Author: Chalian Meline

HAYK DEMOYAN: FROM NOW ON IN THE RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA TURKEY IS MAKING TWO STEPS FORWARD AND JUST ONE STEP BACK

ArmInfo
2009-09-07 14:53:00

ArmInfo. From now on in the relations with Armenia Turkey is making
two steps forward and just one step back, Director of Armenian
Genocide-Museum Hayk Demoyan told media.

"Before August 31 we had dealt with the Turkish policy that might be
characterized as a step forward and two back, now the situation has
changed and even a step back by Turkey is imitated in order to calm
down the fraternal Azerbaijan," he said.

The historian believes that after August 31 the Armenian-Turkish
process has moved forward. Earlier it was almost frozen, which made it
possible to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to make two ultimatums
to Ankara.

On August 31 the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey agreed
to start their internal political consultations on the two protocols –
the "Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations" and the
"Protocol on the development of bilateral relations" – which have been
initiated in the course of their efforts under Swiss mediation. The
political consultations will be completed within six weeks, following
which the two Protocols will be signed and submitted to the respective
Parliaments for the ratification on each side.

MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS OF ARMENIA AND GEORGIA TAKES PLACE IN YEREVAN

NOYAN TAPAN
SEPTEMBER 7, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian on September 4 met with his Georgian counterpart Grigol
Vashadze on a working visit to Yerevan.

During the meeting Edward Nalbandian attached importance to regular
contacts of the two foreign ministers, noting that they form a solid
basis for the further development of mutually beneficial relations,
the RA MFA reported.

The interlocutors duscussed in detail a wide range of issues related
to bilateral relations. It was mentioned that the completion
of construction of Gyumri-Akhaltskha-Bavra-Batumi motorway will
facilitate the transportation of cargo and passengers from Armenia
to Georgia and in the opposite direction.

The foreign ministers also addressed issues related to the extension
of the legal and contractual field, bilateral cooperation in the
energy sector, as well as some problems of the Armenians in Georgia.

The meeting was followed by the signing ceremony of the memorandum
on the exchange of land plots for the diplomatic missions of the
two countries.

ARMENIAN FEMALE CHESS PLAYERS DEFEATED POLISH TEAM IN WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.09.2009 18:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In the 6th round of World Team Championship,
Armenian national women’s team held its second consecutive victory,
beating tournament leader Polish team 3.5-0.5.

First victory in this round belonged to Elina Danielyan, who gained
the upper hand over Iveta Rylich. Lilit Lazarian and Lilit Galoyan
also had high scores after defeating Yolante Zavadske and Joanna
Dvorakovskie. Match between Nelly Aghinyan and Joanna Maiden ended
in a draw,

After second round, Lilit Lazarian tops tournament list together
with Nana Dzagnidze and Nadezhda Kosintseva.

Let’s note that Armenian team’s first victory was registered in the
5th round, when our female players beat Georgian team 2.5-1.5.

After 6 rounds Armenian chess players share 6th-7th positions,
together with China, second team on tournament table. Despite its
defeat, Polish team maintained its leading position, since Chinese
and Georgian teams which came next were defeated by United States
and Russia.

In the 7th round of championship, Armenian female chess players will
compete with Vietnam national team, outsider of current tournament.

Results for 6th round:

USA – China 1 – 3:1 Georgia – Russia – 1.5 – 2.5 Poland – Armenia –
0.5 – 3.5 Vietnam – India – 1:3 China 2 – Ukraine – 2:2

Standing:

Poland – 9 Ukraine – 7 China 1 – 7 Georgia – 7 Russia – 7 China 2 –
6 Armenia – 6 USA – 5 India – 5 Vietnam – 1

MIXED RESPONSES TO TURKISH-ARMENIAN RAPPROCHEMENT BID

AssA-Irada
September 2, 2009 Wednesday
Azerbaijan

The opposition of Turkey and Armenia disagree with the latest agreement
reached by the two countries to normalize their strained relations,
despite the world communitys welcoming the move. Ankara and Yerevan
on Monday agreed with Swiss mediation to start consultations on
forging diplomatic ties and developing bilateral relations in a bid
to end a century of hostility. The two countries announced in a joint
statement that they would complete domestic consultations over two
protocols within six weeks, to be followed by their ratification at
Turkish and Armenian parliaments. The Armenian National Congress,
led by opposition leader, former president Levon Ter-Petrosian,
has said restoring cooperation meets the interests of both nations,
and the intent to sign the protocols could be considered as progress
toward establishing diplomatic ties. The Congress claimed, however,
that it was unacceptable to include in the documents a provision that
envisions setting up an intergovernmental commission of historians
questioning the alleged genocide of Armenians.

The Armenian opposition also said the planned ratification of the
protocols in the Turkish and Armenian parliaments raises concerns. This
enables President Serzh Sarkisian to share responsibility with
parliament, while Turkey could delay the ratification under the
pretext of the unresolved status of the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh
conflict, postponing the reopening of the Turkish-Armenian border,
the Congress claimed in a statement. The two neighbors have been
at odds and their shared border has been shut since 1993 due to
Armenias policy of occupation of Azerbaijani territory and Armenian
claims on mass killings of their ancestors by Ottoman Turks during
World War I. The Armenian Volunteers bloc labeled the agreements
with Turkey as treason of the criminal Serzh Sarkisian authorities,
calling on world Armenians to vehemently oppose the intended signing
of the mentioned protocols. Armenians residing in Istanbul, Turkey,
welcomed the signs of improvement in Turkish-Armenian relations and
now plan to give an Iftar meal for Muslims in the courtyard of Surp
Grigor Lusavorich Yekeghetsi (the Saint Gregory the Ilumminator
Cathedral) in the Kinaliada Island located on the Sea of Marmara
near Istanbul. Azan, a call for Muslim prayer, will be read at the
church, as well, Turkish Jihan news agency reported. Local Armenians,
who welcomed the Turkish governments move, said they now have more
hope for a bright future. The organizer of the Iftar ceremony, Levon
Shadyan, who heads the Saint Gregory the Ilumminator Cathedral in
Turkey, lauded the agreements reached between Turkey and Armenia,
though his remarks were belated. The problems with our neighbor should
be solved, Shadyan said. You have a neighbor, but you dont open the
door. But if you do open it, he will understand you and you will
understand him. The cleric noted with a great deal of satisfaction
that Turkish-made goods are sold in 98 percent of Armenian stores,
and, if the border reopens, these goods will be delivered directly,
without passing through third countries. Ara Kochunyan, the editor
of the Armenian-language Jamanak newspaper, published in Turkey for
101 years, also said the agreements reached by the two countries
inspire optimism in both nations. But the Turkish opposition and
newspapers delivered a tough response to the development. Rashad Dogru,
who represents the opposition in Turkeys parliament, has told the
Baku-based ATV channel that the opposition would air its grievances
in the legislature in the coming days. Oktay Ekshi, a senior writer
for the influential Hurriyet newspaper, commented: The uproar around
these two protocols will not subside easily, because this will
bring about either forging bilateral relations between Turkey and
Armenia while disrupting Turkey-Azerbaijan relations, or everything
will collapse. Mehmet Yilmaz, another Hurriyet writer, believes
signing of the protocols would be tantamount to Turkeys giving up its
assertion that it wont open the border until the Garabagh conflict is
resolved. Barcin Yinanc, the editor-in-chief of Hurriyet Daily News,
told Radio Liberty that, despite Turkish officials rhetoric, the
fact that Upper Garabagh was not cited in the formal version of the
protocols came as a surprise. Neither do the documents indicate that
Armenian armed forces occupy part of Azerbaijani territory. According
to the Hurriyet editor, this could be described as a result of a
political compromise. International organizations welcomed the Turkish
and Armenian initiatives to mend bilateral ties, following similar
messages from the French and US governments. The European Commission
called on the two countries to act expeditiously to normalize ties. The
organization said Tuesday that the agreements reached would promote
peace and stability in the Caucasus. The European Commission attaches
great importance to the signing and enforcement of the protocol on
restoring diplomatic ties and of the protocol on developing bilateral
relations. Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, the acting Secretary General of
the Council of Europe, strongly welcomed the agreement to sign two
protocols between Turkey and Armenia. This is a historic event for
both countries and the region," Boer-Buquicchio said in Strasbourg on
Tuesday. "It will help to normalize the relations between two member
states of the Council of Europe and I would like to encourage the
two countries to continue on the path which will help to improve the
stability in this part of Europe. The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office,
Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, indicated that Turkey and
Armenia’s plan to start talks aiming to normalize bilateral relations
would contribute to regional stability. The establishment of diplomatic
ties between Turkey and Armenia would be a positive step not just for
the South Caucasus region, but also beyond," Bakoyannis said. "I warmly
welcome this positive step toward normalization of ties between two
OSCE participating states. Bakoyannis called on both sides to build
on the positive momentum achieved in the Swiss-led talks. Russia,
a neghbor of both Turkey and Armenia, positively assessed their
latest drive for a rapprochement. Its foreign ministry emphasized that
both countries are friendly states for Russia. From this standpoint,
Moscow deems the progress as a natural and anticipated process. We
would be very glad if these consultations, which are a domestic
affair, result in substantive agreements, the ministry said. The
Russian government believes that none of the steps envisioned in
the mentioned protocols could be detrimental to any third party. The
Azerbaijani government commented that holding talks on normalization
of relations is a sovereign right of both Turkey and Armenia, however,
Azerbaijans interests should be honored in the process. Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu earlier said opening the border with Armenia
is not on agenda at this point. Ankaras main expectations are Yerevans
relinquishing its claims on the alleged genocide and a settlement to
the Garabagh conflict. Davutoglu pledged that Azerbaijans interests
will be met during all stages of the process. The roadmap to normalize
Turkish-Armenian ties was announced in April, but Monday’s agreements
are considered the first real move toward reaching that goal. Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated during a visit to Baku
in May that Turkey will not open up its border with the neighboring
country so long as it occupies Azerbaijans territories. Signs of
a warming in Turkish-Armenian relations discerned after Turkish
President Abdullah Gul attended a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer
match together with his counterpart Serzh Sarkisian in Yerevan in
September 2008. Further, Gul invited his Armenian counterpart to
Turkey for a return game, due October 14. Also, the two governments
agreed to a comprehensive roadmap this past April to normalize
relations. However, Ankara has made clear that it could fully
normalize ties with Yerevan only after the Upper Garabagh conflict
is settled, i.e. after Armenia pulls out of the occupied Azerbaijani
territories. The Armenian president, in turn, said he will not travel
to the game, unless the Turkish-Armenian border reopens by then or
there are clear signs it is about to open.

MARAT HAKOBYAN: ARMENIAN PEOPLE HAVE TO CONSOLIDATE

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.09.2009 20:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "It’s a pity some politicians use Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement for personal PR," Head of Analitika.at.ua Information
Analytical Center Marat Hakobyan told PanARMENIAN.Net.

"Politicians, who have not risen to power thanks to Armenian
electors’ wisdom, are trying to belittle Armenian diplomacy’s
achievements. Strangely, opinions of Armenian opposition synch with
those of Azeri authorities. Now that official Yerevan is initiating
important steps towards lifting blockade over Armenia, it’s not
the right time to play political games. At this crucial period,
consolidated approach is important. Our power is in our unity, which
was repeatedly proven by Armenian people," Hakobyan emphasized.

FULL TEXT OF THE PROTOCOLS SIGNED BY TURKEY AND ARMENIA

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Sept 3 2009

*** Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between
the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey ***

The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey.

Desiring to establish good neighbourly relations and to develop
bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and other
fields for the benefit of their peoples, as envisaged in the Protocol
on the development of relations signed on the same day.

Referring to their obligations under the Charter of the United Nations,
the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris for a New Europe,

Reconfirming their commitment, in their bilateral and international
relations, to respect and ensure respect for the principles of
equality, sovereignty, non-intervention in internal affairs of other
states, territorial integrity and inviolability of frontiers,

Bearing in mind the importance of the creation and maintenance of an
atmosphere of trust and confidence between the two countries that will
contribute to the strengthening of peace, security and stability of the
whole region, as well as being determined to refrain from the threat
of the use of force, to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes,
and to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Confirming the mutual recognition of the existing border between the
two countries as defined relevant treaties of international law,

Emphasizing their decisions to open the common border,

Reiterating their commitment to refrain from pursuing any policy
incompatible with the spirit of good neighbourly relations,

Condemning all forms of terrorism, violence and extremism irrespective
of their cause, pledging to refrain from encouraging and tolerating
such acts and to cooperate against them,

Affirming their willingness to chart a new pattern and course for
their relations on the basis of common interests, goodwill and in
pursuit of peace, mutual understanding and harmony,

Agree to establish diplomatic relations as of the date of the entry
into force of this Protocol accordance with the Vienna Convention on
Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and to exchange Diplomatic Missions.

This Protocol and the Protocol on the Development of Bilateral
Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey
shall enter into force on the same day, i.e. on the first day of the
first month following of instruments of ratification.

Signed in (place) on (date) in Armenian, Turkish and English languages
authentic copies in duplicate. In case of divergence of interpretation,
the English text shall prevail.

For the Republic of Armenia

For the Republic of Turkey

*** Protocol on Development of Relations between the Republic of
Armenia and the Republic of Turkey ***

The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey.

Guided by the Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey signed on
the same day,

Considering the perspectives of developing their bilateral relations,
based on confidence and respect to their mutual interests,

Determining to develop and enhance their bilateral relations, in the
political, economic, energy, transport, scientific, technical, cultural
issues and other fields, based on common interest of both countries,

Supporting the promotion of the cooperation between the two countries,
in the international and regional organi9zations, especially within the
framework of the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the Euro-Atlantic
Partnership Council and the BSEC,

Taking into account the common purpose of both States to cooperate for
enchancimg regional stability and security for ensuring the democratic
and sustainable development of the region,

Reiterating their commitment to the peaceful settlement of regional
and international disputes and the conflicts on the basis of the
norms and principles of law,

Reaffirming their readiness to actively support the actions of eth
international community in addressing common security threats to
the region and world security and stability, such as terrorism,
transnational organized crimes, illicit trafficking of drugs and arms,

1. Agree to open the common border within 2 months after the entry
into force of this Protocol,

2. Agree to conduct regular political consultations between the
Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries;

implement a dialogue on the historical dimension with the aim
to restore mutual confidence between the two nations, including
an impartial scientific examination of the historical records and
archives to define existing problems and formulate recommendations;

make the best possible use of existing transport, communications
and energy infrastructure and networks between the two countries,
and to undertake measures in this regard;

develop the bilateral legal framework in order to foster cooperation
between the two countries;

cooperate in the fields of science and education by encouraging
relations between the appropriate institutions as well as promoting
the exchange of specialists and students, and act with the aim of
preserving the cultural heritage of both sides and launching common
cultural projects;

establish consular cooperation in accordance with the Vienna Convention
on Consular Relations of 1963 in order to provide necessary assistance
and protection to the citizens of the two countries;

take concrete measures in order to develop trade, tourism and economic
cooperation between the two countries;

engage in a dialogue and reinforce their cooperation on environmental
issues.

3. Agree on the establishment of an intergovernmental bilateral
commission which shall comprise separate sub-commissions for the
prompt implementation of the commitments mentioned in operational
paragraph 2 above in this Protocol. To prepare the working modalities
of the intergovernmental commission and its sub-commissions, a
working group headed by the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs shall
be created 2 months after the day following the entry into force of
this Protocol. Within 3 months after the entry into force of this
Protocol, these modalities shall be approved at ministerial level. The
intergovernmental commission shall meet for the first time immediately
after the adoption of the said modalities. The sub-commissions shall
start their work at the latest 1 month thereafter and they shall work
continuously until the completion of their mandates. The timetable
and elements agreed by both sides for the implementation of this
Protocol are mentioned in the annexed document, which is integral
part of this Protocol.

This Protocol and the Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic
Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey
shall enter into force on the same day, i.e. on the first day of the
first month following the exchange of instruments of ratification.

Signed in (place) on (date) in Armenian, Turkish and English authentic
copies in duplicate. In case of divergence of interpretation, the
English text shall prevail.

For the Republic of Armenia

For the Republic of Turkey

Annexed document: Timetable and elements for the implementation of
the Protocol on development of relations between the Republic of
Armenia and the Republic of Turkey.

Timetable and elements for the implementation of the Protocol on
development of relations between the Republic of Armenia and the
Republic of Turkey

Steps to be undertaken

Timing

1. to open the common border within 2 months after the entry into
force of the Protocol on the development of relations between the
Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey

2. to establish a working group headed by the two Ministers of Foreign
Affairs to prepare the working modalities of the intergovernmental
commission and its sub-commission 2 months after the day following
the entry into force of the Protocol on the development of relations
between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey

3. to approve the working modalities of the intergovernmental
commission and its sub-commissions at ministerial level

within 3 months after the entry into force of the Protocol on the
development of relations between the Republic of Armenia and the
Republic of Turkey

4. to organize the first meeting of the intergovernmental commission

immediately after the adoption of the working modalities of the
intergovernmental commission and its sub-commissions at ministerial
level

5. to operate the following sub-commissions:

the sub-commission on political consultations;

the sub-commission on transport, communications and energy
infrastructure and networks;

the sub-commission on legal matters;

the sub-commission on science and education;

the sub-commission on trade, tourism and economic cooperation;

the sub-commission on environmental issues: and

the sub-commission on the historical dimension to implement a dialogue
with the aim to restore mutual confidence between the two nations,
including an impartial scientific examination of the historical records
and archive to define existing problems and formulate recommendations,
in which Armenian, Turkish as well as Swiss and other international
experts shall take part. at the latest 1 month after the first meeting
of the intergovernmental commission

RUSSIA’S MFA SAYS PROTOCOL DOES NOT THREAT INTERESTS OF THIRD STATE

Panorama.am
15:19 02/09/2009

Russia approves Armenia’s and Turkey’s preparedness to start in-house
discussions addressed to the regulation of ties, Russia’s Foreign
Ministry’s PR department reports.

"Armenia and Turkey are relative countries for us. The advancement
between their relations is natural and long desired. We’d be happy
to find that those discussions, which are in-house problems of those
states, result in substantive agreements," message writes.

According to the message the protocols, their content have been well
discussed in Moscow and came to a conclusion that "both Yerevan and
Ankara should decisive enough. Note that neither part of the protocol
threats the interests of any third state," Russia’s MFA official
message says.

"Russia’s official representatives have been always calling on their
Armenian and Turkish colleagues to regulate the problems in pragmatic
way," message writes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KARABAKH!

ountry&pid=15045
12:39:17 – 02/09/2009

September 2 is the Day of Independence of Karabakh. It is a holiday
in Karabakh. In Armenia no holiday moods are felt, though a number
of political figures and forces remember about the Independence
Day of Karabakh but among the public there is no holiday mood,
and the birthday of the second Armenian state is important and
worth remembering only for few people. Maybe this is the reason
why the greater part of the Armenian leadership leaves for Karabakh
on September 2 to celebrate the independence. Every year, on that
day or the day before, the Yerevan-Karabakh highway is packed with
expensive cars and motorcades speeding to Karabakh. But they do not
stay in Karabakh long, for only several days. They come back not
because they have to return to work but right the contrary, because
they have nothing to do there.

If independent Karabakh were a place to stay, the former president
of Karabakh Arkadi Ghukasyan, after leaving office, would spend his
vacation there and not abroad. Or if independent Karabakh were a place
to stay, the president of independent Karabakh Bako Sahakyan would rest
in his country instead of going to Europe for a vacation. Let alone
that if those people perceived the independence of their country they
would have a correspondent role in the Karabakh conflict as leaders of
an independent country. But Karabakh is needed only for going there and
celebrating. Karabakh is needed for people from Armenia to go there and
exclaim about its independence as a supreme value and then return to
Armenia and dwell on a settlement of the conflict based on compromise.

Happy Birthday, Karabakh! Not always do you meet those whom you need
to meet. But the important thing is that there are people whom you
need. They are not seen because they work for you even on holidays,
they keep and excavate their homeland for others to speak in the
present and not in the future or the past tense, as it has usually
happened.

TURKEY DOESN’T HEAR BAKU VOICE

Aysor
Sept 2 2009
Armenia

The Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s Chief Advisor Hussein Celik
announced that Turkey will continue establishing diplomatic and
bilateral ties with Armenia regardless of any settlement on Karabakh
conflict, reports the Turkish electronic edition "Sabah".

"Even thought the Karabakh conflict is not resolved Turkey will
continue setting diplomatic ties with Armenia" – H.Celik said.

The Oppositional National-Republican Party of Turkey’s Head’s assistant
Onur Oymen said the historical process both in Armenian and Turkish
foreign policy started.

The opposition deputy recalled the reason of Armenian-Turkish border
closing. That was the Armenian Armed Forces liberated territory.

"It is clear that the necessity for the border opening is the
Armenian Army withdrawing. However, whether there is an evidence
of that? No. There is just something that Turkey has changed its
foreign policy".

"The policy made in the current situation is dictated by the world
leaders" – Onur Oymen said.

RESIGNATION IS THE SOLUTION

untry&pid=15034
14:09:48 – 01/09/200

The representative of the Armenian National Congress, the former
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Alexander Arzumanyan voiced
concern about the protocols on the Turkish-Armenian relations released
on August 31 in a news conference on September 1.

He says they stated that the Armenian and Turkish relations would not
be determined by the Karabakhi settlement, as this is a completely
different process. Though both sides agree on relations without
preconditions, we see that both of them set preconditions, stated
Arzumanyan. As to the dangers, Arzumanyan stated that these documents
may promote the Karabakh settlement on the present disadvantageous
conditions. He also stated that it is not an international diplomatic
practice to introduce international protocols before the parliament.

The fact that the protocols have to be introduced before the parliament
is just a way to prolong the adoption of the protocols. Alik Arzumanyan
stated that the Armenian and Turkish relations will again be hostages
waiting for the Karabakh issue to be settled.

He is also concerned with the fact that a commission of historians will
be set up to discuss historical documents. According to Arzumanyan,
it is unacceptable for Armenia and there is no political force and
no citizen in Armenia who would dispute the fact of the genocide.

He stated that he is for the normalization of the Armenian and Turkish
relations but everything depends on the price.

In answer to the question how the problem of separation of the
Armenian-Turkish relations and the Karabakh issue should be solved,
Alexander Arzumanyan said the only solution is the resignation of the
illegitimate president Serge Sargsyan. He stated that not only the
Karabakh issue but also the existence of the third Armenian republic
is in danger. And the only way out is the resignation of the present
government.