Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

ARMENIAN HUMANITARIAN AID TO BE ALSO DISTRIBUTED TO DEIR EZ-ZOR RESIDENTS: JIRAYR REISYAN

ARMENPRESS
17 October, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS: The distribution of the parcels of
Armenian humanitarian aid to Syria has not been started yet. As Jirayr
Reisyan, Berio National Primacy press secretary told in the briefing
with Armenpress, by an exception only an Arab woman was gifted with
one parcel, standing for a long time in front of “Aram Manukyan”
Armenian club.

” Currently Aleppo City hall, Red Crescent organization employees
as well as Aleppo First Aid body are busy with sorting those parcels
which will be followed by their distribution to needy families. The
parcels are most likely to be distributed in two days. There are
overall 1400 of them which is set to be given not only to Aleppo
habitants but other city residents, Deir ez-Zor residents inclusive,
city of high essence to Armenia” Reisyan noted.

Press secretary welcomed the step by Armenian people, noting moral
value is much more appreciable than financial cost of the parcels.

Armenian nation lends a helping hand to Syrian people in such a
difficult period for them.

According to Reisyan the overall situation in Aleppo is rather
peaceful, no voices of shells are heard. As reports “Armenpress”
citing Syrian SANA agency governor of Aleppo Mohammed Uahid Akkad
declared that this humanitarian aid from Armenia is to prove fraternal
relations between these two countries. The Governor expressed is
gratitude to Armenia and the Armenian people for supporting Syria.

From: Baghdasarian

OSCE MINSK GROUP PLANS TO ORGANIZE NEXT MEETING OF AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS

APA
Oct 17 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku. Viktoriya Dementyeva – APA. The government of France along with
the other co-chairing countries of OSCE Minsk Group plans to organize
the next meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers,
Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan Pascal Meunier told APA.

He said discussions were being held regarding it.

“I am unaware of the details of the discussions. The meeting can be
held in Paris, or in other city”, he said.

Ambassador said the government of France as a co-chair of OSCE Minsk
Group was committed to the process of settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict.

From: Baghdasarian

ITALIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: “THE RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT HAS A STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE FOR EUROPEAN SECURITY”

APA
Oct 17 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. “The resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict has a
strategic importance for European security”, Italy’s Minister
of Defense, Admiral Giampaolo di Paola told journalists during a
press conference in Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, APA reports quoting
Armenian media. “Italy as a OSCE Minsk Group member is interested
in the solution of Karabakh conflict and is ready to contribute to
ensuring peace, security in the South Caucasus”, he said.

“We call on Azerbaijan and Armenia to eliminate divergences, create
atmosphere of confidence, start a dialogue basing on the provisions
of the Helsinki Final Act”, added Giampaolo di Paola.

Armenian and Italian defense ministers signed an agreement on military
cooperation. The document covers military education, military medicine,
justice, as well as peacekeeping and humanitarian spheres.

From: Baghdasarian

SORROW AT THE DEATH OF ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC PATRIARCH

Ekklesia
Oct 17 2012
UK

Church leaders across the world have expressed deep sorrow over the
death of Armenian Apostolic Patriarch Torkom II Manoogian, primate
of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Torkom II passed away on 12 October at the age of 96.

“The World Council of Churches mourns his death as it is a loss to
the Armenians all over the world, and to the Christians in the Middle
East to whom he dedicated his whole life and ministry in Christ,”
said Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, WCC general secretary.

“His Beatitude’s contributions towards reconciliation and peace with
justice in the Holy Land will be remembered by all the churches for
a long time.”

“I had the honour and opportunity to meet with His Beatitude and be
inspired by his deep pastoral experience and wisdom,” added Dr Tveit.

Under the leadership of Torkom II, the Armenian Patriarchate of
Jerusalem was engaged in several initiatives for peace in the Holy
Land by the WCC, including the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme
in Palestine/Israel.

Born in the city of Bakouba in Iraq, Torkom II studied at the
Theological Seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate of St James in
Jerusalem. He was ordained deacon in 1936 and priest in 1939. He also
spent several years in the United States, where he served as primate
of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.

As an ecumenist and theologian Torkom II made significant contributions
to the debates related to peace in the Holy Land and history of the
Armenian genocide. He was also a poet and a musician.

The funeral of Patriarch Torkom II will take place on 22 October
in Jerusalem.

[Ekk/3]

From: Baghdasarian

RAFFI HOVHANNISIAN: ARMENIA TODAY FACES A DEAD END

arminfo
Wednesday, October 17, 18:12

Armenia today faces a dead end, with people “voting with their feet.”

But that has been the case ever since Vartan Oskanian became an
official of the regime. Nothing new here, the leader of Heritage party
Raffi Hovhannisian said concerning Oskanian’s last comment on Facebook.

To remind, Oskanian said that today Armenia has found itself in a bog.

It needs radical reforms to go out of this bog, but the people,
who the process of reforms depends on, are not concerned about it,
as this process puts their power in jeopardy. Oskanian believes that
the people of Armenia pay too high price for the attempts of the
authorities to preserve political monopoly at any cost. He pointed
out that Armenia strongly needs the Diaspora’s investments but the
absence of serious reforms curbs their inflow.

From: Baghdasarian

RA NA PRESIDENT HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN RECEIVES THE HEAD OF THE OSCE YEREVAN OFFICE

17.10.2012

On October 17 the RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan received the
Ambassador Andrey Sorokin, Head of the OSCE Yerevan Office.

The NA President highlighted the activity of the OSCE Office in
Armenia, noting that our country greatly attached the importance with
the OSCE, as well as the support of the organization to the process of
democratic reforms going on in our country. The NA President welcomed
the involvement of the OSCE Yerevan Office and its support in complying
the RA legislation with European standards. The Head of the parliament
highly appreciated the effective cooperation between the National
Assembly and the OSCE Office, documenting with satisfaction that it
had been laid on good bases, and it had given its positive results
through years.

In this context the Memorandum of Cooperation signed between the Staff
of the RA National Assembly and the OSCE Yerevan Office was emphasized,
which was successfully carried out in different directions.

Andrey Sorokin also highlighted the OSCE-National Assembly cooperation
and presented to the NA President a series of issues concerning
the further cooperation. In the course of the meeting the sides
discussed issues pertaining to the regional problems and other issues
of bilateral interest, too.

From: Baghdasarian

YEREVAN MAYOR VISITS AGBU CONSTRUCTION SITE

tert.am
17.10.12

Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan and Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin
II visited the construction site of the office building of the Armenian
General Benevolent Union (AGBU).

AGBU representatives showed the guests a model of the building and
explained that combination of modern construction technologies and old
architecture will enable the builders to restore the old aspect of the
building. Special attention has been paid to the urban development
requirements that will enable preservation of the elements typical
of Yerevan’s old center.

Mayor Taron Margaryan assured the AGBU representatives that cooperation
with the AGBU will be continued. “The Yerevan Municipality is ready
to always support the union and all of its initiatives aimed at
bringing benefits to our people and to the capital of the Armenians,”
the Yerevan mayor said.

The construction company assured the Yerevan mayor that the
new building will become a new center of culture and symbol of
consolidation of the Armenia-Diaspora relations and of AGBU’s
larger-scale activities.

From: Baghdasarian

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Oct 16 2012

Settlement of the Karabakh problem is hands of today’s generation

16 October 2012 – 10:01am

By VK

The Forum of Azerbaijani youth organization of Russia `AMOR – uniting
hearts’ came to an end in Moscow. More than 500 delegates participated
in it, as well as honored guests and officials from governments and
presidential administrations of Russia and Azerbaijan.

`Studying in Russian universities, working in Russian companies,
living in Moscow, St.-Petersburg, and other Russian cities, you remain
Azerbaijanis always,’ the head of the State Duma Committee on the CIS
affairs and contacts with compatriots, Leonid Slutsky, told the
participants. `It is difficult to overestimate the role of programs
developed and implemented by AMOR, which unite hearts and numerous
young Azerbaijanis in Russia and show people in Russia, Azerbaijan,
and abroad what a comfortable life Azerbaijani young people have in
Russia.’

Speaking about problems which appear in Russia for Azerbaijanis,
Slutsky admitted that they are various: `Household problems, problems
with studying, employment, and defining your place in today’s
difficult life, fulfilling potential of a young talented person. Today
AMOR fulfils a significant task and gives an opportunity for
realization of serious creative potential to everybody. The programs
adopted by Leila Aliyeva [the vice-president of Heydar Aliyev Fund,
the chairwoman of AMOR] and her colleagues are directed at the future
of young Azerbaijanis.’ Remembering those who might be a good example,
Slutskly recalled Heydar Aliyev: `Things which were founded by the
initiator of the current Azerbaijani statehood are being implemented
by President of the Azerbaijani Republic Ilham Aliev today. Often very
complicates tasks are fulfilled. The counter-poverty program for more
than million people who appeared to be internally displaces persons
gives a wonderful example not only to the CIS countries, but also to
the whole world in the sphere of settling humanitarian problems after
difficult military situations. The counter-poverty program was very
effective in Azerbaijan. Today Azerbaijan is establishing economy on
the basis of knowledge. The country is an example for us who are
working on support of the CIS and the Eurasian project. Things which
are implemented in Azerbaijan are reflected in the active attitude of
young Azerbaijanis in their native country and abroad. I am glad to
see inspired faces, smart eyes of young people who realize what they
want in this life and what tasks they have to solve.’

Commenting on the Karabakh problem, Slutsky stated: `It is a bleeding
problem and we must not leave its settlement to our children and
grandchildren. The problem should be solved today. Those who live in
Nagorno-Karabakh today, in seven occupied districts around Karabakh:
Agdam, Fizuli, Zangelan, Lubatly, Dzhebrail, Kelbadzhar, Lachin; those
who had to leave their native towns expect an effective and
professional settlement of this difficult problem which couldn’t be
solved for 20 years from today’s generation, from us who are sitting
in this hall today. I believe that certain steps for settlement of the
main problem of the South Caucasus, the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh,
is around the corner. It is a delicate process. Any unprepared,
thoughtless interference in the process might ruin everything. Young
Azerbaijanis in Azerbaijan, Russian, and the world take part in
settlement of this problem with all their hearts and souls. And this
conflict will be settled in the nearest years.

I want Azerbaijani young people who live in the civil society of
Russia to study, work and make friends intensively – it is a basis for
relations between you and your friends who represent other ethnic
groups, religions, and this is the basis for our tolerant and
peaceful, progressive future where our nations would be together. AMOR
pays great attention to cultural programs today. It is true that
culture, creative work and even songs are an integral part of the
Azerbaijani people. This culture contains those ties which connect us
with our children, with our future generations who will live in great
Azerbaijan and great Russia.’

From: Baghdasarian

Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Oct 15 2012

Turkish fm says opening of Khojaly airport will hurt peace process

BAKU (AA) – Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday said
the planned opening of an airport in Khojaly [Xocali] would hurt the
settlement process.

Davutoglu told reporters in the Azeri capital of Baku that Turkey
supported Azerbaijan’s opposition to the opening of the Khojaly
airport which was modernized by Armenia, adding that the Armenian move
was not “well-intentioned.”

The Turkish minister said sides should focus on finding a settlement
to the conflict, adding that Turkey was ready to contribute to efforts
to maintain peace and stability in the Caucasus.

“Everyone must respect the integrity of the borders of countries.
Turkey favours a solution over the occupied territories of Azerbaijan
on the basis of the protection of the country’s territorial
integrity,” Davutoglu said.

From: Baghdasarian

Trend, Azerbaijan
Oct 16 2012

Political analyst: OSCE’s mediation is graveyard of ideas contributing
to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement

Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 16 / Trend M. Aliyev /

The OSCE Minsk Group’s mediation has become a graveyard of ideas that
contribute to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
director of the Centre for Political Innovations and Technologies,
political analyst Mubariz Ahmadoglu told Trend on Monday.

He said that whilst organising a meeting of the Azerbaijani and
Armenian Foreign Ministers in France, the OSCE Minsk Group mediators
showed that the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
continues. Mediation remains in their monopoly.

“It seems that during the events that occurred over the past 20 years,
Armenia’s position is on the verge of collapse as a state.
Azerbaijan’s strengthening and in particular recent military
incidents, created a flurry by Armenia in connection with Ramil
Safarov and changes over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, have had no
impact on the OSCE Minsk Group’s activity,” he said. “Armenia and the
OSCE Minsk Group do not want to see these changes. Anyway, the
mediators see the trend of these changes. If they maintain their
monopoly on the process, more serious incidents may occur in the near
future.”

He added that the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk did not take into
account the dialogue of the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities in
Nagorno-Karabakh, the ideas of turning the Nagorno-Karabakh into a
space of cooperation for Azerbaijan and Armenia and the term Khankendi
/ Stepanakert.

“Armenia abuses the mechanism of consensus in terms of direct
participation of mediators,” he said. “The OSCE Minsk Group also
forgot the idea of replacing the principle of consensus for ‘consensus
minus one’ during voting. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan accuses
Azerbaijan and Turkey of violating the right of free migration. The
mediators do not ask him why the population of one village of Aghdam,
Fizuli and Jabrail regions cannot ‘freely move’ to another village.”

He added that the ideas of creating a “big peace treaty”, replacing
the OSCE Minsk Group format for a UN one are classified as unpopular.

“There are a myriad of ideas ruined by the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairmen,” he said. “This turns the mediation of the OSCE Minsk
into a cemetery. A meeting of foreign ministers to be held at France’s
initiative may further accelerate this process.”

From: Baghdasarian