Author: Badalian Vardan

LATAM COUNTRIES CHOOSE COOPERATION WITH AZERBAIJAN – MINISTRY

Lider TV
July 27 2012
Azerbaijan

Latin American countries are seeking cooperation with Azerbaijan,
despite Armenians’ objection, Baku-based pro-government Lider TV
channel quoted the country’s Foreign Ministry as saying on 31 July.

Speaking about Azerbaijani Foreign Minister’s visits to Columbia,
Uruguay and Argentine, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Elman
Abdullayev said, “despite strong protest of Armenian communities,
these countries choose cooperation with the state of Azerbaijan”.

Abdullayev said Latin American countries “are indeed ready
for cooperation with Azerbaijan and are interested in boosting
cooperation”.

“During the visit, meetings were held with the presidents of
Argentine and Uruguay, with foreign ministers of those countries and
of Columbia. Local and Azerbaijani businessmen in those countries
held business forums,” Lider TV showed Elman Abdullayev as saying.

Armenians in Argentine staged a protest against Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister’s visit to this country, Baku-based private Qafqazinfo.az
reported on 27 July. Elman Abdullayev described the protest as
Armenia’s “defeat” in the international arena. “Azerbaijan and
Argentine are strong states. Such protests cannot influence anybody’s
decision,” Qafqazinfo quoted Abdullayev as saying.

[translated from Azeri]

INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS REPORT OF 2011

Anadolu Agency (AA)
July 30, 2012 Monday
Turkey

U.S. Department of State made public its 2011 International Religious
Freedoms report. WASHINGTON In the section on Turkey, the report drew
attention to the Turkish government’s steps to facilitate the return
of property to minority foundations. “The constitution and other laws
and policies protect religious freedom, and in practice, the Turkish
government generally respected religious freedom,” the report said.

“However, some constitutional provisions restricted this right. The
government’s actions demonstrated a trend of improving respect for and
protection of the right to religious freedom. Notably, the government
issued a decree facilitating the return of or compensation for property
confiscated from religious community foundations in previous decades,”
the report stated. “The government continued to impose limitations
on Muslims and other religious groups, including restrictions on
Muslim religious expression in government offices for the stated
reason of preserving the “secular state,” the report underlined. “The
Turkish government did not clarify the legal authority under which
the Greek Orthodox Halki seminary could reopen after being closed for
40 years. Some religious groups also faced restrictions on freedom of
worship, difficulties in registration with the government, property
ownership, and the training of their followers and clergy. Although
engaging in religious speech and persuasion are legal, some Muslims,
Christians, and Baha’is faced restrictions and occasional harassment
for alleged proselytizing or providing religious instruction to
children,” the report indicated.

U.S. “Embassy and consulate officials, as well as frequent government
visitors, took close interest in religious freedom in the country.

During the year, embassy and consulate representatives met frequently
with government officials and representatives of religious groups
to discuss matters related to religious freedom, including legal
reforms aimed at lifting restrictions on religious groups and property
restitution issues,” the report noted. “During the year, the government
as well as local municipalities took steps to improve religious
freedom. Notably, the government allowed community foundations to
regain property that had been confiscated in previous decades and
allowed certain new community foundations to be formed,” the report
stressed. “As happened in 2010, the government again permitted annual
religious worship services to be held in religiously significant
sites that had previously been converted to state museums, such as
Sumela Monastery near Trabzon, Akdamar Church near Van, St.

Peter’s Church in Antakya, St. Nicholas’ Church near Demre, and
the House of the Virgin Mary near Selcuk. Some municipal leaders
called for these sites to be opened to worship more frequently,” the
report said. “The municipality of Diyarbakir contributed support and
a third of the money to the renovation of St. Giragos, an abandoned
Armenian church in the city. Several municipalities around the country
initiated plans to convert former churches, which had been standing
abandoned or used as commercial venues, to cultural centers or museums
with an emphasis on the religious significance of the building,” the
report stated. “As of July, graduates of imam hatip schools no longer
faced an automatic minimal reduction in their university entrance
examination grades if they applied for university programs other
than theology, making it easier for them to study in any program they
wish,” the report emphasized. “In December, the government officially
commemorated the Alevi holy day of Ashura for the first time,” the
report stressed. “In December, the General Directorate of Foundations
(GDF) established a Jewish Foundation in Izmir, the first new religious
community foundation,” the report also said.

REVIEW: THE SANDCASTLE GIRLS

The Nation (Thailand)
July 30, 2012 Monday

The Sandcastle Girls
By Chris Bohjalian
Published by Doubleday

It takes a talented novelist to combine fully ripened characters, an
engrossing storyline, exquisite prose and set it against a horrific
historical backdrop – in this case, the Armenian genocide – and
completely enchant readers.

The prolific and captivating Chris Bohjalian has done it all – again –
with his 15th book, “The Sandcastle Girls”.

Readers will recognise the author from his best-selling “Midwives”,
which caught Oprah Winfrey’s attention in 1998. This time, it’s 1915
and, again, his protagonist is a feisty woman, Elizabeth Endicott,
a 21-year-old graduate of Mount Holyoke who shatters stereotypes
by travelling to Syria to deliver food and aid to refugees of the
genocide.

And, again, Bohjalian shifts his novel back and forth in time to
simultaneously tell the story of Laura Petrosian, an Armenian-American
writer living in New York. It never feels clunky or tough to follow.

Instead, it’s seamless and keeps the reader flowing evenly through
the story.

It’s worth noting that even though Bohjalian is a man, his ability
to successfully inhabit the female mind and accurately depict his
characters’ inner lives is amazing.

“The Sandcastle Girls”, while perhaps not the “beachy” read its
title implies, is a fascinating journey through time and history. It
also educates readers about a little-known, but significant period in
history – “How do a million and a half people die with nobody knowing,”
his author-character writes. “You kill them in the middle of nowhere.”

REVIEWED BY KIM CURTIS, ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHARLES AZNAVOUR TO SING IN HIS FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE IN GEORGIA

ITAR-TASS
August 2, 2012 Thursday 06:35 PM GMT+4
Russia

French singer Charles Aznavour will give a concert in the town of
Akhaltsikhe in the south of Georgia which is the birthplace of his
father. The concert will be held in a newly built theater building
on August 16.

The program of the concert includes Aznavour’s most popular
compositions. Before the concert the singer is going to visit an
opening ceremony at an ancient fortress in Akhaltsikhe opened to
visitors after restoration.

The family of Charles Aznavour of Armenian descent moved from
Akhaltsikhe, which is the birth place of Charles Aznavour’s father,
to Greece and then to France, where Charles Aznavour was born in 1924.

His grandmother and grandfather were buried in Akhaltsikhe, and
the singer’s distant relatives still live there. The house of his
ancestors has not survived. Local residents and Charles Aznavour’s
distant relatives look after the graves of the ancestors of the
celebrated singer.

Charles Aznavour first visited his father’s birthplace in 1996. He
had last been to Georgia in 2005. In Akhaltsikhe the singer visited
the graves of his ancestors and was awarded the title of an honorary
citizen of Akhaltsikhe.

During his previous visits to Georgia the French singer was received
by prominent figures from the Georgian leadership.

US STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT CONFIRMS AZERBAIJAN HOSTS COASTAL RADAR STATIONS
by Lilit Gevorgyan

Global Insight
August 2, 2012

The US State Department has confirmed that the Azerbaijan government
has set up seven radar stations along its Caspian sea coastline. The
information was revealed in the Europe and Eurasia Review section
of the 2011 edition of Country Reports on Terrorism published by the
Office of Co-ordinator for Counterterrorism at the State Department on
31 July. The report stated: “Through the Weapons of Mass Destruction
Proliferation Prevention Program, the Azerbaijan government assumed
responsibility for the sustainment of seven radar stations along the
Caspian coast used by the Navy, Coast Guard, and State Border Service
to conduct maritime surveillance and detect smuggling threats.” The
report went on to say that the South Caucasian country has also
launched a National Communication System pilot project, which will
centralise information received from portal monitors at various
border crossings. Regional media reported that in addition Azerbaijan
is set to host new radars; however the US report did not suggest
this. In recent years, with US help, Azerbaijan launched a Caspian
Guard Special Forces project in conjunction with Kazakhstan, which
aims to increase security in the Caspian Sea along the Azerbaijani
and Kazakh borders. The headquarters of the special forces are in
Azerbaijan’s capital Baku.

Significance:The US State Department report only clarifies the
existence of radar stations in Azerbaijan. The first media reports of
these stations emerged in the second half of 2011 although Azerbaijan
has been working with the US for some time to boost its coastal
security. The reports suggest that most of the radar facilities
are positioned along the Caspian shores. The same reports also
suggest that Azerbaijan had received 30 patrol boats from Turkey and
three from the US. The US has also helped Baku set up a control and
command centre. Dozens of members of Azerbaijan’s military personnel
have received training at NATO’s European training centres, although
military from other former Soviet states involved in NATO’s Partnership
for Peace programme have also been involved in similar military
training. The news of the radar stations has come under spotlight
with the growing tensions between the international community and
Iran over the latter’s alleged nuclear weapons programme. Azerbaijan’s
relations with Iran have been strained for some time, especially since
it emerged in February this year that Baku concluded a USD1.6 billion
arms supply deal with Israel which has threatened a military strike
against the Islamic Republic. Part of the deal involves the supply
of Israel’s Super Green Pine radar, a development that has unnerved
Iran, although Azerbaijan has played down Tehran’s fears by saying
that the equipment will be used elsewhere, which is widely understood
to be against Armenia’s self-declared republic of Nagorno Karabakh,
in the west of Azerbaijan.

The confirmation of radar facilities hosted in eastern Azerbaijan
along the Caspian coast are likely to deepen Tehran’s concerns about
their potential use against Iran in the event of military escalation.

THE THIRD VOLUME OF “INDIAN ARMENIAN” IS PUBLISHED

hetq
15:43, August 8, 2012

On 8th August, 2012, with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the third volume
of the bilingual yearbook of the Armenian Church of India and Armenian
College and Philanthropic Academy (Kolkata, India), ‘Indian Armenians –
2011’ has been published.

The founder of the yearbook, Very Rev. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan,
Pastor of Armenians in India and Manager of Armenian College and
Philanthropic Academy has commented in his opening message of the
yearbook,

“In 2012, Armenians, all over the world, will celebrate the 500th
anniversary of Armenian Typography.

The 2012 will be marked also with two more anniversaries in the life
of Indian Armenians and both are connected with Madras (Chennai). The
first one is the 300th anniversary of establishment of Saint Mary
Armenian Church, the second one is the 240th anniversary of origination
of Armenian Publication in Madras.”

This encyclopaedic volume that was compiled with meticulous and
arduous endeavour, in the legacy of the Armenian publications,
bears testimony to the yearlong events in the Armenian Church and
the Armenian Community in India. The yearbook also presents in a
comprehensive way, the yearly activities, progress and achievements
of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy.

This yearbook which contains articles about the rich and glorious
heritage of the Indian Armenians was sponsored by the Church Committee
of Holy Nazareth, Kolkata.

SERZH SARGSYAN AND VLADIMIR PUTIN TO DISCUSS SOUTH CAUCASUS SECURITY ISSUES

ARMENPRESS
8 August, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS: The meeting of the Presidents of
the Republic of Armenia and Russian Federation Serzh Sargsyan and
Vladimir Putin which will be held on August 8 will be a new step of
strengthening friendly relations between tow countries. Armenpress
reports that about this is mentioned in the massage spread by press
service of Kremlin. Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin will discuss
security issues in South Caucasus and the agenda of relations between
two countries, international and regional issues, perspectives of
deepening cooperation between two countries in CIS territory.

In the massage of press service is mentioned that 2012 is symbolized
for two countries for two important jubilees – 20th anniversary of
establishment diplomatic relations between two countries and 15th
anniversary of Cooperation and Mutual Assistance treaty.

Russia is one of the main investors in Armenia and the main trade
partner. Between Armenia and Russia the goods turnover for first
5 months of current year has increased by 24.4 percent. The export
from Russia to Armenia has increased by 21.5 percent and import by
37.2 percent.

” Russian influential companies are operating in Armenian market:
Armenian -Russian ArmRusGazard ” joint company is working quite
productively , which has the monopoly right in Armenia’s domestic
market. In 2011 “ArmRusGazard” finished Hrazdan Thermal Plant of 5
th unit construction.

” Rosatom” State Corporation coordinates Russian companies
participation in the raising the issue of Armenia nuclear power plant
safety in the implementation of MAGATE technical cooperation four
drafts. “Russian Railways” JSC has committed concession management
of “Armenian Railways” CJSC”. Russian “Gazprombank” is currently
operating actively in Armenia’s financial market. Current time bank
has 15 branches, 9 located in provinces , 6 in capital Yerevan. “VTB
Bank Armenia” CJSC works with the same success.

Activity by Russian companies is also observed in telecommunications
sector.

Deep historical and cultural links assure cooperation between Armenia
and Russia.

28 inter-regional economic, scientific and cultural cooperation
agreements have been signed” Kremlin press service report runs.

CIVIL GARDEN
HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 12:33:51 – 08/08/2012

The U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern dwelt on the factor of
the civil society in Armenia in his video blog.

Everyone is focused on this factor. Some are amazed by the activeness
of the civil society, its success, others consider it useless work,
which is unable to change the system, some others consider all that
a governmental order and PR, there are other people who are just
indifferent then there are some others who treat this factor with
political jealousy.

No doubt a new plain has been formed in Armenia the seeds of which were
visible years ago, which has become a more or less stable environment
with systemic trends.

The main issue of the civil society is the formation of the civil
society itself which will be an alternative to the current political
system and will make it change and become more adequate to the civil
changes, or it will definitely separate the system from the society
creating a new one instead.

It is obvious that the political system in Armenia is unable to
respond to the social needs and demands of the population anymore. In
addition, the issue is not only about the formulated or visible needs
and claims. Perhaps, there are many other claims that the society has
not formulated yet, maybe, it has not even realized the existence of
those issues, but one of the elements of the viability of the modern
political system is to notice the unformulated yet important needs
and claims, the strategic priorities of the society and to engage in
the solution of all this.

The political system of Armenia has not been solving any issue in
Armenia since long, both in the governmental and oppositional fields.

So, it is up to the society to set up a new system able to solve its
issues. This system may be a civil, party-free system.

There is a nuance here.

We know that almost all the political forces have authoritarian or
totalitarian rule, there is no democratic order in the parties and
the staff is not considered decision makers but decision approvers.

Whoever disagrees with the decisions is declared a traitor,
conspirator etc.

While each party has honest members who think otherwise, who have
individualities and are not directed by party interests only, who
are out of the political dogmas established in the twenty years of
independence which worship individuals. But the authoritarian or
totalitarian atmosphere in the party represses them.

The civil system with its no-party essence may be the right environment
for those individuals who could express their personal, human and
creative qualities enhancing the efficiency of that resource of the
society, for the process of the change of the power and ensure the
formation of a new political field and atmosphere.

In this sense, the civil society may be the garden where the dying
resource in the party desert will grow.

TWO ARMENIANS FIGHTING ON PART OF GOVERNMENT FORCES KILLED IN MILITARY ACTIONS IN ALEPPO

arminfo
Wednesday, August 8, 10:52

Two Armenians fighting on part of the government forces in Syria
were killed in military actions in Aleppo, says Zhirayr Reisyan,
Press Secretary of the Armenian community in Aleppo, told ArmInfo.

He said troops of volunteers have been formed in Aleppo and among
them there are several Armenians. Two of them were killed in today’s
military actions.

“Those Armenians independently adopted the decision to fight, but
generally the Armenian community in Aleppo keeps neutral stance on
the processes in the country,” Reisyan explained.

He said that there is currently relative peace in Aleppo.

“Single shots are heard from time to time, but the military actions
continuing all the night stopped,” Reisyan said and added that the
districts populated with Armenians has not been damaged seriously.

However, people are scared of going out in the streets.

Currently all the central districts in Aleppo are under control of
the government troops. As for the Consulate of Armenia, it functions
in a safer place. There is no need for evacuation of Armenians from
Aleppo yet, he said.

To recall, the UN observation mission has left Aleppo.

BAKU ILLEGALLY SETTLING SHAHUMIAN AND GETASHEN

Asbarez
Monday, August 6th, 2012

The massacre and deportation of Armenians in Getashen by Azeri forces

STEPANAKERT-The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s Foreign Ministry on
Friday issued an announcement in which it condemned Azerbaijan’s
illegal practice of settling the region of Shahumian and Getashen,
whose Armenian residents were savagely deported by Azeri forces during
the Karabakh war and remains an occupied territory by Azerbaijan.

The Foreign Ministry’s announcement came in response to a complaint
filed by Azerbaijan with the OSCE, claiming that Armenians were
resettling within the territoriy of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

The foreign ministry called Baku’s appeal to the OSCE an effort to
destabilize the region and further impede the peace process.

“Despite the obvious reality that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has
a sovereign right to accept any individual on its territory, the
misinformation carried out by Azerbaijan is absolutely groundless
since the monitoring of the situation in these territories, carried
out by the OSCE Assessment Mission in 2010, can prove otherwise,”
said the Karabakh foreign ministry statement.

Official Stepanakert also pointed to a statement by the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairmen, who found no signs “any clear organized
resettlement” and “did not determine that the resettlement resulted
from a deliberate policy”.

“In this context, we consider it necessary to once again draw the
attention of the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe
to the fact that Azerbaijan continues a policy of resettlement in
the Shahumian region, Getashen sub-region and other Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic regions that are under the occupation of Azerbaijan,” said
the Foreign Ministry. The ministry also emphasized that Azerbaijan,
over the years, has refused to cooperate and provide access to OSCE
monitors.