Author: Babajanian Karo

PROBABILITY OF PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT STILL REMAINS

State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
January 12, 2012 Thursday

Deputy Chairman and Executive Secretary of New Azerbaijan Party Ali
Ahmadov commented on the next meeting of presidents Ilham Aliyev
of Azerbaijan and Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia to take place in Sochi,
Russia.

Ahmadov said peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
was a priority of the Azerbaijani government`s policy on the problem.

The potential of negotiations has not been exhausted though they
have been continuing for a long time. The probability of peaceful
settlement of the problem still remains. That is why Azerbaijan is
participating in the negotiation process.

Ahmadov noted we expect that Armenia will refrain from its
unconstructive position and adopt a decision on just settlement of the
problem. He added not only the Azerbaijani community, but the people
of Armenia, which faces economic problems and demographic disaster,
expect this.

TURKISH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SENDS LETTER TO PRESIDENT OF FRENCH SENATE ON ARMENIAN RESOLUTION

Anadolu Agency
Jan 13 2012
Turkey

ANKARA (A.A) -In a letter sent to the President of the French Senate,
Jean-Pierre Bel, Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek said that
he found it seriously hard to understand when a country, known
as a friend in Turkey, tries to be in the forefront of supporting
‘special memories’.

I believe that relevant countries should be able to establish their
own models for a just memory instead of artificial imposition regarding
historic issues that are in dispute, Cicek underlined in his letter.

I have written my letter to bring to your attention an issue that may
cause serious and permanent damage to deep rooted relations between
Turkey and France, Cicek told Bel in his letter.

I had informed the Speaker of the French Parliament about my
sensitivity on the relevant issue recently, Cicek stressed.

I felt a need to share with you some of my concerns after a resolution
criminalizing the rejection of Armenian allegations pertaining to
the incidents of 1915 was placed on the agenda of the French Senate,
Cicek said in his letter.

Since the French Parliament adopted the (Armenian) resolution on
December 22, 2011, our friendly relations have entered a phase of a
serious tension. We watch very closely the developments in France,
Cicek noted.

I have to remind you that Turkey has made various historic proposals
to Armenia to normalize relations, Cicek said.

I do hope that you will share my thoughts that it would be unethical
for a political organ to unilaterally carry an issue to its floor
before a legal and scientific consensus have been reached, Cicek
stressed.

The initiative placed on the agenda of the French Senate on January
23 leaves historic and scientific research under a threat, Cicek said.

I do not want to believe that an institution like the French Senate
would support efforts to limit the freedom of expression and disregard
universal values which France relies on so much, Cicek said.

Turkey must be given the opportunity to normalize relations with
Armenia and France’s contributions in this regard would be beneficial,
Cicek noted.

I preserve my belief that you would make timely and responsible efforts
so that the resolution does not hurt Turkish-French relations and that
it would not be a blow to the freedom of expression, Cicek concluded
his letter.

The lower house of the French parliament adopted in December a
resolution that criminalizes rejection of Armenian allegations
pertaining to the incidents of 1915. Only 70 out of 577
parliamentarians joined the voting of the resolution which was adopted
with majority of votes.

The resolution envisages “one-year prison term and 45,000 Euro fine for
those who deny genocide recognized by French laws.” French Parliament
had recognized so-called Armenian genocide in 1915 on January 29, 2001.

The draft criminalizing the rejection of Armenian allegations had
first been approved in 2006, but it could not become a law as French
President Nicolas Sarkozy prevented its presentation to Senate.

Now, the senate’s approval is necessary to make the resolution a law.

Turkey strongly opposes the issue of the incidents of 1915 being
used as a tool in French politics. Many believe that French President
Sarkozy supports the Armenian resolution in order to garner support
from France’s Armenian population that number around 500,000.

France will hold the first round of this year’s presidential election
on April 22 and the second round run-off on May 6. Sarkozy is running
for a second term.

The resolution will be brought up to the French Senate on January 23
with the government’s initiatives. Before it comes to the general
assembly, it will be submitted to special laws committee and
rapporteurs will prepare a report.

The committee can reject the bill, saying that it is against the
constitution.

If the resolution is not adopted at the senate till February 22, 2012
when the parliament and senate will recess for presidential elections,
it will be invalid.

ARMENIENS ET TURCS DE LA RADE DIVISES PAR LA PROPOSITION DE LOI

Var-Matin

12 janv 2012
France

Certains crimes perpetres il y a un siècle, a 3 000 kilomètres de la,
connaissent des retentissements jusqu’au pied du Faron. On a pu s’en
rendre compte ces dernières semaines. En fait, depuis que l’Assemblee
nationale a vote la loi penalisant la negation de tous les genocides,
et notamment celui du peuple armenien.

Car au sein de la communaute armenienne de Toulon (environ 150
familles), comme dans tout l’Hexagone, le sujet est encore brûlant.

Epidermique. Et l’association Abris Club, qui les represente, ne
cache pas son soulagement a quelques jours du passage du texte devant
le Senat.

En 2006, après deux decennies a militer, l’association avait deja
fait don a la ville d’un monument traditionnel, le Khatchkar,
installe square du Champs de Mars. Il s’agissait, entre autres, de
remercier les parlementaires varois de leur vote de 2001 en faveur
de la reconnaissance du genocide.

” Il n’y a aucune revendication communautariste ”

Le propos est aujourd’hui le meme, ou presque, pour Maryse Grigorian,
presidente de l’Abris Club : ” On a tous des aïeux qui ont ete
massacres. Et cette loi est une victoire qui va empecher les attaques
verbales dont on fait l’objet dans la rue ou dans les medias. ”

Pour autant, celle qui est aussi conseillère municipale se refuse
a cibler la communaute turque de Toulon (lire ci-dessous). ” On ne
veut pas jeter de l’huile sur le feu. Ce sont nos voisins “, insiste
Maryse Grigorian. ” C’est leur Etat qui est coupable, pas eux. Ici,
nos relations sont bonnes “.

De son côte, Alain Sarkissian, collaborateur au magazine Nouvelles
Armenie, juge “fondamental que l’Etat rende justice aux descendants des
1,5 million de morts. ” Et de repondre aux critiques stigmatisant une
loi ” memorielle ” : ” C’est au contraire une loi cadre qui n’empechera
pas les historiens de faire leur travail. Simplement, elle protegera
les Franco-armeniens de l’outrance, de la desinformation et des
agressions permanentes des negationnistes. ”

Professeure d’armenien au relais Peiresc, Arpine Roumaillac-Sargsyan
tient egalement a preciser qu’il n’y a plus de debat a nourrir sur la
nature de la tragedie en question : ” Quand le juriste Raphaël Lemkin
a cree le neologisme de ” genocide ” au procès de Nuremberg, c’etait
a propos des crimes perpetres contre les Juifs. Mais il s’etait base
sur sa connaissance des massacres turcs de 1915 pour sa definition. ”

Et Alain Sarkissian de conclure : ” Il n’y a aucune revendication
communautariste dans nos propos. Juste l’envie qu’une plaie se
referme. ”

Ma. D.

1. On estime que 500 000 Francais d’origine armenienne vivraient
dans l’Hexagone.

IRAN TO MAKE LARGE INVESTMENT IN ARMENIAN POWER SECTOR

FARS News Agency
January 11, 2012 Wednesday
Iran

TEHRAN (FNA)- An Iranian consortium of private sector companies will
invest $571 million in two Armenian projects for the transmission
lines between the two states.

According to an Iran Daily report, the investments will raise the power
of hydroelectric power plant on River Aras to 1.7 gig watt annually.

The agreement was reached during the Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad’s recent visit to Armenia.

Iranian Minister of Energy Majid Namjoo stated that Iran will build
a pipeline to transfer gas to Armenia and will import energy from
neighboring state.

Earlier Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi had told that
Armenian and Iranian sides had agreed on the trade list, which will be
exchanged on the lowest tariff and to enlarge the trans-border deals.

Besides, Armenia is an important neighbor of Iran.

KARABAKH AUTHORITIES COLLECT 23.7 BILLION DRAMS IN REVENUES LAST YEAR

/ARKA/
JANUARY 12, 2012
STEPANAKERT

STEPANAKERT, January 12. /ARKA /. According to preliminary data,
in 2011 Nagorno-Karabakh authorities collected 23.7 billion drams in
taxes, state dues and compulsory social security payments, by 2.2%
more than planned, and by 10.3% more than in 2010, according to a
report on the website of Nagorno-Karabakh State Tax Service.

Some 17.050.8 billion drams were collected as taxes and state dues,
up from planned 16.7 billion drams (2.1% increase) and by 10.6% up
from 2001 figure. Also about 6.665.9 billion drams were collected
as mandatory social security payments, 165.9 million drams up from
projected number and by 574.1 million drams more from a year before.

ANONYMOUS BENEFACTOR PROVIDES FIREWOOD, CLOTHING TO HOMELESS FAMILY IN GYUMRI

NEWS.am
January 12, 2012 | 16:35

GYUMRI. – An anonymous benefactor answered to the call of Shirak
Center’s video, entitled “The little girl, who was violated against,
lives in a poor family,” which Armenian News-NEWS.am also posted.

Immediately after the posting of the video, an Armenian living in
Europe called the Center’s office and asked that firewood be purchased,
with the money he will send, and that the firewood be given to the
family portrayed in the video.

And on Thursday, members from the Shirak Center provided to the
said family, which has three underage children and which lives in a
derelict shelter, the firewood bought with the money sent from the
anonymous benefactor and the clothing provided from capital Yerevan’s
“For Armenia” Charitable NGO.

RELATIONS WITH MINSK AND TSARUKYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 16:30:33 – 12/01/2012

The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that the trade
circulation with Armenia decreased by one third according to the
results of the last year. According to him, there are objective and
subjective reasons for the decrease. He made these statements at the
meeting with the Head of the National Security Council of Armenia
Arthur Baghdasaryan in Minsk.

“We are in the same military-political union – CSTO. There are
no closed topics here, we are ready to discuss any issue of our
cooperation. You can rely on everything we have”, he said.

Lukashenko noted that the Armenian party made a number of proposals
to expand the trade-economic relations with Belarus. In particular,
the point is about deliveries to Armenia of agricultural machinery
production, food and consumer goods. “We are ready to find ways to
organize the supply of our products in Armenia”, said Lukashenko.

Besides, he noted that the Belarusian side is ready to cooperation
with Armenia on the creation of joint enterprises of assembly of
certain types of machinery and equipment.

At the same time he did not mention the reasons of the decrease
of the trade circulation. As we know, earlier the leader of the
Prosperous Armenia party used to deal with the cooperation with
Belarus. Gagik Tsarukyan, on behalf of Armenia, used to lead
international negotiations without a relevant status.

Gagik Tsarukyan has recently lost political positions in Armenia,
anyway, he is no longer delegated to meetings with presidents and he
is not instructed development of international relations. Moreover,
with Belarus which sells weapons to Azerbaijan with great pleasure.

ORIENTALIST: WAR IN IRAN MAY CATALYZE NEW WAR IN KARABAKH

arminfo
Thursday, January 12, 14:27

Possible war in Iran may catalyze a new war in Karabakh and affect
the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Orientalist Mher
Baghdasaryan said in a press conference in Yerevan on January 12.

In case of another conflict flashpoint in the region and, in fact,
destabilization of the situation, Azerbaijan may unleash a new war.

The West is well-aware, he says, that it is impossible to make Armenia
join the sanctions against Iran for Armenia and Iran are neighbors
having good relations. In addition, for Armenia Iran is the only way
out from the blockade that has been organized by Turkey and Azerbaijan,
because the border with Georgia is rather unreliable, in this light.

The expert thinks that possible military actions in Iran will
affect the social and economic situation in Armenia considering
the economic relations of the two countries and possible inflow of
refugees. To recall, EU states adopted a decision to postpone the EU
Ministerial Meeting, which will study possible Iranian oil embargo,
from December 30 to January 23. The European Union has reiterated
plans to impose sanctions on Iran while the United States has vowed
to protect international shipping lanes after Tehran threatened to
close the vital Strait of Hormuz in response to Western measures. In
conditions of such growing tension between Iran and the Western states,
China has repeatedly come out for diplomatic resolution of the issue
for the peace and stability in the region.

MEMORIAL ARMENIEN : LE TRIBUNAL DONNE RAISON A GERARD COLLOMB

LyonCapitale

11 janv 2012
France

Le combat entre les opposants au memorial armenien situe place Antonin
Poncet a Lyon 2e et la mairie de Lyon vient certainement de trouver
son epilogue avec la decision, le 30 decembre dernier, du tribunal
administratif de Lyon. Le juge a estime a cette date que la requete
de l’Association de defense et de protection des places Bellecour
et Antonin Poncet devait etre rejetee. Ses membres demandaient
l’annulation de la decision du maire de Lyon, le 23 juillet 2008,
de ne pas dresser de procès-verbal d’infraction pour non respect de
la loi sur l’urbanisme concernant le memorial. Ils estimaient que
cela aurait dû etre le cas dans la mesure où le memorial avait ete
construit sans demande de permis de construire, necessaire a l’epoque
pour les monuments construits dans le champ d’un bâtiment historique.

Pour autant, le tribunal a rejete leur requete faisant valoir qu’au
moment de la decision du maire en 2008 de ne pas dresser de PV
d’infraction, le code de l’urbanisme avait evolue n’exigeant plus de
demande de permis hors des sites classes, ce qui n’est pas le cas de
la place Antonin Poncet. Le tribunal a estime que le maire de Lyon
etait legitime a s’inspirer du nouveau code au moment où il avait
pris sa decision de ne pas attaquer le memorial en juillet 2008.

GENOCIDE ARMENIEN: UNE MAJORITE VOTERA LE TEXTE

Europe1.fr

11 janv 2012
France

Une majorite de senateurs socialistes et communistes voteront le 23
janvier la proposition de loi sanctionnant la negation de tous les
genocides, dont celui des Armeniens de 1915, ont indique mercredi
leurs chefs de file, Francois Rebsamen et Nicole Borvo Cohen-Seat. Une
majorite de droite etant egalement acquise au texte, encouragee par
le president Nicolas Sarkozy, la proposition de loi a de grandes
chances d’etre adoptee conforme (sans etre amendee) par le Senat et
donc definitivement par le parlement francais.

“Une majorite de socialistes va voter ce texte, mais ceux qui
ne le souhaitent pas sont libres de ne pas le voter”, a declare
Francois Rebsamen. “Il ne s’agit pas d’un texte memoriel mais de la
penalisation de tous les genocides reconnus par la loi francaise. Pour
les Armeniens, ce texte est un texte de justice”, a ajoute le president
du groupe PS du Senat.

“Malheureusement, les conditions precipitees dans lesquelles Nicolas
Sarkozy a voulu faire adopter ce texte creuse encore un peu plus
le fosse entre les communautes turques et armeniennes. Il faudrait
du temps, du dialogue, mais puisque ce texte est la, par coherence,
nous le voterons”, a insiste le senateur-maire de Dijon.