Author: Badalian Vardan

WILL ELECTRICITY REACH ARMENIA FROM TURKMENISTAN THROUGH IRAN?

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 2, 2011

PanARMENIAN.Net – The meeting between deputy Energy Minister of Iran
Mohammad Behzad and Minister of Energy and National Resources of
Armenia Armen Movsisyan took place in Tehran, during which the parties
underscored importance of enhancing cooperation in the field of energy.

Behzad stated that as far as construction of power station in Meghri
is concerned, presently the work on a bilateral agreement securing
purchase of electricity generated at the station is next to be
finished.

Regarding construction of the third line of electricity transmission
linking Iran with Armenia, the Iranian Deputy Minister stressed that
the respective financial agreement has already been signed, however
the Armenian party did not guarantee all necessary conditions yet
and the credit line was not opened.

Behzad also highlighted the transit of electricity from Turkmenistan
to Armenia through Iran and noted that respective talks between the
three countries representatives completed in Ashkhabad and the text
of agreement was already prepared for signatures, Iran News reports.

TORCH OF 5TH PAN-ARMENIAN GAMES LIT AT GANDZASAR’S CATHEDRAL OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 2, 2011

PanARMENIAN.Net – On August 2, President of the Artsakh Republic Bako
Sahakyan partook in the solemn ceremony of lighting the torch of the
5th Pan-Armenian games at the Gandzasar’s Cathedral of St John the
Baptist and delivered a welcoming address.

“During the last 20 years Artsakh has become the symbol of
consolidation of the world-spread Armenians. Such events also
depict the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora solid and inflexible trinity. We
highlight the role of the Pan-Armenian games from the very viewpoint
of continuous strengthening of this trinity. These games are not only
a pure sense competition, but also another expression of our national
solidarity and unity. The victorious spirit must always be strong in
every Armenian and accompany us on our unbroken way,” Sahakyan said.

Head of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop
Pargev Martirosyan, Speaker of the National Assembly Ashot Ghulyan,
Chairman of the Pan-Armenian Games’ international committee Ishkhan
Zakharyan, numerous guests from Armenia and Diaspora were present at
the ceremony.

The 5th Pan-Armenian games are due on August 13-21. The applications
are still being accepted and the final number of participants will
be announced the day before the games. About 100 Artsakh sportsmen
are expected to partake in the games.

ARTSAKH VALUES HIS FRIENDS

NKR Government Information and
Public Relations Department
28.07.2011

Baroness Cox is again in Artsakh and as usual not alone. She is
accompanied by about thirty pilgrims having different age and different
professions. They called their visit pilgrimage. Yesterday Prime
Minister of Artsakh Republic Ara Haroutyunyan received the guests.

It was in 1991 when Caroline Cox visited Artsakh first. Sincere
friendship of Baroness with Artsakh has a 20 years history. This
time she visited on the threshold of 20th anniversary of Artsakh’s
independence, which is a great honour for each foreigner.

During the meeting a number of social, economic as well as political
issues were touched upon. Talking about the settlement of Karabakh
problem A.Haroutyunyan mentioned that this conflict can be settled
only with the satisfaction of Artsakh’s demands.

Answering one of the guests questions what needs Nagorno Karabakh most
of all, Prime Minister mentioned – attention and friends. All the other
problems we try to regulate ourselves. Baroness said confidently that
she has successors of her mission; her grandchildren Hugo and Olivia
came with her. They got acquainted with this wonderful country 13
years ago when they were only 5 years old.

CONCOURS DE BEAUTE
« Miss 7 continent » quitte l’Arménie pour la Turquie
après deux éditions à Erévan, le concours se déroulera cette année à Bodrum

Après deux éditions en Arménie, pourquoi les organisateurs Arméniens
du concours de beauté « Miss 7 Continent » ont décidé de déplacer
l’évènement à Bodrum en Turquie ? Achot Khatchatrian, le président du
Comité d’organisation de la ligue internationale du concours de beauté
et de mode « Miss et Mister » explique qu’ils ont choisi de faire
dérouler le concours en Turquie du 20 au 30 septembre prochains car «
ce concours dispose d’un grand succès international (…) nous le
réaliserons à Bodrum en Turquie car les Turcs ont mis à notre
disposition des hôtels de luxe en bordure de mer et des conditions
parfaites pour l’organisation de cet évènement. Nous ne parlerons pas
de politique ! ». Et pourquoi ne pas l’organiser une nouvelle fois en
Arménie un concours de beauté qui pourrait aider le tourisme à se
développer ? Achot Khatchatrian répond « nous ne sommes pas obligés de
réaliser un concours international dans un même pays. Nous devons au
contraire le diffuser à travers le monde. Les filles qui viennent ici
en Arménie ont des problèmes liés aux billets d’avion. On peut
organiser le concours en Arménie si on paie les billets de vol. Or en
haute saison ces billes sont chers et hors de portée des filles qui
viennent des pays européens ». Autrement dit se rendre en Turquie
coûte moins cher…surtout si les propriétaires des hôtels de luxe
bradent les prix pour attirer une clientèle européenne… Mais Achot
Khatchatrian rassure « le concours se déroulera en Turquie dans une
ambiance arménienne, avec de la musique arménienne ». Une trentaine de
pays participeront au concours de beauté. L’Arménie sera représentée
par la gagnate du concours « Princesse d’Arménie-2010 ».

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 31 juillet 2011,
Krikor [email protected]

CAUCASE
Dimitri Medvedev « la base russe en Arménie est un gage de stabilité
et de sécurité pour le Caucase »

Le président russe Dimitri Medvedev, lors d’une interview dans le
journal économique azéri « The Business Year » a déclaré que
l’objectif de la base russe stationnée en Arménie est d’assurer la
paix et la stabilité dans la région caucasienne. Dimitri Medvedev dit
« Le maintien de la stabilité au Caucase est l’une des questions les
plus importantes pour la Russie. C’est l’un des fondements de la
construction des relations d’amitiés avec notre voisin proche
l’Azerbaïdjan car nous sommes intéressés par le maintien de la paix
dans la région. C’est dans ce contexte qu’il convient de voir le
prolongement de l’accord de l’extension de la durée de la base
militaire russe en Arménie qui fut accepté lors de la visite à Erévan.
Cette base est appelée à assurer la paix et la stabilité ainsi que
faire diminuer les difficultés que nous avons aujourd’hui ». Le
Président de la Fédération de Russie a également évoqué lors de
l’interview la situation du Haut Karabagh. « Avec ma participation,
les rencontres entre les présidents de l’Arménie et de l’Azerbaïdjan
ont atteint dans leur fréquence des niveaux maximales. Dernièrement
j’ai affirmé que je ne rougissais pas du travail que nous avons
effectué de notre côté » dit-il. Selon Dimitri Medvedev ces
pourparlers de paix ont donné quelques résultats. « Mais ces dialogues
doivent se poursuivre. La Russie assure ses responsabilités au sein du
Groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE » continue D. Medvedev en assurant qu’il
était de l’honneur et du devoir de la Russie de continuer à encourager
la poursuite de ces dialogues entre l’Arménie et l’Azerbaïdjan. « La
Russie sera fidèle à ses devoirs et réalisera des pas en conséquence
pour que des résultats concrets aboutissent. Leur réussite relève
d’une importance très grande pour les intérêts de la Russie qui désire
l’installation dans cette zone d’une paix durable et de sécurité dans
la région » conclut Dimitri Medvedev.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 31 juillet 2011,
Krikor [email protected]

PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV: AZERBAIJAN WILL RESTORE ITS SOVEREIGNTY OVER NAGORNO-KARABAKH EITHER PEACEFUL OR MILITARY MEANS

Trend
July 28, 2011
Azerbaijan

“I have reiterated Azerbaijan’s position related to the ways of
settling the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and informed about the current
state of negotiations,” Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at
a news conference during Erdogan’s official visit to Azerbaijan. “I
would like to reiterate that the Azerbaijani people and the Azerbaijani
government are very grateful for Turkey’s position over this issue. It
is really friendly and brotherly attitude. We very much appreciate it.”

President Aliyev said the Azerbaijani lands are under occupation
for many years. More than 1 million Azerbaijanis were driven from
their native land and became refugees and IDPs as a result of this
occupation.

“An ethnic cleansing policy was pursued against us. Armenians
committed genocide against the Azerbaijanis. They committed the
Khojaly genocide. Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity is recognized
by the international community, Nagorno-Karabakh is a primordial
and historical Azerbaijani lands. Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
must be restored. Major international organizations have expressed
their position on the conflict resolution. The UN Security Council has
adopted four resolutions on this issue. The OSCE, European Parliament,
the Council of Europe and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
have adopted fair decisions and these resolutions are the basis for
addressing this issue,” Aliyev said.

President Aliyev once again congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdogan with a
convincing victory of his party in the parliamentary elections. Aliyev
expressed gladness with Erdogan’s visit to Azerbaijan – his homeland
after a month after the election .

“The Turkish-Azerbaijani relations are at the highest level. These
relations are of strategic nature and based on the principles of
friendship and brotherhood. We are linked with the historical roots
and cultural ties, our past and current political interests. We are
very pleased that the Turkish- Azerbaijan relations are developing
rapidly, and talks and discussions that we had during the prime
minister’s visit once again demonstrate how close we are to each
other,” Ilham Aliyev said.

All the issues on the agenda have been discussed today and extensive
exchange of views has been held, President Aliyev underscored. “We
reiterate that political relations are at the highest level. I can
say that the relations are at the top. There are excellent prospects
in the economic sphere. I am very pleased that the trade turnover
between our countries has increased in 2011. There are new plans and
proposals. We are considering investment proposals. Turkish companies
invest in Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani companies invest in Turkey. To
date, the Azerbaijani companies have invested more than $ 4 billion
in the Turkish economy. Additional investments worth $ 6 billion
are supposed to be invested only in the petrochemical industry
in the coming years. The Turkish companies actively participate
in infrastructure projects of strategic importance implemented in
Azerbaijan and we are very pleased with their work,” he said.

“Moreover, we have today held an exchange of views on strengthening
security in the region. We talked about the prospects of the
Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation in this field. Taking the advantage,
I would like to express my condolences to all the Turkish people
in connection with the deaths of our brothers in the recent bloody
terrorist attacks. We strongly condemn the acts of the terrorist
organization PKK. We have repeatedly stated our position on this
issue. Once again I want to say that Azerbaijan has officially
recognized the PKK as the terrorist organization and as always, is
close to the Turkish state and nation in the fight against it. We
strongly condemn all forms of terrorism and are absolutely convinced
that the fight against terrorism can only be effective if all states
work together. Our cooperation with Turkey in combating terrorism,
as well as in all areas, is at a very high level,” he said.

President Aliyev said they also spoke about energy issues.

“As you know, these relations have a long history. The
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline
are functioning successfully. We exchanged views on prospects for the
future. These are important issues for Turkey, and Azerbaijan. They
closely unite our countries. I believe the further cooperation will
also be successful.

The transport issues also occupy an important place in the
Turkey-Azerbaijan relations. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway construction
successfully runs. I would like to say that Azerbaijan has allocated
a loan worth nearly $800 million for the construction of the Georgian
railway, so that the issue was soon resolved and the railroad was
put into operation by late 2012.

Once again I want to say that our cooperation is high in all
areas. We hope that the rate will be maintained in the future and the
Turkish-Azerbaijani friendship and brotherhood relations will develop,”
Aliyev said.

President Aliyev also commented on President Serzh Sargsyan’s
statement, who said “We won the Nagorno-Karabakh, let the new
generation to even win Agri-Dagh”.

“Actually, I did not expect anything else from Sargsyan, since I
have met with him several times. I am well aware of his thinking. In
essence, it demonstrates Armenia’s aggressive nature. This country is
in the grip of problems. The number of those departing this country
hits tens of thousands of people. The economy is in full crisis –
poverty, destitution and hopelessness. No normal company operates in
the country. This country will die if it does not receive foreign
donations and foreign backers. Although the real population is 1.8
million, these people claim for ancestral, historical lands of Turkey.

”

“They think that they have solved the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. They
are wrong. Nagorno-Karabakh is and will remain as the Azerbaijani
land. The time will come, when Azerbaijan will restore its sovereignty
over Nagorno-Karabakh either by peaceful or military means.

But to voice territorial claims to such a great country as Turkey?! It
simply indicates that these people’ minds are missing something. They
do not live in the real world, but in a dream world. They need to wake
up from sleep, return to the real world and even to compare themselves
with Turkey. You cannot compare an elephant and an ant, “Aliyev said.

ARMENIAN SERVICEMEN OPEN FIRE ONLY IN EXTREME CASES – DEFENSE MINISTRY

Interfax
July 28, 2011
Russia

YEREVAN. July 28

Armenia honors ceasefire in the Karabakh conflict zone, Armenian
Defense Ministry press secretary David Karapetian said.

“The Armenian Armed Forces take reciprocal measures only in extreme
cases. If a civilian is hurt in the Armenian response to the breach
of ceasefire by Azerbaijani servicemen, the entire responsibility
for that rests upon Azerbaijan,” a source at the Azerbaijani Defense
Ministry said citing Karapetian to Interfax.

The Azerbaijani channel ANS said that an Armenian sniper had seriously
wounded Rakhiba Poladova, a resident of the Gazakh district. The
Azerbaijani Defense Ministry did not confirm the incident.

Karapetian also said Azerbaijan could apply to an international agency
for holding an investigation.

“It is traditional for the Azerbaijani media to report civilian or
military casualties in gunfire coming from the Armenian side. The
Azerbaijani media should also publish statistics of ceasefire
violations by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, which is growing day
after day. For instance, contract servicemen of the Armenian Armed
Forces Karen Gukasian, 35, and Manvel Vanesian, 24, were injured in a
violation of ceasefire by Azerbaijani servicemen on July 26,” he said.

DOUBLE STANDARDS IN WESTERN MEDIA
Soltan Ismaylov

Today’s Zaman
July 29, 2011
Turkey

When news of Norway’s enormous tragedy first reached the US, a CNN news
anchor invited a terrorism expert to speak about possible culprits.

Predictably, the guest pontificated about the al-Qaeda connection,
reminding of the “Muslim rage” against Norway for re-publishing
insulting cartoons about the Prophet Muhammad and of the nation’s
participation in bombing Libya.

The fact that there have been major terrorist attacks by Islamic
radicals is no secret, and such suspicions are not necessarily
unreasonable. However, the jump to hasty conclusions and the hyper
readiness to engage in guilt-by-association is a sad illustration of
the effect ideological propaganda has on any society, even one as open
and diverse as that of the US. Even sadder is that such bias was on
full display not on Rupert Murdoch’s infamous and borderline-racist
Fox News channel but on the self-proclaimed guardian of objective
reporting – CNN.

Rushed conclusions are not only irresponsible journalism, they are also
simply misleading and direct attention away from the real perpetrators
of massacres like the one in Norway. Muslim radicals should not be
excused, but neither should Christian terrorists and xenophobes like
Norway’s Anders Breivik. As those Muslims promoting extremist views
have frequently and rightly been called to atone for their sins, then
those who espouse anti-Muslim and far-right ideals and whose writing
and statements are uncomfortably close to Breivik’s line of thought
should perhaps think again about what exactly they are promoting.

The horrific scenes in Norway have proven what many around the world
have been stating for years – terrorism has no religion. This is a
problem of radicalism and there are no good terrorists. Muslims should
avoid the temptation to speak of Christian terrorism or Christian
fascism, even if the actions of the Norwegian domestic terrorist come
as close as one could to the very definition of fascism. Instead,
toning down ideological rhetoric on all sides would be an important
step forward.

Freedom of speech should not become an excuse for otherwise inexcusable
behavior. There are reasonable restrictions pertaining to public safety
accepted internationally – the classic example being not screaming
“fire” in a crowded theater. To deny that extremist rhetoric leads
to radical action is similar to denying that violence in the media
and entertainment has an affect on the psyche of those exposed to
it. From the shooting of Arizona congresswoman Giffords to domestic
terrorism in Norway, the harsh rhetoric of protecting the purity of
society has claimed real human victims. Unlike the numerous victims
of NATO’s massive bombing campaigns in the pursuit of democracy that
appear as detached statistics and, in any case look so different. The
Norwegian victims and the Nordic identity of the terrorist should
provoke some soul-searching among those experts who built their
careers on promoting the “clash of civilizations.”

More than a moral issue of long-overdue soul searching, the existing
double standards readily promoted by Western media are becoming a
security and safety issue. After all, public perceptions have been
shaped into suspicion of all persons of Middle Eastern descent,
but not of a blond European in a police uniform that could now be
questionable following the Oslo explosions.

Still, ideological rhetoric continues to be a convenient tool for
politicians. From the Muslim-bashing radicalism of the most vocal
opponents of the Islamic Center in Lower Manhattan to ridiculous
accusations against Turkey of disrespecting religious minorities,
distorted exaggerations and double standards remain the rule rather
than the exception in US and Western politics.

This convenience has become a trademark of increasingly lazy Western
journalism. CNN reporters, so fond of their electronic gadgets, spend
more time reading their viewers’ tweets and Facebook debates than
engaging in actual journalistic investigations. Not surprisingly,
the Washington Post, while dedicating ample space on its pages to
promoting the radical ethno-religious views of Armenian separatists
in Nagorno-Karabakh, found no place to report a despicable act of
terrorism against an Azerbaijani teenager who died from an Armenian
explosive placed in a child’s toy.

Looking outside ideologically defined stereotypes seems to go
beyond the basic requirements of professionalism for CNN and other
journalists; it is a practical issue, which when ignored can have
very costly consequences.

*Soltan Ismaylov is based in Azerbaijan.

ARMENIA SEEKS TO BECOME LIKE EU MEMBER STATES-PRESIDENT

news.am
July 29, 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – The farewell ceremony of Polish President Bronislaw
Komorowski was held at Armenian presidential residence on Friday.

Prior to the ceremony, the two leaders discussed meetings and
discussions within the framework of Polish President’s visit to
Armenia and summed up the results, the presidential press service
informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“I would like to express my gratitude for the visit to Armenia. I
believe assistance to Armenia in European integration is important
and makes sense. We can also build close Armenian-Polish relations,
as there is a potential,” Komorowski noted.

President Sargsyan noted the two peoples have been on close terms for
centuries and Armenians are always happy to welcome the president of
a friendly country. According to Sargsyan, our country really seeks
to be like the EU member states and the support of a friendly country
is of great importance.

CHESS-MAD ARMENIA’S HEROES RETURN IN TRIUMPH

Agence France Presse(AFP)
July 29, 2011

YEREVAN – Armenia’s top chess players, lauded as heroes after winning
the 2011 World Team Chess Championship this week, vowed on Friday to
boost the small chess-mad country’s status in the game even further.

The team’s head coach said that future successes will be secured
through official support and an unusual new scheme to promote the game
among schoolchildren initiated by Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian,
a keen player who also heads the country’s Chess Federation.

“Because of this attention and care, we can improve our game,” coach
Arshak Petrosian told a press conference, two days after returning
from the tournament in China to a rapturous welcome from fans and
Sarkisian himself at Yerevan airport.

Sarkisian’s government decided this year to make chess a compulsory
subject in primary schools from September, investing around $1.5
million (one million euros) in a project to establish Armenia as a
global force in the game — a large sum in the impoverished country.

“This is a very important decision for the development and spread of
chess in the country,” Petrosian said.

“It doesn’t mean that every pupil will then become a professional
chess player, but chess develops logic and teaches people to think
flexibly and wisely,” he said.

When the players returned from China on Wednesday, their motorcade
was applauded through the streets of the capital by fans carrying
flowers and shouting “Armenia! Victory!”

Grandmasters are stars and important match results make headline news
in the ex-Soviet state of 3.2 million people, where the progress of the
12-day tournament was followed intently by large numbers of Armenians.

“Our guys showed that a small country can also become a chess
superpower,” a pensioner who gave his name as Garnik told AFP, not
looking up from his chessboard as he enjoyed an outdoor match in a
Yerevan park.

Armenia had already established itself as a serious competitor in
global tournaments.

The national team won gold at the biennial International Chess Olympiad
in 2006 and 2008, and the country’s leading player Levon Aronian is
currently ranked number three in the world, according to the World
Chess Federation.