Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

KHALAF KHALAFOV: “LACK OF WILL BY ARMENIA’S POLITICAL LEADERSHIP EXPOSED THE NEGOTIATIONS TO FAILURE”

APA
Sept 27 2011
Azerbaijan

Baku-APA. Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov received
the delegation led by Chairman of the California Senate Environmental
Quality Committee, Senator Joseph Simitian.

Press service of the Foreign Ministry told APA that Khalafov noted
strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and USA and
informed the guests that Azerbaijan attached special importance to
the relations with the US’ subjects. Khalafov also underlined that
the efforts were made towards deepening of cooperation with the
State of California in all spheres. Underlining the implementation
of significant projects in the South Caucasus and Caspian basin on
the initiative and direct participation of Azerbaijan, informed about
continuation of US-Azerbaijan cooperation in global and regional issues
and noted that the cooperation on combating international terrorism
was continuing successfully between two countries. At the same time,
Khalafov noted the relations between legislative bodies were attaining
vital importance and said that the mutual visits played a role of
bridge in the development of bilateral relations.

Informing about Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Khalafov noted the
occupation of 20% of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia, spoke about problems
of refugees and IDPs. Noting economical backwardness of Armenia,
Khalafov said that the unreadiness of Armenian political leadership
to liberate Azerbaijani lands peacefully exposed the negotiations to
the failure. Deputy Minister assessed Armenia’s occupational policy
as a main obstacle to the establishment of peace and stability in the
region, said that the results of the aggression were not accepted by
the world community.

Californian senators noted that Azerbaijan had a strategic significance
and highly assessed its role in the region. Noting that they were
deeply impressed by rapid development of Azerbaijan, the Californian
senators took interest in Azerbaijan’s future role in the region.

From: Baghdasarian

AZERBAIJAN ‘NEEDS JUSTICE FROM EUROPE’ ON KARABAKH

news.az
Sept 27 2011
Azerbaijan

News.Az interviews Mike Hancock, a Liberal Democrat member of the UK
Parliament and of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

We’re at the conference on 20 years of Azerbaijan’s independence. What
was your view of the president’s speech to the conference?

I thought it was very relaxed, very informative. It was a very positive
message, both inside Azerbaijan, but I think more importantly he was
speaking to a wider audience, in particular Europe, where I think
he sees very much the stability of the region as being of great
importance. What he was saying was a very positive message that
Azerbaijan is not only important because of energy and the resources
they have, but also for the part they can play in the stability of the
region between the Caspian and the Black Sea. I think he was really
positive in that message that he wants solutions to the problems they
face, and of course Nagorno-Karabakh is the biggest problem they face
and I think it’s right and proper what he said. I think the biggest
present that anyone can give to Azerbaijan for the 20th anniversary
is to see a positive move on the solution to Nagorno-Karabakh. But
that can only happen if the Armenians see sense.

The Azerbaijani authorities say that the international community
doesn’t give a damn about Karabakh.

I think that’s why it was right that he devoted quite a big part of
his speech today – 20% of his speech was directed at the way in which
the international community are trying to ignore Nagorno-Karabakh.

They know it’s a problem, they can’t find easy solutions, so they
ignore it. And it’s a great pity that a million people still continue
to be displaced, 20% of a country in Europe is occupied by a foreign
power, which isn’t right. If we all aspire to democratic processes,
then I think that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, who were displaced
from there, have to be allowed to have their say about their future
and their future must be as an integral part of Azerbajian.

Azerbaijan is proposing cooperation with Armenia after it withdraws
its troops from Azerbaijan’s territory, but Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan recently said again that there is no other solution than the
independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. Are you sure that the international
community will solve this any time soon?

They won’t solve it if it falls on deaf ears. What President Aliyev was
saying today was “I want people to wake up to this issue. Don’t just
look at us for what we can give you in oil and gas, but look at us for
what we need from you.” What Azerbaijan needs from the wider community
in Europe is some justice about Nagorno-Karabakh. And that’s what
he was saying: “Don’t just take from us, we expect to have something
back.” And that would be support to get justice for that cause.

What do you think is the main problem hindering a settlement?

I think the biggest stumbling block is the diaspora from Armenia,
who continue to fund a hopeless cause. They have some romantic and
emotional attachment to something which is really a false premise
for them. I think it will remain unresolved as long as the diaspora
is able to influence so much of what happens in Armenia. There is no
other country in Europe which is really controlled from outside, by
the diaspora either in France or in the United States. That can’t be
right. If Armenia is a free and democratic society, I think the people
of Armenia might have a different say, the ones living there. They
could share the prosperity that Azerbaijan brings to this region. And
all the time they’re living this falsehood about Nagorno-Karabakh,
and the people of Armenia are losing out.

From: Baghdasarian

HOUSING CONSTRUCTION IN GYUMRI NOT TO BE STOPPED

Mediamax
Sept 27 2011
Armenia

Yerevan/Mediamax/. Today, Armenian Minster of Urban Development Vardan
Vardanyan refuted the reports about the end of housing construction
in Gyumri.

As Mediamax was told in “Shirak Center” public organization, there
have been rumors in Gyumri recently that the housing construction
realized by “Glendale Hills” CJSC Company will be stopped on October 1.

The Minister, who is visiting Gyumri to hold the regular session of
the Commission for the distribution of apartments, has turned down
these rumors.

Thus, within the framework of state programs for housing construction,
1544 and 122 apartments will be built in the disaster area of Gyumri
“Mush 2” and “Ani” communities correspondingly by the end of 2011.

From: Baghdasarian

THE LAMB OF IRAN

Washington Times
Sept 27 2011

The mullahs prepare to execute a Christian for his faith

Yousef Nadarkhani, a 34-year-old Christian cleric, is facing death
for apostasy against a faith he never held. The Islamic Republic of
Iran has accused Mr. Nadarkhani, a pastor of the evangelical Church
of Iran, of the capital offense of forsaking Islam.

Mr. Nadarkhani was arrested in his home city of Rasht in October
2009 after he questioned Islamic control over religious instruction
of Iranian children. He was charged initially with illegal protest,
but that was raised to the more serious crimes of apostasy and
evangelizing Muslims. He was convicted and sentenced to death. Mr.

Nadarkhani~Rs wife was handed life in prison. His attorney, Iranian
human rights lawyer Mohammed Ali Dadkhah, was convicted separately
of ~Sactions and propaganda against the Islamic regime,~T sentenced
to nine years in prison and barred from practicing law for a decade.

There are about 300,000 Christians in Iran, most of whom are
Armenians. They trace their lineage back to the first century and
the introduction of the faith by St. Jude the Apostle. St. Jude was
martyred by the Romans in A.D. 65 and to Catholics is the patron saint
of desperate cases and lost causes. Mr. Nadarkhani has maintained
his equanimity in the face of adversity. ~SI announce the same as
Jude,~T he wrote in one of his prison epistles, ~Searnestly contend
for the faith that was once delivered to the saints. ~E What we are
suffering today is difficult, but not unbearable.~T

In the fall of 2010, a Revolutionary Tribunal affirmed the death
sentence, and the case was appealed to Iran~Rs Supreme Court. In June,
the high court asked the lower court in Rasht to review whether Mr.

Nadarkhani had been a practicing Muslim at the age of maturity,
which is 15 in Iran. Prosecutors acknowledged that he had never been
a Muslim as an adult but said that the apostasy law still applies
because he has ~SIslamic ancestry.~T Hearings are being held this week
to give Mr. Nadarkhani the opportunity to recant his faith and avoid
execution. On Sunday, when asked to repent his Christian beliefs, Mr.

Nadarkhani replied, ~SRepent means to return. What should I return
to?~T The court pressed that he should return ~Sto the religion of
your ancestors, Islam.~T Mr. Nadarkhani said, ~SI cannot.~T

Mr. Nadarkhani may face execution as early as Thursday. The U.S. State
Department has registered a protest, but Tehran has shown no response
to international pressure. Members of international church groups
are fasting and praying for Mr. Nadarkhani, who remains committed
to his beliefs even facing the gallows. ~SI don~Rt need to write
anything further about the basis of faith,~T he wrote to his supporters
earlier this year. ~SLet us remember that beyond beautiful or painful
feelings, only three things remain: Faith, Hope and Love. It is
important for believers to make sure which kind of Faith, Hope and
Love will remain.~T

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON PROTOCOLS SIGNIFICANT IN THE NEAR FUTURE – TURKISH EXPERT

news.am
Sept 27 2011
Armenia

Armenian government’s reaction on protocols will be significant in
the near future, senior analyst at Economic Policy Research Foundation
of Turkey Burcu Gultekin-Punsmann told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Initiative on return of protocols to the parliament hasn’t been much
publicized in Turkey, she said.

“The initiative didn’t target specifically relations with Armenia,
other draft laws left from the previous legislative period have been
also brought back in the same move to the Parliament,” she added.

Nevertheless, Gultekin-Punsmann considers there is a sign of the
existence of political will on a certain level on the Turkish side

The fact that Minister Davutoglu is now himself MP can perhaps create
a difference.

“A sense of an unfinished job and unfulfilled hopes have started
developing among Turkish officials when it comes to improving relations
with Armenia. Armenia stays in their mind. However the protocols
process has also been frozen in Armenia. The reaction of the Armenian
government will be therefore significant in the near future,” she said.

The analyst believes that deal with Armenia will boost Turkey’s
stance in the region restore the tarnished image of the zero problem
approach worldwide.

From: Baghdasarian

PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR MP VARTKES MAHDESSIAN

Gibrahayer
Sep 27, 2011

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia,
President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on 3rd September
2011 on awarding MP Vartkes Mahdessian the prestigious “Mkhitar Kosh”
Medal for notable state, public and political activities. The ceremony
took place in Yerevan on Saturday 17th September 2011, which was
followed by a reception in participation of high ranking political
officials and other guests.

From: Baghdasarian

FORMER AMBASSADOR OF U.S. TO ARMENIA: MY STANCE ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE HAS NOT CHANGED

arminfo
Tuesday, September 27, 22:10

The former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, told ArmInfo that
his stance on the Armenian Genocide has not changed. To remind, John
Evans was withdrawn from the country for recognizing the fact of the
Armenian Genocide, which runs counter to the official policy of the
White House.

The diplomat has pointed out both the problems and the success
registered in the country over the past 5 years, since he left Armenia.

From: Baghdasarian

KHARKOV CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE.

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 27, 2011 – 19:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Festive events to mark the 20th anniversary of
Armenia’s independence became traditional in Kharkov, Ukraine.

Armenian Ambassador to Ukraine Andranik Manukyan, Armenian
Diaspora representatives, local authorities attended celebrations,
Analitika.at.ua.

From: Baghdasarian

EXHIBITION OF ART WORKS OPENS IN STEPANAKERT

ARMINFO
Tuesday, September 27, 21:54

An exhibition of the well-known Armenian painter Rouben Gabrielyan’s
works of art has opened at the Picture Gallery of Stepanakert.

ArmInfo correspondent in Stepanakert reports that Speaker of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Parliament Ashot Gulyan, the NKR Minister of Culture
and Youth Narine Aghabalyan, other officials and painters attended
the opening ceremony. The visitors pointed out the manysidedness of
the painter’s talent, limitlessness of his imagination, loyalty to
the national traditions and patriotism.

Approximately 40 works of art are exhibited. Rouben Gabrielyan has
decided to donate them to the future Republican Gallery to be opened
in Shushi. This is the second exhibition of Rouben Gabrielyan in
Stepanakert. The first one was organized in July 1993, at the full
swing of military actions on the Azeri- Karabakh front.

“I have lived in Yerevan for a long time already, but my heart has
always been here in Nagorno-Karabakh. My roots are here. My thoughts
are here. I can’t think and live otherwise,” Gabrielyan said.

Culture and Youth Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Narine
Aghabalyan awarded the painter “The 20th year of NKR’s Independence”
medal.

Ruben Gabrielyan was born in Baku in 1926. His ancestors are from
Nagorno-Karabakh. He was a member of the Union of Painters of the USSR
and is a member of the Union of Painters of Armenia. For many years he
was professor of the Yerevan Art Academy. He has lived and worked in
Moscow, Chelyabinsk, Baku, Yerevan, Stepanakert, Los Angeles. His works
are exhibited in galleries worldwide. His favorite genres are portrait,
landscape and graphic art, his favorite subjects – Soviet life, well-
known personalities, the national revival of the late 20th century.

From: Baghdasarian

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE $40 MLN IN ECONOMIC SUPPORT TO ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 27, 2011 – 21:23 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee
approved its version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 State, Foreign
Operations Appropriations Bill, which outlined U.S. funding and
policy priorities abroad, including Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,
reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

Overall, the Bill provides $626.7 million in assistance for the
countries of Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia (AEECA), which is $69
million below the FY 2011 level. While the Bill does not contain
any “congressionally-directed spending items or ‘earmarks,'” the
report language recommends funding for Armenia “consistent with the
budget request.” The Administration requested $40 million in economic
assistance to Armenia for FY 2012. The Senate Committee vote mirrors
the action in the House State, Foreign Operations Appropriations
Subcommittee, which called for $40 million in economic support
to Armenia.

The Senate Bill also states “That funds made available for the Southern
Caucasus region may be used for confidence-building measures and other
activities in furtherance of the peaceful resolution of conflicts,
including in Nagorno-Karabakh,” while the report language states
that “The committee supports humanitarian assistance for victims
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and urges a peaceful resolution of
the conflict.”

The next step would be for the House and Senate to complete action on
their respective bills. However, with the new fiscal year beginning
on October 1st, Congress must pass a short-term continuing resolution
before turning its attention back to the FY 2012 appropriations bills.

From: Baghdasarian