Author: Babajanian Karo

, Turkey
July 13 2013

Turkey rebuffs Armenian prosecutor’s border remarks

Gumrukcu stressed the remarks of an official post like the Chief
Prosecutor’s reflected the problematic mentality prevailing in Armenia
on Turkish-Armenian relations and its neighbour Turkey’s territorial
integrity.

Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Levent Gumrukcu said on Friday that
Turkey regretted the Armenian Chief prosecutor’s remarks on the
Turkish-Armenian border.

Armenian Chief Prosecutor Aghvan Hovsepyan stated during the
Pan-Armenian Lawyers Congress on July 5 and 6 that the
Turkish-Armenian border wasn’t determined legally and the lost
Armenian territories, as he claimed, must be returned to Armenia.

Gumrukcu stressed that the remarks of an official post like the Chief
Prosecutor’s reflected the problematic mentality prevailing in Armenia
on Turkish-Armenian relations and its neighbour Turkey’s territorial
integrity.

He argued that the statement also contradicted the obligations of
Armenia to the international organizations with which it is affiliated
such as the United Nations (UN) and Organization for Security and
Coordination in Europe (OSCE).

“It must be known that nobody can dare to claim territory from
Turkey,” he urged.

AA

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
July 12 2013

Azerbaijan says Armenia does not clear mines

12 July 2013 – 1:50pm

Nazim Ismaylov, Director General of the Azerbaijan National Agency for
Mine Action (ANAMA), said that Armenia was not clearing its territory
of mines, 1news.az reports.

He reminded that the US State Department helped the Armenian Defense
Ministry form a center to remove mines in 2001. The Armenian center
got the same amount of financial support as ANAMA, but showed less
progress in mine-sweeping, the official noted.

Ismaylov emphasized that Armenia had fewer mines laid on its
territory. The main threat comes from mines of old Soviet training
ranges, on the border of Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan that need
removal.

Azerbaijani president still playing with dolls

July 13, 2013 | 15:04

Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev is still playing with dolls.

On the occasion of the birthday of his eldest daughter, Leyla Aliyeva,
he gave a unique present to her: a special doll with her face.

It was Leyla’s birthday on July 3, and Aliyeva wrote about this in her
social network page.

The special doll is named Leyla, too.

The Facebook users are spreading the photos of the doll and actively
discussing this unexpected present by the Azerbaijani president.

To note, Ilham Aliyev’s eldest daughter turned 27 years old, and she
is married to the singer son of a Russian oligarch.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Monaco and Moscow, Ukrainian and Turkish clubs are interested in me – Ozbilis

July 13, 2013

Monaco, several Moscow teams and one club each from Ukraine and Turkey
are interested in my services, Armenian national football team and
Russia’s FC Kuban Krasnodar midfielder Aras Ozbilis told Sport
Express.

The Armenian international added that well-known Russian football
agent Dmitry Selyuk has never been his agent.

`Yes, it is true that Monaco wants to acquire me. Several Moscow teams
and one club each from Ukraine and Turkey likewise are interested in
my services. But, now, I am a Kuban player, and I do not know what
will happen tomorrow. The rest should be asked to the club management
and to my agent.

`I moved from [the Dutch giant, FC] Ajax [of Amsterdam] directly to
Kuban, and I have not signed any document with third persons. Selyuk
is not and has never been my agent,’ Ozbilis said.

NEWS.am Sport

Russian tourists need richer program in Armenia

15:12 – 13.07.13

Russian tourists’ interest in Armenia can hardly be satisfied with
visits to churches and monasteries alone, Lilit Hovhannisyan, Director
of Armenia for Tourists monthly, told journalists on Saturday.

She pointed out the need for more recreation areas and festivals.
`Russian tourists prefer Garni, Geghard, Sevan and Echmiadzin,’ she
said.

`Russian market is the target of our magazine because Russian tourists
lack information on Armenia,’ she said.

`The monthly has been published since this April and received an
enthusiastic response. However, it would not be realistic to expect a
sharp rise in the number of tourists within a couple of months. We
hope that the magazine will stimulate interest,’ she said.

The major problem of Armenia’s tourist industry is high hotel prices
and tourists’ insolvency, Hovhannisyan said.

Armenian News – Tert.am

When It’s Too Late Or Who Betrays

Member of Parliament Vahan Hovhannisyan states regarding our relations
with the EU and Russia on Yerkir Media TV `we did everything we could’
to replace the `both’ approach with the dangerous `either … or’.

In Armenia they continue intentionally or unintentionally to distort
the issues relating to the Association Agreement with the EU. It is
not clear who needs this in domestic affairs because the segment
called political forces meets with Stefan Fule behind closed doors and
speaks to the society only when it is too late.

There is more clarity on who needs the `either…or’ approach outside
the borders of Armenia: they are Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, generally
everyone who is worried about the sovereignty of Armenia and close
relations with the Euro-Atlantic community thanks to which Armenia can
enhance its security potential even under the present illegitimate and
incompetent government.

A lot of people would say that Europe was the first to speak about the
`either…or’ approach. Recently, the president of Poland put forth the
issue before Serzh Sargsyan.

Distortion starts here because nobody states, for example, that Stefan
Fule states that the EU is not likely to block the Armenian-Russian
relations. On the contrary, the EU is willing to help Armenia make
these relations more effective. Nobody states that the U.K. Ambassador
says the deep relations between Russia and Armenia are a great
opportunity for Europe which can use Armenia as a bridge for different
relations with Russia.

Distortion is that the `either … or’ approach is shifted from a
specific issue, the Association Agreement and DCFTA, to a more general
issue of Armenia-West and Armenia-Russia relations. Europe states it
has no claims to Armenia’s relations with Russia, but as to legal
status, Armenia cannot play in two teams at the same time, and join
the Customs Union and associate with Europe. So, there is a matter of
distinct choice for Armenia, there is a matter of decision.

When it is projected on the Armenia-West and Armenia-Russia relations
and is presented as a choice between Russia and the West, the
situation gets complicated and dangerous. Is there anyone in Armenia
who needs such complications? If not, why is nobody in Armenia trying
to explain the situation and block political manipulations by foreign
stakeholders.

Armenia has not violated any agreement with Russia and the so-called
members of CSTO bloc when they violate ethics of partnership and
military and political interests.

Certainly, in this case they need to generalize the very specific
`either … or’ to indicate that their violations are the answer to the
`betrayal’ of Armenia. Modest Kolerov says, for example, that Russian
supply of arms to Azerbaijan is its answer to the relations between
Armenia and the EU. Could it be that the relations between Armenia and
the EU are the answer to strategic relations built between Azerbaijan
and Russia for over a decade? First Russia signed a strategic
agreement with Azerbaijan, then went on to sell arms to Azerbaijan.
Then it saw that its advocates based in Armenia are more orthodox than
Patriarch Cyril and launched their supply. First they sold C300, then
offensive weapons.

Given the evolution of the Russian-Azerbaijani strategic partnership,
isn’t the process of association of Armenia with the EU just a
moderate reaction to it?

Armenia did not charge a fee for the Russian military bases, Armenia
did not demand to withdraw them from its territory, Armenia even
ratified the CSTO agreement on refraining from infrastructure projects
with third countries without the consent of the CSTO members when the
CSTO member states Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan are in strategic
relations with Azerbaijan which threatens Armenia with war and
destruction. Armenia signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the
Eurasian Economic College, is ready to do the same with the Customs
Union, Armenia signed the CIS Free Trade Agreement.

Now can anyone accuse Armenia of betraying Russia? Now can anyone say
that Armenia has no right to join the EU system of common economic
rules proceeding from its interests and pursuing additional guarantees
of economic and political security?

So, whose approach is `either…or’, the EU’s or Moscow’s?

James Hakobyan
16:01 13/07/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Aslan Ismailov: Slogan ”the best Armenian is the dead Armenian” will
be used during election campaign in Azerbaijan

17:51 13/07/2013 » SOCIETY

In the early 1990s, the Azerbaijani nationalists, who led to the
separation of Karabakh from Azerbaijan, are armed with the slogan
“Death to Armenians”, “the best Armenians is the dead Armenian.” And
today these slogans will be again used during the election campaign in
Azerbaijan, writes the Azerbaijani lawyer Aslan Ismailov, whose
article was published by “Haqqinew.az” portal.

The author notes that recently, he had a brief conversation with a
fellow about the last interview on the air of `Meydan TV’ of Rustam
Ibragimbekov, the single candidate from the opposition party.
Ismailov’s interlocutor sharply said, “Well, you see his love for the
Armenians?” Then our conversation was over.

“I remembered the slogans of “nationalists” of the early 90’s, who
moved away Karabakh from us step-by-step. Slogans were like “Death to
Armenians,” “the best Armenian is the dead Armenian,” etc.” Ismailov
writes.

According to the Azerbaijani lawyer it was due to these slogans of
Azerbaijani nationalist that the Armenian side created the image of
“brutal Azerbaijanis”.

“Lately, these kinds of slogans have died down, but I’m sure that
before the elections similar slogans will again be used in campaign
speeches. In the 90’s I was against such a claims as well, for what I
was blamed in the pro-Armenian frame of mind,” Ismailov said.

The lawyer said that during the foreign visits when he was raising the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue, he repeatedly was receiving the following
answer: “The rights of people are grossly violated in your country.
How can you ensure the protection of the rights of the Armenians, if
everyone knows what slogans are popular in Azerbaijan?”

According to Ismailov representatives of the Armenian side also claim,
“Look at them, they violate their rights, and if we are in their
lineup, they’ll hang us all.”

“And then they quickly remember the show around Ramil Safarov. No
matter how much I tried to refute their words, I realized that this
was not enough. Yes, at some stage the history of nationalism was
fruitful. Today, in the age of globalization, human rights are in the
foreground,” A. Ismailov said.

For the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, we, first of all,
have to prove to the world that human rights are protected in
Azerbaijan, property rights are enforced, and that the Armenians of
Nagorno Karabakh can live peacefully in Azerbaijan.

“In Azerbaijan it is on the contrary. Young people wishing to live in
a country where there is no corruption, sit in prisons; and Zulfugarli
brothers who demand restoration of their rights are in exile. Today,
all the leading NGOs and the world’s media write that Azerbaijan is
the first in the world in corruption and abuse of human rights,” sums
up the Azeri lawyer.

The current stage of the Karabakh conflict began in 1988, when the
parliament of Autonomous Oblast of Nagorno-Karabakh asked the
authorities of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan SSR to pass
the region to Armenia.

Azerbaijan responded to the request with protests against the
civilians of Armenian nationality. After the collapse of the Soviet
Union a full-scale war began. Azerbaijan had an overwhelming advantage
in quantity, in weapons and resources and hoped for a quick victory.
However, during the brutal war Azeri troops were defeated, losing
about 30,000 soldiers and a number of previously controlled areas.

On 12 May 1994, after the ceasefire agreement the hostilities in the
conflict zone were ceased. The agreement on cease-fire regime is
observed so far. Since 1992 to the present day negotiations with the
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs United States, Russia and France, are being
held for reaching a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Hungarian political expert: Supplying arms to Azerbaijan and
increasing gas price for Armenia, Russia sought economic not political
benefits
by Marianna Lazarian

ARMINFO
Saturday, July 13, 13:47

The statements that Russia supplies military hardware to Azerbaijan
and increases the gas prices for Armenia allegedly to impede the
EU-Armenia Association Agreement does not meet reality. The remarks
came from Hungarian political scientist, Professor of Political
Science Laszlo Kemeny in response to a question by ArmInfo as to
whether Russia increased the gas prices for Armenia and supplied arms
to Azerbaijan to prevent the EU-Armenia Association Agreement.

He said that arms supply to Azerbaijan and the increase in the gas
prices for Armenia pursued a goal of economic benefit. “Russia is well
aware that it must not allow an armed conflict to break out in the
South Caucasus. There is a Russian-Armenian Treaty of Friendship,
Cooperation and Mutual Assistance signed in 1997 wherein the two
parties pledge to take measures admissible to them to prevent threats
against their countries,” the expert said. He thinks that any supply
of arms to the conflict zone aggravates tension.

Nevertheless, Laszlo Kemeny said, the EU-Armenia Association Agreement
does not depend on the given circumstance, not least because the EU as
part of its Eastern Partnership Project is preparing a similar treaty
with Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. Armenia must establish
its relationships in the new world and geopolitical systems
independently, he said.

It is expected that the EU-Armenia Association Agreement will be
initialed in November in Vlinius.

Globe Spots: Armenia among top 10 countries for 2013

14:21 13/07/2013 » SOCIETY

Globe Spots portal released the ranking of top 10 countries to travel
to in 2013.

`For the fifth year, we have captured what’s happening on the travel
scene. As usual, we focused on destinations we think will be hot – or
at least should be. All this is of course based on dubious rumours,
crazy speculations and a bit of travel experience,’ says the report
posted on globespots.com.

Armenia is fifth in the ranking, according to the report.

Top 10 for 2013 includes Portugal, Mozambique, Kyrgyzstan, Panama,
Armenia, Rwanda, Cuba, Ukraine, Malawi and Canada.

`Those willing to dig a little deeper will discover a truly amazing
country with a beautiful landscape, but will also encounter genuinely
nice people always ready to offer them a shot of aragh (introduced by
never-ending toasts), or welcome them at their khorovats picnic… or
both. And with visa requirements being lifted for EU citizens,
starting in January, there’s even less reason to pass on this one,’
says the report.

Turkish police blocked journalists’ way to Taksim

12:24, 13 July, 2013

YEREVAN, JULY 13, ARMENPRESS: The Turkish police prevented the
journalists’ rally held in Istanbul. As reported by Armenpress,
quoting the Turkish CNN Turk, the Turkish journalists intended to
organize a protest demonstration thus raising their voice against the
violence, pressures, provocations and arrests held during the actions
towards the representatives of mass media. The Turkish police did not
allow them to enter the Taksim Square. In the result the journalists
organized a sit strike, shouting: `Pressures cannot frighten us’, `Let
prisoners go’, `Freedom to press’, `AKP, hands off Taksim’.

The disorders in Turkey began when on May 28 2013 the plans of
replacing Taksim Gezi Park with a reconstruction of the historic
Taksim Military Barracks (demolished in 1940) with the possibility of
housing a shopping mall became known. The protests developed into
riots when a group occupying the park was attacked by police.

The subjects of the protests have since broadened beyond the
development of Taksim Gezi Park, developing into wider anti-government
demonstrations. The protests have also spread to other cities in
Turkey, and protests have been seen in other countries with
significant Turkish communities. On May 31 2013, police suppressed the
protesters with tear gas, arrested at least 60 people and injured
hundreds.
The police action received wide attention online. 5 men died in the
clashes between the police and the protesters, more than 7,500 people
were injured and about 5,000 of people were arrested. By the data
provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkey, about 2,5
million people from 79 regions took part in the anti-government
demonstrations held in Turkey.

The Turkish authorities were appealed by the White House, the UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the EU foreign policy commissioner
Catherine Ashton, the US Vice President Joe Biden and the President of
the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to settle the issue via a
dialogue.