Instability in Syria is not in Armenia’s interests – Araks Pashayan

Instability in Syria is not in Armenia’s interests – Araks Pashayan

14:15 – 08.10.11

Instability in Syria and in the Arab World in general would not be at
the interest of Armenia, given the Armenian diasporan communities
living there, a specialist in Arabic Studies has said.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Araks Pashayan said that
instability in the Arab World will entail security problems for local
Armenians.

According to her, currently Syria is not facing the risk of foreign
intervention given Russia and China vetoed the UN resolution that
would envisage intervention.

Further, she said that overthrowing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s
administration will not necessarily bring about democracy in the
country.

However, it will be a serious blow to the secular rule in Syria and
moderate Islamists may come to power – something that Turkey would
like to see there happen.

`Iran will back Syria against turkey as change of administration in
Syria will harm Iran’s positions in the region,’ explained Pashayan.

`Turkey has some failures in the Middle East, for example, when it
decided to play as a mediator between Syria’s opposition and
authorities. Therefore, Turkey’s ambitions should be dealt with
reservations,’ she added.

Tert.am

Aliyev says changing status quo over Karabakh possible

Aliyev says changing status quo over Karabakh possible
10:39 – 08.10.11

There are good oppportunities to change the current status quo in the
Karabakh settlement process, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has
said.

Speaking at the opening of a French Lyceum in Baku, the Azerbaijani
leader addressed French President Nicolas Sarkozy, (who is now in
Azerbaijan as part of his regional visit to the South Caucasus),
saying that his country is really interested in ending the status quo
over Karabakh.

“As you said, it is necessary to put an end to the status quo. And I
think there are good opportunities to change that. Azerbaijan wishes
it most of all because those are our lands under the Armenian
occupation. Several international organizations, including the UN
Security Council, OSCE, the European Parliament and the Council of
Europe have already made their decision. That means there is a legal
basis for settling the Karabakh conflict,” Aliyev said, expressing
belief that serious steps in the near future would promote peace and
cooperation in the South Caucasus.

Tert.am

Sarkozy : la Géorgie doit être libre de rejoindre un jour l’UE

GEORGIE
Sarkozy : la Géorgie doit être libre de rejoindre un jour l’UE

Le président français Nicolas Sarkozy a estimé vendredi à Tbilissi que
la Géorgie devait être libre d’aspirer à intégrer l’Union européenne
et à terme de la rejoindre, à la condition d’approfondir ses réformes
démocratiques.

La Géorgie doit être libre d’exprimer son aspiration à se rapprocher
de l’Union européenne et un jour à la rejoindre. Cette aspiration est
d’abord une chance pour la Géorgie car elle est un catalyseur de
toutes les réformes, a déclaré M. Sarkozy lors d’un discours prononcé
devant plusieurs milliers de personnes réunies place de la Liberté, à
Tbilissi.

La Géorgie doit être libre d’exprimer son aspiration à rejoindre
l’Otan si son peuple le souhaite, a-t-il également estimé.

Ce rapprochement continu avec l’Union européenne dépend d’abord de vos
réformes et de l’approfondissement de votre démocratie, a toutefois
indiqué le chef de l’Etat français.

Pour ce qui me concerne, quand je suis à Tbilissi, je me sens en
Europe et pas ailleurs, a-t-il lancé sous les applaudissements.

Evoquant les progrès réalisés par les Géorgiens, Nicolas Sarkozy a
notamment cité le développement des infrastructures, la sécurité
restaurée, la richesse de votre pays multipliée par dix depuis 2004.

Lors d’un sommet à Varsovie la semaine dernière, le Premier ministre
français François Fillon avait douché les espoirs de l’Ukraine et la
Géorgie de rejoindre Union européenne, estimant que ce n’était pas le
moment d’offrir une telle perspective à ces pays.

Je comprends leur attente (d’adhésion) mais il serait contre-productif
de lancer maintenant le débat sur la forme finale des liens, avait dit
M. Fillon.

L’UE et la Géorgie ont entamé en juillet 2010 des négociations sur un
accord d’association.

Mais l’élargissement de l’Europe suscite de plus en plus de
réticences, à la lumière des exemples de la Roumanie et de la Bulgarie
dont certains pays membres jugent qu’ils y ont été admis trop tôt.

samedi 8 octobre 2011,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Nicolas Sarkozy élevé à l’Ordre de Gloire de la République d’Arménie

EREVAN
Nicolas Sarkozy élevé à l’Ordre de Gloire de la République d’Arménie

Le Président Serge Sarkissian a eu une réunion en tête à tête avec le
Président de la République Française Nicolas Sarkozy, qui se trouve en
Arménie pour une visite d’état.

A la fin de la réunion, les Présidents d’Arménie et de France ont tenu
une conférence de presse commune. Avant cela, le Président Serge
Sarkissian avait inscrit Nicolas Sarkozy à l’Ordre de Gloire pour sa
contribution au renforcement des relations amicales traditionnelles
entre l’Arménie et la France, pour avoir approfondi et élargi les
différents domaines de la coopération entre la République d’Arménie et
la République Française, et pour sa contribution personnelle au
maintien de la paix et de la sécurité internationale.

Parlant à la conférence de presse commune, le Président Sarkissian a
dit en particulier :

`Cher Monsieur le Président, Mesdames et Messieurs,

J’accueille cordialement mon ami – le Président de la République
Française, M. Nicolas Sarkozy et sa délégation, dans notre République
d’Arménie. Le 20ème anniversaire de l’indépendance de l’Arménie a été
l’occasion de visites réciproques entre les Présidents d’Arménie et de
France qui ont une signification particulière et attestent du désir
mutuel de préserver le dynamisme de notre dialogue de haut-niveau.

Aujourd’hui, j’ai parlé une nouvelle fois avec le Président Sarkozy de
l’importance que les Arméniens attachent aux relations avec la France
fondées sur des liens historiques rapprochés, sur le rôle considérable
que joue la France dans l’arène internationale, sur le fait que la
France soit co-présidente du Groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE, sur la
présence en France d’une communauté arménienne forte d’un demi million
et par un certain nombre d’autres facteurs.

Dans nos relations, nous avons établi un dialogue politique de
haut-niveau, les relations interparlementaires se développent
efficacement, il y a des liens rapprochés dans les domaines de la
culture et de l’éducation, la présence de sociétés françaises dans
notre économie est visible, et la coopération entre les corps de
gouvernance locale se développent efficacement elles aussi.

Nous avons mis un accent particulier à nos relations commerciales et
économiques et je suis très heureux que le Président Sarkozy se soit
déclaré prêt à promouvoir la participation des milieux d’affaires dans
les programmes de développement arméniens. Nos réunions et discussions
efficaces ont eu pour résultat d’assurer la participation la plus
large de sociétés françaises aux programmes mis en `uvre dans
différents secteurs de l’économie arménienne. Nous sommes
particulièrement heureux de savoir que la France est prête à s’engager
dans le secteur de l’énergie arménienne, y compris dans la
construction d’une nouvelle unité de la centrale nucléaire arménienne
et dans le développement de programmes concernant les infrastructures
qui sont d’importance vitale pour l’Arménie.

Etant donné le rôle de premier plan et la position de la France dans
l’Union Européenne, nous avons exprimé notre détermination pour
continuer notre coopération dans le cadre des relations Arménie-UE,
dont font partie les Programmes de Voisinage et de Partenariat pour la
Région Orientale. La partie française s’est plusieurs fois déclarée
prête à soutenir les efforts de l’Arménie tendant à l’intégration
européenne que nous apprécions grandement, dans la mesure ou en plus
du système de valeurs et de civilisation communes, nous sommes liés à
l’Europe par l’intermédiaire d’états amis et partenaires, de la France
en particulier.

Avec le Président Sarkozy, nous avons également échangé nos vues sur
la résolution de la question du Karabagh, sur les problèmes de la
région du Sud Caucase et sur la situation en général. J’ai exprimé à
quel point nous apprécions les efforts persistants de la France en
tant que co-présidente du Groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE pour une
résolution pacifique du conflit du Karabagh.

J’ai souligné qu’en Arménie, nous attachons une importance
particulière à l’implication du Président Français dans ce processus.
Ce rôle ressort clairement des déclarations faites par les Présidents
des pays co-présidents du groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE à l’Aquila, à
Muskova, et en particulier à Deauville, dans le cadre du sommet du G8,
qui était présidé par la France. Les positions directes et équilibrées
des grandes puissances, en particulier celle de la France, qui est
influente et respectée, sont perçues par la République d’Arménie comme
un message extrêmement important visant à l’instauration dans le Sud
Caucase d’une paix durable et d’un élan de coopération régionale.

Nous avons également parlé en détail d’autres voies de développement
de notre initiative vers une normalisation de nos relations avec la
Turquie et des raisons de l’impasse actuelle. A cette occasion, je
voudrais remercier encore une fois le Président Sarkozy pour la
reconnaissance du Génocide Arménien, sa position très claire sur les
relations Arménie-Turquie et sur l’accession de la Turquie à l’UE, et
aussi pour son assistance fraternelle à travers toutes ces années.

En conclusion, je voudrais exprimer encore une fois le désir et la
demande des autorités arméniennes pour travailler encore plus au
renforcement de l’amitié longue de plusieurs siècles entre les peuples
Arménien et Français.`

Pour voir toutes les vidéos de la visite officielle en Arménie,
cliquer sur le lien ci-dessous

samedi 8 octobre 2011,
Jean Eckian ©armenews.com

ANKARA: French Minister Says French President Did Not Set Calendar

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Oct 7 2011

French Minister Says French President Did Not Set Calendar Regarding
Armenian Motion

Friday, 7 October 2011

ANKARA (A.A) – French Interior Minister Claude Gueant has said that
French President Nicolas Sarkozy did not set a calendar about a motion
which would support Armenian allegations regarding 1915 incidents.

Holding a joint press conference with Turkish Interior Minister Idris
Naim Sahin in Ankara on Friday, Gueant said that the French president
did not mention a calendar, when reporters asked about the statements
of Sarkozy who said France could pass a law, similar to that in
Switzerland, which would support Armenian allegations regarding the
incidents of 1915.

Noting that he arrived in Turkey with the directives of Sarkozy,
Gueant said that he was in Ankara to sign long-awaited security
agreement, adding that Sarkozy attached great importance in the
agreement.

The two countries would act together against common threats under the
agreement, he said.

Gueant said that the agreement was also opening a door to technical
cooperation as well as operational cooperation between the two
countries which made Turkey and France to take stance against
terrorism and every type of crime.

He added that France would continue to support Turkey in fight against
PKK terrorist organization.

Gueant said that 38 PKK members had been arrested in France in 2010,
and 32 others were arrested so far this year.

He noted that Turkey’s influence in international area grew, and it
started to undertake a peace-maker role in the region.
(GC-MS)

Friday, 7 October 2011
Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: Davutoglu Says France’s Confronting With Its Own History…

Turkishny.com, NY
Oct 7 2011

Davutoglu Says France’s Confronting With Its Own History Will Be
Beneficial For World Peace

Friday, 07 October 2011 13:14 .

Turkey’s foreign minister said on Friday that France’s confronting
with its own history would be beneficial for world peace.

Ahmet Davutoglu said there was nothing in the remarks French President
Nicolas Sarkozy made in Armenia that could make Turkey offended.

“It will be very beneficial if France confronts with its own history,
particularly with African nations,” Davutoglu told reporters in
Ankara.
Davutoglu’s remarks came after Sarkozy had said France could pass a
law, similar to that in Switzerland, which would support

Armenian allegations regarding the incidents of 1915.

Minister Davutoglu said those who recommended that Turkey should
confront with its history should first of all look at themselves.

“I consider such remarks as political opportunism, and unfortunately
such political opportunism is faced in Europe whenever there is an
upcoming election,” Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu said the remark was totally in line with internal politics
in France, and it was something that would have a negative impact on
Turkish-Armenian process.

It was impossible to think that such remarks would contribute to a
peace process, Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu said Turkish people lived together with the Armenians in
same cities, neighborhoods for centuries, and Armenian people had huge
contributions in Turkish architecture those days.

“We will confront with out history, there is not any problem. However,
mentalities who cannot confront with their own histories and who have
not intermingled with the societies they have ruled and who have seen
them as a lower class, should confront with their own histories,”
Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu said a state or a society that had a colonial history did
not have the right to give a lesson to Turkey to confront its history.
“We have always stated that the agonies experienced in 1915 are our
own agonies, and we suggested that we should share our agonies,”
Davutoglu also said.

Sports: Armenia and Sweden keep alive their hopes of Euro finals

Monsters and Critics.com
Oct 7 2011

Armenia and Sweden keep alive their hopes of Euro finals
Oct 7, 2011, 18:24 GMT

Berlin – Armenia and Sweden kept alive their hopes of qualifying for
the finals of next year’s Euro finals with victories in their
qualifying matches on Friday.

In Group B Armenia moved into second place ahead of Ireland, but
behind Russia on 17 points with a 4-1 victory against a ten-man
Macedonia. Both Russia and Ireland have an opportunity to keep the
Armenians behind them with victories later Friday.

In Helsinki Sweden secured a 2-1 victory against Finland to move to 21
points – three behind the Netherlands, who have already qualified for
the finals in Ukraine and Poland.

Sebastian Larsson gave the Swedes the ideal start in the 8th minute
and Martin Olsson added a second shortly after the restart. Joona
Toivio gave the home crowd some hope midway through the second half,
but the Swedes held out for an important victory that secured their
play-off place.

In Group D Bosnia & Herzegovina beat Luxembourg 5-0.

The three points takes the Bosnians to 19 points, two ahead of France
who are facing Albania in a later match.

In Group F, where Greece and Croatia have already made sure of
finishing in the top two positions, Latvia beat Malta 2-0 to move to
11 points.

Under interim coach Willibald Ruttensteiner Austria secured a 4-1
victory against Azerbaijan in Group A. Both teams had no chance of
going through to the finals ahead of the game.

Andreas Ivantschitz gave the visitors the lead in the first half
before Marc Janko added two goals early in the second half. Vugar
Nadirov pulled one back for Azerbaijan – who ended the game with 10
players – but Zlatko Junuzovic secured a convincing victory for
Austria with an injury time strike.

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/sport/soccer/article_1667447.php/Armenia-and-Sweden-keep-alive-their-hopes-of-Euro-finals

Sports: Armenia beats Macedonia 4-1 in Euro 2012 qualifier

Fox News
Oct 7 2011

Armenia beats Macedonia 4-1 in Euro 2012 qualifier

Published October 07, 2011
| FoxSports

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – Armenia beat 10-man Macedonia 4-1 in a Euro
2012 qualifier on Friday to stay in contention for a major event for
the first time in its history.

First half goals from Marcos Pizzelli and Henrik Mkhitaryan put
Armenia 2-0 up in the Group B game before Macedonia was reduced to 10
men when captain Velice Sumulikoski was sent off for a second yellow
card in the 53rd minute.

Gevorg Ghazaryan added Armenia’s third in the 69th. Vance Sikov headed
in Macedonia’s consolation goal in the 86th before Artur Sarkisov
completed the scoring in injury time.

Armenia has 17 points from games. In later matches, Ireland, on 14
points, takes on winless Andorra, while group leader Russia, on 17
points, is at Slovakia, which has 14.

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/sports/2011/10/07/armenia-beats-macedonia-4-1-in-euro-2012-qualifier/

NAM Radio: The Theatre of Armenian Genocide

New America Media
Oct 9 2011

NAM Radio: The Theatre of Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide began in the late 19th century and continued on
through the first two decades of the the 20th. It was the first
genocide of the 20th century and hundreds of thousands — some say 1.5
million — Armenian lives later, the Armenian Genocide had made its
mark on history.

What remains is the story of their lives, told by those who came
after. Torange Yeghiazarian is the founding director of Golden Thread
Middle Eastern Theatre in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her theatre’s
production of Night Over Erzinga is a sparkling and moving adaptation
of one family’s story. She spoke with New America Now Host Shirin
Sadeghi.

New America Now is the radio program of New America Media. The program
is hosted by Shirin Sadeghi and is broadcast on 91.7 FM KALW San
Francisco on Fridays at noon and Sundays at 3 pm.

http://newamericamedia.org/2011/10/nam-radio-the-theatre-of-armenian-genocide.php

ANKARA: Turkey defies Sarkozy’s remarks about Armenia

Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Oct 7 2011

Turkey defies Sarkozy’s remarks about Armenia

ANKARA (A.A) -Turkey on Friday rejected French President Nicolas
Sarkozy’s remarks over the incidents of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire as
“inconsistent and imprudent.”

Sarkozy, visiting Armenia on Thursday and Friday, the French leader
had urged Turkey to review its history and recognize the Armenian
allegations regarding the incidents of 1915 by the end of his own term
of office. The French president also said that he would be in favour
of taking further steps to support Armenian claims if Turkey fails to
do that.

“Attempts to exploit controversies between Turkey and Armenia by third
parties for their domestic political agenda and even to see in
themselves the right to connect this to their electoral calendar point
to a misperception of their own political power. The French people
will judge whether such approaches, based on electoral calculations,
are compatible with the French democratic culture and state
tradition,” Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

“Such an inconsistent and imprudent handling of this serious matter
that has human and moral dimensions is unfortunate. Political
declarations based on one-sided information and reflecting accusatory
judgments regarding historical events are very far from the fair
approach that this issue requires and demonstrate a failure to even
comprehend Turkey’s approach on the matter. This painful part of our
long history with the Armenians can be freely debated in Turkey,
unlike in some countries that are party to this issue or others that
are not, including France.

“Turkey will continue its constructive approach on how to improve its
relations with Armenia, overcome the controversy over the events of
1915 and reach a just memory.

“What is expected from France is to make a positive contribution to
this process and to adopt a responsible approach and discourse that
would show care to avoid both damaging the multi-dimensional
relationship between Turkey and France and offending the Turkish
community in France,” the ministry said.