of
Martians, that they were not French, but some kind of outsiders. And
all of France has sheltered behind this denial for a long time since
we invented it. It took until President Chirac – even Mitterrand did
not dare – to reconcile ourselves with the truth of history.

The problem is a bit similar in Turkey. What is at stake is the
country’s military tradition, its legal tradition, its journalistic
tradition, and its university tradition, it’s a lot to change. That’s
why they proceed step by step. And now the pro-European movement
is slightly blocked, there’s a risk of deterioration; above all
inside Turkey, and the idea that Turkish accession contributes to
the stability and recognition of young Turkish democracy has lost
ground. The country could close itself off again with a stronger
Muslim identity, tougher and less concerned with democracy. That is
very alarming.

Are issues of energy security something to be considered in all this?

Effectively, there is such an aspect, we are approaching a terrible
period when the production of oil with be at its maximum, when the
oil price risks rising in a extraordinary way due to the shortage of
resources, at consequently security of energy supply during this whole
period becomes key to stability in the world. It’s evident that Turkey,
the pathway for pipelines coming from Iraq, Iran and the Middle East,
so much oil and gas, is vital to European energy dependence. Now,
if that doesn’t work out, it will oblige us to move closer to the
Russians, who are definitely less reliable. Not dealing with the
problem now will damage growth in the future.

What would you say to Mr. Sarkozy, to make him change his position?

I hope that his services, his ministers, his staff, his cabinet,
reflect on the situation. They should be open enough in all cases
to take into account the observable facts, and our report says that
there is an urgency growing to resume the accession process.

Is the French position going to evolve in the coming months?

The current French position is the position of the President of the
Republic. Because everyone knows full well that a number of members
of the current government were much in favour of the accession of
Turkey. And in these particular conditions, the official line is
certainly respected, but there isn’t a French sabotage in everyday
work. But you will be struck by the positions of syndicates, they
are much more favourable, because they understood that the Turkish
pursuit of development is a condition of stopping immigration into
Europe. So it’s a prudent measure. And the views of economists, for
example those of the CNPE (National Committee of Political Economy),
follow in the same vein. I think that Mr. Sarkozy can realise that
things will get worse, and it is better to continue the process.

Do you think that there will be a referendum in France on Turkish
accession?

I truly hope not. A referendum is an opportunity for the media to
manipulate symbols. That’s absolutely not democracy; it’s the rule
of the mighty, it’s intimidation on issues which are taboo. Before
posing questions like that, one has to be sure that the facts are
well understood; the differences, the quirks, it’s about replacing
the "I don’t know it so I don’t trust it" attitude, with better
information. But the true question will be posed in about 10 years,
in any case.

THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND GEORGIA WHICH CANNOT BE SOLVED BY JOINT DISCUSSIONS AND DIALOGUE

NOYAN TAPAN
SEPTEMBER 7, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The issues on the agenda of
bilateral relations were discussed at the meeting of RA President Serzh
Sargsyan and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Grigol Vashadze
on September 5. The sides noted that there are no problems between the
two countries which cannot be solved by joint discussions and dialogue.

At the meeting they particularly spoke about the tariffs for cargo
transportation through the territory of Georgia, the demarcation
process of Armenian-Georgian border, and problems to be discussed at
the upcoming meeting of the intergovernmental commission.

They also touched upon several problems of the Armenian population
in Georgia and the efforts made for their solution. G. Vashadze said
that Georgia regards with respect and attention all ideas voiced in
connection with the problems and is ready to discuss them seriously.

S. Sargsyan and G. Vashadze also exchanged opinions about regional
problems and the latest developments in the Armenian-Turkish
dialogue. Presenting Georgia’s position, G. Vashadze said that open
borders and normalization of relations will be favorable for the
development of the region and improvement of the atmosphere for
investments.

According to the RA President’s Press Office, the interlocutors
exchanged opinions about anti-crisis events undertaken by two
countries.

SOCHI TO HOST CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF ARMENIAN MUSICIAN GEGHAM GRIGORYAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.09.2009 20:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Sochi will host a celebration in honor of clarinet,
saxophone and duduk player Gegham Grigoryan on September 11 in the
framework of "Window to Europe" concert program. Sochi municipal
symphonic orchestra conducted by Andrey Lebedev will perform during
the event, yuga.ru reported.

FIRST ISSUE OF "TAXPAYER" RELEASED

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
04.09.2009 18:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ First issue of "Taxpayer" has been released. The
magazine is intended to keep the public aware of recent news in the
tax sphere of the country, press office of the Committee for State
Revenues of Armenia reports. The magazine will come each quarter and
tell about the most honest and dishonest taxpayers in the country.

"Taxpayer" will present articles written by independent experts
and highlight changes in tax legislation, both success stories and
failed businesses, address issues concerning both big and small
taxpayers. However, the magazine will tell the public about macro
and micro-economic development of the country and around the world

CANADA WELCOMES AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
04.09.2009 19:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Canada said Friday it welcomed an agreement between
Turkey and Armenia to start internal political consultations to
establish diplomatic relations and the development of bilateral
relations.

"The normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations will not only benefit
both nations and their citizens, but also enhance stability, security
and development within their turbulent and vital neighborhood,"
Lawrence Cannon, the Canadian foreign minister, said in a statement
on Friday.

The statement also recalled that Cannon recently met with Turkish
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Istanbul, where he stressed the
importance of dialogue between Turkey and Armenia, Anatolian News
Agency reported.

SYRIA WELCOMES TURKEY-ARMENIAN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

Qatar News Agency
September 2, 2009 Wednesday 6:00 PM EST

Damascus, September 02 (QNA) – Syria on Wednesday welcomed the
agreements that have been reached between Turkey and Armenian on
exchanging diplomatic ties and normalizing bilateral relations between
the two countries.

According to an official source at the Syrian Foreign Ministry,
Syria considers the development an important event that helps achieve
stability in the Caucasus.

The source hailed friendship and cooperation relations between Syria
and both Turkey and Armenia, commending the results of President
Bashar al-Assad’s two important visits few weeks ago to Armenia and
Azerbaijan, and the talks he held with the Turkish Prime Minister in
Aleppo, Syrian News Agency (Sana) said.

IAN MICALLEF SAYS INITIATIVE MUST BE MAINTAINED AND STRENGTHENED

Panorama.am
17:18 03/09/2009

Council of Europe Congress welcomes rapprochement between Armenia and
Turkey. In this regard the President of the Congress Ian Micallef said:
"I welcome the launch of discussions between Armenia and Turkey on
the normalisation of their bilateral relations, which should lead to
the establishment of diplomatic ties and the opening of the border
between these two member states of the Council of Europe."

"This is very good news for the region as a whole, but first and
foremost for these two countries. This reassuring step forward must
open new opportunities for Armenian and Turkish communities to reach
out to each other for dialogue, exchanges and cooperation across
the border, in the light of relevant Council of Europe conventions,"
underlined the Congress President a.i.

"The Congress monitors closely the situation of local and regional
democracy in Armenia and Turkey, and we are convinced that improving
relations between these two countries will further boost democratic
processes at all levels. The normalisation of bilateral relations
between Armenia and Turkey is pivotal for the overall stability in
the region. The momentum created by this initiative must be maintained
and strengthened," concluded Ian Micallef.

FOOTBALL IN THE SPOT OF TURKEY

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Sept 3 2009
Armenia

All World Cup 2010 qualifying round matches are significant for
Turkish team, particularly those with Armenian and Estonian squads,
Turkish national football team Head coach Fatih Terim stated, Haberler
website reports.

NEWS.am recalls, Turkey-Estonia match will take place in Kayseri
(Turkey), September 5, 2009. October 14, Armenia-Turkey match will
take place in Bursa city, at Ataturk stadium that seats 35 thousands
spectators. It will be the last match of Turkish national team in
the qualifying round.

Turkey ranked 27th in the FIFA standing list, Brazil is the first,
whereas Armenia â~@~T 125.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH: ARMENIA ENTERS DANGEROUS COURSE

Hurriyet Daily News
Sept 2 2009
Turkey

The administration in Nagorno-Karabakh is monitoring the recent
developments in the reconciliation process between Turkey and
Armenia. The text of the protocols that will be signed in six weeks to
normalize relations has come under the scrutiny of the administration.

Kegham Bagdasharyan, a member of the local parliament, said
Armenia entered a dangerous course by giving its consent to the
protocols. "This is the prevailing sentiment in the political circles
of Nagorno-Karabakh," he said answering the questions of Hurriyet
Daily News and economic Review via e-mail.

Turkey has gained many advandages, according to Bagdasaryan, who
argued that Armenia has accepted the preconditions of Turkey.

Bagdasharyan is not convinced by the fact that there is no mentioning
to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem in the protocols. "Although there is no
mention of the problem, we believe that the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh
will be part of the talks," he said, adding that there cannot be
a solution to the problem by excluding the representatives from
Nagorno-Karabakh.