Author: Badalian Vardan

DIASPORAN YOUTH URGE PRESIDENT SARGSYAN TO HALT TEGHOUT MINE

11:55, October 24, 2012

On the weekend of October 13, at an AYF Eastern Region senior seminar
themed “Project Armenia”, AYF Seniors signed a letter addressed
to President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, and
the Vallex Corporation. The letter, reproduced below along with a
selection of signatures, calls on the parties to cease the illegal
mining operations going on in Teghout forest unless and until a fair
and non-biased Environmental Impact Assessment is conducted.

President Serzh Sargsyan Office of the President of the Republic of
Armenia 26 Baghramian Avenue Yerevan, Republic of Armenia 0077

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan Government House 1 Yerevan, Republic
of Armenia 0010

Dear Mr. President and Mr. Prime Minister,

We are a group of youth activists in the diaspora, members of the
Armenian Youth Federation of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
of the Eastern Region of the United States. We are writing to you
to discuss a matter which is of urgent concern to us as members of
the Armenian nation, regarding the mining operations going on in
Teghut forest.

As you know, the January 25, 2012 Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe Declaration No. 503 found that these operations, and the
manner in which they were approved by the Government of Armenia,
are in violation of domestic and international laws and agreements.

The issue demands immediate attention, but cases brought in Armenian
courts have been procedural bases without attention to the substance of
the claims. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIP) which purportedly
enumerated and calculated the harms which would be caused by the mining
is deeply flawed and information disseminated based on it is likewise
false. The damage being done to Teghut is final – it cannot be undone.

The benefits of mining in Teghout in this manner have not been
demonstrated by data or sound evidence to an extent that it is shown
to be efficient and a good decision economically and environmentally.

While the mine may create jobs, they will be temporary. The mining
and taxing fees are not enough to outweigh the costs of ecological
loss, deterioration of health and loss of future opportunities the
land may present in the future.

The Government of Armenia has a responsibility to exercise careful
foresight in the expending of Armenia’s resources. Future generations
must not be deprived for the sake of temporary economic gains today.

With this letter, we formally request that a new, independent and
transparent Environmental Impact Assessment be conducted in order to:

1. Comply with domestic and international laws

2. Determine and present an accurate analysis of the environmental
impact of the Teghout mining operations

3. Address the potential public health impacts of the Teghout mining
operations

4. Take alternative development options to mining into consideration
(such as eco-tourism) as required by Armenian law

5. Restore public faith and trust in government

If the mining can be justified, then the information should be
presented in a transparent, accessible and well-documented manner. The
conclusion should be based on independent economic, environmental
and legal analysis. The public should be allowed input, and their
and our voices taken into consideration.

Until a new EIP is conducted and a justified decision is made,
international best practice indicates that the mining should be
suspended, due to its potentially dangerous consequences.

As young Armenians who feel invested in the future of the Republic of
Armenia, we are passionate about taking any opportunities we can to
voice our opinions. Members of the Diaspora are involved in actions
taken on behalf of Teghout in Armenia and outside the Republic.

We look forward to receiving your response to this letter within
10 business days. You may respond to our request by writing to
[email protected] .

Respectfully yours,

The undersigned.

October 15, 2012

STATE COMMITTEE ON WORK WITH DIASPORA COMMENTS ON MEETING BETWEEN “AZERROS” AND ARMENIAN DIASPORA IN MOSCOW

APA
Oct 23 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. The State Committee on Work with Diaspora does not believe
that the meeting between the representatives of “Azerros” Federal
National Cultural Autonomy and Armenian Diaspora in Moscow will have a
positive influence on the process of settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Nagorno Karabakh.

The statement sent to APA by the State Committee’s press service says
that such meetings may serve the interests of the Armenian Diaspora,
who want to form public opinion that the Azerbaijani society is ready
for compromises casting doubt on our country’s territorial integrity.

“It is not accidental that since early 2000 Armenian Diaspora and
lobby under the pretext of “people’s diplomacy” have been putting
forward initiatives to form impression that Azerbaijani society is
ready for compromises. Practice shows that such initatives serve to
create additional opportunities for pressure on Azerbaijan, which
insists on fair solution to the conflict.

Though such intiatives of individuals, or organizations are the
expression of the wish to contribute to solving the conflict, it is
more expedient that professional diplomats deal with the settlement
of the conflict.

The State Committee on Work with Diaspora respects patriotic
feelings of every Azerbaijani wishing to contribute to solving
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, but is not sure
that such meetings promise real perspectives and call on the Diaspora
organizations to be more careful and attention in such initiatives,”
the statement says.

AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN DIASPORA REPRESENTATIVES IN RUSSIA SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING

APA
Oct 23 2012
Azerbaijan

Ara Abramyan: “We have not forgotten our friendship with the
Azerbaijani people”

Moscow. Farid Akbarov – APA. “We are living in the Russian Federation
and are participants of the national policy strategy of the Russian
President. Our interests depend on the interests of Russia. Peace and
stability in Russia is in the interests of our nations,” President of
Armenian Union in Russia, World Armenian Congress Ara Abramyan said
at Moscow meeting of the representatives of Azerbaijani and Armenian
Diaspora organizations in Russia, APA’s Moscow correspondent reports.

Noting that it was the first meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian
Diaspora organizations in Russia in the past 20 years, Ara Abramyan
wished the continuation of such meetings.

“We have not forgotten our friendship. Such meetings should be
continuous. Nobody needs war. We have gathered here for dialogue. This
is a public meeting, it is not against any person or a state. We cannot
solve Nagorno Karabakh problem. Azerbaijani, Armenian presidents and
OSCE Minsk Group are dealing with the resolution of this problem. Our
main goal is to put an end to enmity,” he said.

Ara Abramyan said the next meeting of the representatives of
Azerbaijani and Armenian Diaspora organizations in Russia would
be held on November 16, offered the establishment of an organizing
committee and joint commission consisting of the representatives of
Azerbaijani and Armenian Diaspora organizations.

“We would like to hold a joint event of the Azerbaijanis and Armenians
living in Russia twice a year. I will appeal to Russian President
Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents for holding
high-level Armenia-Azerbaijan event on the theme “Dialogue among
civilizations” in Sochi.

Chairman of “Azerros” Federal National Cultural Autonomy Soyun Sadigov
said a number of Azerbaijanis and Armenians were working together,
got married in Russia.

“This makes us glad. I want to express my gratitude to Ara for
cooperating with us in establishing this dialogue. This is the first
meeting held after the collapse of the USSR. I call on all participants
to avoid conflict, to hold dialogue. We have not gathered here to solve
Nagorno Karabakh problem, the states and international organizations
are dealing with this problem. We are trying to assist in establishing
atmosphere of dialogue between the Armenians and Azerbaijanis,”
he said.

GULARGATE GROWS AS AHMADOVA THREATENS RULING PARTY MEMBERS WITH REVELATIONS

AzeriReport
Oct 14 2012
Azerbaijan

BAKU. October 14, 2012. The scandal with the former leading member
of Azerbaijani parliament from ruling YAP party Gular Ahmadova seems
to be growing. She was shown on a hidden cam video recently posted
online asking for a million dollar bribe for securing someone a seat
in parliament. The second video on the same subject, has her making
statements that directly implicate President Ilham Aliyev, his wife
Mehriban Aliyeva, head of presidential administration Ramiz Mehdiyev
and other high officials in election fraud and bribery scheme. Now Ms.

Ahmadova has appealed to President Ilham Aliyev asking to protect
her from the attacks by her party members. She placed a call to
the President on her page on Facebook in a message that can only be
described as a threat of blackmail against her fellow ruling party
leaders.

Ahmadova recalls that after the recording of her conversation with the
former Rector Elshad Abdullayev and start of the criminal proceedings
in that regard, she voluntarily gave up the parliamentary mandate to
help avoid problems for the investigation. “After that, I promised
not to make any statement to the media and the public. However,
subsequent observations have shown that some of my colleagues began to
pour insults, slander and fabrications. Every day I began to receive
insults addressed to me. Thus, these people hinder the investigation
and try to steer it in the wrong direction,” writes Ahmadova.

She stated that she would not continue to tolerate it and also
threatens to “start talking.” “I will not tolerate insults to my
address, and appeal to these people and say, do not do it so that
I have to open my mouth. If I speak, those who waters insults on me
will greatly regret it,” warned Ahmadova.

“In conclusion, Mr. President, I am turning to you, saying that the
investigation of the criminal case, which is under your control,
has not completed yet, but members of the party led by you speak with
offensive statements about me and threaten me with expelling me from
my own party. I’m not an MP now. As a woman and mother, I ask you
to protect me and my family from the physical and moral repression,”
Ahmadova wrote.

Two days ago, Ahmadova on her page on Facebook also posted a message
making fun of those who in the early days toughly condemned her
actions, and then had to shut up. Many saw this as a response to
an attack against Gular Ahmadova by the executive secretary of the
ruling party New Azerbaijan Ali Ahmadov (no family relation to Gular
Ahmadova).

Ali Ahmadov and other senior functionaries of the ruling party were
behind the drive to excludet Gular Ahmadova the YAP party, and some
of them demanded her arrest. (Turan)

A TURKISH EDUCATION UNION HAS PRESSED CHARGES OVER THE DISTRIBUTION OF ANTI-SEMITIC BOOKS TO SCHOOLS IN ISTANBUL’S MALTEPE DISTRICT, THE DAILY RADIKAL REPORTED.

SBS
Oct 23 2012
Australia

ISTANBUL – A Turkish education union has pressed charges over the
distribution of anti-Semitic books to schools in Istanbul’s Maltepe
district, the daily Radikal reported.

“The books include phrases that are unscientific, anti-Semitic,
anti-Armenian and humiliate Christians, non-religious people and
people with a left-wing philosophy,” read a statement issued by the
Egitim-Sen union. The organization has accused the editor of carrying
out a ” Hate Crime,” Kehaber reports.

The book in question depict Charles Darwin as a Jewish man with a
big nose, who keeps company with monkeys, according to the Financial
Times. Over 1,000 copies of the book were handed out to primary school
children for free.

Ahmet Sirri Arvas, the editor of the books, spoke to Radikal about
the incident, saying that a few friends put the content together,
which is what lead to such terms being used. “The books were only
handed out to 1000 children and will be amended to meet professional
standards as soon as possible,” he said.

The Egitim Sen Union has taken legal action again Arvas. “We want the
books impounded, and all those responsible held accountable for their
part in their distribution into the hands of 10-year-old children,”
said Mehmet Aydogan, chief of the union’s Istanbul bureau.

Aydogan has criticized the publisher for discrediting artists worldwide
and forcing students to think unscientifically.

CZECH SENATE COMMITTEE EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER SAFAROV RELEASE

armradio.am
21:44 23.10.2012

Czech Republic, SafarovThe Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Defense and Security of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, led
by Committee Chairman Jozef Regec, unanimously adopted on Tuesday
Senator Jaromír Å tÄ~[tina’s resolution, whereby the Committee
expressed its concern over the Ramil Safarov case.

“The Committee expresses its deep concern and regret that the
Azerbaijani president decided to grant pardon to Ramil Safarov,
whom the court of a European Union member state had sentenced for
murder; it considers this decision by the Azerbaijani president–as
a symbolic move–that could add to further escalation of tension
in relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan; also, it is concerned
that this decision would hamper the reconciliation process of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict-affected societies, and jeopardizes the
future chance for a peaceful development of interpersonal contacts
in the region,” the motion reads

The Committee commissioned it Chairman, Senator Jozef Regec, to inform
the Senate President about this resolution.

CHRONIQUE DU HARCELEMENT JUDICIAIRE DES MEDIAS EN TURQUIE

Publie le : 24-10-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
invite a lire ce Communique de presse des Reporters Sans Frontières
publie sur leur site le 22 octobre 2012.

Reporters Sans Frontières

Publie le lundi 22 octobre 2012.

Reporters sans frontières a decide d’ouvrir un fil d’actualite
pour rendre compte de la multiplication des poursuites judicaires a
l’encontre des journalistes et des medias en Turquie. Malgre la loi
6352 du 5 juillet 2012, la presse reste la cible d’un harcèlement
judiciaire constant, dont les procès KCK et Ergenekon ne sont que
les emanations les plus visibles.

22.10.2012 – Quatre journalistes condamnes a des peines de prison en
trois jours

En trois jours, quatre journalistes ont ete condamnes a des peines de
prison en Turquie. Deux autres ont ete remis en liberte conditionnelle
en attente de leur jugement.

Les medias pro-kurdes toujours dans l’~il du cyclone

Le 16 octobre 2012, Kenan Karavil et Seyithan Akyuz ont ete condamnes
respectivement a treize ans et demi et douze ans de prison par la 8e
chambre de la cour d’Assises d’Adana (Sud). L’ancien directeur de
la station locale Radyo Dunya (Radio Monde) et le collaborateur du
quotidien en langue kurde Azadiya Welat (Pays libre) ont ete reconnus
coupables d’appartenance a l’Union des communautes du Kurdistan (KCK,
liee au PKK). Ils figurent parmi les 45 protagonistes de ce procès qui
ont ete condamnes a un total de 419 ans et deux mois de prison. Deux
autres accuses ont ete acquittes.

Le lendemain, le reporter de l’agence pro-kurde Diha, Murat Ciftci, a
ete condamne a huit ans et neuf mois d’emprisonnement par la 7e chambre
de la cour d’Assises de Diyarbakir (Sud-Est) pour ” collaboration ”
avec le KCK. Il avait ete remis en liberte en attente de son jugement
après cinq mois de detention provisoire, en avril 2012.

Reporters sans frontières a par ailleurs appris la remise en liberte
conditionnelle, par la 5e chambre de la cour d’Assises de Diyarbakir,
d’une autre reporter de Diha, Gulsen Aslan, le 17 octobre. Arretee le
4 fevrier dernier, elle avait ete relâchee puis a nouveau incarceree
quelques jours plus tard a la demande du parquet. D’après Diha,
le collaborateur d’Azadiya Welat Safak Celen a lui aussi ete remis
en liberte. Tous deux figuraient parmi les 34 suspects incarceres
dans la province de Batman pour appartenance presumee au KCK. Gulsen
Aslan risque jusqu’a quinze ans de prison. Le procès reprendra le 26
decembre prochain.

C’est egalement le 26 decembre que debutera, devant la 10e chambre
de la cour d’Assises d’Adana, le procès d’Ozlem Agus, journaliste de
Diha. Incarceree depuis le 6 mars 2012, elle est accusee de liens
avec le ” Comite des medias ” du KCK, tout comme l’editeur de Diha
Ali Bulus et le collaborateur d’Azadiya Welat Ferit Koyluoglu.

L’acte d’accusation de 300 pages, redige a l’encontre de 54 suspects
(dont 20 sont en detention preventive), reproche notamment a
Ozlem Agus d’avoir couvert des manifestations d’une manière ” qui
respecte l’ideologie ” du PKK, et d’avoir ” communique a la chaîne
Roj TV des informations susceptibles de faire la propagande du PKK
“. Les conversations telephoniques professionnelles entre Ozlem
Agus et Ali Bulus, tout comme celles passees par Ferit Koyluoglu
a des distributeurs d’Azadiya Welat, sont considerees comme autant
de pièces a conviction par le parquet. Ce dernier reproche aussi a
Ferit Koyluoglu d’avoir distribue lui-meme des numeros du journal
et de s’etre renseigne sur les ventes. La diffusion d’Azadiya Welat
n’est pourtant pas interdite.

Denouement provisoire dans l’affaire Atilim

D’après des informations communiquees par les avocats des prevenus,
la 9e chambre de la Cour supreme a confirme, le 15 octobre, la peine de
prison a perpetuite prononcee contre la redactrice en chef de journal
Atilim, Hatice Duman, accusee d’etre l’une des dirigeantes du Parti
communiste marxiste-leniniste (MLKP, interdit). La Cour a en revanche
annule la condamnation prononcee contre son collègue Necati Abay,
porte-parole de la Plate-forme de solidarite avec les journalistes
emprisonnes. La 12e haute cour criminelle d’Istanbul l’avait condamne a
dix-huit ans et neuf mois d’emprisonnement en 2003 pour des accusations
similaires. Mais si la Cour a juge que Necati Abay n’etait pas l’un
des dirigeants de l’organisation, elle l’accuse toujours d’en etre
membre. Le journaliste risque donc jusqu’a quinze ans de prison.

” Tolerance zero ” pour Taraf qui denonce la torture

Le quotidien Taraf (Camps), critique a l’egard du gouvernement
et de l’armee, a ete contraint par la justice a publier, dans son
numero du 13 octobre, un dementi de Sedat Selim Ay, chef adjoint
de la section antiterroriste d’Istanbul, accuse d’actes de torture
dans les annees 1990 (voir ci-dessous). Au nom de la presomption
d’innocence, la 2e chambre du tribunal correctionnel d’Istanbul a
casse une precedente decision de justice qui concluait que Taraf avait
publie des informations ” d’interet general “. Huit collaborateurs
du journal restent poursuivis penalement dans cette affaire.

Du 22 juillet au 2 août 2012, le quotidien avait publie douze articles
citant des temoignages de victimes, qui identifiaient Sedat Selim Ay
comme leur tortionnaire. Le Premier ministre, Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
s’en etait vivement pris aux medias critiquant la protection accordee
a ce haut fonctionnaire par le gouvernement, en contradiction avec
son objectif de ” tolerance zero ” a l’egard de la torture.

La promotion de Sedat Selim Ay avait suscite de vives polemiques cet
ete : quelques annees auparavant, la Cour europeenne des droits de
l’homme (CEDH) avait condamne la Turquie pour avoir failli a son
obligation de ” mener une enquete et un procès effectifs ” dans
cette affaire.

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Reporters Sans Frontières

IRAN’S NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE, ARMENIA EYING STRONGER COOPERATION

Fars News Agency
Oct 23 2012
Iran

TEHRAN (FNA)- Senior provincial officials from Iran’s Northwestern
province of East Azarbaijan and Armenia’s Aramavir province discussed
further expansion of cooperation between the two regions, specially
in agricultural fields.

Speaking at a meeting with visiting head of Armenian Aramavir province
Innovation Center Aram Vardanyan on Monday, Director-General of East
Azerbaijan province Department of Agriculture Jihad Massoud Mohammadian
described Armenia as a good market for his province.

There are extensive potentials for trade and economic cooperation with
Armenia, and the two countries will further expand mutual agricultural
cooperation especially after signing a new agreement.

He also stressed positive effects of exchange of different expert
groups especially in the field of agriculture and natural resources
on the growing ties between the two neighboring states.

Iran has long taken various diplomatic initiatives to expand its ties
with the neighboring states.

In recent years, Iran and its Northern neighbor Armenia have boosted
cooperation, signed agreements on energy cooperation and agreed to
cooperate in technology and research and to enhance ties in commerce
and economy.

PROSPEROUS ARMENIA CLAIMS INCIDENT WITH AZERI KILLER NOT TO OCCUR AGAIN

news.am
October 23, 2012 | 21:23

YEREVAN. – The PACE president’s response to Prosperous Armenia Party
(PAP) MP, member of the Armenian delegation to PACE Naira Zohrabyan
was quite positive and European Convention on Extradition will undergo
serious amendments, Armenian parliament PAP group secretary Zohrabyan
told Armenian News-NEWS.am. The amendments will not allow the EU
member-states to extradite a criminal based on their own economic
interests.

The PACE president Jean-Claude Mignon’s response reads that he
condemned the extradition of Azerbaijani killer Ramil Safarov and he
does state that it was a serious challenge toward values and standards
of the organization. As was intended during the plenary session, the
PACE touched upon the issue and passed a decision on Oct. 5 that the
Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights will make another report on
the European Convention on Extradition to prevent attempts of violating
the Convention. Zohrabyan also claims that the amendments will help
not to repeat another incident like Azeri killer Ramil Safarov’s case.

JERUSALEM ARMENIAN PATRIARCH VOTE SET FOR NEXT MONTH

By GREER FAY CASHMAN 10/23/2012 23:26

The Armenian Apostolic Church prepares to choose new patriarch to
succeed archbishop who passed away. Photo: REUTERS Elections are taking
place not only in political circles, but in religious ones as well.

The Armenian Apostolic Church’s General Assembly of the Patriarchate of
Jerusalem is preparing for the election of a new patriarch to succeed
archbishop Torkom Manoogian, who passed away in Jerusalem on October
12 at age 93. He was buried on Monday.

In accordance with tradition, a successor is elected 40 days after
the passing of the patriarch, but an interim patriarch is elected
until the vote for a new patriarch takes place.

Archbishop Aris Shirvanian is the patriarchal locum tenens of the
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and among his duties was to
preside over Manoogian’s funeral and to organize the election for
his successor.

Shirvanian previously served as the Patriarchate’s director of
ecumenical and foreign relations.

Manoogian, who was born in February 1919 in a town on the Iraqi-Turkish
border, was sent to study in Jerusalem when he was 12.

Following his ordination in 1939, he spent most of his adult life in
the United States, where his last position prior to his 1990 election
as patriarch of Jerusalem was as primate of the Eastern Diocese of
the Armenian Church in America.

Following a two-day ceremony at the beginning of this week, Manoogian
was laid to rest at the Holy Savior Monastery at the Zion Gate.

His successor will be the 97th Armenian patriarch of Jerusalem.