Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

AZERBAIJAN HAS NO SHARED VISION ON THE WAYS TO RESOLVE THE KARABAKH CONFLICT

arminfo
Wednesday, May 23, 15:53

“Karabakh: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” was the theme of the 11th
Scientific Conference held on Tuesday in the International Press
Center at the initiative of the Karabakh Liberation Organization
(KLO), Azerbaijani media report.

According to the head of the KLO, Akif Nagi, the aim of the conference
is to explore ways to liberate “the occupied Azerbaijani territories.”

Participants proposed three scenarios for a solution to the problem.

The first scenario provides for the strengthening of the interest of
the Russian Federation in the settlement of the conflict in the case
of the alleged war between the West against Iran.

According to the second scenario, democracy will be established in
Azerbaijan, and Baku will solve the problem by winning the sympathy
of the international community. Finally, Karabakh can be released
thanks to the internal resources of Azerbaijan.

Supporters of a military solution to the problem believe that
Azerbaijan should not rely on any international forces, and it is
enough to start war based on the alliance with Turkey. Supporters of
this way believe that by this Azerbaijan will put the international
community first.

The conference participants did not come to a consensus. Most believe
that Russia, in any case, will not take into account the interests
of Azerbaijan. Today’s Russia in the name of its own interests,
can contribute to the separation of Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan.

As for the strengthening of democratic principles and attraction of
world attention to Azerbaijan, it does not guarantee restoration of the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, because international centers of
power often use double standards. To start war means to put the country
under attack. As a result, it was noted that there is not a single view
or opinion about the Karabakh conflict in society. For this reason,
it is necessary to hold public hearings in order to find solutions to
problems involving the authorities, political forces and civil society.

From: Baghdasarian

SARDARAPAT: ONE CAN’T WIN IN CASINO-LIKE ELECTIONS

arminfo
Wednesday, May 23, 18:04

One can’t win or fight for ideas in casino-like elections, member
of the Sardarapat action group Garegin Chugaszyan told journalists
on Wednesday.

He said that the May 6 “elections” have shown that electoral fraud in
Armenia has been transformed, giving people no chance to change the
regime. “We need alternative mechanisms: we must form a new republic
by means of alternative elections in order to form a legitimate
government without shocks,” Chugaszyan said.

He said that this project needs all-Armenian support. “Armenia is home
to all Armenians, so, all Armenians, wherever they live, must take part
in the building of their present and future homeland,” Chugaszyan said.

From: Baghdasarian

WHO’S LEFT IN PRO-RUSSIAN BLOC
Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 17:01:44 – 23/05/2012

On May 22 the delegation of the Federal Assembly committee of the
federal council defense and security arrived in Armenia which discussed
the conditions of dislocation of the Russian military base 102 and
military units in Armenia.

On the same day the U.S. ambassador John Heffern signed a cooperation
agreement between the U.S. department of defense and the Armenia
National Security Service on assistance in the field of border security
and prevention of mass destruction weapon.

It is known that the Armenian borders are defended by the Russian
border guard service, and the Armenian and American agreement seems
a little strange in this context, especially if it is against illegal
transportation of mass destruction weapon, substances and technologies.

Is all this related to the developments in Iran? Hardly so because
progress is reported in the relationship of the U.S. and Iran. Iran
approved the entry of inspectors to its nuclear facilities and
announced about a “breakthrough”.

Interestingly, the cross-assistance of Russia and the United
States followed the elections after which it was announced about
the alternative to the Russian bias of Armenia. Some Russian mass
media even reported that Serzh Sargsyan’s pro-European party won
the election in Armenia. Meanwhile, Prosperous Armenia backed by
Putin cannot persuade Serzh Sargsyan to give them the posts of prime
minister and speaker.

It was obvious before the elections that the political forces have
to state clearly about the bias of their foreign policy. In Armenia
the extension of the term of location of the Russian military base in
Armenia had the opposite effect. In August Dmitry Medvedev visiting
Armenia was to prove that Armenia is an outpost of Russia’s. However,
the extension of the term which was perceived as a cynical step by
many caused a debate in the society whether Armenia has an alternative
or not.

Apparently, repellence was so big that even the ruling Republican Party
made gestures to Europe. Moreover, in 2011 Serzh Sargsyan announced
from the rostrum of the Council of Europe that Armenia will head
for Europe.

Serzh Sargsyan is likely to divide bias of the foreign policy – address
security issues together with the CSTO and economic integration with
the EU. Time will show whether it is possible or not but it is obvious
that Russia will not keep silent and will not yield whatever it thinks
belongs to it in Armenia.

However, Armenia is not silent any more. Aram Sargsyan announced he
left the Congress because the Congress has a pro-Russian bias. Earlier
the Free Democrats announced about the necessity to review relations
with Russia. The Heritage Party had announced something similar.

If we count the Republican Party as well, it turns out that only
Robert Kocharyan with his Prosperous Armenia and Levon Ter-Petrosyan
with the remnants of the ANC are left in the pro-Russian bloc.

From: Baghdasarian

OPPOSITION PROTESTS IN DOWNTOWN BAKU! PHOTOS AND VIDEO

BAKU. May 21, 2012: Today, Public Chamber of the Azerbaijani opposition
held a protest rally in downtown Baku. The protesters demanded respect
for the right of the Azerbaijani citizens to freedom of assembly. The
protesters also demanded freedom for the opposition activists
imprisoned for their participation in previous protest rallies. Click
here for video[]
Police apprehended and later released
over 40 opposition activists. Click here to
see[]
police in action Abulfaz Gurbanli, chairman of the PFPA Youth
Organization was beaten twice while in police custody, first at the
Sabail District Police Department, and secondly in the bus where the
police transported the arrested opposition activists to Gobustan,
40 kilometers away from Baku. Apparently, the police has retured
to its previous policy of detaining the opposition protesters and
transporting them to a remote location, away from the protest area.

Below are the photos frmo the event:

From: Baghdasarian

EUROVISION : DES CENTAINES DE MANIFESTANTS POUR LA DEMOCRATIE EN AZERBAIDJAN
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 24 mai 2012

Des centaines de jeunes Azerbaïdjanais ont profite mercredi du
deroulement du concours de l’Eurovision pour manifester dans Bakou en
faveur de la democratie en Azerbaïdjan, une ex-republique sovietique
du Caucase.

La marche etait silencieuse, mais les participants portaient
des T-shirts avec l’inscription “Chante pour la democratie !”, le
slogan choisi pour une campagne visant a attirer l’attention sur les
violations des droits de l’Homme dans ce pays a l’occasion du concours.

“Contrairement a d’autres jeunes de mon âge, je vois l’Eurovision
comme une chance de reclamer les droits de l’Homme et les libertes en
Azerbaïdjan”, a declare a l’AFP l’un des manifestants, Ilkin Mamedov,
un etudiant.

“Je veux vivre dans un pays où les droits de l’Homme ne sont pas
violes”, a declare un autre manifestant, Parviss Hasanov.

La police, qui disperse habituellement toute manifestation non
autorisee, a d’abord demande aux jeunes gens de cesser leur marche,
mais n’est pas intervenue après leur refus.

Les autorites locales comptaient sur le concours de l’Eurovision pour
ameliorer l’image de l’Azerbaïdjan, pays de neuf millions d’habitants
riche en hydrocarbures, mise a mal par la question des droits de
l’Homme et des atteintes aux libertes dont est accuse le regime du
president Ilham Aliev.

Une petite manifestation d’une centaine de personnes a ete dispersee
par la police lundi avant la première demi-finale du concours. La
deuxième demi-finale a lieu jeudi, et la finale samedi.

From: Baghdasarian

EUROVISION ORGANIZERS’ DEAFNESS TO HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES GIVES AZERBAIJAN GOVERNMENT A BLANK CHECK

States News Service
May 22, 2012 Tuesday

Amnesty International issued the following news release:

The refusal of the organization behind Eurovision to condemn
human rights abuses in Azerbaijan provides a carte blanche to the
government’s crackdown, Amnesty International said after another two
peaceful protests were violently dispersed.

Azerbaijan is hosting the song contest – the flagship event of the
European Broadcasting Union (EBU) – from 22-26 May.

“Despite publicly committing to support free expression in Azerbaijan,
the EBU has maintained a deathly silence on recent repeated violations
of that right,” said Max Tucker, Amnesty International’s Azerbaijan
campaigner, who is currently in the country’s capital Baku.

“The lack of action by the EBU and the international community is
giving the authorities carte blanche to continue violently crushing
dissent without consequence.”

On Monday, more than 200 demonstrators gathered in two locations in
central Baku, the Azerbaijani capital, calling for an end to corruption
and respect for human rights.

According to protest organizers, police forced participants onto
buses and drove them out of town, beating several and detaining 38.

One of the organizers, Abulfaz Gurbanly, told Amnesty International
that he was punched, kicked and hit with a truncheon while being held
at a police station. He said that several other protesters were also
beaten in custody.

The peaceful protests were dispersed in full view of a number of
international journalists, casting doubt on the EBU’s assertions
that bringing international media attention to Baku would improve
the human rights situation.

“The increased media coverage will be meaningless if it does not
persuade Azerbaijan’s diplomatic and business partners to act in
defence of freedom of expression,” Tucker said.

“Azerbaijan’s authorities seem to think they can ride out negative
coverage unscathed, leading to a renewed crackdown on dissent.”

Amnesty International has noticed a fresh wave of human rights
violations in Azerbaijan. A recent briefing documented numerous cases
where journalists and human rights defenders have been attacked,
blackmailed and imprisoned. The EBU has not publicly commented on
any of these cases.

The organization is also concerned that local activists who have
sought to use Eurovision to highlight rights abuses will be targeted
after the event.

State-owned newspapers have already started a smear campaign against
leaders of the Sing for Democracy campaign, labelling them as agents
of neighbouring Armenia, with whom Azerbaijan has had a territorial
dispute for the last 20 years.

“We hope the international journalists we have spoken to in recent
weeks will not forget us after Eurovision,” said Rasul Jafarov, one
of the Sing for Democracy campaign organizers. “That could be very
dangerous for us.”

From: Baghdasarian

AZERBAIJAN HIGHLY APPRECIATES CLAUSE ON NAGORNO KARABAKH IN NATO CHICAGO DECLARATION

APA
May 22 2012
Azerbaijan

Elman Abdullayev: “Nalbandian’s approach to the document is
non-constructive and aims to confuse the society of Armenia”

Baku. Victoria Dementieva – APA. The 47th paragraph of the Final
Declaration of the NATO’s Chicago Summit corresponds completely with
the progress of negotiations on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, said spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Elman
Abdullayev, APA reports.

Elman Abdullayev commented on the opinions of Armenian foreign minister
Edward Nalbandian that the above-mentioned article of the Chicago
Declaration will damage the negotiations process on the settlement
of Nagorno Karabakh and protracted conflicts: “Such statement by the
Armenian official is completely baseless. This article corresponds
completely with the L’Aquila and Muskoka declarations, negotiations
processes and updated Madrid principles.”

Abdullayev noted that Nalbandian’s approach to the document is
non-constructive and aims to confuse the society of Armenia.

The spokesman said the Azerbaijani side highly appreciated the
declaration, which was adopted in Chicago and noted that this document
showed the fair position of Azerbaijan: “Such declaration shows that
NATO demonstrates fair position again. Several countries, including
OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries France and the US also signed
the declaration. These countries showed their approaches again”.

Abdullayev noted that Nalbandian’s statement that “the relevant clause
of Final Declaration of Chicago Summit is contrary to the negotiations
process of settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict and can damage
the negotiations” was absurd, because France and the US that are
mediating in the conflict’s settlement signed this Declaration.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended the summit, but
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan didn’t participate in the event.

The Declaration says: “We remain committed in our support of the
territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia, and the Republic of Moldova, and will also
continue to support efforts towards a peaceful settlement of these
regional conflicts, based upon these principles and the norms of
international law, the United Nations Charter, and the Helsinki
Final Act”.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA SLAMS NATO DECLARATION

Hurriyet Daily News
May 22 2012
Turkey

Nalbandian says the declaration jeopardizes the shaky situation in
the region.

Armenia criticized NATO’s Chicago Summit declaration, saying the
document makes no references to people’s right to self-determination.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, who represented Armenia
at the summit, said the NATO declaration’s “worrisome” language runs
counter to the existing peace plan drawn up by the U.S., French and
Russian co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.

“That could harm not only the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiating process
but also jeopardize the shaky situation in the region,” he said,
according to Anatolia news agency.

“We remain committed in our support of the territorial integrity,
independence and sovereignty of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the
Republic of Moldova, and will also continue to support efforts towards
a peaceful settlement of these regional conflicts, based upon these
principles and the norms of international law, the United Nations
Charter, and the Helsinki Final Act,” the declaration said.

From: Baghdasarian

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF ARMENIA TO STUDY ANC’S CLAIM ON MAY 25

arminfo
Tuesday, May 22, 13:03

The Constitutional Court of Armenia will study the Armenian National
Congress’s claim to recognize the result of the parliamentary elections
of May 6 invalid, the Constitutional Court press-service told ArmInfo.

Earlier, ANC applied to the Constitutional Court for invalidating the
results of the parliamentary elections on the proportional system. ANC
has submitted also facts on irregularities during the elections. To
recall, ARDF has also submitted facts on irregularities and but did
not join ANC’s claim. Prosperous Armenia Party declared that the
election outcome did not reflect the public will, but the party has
taken no steps to dispute the election result.

On May 13 the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Armenia summed
up the results of the parliamentary elections of May 6 2012. Five
parties and a bloc have entered the parliament of the 5th convocation.

The results of the elections were as follows: Republican Party of
Armenia received 44.02% (664,440 votes) and received an absolute
majority – 69 mandates, including 40 proportional and 29 single-mandate
seats. Prosperous Armenia 30.12% (454,673) and received 37 seats (28
proportional and 0 single-mandate). ANC – received 7.08% (106,903)
and 7 mandates.

The following oppositional parties have overcome the 5% threshold:
Heritage – 5.76% (86,998 votes), ARFD – 5.67% (85.550 votes), the
coalitional party Orinats Yerkir – 5.51% (83 123 votes). All the
three parties received by 5 seats in the parliament, but ARFD and
Orinats Yerkir received also by one single- mandate seats.

From: Baghdasarian

PUBLIC TELEVISION OF ARMENIA IS LIKELY TO BROADCAST THE FINAL OF “EUROVISION 2012”

ARMENPRESS
22 May, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS: Public Television of Armenia is likely
to broadcast Eurovision 2012 final to be held May 26 in Baku.

“I think the final of the contest will be broadcast in all
appearances,” head of the Armenian delegation of “Eurovision” Gohar
Gasparyan said in an interview with Armenpress.

“Eurovision 2012” international TV song contest will take place May
22-26 in Baku. 43 countries will participate in the contest.

As Gohar Gasparyan had told Armenpress earlier, Armenia is encouraged
by the success of kanon player Narek Kazazyan at “Classical Eurovision”
contest, and and is going to submit participation application in
future as well.

At present Armenia is getting prepared for “Children’s Eurovision”
contest to be held December 1 in Amsterdam.

Related Story:

From: Baghdasarian