Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

PRINTEMPS ARABE ET HIVER CAUCASIEN

Hurriyet Daily News
11-07-2011

Info Collectif VAN – – Selon Zaur Shiriyev,
analyste en politique etrangère au Centre des etudes strategiques de
Bakou : ” Il est peut-etre temps d’imaginer un processus different,
qui prendrait au serieux tant les questions de la securite des
Armeniens du Karabagh que les droits des Azerbaïdjanais du Karabagh.

Autrement dit, l’objectif supreme du processus de règlement du conflit
est d’elaborer et de definir un modèle politique et un cadre juridique
pour le statut de la region du Haut-Karabagh dans les frontières
internationalement reconnues de l’Azerbaïdjan. ” Sans surprise, cet
analyste nous explique comment proceder pour aboutir a un règlement
du conflit sur le Karabagh au profit de l’Azerbaïdjan. Le Collectif
VAN vous livre la traduction de l’article en anglais paru dans le
quotidien turc Hurriyet Daily News le 6 juillet 2011

Legende photo: Kazan 2011, les presidents armenien Serge Sarkissian,
azeri Ilham Aliev, russe Dmitri Medvedev.

L’hiver caucasien

Le Moyen-Orient est le point le plus important de l’agenda politique de
la communaute internationale : le “printemps arabe” et les evenements
en Lybie sont des priorites. Cependant, le 24 juin, le monde avait
les yeux fixes sur la ville russe de Kazan, où les presidents russe,
armenien et azerbaidjanais se rencontraient pour discuter du conflit
du Nagorno Karabagh qui dure depuis des annees entre l’Armenie et
l’Azerbaïdjan. Avant la reunion, les analystes regionaux avaient
exprime leur inquietude quant a une nouvelle guerre.

Ils parlaient d’un “hiver caucasien” indiquant que les relations
politiques entre les pays de la region devenaient de plus en plus
froides, et que celle-ci pourrait redevenir le centre de l’attention
internationale. D’autres analystes ont donne une attention exclusive
aux questions soulevees par les revolutions du printemps arabe, car
elles pourraient se transferer dans le Caucase, mais la question de
cet eventuel “hiver” est d’une plus grande urgence.

Avant la reunion de Kazan, la communaute internationale a fait part
de ses craintes d’une reprise du conflit et Kazan a ete decrit comme
“la dernière chance pour la paix.” Ces espoirs suscites par la reunion
de Kazan suivaient ce que plusieurs envisagent etre une declaration
commune sans precedent, faite par les Etats-Unis et les presidents
russe et francais au sommet du G8 a Deauville en France, le 26 mai.

Les presidents de l’Armenie, la Russie et l’Azerbaïdjan ont publie
une declaration conjointe après Kazan, disant que les parties avaient
fait des progrès sur les principes de base pour resoudre le conflit
de Haut-Karabagh.

Il semble que les principales questions non resolues et litigieuses
entre les parties impliquees sont “les principes fondamentaux” des
“Principes de Madrid” proposes par le Groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE en
2007. Après des annees de discussions entre les parties concernees,
il y a toujours une long chemin a parcourir avant que les “Principes
de Madrid” ne soient acceptes comme la base d’une resolution politique
pacifique du conflit. Cependant, les paramètres proceduraux pour le
règlement tels que decrits dans les Principes de Madrid sont clairs.

C’est la formule de base qui a etaye toutes les tentatives precedentes
de negociation d’un accord et qui a ete publiquement acceptee par le
gouvernement azerbaïdjanais, bien que Bakou ait essaye de faire un
compromis en proposant de donner au Karabagh le “plus haut niveau
d’autonomie” possible dans son territoire (comme c’est le cas pour
le Tatarstan a l’interieur de la Federation de Russie).

Dans les cercles gouvernementaux en Azerbaïdjan, le sentiment existe
bel et bien que le processus actuel est le prix a payer pour toutes ces
annees “d’espoirs decus”, et en absence de pression de la communaute
internationale sur l’Armenie, le processus de paix a uniquement servi
a soutenir et solidifier le statu quo. C’est pourquoi l’Azerbaïdjan
considerait la reunion de Kazan comme une occasion cle pour mettre
en place un processus de paix concret. La crainte etait que si ces
pourparlers n’aboutissaient pas a de nouveaux progrès, comme ce fut
le cas dans le passe, l’Azerbaïdjan pourrait boycotter les reunions
a venir.

Pour bien comprendre la dynamique des negociations de paix et l’impasse
actuelle, il est important de prendre en compte la base sous-jacente
de la position armenienne. À un niveau pratique, Erevan est sous
la pression tant des autorites du Haut-Karabagh que des diverses
diasporas armeniennes, notamment celle des Etats-Unis. Ces groupes
sont plus nationalistes et moins disposes a accepter un compromis que
les partis d’opposition en Armenie meme, en raison dans le premier
cas d’un “esprit de frontière” et dans le second, du luxe de la
distance. Ces groupes exercent des pressions financières, politiques et
ideologiques sur le gouvernement armenien et ne sentent certainement
pas redevables a sa politique. Tout engagement de l’Armenie de se
retirer des regions entourant le Karabagh sera confronte a une forte
opposition de Khankendi (Stepanakert) et pourrait pousser l’armee du
Haut-Karabagh separatiste a lancer des attaques contre l’Azerbaïdjan,
pour perturber le processus de paix.

Le fait que l’Armenie construise un aeroport dans les territoires
occupes de l’Azerbaïdjan constitue une reelle provocation ; si
l’Azerbaïdjan repond par une action militaire, il sera alors plus
facile pour l’Armenie de soutenir que l’Azerbaïdjan constitue une
menace a la paix. Le risque est que le cadre de travail pour une
resolution du conflit sera abandonne et remplace par des approches
unilaterales – et potentiellement militaires – des parties impliquees.

Cela ete demontre lors d’une recente interview de BBC Russie avec
Ter-Petrosyan, l’ex-president de l’Armenie et l’actuel chef de
l’opposition. Il a soutenu que : “Le conflit du Karabagh n’a pas
ete resolu parce que le peuple du Karabagh a montre une approche
maximaliste – il a decide que ce n’etait pas suffisant, qu’il
pourrait pousser plus durement et obtenir davantage… Et pas
seulement le peuple du Karabagh”, a dit l’ex-president, qui a ete
force de demissionner en fevrier 1998, moins de six mois après la
presentation de son plan pour mettre fin au conflit.

On pourrait raisonnablement poser la question : est-ce que ce processus
definit les termes d’un accord de paix equitable ou est-ce qu’il
soutient le statu quo ?

Manifestement, a chaque fois que le processus de paix a ete relance,
nous avons entendu le meme genre de declarations pleines d’espoir
des copresidents du Groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE et les memes conseils
des analystes politiques. À chaque fois, on nous a dit que ceux
qui critiquent la position armenienne sont “les adversaires de
paix.” Mais a chaque fois, ce processus politique defectueux ne nous
a pas rapproches d’une solution realisable.

Il est peut-etre temps d’imaginer un processus different, qui prendrait
au serieux tant les questions de la securite des Armeniens du Karabagh
que les droits des Azerbaïdjanais du Karabagh, cela devant absolument
etre fait. Autrement dit, l’objectif supreme du processus de règlement
du conflit est d’elaborer et de definir un modèle politique et un
cadre juridique pour le statut de la region du Haut-Karabagh dans
les frontières internationalement reconnues de l’Azerbaïdjan.

L’Azerbaïdjan pense que le processus de definition d’un tel statut aura
lieu dans des conditions pacifiques normales avec la participation
directe, complète et egale de la population entière de la region,
a savoir les communautes armeniennes et azerbaïdjanaises, avec une
interaction constructive du gouvernement de l’Azerbaïdjan et dans le
cadre d’un processus legal et democratique.

Enfin et surtout, ce dont le processus de paix a besoin c’est
d’un changement de “lieu” ; il n’a pas besoin de changer sa forme
actuelle, seul un fort soutien et des innovations peuvent mener a une
resolution. Sinon, l’agenda politique international presentera la
guerre de “l’hiver caucasien”, la guerre et le chaos comme en août
2008, ou ce sera un silence continu de “pas de guerre, pas de paix”
comme cela est considere au niveau international. La communaute
internationale doit apporter le “printemps” dans le Caucase et cela
signifie la paix, des discussions constructives (comme les pourparlers
de Key West en 2001 et de Rambue en 2006).

Nous n’avons pas besoin de debats steriles bases sur des copier-coller
des manifestations arabes. Dans un avenir proche, l’engagement de la
communaute internationale dans le processus de paix est une source
d’optimisme ; c’est-a-dire, que les Etats-Unis et la France, en tant
que representant de l’UE, pourraient apporter un souffle “d’air frais”
au processus.

* Zaur Shiriyev est analyste en politique etrangère au Centre des
etudes strategiques de Bakou, Azerbaïdjan et editeur du Caucasus
International journal.

©Traduction de l’anglais C.Gardon pour le Collectif VAN – 10 juillet
2011 – 07:10 –

Retour a la rubrique

From: Baghdasarian

RIA Novosti, la Russie
9 juillet 2011

Le chef de la diplomatie azerbaïdjanaise à la mi-juillet en Russie

Le ministre azerbaïdjanais des Affaires étrangères, Elmar Mamediarov,
a annoncé samedi aux journalistes qu’il se rendrait les 17 et 18
juillet en visite officielle en Russie à l’invitation de son homologue
russe, Sergueï Lavrov.

Les négociations porteront, selon toute vraisemblance, sur le
règlement du conflit qui oppose l’Arménie et l’Azerbaïdjan dans le
Haut-Karabakh et sur le développement de la coopération
russo-azerbaïdjanaise.

Moscou tente de relancer le dialogue entre ces deux anciennes
républiques soviétiques après l’échec du sommet qui a réuni le 24 juin
à Kazan (Volga) les présidents arménien, azerbaïdjanais et russe,
Serge Sargsian, Ilham Aliev et Dmitri Medvedev. Cette rencontre n’a
pas abouti à des ententes sur les principes du règlement du conflit du
Haut-Karabakh.

La visite de M. Mamediarov en Russie fait suite à celle effectuée
vendredi dernier par le chef de la diplomatie russe à Erevan.

Le conflit du Haut-Karabakh remonte à février 1988, lorsque cette
région autonome principalement peuplée d’Arméniens a annoncé son
intention de se séparer de l’Azerbaïdjan. Cette démarche a provoqué
des hostilités entre les troupes arméniennes et azerbaïdjanaises à la
suite desquelles Bakou a perdu le contrôle de la région.

Le cessez-le-feu décrété le 12 mai 1994 est régulièrement violé par
les deux parties. Bakou et Erevan n’arrivent toujours pas à se mettre
d’accord sur le statut de la région.

From: Baghdasarian

XpatLoop.com, Hungary
July 9 2011

‘The Caucasian Challenge’, From Budapest To Armenia, 15 – 31 August

“When the world feels small, it’s probably because you’re not paying
attention. Remember world history in school? We bet they missed some
stuff. Important places you only notice when something incredible
happens.

Then before you have a chance to investigate your attention gets
turned to the latest sports match, tech gadget or whatever. Sure
Kilimanjaro’s been discovered and turned into a tourist trap. But look
closer. We present: The Caucasian Challenge.

The Caucasian Challenge is a minimal assistance motor rally – a drive
your own vehicle adventure that takes you through mostly unknown yet
tumultuous regions you may have only heard about on the world news.

You will drive in Europe through Hungary, Bosnia, Montenegro, Kosovo,
Albania, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia. The
finish line is in Yerevan, the magnificent capital of Armenia.”

Source: caucasianchallenge.com

From: Baghdasarian

news.am, Armenia
July 9 2011

We achieved victory in long, heavy and unequal war – Armenian
President`s speech (video)

July 09, 2011 | 14:07

YEREVAN. – President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan spoke at first army
conference of young military officers of Armenia on Saturday.

In his speech President Sargsyan expressed hope that the conference
will be effective and will become traditional.

`I would like to share with you today certain commandments that I
believe are of particular importance for young officers at the dawn of
their careers,’ he mentioned.

According to the president, the prototypes of modern army officers
have been the knights of Medieval Europe. In Armenia the prototypes
were `young men of nobility and princely houses.’

`The core of national army is the national nobility. If you lack this
organizational power, you lack statehood,’ stressed Sargsyan. `You
might say these parallels are no longer topical in 21st century, but
this is a shallow impression. Should you study the chronicles of
Armenian wars, you will see that the most responsible spots on the
battlefield have been entrusted to the sons of our nobility who
literally defended the honor of their houses but in a broader light
they defended their homeland. My first commandment to you young
officers is to remember that the same responsibility lies on your
shoulders- to keep the honor of your houses, your motherland. The
centuries and realities change but you remain the heirs of military
traditions and the guardians of our safety.’

President also stressed that the heritage of the Armenian army
officers `supposes relevant conduct and bearing.’

`Our society almost forgot that the officers are intellectuals with
highest level of education. Your work is specific but you,
nevertheless, remain an important stratum of nation’s intellectual
capacity. You must be the leading driving force that will eradicate
the image of a rough and tactless military man, dominating among our
people. You are intellectuals. If you are not, you ought to become
intellectuals,’ added Armenian president.

He emphasized that the officers `are the spine of the state.’

`The state is as strong as its officers are. There is only one way to
destroy the state – you must break its spine,’ said Serzh Sargsyan.
`This means that you are the intellectuals, the enemy will first aim
at. As such, you are the first line of defense and we, the authorities
and the people, know that. We know and we are ready to do everything
in and beyond our capacities to help you. In the context of
fulfillment of the mission, you are the most prepared segment of our
society both in psychological and educational terms.’

According to Armenian president, the discipline, courage, physical
training, and education are compulsory, but not sufficient conditions
to characterize the Armenian officer.

`There is also a fifth essential condition – psychology of a winner.
Soldiers, members of glorious victories in the Artsakh war, live and
serve next to you. Your sacred duty is to pass it from one generation
to another,’ Sargsyan stressed. `Remember – the enemy is afraid of
you, because example of your fathers and older brothers is in the
enemy`s eyes. All walls fell under the attack of Armenian soldiers
during the last war. The strength of these attacks sowed panic and
despair within the enemy. As a result, there were no enemy lines. We
were watching escaping enemy. Our fire lines and volleys were a
glorification of human a person and freedom of the nation, dignity of
the nation.’

President added that the relationship between Armenian soldiers, from
high-rank commanders to soldiers, was an example of partnership,
mutual assistance and fraternity of arms.

`We have passed a long, heavy and unequal war,’ said Serzh Sargsyan.
`By saying unequal war, some mean that Azerbaijan in fact had more
money, equipment and manpower. This is true, but for me the war was
unequal because the strong was fighting with the weak, and we were
strong. The freedom-fighter was struggling against the occupier, and
we were freedom-fighters. Fair was fighting with an unjust, and we
were the embodiment of justice.’

President of Armenia emphasized that today Armenian wants peace.

`But if the occupiers have a new adventure in their mind, I do not
doubt for a second there will be a new inequality. We will be strong
again because the one, who is protecting his home and native land, is
unconquerable,’ he added. `Dear officers, saying we I mean you. I
believe in you, I am proud of you.’

From: Baghdasarian

news.am, Armenia
July 9 2011

Claims about pressure at Karabakh talks exaggerated – Armenian
President (video)

July 09, 2011 | 18:10

YEREVAN. – Claims about pressure exerted on the Armenian side at
negotiation process over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are exaggerated,
said the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at his speech to first
army conference of young military officers of Armenia on Saturday.

`First and foremost, we are going to do our best to resolve the
conflict in peaceful way. The process is going on and we act
constructively in this process, everybody knows that,’ Sargsyan said.

According to the president, `certain parties encourage us, while
others try to criticize, but that does not really matter.’

`What actually matters is that talks on pressure are being
exaggerated. The mediators try to bring closer the positions of the
involved sides, the positions of Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and
Azerbaijan,’ added Serzh Sargsyan. `The process continues with
difficulties and that is the way it should be. We never expected easy
resolution. Our position is known to everybody and not everybody
accepts it. We will do everything to reach a fair conclusion.’

From: Baghdasarian

news.az, Azerbaijan
July 9 2011

Baku says Armenian deputy minister’s statement nonsense

Sat 09 July 2011 04:40 GMT | 0:40 Local Time

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Elkhan Polukhov has
commented on remarks of the Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh
Kocharyan.
‘Next absurd statements by Shavarsh Kocharian, which do correspond to
logic of a normal human, fully reveals spiritual and intellectual
poverty and shabbiness of a person, entitled to be called homo
sapience, make one not just shrug, but somewhere to sympathize with
his management who are apparently are unable to prevent the flow of
ignorance that the deputy foreign minister utters,’ Polukhov said.

‘It remains only to express regret that there are people like
Kocharyan in the Armenian government whose statements are hard to
comment due to their lack of elementary logic,’ Polukhov added.

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Kocharyan commented on statements by
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made at the III Congress of World
Azerbaijanis that the Armenians came to Nagorno-Karabakh as guests and
Armenian state was created on the historical Azerbaijani territories.

1news.az

From: Baghdasarian

Isthmus Daily Page
July 9 2011

Rural Musicians Forum

Music: More Music
Concert by pianist Raffi Besalyan

When: 07/11/11 @ 7:30pm
Cost: $5 donation
Call: 546-1022
Web:

More Information:
Acclaimed pianist performs July 11 in Rural Musicians Forum Summer
Concert Series

Internationally acclaimed pianist Raffi Besalyan-having performed at
Carnegie Hall and across North and South America, Europe, Russia and
Asia-will share his musical gifts with the River Valley community next
week.

Besalyan will play in the 2011 Rural Musicians Forum (RMF) summer
concert series at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 11, at Frank Lloyd Wright’s
Hillside Theater. The concert is free and open to the public with a
suggested donation of $5 to support RMF artists and concert expenses.
Armenian-born Besalyan made his formal New York debut in Carnegie Hall
after winning the Artists International Competition. New York Concert
Review described him as `technically brilliant…with a great deal of
temperament, speed and power…audacious spirit and poetic substance,
deeply felt tenderness….’

Besalyan will perform on the newly restored Steinway grand piano at
Hillside Theater.
Active as a recitalist, orchestral soloist and chamber musician, among
Besalyan’s competition awards are top prizes in the Josef Hofmann
International Piano Competition, the New York Frinna Awerbuch
International Competition and the MTNA National Piano Competition. He
appeared as a soloist with the Osaka Symphony Orchestra, Japan;
Orchestra Sinfonica Del Festival Di Chioggia, Venice, Italy; Yerevan
Symphony Orchestra, Armenia; Belgorod Symphony, Russia; Kharkov
Symphony, Ukraine; and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra.

In 2008, Besalyan joined the faculty at the University of
Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he is artist/teacher-associate
professor of piano. A former faculty member at Rowan University, New
Jersey, he also served on the faculties of Festival Musica, Venice,
and the International Summer Music Festival at Rowan University.
Beslayan’s summer tour of Japan was cancelled due to the devastating
earthquake and tsunami there in March.

Artistic director for the concert is Nancy Giffey.

From: Baghdasarian

Armenia recognizes South Sudan independence

July 9, 2011 – 18:10 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenia recognized the independence of South Sudan.

According to Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, proclamation
of South Sudan independence illustrates the principle of peoples’
right for self-determination, proving civilized way for conflict
settlement possible.

South Sudan became the world’s newest nation early Saturday, July 9,
officially breaking away from Sudan after two civil wars over five
decades that cost the lives of millions.

From: Baghdasarian

Iran: U.S. aircraft carriers are moving targets

July 9, 2011 – 15:55 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A senior Revolutionary Guard commander threatened
Saturday, July 9, that U.S. aircraft carriers would be targeted if
Iran came under attack amid a standoff with the West over Tehran’s
nuclear program, AP reports.

Iran has often warned of major retaliation if they faced a military
strike from Israel or the West, but the latest comments appear
tailored to emphasize the expanding range of Iranian missiles
following 10 days of war games. The exercises included unveiling
underground missile silos that Iran says is capable of multiple
launches.

“Aircraft carriers … are moving targets. If the enemy threatens us,
we will target them,” said Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the
Guard’s aerospace force, in comments broadcast on state TV.

Hajizadeh also confirmed that Iran secretly conducted missile tests in
February that he claimed hit targets at the “mouth of the Indian
Ocean” – an apparent reference to areas near the Strait of Hormouz at
the southern end of the Gulf. Hajizadeh gave no further details. In
April, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard said Iran’s arsenal is
capable of striking “remote regions outside the Persian Gulf.”

From: Baghdasarian

ARF World Congress Declaration

Friday, July 8th, 2011

ARF World Congress issued declaration

YEREVAN – On July 1, after conclusion of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation 31st World Congress, a declaration was issued, the English
translation of which we provide below:

In closely examining the politico-national state of the homeland and
the Diaspora, the maximum potential of the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora
trinity, the Republic of Armenia’s current domestic, socio-economic,
and ethical condition, as well as its principal challenges, the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s 31st World Congress states:

1. Our goal of having a sovereign, democratic, lawful, and socially
engaged state, which is a player in regional and world politics,
remains unrealized.

2. In struggling to maintain its Armenian identity, the Diaspora
continues to find itself faced with adverse conditions which require
the highest level of involvement and unity to overcome.

3. The Artsakh conflict remains unsettled, the Republic of Nagorno
Karabakh has yet to receive de jure independence in the eyes of the
international community, and the military-political, inalterable gains
of the war we were forced into have not yet been secured.

4. Owing to the Turkey’s continued denial of the Armenian Genocide and
refusal to address our calls for restitution, Armenian-Turkish
relations were doomed to failure from the outset. It is necessary that
Armenia withdraw its signature from the Armenia-Turkey 4. Protocols
immediately and, with this, close the case on these ill-fated
protocols.

5. Within the Republic of Armenia:
a. The current administration’s socio-economic policies are not in the
interest of the majority of the country’s denizens.

b. As poverty increases and confidence in the future dwindles,
out-migration has become a dangerous trend.

c. The government’s political and economic policies have led to the
growth of monopolies, the lack of a free market, and wide-spread
dispossession.

d. The lack of protection of individual and collective rights and
freedoms has hindered social progress and the development of a
politically engaged citizenry.

e. The disparity between government promises and the realities of life
in Armenia have resulted in citizens losing faith in the democratic
process of a responsible government.

f. Moving forth from these statements, the World Congress announces:

The principal issue on the ARF’s political agenda and in the
forthcoming general elections will be the realization of regime change
and systemic improvements, the establishment of nationally focused and
socially just policies, the efficient use of a healthy political
system, and the general advancement of Armenia.

We are confident that the citizens of Armenia and Armenians around the
world are able to focus their strengths to create a promising future
for our homeland and people.

We have the ability to ensure the sustainable development of our
country, a pro-Armenian solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and
Turkish-Armenian relations, a just resolution to the Armenian
Genocide, and the safety of Javakhk Armenians, all without
jeopardizing our national achievements, goals and interests.

We can breathe new air into relations between Armenia and the
Diaspora, and ensure that in complementing one another’s strengths, we
present a unified Armenian voice to the world. These relations must
become of the utmost importance, and the Diaspora must become more
politically engaged and organized.

We are obliged to make Armenia a strong, democratic, socially just,
and developed state, where the individual and people can look to the
future with certainty and hope, living prosperous and constructive
lives. We must be able to overcome internal division and hostility,
look past personal or group interests, establish a lawful and socially
just government, and place our country back on the right path.

At the doorstep of the 20th anniversary of the independence of the
Republics of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation reaffirms its will and conviction to do both the possible
and impossible for Armenians and for the unwavering ascendance of the
republic.

ARF 31st World Congress
July 1, 2011
Dzaghgatsor, Armenia

From: Baghdasarian