Author: Badalian Vardan

TERM ROW DISMAYS PRESIDENT GUL, TOO

Hurriyet Daily News
Dec 29 2011
Turkey

President Abdullah Gul has expressed frustration at the continued
debate over the length of his term in office, urging politicians to
make a swift decision on the matter.

“I won’t say anything about the length of my mandate. I hope very
much that a decision on this is made in the shortest possible time
because the situation is becoming awkward,” Gul said told the private
Kanal 24 channel late Dec. 27.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) said Gul’s mandate
should be seven years – meaning that it would be exempted from
constitutional amendments passed in 2007 reducing presidential terms
to five years. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seen as the
strongest contender to succeed Gul as head of state, and political
pundits have suggested that Gul may return to the AKP helm and
eventually become prime minister.

“I don’t have any political ambitions or expectations. There is nothing
like that on my mind,” Gul said, but added that he did not believe in
“retirement in life.”

He said he had served at every level in politics before the
presidency. “It is obvious what I can do afterwards. I [participated
in] politics and came here.”

Gul also denied that he aspired to become the United Nations’
secretary-general.

Warning on rights breaches

The president also voiced discomfort over lengthy pre-trial detentions
and said Turkey’s international prestige could suffer over restrictions
on free speech and media.

“As far as I can see, the detention periods have begun to hurt public
sensitivities. A way must be definitely found to shorten them,” he
said. “Those who have done wrong should be held accountable. But we
cannot be at ease if anyone spends even half an hour in jail unjustly.”

Gul said democracy, human rights and free speech were at the core of
Turkey’s “soft power” and progress made in recent years should not
be overshadowed.

“I see that complaints are on the rise. I see some developments
at the United Nations concerning human rights issues [in Turkey]
that are not good. We have to prevent Turkey from falling among the
countries with whom it should not be seen together,” he said.

PKK is being shown its place

Touching on the Kurdish issue, Gul said using “police-state methods” to
combat the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its supporters
would be “unthinkable,” but added that “authority in some provinces
has been taken over by others.”

The PKK, he said, had the misconception that reforms expanding Kurdish
freedoms came as a result of its violent campaign against the state.

“If the terror organization believes it is stronger and has the upper
hand, it has to be shown that this is not the case. And this is what is
happening at present,” he said, praising better coordination between
the security forces against the PKK.

Gul said Turkey’s reform process had put civilian-military relations
“on a democratic track” and that the military had now “pulled back
to its area of responsibility.”

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey and much of
the international community.

Sarkozy will be ignored

Commenting on tensions with France over a bill outlawing the denial
of the 1915 events as genocide, Gul said he would ignore his French
counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, the next time the two encounter each
other in response to the latter’s refusal to speak about the issue
by phone.

“He ignored me, so I will [ignore him],” he said.

France, the cradle of civil rights, has put itself in an awkward
position “by punishing thoughts that contradict the official line of
the sate,” Gul said. “It is incredible that they do this on account
of petty political calculations.”

He said he hoped the bill, which was approved in the French
Parliament’s lower house last week, would be stopped before reaching
the Senate, and added that Turkish researchers should produce
“credible” studies to counter Armenian allegations.

Turkey is not competing with France over regional influence, he
also said. “Everybody must be happy if we use our regional power
constructively.”

RESTAURANT CHANGES ITS FRENCH NAME
by Gila Benmayor

Hurriyet Daily News
Dec 28 2011
Turkey

In the crisis between France and Turkey following the French
Parliament Lower House decision to criminalize the denial of the
Armenian genocide, the most prudent statement came from Economy
Minister Zafer Caglayan. He said Turkey will not impose an embargo
on France and will not restrict trade.

The data from the Turkish-French Commerce Association visiting Paris
just before the vote at the French Parliament with delegations from
Turkish Industry & Business Association (TUSÄ°AD) and Turkish Union
of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) demonstrates how relevant
Caglayan’s words of “no embargo” were.

As the letter the association sent to French President Nicolas Sarkozy
and ministers stated, the trade volume between Turkey and France is
currently 12 billion euros. Of this total, 6.5 billion euros comprise
French exports to Turkey.

Investments of more than 400 French companies operating in Turkey
for years exceed $15 billion.

As General Manager of Renault Mais Ä°brahim Aybar pointed out,
the electric Fluence ZE, which the Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Melih
Gökcek cancelled the purchase of after the crisis broke out, was
the product of Turkish workers’ labor. Fifty percent of the car is
made up of locally produced parts.

While the Ankara mayor is boycotting the electric Renault vehicle, he
is punishing both the Turkish worker and the local car parts producer.

He is punishing the Ankara residents who are yearning to breathe
clean air and also an Ankara that would have a somewhat lower carbon
dioxide count in its air with the use of electric cars.

When the crisis broke, we had heard from top officials, primarily
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that the campaign against France
was not going to target the French people but the Sarkozy government.

However, it does not occur as such in practical terms. As we can
see from what is happening, what the politicians say has a multiplied
effect on the public. I can also see this in the emails I have received
since the crisis broke out.

I will refer to two examples: The call from Chef Mehmet Yalcınkaya
saying, “Even though we chefs are influenced by the French food
culture, we should boycott this country,” received a positive reply
from Turkish Federation of Cooks (TAFED). The federation has declared
it will not be using French products.

The second example is the “strange decision” made by the restaurant
“Le Pecheur” (Fisherman), which has been operating in Istanbul’s
Tarabya district for 22 years.

According to the message I received via email yesterday, the restaurant
has decided to remove its French name.

I don’t know, I guess “Le Pecheur” will go and the Turkish for
fisherman, “Balıkcı,” will come instead.

This kind of a “beyond any measure” reaction makes me feel unsettled.

The French high school I graduated from has a scheduled 156th
anniversary Jan. 20. Now the alumni association of the French
high school is troubled on how it will make its printed ads of the
anniversary.

However, the Turkish-French Commerce Association reminds us of this
fact: The motion which has passed the Lower House has to be approved
in the Senate.

Nobody should doubt that TOBB, TUSÄ°AD and the Turkish-French Commerce
Association will continue their lobbying activities to prevent a
negative decision from the Senate.

It is good to remain on the “cool” side.

ARMENIA INTENDS TO RESTORE ITS INDUSTRIAL POTENTIAL: BUSINESS ORGANIZATION CHAIRMAN

/ARKA/
December 29, 2011
YEREVAN

Armenian authorities intend to restore the industrial potential of
the country, Arsen Ghazarian, chairman of the Union of Industrialists
and Entrepreneurs, the largest business organization of the country,
said today.

“The market has received the long awaited industrial development
policy, which has determined export-oriented sectors for the next 20
years,” he said after a meeting today between president Serzh Sargsyan
and prominent representatives of the Armenian business community.

The strategy commissioned by the World Bank was developed by a group
of experts with the assistance of the ministry of economy. It focuses
on building an advanced industrial system, aimed at boosting exports,
which in turn is supposed to stimulate production of high quality
products meeting international standards, to help Armenian companies
win new foreign markets and create new jobs. The strategy specifies
what the government seeks to achieve by 2020. More specifically,
exports are supposed to double by 2015 and reach $3 billion by 2020.

To implement this strategy the government will set up Industrial
Council to be chaired by the prime minister of Armenia, as well as
establish sub-councils to coordinate projects in 11 chosen sectors.

Ghazarian also said the outgoing year in Armenia was quite difficult,
but was marked also by conspicuous achievements.

“First and foremost, I mean the targeted policy of the government to
provide assistance to those enterprises that are engaged in exports.

In other words, we have adopted a mechanism that did not exist”
he said.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS HOLD PROTEST IN FRONT OF ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE

Tert.am
29.12.11

On Dec. 29 morning, environmentalists, representatives of NGOs and
political parties held an action to inform the Armenian government
and president of the serious ecological situation in Armenia.

Today’s action highlighted the Kajaran problem. The action participants
demanded invalidation of the Armenian government’s decision #627,
which gives the status of industrial areas in six communities in
Syunik, Armenia.

Crying out “Healthy, green Armenia!” the protesters marched toward the
Armenian presidential residence. As The protesters’ representatives
Zaruhi Postanjanyan, Ani Khachatryan, Mariam Sukhudyan and the
environmentalist Arman Vermishyan approached the presidential
residence.

After leaving the presidential residence, Mariam Sukhudyan told
journalists that President Serzh Sargsyan had not received the
protesters. She noted that the protesters put their letters into
the box.

“Yesterday the president has the time to receive businessmen, one of
whom said the mine would in any case be operated. We will not only
allow them, but will also persecute the ones making such statements,”
said Zaruhi Postanjan.

In their letters the protesters ask the president to send Decision
#627 to the Constitutional Court to confirm its constitutionality
and form a committee to deal with the problem of Kajaran, with the
involvement of persons concerned.

In their second letter, the protesters indicate the need for reforms
in Armenia’s environmental protection system.

ISRAEL IS INTERESTED IN STRENGTHENING TIES WITH AZERBAIJAN BY ALL MEANS

News.Az
Thu 29 December 2011 15:42 GMT

News.Az interviews Dr. Efrat E. Aviv, Department of Middle Eastern
Studies, BESA Center for Strategic Studies) Fellow, Bar Ilan
University.

How deep is the Turkish-Israeli crisis?

The Turkish-Israeli crisis reached its’ peak during the ‘Mavi Marmara’
incident of May 2010, when nine Turks were killed trying to break
the Gaza naval blockade. However, today, Israeli-Turkish relations
are not beyond repair. Signs of goodwill between these two countries
still appear, for example: Turkish aide during the fire in the Carmel
in 2010; Israeli assistance during earthquake in Van in 2011; recent
reactivated coordination mechanisms which prevent aerial problems
between Israel and Turkish Air Forces over the Mediterranean Sea;
mutual trade rates have broken record etc. So while our 90’s “honeymoon
phase” is definitely over and recapturing some of that magic seems
impossible, there is still a light at the end of the tunnel and hope
for reestablishing good Turkish-Israeli relations.

How real is recognition of “Armenian genocide” by the Knesset?

The question whether Israel should officially recognize the Armenian
genocide has been discussed many times in the past in the Knesset.

However, this is the first time in Israeli history that they have
decided to hold an open debate. Unlike past years, when the discussion
of this topic was held by the prestigious and more authorized Foreign
Affairs and Defense Committee, where debates always take place in
close doors, this time, discussion was held by Education, Culture and
Sports Committee. This fact should prevent a significant diplomatic
clash, because the Education Committee holds no real authority or
ability to handle such matters. In addition, the exact term used
to recognize this Armenian atrocity is still unclear. The committee
remains indecisive in their decision to refer to it as a ‘massacre”,
“holocaust” or “genocide.

Is it (recognition) a sign of there is no hope in Israel for
reconciliation with Turkey?

Despite several MKs’ declarations that the discussion has nothing to
do with the current crisis between Turkey and Israel and despite their
call to engage in historical discourse about the Armenian atrocity is
separate from the political dimension, it seems as if the timing was
not sporadically chosen. Recent Turkish aide and support of Hamas is
the number one cause for rage within Israeli society, and what mainly
leads to what Yossi Sarid named in Haaretz: “Turkophobia”. Alas,
despite the aforementioned, we must not forget two points: 1.The
Education Committee has no direct affinity to the Armenian issue and
as said, is not authorized to make a decision. 2. The chairman of
the committee is MK Alex Miller, from Israel Beytenu, FM Lieberman’s
home party. According to sources quoted in Israeli newspapers, Miller
makes sure his political deeds are aligned with those of Lieberman’s.

Israeli MF’s cautious approach stance is motivated by the desire to
not burn all bridges (see answer to q 1), thus, Israeli MFA would do
everything in their capability not to risk renewing Turkish ire. If
to sum up, the chances of such recognition are not too high.

Do you believe in normalization of Turkish-Israeli relations if the
Knesset recognize the “genocide”?

It is clear that the discussion will not contribute to ameliorating
the now tense relationship. Turkey has been attempting to resolve the
Armenian issue by calling a joint historian committee and by taking
several diplomatic steps. Unfortunately these exertions seem to come
to a “dead end” in many aspects. The majority of Turkish society is
united with their government when it comes to the Armenian genocide.

Knowing the strong national identity Turks hold, it seems that
making concessions regarding the Armenian issue is unlikely to be
made anytime soon. Due to that, and given the delicate relations
with Turkey, I think that if Israel recognizes the Armenian genocide,
(even if other countries follow France), the ire of the Turks towards
Israel will be too high to ever being repaired. That is to say that
even if the current political situation in the Middle East, including
“Arab Spring” continue to deteriorate, it will not help improving
cooperation between Israel and Turkey.

May the Turkish-Israeli crisis reflect somehow on relations between
Israel and Azerbaijan?

I know the Turks refer to the Azerbaijani people as : “One nation,
two countries” but when it comes to Azerbaijan interests, I dare to
say that Turkey will not intervene in the relations between Israel
and Azerbaijan if it is of the benefit of Azerbaijan. As for Israel,
the latter welcomes any country and I believe it is interested in
strengthening ties and cooperation with Azerbaijan by all means.

Shivkumar Eashwaran, Honorary Consul of Armenia

22nd December 2011

Shivkumar Eashwaran, Executive Director of Shivsu Group of Companies,
has been appointed as Honorary Consul of Armenia in Chennai. A man of
amazing capabilities, whose able guidance steers the Shivsu Group –
headquartered in Chennai and having offices across the globe – setting
significant standards in the field of water treatment.

Shivkumar Eashwaran’s recent appointment as Honorary Consul by the
Government of Republic of Armenia has been recognized by our Ministry
of External Affairs and accepted by President of India by gazette
notification.

Assuming the post, the 43-year-old technocrat business man will look
after facilitating the relationship between both the nations and
reaping benefits through it. Cultural Relationship, Trade, Education,
Health Sector, Employment, Economic and Scientific Relationship,
Investment, Infrastructure Development and Tourism, etc, would be the
beneficial areas allowing exchanges for the development of both the
countries.

Armenia lies on the edge of Europe and is bordered by Turkey, Georgia,
Azerbaijan and Iran. Armenia is the second most densely populated of
the former Soviet republics with a population of over 3 million. It
maintains good relations with almost every country in the
world. Relationship between Armenia and India dates back to 2500 years
ago. Armenians have set foot on various parts of India including
Chennai. The Armenian Street in Chennai and Armenian Church stand
testament to the proud history and age-old bond with the city.

Shivkumar Eashwaran was so active member in Round Table India
movements (Round Table India is the young men social organization
worldwide) and he was selected a Best Tabler for the year 1999 across
India. Further he was elected as National President of Round Table
India during 2006-2007. He served as the International Treasurer of
Round Table International during 2007-2008. Apart, he is holding the
post of Executive Committee Member of ASSHOCHAM, Andhra Chamber of
Commerce and EEPC. He was DRR (Governor) – Rotaract – Rotary
International Dist 3230, for the year 1992-1993, he is an active
member of Rotary Club of Madras, among various positions held
including Indian Representative for International Bottled Water
Association (IBWA)

TCA Arshag Dickranian Armenian School
1200 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Tel: 323-461-4377
Fax: 323-323-461-4247
Contact: [email protected]

TCA Arshag Dickranian School Holds Its
31st Christmas Program

Los Angeles, December 30, 2011 – The Tekeyan Cultural Association Arshag
Dickranian School held its 31st Christmas Program on Wednesday, December
21, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at the school’s Walter and Laurel Karabian Hall.
Following its tradition, the school held this event prior to the Christmas
vacation thus giving parents, students, faculty members, friends and
guests the opportunity to celebrate the Yule Holidays together.

The program was jointly organized by Pre-Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Madlena
Marikyan, Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Anahid Avanessian and her assistant
Mrs. Tamara Nahapetyan, Armenian teacher Mrs. Emma Umroyan, Music teacher
Mr. Komitas Keshishyan and Dance teacher Mr. Robert Arakelian.

The event comprised of students ranging from pre-kindergarten through 11th
grade, performing in a medley of stage presentations and dances,
interjected by recitations and Christmas carols sung by the school choir.
The program began with the welcoming and humorous remarks of 1st grade
students Katrina Kourouyan and Gevork Nalbandyan, much to the delight of
the audience. Next, students from the 4th, 5th and 6th grades enacted
various scenes of the way of life in Bethlehem around the time before the
birth of Jesus. Then, 3rd grade student Hamlet Oganesyan gave the tidings
of Jesus’ birth and the program took a more festive turn. The
Pre-Kindergartners took the stage and performed a Christmas Broadway dance
wearing shiny hats, followed by recitations of Christmas poems in
Armenian, after which the Kindergartners danced to the famous Christmas
song `Silent Night.’ A series of Christmas carols performed by the school
choir, and medleys and dances were then performed by students ranging from
Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grades, the theme of which was `to give
rather than receive.’ Next came an exquisite performance by 10th and 11th
grade students who danced an Armenian folk dance to the delightful voice
of soloist and 2010 school alumna Ani Nercessian.

Near the end, 12th grader Morris Sarafyan made an imposing entrance garbed
as Santa cheering the crown and extending his warm wishes of a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year. Students then circled him and danced to
the tune `Eem Anoonne Hayastan Eh’, while parents cheered to the brilliant
performances of their children.

Principal Vartkes Kourouyan delivered the closing remarks by thanking all
the hands involved in the preparation and production of this joyful
event, giving guests, faculty, students and teachers his best Holiday
wishes and inviting guests to socialize and enjoy an assortment of cookies
and coffee which was served by the PTO at the end of the event.

Founded in 1981, The TCA Arshag Dickranian Armenian School is a Pre-K
through grade 12 co-educational facility which serves the Armenian
community at large. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools
and Colleges (WASC) and has federal tax exemption status. For more
information visit

L’AMBASSADEUR FASSIER A FAIT SES ADIEUX
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 29 decembre 2011

L’ensemble de la presse fait etat de la visite d’adieu de l’Ambassadeur
Fassier, qui pendant sept ans a exerce les fonctions de copresident
francais du Groupe de Minsk. Il a ete recu par le President Sarkissian,
le Ministre des AE et le Catholicos Gareguine II. Lors d’une
rencontre avec les medias armeniens organisee dans cette ambassade,
l’Ambassadeur Fassier a souligne que le conflit n’a pas de solution
militaire et qu’une nouvelle guerre entraînerait de lourdes pertes
materielles et humaines. Il a estime que la chose la plus positive
des dernières annees etait la non-reprise de la guerre, ainsi que la
solidarite des pays copresidents du GDM qui ont adopte une position
unanime concernant le règlement du conflit. Il a aussi insiste sur
l’importance de l’instauration d’un climat de confiance non seulement
entre les dirigeants des deux pays, mais aussi entre les deux societes,
qui requiert la bonne volonte de tous. L’Ambassadeur Fassier a note que
le document de Madrid demeurait sur la table des negociations. Bien que
les attentes vis-a-vis du sommet de Kazan ne se soient pas realisees,
le copresident francais reste confiant dans les possibilites de
progrès. Le Groupe de Minsk peut aider les parties pour rapprocher
leurs positions, mais il ne saurait prendre des decisions a leur place.

Ambassade de France en Armenie

Service de presse

CLERGYMEN BRAWL WITH BROOMSTICKS

DECEMBER 28, 2011, 1:33 P.M. ET.

BETHLEHEM, West Bank-A brawl has erupted between rival clergymen
participating in an annual cleaning ritual at the church built at
what Christians regard as Jesus’ traditional birthplace.

Armenian clergymen scuffle with police and Greek Orthodox clergymen
during the annual cleaning of the Church of Nativity in the West Bank
town of Bethlehem.

.Armenian Orthodox and Greek Orthodox clergymen screamed at each other
and beat each other with broomsticks during Wednesday’s cleanup inside
the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.

They were tidying up the church ahead of Orthodox Christmas
celebrations in early January.

The two denominations each control sections of the church and fiercely
guard their turf. The violence broke out when the sides accused each
other of crossing into each other’s territory. Similar fights have
taken place in past years.

Palestinian security forces broke up the melee, and no serious injuries
were reported.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH AND KOSOVO

EX-COMMUNIST EUROPE
d-kosovo
Dec 28th 2011

Eastern approaches

EARLIER this year Vasily Atajanyan, the acting foreign minister of
Nagorno-Karabakh, told me that his “country” would recognise Kosovo
if the former Yugoslav province reciprocated. I conveyed this message
to Enver Hoxhaj, Kosovo’s foreign minister. He declined to take up
his counterpart’s offer, but thought long and hard about how to do
so politely.

This little episode speaks volumes for realpolitik in international
relations, especially when it comes to small countries.

In Soviet times Nagorno-Karabakh was a mostly Armenian-populated
autonomous region in Azerbaijan. In Yugoslav times Kosovo was a mostly
Albanian-populated autonomous province of Serbia.

Armenians fought a war against the Azeris in the early 1990s, and
the Kosovo Albanians against the Serbs in 1998-99. Nagorno-Karabakh
declared independence in 1991. Serbia’s administration and security
forces were expelled from Kosovo by NATO in 1999. The region was then
run by the United Nations. It declared independence in 2008.

On the face of it there are plenty of similarities between Soviet
breakaway statelets like Nagorno-Karabakh and Kosovo. But there are
also many differences. No countries have recognised Nagorno-Karabakh
as an independent state, but more than 80 have recognised Kosovo.

Western countries emphasise that they believe that the Kosovo case
is not a precedent for others.

In Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, this argument cuts
no ice. Indeed, some have a clear case of “recognition envy”. Marcel
Petrosian, a foreign-ministry official, says that Nagorno-Karabakh has
“stronger arguments” for independence than Kosovo does.

European and other countries that recognise Kosovo are, he says,
practising “double standards.” Mr Atajanyan echoes this. “We see
Kosovo as a precedent,” he says. “It is a vivid example of how
conflicts like ours can be solved.”

The two conflicts see Armenians and Kosovars arguing in favour of
a people’s right to self-determination, and Serbia and Azerbaijan
defending the the right of a state to defend its territorial integrity.

There are inconsistencies everywhere you look. Russia, an ally of
Serbia, does not acknowledge the independence of Kosovo. But, unlike
any Western countries, it recognised the breakaway states of Abkhazia
and South Ossetia following its war with Georgia in 2008. Serbia
might like to make common cause with Georgia but does not wish to
irritate Russia. Likewise Georgia won’t work with Serbia because of
the potential damage to relations with the United States.

Likewise, the Armenians have been forced to fashion shrewd
arguments for not recognising Kosovo’s independence in order not to
antagonise their Russian patrons. Armenia has not in fact recognised
Nagorno-Karabakh, as it reminds American diplomats when they come
calling asking for it to recognise Kosovo.

Serbia and Armenia may be on different sides when it comes to
territorial integrity. But they have much in common, too. Both are
ageing nations with falling populations. Both talk of their respective
enemies in the same terms, fearing the respective facts that both
Kosovo Albanians and Azeris are young and Muslim, and dominate areas
which they consider theirs by historic right.

Hayk Khanumyan, an Armenian journalist and civil-society activist,
employs a novel argument. Kosovo, he says, is an “historic region
of Serbia” that Albanians have taken. (Albanians, needless to say,
would disagree with this analysis.) But the real comparison is between
Kosovo and Nakichevan, a large Azeri exclave separated from Azerbaijan
proper by Armenian territory.

Nakichevan, says Mr Khanumyan, was once Armenian. It was lost to the
Azeris as Kosovo was lost to Albanians. Nagorno-Karabakh, by contrast,
has not been lost and must be defended.

Back to Mr Hoxhaj. His message to Mr Atajanyan is that Kosovo can
only have formal relations with members of the UN, even though Kosovo
itself has not yet joined. “We understand the aspirations of others
but we have to be careful,” he adds. “We can’t shape the destiny of
other small nations but we have to protect what we have and sometimes
doing nothing is better than making a mistake.”

In other words, just as the Armenians sympathise with the Kosovars
but don’t want to annoy the Russians, the Kosovars don’t want to
irk their Western backers. Such are the basics of diplomacy in the
twilight zone of international relations, in which small states and
nations must manoeuvre to secure their best interests.