Author: Badalian Vardan

EXERT SAYS U.S. WILL USE AZERBAIJAN’S TERRITORY IN CASE OF WAR WITH IRAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 10, 2012 – 14:19 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – U.S. is sure to use Azerbaijan’s territory to launch
possible military operation against Iran, according to Director of
RA NAS Institute of Oriental Studies.

“Through cooperation with the U.S., Azerbaijan will attempt to settle
Nagorno Karabakh conflict in its favor,” Ruben Safrastyan said,
however, ruling out the possibility of hostilities with Iran in the
nearest future.

“U.S. won’t benefit from a war with Iran from a strategic standpoint.

However, controversial it may seem, Iranians have a more positive
approach towards America than some U.S. partner states do,” Safrastyan
said.

RUBEN SAFRASTYAN: WEST TO UNDERSTAND IRAN ISN’T IRAQ

Panorama.am
10/02/2012

Military operations against Iran to be imposed by the West is little
possible in the near future, Ruben Safrastyan, director of Institute
of Oriental Studies, said in a news conference Friday.

“Military operations against Iran will be disaster not only for
Armenia, but for the neighbor countries and many others,” Ruben
Safrastyan said.

Still the expert thinks military operations won’t resume.

“I’m hopeful the West will take into account that Iran is not Iraq. In
spiritual and military terms Iran is a more powerful state. They
should also consider the influence of two million Iranian Diaspora,
the great part of which live in US,” said the expert.

Ruben Safrastyan thinks Russia can have a pivotal role in this respect,
as Russia will never allow massive military operations to be carried
out near its borders.

ZURICH CHESS CHALLENGE: KRAMNIK VS. ARONIAN

armradio.am
10.02.2012 15:03

The Zurich Chess Club announces a six-game chess match between
Vladimir Kramnik (Russia) and Levon Aronian (Armenia) from 21 to 28
April 2012. The numbers 2 and 3 of the World ranking will meet in
the time-honored Hotel Savoy Baur en Ville at Paradeplatz, the venue
of many a famous chess event in the past, the World Chess Federation
(FIDE) reports.

Kramnik and Aronian are the winners of the two most prestigious
tournaments of the last months. While the 36-year-old Kramnik has
gained a convincing victory at the London Chess Classic in December,
the 29-year-old Aronian has just won the famous tournament in Wijk
aan Zee with an outstanding score.

Both players belong to the hottest candidates in the World championship
qualifier later this year. The Zurich Chess Challenge will be the
first encounter in the history of chess between two players with a
rating above the magical 2800 limit and it is the first ever friendly
match at the top level.
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Content-Description:

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Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
From: Mihran Keheyian
Subject: Zurich Chess Challenge: Kramnik vs. Aronian

Zurich Chess Challenge: Kramnik vs. Aronian

armradio.am
10.02.2012 15:03

The Zurich Chess Club announces a six-game chess match between
Vladimir Kramnik (Russia) and Levon Aronian (Armenia) from 21 to 28
April 2012. The numbers 2 and 3 of the World ranking will meet in the
time-honored Hotel Savoy Baur en Ville at Paradeplatz, the venue of
many a famous chess event in the past, the World Chess Federation
(FIDE) reports.

Kramnik and Aronian are the winners of the two most prestigious
tournaments of the last months. While the 36-year-old Kramnik has
gained a convincing victory at the London Chess Classic in December,
the 29-year-old Aronian has just won the famous tournament in Wijk aan
Zee with an outstanding score.

Both players belong to the hottest candidates in the World
championship qualifier later this year. The Zurich Chess Challenge
will be the first encounter in the history of chess between two
players with a rating above the magical 2800 limit and it is the first
ever friendly match at the top level.

ARMENIA “SUFFERS” FROM FORBES – NEWSPAPER

news.am
February 11, 2012 | 09:45

YEREVAN. – Last year the Forbes Magazine published the rating chart
of the world’s worst economies, and in it Armenia was in second spot,
only behind Madagascar, Apaga weekly writes.

“In response to that publication, the country’s [Armenia’s] numerous
statesmen quickly criticized the Magazine’s data. Then everyone
began to forget about this publication, especially since this was
‘convenient’ for many. The qualitative full value of Forbes’ rating
chart leaves a feeling of equivocalness, [and] the given publication
seems to ‘smell’ the scent of oil which is extracted not too far away.

Had Armenia’s economy been on another qualitative level, no one would
have dared to send our country to the world’s ‘economic garbage.’ The
world already has all the grounds to laugh at us, especially when we,
on the level of senior officials, attempt to prove that we are not
dashing down the abyss, as Forbes has unjustifiably written, but
rather we are just approaching the edge of that abyss,” Apaga writes.

ARMENIA’S OPPOSITION EXAMINES TWO OPTIONS FOR PROPORTIONAL ELECTION LIST – NEWSPAPER

news.am
February 11, 2012 | 08:36

YEREVAN. – The opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC) continues
to discuss the principles for forming its proportional election list
for the upcoming parliamentary elections, Zhoghovurd daily writes.

“According to Zhoghovurd’s information, primarily two alternatives
are brought forward: Either to form the list on the [political] party
principle, or in the order of recognized individuals. The small parties
want for the list to be formed on the principle of party affiliation,
so that man-party leaders can easily become MPs. But the overwhelming
majority does not agree with this option. ANC believes this would be
unfair, as non-party-affiliate figures, former political prisoners,
and many others have done lot more in these years than the chairmen
of some [political] parties,” Zhoghovurd writes.

NEW BILL TO ALLOW 30,000 DRONES TO FILL AMERICAN SKIES BY 2020

press tv
Fri Feb 10, 2012 5:7PM GMT

The US congress has passed a bill which will see 30,000 spy drones
to fill US airspace by 2020.

There are serious policy questions on the horizon about privacy and
surveillance, by both government agencies and commercial entities.”

Steven Aftergood, head of the Project on Government Secrecy at the
Federation of American Scientists

The US Congress has passed a bill which approves government’s
deployment of up to 30,000 spy drones in the country’s airspace by
2020, raising serious concerns about the ensuing privacy infringement.

The bill, which facilitates the government use of unmanned spy planes
in US airspace, requires the Federal Aviation Administration to rush
a plan to get as many drones in the air as possible within nine months.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, which
US President Barack Obama is expected to sign, also orders the FAA
to develop regulations for the testing and licensing of commercial
drones by 2015, The Washington Times reported.

Privacy advocates have protested that the measure will lead to the
widespread use of drones for electronic surveillance by police agencies
across the country and eventually by private companies as well.

“There are serious policy questions on the horizon about privacy and
surveillance, by both government agencies and commercial entities,”
said Steven Aftergood, who heads the Project on Government Secrecy
at the Federation of American Scientists.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation also is “concerned about the
implications for surveillance by government agencies,” said attorney
Jennifer Lynch.

The provision in the legislation is the fruit of “a huge push by
lawmakers and the defense sector to expand the use of drones” in
American airspace, she added.

According to some estimates, the commercial drone market in the United
States could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars once the FAA
clears their use.

The US has been using the unmanned vehicles for its spy operations
and assassination missions worldwide and the strikes have intensified
since Obama took office three years ago.

EGEMEN BAGIS: ‘THE EU MUST ACCEPT TURKEY’

EuroNews

Feb 10 2012

Joining the European Union remains a top priority for Turkey despite
the economic crisis and controversy over comments made on the Armenian
genocide. They’re also a key player in trying to resolve the Syrian
crisis.

Gulsum Alan, euronews:

“We are joined by Turkish EU affairs minister. Egemen BagıÅ~_,
welcome to Euronews.

“In Brussels, you spoke with the Turkey rapporteur, and with the
President of the European Parliament, but with the EU in economic
crisis and the eurozone in a critical situation. Why does Turkey
still want to be part of the European Union?”

Egemen BagıÅ~_ EU affairs minister:

“Turkey’s position is not driven by economic interests, we never saw
the EU in this way. For us, Europe is the most extensive project for
peace in all of human history. When we look at the member countries
of the European Union, we find that peoples who have waged war for
centuries now live in peace within the EU.

“For this peaceful project to become more worldwide Turkey should
be integrated into it. Due to its geographical location, Turkey
serves as a bridge between countries, and can give this project an
international dimension.

“Despite the economic difficulties experienced by the EU, we must not
forget that the EU still has the highest wealth per capita. Therefore
the EU model is one of the best to apply when thinking of our own
hopes for the future.”

Gulsum Alan, euronews:

“Turkey plays an important role in the region. Isn’t it going to turn
towards other horizons?”

Egemen BagıÅ~_ EU affairs minister:

“As always, Turkey continues to be a bridge between East and West,
between Islam and Christianity. In terms of energy resources it also
serves as a bridge and manages supply and demand. This bridge, which
extends from north to south, and east to west gets stronger every day.

This shouldn’t be a source of disagreement.”

Gulsum Alan, euronews:

“How does Turkey intend to help the EU out of economic crisis?”

Egemen BagıÅ~_ EU affairs minister:

“As Turkey has also gone through very difficult times, we can say that
the EU will emerge from this crisis even more stable and fortified.

Not so long ago, there was a period of 12-13 years in which Turkey
saw interest rates raise by 8000 percent in a single night.

“The first thing that the EU should do is take away the visa that
applies to Turkish citizens. It’s unfair, illogical, and illegitimate.

Turks should be able to travel freely in EU member countries.

“This would mean more tourists and therefore more money spent. They’ll
do business. Turkish citizens now have the opportunity to travel
without visas in 65 countries. We are part of the customs union, 50
percent of our foreign trade is with the EU, 60 percent of tourists
visiting Turkey come from the EU. Despite all this, it is unfortunate
that we can not we travel freely in EU countries.

“The world of business has grown significantly. Turkey is currently
the sixth largest economy in Europe. Figures from the OECD predict
that by 2050 Turkey will be the second largest economy, and until 2020
Turkey will continue to have the strongest economic growth in Europe.

“To build walls and close doors to such potential does not make sense.

We must stop thinking that the Turks will emigrate to Europe, because
in recent years we’ve seen that more Europeans are moving to Turkey
than vice versa.”

Gulsum Alan, euronews:

“Switzerland has opened an investigation into what you said about
the law on the denial of genocide, and France is making similar moves.

Does the fact that it could spread throughout the EU worry you?”

Egemen BagıÅ~_ EU affairs minister:

“Among the most important principles of the EU is free speech. The
fact that some EU members have to pass a series of laws that restrict
freedom of speech is illogical, this is contrary to the principles
of the EU constitution that the members have adopted.

“I said in Zurich, I repeat here, and I will repeat elsewhere, that
with our information, according to our records and our sources,
it makes no sense… it’s illogical to call the 1915 events a genocide.

“We challenge Armenia and other countries to open their archives. That
we create an independent commission in which we find Armenian
historians, Russian, Turkish, European and American historians.

“That all these countries open their archives so that we can analyse
what really happened in 1915. Thereafter we can assess the situation.

This is an execution without trial. Calling the 1915 events a genocide
based solely on information we have right now, comes from a lobby
that nurtures malicious hatred. We refuse to enter into their games.”

Gulsum Alan, euronews:

“Could this be spread throughout the EU?”

Egemen BagıÅ~_ EU affairs minister:

“This is against the principles of the EU. For this to be possible,
all 27 EU members should take a unanimous decision. It’s unlikely
that all 27 EU countries decide this at the same time.”

Gulsum Alan, euronews:

“The AK party who are in power, seem tired of making reforms. Why
are they not as dynamic as they once were?”

Egemen BagıÅ~_ EU affairs minister:

“The AK party is not tired of making reforms. The AK party is
historically the government which has made â~@~Kâ~@~Kthe most
reforms. Just look what we have done recently, for the first time in
88 years the celebration of Mass in the Orthodox Monastery of Sumela
became possible.

“After 112 years our Armenian citizens began celebrating Mass in
their Akdamar, recently in Turkey relations between civilians and
the military and the Supreme Military Council were reformed. All this
shows how we are more than ever determined to pursue reforms”

Gulsum Alan, euronews:

“The EU has high expectations for the Turkey’s new constitution. What
do you plan to do?”

Egemen BagıÅ~_ EU affairs minister:

“We are creating a commission with an equal number of representatives
that reflects the four parties represented in parliament. Right now it
is this committee which is responsible for the new constitution. NGOs,
academics and journalists also support the work of the commission.

“We’ve also created a website so that citizens can make proposals.

Different religious groups also support this initiative. Once all
this information is collected the commission will prepare a civil
constitution which I hope will unite all citizens.

“A constitution that will be approved by all political parties,
a constitution that every citizen will agree with. This will enable
Turkey to advance in the process of EU accession.”

Gulsum Alan, euronews:

“In Syria, as the repression of civilians intensifies. What does
Turkey intend to do to stop these massacres?”

Egemen BagıÅ~_ EU affairs minister:

“Today at a press conference the President of the European Parliament
himself said that Turkey is the country that made â~@~Kâ~@~Kthe most
courageous statements on this issue. We would also like to see European
countries adopt a firmer stance.

“On one night alone 300 people were killed. The entire international
community must tell them to stop. The international community should
exert greater pressure on China and Russia who are permanent members
of the Security Council of the United Nations.

“Tens of thousands of people have already been welcomed into Turkey.

All our resources have been deployed… Concerning our plans for
the future, I’m not ready to share that on camera, I’ll save it for
diplomacy behind the scenes.”

EGEMEN BAGIS: “IL Y A PLUS DE CITOYENS EUROPEENS QUI VONT S’INSTALLER EN TURQUIE QUE L’INVERSE.”

EuroNews

10 fev 2012

Nous avons rencontre le ministre d’Etat turc charge des Affaires
europeennes, negociateur en chef de la Turquie auprès de l’Union
europeenne.

Gulsum Alan, Euronews:

“Egemen Bagis, bienvenue a Euronews. A Bruxelles, vous vous etes
entretenu avec le rapporteur pour la Turquie, avec le president du
parlement europeen… Mais l’Union europeenne est en pleine crise
economique. La zone euro se trouve dans une situation critique.

Pourquoi la Turquie desire encore faire partie de l’Union europeenne?”

Egemen Baðýþ, ministre d’Etat turc charge des Affaires europeennes:

“La Turquie n’a jamais vu l’Union Europeenne sous l’angle des interets
economiques. Pour nous, l’Europe, c’est le plus vaste projet pacifique
de l’humanite. Si on regarde l’histoire des pays membres de l’Union
Europeenne, on constate que les peuples qui se sont fait la guerre
pendant des siècles vivent actuellement en paix grâce a l’UE. Pour
que ce projet pacifique prenne une dimension mondiale, il faudrait
y integrer la Turquie.”

“Etant donne que, par sa situation geographique, la Turquie a une
zone d’influence assez importante et sert de pont entre les pays,
elle peut donner a ce projet une dimension internationale. Malgre les
difficultes economiques que traverse l’UE, c’est la que la richesse
par habitant reste la plus elevee au monde. Le projet europeen est
porteur d’espoir pour l’avenir.”

Euronews:

“La Turquie joue un rôle important dans la region. Ne se tourne-t-elle
pas vers d’autres horizons?”

Egemen Bagis:

“Comme cela a ete le cas dans l’histoire, la Turquie continue a
etre un pont entre l’orient et l’occident, entre le christianisme et
l’Islam. Avec les sources energetiques, elle sert egalement de pont
et gère l’offre et la demande. Ce carrefour qui s’etend au nord,
au sud, a l’est et a l’ouest se solidifie de jour en jour. Cela ne
devrait pas constituer une source de derangement.”

Euronews:

“Comment la Turquie envisage t-elle d’aider l’UE qui se trouve en
pleine crise economique?”

Egemen Bagis:

“La Turquie a aussi traverse des moments très difficiles, on peut
penser que l’UE sortira de cette crise plus stable et fortifiee. Il n’y
a pas si longtemps que cela, douze ou treize ans environ, en Turquie
on a vu les taux d’interets atteindre 8000 pourcent en une seule nuit.”

Euronews:

“La première chose que l’UE devrait faire c’est de supprimer les visas
qui s’appliquent aux citoyens turcs de manière injuste, illogique,
et illegitime. Ainsi, les Turcs pourront voyager librement dans les
pays de l’Union. Ce qui signifie qu’il y aura des touristes, donc de
l’argent depense. Ils feront du commerce. Actuellement les citoyens
turcs ont la possibilite de voyager sans visas dans 65 pays. Nous
faisons partie de l’union douanière, 50% de notre commerce exterieur
se fait avec l’UE, 60% des touristes qui visitent la Turquie viennent
des pays membres de l’UE, malgre cela nous ne pouvons pas nous rendre
librement dans les pays de l’UE. C’est regrettable.

Le monde des affaires s’est beaucoup developpe. La Turquie est
actuellement la 6ème puissance economique en Europe. Les chiffres
de l’OCDE montrent qu’en 2050 la Turquie sera la deuxième puissance
economique et jusqu’en 2020 la Turquie va continuer a avoir la plus
forte croissance economique en Europe. Eriger des murs, fermer
les portes a un tel potentiel n’a pas de sens. Il faut cesser de
penser que les Turcs vont emigrer en Europe. Car les chiffres de ces
dernières annees montrent qu’a present il y a plus d’Europeens qui
vont s’installer en Turquie que l’inverse.

Le monde des affaires s’est beaucoup developpe. La Turquie est
actuellement la 6ème puissance economique en Europe. Les chiffres
de l’OCDE montrent qu’en 2050 la Turquie sera la deuxième puissance
economique et jusqu’en 2020 la Turquie va continuer a avoir la plus
forte croissance economique en Europe. Eriger des murs, fermer
les portes a un tel potentiel n’a pas de sens. Il faut cesser de
penser que les turcs vont emigrer en Europe. Car les chiffres de ces
dernières annees montrent qu’a present il y a plus d’europeens qui
vont s’installer en Turquie que l’inverse.”

Euronews:

“La Suisse a ouvert une enquete pour determiner si vos propos niant
le genocide armenien sont contraires a la loi. En France, une loi
punissant la negation des genocides a ete votee. Craignez-vous que
cette tendance se repande dans l’UE?”

Egemen Baðýs:

“Parmi les principes les plus importants de l’UE figure la liberte
d’expression. Le fait que certains membres de l’UE passent une serie
de lois qui limitent la liberte d’expression relève d’un manque de
logique, cela est contraire aux principes de la constitution de l’UE,
aux acquis communautaires. Je l’ai dit a Zurich, je le repète ici,
et je le repèterai ailleurs aussi, selon les informations que nous
possedons, selon nos archives, nos sources, cela n’a aucun sens de
qualifier les evenements de 1915 de genocide. Nous mettons l’Armenie
et les pays concernes au defi, qu’ils ouvrent leurs archives. Que
l’on cree une commission independante dans laquelle on retrouve
des historiens aussi bien armeniens, russes, turcs, europeens et
americains. Que tous ces pays ouvrent clairement leurs archives afin
que l’on puisse analyser ce qui s’est vraiment passe en 1915. Par la
suite on pourra evaluer la situation. Il s’agit d’une execution sans
jugement. Qualifier les evènements de 1915 comme un genocide en se
basant uniquement sur les informations dont nous disposons aujourd’hui
est le resultat des efforts de certains lobbys mal intentionnes qui
nourrissent la haine. Nous, nous refusons d’entrer dans leur jeu.”

Euronews:

“Est-ce cela pourrait se propager dans l’ensemble de l’UE?”

Egemen Baðýs:

“Cela est contre les principes de l’UE. Pour que cela soit possible,
il faudrait que l’ensemble des 27 membres de l’UE prennent une decision
a l’unanimite. Il est peu probable qu’ils decident de faire cela au
meme moment.”

Euronews:

“L’AKP au pouvoir semble fatigue de faire des reformes. Pourquoi n’
est-il pas aussi dynamique qu’avant?”

Egemen Baðýþ:

“L’AKP n’est pas fatigue de faire des reformes. L’AKP est dans
l’histoire de la republique de Turquie le gouvernement qui a
fait le plus de reformes. Il suffit de voir ce que nous avons fait
dernièrement. Pour la première fois depuis 88 ans la celebration d’une
messe au monastère orthodoxe de Sumela est devenu possible. Après 112
ans nos concitoyens armeniens ont commence a celebrer leur messe a
Akdamar. Ces derniers temps en Turquie les relations entre le pouvoir
civil et le Conseil militaire supreme ont ete reformees. Tout cela
montre a quel point nous sommes plus que jamais decides a poursuivre
les reformes.”

Euronews:

“L’UE a de grandes attentes concernant la nouvelle constitution.

Qu’est-ce que vous comptez faire?”

Egemen Baðýþ:

“Nous avons cree une commission avec un nombre egal de representants
pour chaque parti du Parlement. En ce moment, c’est cette commission
qui est chargee de rediger la nouvelle constitution. Les organisations
non gouvernementales, les universitaires, les journalistes soutiennent
egalement le travail de la commission. Nous avons aussi cree un site
afin que les citoyens puissent faire des propositions. Les differents
groupes religieux soutiennent egalement cette initiative. Une fois que
toutes ces informations seront collectes, la commission va preparer
une constitution civile, qui je l’espère, unira tous les citoyens. Une
constitution qui sera approuvee par tous les partis politiques, une
constitution dans laquelle chaque citoyen pourra s’y retrouver. Cela
permettra a la Turquie d’avancer dans le processus d’adhesion a l’UE.”

Euronews:

“En Syrie, la repression envers les civils s’intensifie. Qu’est-ce
que la Turquie a l’intention de faire pour mettre un terme a ces
massacres?”

Egemen Baðýþ:

“Aujourd’hui lors d’une conference de presse le president du parlement
europeen a lui-meme dit que la Turquie est le pays qui fait les
declarations les plus courageuses a ce sujet. Nous aimerions egalement
voir les pays europeens adopter un discours plus ferme qui montrent a
quel point ils sont decides. En une seule nuit 300 personnes ont ete
tues. C’est toute la communaute internationale qui doit dire stop a
cela. La communaute internationale devrait exercer sur la Chine et
la Russie qui sont des membres permanents du conseil de securite des
nations unies une pression beaucoup plus importante. Des dizaines de
milliers de personnes ont deja ete accueillis en Turquie. Tous nos
moyens ont ete deployes. Concernant ce que nous prevoyons de faire
dans l’avenir, permettez-moi de partager cela, non pas avec vous
devant les cameras, mais plutot dans les coulisses de la diplomatie.”

ISRAEL-ARMENIA ROW ON ‘GENOCIDE’

Hurriyet Daily News

Feb 10 2012
Turkey

Israel Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said “the term Holocaust is
inapplicable in reference to any other tragedy,” Panarmenina.net
reported.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian responded to Lieberman
calling for Israel to recognize the Armenian genocide allegations.

Nalbandian urged Israel to stop the “play of words,” referring to a
statement from the chairman of the Holocaust Institute, Israel Charny.

Nalbandian quoted Israel Charny, founder and director of the Jerusalem
Institute of Holocaust and Genocide: “Everyone in Israel must realize:
Charny knew the meanings of both the Holocaust and the Genocide.”

Nalbandian also said the term Holocaust was never used to describe the
Armenian “genocide.”

INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY FILM FESTIVAL: PICTURE THIS

Calgary Herald

Feb 10 2012
Canada

Now in its 11th year, Picture This showcases films about disability
and films that were produced, directed or written by people with
disabilities. Over 40 films will be screened over three days, including
The Piano by Armenian-French filmmaker Levon Minasian. The film,
which won the Best of Festival award, is about Louissine, a young
talented pianist who is blind. Unfortunately, her piano doesn’t fit
through the door of her house, leaving her to practise the same piece
over and over again in her front yard. -Jon Roe

Monday, Feb. 13 to Wednesday, Feb. 15. At Albert Park-Radisson Heights
Community Centre, 1310 28th St. S.E. ptff.org.