Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

YEREVAN MAYOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON SITUATION IN MASHTOTS PARK

Tert.am
21.02.12

Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan issued a statement on the situation in
Mashtots park, in Yerevan.

The statement reads in part:

“Dear Yerevan residents,

“The installation of temporary structures in the areas that are not
the principal green zones of the park between Mashtots Avenue and
Yeznik Kokhbatsi Street evoked a public response. Various opinions
have been voiced, most of them arousing concern. I think it is time
for specific discussions of the problem and putting forward reasonable
arguments, and reaching a public consensus.

“I am well aware of the impossibility of any development or resolution
of any problem of public importance without effective protection
of ownership.

“The facts are as follow:

“A number of structures in Abovyan Str. Were removed by the Yerevan
Municipality. The owners were offered alternative territories,
including the undeveloped area near Mashtots Avenue and Yeznik
Kokhbatsi Street. The area is registered as liable to improvement by
the Yerevan Landscaping CJSC.

“According to the documents, the company is installing the booths
in the park as compensation to the owners of structures removed from
Abovyan Street. The booths are temporary structures – until the Old
Yerevan program has been completed.

“Ownership-related problems cannot be resolved on the basis of
individuals’ subjective opinion on justice.

“Despite the negative opinions that have been voiced, I am happy to
know that our citizens are so concerned over the problems and future
our dear Yerevan city. Although all the legal documents are available
in this case, I consider public involvement and awareness necessary.”

In his statement, the Yerevan mayor also assured the public that the
city authorities will do their best to develop the areas in question
and provide them will all modern amenities.

He expressed the confidence that all the problems of Armenia’s capital
have civilized solutions.

From: Baghdasarian

EVERY YOUNG PERSON WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AFTER DEMOBILIZATION, PRIME MINISTER OF ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 21, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS: Combat capacity of the Armenian
army will be kept in the focus of the government’s attention. During
the February 21 meeting with RPA representatives of Armavir province
Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan said in the recent 5 years
the armament level has increased. This exceeds the armament volumes
of the 20 years, Armenpress reports. This is the way of reaching and
maintaining peace in the region.

“Any young person, who serves in the army, must be sure that after
demobilization he will have an opportunity to continue the education.

An individual work will be carried out with all soldiers,” said Mr.
Sargsyan.

The Prime Minister added that the 12-year-old education is intended
to make free of charge. The education in colleges will be funded by
the state. Thus the education level and quality will increase. “The
entrance to universities must be easy and the graduation – difficult.

Those who have knowledge must get diplomas. Five universities must
pass international accreditation, and after graduation students will
keep pace with students of international universities,” said Prime
Minister Sargsyan.

From: Baghdasarian

SERGEY GRINYAEV: USA, ISRAEL AND FRANCE ARE TRYING TO CHANGE POLITICAL TENDENCIES OF THE SOUTH CAUCASUS
by David Stepanyan

arminfo
Tuesday, February 21, 18:17

Interview of director general of Russian Centre for Strategic
Assessment and Forecast , Sergey Grinyaev, with Arminfo news agency

The crisis of the European zone, European economy has been gradually
turning into the political problems. Can this crisis affect partnership
within the frames of NATO?

The events taking place in the European Union are the reflection of
deeper transformations that touched the world economy and are known
like for the last three years. The analysis shows that the developing
economical crisis is not at all impartial. Today there is no doubt
everything was framed up. The crisis was planned and launched for
fulfillment of the programme on creation of the new world order. The
fundamental problems of the modern civilization development: exhausting
of strategic resources, first of all oil, the population growing old
and changing of the migration flows, as well as wide distribution of
new technologies which can radically change the established economic
order, lay in basis of this programme fulfillment. The key elements
of today’s world order: UN, WB, EU, NATO, etc. were developing
under other circumstances during which they were effective. However,
along with changing of the environment the former elements lose their
effectiveness and require replacement by something new. In particular,
the EU which is so much tense today, is a final product of the epoch
of confrontation of the superpowers: the USSR and the USA, the expert
said. The EU was born like a machinery for the political and economical
integration of the countries of Europe in the face of the enemy –
socialistic bloc. The same is regarding NATO which demonstrates
Euro-Atlantic unity in the matter of standing against the .

In fact, the last years of development of EU and NATO connected with
active extension and introduction of EUR was just an inertial motion.

All this would be expedient if we still had the USSR. Moreover, the
economical infrastructure of the EU has been so much integrated in
the energy infrastructure of its – Russia, that today to imagine the
situation when Europe will refuse Russian oil and gas is practically
impossible. Such dependence of Europe, the major part of the countries
of which are NATO members, on the Russian energy resources makes the
whole project senseless. Moreover, many European countries shocked by
economical problems and being on the edge of bankruptcy are simply
unable to fulfill their obligations within the frames of NATO. For
this reason, I think the situation with NATO is quite clear – in its
present state it will not exist for a long time, and will be swallowed
by the crisis just the same way as Europe was.

More than 60% of the oil containing regions of the world as well as
the oil prices have been controlled by the USA in this or that way.

May the appetites of Washington regarding Iran be watched like a part
of the strategy on covering of the oil potential of the world?

The embargo imposed on Iranian oil today will be a suicide for
Europe tomorrow. Considering the hard economic conditions most of
the European countries (Greece, Italy, Spain) are facing today,
any attempts to change the existing energy supply scheme will be
disastrous. The EU’s decision has proved once again that Europe is not
politically independent and cannot pass crucial political decisions
without consulting the United States. In this particular case, the
Europeans are forced to act to their own detriment.

The United States controls over 60% of the world’s oil fields, and its
actions against Iran are part of its strategy to grab the whole. Oil
is still the key fuel, the “blood” of the modern civilization. But
its resources are growing increasingly scarce. If the world continues
extracting oil as quickly as it is doing today, it will have none
by the end of 2030, with no real substitutes available yet. So,
the Americans are acting quite pragmatically: they are trying to
gain control over oil and, even more importantly, gas – for it will
be exactly gas that will be able to replace oil for several decades
after the latter expires. So, if the war for oil is our present,
the war for gas is our future.

The situation around the nuclear programme of Iran has becoming more
and more tense. The tension in the Middle East is extremely beneficial
for Russia as it maintains high prices for oil. Nevertheless, Moscow
is trying to ease tension around Iran by all means. What is the reason
of such a paradox?

There is no paradox here. The rise of oil prices caused by escalation
of tension around Iran is recompensed in Russian oil incomes due to
the falling oil consumption by Europe’s economies that keep falling
into bankruptcy. All this is now favorable to Moscow. In addition,
escalation of tension around Iran and even an armed conflict are quite
short-term events, while the further changes in the region and in the
world may prove much more serious for Russia than the monetary profit
from high oil prices. Russia has already made a mistake supporting
USA’s aspiration to strengthen its positions in Central Asia to
fight the Taliban. The U.S. is currently holding peace talks with
the Taliban and regards its members almost as allies. Nevertheless,
the USA has no intention to leave Central Asia.

Does instable situation in Syria find room in the frames of the
American foreign policy conception? Or the USA has nothing in common
with the situation and the Saudi Arabia is the master of the situation?

I think that the situation in the region depends also on the situation
in Iran’s ally country Syria. At the same time, regional developments
show that without Syrian’s exclusion, the military operation against
Iran will not be as lighting as Washington wants. Therefore, the
developments in Syria are backed mainly by the USA and Israel, which
has not put up with the idea of killing the nuclear program of Iran
preserving the status of the only regional nuclear super power. The
stakes are so high today that regional players yield their places to
global ones. The USA’s interests in the region are much higher than
the interests of Saudi Arabia, which has become just an instrument
for the United States.

The main oil and gas lines run through the territory of the South
Caucasus which is direct neighbor of Iran. How can the possible attack
upon Iran affect the countries of the region in this context, taking
into consideration different attitude of the three republics of the
South Caucasus towards Iran?

The Caucasus countries Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan are experiencing
hard times now with the active political games around these countries
being the best evidence of that. Thus, before starting the conflict
with Iran, the U.S.A, Israel and France try to change the political
landscape in the region and maybe launch reconstruction processes
also in the region. And these countries have certain success, for the
situation as of February 2012 differs from the situation a few months
ago. Today the South Caucasus states differently assess the possible
consequences of the regional conflict with involvement of Iran. It is
very important considering that the key oil and gas arteries extend
through the territory of the South Caucasus neighboring with Iran.

Does the Nabucco project have prospects, taking into account an
extremely unstable situation in the region as well as changing of
Turkeys priorities from Nabucco to Trans Anadolu?

The Nabucco prospects were rather misty from the very beginning. Today
the project is practically dead. There are several reason of that.

First, it would change the conjecture of the world energy market –
the project had to be developed in other conditions, and today it
is economically unprofitable. Second, Russia has fulfilled energy
projects. The completion of the “North flow” construction and the
beginning of the construction has made more discord in the brains
of the Nabucco ideologists. One thing is to build the pipeline for
the political pressure upon Russia, and another thing is to get from
Russia the vital oil and gas, perhaps for the lower price as the crisis
has emptied the financial stores. In the present unstable situation
Turkey and Azerbaijan have understood that it is more beneficial to
have close relations with Russia which is next to them than to take
part in the political games of the far away Washington.

From: Baghdasarian

THE REPORT ON DINK MURDER CASE IS NOT PUBLISHED FULLY: CHETIN WILL APPEAL

19:07 . 21/02

In Turkey even if they tell a truth, it must surely be not complete.

Yesterday such a situation was created around the document published
in the result of the long-term investigation into Dink’s murder and
the trial by the special council under President Abdullah Gul.

On January 28 in 2011, at the order of President Abduallh Gul, the
Turkish State Supervisory Council started the investigation into trial
on Hrant Dink’s murder. A part of the report prepared in the result of
the investigation was presented to the public yesterday. The report
considered to be confidential is not only partly made public, some
points and details which are meant for public are not publicised,
but also it isn’t provided to the Dink family and the advocates in
full text.

Dink family attorney Fethiye Chetin is categorically against this
decision. According to her, how confidential the report may be, the
family and the advocates have full right to get the whole version. The
latter ones will launch an appeal at corresponding bodies to get
the report.

Before that, after the publication of the report, the local media
continuously speak on several important points of the report. Some
TV channels even say this report means that the state at last, even
indirectly accepted its guilt. One of the axial points in the report
states that the staff of the police and gendarmerie was quite aware
that Dink’s life is in danger and contrary to that, they hadn’t
taken any steps. Thus, Article 17 of the Turkish Constitution and
Article 2 of the European Convention of human Rights forming part of
the internal laws were violated. This means it is necessary to start
investigation immediately on the state bodies involved in Dink’s case.

Abuse of powers, negligence in ones duties and many other similar
points, which were included in the report of the state supervisory
council, give hope of probable restart of Dink’s trial from the
very beginning.

Finally, in the result of these long 5 years a tangible result was
achieved today. There is a verdict not accepted by the public and at
the same time, there are serious doubts on impartiality and reliability
of all the state structures.

From: Baghdasarian

FREELANCE JOURNALIST ON HUNGER STRIKE IN ARMENIA’S CAPITAL

Tert.am
21.02.12

Freelance journalist Bayandur Hovhannisyan, one of the activists
protesting against the installation of kiosts in Mashtots park,
is holding a hunger strike.

He plans to stage the hunger strike and a sit-in for eight days.

His step is aimed at showing the authorities that the protest against
construction of kiosks is a rather serious action.

Bayandur calls on the other activists to join.

“Activity is not only ‘like’ in Facebook. Come to the park and bring
another ten people along. Do not politicize the action,” said of
the activists.

The environmentalists announced their intention to gather in the park
on Wednesday morning.

Singer Artur Ispiryan is among the protestors.

From: Baghdasarian

MAKE-UP WORN ON DECAYING FACE
Siranuysh Papyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 18:44:08 – 21/02/2012

Interview with writer Vahram Martirosyan

Mr. Martirosyan, what differences and similarities are there between
the elections of 2007 and 2012?

I was not in Armenia on the eve of 2007 so I cannot compare
but the society has definitely undergone quality change, young
political activists who are honest and courageous have appeared in
the opposition movement, and it will influence the elections now. I
am a little disappointed with the passiveness of Nikol Pashinyan
during the elections. My main concern is that our society does not
have the maturity to consider this election at least as important as
the presidential election.

You mentioned Nikol Pashinyan’s passiveness during the elections but
the recent election in Hrazdan was quite lively. But the results were
not disputed.

Please let me not compare Nikol Pashinyan and Sasus Mikaelyan,
the presidential elections and the local election. The opposition
tended to consider local elections as inferior. One may look for
logic behind this approach or not but I think it will mislead us. I
consider this election more important than the presidential election
next year because we can have political forces in parliament which are
not false as the semi-criminal and semi-administrative Republicans,
Bargavach Hayastan, let alone the Orinats Yerkir Party. Now there
is a strong and good opposition, the Armenian National Congress,
and the parliament may transform from a titular body to a real one
involving principled people whom we need. On a day in February 1998
Vazgen Sargsyan turned the parliamentary majority into rats, he died,
while the rats stayed. Now these rats are the government, and we wonder
why these problems occur or why such simple problems are not resolved.

However, all these rats care for is pilfering. They don’t have other
principles.

Mr. Martirosyan, you said the opposition is strong, where is that
strength when everyone, even most ANC members say this force has
weakened and is not the same?

It is noticed, of course. I can speak about some missed opportunities
but I don’t think it will be productive, I mean analysis should be
there but it must focus on the present and the past. Nevertheless,
the ANC remains strong with its intellect, principles, the political
features of the people who went to prison but refused freedom by way
of admitting doing something which they had not done. The ANC has
become weaker but it can become strong, there is nothing surprising.

The important thing in politics – the internal resource – is there. I
think the utmost must be done to overcome the apathy of the society.

Do you mean the apathy for the elections?

Yes in order to make people believe that the parliamentary elections
are a serious instrument. For me personally, they are an important
instrument to change something in Armenia. The president of the
country is one person. Even one with the best characteristics may make
mistakes, limited by pressure. A serious political force in parliament
may achieve a lot. Other forces besides the ANC may participate in
the reanimation of the parliament. It depends on their will to refrain
from fraud and deals for their own petty interests.

Mr. Martirosyan, everyone believes the Republicans and Bargavach
Hayastan Party will form the majority, the results of public polls
also indicate this. In fact, the lion’s share will remain with them,
while the Congress will get very few seats. Will it be worth working
with the rats as you refer to them, being so few in number?

First, it is necessary to do everything one can in every situation.

Second, I don’t trust these public polls. Third, the pre-election
period has just started, and the so-called street democracy wave
is still to come. The Republicans and Bargavach Hayastan will seize
each other’s votes, it is inevitable. The same pro-government voter
or the person who accepted the election bribe cannot vote for both. I
think the difference between the results of polls and the results of
elections will be huge.

There is an opinion that bright people are needed in politics like the
people who are fighting for saving Mashtots Park, to achieve change.

There is such resource which is unused. The events in Russia are
still fresh, the creative class which is mainly of young and average
age did a revolution. I think in Armenia it is time for this class to
join the movement for changing the country. I mean the TV reporters
who already have two apartments and a nice car each, and if they are
fired, they will not starve, they will find a job. I mean people who
work in the IT field who are apolitical but must realize that this
is a crucial period to live in a freer and better country. This is
a selfish urge to live well, which for me is not just the salary
and income but the free society and fair government. So I call for
selfishness and urge to do everything to remove the ruling force.

18 years past the war, I look at the emigration statistics and cannot
imagine how the president, the prime minister, the government can sleep
at night. The pensions, even the salaries are not enough to pay for
the utilities. In other words, there is no hope from the government,
there is an urge to make up their faces. The ministers you look at
and are not disgusted are the make-up worn by the government, such
as Hrair Tovmasyan. Earlier Tigran Sargsyan was, but this make-up was
washed away soon. In the field of the media this make-up is heavier. I
noticed after my return from my latest trip that there is change,
there is more criticism, there are more modern TV shows. The opposition
media outlets are stronger, more in number than pro-government media
outlets but I am speaking about television because in underdeveloped
societies television has a stronger position. In other words, this
make-up is worn by television as well.

They would be a real revival were the first steps towards serious
results, real change. But this is make-up worn on a decaying face
because the challenge is the reproduction of the violent government
fed with corruption.

Is the intention of journalists to enter the parliament and change
the situation make-up? Is it possible to achieve change through the
journalists? The people who feel the pulse of the society? Has the
government understood something?

I think not. Some laws may become better, the speech of the members
of parliament may become more articulate but since these journalists
are not a union, their presence will not change anything.

From: Baghdasarian

IRAN NUCLEAR TENSIONS PUT CAUCASUS ON ALERT

21 February 2012

Damien McGuinness By Damien McGuinness BBC News, Tbilisi Caucasus map

Tensions between Iran and the West have spread to the Caucasus,
where a bomb was found attached to an Israeli diplomatic car last week.

Iran and Israel appear to be engaged in a covert war of threats,
bomb attacks and assassination plots in the Caucasus, a region that
was firmly inside Russia’s sphere of influence in the Cold War.

Iran’s secretive nuclear programme is a target for spies, as Western
leaders remain convinced that Tehran is trying to develop nuclear
weapons, despite its denials.

The anti-Israeli bomb plot in the Georgian capital Tbilisi came just
three weeks after authorities in neighbouring oil-rich Azerbaijan
had arrested three men accused of plotting to assassinate the Israeli
ambassador in Baku.

According to the Azeri authorities, a Jewish school and local rabbis
were also targeted.

Israel’s government accused Iran of being behind the attacks –
a charge Tehran denied.

Last week Iran snarled back at Azerbaijan, which has friendly ties
with Israel. Tehran said the killers of an Iranian nuclear scientist,
who was assassinated in January, had been allowed to escape through
Azerbaijan.

These tensions suggest that Iranian spies and agents of Israel’s
secret service Mossad are active in the southern Caucasus, made up
of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The development of Azeri oil and gas in the Caspian Sea, with major
export pipelines pumping energy to Western markets, heightens the
region’s strategic importance.

Great-power rivalry

When it comes to spying, this region is like Switzerland before World
War II, says Georgian political analyst Alexander Rondeli. “Everyone
is using the South Caucasus for this hidden war. No doubt about it,”
he said.

Squeezed between Russia, Iran and Turkey, the southern Caucasus is
a strategic crossroads between Iran and the West.

Azerbaijan, bordering on Iran, has historical and cultural ties with
Tehran as an estimated 20 to 30 million people in northern Iran are
ethnically Azeri.

Georgia, which introduced visa-free travel with Iran last year,
is enthusiastically attracting Iranian trade and tourism to boost
a flagging economy. Thanks to the new visa regime, an unprecedented
60,000 Iranian tourists visited Georgia last year.

But at the same time, Georgia and Azerbaijan are keen Western allies.

Both contribute to Nato’s mission in Afghanistan and have strong
business links with Europe.

Roadblock on South Ossetia border In 2008 Russia pushed Georgian
troops out of South Ossetia in a brief war

Georgia’s main foreign policy objective is to join Nato and the EU.

Azerbaijan is a big supplier of oil and gas to the West, including
Israel. In return, Azerbaijan buys Israeli weapons and military
equipment.

Torn loyalties are nothing new in the southern Caucasus.

For centuries the Russian, Persian and Ottoman empires fought over
this beautiful region of mountains higher than the Alps and fertile
valleys, home to the world’s first known vineyards.

Having Russia to the north and Iran to the south makes this a tough
neighbourhood – and it is getting tougher all the time.

“This is now the most complicated period of the last 200 years,”
says Arastun Orujlu, a former Azeri counter-intelligence officer and
now a political analyst in Baku.

Challenge to Russia Qabala radar station, Azerbaijan – file pic
Azerbaijan’s Qabala radar station may be used to keep watch on
neighbouring Iran

Until 1991 Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia were all part of the Soviet
Union, making Russia the only game in town.

But today, Turkey and Iran, both former imperial powers in the region,
are regaining their pre-19th Century self-confidence.

This region suddenly finds itself back in the position of being
surrounded by three increasingly assertive powers. “You can’t choose
your neighbours” – that is a refrain often heard in these parts.

But you can choose your allies – and Azerbaijan has opened up to Turkey
and the US, as well as its old master Russia, since the Cold War ended.

It is a major stopover point for US troops, supplies and fuel en
route to Afghanistan.

And in 2007 the then Russian President Vladimir Putin surprised
Western leaders by offering to let America use the Russian radar
station at Qabala in Azerbaijan to defend Europe against any missile
attack from Iran.

At the time the deal stalled as the Bush administration did not want
to give up its own anti-ballistic missile system in Eastern Europe.

But President Barack Obama’s more conciliatory approach to Moscow and
the anxiety about Iran means the proposal could be back on the table.

Instability in Georgia

Russia and the US did work together in Georgia after the 11 September
2001 terror attacks on the US.

There were fears that the mountains of northern Georgia, bordering
on war-torn Chechnya, were harbouring terrorists linked to al-Qaeda.

To pre-empt any Russian intervention in Georgia the US stepped in,
providing Georgian troops with training and intelligence to help
police the region.

So what would be the consequences of any US or Israeli strike
against Iran?

“Georgia would be the nearest target for an Iranian counter-strike,”
believes Arastun Orujlu. “Azerbaijan would try to avoid any
co-operation with the West. But Georgia would co-operate with great
pleasure.”

Although Georgia’s pro-Western government is an enthusiastic American
ally, Alexander Rondeli disagrees. “We don’t have any American bases
here or the necessary military infrastructure.” And diplomats say
Washington would not put Georgia in such a vulnerable position.

Mr Rondeli believes the main danger for Georgia would come from Russia.

The two countries fought a war in 2008, and today Russian troops are
still stationed in 20% of Georgian territory.

Some Georgians are worried that Moscow would use a conflict with Iran
as a pretext to re-establish the Russian presence in the region,
traditionally seen by the Kremlin as its own backyard and a useful
barrier north of the volatile Middle East.

Georgian fears are being fuelled by Russia’s plans to stage major
military exercises in the Caucasus later this year.

Any major conflict with Iran could bring a humanitarian disaster, with
hundreds of thousands of refugees flooding over the Iranian border into
Azerbaijan – a country already struggling to cope with almost a million
displaced people from the years of war with Armenia in the 1990s.

Analysts do agree on one thing: there is no appetite at local level
for any more conflict.

The recent attempted terror attacks appear to be part of a war of
nerves. But in this region, struggling to recover from years of war,
people crave stability.

From: Baghdasarian

YEREVAN ZOO’S PLANS OF ‘BRIGHTER FUTURE’ FOR ELEPHANT HRANT INCLUDES FINDING HIM A MATE

epress.am
02.21.2012

Yerevan Zoo management is currently developing plans to make
17-year-old Hrant’s life a little bit easier at the zoo: management is
looking to build appropriate winter housing and expand the elephant’s
current digs – not to mention finding him a mate!

Recall, Hrant has had one partner since he was brought from the Moscow
Zoo in 1999, but Masha, who arrived at Yerevan Zoo in December 2007,
died less than a year later, in August 2008.

Yerevan Zoo Director Ruben Khachatryan informed Epress.am that in
order to secure the funds to improve conditions for Hrant, the zoo
is in talks with major Armenian confectionary company Grand Candy.

“Talks are currently at the preliminary stage, but we’re hopeful that
we can ensure a much brighter future for Hrant,” he said.

From: Baghdasarian

CATHOLICOS FAMILIARIZES UK AMBASSADORS WITH ARMENIAN CHURCH ACTIVITIES

news.am
February 21, 2012 | 17:06

YEREVAN. – The Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, received, at
the Holy See of Saint Etchmiadzin, Jonathan James Aves and Catherine
Jane Leach, the United Kingdom’s newly appointed ambassadors to
Armenia.

The Catholicos expressed confidence that the close ties between the
British Embassy and the Holy See, which were established during the
tenure of the previous ambassadors, will continue, the Holy See of
Saint Etchmiadzin informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The parties specifically reflected on the British Armenian community,
and the activities of the Armenian Apostolic Church’s diocese in
the UK. Karekin II also presented to the ambassadors the Armenian
Church’s modern-day challenges, and the Holy See’s educational and
social activities.

From: Baghdasarian

ARGAM AYVAZYAN: STATE SUPPORT FOR NAKHIJEVAN STUDIES NECESSARY
Alisa Gevorgyan

“Radiolur”
21.02.2012 16:56

Under the unpopular agreement of 1921, Nakhijevan was illegally cut
off from the Motherland and handed to Azerbaijan. Expert of Nakhijevan
studies Argam Ayvazyan says, the Armenian literary mind never made
any serious reference to this historically Armenian land, the National
Academy of Sciences published no serious research in Soviet era.

It seemed independent Armenia would come to fill the gap, but it
didn’t happen. Argam Ayvazyan has been the only scholar to study the
historical and cultural monuments of Nakhijevan since 1965. These
studies and the photos and materials preserved are the only evidences
of the rich Armenian cultural heritage demolished on the Azerbaijani
land.

According to Ayvazyan, it’s not only Azerbaijan to be blamed for the
barbarity, the Armenian side also carries responsibility because of
its indifference. He says many interesting and important initiatives
have failed because of lack of assistance of state bodies.

The expert agrees, however, that there have been attempts to
internationalize the issue. The issue was once raised in the UN,
but no progress was registered because of lack of consistency.

From: Baghdasarian