Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

RUSSIAN SOLDIER KILLS TURKISH SHEPHERD ON ARMENIAN BORDER

EurasiaNet.org
Aug 2 2013

August 2, 2013 – 3:18pm, by Joshua Kucera

The shooting of a Turkish shepherd on the Armenia-Turkey border
has sparked international tensions, though there appears to be some
confusion in Turkey as to precisely with whom they should be angry.

The episode began July 31, when a 35-year-old shepherd in Turkey’s
Kars province accidentally wandered over the border with Armenia to
retrieve one of his sheep that had strayed. (Though some reports
say the wayward animal was a cow.) Kars Governor Eyup Tepe blamed
Armenian soldiers for the incident, and Turkey’s Foreign Ministry
issued a strong statement blaming Armenia:

We strongly condemn the shooting and killing of an innocent Turkish
citizen for a simple border violation which we understand to have
had an innocent purpose. There is no explanation for the Armenian
party’s use of disproportionate force in such an incident which may
typically occur at the border.

But it’s no secret that Armenia doesn’t actually control that border
— Armenia’s borders with Turkey and Iran are in fact patrolled by
Russian soldiers (though there are some Armenian guards under Russian
command). It soon became clear that it was a Russian unit responsible
for the shooting. From Hurriyet Daily News:

A Turkish shepherd who crossed the border into Armenia opened fire at
Russian frontier guards, who responded by returning the fire, Sergey
Grechin, from the Russian Border Department of the Federal Security
Service, has said, according to the Russian Itar Tass news agency.

“It was a Russian border guard unit that was involved in the incident,”
a senior official in the Armenian Foreign Ministry confirmed, along
with a second source in the Armenian Defense Ministry.

Armenia issued a statement expressing regret, but not taking
responsibility.

The incident took place in an atmosphere already made tense by an
Armenian official’s claim that his country should take back land lost
to Turkey in the wake of the 1915 genocide, which prompted an angry
response from Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davotoglu, who called
such thinking “delirium.”

For Cold War nostalgists, the Russian role may carry with it a faint
recall of the Cold War, when the border with Turkey was one of the very
small stretches where the Soviet Union directly butted up against NATO,
But now, news of the Russian involvement should tamp down tension, as
it’s much harder and less rewarding for Turkey to whip up nationalist
sentiment against Russia than it is against Armenia.

From: Baghdasarian

RUSSIA INVESTIGATES SHOOTING OF TURKISH SHEPHERD ON ARMENIAN BORDER

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Aug 2 2013

2 August 2013 /TODAY’S ZAMAN, ANKARA

A state security institution from Russia announced that they are
investigating the shooting of Mustafa Ulker, a Turkish shepherd who
was shot dead on the Armenian border near Turkey’s Kars province.

In remarks to the Armenian media, head of the Press Service of the
Armenia Border Department of the Russian Federation Federal Security
Service Sergei Grechin, said that they are examining how the event
happened. “We are inspecting the event. The situation is being
clarified,” Grechin said.

According to reports, the 35-year-old Turkish shepherd had crossed to
the Armenian side of the border to retrieve a lost sheep and was shot
dead by guards patrolling the Armenian border. Reports further stated
that the soldiers opened fire on the shepherd without giving a warning.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry
harshly condemned Armenia for using excessive force, killing an unarmed
civilian and ignoring the fact that such a crossing poses no threat
to the national security of the country.

The statement concluded that the incident yet again highlighted the
need for common sense in Armenian relations with its neighbors for
normalization and sustainable peace in such a volatile region.

However, the fact that Russian troops protect the Armenian borders
with Turkey and Iran in compliance with an agreement concluded between
Moscow and Yerevan in 1992 indicates a possibility that the soldiers
who shot at Ulker might be Russian. Some 4,500 Russian soldiers are
serving in Armenia.

Ulker’s body was brought to Turkey late on Thursday. Grechin indicated
that the return of the body to Turkey was not in any way related
to Russia.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in solidarity with
Azerbaijan after the Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of
Azerbaijan in 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region. In 2009,
the Zurich Protocols were signed between Armenia and Turkey to
normalize relations; however, the move did not bear fruit as the
border remains closed.

The mass killings of Armenians at the hands of the Ottomans in 1915,
referred to as a genocide by Armenians, is an issue that strains ties
between the two countries. Turkey categorically denies the charges of
genocide, saying that there were deaths on both sides and Armenians
revolted against the Ottoman Empire in collaboration with the Russian
army and invaded Eastern Anatolia to gain independence.

From: Baghdasarian

OPPOSITIONIST: ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES ARE CONCERNED OVER POSSIBLE TURNING OF THE SOCIAL REBELLION INTO A REVOLUTION

ARMINFO
by Nana Martirosyan

Friday, August 2, 18:11

The Armenian authorities are concerned over possible turning of
the social rebellion into a revolution, Armen Martirosyan, Deputy
Chairman of the Heritage Party, a member of the Yerevan Elders’
Council, said at today’s press conference in Yerevan.

Martirosyan thinks that the only mechanism restraining a revolution
is the police which have been using legal and illegal methods over
the past few days to suppress the movement. “Serzh Sargsyan and his
regime perfectly understand that putting up one tent may lead to
creation of a tent camp around the Municipality”, he said.

He also thinks that the ruling regime of Armenia may overthrown in
autumn 2013, however, this will be possible only in case the political
forces and the civil society brush aside their ambitions and sit down
at a round table to make a crucial decision for the country.

To note, the actions of protest have been held in Armenia since July
20. First the activists protested against the 50% rise in the public
transport fare, now they demand resignation of a number of officials
of the Yerevan Municipality and Mayor Taron Margaryan. On August 1,
the protesters tried to put up a tent in front of the Municipality,
but the police did not let them do that. During a scuffle between
the police and the activists, a woman was trampled underfoot and an
activist was detained.

From: Baghdasarian

SEEKING SUPPORTS FOR ARTS EDUCATION IN ARMENIA

Published: Friday August 02, 2013

Dear All,

I hope you’re doing well. Most of you are aware of the Sand Animals
Indiegogo campaign that the Manana Youth Center launched in June.

Thank you so much to everyone who has shared, supported, and backed us
so far! We could not have gotten to where we are without all of you,
and we are so grateful for the support that we have received.

Here’s a quick refresher about the project: The Sand Animals is a
great educational animated film series created FOR KIDS, BY KIDS,
with two main goals:

1.Produce a visually engaging education tool to teach children the
Armenian alphabet.

2.Teach Manana Youth Center’s students to create animated shorts.

We have raised $4,257, and we have 5 DAYS LEFT. The Sand Animals is a
flexible funding campaign, which means that we keep all contributions –
every contribution will make a huge difference!

I hope you consider supporting our students and the Sand
Animals project! If you know anyone who might be interested in
supporting the project, please share this email, and post the link
() on Facebook, twitter,
Google+, Linkedin, etc.

“This is where I learned to express myself, to write my thoughts,
to talk to important people, to be different, to make a change!! Now
they are doing this amazing project and they need our support!!!” –
Emma Sargysan-Martirosyan, former student.

“This is such a wonderful way to teach our children the Armenian
language.” – Tamar Haytayan Armen, former volunteer.

We hope we can count on your continued support in the final days of
our campaign!

Best, Emma

From: Baghdasarian

ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT IS OPPORTUNITY FOR QUALITATIVE REFORMS

Friday,
August 02

The European Union-Armenia Association Agreement is an opportunity
to carry out qualitative reforms and changes in Armenia, the deputy
chairman of Heritage Party Armen Martirosian stated at a meeting with
reporters today.

In his words, the signing of the Association Agreement does not mean
that an anti-Russian policy is being implemented.

“It means that we seek horizontal relations with our strategic
partner. Armenia will receive the opportunity to take the path of
democracy and economic development,” A. Martirosian said.

TODAY, 16:50

Aysor.am

From: Baghdasarian

Russia Set to Create National Defense Center

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu

© REUTERS/ Kham
17:51 31/07/2013

Tags: Russian Armed Forces, Defense Ministry, National Defense Center,
Sergei Shoigu, Russia

RZHEVKA (Leningrad region), July 31 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian
military has started work on the creation of the National Defense
Center, which will enhance the operational management of the armed
forces and ensure prompt response to strategic threats, Defense
Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.

`We have begun the creation of such a center. It is a lot of work. We
have already outlined the main criteria for the center,’ Shoigu said.

According to the minister, the center will consolidate command over
the country’s armed forces, especially the nuclear triad and rapid
reaction forces. It will also allow real-time monitoring of day-to-day
activities of military units around the country.

Col. Gen. Pavel Popov, who has been deputy emergencies minister since
2008, will be reassigned to the Defense Ministry and oversee the
creation of the center, Shoigu said.

The Russian Armed Forces are in the midst of a major program of
reform, including a gradual transition to an all-volunteer makeup,
organizational changes and re-equipment with advanced weapons.

The current strength of the Russian military is estimated at 1,040,000
personnel in active service and 2,035,000 in reserve.

From: Baghdasarian

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia Seminary responds to the needs of the
Diaspora

Antelias – In order to remain a major pillar in safeguarding the Armenian
spiritual and cultural heritage, the seminary regularly adapts its curricula
to respond to the needs of the Diaspora. In 2013, several seminarians became
acolytes, sub-deacons, deacons, priests and a married priest.

Because of the situation in Syria and the region, many seminarians could not
join their families for a short vacation. Hence, the directorate of the
Seminary instituted a new summer school programme from 1 July to 28
September. During the two six-week semesters, the students will follow the
following courses: Old and New Testament Studies, History of the Armenian
Church; History of the Catholicosate of Cilicia; languages: classical and
western Armenian, Arabic, English, French; painting, singing and piano
lessons.

Through its summer school, The Catholicosate of Cilicia aims at preparing
better qualified spiritual and community leaders and invites parents to
encourage the youth to enroll in the seminary.

From: Baghdasarian

Political expert: Armenia’s response to Turkey was too soft
by Nana Martirosyan

ARMINFO
Saturday, August 3, 15:29

Armenia’s response to Turkey was too soft, Head of the Modus Vivendi
Center, political expert Ara Papyan told journalists on Saturday, when
asked to comment on the Aug 1 shooting of a Turkish shepherd on the
Armenian-Turkish border.

“There is evidence that the shepherd was the first to open fire. So,
our response to their charges was too soft. I think such a soft
response to their tough accusations may spoil our image. We should
have replied with a full package of evidence,” Papyan said urging the
Russian border guards to show the gun the shepherd used so as to clear
up the case.

Earlier the Turkish Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the shooting
of 35-year-old Turkish shepherd Mustafa Ulker on the Armenian-Turkish
border and called on Armenia to show “good sense” in its relations
with neighbors. “There is no valid explanation for the excessive use
of Armenian force in such an ordinary event,” the Ministry said.

Hurriyet Daily News reported that Ulker crossed the border in an
attempt to retrieve a lost sheep, while Spokesperson of the Frontier
Department of the Russian Federal Security Service in Armenia, Sergey
Grechin, said that Ulker fired at the Russian border guards and then
tried to go deeper into the Armenian territory. The Russian frontier
guards returned the fire and wounded the shepherd.

Spokesman of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Tigran Balayan said that
the Armenian Foreign Ministry had extended its condolences over the
death of the shepherd and had expressed hope that no such things would
heppen in the future. Balayan did not specify through what diplomatic
channels the Armenian Foreign Ministry sent the note – for there are
no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey.

From: Baghdasarian

Turkish MFA still unaware that Russian troops protect Armenian-Turkish border?

August 02, 2013 | 15:02

YEREVAN. – The Turkish MFA issued a comical statement concerning the
Turkish shepherd that trespassed into Armenia’s border and died as a
result of the appropriate actions taken by the Russian border guards.

The statement makes accusations against the Armenian authorities, in
the case when the troops from the Armenia Border Department of the
Russian Federation (RF) Federal Security Service protect the
Armenian-Turkish border.

In actual fact, it seems the Turkish MFA does not yet know that the RF
border troops protect this boundary, and on the basis of two important
documents that were signed in 1992 and in 1994.

Also, the Turkish MFA statement has given a legal assessment to what
had transpired, without taking into consideration the fact that the RF
Federal Security Service is still conducting an investigation into the
incident.

In addition, by stressing that Armenian soldiers had killed a Turkish
shepherd, the Turkish MFA and the Turkish media inflame an additional
enmity against Armenians.

By Artur Hakobyan

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

Donations collected for Syrian-Armenians in Georgian Diocese of
Armenian Apostolic Church

15:42, 3 August, 2013

YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS. Some Armenian nongovernmental
organizations of Tbilisi, responding to the call of His Holiness
Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, to help our brothers and
sisters – Armenians of Syria, organized a variety of events during
which the amount to help the Armenians of Syria has been collected.

The Press Service of the Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy
Church in Georgia informed “Armenpress” that the Embassy of the
Republic of Armenia to Georgia, the `Hayartun’ Cultural Center at the
Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Gary Davtyan Puppet and Culture House,
online magazine `Armenian Art Hall’, nongovernmental organization
`Community of Armenians in Georgia’, the branch of the International
Association “Pan-Armenian Games” in Georgia, the clergy of the
Diocese, the businessmen, artists and the members of Tbilisi Armenian
community also participated in the charitable activities. 5000
U.S. dollars donated in total, with the blessing and through the
mediation of the Primate of the Diocese, His Grace Bishop Vazgen
Mirzakhanyan, were transferred to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has already given 200 thousand U.S.
dollars to Syrian Armenian Relief Fund, and then delivered another 200
thousand U.S. dollars, where the donations of the Armenian community
of Georgia made a small portion.

From: Baghdasarian