Author: Chakrian Hovsep

IS THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH RAPPROCHEMENT IN JEOPARDY?
by Liz Fuller

Radio Free Europe
August 3, 2009

Over the past month, Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has expressed
frustration on three separate occasions that the Turkish government
is apparently backpedaling with regard to its April commitment to
seek ways to

"normalize" bilateral relations without preconditions. Turkey’s
response to those statements has been cautiously muted.

Sarkisian first publicly called for unconditional rapprochement between
Turkey and Armenia over a year before his election as president in
February 2008. In September 2008, Turkish President Abdullah Gul
visited Yerevan at Sarkisian’s invitation to watch a soccer match
between the two countries’ national teams.

Then in April, following months of Swiss-mediated talks, it was
announced that the two sides had agreed on a "road map" intended to
lead to the establishment of formal bilateral relations and to the
opening of their common border.

The first unconfirmed reports of that impending announcement surfaced
in late March and triggered outrage in Azerbaijan, whose leadership
had for years argued that any formal agreement by Turkey on closer
relations with Armenia should be contingent on key concessions by the
latter on the terms for a solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

On June 16, Turkey’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Hulusi Kilic told
Azerbaijan’s APA news agency that no steps had been taken to implement
measures outlined in the road map. "Nothing is being done. Nothing
has changed," he was quoted as saying. Commenting on July 21 on
the apparent stalemate, Richard Giragosian, who heads the Armenian
Center for National and International Studies, made the point that
"Turkey is surprised: it underestimated the reaction of Azerbaijan
and overestimated its own leverage."

The lack of progress in implementing the road map, in conjunction
with increasing opposition criticism of the most recent draft of
the so-called Madrid Principles for resolving the Karabakh conflict,
clearly irks Sarkisian. Speaking in Yerevan on July 6 following talks
with visiting Cypriot President Demetris Christofias, Sarkisian said,
"we want to eliminate closed borders remaining in Europe and to build
normal relationships without preconditions. But in that endeavor,
we do not intend to allow [anyone] to use the negotiating process
for misleading the international community."

Three weeks later, on July 28, Sarkisian implied that he might refrain
from traveling to Turkey in October as planned to watch the return
soccer match unless Ankara takes "constructive steps" to "create a
proper environment" for that visit. "I will leave for Turkey if we
have an open border [by then] or stand on the brink of the lifting
of the blockade of Armenia," Sarkisian said.

Then on July 30, at a meeting with young diaspora Armenians, Sarkisian
explicitly rejected attempts to link the desired normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations to progress in resolving the Karabakh
conflict. Sarkisian recalled that Armenia had "found the strength"
to extend a hand in friendship to Turkey despite the legacy of
the mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. He said that
"Armenia and Turkey have been conducting negotiations for a whole
year, we have reached agreement on two documents, but now certain
Turkish political forces are trying to put forward preconditions and
link the establishment of diplomatic relations with Armenia to the
Karabakh conflict and to Armenian-Azerbaijani relations."

Sarkisian acknowledged that Turkey is a large and influential
country. But he warned at the same time that "we Armenians are
an independent nation, and it is inadmissible to talk to us in
the language of preconditions. Any tough step brings about a
counterreaction." He did not elaborate.

Some Turkish commentators have suggested that such statements by
Sarkisian could jeopardize the rapprochement process. But Turkish
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu took a softer position, saying
that the "cold war" in bilateral relations is over and that the two
countries no longer regard each other as enemies. Davutoglu said he
considers it unlikely that Sarkisian will cancel his plans to visit
Turkey in October.

TRAVELING EXHIBITION OF NATIONAL MUSEUM-INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECURE AND ARMENIAN URBAN MINISTRY TO BE HELD IN GYUMRI, VANADZOR AND STEPANAKERT

ARMENPRESS
Aug 5, 2009

YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS: Traveling architectural exhibition
organized by the National Museum-Institute of Architecture and
Armenian Urban Ministry will be conducted in September-October in
Gyumri, Vanadzor and Stepanakert.

Director of the museum Ashot Grigoryan told Armenpress that for
presenting the Armenian architectural achievements in the mentioned
towns works of Rafayel Israyelyan, medieval, contemporary Armenian
architecture, from Armenia’s capital series the architecture of Ani
will be presented and the works of Diaspora Armenians.

A. Grigoryan said in Stepanakert they will present works of
contemporary Armenian architects. During the days of exhibition
the results of the contest dedicated to the Shushi male school
re-projecting will be summed up. The building is expected to be turned
into Artsakh National Museum.

The director of the National Museum-Institute of Architecture said
he is sure that the presentation of architectural achievements
in Armenian provinces will promote the creation of new quality of
Armenian architecture.

JERMUK RESORT TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS REQUIRE SERIOUS INVOLVEMENT OF PRIVATE SECTOR

ArmInfo
2009-08-03 12:31:00

ArmInfo. Implementation of Jermuk resort town development programs
requires serious involvement of the private sector, says Artak
Ghazaryan, Deputy Director at USAID/CAPS. "Jermuk has potential
for becoming a tourism center and medical resort of regional
importance. However, successful implementation of the project requires
serious attitude by the municipal agencies and the local private sector
involved in the programs as well as the government," he said. Jermuk
development program approved by the Government of Armenia in August
2008 implies annual increase of the number of tourists to 100,000 by
2012 instead of the present 5,000 (20,000 tourists in Soviet period
of time). The annual income of the resort town from the tourist trips
is to be increased to 100 million dollars till 2012, which implies
opening of 4,000 new jobs.

The program was elaborated with the support of the USAID/CAPS. "I do
not think that it is possible to ensure such high level of income
within the coming three years, but in the long-term outlook it is
quite possible," A. Ghazaryan said. Nevertheless, he does not think
that the idea of building an airport in Jermuk may be interesting to
the private sector since the project will be profitable only in case
of large-scale tourism. "To attract tourists, it is better invest
in tourist facilities, including service, hotels and leisure-time
entertainment. Airport may become reality only subject to becoming
a strategic goal of the government," he said.

"There are many sights in Armenia that can be declared tourist
zones. For instance in Vayots Dzor region where Jermuk is located as
well as in Syunik and Lori regions. In addition, it is noteworthy
that in the legislation of other states creation of tourist zones
requires influence on certain sectors (agriculture etc.) that form
mini-clusters of tourism industry. Both Vayots Dzor and Syunik have
such potential. It is necessary just to involve the private sector
in these programs also through providing them with certain tax and
other privileges in tourist zones. In this case, local business will
be ready to invest in these zones," A. Ghazaryan said. A relevant
draft law on tourism has already been prepared with the support of
European experts, he said.

Azerbaijan welcomes Russia’s efforts to end Karabakh conflict

17:5202/08/2009

BAKU, August 2 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s mediation in the dispute
between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorny Karabakh region is
producing results, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev said on
Sunday.

"The efforts being taken by Russia to settle the conflict deserve
respect and are encouraging," Abiyev said during a meeting with Russian
Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, who is on a working visit to Baku.

In July, Moscow hosted bilateral talks on Nagorny Karabakh between the
Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents, which were joined by Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev the following day.

Nagorny Karabakh, a region in Azerbaijan with a largely Armenian
population, has been a source of conflict between the former Soviet
republics since the late 1980s. The province has its own government and
is de facto independent.

The war between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the mountainous enclave in
1988-1994 left an estimated 35,000 people dead. Sporadic violence on
the border has continued ever since.

The Azerbaijani defense minister warned that if the conflict is not
resolved peacefully, military confrontation will be inevitable.

ARTSAKH ISSUE COULD BE VIEWED AS DECOLONIZATION PROCESS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
31.07.2009 20:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "NKR issue should be treated as international and not
regional problem, since it could be regarded both from the viewpoint
of nation’s self determination right and decolonization process,"
"National Self-determination" Association Leader Paruyr Hayrikyan
told a news conference.

Dwelling on Madrid principles, Hayrikyan characterized them as a next
non-committal stage in the course of conflict settlement.

SARKISIAN STEPS UP CRITICISM OF TURKEY, WARNS OF REPRISALS

Asbarez Staff
-up-criticism-of-turkey-for-visiting-diasporans/
J ul 31st, 2009

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)-President Serzh Sarkisian has stepped up his criticism
of Turkey’s preconditions for normalizing Turkish-Armenian relations,
saying that they run counter to agreements reached by Ankara and
Yerevan during their year-long negotiations.

The criticism was echoed by more than 80 U.S. lawmakers who accused
Ankara of backpedaling on a U.S.-brokered "roadmap" to establishing
diplomatic relations between the two neighboring nations and reopening
their border.

"For one year, Armenia and Turkey held negotiations and agreed on
two documents," Sarkisian said in televised remarks aired late on
Thursday. "But since that some political forces in Turkey have been
trying to set conditions and link the establishment of diplomatic
relations with Armenia with the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict and Armenia’s relations with Azerbaijan."

"We do accept that Turkey is a big country, we do accept its role both
in the region and the entire world," he said. "But at the same time,
we Armenians are an independent nation, and it is inadmissible to
talk to us in the language of preconditions. Any tough step brings
about counter-steps." He did not elaborate on the warning.

Sarkisian spoke during a visit to Lake Sevan where he attended a summer
festival organized by his government for visiting young people from
the worldwide Armenian Diaspora. Many in the Diaspora have followed
with unease Armenia’s rapprochement with Turkey that began shortly
after Sarkisian took office in April last year. Sarkisian has been
criticized by Armenia’s opposition and the Diaspora for allowing
Western-backed process to develop in Turkey’s favor without earning
Armenia any tangible benefits.

The process thus far has allowed Turkey to couple its talks with
Armenia to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and hamper efforts for US
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Sarkisian’s remarks came just two days after he again made clear that
he will not travel to Turkey to watch the October 14 return match
of the two countries’ national football teams unless Ankara takes
"real steps" to reopen the Turkish-Armenian border. The two teams
played their first game in Yerevan last September in the presence of
Sarkisian and Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

Gul’s visit to Armenia was followed by more Turkish-Armenian talks,
with the Turks reportedly agreeing to drop their long-standing linkage
between the normalization of bilateral ties and a Karabakh settlement
acceptable to Azerbaijan. However, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
and other Turkish leaders have repeatedly said in recent months that
the Turkish-Armenian border will remain closed as long as the Karabakh
conflict remains unresolved. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
reaffirmed this precondition on Wednesday.

Despite these statements, Sarkisian until recently sounded cautiously
optimistic about the success of the Turkish-Armenian dialogue. It
was not until July 6 that he first publicly expressed his frustration
with Ankara’s stance.

Highlighting that frustration, 82 members of the U.S. House of
Representatives on Thursday sent a joint letter to President Barack
Obama expressing concern about "Turkish backpedaling" on the still
unpublicized "roadmap" deal that was announced on April 22. "Turkey’s
public statements and actions since April 24th stand in sharp contrast
to this agreement and undermine U.S. policy that normalization take
place without preconditions," the letter said.

"It would appear that Turkey, in an effort to block U.S. recognition
of the Armenian Genocide, agreed to a roadmap it did not intend
to uphold," the legislators charged. "Therefore, we urge your
Administration to separate the issues of normalization and genocide
recognition."

In an April 24 statement, Obama refrained from properly recognizing
the Genocide, implicitly citing the need not to undermine the
Turkish-Armenian rapprochement.

NEW PLUNDER

LRAGIR.AM
12:00:30 – 01/07/2009

The Armenian National Congress (HAK) issued a statement, which runs
that due to the policy of the Armenian criminal regime the Armenian
economy keeps declining. According to the data of January-May,
the Armenian GDP has decreased by 15, 7 percent, construction by
50, industry-10, export- 50 percent and so on. The decline of the
Armenian economy, according to the HAK, is 5, 5 percent more than
the decline caused by the global economic crisis and twice bigger
that the index of the CIS countries. The indexes of the Armenian
economic decrease surpasses even the predictions of the IMF, which
predicted a decline of 9-9, 5% for Armenia. As the Armenian National
Congress states the crisis in Armenia is little determined by the
global economic crisis, but with the policy of Armenia in the past
ten years, with the violation of the constitutional right for free
economy, free competition and property, with the establishment of
illegal oligarchic monopoly etc.

The HAK states that the regime is not worried by lessening the
impact of the economic crisis, but by the opportunity to rob the
country again.

PRESIDENT MEETS YOUNG ARMENIANS FROM DIASPORA: "WE SHOULD CHERISH OUR LAND"

Panorama.am
12:45 31/07/2009

President Serzh Sargsyan went to Sevan yesterday to meet Armenian youth
from Diaspora who traveled to Armenia in the frames of "Come home"
project of Diaspora Ministry. President said welcome to young Armenians
and a friendly discussion started round the fire. The youth has got
many questions addressed to the President which were kindly answered.

President signified the visit of young people to Armenia. It was
mentioned during the discussion that currently Armenia has got problems
but the most difficult days are left in the history. The President
has also said that though Armenia has got various problems including
reforms, prosperity and democratic issues, we should assess facts in
comparison. He encouraged the young Armenians living in Diaspora to
travel to Armenia more often in order to assess things.

"We must love and cherish this small-sized land keeping without losses,
and to gift it to our sons, new generations. In order to do that we
should get power from our land, from our people, our state and each
other. This is the most important thing," President said.

DIASPORA IS ARMENIA’S RICHEST RESOURCE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
30.07.2009 22:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Serzh Sarsgyan met Thursday
with participants of Come Home program implemented by the RA Ministry
of Diaspora.

He hailed the young people’s decision to visit their historic homeland.

"Diaspora is a bridge and Armenia’s richest resource. It’s Armenia’s
mouthpiece in other countries. Now we use only a part of the existing
potential but I am confident that our homeland will be stronger one
day and you will see it," the President said.

The program participants shared their impressions about Armenia. Most
of them said they wish to acquire Armenian citizenship.

ACTUAL REDUCTION OF ADDED VALUE IN CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIA TOWARDS END OF 2009 TO BE 40-50% – CENTRAL BANK

ARKA
July 30, 2009

YEREVAN, July 30. /ARKA/. The Central Bank of Armenia has revised
the forecast for such industries as construction and services,
which constitute a substantial share of the GDP, and lowered its
expectations.

Consequently, the actual reduction of added value in construction in
Armenia by the end of 2009 will be 40-50%.

As it was reported in the Program of the Monetary Policy of the CBA
in the 3rd quarter of 2009, this was going to happen despite the
gradual reduction in the rate of decline in construction conditioned
by financial support from the government.

In the first half of 2010, the downturn in the construction will
continue.

However, by the end of half-year there will be a positive growth
indicator.

The revision of the forecast is due to the expected reduction in
capital flows and incomes, as well as a significant decline in
residential construction.

According to CBA’s forecast, a zero real growth of added value is
expected in 2009.

However, in the first half of 2010, it is expected to restore the
services, with a real growth of 1-4%.

The CBA states that such predictions depend on specifying the
forecasted indicators of private and public consumption, which
affect both the volume of turnover and other volumes of the services
provided.