Author: Badalian Vardan

SYRIE
L’exode des Arméniens

Hier soir le journal de la Radio Télévision Suisse a diffusé un
reportage relatif à l’exode des Arméniens de Syrie avec le témoignage
d’Hovhannes Asmarian fuyant la terreur régnant à Alep. Il a émigré à
Stepanakert.

La RTS écrit : ` Les Arméniens de Syrie, descendants du génocide turc,
sont de plus en plus nombreux à fuir le pays. C’est l’une des plus
grandes communautés chrétiennes de Syrie et elle soutient
majoritairement le président Assad, dénonçant ainsi la terreur
islamiste à l’encontre des chrétiens d’Orient.`

samedi 6 octobre 2012,
Jean Eckian ©armenews.com

Armenia to modernize agricultural works – PM

news.am
October 05, 2012 | 22:03

JERMUK. – Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan participated in the
opening of the `Second Conference on Village Communities’ in Jermuk,
where the PM said that equal development of communities is one of the
five priorities of the Government, governmental press service informs
Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Sargsyan also stressed that the Ministry of Territorial Administration
has elaborated methods due to which the Government is able to fix the
most vulnerable communities and finance those communities first.

Sargsyan stated that road and school constructions are important
directions of the community development.

Gayane Novikova: The Armenian side must continue the negotiations over
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution
Dr. Gayane Novikova, Director of the Center for Strategic Analysis,
Yerevan, Armenia; Visiting Scholar at the Davis Center for Russian and
Eurasian Studies, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

October 5, 2012

The extradition of Ramil Safarov, who was sentenced to life
imprisonment, from Hungary and his immediate pardon by the Azerbaijani
president, again questioned the ability of Azerbaijan to keep its
promises. In your opinion, is it reasonable to continue negotiations
over the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict with Baku?

The Armenian side must continue the negotiations over the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict resolution first and foremost because there is an
ongoing objective process, moving toward the establishment of new
state entities. Even in the relatively stable and safe (from a
security vantage point) European region in three states – Belgium,
Spain, and Great Britain – there are discussions on independence of
Flandreau, Catalonia, and Scotland, respectively. There were two
referenda on the separation of Québec from Canada. In 2011 a new state
– South Sudan – appeared on the world map. After twenty years of the
de facto existence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, and especially
against the background of the above-mentioned geopolitical shifts, the
possibility to change the NKR status from de facto to a de jure state
is not perceived as something strongly negative. Moreover, a voicing
of a possibility of recognizing the NKR has begun. Let me remind you
that two American states, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, have adopted
resolutions calling for President Obama and Congress to recognize the
NKR.
This slow-moving process of pre-recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic is a main threat for Azerbaijani domestic and foreign policy.
The `Safarov phenomenon’ was aimed to provoke Armenia to take overt
and confrontational steps. Fortunately, in spite of the calls of some
`hotheads’ in Armenia, it did not happen. The withdrawal of any of the
parties to the conflict from the negotiation table will be evaluated
by the concerned external actors as a manifestation of aggression by
the withdrawing side.

On October 10, the third anniversary of the signing of the
Armenian-Turkish protocols, which have never been ratified, will pass.
It is obvious that the reason for their non-ratification is Turkey’s
obstinacy. The latter continues to link the opening of the border with
Armenia to the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Do you see
any prerequisite for reanimation of the process of normalization of
the relationship between Armenia and Turkey?

No, I don’t see any prerequisite. Turkey has stated conditions, and is
still articulating conditions, for the reanimation of the
normalization process of bilateral relations with Armenia, first of
all, the opening of the border, by positive – from the Azerbaijani
view point – shifts in the Nagorno Karabakh negotiations. Let me
stress once again: in Turkey’s policy the issue of opening the border
with Armenia is further and further postponed because of its domestic
problems and the day-by-day worsening developments in the Middle East.
Against this background, the settlement of the Armenian-Turkish
relationship undoubtedly will increase tension in its relations with
Azerbaijan; possibly it will negatively influence internal
developments in Turkey. Furthermore, no single external actor, more or
less involved in the processes in the South Caucasus, can put pressure
on Turkey in this very difficult period for every regional state. I
suppose that in the foreseeable future Turkey will limit its activity
to offering statements on the necessity to achieve progress in the
resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and on its firm support of
Azerbaijan. It cannot venture anything more or anything different.

In your opinion, will the issue of Nagorno Karabakh be a main theme in
the forthcoming presidential campaign in Armenia?

I hope that it will not. First, the resolution of this conflict is one
of the strategic priorities of our state in the security field. It is
dangerous to use this factor in electioneering. Second, it is almost
the only issue around which a relative consensus is reached in
Armenian society. Of course, each presidential candidate will include
this issue in his/her agenda; however, I am not certain that any
candidate has anything strongly different from the approaches his or
her contender or contenders offer. The most irrational suggestion,
such as an immediate recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic by
Armenia, can be voiced only by those candidates with the lowest
support in the society and who are hoping to gain additional votes at
the cost of populist statements, including in the field of foreign
policy. Eventually, everyone understands that war is an alternative to
peace.

Continuing with the theme of elections, let us ask your opinion in
regard to concomitant circumstances surrounding the forthcoming
elections. There is an opinion that the 2013 presidential election
will be relatively quiet and low-key. After the May 2012 parliamentary
elections, the statements that Levon Ter-Petrosian, the leader of the
Armenian National Congress (ANC) will not run for the presidency are
heard more often. To whom will he give the baton? Are we witnessing,
in your opinion, the final stage of the dissolution of the ANC, which
began one year ago?

I agree that the Armenian National Congress to some extent has lost
its energy. It was unable to introduce a clear vision and a program,
as well as to use in full the protest trends and moods in some strata
of Armenian society. The ANC won only seven seats in Parliament – this
is a very conspicuous indicator. There is no one in the Ter-Petrosyan
circle to whom he could give the baton. It was the person of
Ter-Petrosian that served as the `magnet’ – and not his program,
vision, or approach, that is everything that creates an ideological
platform for any political organization – that attracted (but did not
unite) the various forces in the ANC. He did not prepare any successor
who could replace him, and this is one of the weak sides of the ANC.
The forces that are part of the ANC, although they have support from
different segments of the society, entered into Parliament on the tide
of protest moods stimulated and used by the ANC after the presidential
elections of 2008. At that time the ANC was a relatively united
political force. I do not think that the ANC will be fully dissolved
in the foreseeable future, even though internal developments in this
organization indicate growing disagreement among its members. For all
the political forces under the ANC umbrella the existence of a protest
potential in the society and its `simmering’ is of highest importance.
The ANC can acquire this potential to its advantage only through the
joint efforts of all its member parties and organizations.

The opinion exists that the `Prosperous Armenia’ Party will not
confront the authorities and will prefer to wait until the next
presidential elections of 2018 to bring its own candidate to power.

The question is not whether `Prosperous Armenia’ will confront the
Republican Party in the presidential election of 2013. It does not yet
have a real alternative figure to run for the presidency. Robert
Kocharian, the second President of Armenia, is still in the shadows
and, according to preliminary observations, has no intention to
participate in this race. Vardan Oskanian, the former minister of
foreign affairs and the founder of the Civilitas Foundation, found
himself the focus of a trial. The article published on September 28,
2012, in `The Washington Post’ did not improve the image of either
Oskanian himself or the Foundation because it carried the wrong
message that non-governmental organizations in Armenia are under
strong pressure from the state apparatus. (I would argue that it is
inappropriate to compare the level of participation of Armenian NGOs
in the political and social life of the country with the developments
surrounding NGOs in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Pakistan or anywhere else!) I
would not exclude that the opening of the Oskanian case can be viewed
in reference to political constellations, but I am sure that the
former minister lacks the level of strong support among potential
voters that would allow viable competition with the
President-in-office in the forthcoming elections. There will be at
least three candidacies, representing the Republican Party, the
`Heritage,’ and the Armenian Revolutionary Party `Dashnaktutyun.’ For
`Prosperous Armenia,’ for tactical reasons, it would be advisable to
take a timeout and to try, through dialogue with other representatives
of a `constructive opposition’, to find and support a single candidate
in the 2018 elections.

Who could become Prime Minister? There are rumors that a confrontation
between the `Prosperous Armenia’ and the ruling Republican Party was
defused after the parties reached an agreement that Tigran Sargsyan
will leave office after the presidential election?

`Prosperous Armenia,’ which was established in 2004 as an alternative
to the ruling Republican Party with the main goal to split the
opposition, after only a few years has gained political strength and
weight (to a large extent because of the charitable activity of its
leader). Thus, the initial secondary political role already is not
enough for this party. It will undoubtedly make claims for leading
positions. It is worth mentioning that reaching a compromise on such
issues, through behind-the-scenes negotiations, is a quite common
practice, especially in societies without extensive historical
experience with a democratic transformation.

My answer to the first part of your question in regard to the future
Prime Minister is very simple: I don’t know.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Oct 5 2012

Turkish foreign policy and Syria

MARKAR ESAYAN

A serious domestic struggle started with the coming of the Justice and
Development Party (AK Party) to power on Nov. 3, 2002.

However, the network established by party leaders with the US and the
EU before the start of the administration enabled them to fight back
in the war against the guardianship regime by reliance on the bodies
of the broader military, media and judiciary. In the aftermath of this
struggle, clear political positions, the EU membership bid and popular
support have legitimized the government and its actions. The
administration has fought against the deep state on legal grounds,
whereas it has relied on initiatives and openings to address the
assumption suggested by the Kemalist paradigm that we are surrounded
by enemies.

Regardless of domestic hurdles, favorable world economic conditions
have helped the government in this process. The rise of oil prices in
the second term of the government was a burden for Turkey, which deals
with energy deficits through imports, but the economy was left to
experts in their fields and lessons were drawn from the February 2000
crisis. The banking system was revised and strengthened after this
crisis. The budgetary measures and discipline were strict. The
financial administration has expended efforts to diversify the weight
of the EU and the US on imports.

During this process, a large group of volunteers and Turkish
entrepreneurs strived to establish business ties all around the world.
As voluntary representatives of the government, they have created
alternative markets in various parts of the world, including Africa.
The rising prestige associated with the attempts to deal with the
Kemalist tutelage has also made the government self-confident.

Turkey and the international stage

Efforts to integrate with the rest of the world have become more
visible as ideological prejudices have been addressed. For the same
reason, strong relations have been established with neighboring
countries. The protocols signed with Armenia, despite grave historical
and ideological baggage, represented a huge step forward for Turkey.
Warm relations, including removal of the visa barriers, enabled Turkey
to emerge as a stable bridge between Western and Eastern states.

Turkey became even more important after the coming of Barack Obama to
power in the US, an administration which did away with the Sept. 11
paradigm and decided to maintain warm ties with the Islamic world.
Turkey became an important regional power not only because it was a
leading ally of the EU and the US and a respected NATO member, but
also because it was a political power in its region. Its strong
economy was a further asset in this setting.

Turkey has also addressed the crimes that Israel committed in
Palestinian lands, as well as the offenses committed by Hamas; Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an’s one-minute showdown in Davos, and the
attempt to ensure that Iran does not become a radical power by voting
against the draft resolution in the UN Security Council, despite
American efforts, were taken as serious steps and signs of strong
intentions.

These humane stances, distant to real political considerations,
attracted support from the world as they were backed by power. Turkey
was not considered a weak and insignificant state that could be easily
swayed. It could be said that the one-minute reaction has taken the
rage held by Palestinian and Muslim people vis-Ã-vis the West from a
marginal perspective to a point of reconciliation. ErdoÄ?an’s stance
was interpreted as the return of the Muslims into world politics in a
more rational and respected fashion.

This was actually what Obama referred to in the struggle against
al-Qaeda: making a distinction between terror and Islam, and leaving
George W. Bush’s neo-con style behind. ErdoÄ?an’s attitude, which did
not demonize the West but promoted the rights of Muslims, was a great
opportunity for the new world order.

In the meantime, however, other events have taken place. Israeli
commandos conducted a bloody raid on the Mavi Marmara, an aid ship
sent to Gaza for humanitarian purposes. Nine citizens of Turkey were
murdered in the attack. This was unacceptable. The incident cracked
bilateral relations between Turkey and Israel. Turkey is making no
attempt to normalize relations with Israel as it expects an official
apology, payment of compensation and the lifting of the Gaza blockade.
This pleases the Muslim world; however, it is an improper policy
choice that restricts Turkey’s role and power in the region.

It should be noted that the government was not involved in the Mavi
Marmara incident. The Foreign Ministry attempted to stop the aid
operation, but I have heard that the organizers could not be
convinced. However, it is obvious that the government needs to be more
forceful on such issues. The Mavi Marmara initiative was not a
successful and appropriate example of civil disobedience; it only
caused the deaths of nine people and the end of Turkish influence over
Israel in the region. I believe that the government pursued a proper
and rational policy on the Syrian crisis up until the time when it
failed to observe boundaries with the Free Syrian Army (FSA). Even
though a marginal group of left-wingers and the Republican People’s
Party (CHP) supported the Baath regime, out of opposition to the AK
Party, the government correctly opposed a dictator who has now killed
around 25,000 people. Those who accuse the government of having good
relations with the Bashar al-Assad regime before the start of the
massacres base their opposition on their dislike of the AK Party. A
state should not wait for improvement of human rights standards in a
neighboring country in order to foster warm ties. Besides, close
relations and growing political and economic dependency increase
influence over that country.

Nevertheless, remaining silent on massacres would not be a proper
approach. The support Russia and China are extending to the crimes
against humanity in Syria is shameful for these countries; history
will recall them as associates of these heinous crimes.

Turkey lacks a balanced policy on Syria

However, it should also be noted that the government has failed to
draft a balanced policy on the Syrian crisis, considering that it has
extended extensive support to the FSA. Turkey’s greatest problem is
still its inability to end Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) violence;
the historical relationship between Syria and the PKK has made the
Syrian crisis a domestic matter and the PKK issue a Middle Eastern
problem. The government’s actions in this process have been
reactionary; it has aligned itself with the FSA, which actually is not
a promising actor in the future of Syria. This was in response to
provocations by Syria, with Assad ceding partial control along Syria’s
border with Turkey to the PKK. It is obvious that from this point
onwards the PKK has become stronger and attempted to reestablish ties
with the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK), the PKK of Iran.

The murder of five people in Turkey in a mortar attack from Syrian
soil has shocked everybody. Turkey retaliated in accordance with the
renewed rules of engagement. It further relied on the mechanisms of
international law and asked for solidarity from NATO, the US and the
EU. After the downing of the F4 aircraft by Syrian fire, Turkey had
already declared that it would strongly respond to any similar attack
in the future. However, the initial reaction and statements from the
Syrian side are promising.

Prime Minister ErdoÄ?an noted after the adoption of the motion in
Parliament giving authority for cross-border raids into Syria that
waging war was not considered. I believe that a war with Syria would
be a disaster for Turkey, and that the government will avoid this.
However, a state also needs to prove its deterrent power and its
decisiveness in retaliation. For this reason, I think the influential
diplomatic moves in the aftermath of the attack and the adoption of
the motion are proper steps. It is also clear that the anti-war lobby
in Turkey has again become attentive to the rise of power and
influence of the AK Party. But in actuality, both the government and
the people are concerned about the possible repercussions of a
regional war.

In conclusion, Turkey needs to learn lessons from its past mistakes
and should reconsider its ties with the FSA while aligning itself with
international powers. Improving the living standards of the asylum
seekers who have fled to Turkey from Syria, ensuring that the world
stays focused on this crisis and putting diplomatic pressure on Iran
and Syria are the best policies that Turkey could pursue.
Unfortunately, it is not realistic to think that Turkey could embark
alone on a risk that the US and NATO will not take.

CBS Local
Oct 5 2012

Kevorkian Estate, Museum Settle Over Artwork

October 5, 2012 10:08 AM

BIRMINGHAM (WWJ/AP) – A lawyer says a dispute has been settled between
Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s estate and a suburban Boston museum over the
ownership of 17 of the assisted-suicide advocate’s paintings.

The executor of Kevorkian’s estate, Michigan-based attorney Mayer
Morganroth, said the Armenian Library and Museum of America in
Watertown, Mass., will keep four paintings and 13 will be returned to
Kevorkian’s estate to benefit his niece, Ava Janus.

`Of course we are happy it’s resolved,’ Morganroth told The Detroit
News. `The settlement recognizes the need for his art to be preserved
as part of Armenian culture, while returning artwork to his heir.’

Morganroth said arrangements are still being made for the return of
the paintings, which he expects will likely be offered for sale at art
galleries.

The museum sued in federal court in Massachusetts last year ahead of a
New York auction. According to federal court records, an order
dismissing the lawsuit was entered last month.

The museum claimed Kevorkian donated the art in 1999. His estate says
Kevorkian loaned the paintings and other personal effects to the
museum in 1999 because he believed they would be protected while he
served his prison term, Morganroth said. Kevorkian sought out the
arrangement because some of the paintings had been previously stolen,
he said.

The New York auction still went on as planned, although the 17
paintings and a suicide machine belonging to Kevorkian did not sell.

A message seeking comment was sent early Friday to museum lawyers.

Kevorkian, who was of Armenian descent, died in June in suburban
Detroit at age 83, leaving his property to his niece and sole heir,
Janus. The estate has estimated that the total value of the paintings
being held by the museum is $2.5 million to $3.5 million.

Many of the paintings depict death or dying. One titled `Genocide’
features a bloody head being dangled by the hair and held by the hands
of two soldiers, one wearing a German military uniform from World War
II and the other wearing a Turkish uniform from World War I. Kevorkian
painted the head using his blood.

Kevorkian, who spurred on the national right-to-die debate with a
homemade suicide machine that helped end the lives of dozens of ailing
people, was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999 for assisting in
the 1998 death of a Michigan man with Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was
released from prison in 2007.

Watertown Patch.com, MA
Oct 5 2012

Watertown’s Armenian Museum Will Keep 4 of Kevorkian’s Paintings, Give
Up the Rest

The Armenian Library and Museum of America reached a settlement in the
legal dispute with the family of the late-assisted suicide activist.

By Charlie Breitrose

Four of Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s paintings will remain at the Armenian
Library and Museum of America in Watertown after a deal was reached in
the legal dispute with the family of the late-assisted suicide
advocate.

The museum had 17 of Kevorkian’s pieces, which had received from
Kevorkian in 1999, before he served a prison sentence for assisting in
a suicide, according to an article in The Detroit News. Kevorkian died
in July 2011 at the age of 83.

On Thursday, attorney Mayer Morganroth – the executor of Kevorkian’s
estate – told The Detroit News that the Armenian Library and Museum of
America will keep four paintings and 13 paintings will be returned to
Kevorkian’s estate for the benefit of his heir, a niece who lives in
Troy, Mich. The case was being heard in Boston Federal Court by U.S.
District Judge Mark Wolf.

Kevorkian said before his death that he wanted the artwork to go to
his niece, Morganroth told the Detroit News.

The estate tried to sell the paintings as part of an auction of
Kevorkian’s personal belongings and received bids of $100,000, but the
sales were not completed because of the uncertainty over the ownership
of the artwork.

Morganroth said he expects the painting to eventually be offered for
sale at art galleries, according to the Detroit News.

Gulf Daily News, Bahrain
Oct 6 2012

Festival ends on a high note

Saturday, October 06, 2012

THE curtains came down on the 21st Bahrain International Music
Festival last night, after daily performances by six world-class
artists from Egypt, Jordan, Armenia, Sudan, Tunisia and Spain.

It was organised by the Culture Ministry as part of events to
celebrate October as the month of music, marking Manama being named
this year’s Capital of Arab Culture.

The festival ended with an ensemble of prominent musicians, who got
their name from Queen Sofia of Spain.

Orquesta De Camara Reina Sofia, a Madrid-based orchestra, brought to
life the works of legends such as Bach, Mozart and Tchaikovsky.

Egyptian mezzo-soprano opera singer Nouresta Elmarghany and Georgian
pianist Maya Gvineira launched the festival on Sunday with a memorable
night of opera at the Cultural Hall, next to the Bahrain National
Museum.

The theme of the opera was ‘Love Recital’, where the duo presented a
ride through the ages with a selection of some of the most legendary
operas and musicals from Europe and America.

The opera was followed by Armenia’s Queen of Qanun Hasmik Leyloyan on
Monday, who performed her groundbreaking blend of folk and classical
compositions.

Ms Leyloyan is known for her talent with the Armenian Qanun and
guiding it from its traditional folk music and blending it with
intricate classical compositions, pioneering a new sound for her
country’s national string instrument and the Armenian school of Qanun.

Billboard chart-topping Jordanian pianist Zade, who has been dubbed
Jordan’s cultural ambassador, took to the stage on Tuesday to combine
Arabic music with Latin, classical and pop flavours.

Thirty-year-old Zade began his musical journey when he started playing
at the age of 13 after he was attracted to the sonic quality of the
instrument, he told the GDN.

He attended Berkeley College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, the US,
and began touring solo and shortly after toured with different
orchestras.

Sudanese singer-songwriter Mohammed Al Amin showcased his raw vocal
abilities with his fluid oud music.

The oud has had a rich history in the Middle East and Bahrain and is a
significant part of the culture.

Tunisian violinist Amina Srarfi performed last night, effortlessly
blending compositions from traditional Eastern influences with Western
classics.

Edward Nalbandian met with EU ambassadors

18:12, 5 October, 2012

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs
Edward Nalbandian had a working dinner with accredited ambassadors of
EU member states to Yerevan and the EU Head of Delegation on October
5.

As Armenpress was informed from the MFA press, informational and
public relations department, interlocutors shared ideas over
Armenia-EU cooperation, the negotiations in its framework and the
ongoing projects. The sides discussed the agenda of the Association.
They also expressed their gladness concerning the development of
Armenia-EU collaboration. Artsakh settlement issues as well as a range
of regional issues have been discussed during the meeting.

Turkish businessman: Developed trade and economic relations might
stimulate political dialogue between Armenia and Turkey

arminfo
Friday, October 5, 17:41

Developed trade and economic relations might stimulate political
dialogue between Armenia and Turkey, businessmen from Van (Turkey)
Kadri Salaz said during the 4th Armenian- Turkish business conference
in Yerevan on Friday.

He said that Turkish businessmen are unable to do anything to lift the
ban on Armenian imports but will try their best to establish contacts
with their Armenian counterparts.

Kurdish businessman from Van Sayid Binet said that they have come to
Armenia not as Turks but as businessmen so that their contacts
convince the authorities that they must open the border with Armenia.

The 4th Armenian-Turkish two-day business conference kicked off in
Yerevan on October 5. The event organizer is the UIEA with the support
of USAID, Eurasian Partnership Foundation, and International Center
for Human Development. The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation
(BST), Marshal Foundation, is co-financing the event. Over 50 Turkish
businessmen from Eastern regions of Turkey are invited to the
conference.

According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, unfavorable
balance of trade with Turkey fell 12.5% for Jan-Aug 2012 versus the
same period of 2011 to $125.5 mln. The commodity turnover with Turkey
for the period under review totaled $126.7 mln, with a 12.5% decline.
Import of goods from Turkey totaled $126.1 mln (down 12.5%), with
export making up an insignificant part of total turnover (down 18.1%).

PACE held a hot discussion over Safarov’s case

`Somehow, we in this Assembly must try to persuade the international
community to get serious about the problem between Azerbaijan and
Armenia,’ said Christopher Chope (United Kingdom, EDG) on October 4 in
Strasbourg, opening a current affairs debate on the Safarov case.
`Tensions are rising all the time and, although there are political
statements, no one seems to be concentrating on the key issue, which
is how we enforce the international rule of law, as interpreted by the
United Nations Security Council – or the rule of law as we understand
it, which expects prisoners who have been condemned and duly sentenced
to serve their sentences and not to be glorified by their countries,’
he added.

`We must find a way to prevent such occurrences. We can condemn such
things, which I think we do, but we need to find a way of resolving
the issues so that two member countries of the Council of Europe can
live peacefully together,’ he concluded.
Azerbaijani media referred to this discussion mostly. As the
Azerbaijani sources informs along with European and Armenian
parliamentarians, members of the Azerbaijani delegation to the PACE
addressed the discussions.

Cristopher Chope informed the participants about the background of the
problem, murder of the Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan by
Azerbaijani criminal Ramil Safarov in Budapest, where both were on a
NATO exercise. Safarov was sencenced in Budapest, but on August 31,
2012 he was extradited and gave a pardon.

European MPs condemned Safarov’s extradition and pardoning.

European MPs stressed that they cared more about the moral side of the
question. They stated that it may exacerbate the relations between the
two conflicting countries.

Armenian and French deputies called on PACE and the Council of Europe
to apply specific sanctions againist Azerbaijan in connection with
Ramil Safarov case.

The discussion entitled “Ramil Safarov case” held at the Assembly was
included into the agenda of PACE as a current issue, document was
passed by the organization.

05.10.12, 17:24