Author: Babajanian Karo

Interfax, Russia
Oct 7 2011

EU programs should not become a source of new wars – Armenian president

YEREVAN. Oct 7

Programs of the European Union should promote peace and help countries
in the region develop at an equal pace, Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan said.

“We treat EU countries’ aspiration to ensure energy security and to
diversify energy sources with respect and understanding. But these
programs need to help countries develop at an equal pace, while their
results should serve peace, but should not become a source of new
wars,” Sargsyan said at a joint press conference with French President
Nicolas Sarkozy in Yerevan on Friday.

“We expect EU countries to pay close attention to our country’s
security and stability in our region,” the Armenian president said.

Sarkozy, for his part, said that an assessment mission would arrive in
Armenia soon to analyze the possibility of helping the country
implement its nuclear power projects.

“We will do everything we can to assist Armenia in its search for new
energy sources,” he said.

tm

news.az, Azerbaijan
Oct 7 2011

‘Stronger and developed Azerbaijan does not suit Iran’s interests’
Fri 07 October 2011 05:57 GMT | 1:57 Local Time

Iran is worried over development of Azerbaijan and its strengthening
position in the region.
The statement came from Chairwoman of the Denmark-based
Azerbaijan-Turk Union of Women Anakhanim Huseynova while commenting on
anti-Azerbaijan policies of Iran.

‘Iranian politicians believe that Azerbaijan will pursue policies that
would suit their interests and will obey instructions from Tehran.
This is impossible. They need to understand that Azerbaijan is not
Armenia, Palestine and Lebanon for them. This is Azerbaijan,’
Huseynova said.

Today Iran is also concerned over creation of a stronger Azerbaijani
diaspora abroad, she noted.

`Iran is concerned over this factor very much. In general, Iran is
fearful of unification of Azerbaijanis from around the world and the
process of building stronger diaspora. Stronger and developed
Azerbaijan does not suit Iran’s interests,’ Huseynova added.

Gun.Az

Trend, Azerbaijan
Oct 7 2011

German ruling party: Fictitious `Armenian Genocide’ cannot be
submitted to Bundestag for discussion

7 October 2011, 17:32 (GMT+05:00) Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct.7 / Trend M. Aliyev /

The fictitious “Armenian genocide” cannot be submitted to the
Bundestag for discussion, Germany’s ruling party member Steffen Lemme,
who is on visit to Baku, told journalists on Friday.

“Armenia and countries with such problems should resolve their
problems with other countries with more progressive methods, because
at this stage an attempt to achieve recognition of unproved events as
genocide is misplaced,” Lemme said.

He said no European country can recognize “Armenian genocide” either
now or in the future.

Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that the predecessor of Turkey –
Ottoman Empire had committed the 1915 genocide against the Armenians
living in Anadolu. The Armenians, willing the recognition of this fact
in the world, achieved recognition of the “Armenian Genocide” by the
parliaments of some countrues, by strengthening the propaganda of the
so-called “genocide” in the world countries.

Los Angeles Times
Oct 8 2011

Armenian spiritual leader visits L.A. area
October 8, 2011

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia and
spiritual leader of Armenian Diaspora, visited Glendale Memorial
Hospital Friday as part of a larger tour of Southern California.

Having proclaimed 2011 `The Year of the Armenian Child,’ the pontiff
bestowed blessings to some of the hospital’s patients, newborns and
other visitors, organizers told La Canada Valley Sun.

The pontiff’s itinerary for his 20-day tour includes a lecture at UCLA
and visits to local churches, schools and other organizations.

STATUE BY AUGUSTE RODIN OPENS AT THE FRANCE SQUARE

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 7, 2011
YEREVAN

Jules Bastien-Lepage statue by Auguste Rodin was solemnly opened today
at the France Square in Yerevan. President of France Nicolas Sarkozy
said at the opening that the statue made by Roden will accomplish the
appearance of the Square. He reminded that world famous sculptor has
close ties with Armenia.

Sarkozy also expressed delight for being in Armenia after few days
of marking the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. He said
Roden belongs to the intellectuals who condemned the mass pogroms
that were pre-signs of the tragedy the Armenian people suffered.

“From the very beginning Armenia was in the heart of France. Our two
countries are very similar with their national profile. Like Armenia,
France has history of millenniums and is connected with its culture”,
Sarkozy said adding that the roots of Armenia and France go deep
to history.

SARKOZY, SARGSYAN UNVEIL RODIN’S SCULPTURE IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 7, 2011 – 11:54 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and his French
counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy have unveiled a sculpture by Auguste
Rodin in the center of Yerevan.

“This generous gift will symbolize the eternal and inviolable
friendship between Armenia and France,” RA President said, thanking
the French people for giving shelter to hundreds of thousands of
Armenians, who escaped the 1915 Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.

“France recognized and condemned this crime against humanity, openly
calling it Genocide.”

“Armenians here and abroad love France, its culture and values.

Armenian-French ties go centuries back. France supports Armenia’s
efforts for resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and rendered
invaluable assistance after the 1988 earthquake. God bless France
and Armenian-French friendship,” President Sargsyan said.

Mr. Sarkozy, in turn, thanked the Armenian community for its important
role in his country’s life. “Long live Armenia, long live France,
long live brotherhood!” he said.

COURT ANNOUNCED HARSH VERDICTS ON LEADERS OF AZERBAIJANI ISLAMIC PARTY

Azerireport
October 7, 2011

BAKU. October 7, 2011: Today, Baku Court for Heavy Crimes announced
verdicts against the leadership of the Islamic Party of Azerbaijan.

Seven people standing the trial received a total of 66 years and
half in prison for storing an illegal stocks of weapons, “making
anti-state statements,” spreading religious hatred and hostility
through making public statements at Sahar TV (an Iranian TV channel in
Azeri broadcasted from Iran to Azerbaijan for the propaganda purposes)
and scores of other amorphous accusations. As the Court announced
the verdict against the leaders of the Islamic Party, its supporters
clashed with the police outside the court-hall. Some of the protesters
were injured as a result of this confrontation. Click here for video

The local media speculates that the trial over the leadership of the
Azerbaijani Islamic Party (AIP) has nothing to do with the formal
accusations and has a lot to do with the statement of the Islamic
party chairman Movsum Samadov on January 2 this year, in which he
denounced president Ilham Aliyev, called him a godless gambler, and
called on the Azeri people to struggle against him. The presiding
judge, when announcing the verdict, quoted from Movsum Samadov’s
January 2 speech: “Movsum Samadov quoted prophet Muhammad saying
“Whenever your religion faces a danger, forsake your life and save
your religion!” Isn’t it that day today? Therefore the Azerbaijani
people should rise on this issue and be on the alert. If some people
encroach upon our religion, our conscious, our afterlife, we will raise
our hands on their present life. Today, the Azerbaijani people should
put an end to the government of the evil regime and its Yezidi faced
(hinting at the Armenian Yezidi Kurdish ancestry of Ilham Aliyev –
ed.) leader.” Click here for Movsum Samadov’s January 2 Speech

Movsum Samadov’s speech came as a response to the decision of the
Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan to ban hijab (Muslim headcover
for women) in secondary and high schools of the country. Shortly
after Movsum Samadov’s speech was circulated through Youtube, police
announced to have found weapons from the house of Movsum Samadov’s
relatives. Azerbaijan Islamic Party maintained that the police
had planted those weapons there and that the party leader and his
relatives were punished for Samadov’s January 2 speech against the
president Aliyev.

The Court announced the verdict against the following people sentencing
them to the following jail terms: AIP chairman Movsum Samadov – 12
years; AIP deputy chairman Vagif Abdullayev – 11 years; chairman of
Astara regional branch of AIP Rufulla Akhundzade – 11 years and half;
Movsum Samadov’s brother in law Firdovsi Mammadrzayev – 10 years;
Movsum Samadov’s cousin Dayanat Samadov – 10 years; Masalli cleric
Feramiz Abbasov – 11 years. Theologist Zulfugar Mikayilzade was not
sent to jail and was sentenced to 11 years in parole (it is called
conditional sentence in Azerbaijani criminal law)

NICOLAS SARKOZY SAYS “TSEGHASPANUTYUN”

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 7, 2011
YEREVAN

France has recognized the genocide of a whole nation calling it what
it really is, President of France Nicolas Sarkozy stated today at
the opening of statue by Auguste Rodin in the France Square in Yerevan.

The French President pronounced the Armenian equivalent of the term
– tseghaspanutyun.

“Turkey too must come to terms with the history, realizing the
gravity of the crime it has committed against the collective memory of
Armenians. There is no deep wound that cannot be treated, there is no
deep hole that cannot be filled. France has chosen this way together
with Germany after 1945 when the invasion and war memory were still
painful. Armenians, Azerbaijanis and Turks must also pass this way”,
Sarkozy said, adding that like the RA president and the Armenian
people have the will. Sarkozy said it is the message of peace that
he will take to Baku to Aliyev and Turkish leaders.

“The terrible tragedies of the past century united our two peoples
in inviolable friendship. Immediately after the first genocide of the
contemporary history tens of thousands of Armenians sought for asylum
in France finding there their second homeland, but continuing keeping
Armenia in their hearts”, President of France said, adding that he
is proud of the Armenian people who enriched the country with their
talent and work.

“Besides France, no other country understands better what means
Nagorno Karabakh for Armenia”, Sarkozy said. He said France, the USA
and Russia are ready to double efforts for finding peaceful, frank,
stable settlement of the conflict.

The president concluded his speech by saying “Viva Armenia, Viva
France” in Armenian.

SARKOZY UTTERS THE WORD “GENOCIDE” IN ARMENIAN
Alisa Gevorgyan

“Radiolur”
07.10.2011 17:41

Today, the Presidents of Armenia and France Serzh Sargsyan and Nicolas
Sarkozy, together with world-famous chansonnier Charles Aznavour
attended the official opening of the home-museum of the great singer
in Yerevan.

Later, at the France Square the Presidents of Armenia and France made
statements and unveiled the Auguste Rodin sculpture of painter Jules
Bastien-Lepage. The sculpture is a gift of the French Republic to
the Republic of Armenia.

Yerevan will hardly remember any warmer reception that this. Perhaps,
it was only the visit of the ex-President of France, Jacques Chirac,
created this much enthusiasm in the Armenian capital.

“This is a wonderful morning in Yerevan – amazing weather, great mood,
enjoyable ambience, and nice people. This is how we welcome our good
friend, my good friend, the President of France Nicolas Sarkozy. Mr.

President, we welcome you in the Motherland of the entire Armenian
nation, in the capital of the Republic of Armenia, which just days
ago celebrated its 20th anniversary,” President Serzh Sargsyan stated.

“From now on the work of a French genius, the sculpture of painter
Jules Bastien-Lepage will be standing here, at the France Square. This
magnificent gift by Auguste Rodin and Nicolas Sarkozy will forever
symbolize the eternal and unbreakable Armenian-French friendship,”
Serzh Sargsyan stated, adding that “for a number of reasons, France
and the Armenian-French relations have a special meaning for us.” The
first and foremost – Armenians in Armenia and elsewhere love France.

The rich French culture, which left an indelible mark in the human
civilization and system of values are close and much cherished by
the Armenian people.”

Our country has close historic ties with France and almost half a
million large Armenian community of France. “Historical, cultural
and civilization values which join us together became the pillar on
which the Armenian-French interstate relations were established and
now develop. France extended a helping hand to Armenia from day one
of our independence and supported us at the most exigent moments. In
the person of France we have a friend with whom we have shared our
joy and concerns,” the Armenian President stated.

“Armenia has always been in the hearts of French people. Our countries
are very much alike,” French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated,
in turn, adding that the terrible events at the turn of the last
century reinforced the friendship between the two peoples. “France
recognized the crime against a whole nation, calling it “genocide,”
Sarkozy said, repeating the word in Armenian.

“Turkey should look its history into the face,” the French President
stated. “Despite the lasting blockade, the artificial isolation and
the sufferings, the 20-year-old Republic of Armenia has managed to
withstand all challenges thanks to the virtues of its people, their
diligence and the desire to succeed, features which admire Armenia’s
friends, particularly France, convincing everyone that Armenia will
be able to withstand the future challenges, as well,” he said.

“No country will understand what Nagorno Karabakh means to Armenia
better than France. Seventeen years after the war, which caused so
many deaths and sufferings, the time has come to resolve the conflict
and find the way to reconciliation. I’ll also deliver this message
to President Aliyev in Baku. The history of France and Germany shows
that even the biggest pain can be softened and the deepest hatred
can be overcome, and even during the most difficult moments of their
history peoples can find the strength for reconciliation,” Nicolas
Sarkozy said, adding that the friendship between Germany and France
is the cornerstone of European construction today.

“You, Armenians and Azerbaijanis, should choose this path. The time
has come for you to make a risky choice for peace, as there is no
bigger danger than the preservation of status-quo which gives birth
to illusions, provokes revenge and moves off all the prospects for
peace,” he said.

“There exists one format to bolster the efforts of the international
community for the settlement of the Karabakh issue – the Minsk Group.

Each of three Co-Chair states enjoys the confidence of two sides and
is involved in the process of definition of conditions for conflict
settlement. But the Armenians and Azerbaijanis themselves should find
this path themselves. We can help, but we can never establish peace
instead of you,” Sarkozy stated.

FRANCE WILL BUILD NPP IN ARMENIA

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 13:44:41 – 07/10/2011

The press service of the president reports today Serzh Sargsyan had a
private meeting with the French President Nikolas Sarkozy, currently
on a state visit in Armenia.

The joint press conference of both presidents followed the meeting.

During the meeting, President Sargsyan awarded his French
counterpart with Order of Glory for strengthening the Armenian
and French traditionally friendly ties, for deepening and widening
the cooperation, as well as for his personal contribution to the
international peace and security.

Along with the private meeting of the president, a meeting of official
delegations of both countries took place which discussed a range of
issues with regards to the French-Armenian cooperation in various
spheres.

Serzh Sargsyan noted during the press conference that during his
meeting with his French counterpart the two leaders agreed on the
involvement of French companies in the different spheres of the
Armenian economy, in particular, in the construction of NPP and
development of a number of infrastructures.

He noted that the French party confirmed its willingness to support
Armenia’s efforts aimed at the European integration.

Serzh Sargsyan underlined that the balanced and impartial approach
of such influential countries as France in the Karabakh conflict
settlement is perceived by the Armenian society as an important
message to the establishment of long-time peace and stimulation of
regional cooperation.