Author: Babajanian Karo

SIDAR GLOBAL ADVISORS: FRANCE MAY NOT BE REGARDED AS AN IMPARTIAL MEDIATOR, DUE TO THE RECENT FRENCH SENATE VOTE

Milaz.info
Jan 26 2012
Azerbaijan

“In practice, there are a number of diplomatic, political and economic
sanctions Turkey could impose”

The Washington, DC-based Sidar Global Advisors (SGA) analytical group
mentions in its next special research that France may not be regarded
as an impartial mediator, due to the recent French Senate vote on
1915 events.

“Azerbaijan has condemned the vote in the French Senate and is
lobbying for France to no longer be a co-chairman in the OSCE Minsk
Group which is attempting to come up with a peaceful resolution to the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. Certainly, the Armenian President has warmly
thanked French lawmakers for passing the bill”, says the research,
APA’s US correspondent reports.

According to the authors, in Turkey PM Erdogan has vehemently
criticized the French parliament for approving a “discriminatory and
racist bill”, but Turkish policymakers are refraining from launching
retaliatory measures and are instead pressing French Senators to
appeal to the Constitutional Court.

“In practice, there are a number of diplomatic, political and
economic sanctions Turkey could impose. Diplomatic relations could be
downgraded to the lowest possible level of charge d’affaires. Turkish
airspace and waters could be closed to French military aircraft and
vessels. Educational and cultural ties would likely suffer. Officials
in Ankara could further press their claims that France had committed
genocide against the Algerian people in the 1950s and 1960s”, the
research says.

In the meanwhile, because Turkey and France are both members of the
World Trade Organization and the EU’s Customs Union, Sidar analysts
believe that, “it would not be possible for Ankara to organize an
official boycott of French goods and services”.

“But, with public opinion in Turkey enraged and all opposition
parties backing the stance of the ruling AK Party, Turkish consumer
bodies could stage unofficial boycotts of French products. If such
a campaign was to be sustained over a prolonged period it would be
bound to have an impact on bilateral trade turnover which amounted
to about $14 billion in the last year”.

The SGA believes that one likely casualty of a breakdown in
Turkish-French relations will be those French firms which are competing
to secure lucrative defense contracts in Turkey. By next summer
officials in Ankara will have probably decided on a $4 billion contract
to provide Turkey with long-range missile and air-defense systems.

“Turkey’s accession process to the EU would become even more
difficult. Possible future NATO engagement in Syria would become
increasingly problematic given that Turkey would be bound to play a key
role in any military operation. The possibility of any rapprochement
between Turkey and Armenia would be effectively buried”, says the
report.

In SGA’s opinion, Turkish decision-makers will also now be more
concerned that the influential Armenian Diaspora in the US will
intensify their efforts to secure passage of legislation in Congress
which would make 24 April a day to commemorate officially the
“Armenian genocide”.

“Given the breakdown in relations between Turkey and Israel, the
Israeli lobby can no longer be relied upon to block such legislation.

In an attempt to counter the arguments of the Armenian Diaspora,
Turkish officials would once again impress upon President Obama the
strategic significance of Turkey for the US”, notes the authors,
adding, however, because of the extent of the dependence of Turkey
on US arms procurements, it is difficult to envision Ankara freezing
out Washington from future defense contracts in the event that the
US officially recognizes the “Armenian genocide”.

BAKU-TBILISI-KARS RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY

The Messenger
Jan 26 2012
Georgia

Minister for Regional Development and Infrastructure, Ramaz
Nikolaishvili, held a meeting on January 23 with the heads of those
companies building the Georgian segment of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars
railway. Construction began on the project in 2007, in order to connect
the Caspian Sea region to Turkey via Georgia, bypassing Armenia.

The Armenian government has offered to provide rail linkages for a
similar route, however due to the ongoing conflict with over Karabakh,
Azerbaijan has rejected this option.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway will potentially connect to European
railways.

Jirayr Sefilyan: Only a crazy man may expect for the “leadership in
the region” from the Armenian army commanded by general-oligarchs

arminfo
Friday, January 27, 15:37

Only a crazy man may expect for the so-called “leadership in the
region” from the Armenian army commanded by general-oligarchs, a
member of the “Sardarapat” initiative group, Karabakh war hero, Jirayr
Sefilyan, told journalists today.

“Before the tragedy in the Armenian parliament on 27 October 1999, the
people which are called “knucklehead” were commanding by the army and
observing no laws. The situation has changed but not to better after
the 27th October when the knucklehead commanders were replaced by the
generals and commanders which serve only to the interests of the
power, that is to say, the oligarchs of the new generation”, – he said
and added that in such conditions the Armenian army is preserved not
to protect the native land but to protect and serve to the present
regime. For this reason, it is in an extremely slumpy situation.

He also added that it is nonsense when the authorities of the republic
say that the Armenian army is the most combat-capable in the South
Caucasus region. He said that fortunately the situation in the
neighboring Azerbaijan is not better than in Armenia with all the
stemming from it consequences. “But we have got another not less
“friendly” neighbour, Turkey, which really own a powerful army.
Incidentally, there is no hint in the military doctrine of Armenia,
what we shall do if the threat of the Turkish aggression appears.
Unfortunately, in everything regarding Turkey our authorities are used
to rely on Russia, which is the worst display of their slavish
mentality. In such conditions we cannot speak about development of the
Armed Forces”, – the Karabakh war hero concluded.

Armenians in Russia should sign for State Duma to adopt bill
criminalizing denial of Armenian Genocide

news.am
January 28, 2012 | 22:50

MOSCOW. – Duty of every citizen of Russia of the Armenian descent is
to sign under the call for the Russian State Duma to adopt a bill
criminalizing denial of Nazi crimes and the Armenian Genocide in
1915-22 in Turkey, head of Hamshen Armenian scientific information
-cultural center Artavazd Tulumjyan said.

`We had to raise the issue sooner or later,’ he told Yerkramas
Russia-based Armenian newspaper. `We, as one of the hugest Armenian
communities in the world, cannot stay aside. Since the process started
and increases, I believe it is the duty of every Armenian in Russia to
sign under the call.’

To note, the action was initiated by the Union of Armenians in Sochi
and supported by Assyrians, Kazaks and Greeks in Russia.

Zhoghovurd: Robert Kocharyan to make public statement

12:01 – 28.01.12

The paper says it has learned from ”well-informed sources ” that
Armenia’s second president, Robert Kocharyan, intends to make a public
statement on Monday.

It says the ex president, who attended Army Day celebrations on
Friday, is going to express his dissatisfaction with the current
situation in Armenia.

According to the paper, Kocharyan is also going to address such issues
as the possible alliance between political forces, the debates on
adopting a 100% proportional representation system, the Armenia-Turkey
reconciliation and the development stemming from that process.

”It is hard to say whether Kocharyan will declare intention to return
to politics or close the topic. Nonetheless, he is expected to address
the issue, ” the paper says, adding that its attempts to find out
anything on such possibility turned out unsuccessful as Kocharyan ‘s
spokesperson, Victor Soghomonyan, would not answer its phone calls.

Tert.am

An Evening on the Story of the Holy Cross of Aghtamar

Armenian history is an interest for a lot of Armenians, quite possibly
because it is fundamental in defining our rich national identity.

On Tuesday 3rd December, courtesy of Hamazkayin UK, we were honoured
by the presence of Bedros Tomassian as he delivered his lecture titled
“The Holy Cross Church of Aghtamar Throughout History”.

Bedros Tomassian was born in 1954 in Basra, Iraq. He graduated from
the University of Baghdad with a BSc in Civil Engineering. A
self-taught historian specialising in the peoples of Mesopotamia and
the Armenian Highlands, Mr Tomassian has lectured in cities spanning
half the globe: from Iraq to Glendale, where he now resides. In
addition he has written a series of articles which have featured in
newsletters such as “Lradoo” – the Armenian Youth Association of
California (AYAC) newsletter. In 2006 he published his first book
entitled “The Armenian Highlands and Mesopotamia” and is currently
working on a follow-up.

After an opening speech by Zvart Stepanian, Mr Tomassian took the
podium at the Navasartian Centre and began his lecture – one which he
has delivered no less than four times already in various parts of Los
Angeles. We journeyed through the ages of the history of the Van
region, now in eastern Turkey, as the story of the Aghtamar Church
unfolded. The lecture was scattered with useful graphs and images
demonstrating the amazing civilisation our nation once had in the form
of the Artzruni Van Kingdom. His descriptive explanations and the
level of detail that he divulged captivated the audience, who engaged
with him at length during the Q&A session.

Aghtamar is an island in the Van Lake which, during the Artzruni
period, became the centre of the region with a palace and the famous
church. Perhaps all of us have heard of the ancient folk story of how
Aghtamar’s name came to be, however Mr Tomassian has amassed evidence
that strongly links the name “Aghtamar” with an ancient Urartu King.
The church of Sourp Khach (Holy Cross) was built in 921 by King Gagik
Artstruni, and recently surfaced in the news because the Turkish
Government, as a show of “tolerance” of its 700,000 or so Armenians,
reconstructed the church in the shape of a secular museum, topped with
a Turkish flag on the site. All at the cost of approximately $1.5
million – a number that bears only too much significance for
Armenians.

Aghtamar was a political stronghold; and a base of culture,
renaissance and religion. The Holy Cross Church of Aghtamar is a
shining beacon of Armenian identity which endured the centuries and,
against substantial odds, unrelenting invasions from the Mongols,
Arabs, Ottomans and various other empires. One could suggest that
there is a resemblance between Aghtamar and Armenia today, as we too
have survived through persistent hardships, arriving at the present
where we can raise our flag and proudly call ourselves Armenian. Sadly
though, again not unlike Aghtamar, we have declined since our peak of
thousands of years ago. However, with unity and determination we can
leave behind mere survival and enter another period of prosperity,
despite the turbulent waters which have and may forever surround us.

This was Bedros Tomassian’s second lecture in London within the last 3
years and it’s left us hungry for more. Fortunately he possesses a
wealth of knowledge which he has yet to impart to our community, and
we await his next visit.

– Vahe Boghosian

Ukrainian writer deems Genocide motion vital to justice restoration

January 28, 2012 – 13:35 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – French Senate’s adoption of the bill criminalizing
the Armenian Genocide denial is a vital step towards restoring
historical justice, a prominent Ukrainian author said.

`France always showed proper respect for the Armenians and the
Armenian Diaspora played a crucial role in the country. Hopefully,
many states will follow France’s suit,’ Vasily Shklyar told
Analitika.at.ua.

On January 23, the French Senate passed the bill criminalizing the
Armenian Genocide denial with 127 votes for and 86 against. To be
signed into law within 14 days, the bill will impose a 45,000 euro
fine and a year in prison for anyone in France who denies this crime
against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire.

Armenian army best in the region – Chief of police

news.am
January 28, 2012 | 11:42

YEREVAN. – Chief of Armenia’s police Vladimir Gasparyan considers the
Armenian Army is the best in the region.

Speaking about the challenges the Armenian Armed forced are faced
with, Gasparyan told jounrlists it is necessary to improve technical
base of the army and raise professionalism of the soldiers and
officers.

Gaspryan congratulated the Armenian people on the Army Day calling to
do their best to improve and strengthen the army.

Azerbaijani society aware of sultan on throne – Colonel-General Yuri Khachaturov

news.am
January 28, 2012 | 12:45

YEREVAN.- The Armenian Army has become strong, said Chief of General
Staff of Armenian Armed Forces, Colonel-General Yuri Khachaturov.

Congratulating the Armenian nation on the Army Day, he said the most
considerable achievement is high level of skills of the officers.

Colonel-General also touched upon the issues related to Azerbaijan’s
military rhetoric, saying the Azerbaijani society feels it is ruled by
the regime of a sultan.

NKR President sends a congratulatory letter to President Sargsyan

armradio.am
28.01.2012 13:16

On 28 January President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan
sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Armenia
Serzh Sargsyan in connection with the 20th anniversary of formation of
the Armenian Army, Central Information Department of the Office of the
NKR Republic President reported. The letter runs as follows:

`On behalf of the people, authorities of Artsakh and and on my own
behalf, I cordially congratulate You on the Army Day.

This year we celebrate the 20th anniversary of formation of our
glorious army. It is indeed a national army that having passed a
difficult and heroic way became the main guarantor of our peace and
security.

You have been standing at the origins of the formation of the Armenian
armed forces and today as a Supreme Commander-inChief You do
everything possible for the army to be powerful and efficient, ready
to successfully fulfill tasks set before it.

We are proud to have such a victorious army, brave and patriotic
soldiers who serve devotedly to their Motherland and people.

I once again congratulate You and the whole personnel of the Armenian
Army on this sacramental holiday and wish peace, robust health and
greatest successes for the glory of free and independent Armenia and
Artsakh, the bright future of our people.’