Author: Chmshkian Vicken

TURKEY EXPECTS KAZAKHSTAN’S OSCE ROLE OVER KARABAKH ISSUE

Feb 12 2010
Turkey

Davutoglu said Kazakhstan might step in for the solution of the Upper ,
as the chair of OSCE.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Kazakhstan might step
in for the solution of the Upper , as the chair of the Organization
for Security and Co-operation in Europe(OSCE).

Davutoglu who is on an official visit to Kazakhstan told AA that
he was confident that Kazakhstan would take important steps for the
solution of the Upper Karabakh issue between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Davutoglu said they discussed the issue with his Kazakh counterpart
Kanat Saudabayev and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

"As far as I know Mr. Saudabayev will be visiting both Baku and
Yerivan in the days to come. We communicated our position to them.

Kazakhstan may make significant contributions regarding Upper Karabakh
issue. We are hopeful about the term ahead" said Davutoglu.

Referring to the remarks made by Armenian President Serzh Sargsian at
a conference in London, refusing to take any steps for the solution
of the Upper Karabakh issue, and calling on Turkey to reveal its
intention, Davutoglu said Turkey’s made its intention clear to all
parties.

"Turkey will support all steps taken toward the establishment of
peace," said Davutoglu.

Sargsian had said during his address at a conference Wednesday in
London that Turkey set forth the Upper Karabakh issue as a precondition
for the approval of the normalisation protocols with Armenia, adding
that such an attitude jeopardised both the Upper Karabakh issue and
the normalisation of relations with Turkey.

"Mediation on Iran"

Commenting on the recent raw between Iran and the international
community, Davutoglu said he wanted to visit Iran next Tuesday,
signalling a Turkish initiative for mediation.

"We are ready to do everything within our reach for overcoming the
current tension through peaceful means," said Davutoglu.

Davutoglu who also commented on the Cyprus issue reiterated Turkey’s
stance in support of a lasting solution, said they did not want
settlement talks to be interrupted.

TURKEY SENDING TOP OFFICIAL TO WASHINGTON ON EVE OF MARCH 4TH GENOCIDE VOTE

2010/02/12 | 10:04

Region

Turkey is sending a high-ranking Foreign Ministry official to
Washington DC to discuss bumps in the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation
process. Feridun Sinirlioglu, the Undersecretary of the Foreign
Ministry, will visit the U.S. on February 13.

This latest diplomatic move by Turkey comes on the eve of a March 4
non-binding resolution vote by the House Foreign Affairs Committee
urging President Barack Obama to describe the events of 1915 as
"genocide". Mr.Sinirlioglu is expected to tell the U.S. official
that the vote will further damage the Turkey-Armenia reconciliation
process that has already hit the rocks due to the recent decision of
the Armenia’s constitutional court.

Mr. Sinirlioglu is expected to seek assurances from the U.S.

administration that the Armenian court’s ruling will not legally
prevent the discussion of Armenian genocide "claims".

Turkey believes the pending resolution is aimed at putting pressure
on the government to pass the protocols through Parliament. In an
interview over the weekend, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu denounced
the committee for scheduling a vote on an Armenian genocide resolution
at this time, saying that its passage would seriously harm Turkey’s
relations with both the United States and Armenia.

TURKISH OFFICIAL: IF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT RATIFIES ANKARA-YEREVAN PROTOCOLS, ONE CAN NOT EXPECT SAME FROM TURKISH PARLIAMENT

Trend
Feb 10 2010
Azerbaijan

If the Armenian parliament ratifies the Armenian-Turkish protocols,
one can not expect the same from the Turkish parliament without
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turkey-Azerbaijan
Interparliamentary Friendship Group Head Mustafa Kabakchi said.

"Even if the Armenian parliament ratified the protocol, the
Turkish parliament will not ratify them without resolution to
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as, Azerbaijan is more important
strategic partner for Turkey, than Armenia," he told Trend News over
the telephone.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has today tasked its administration
to send the Armenian-Turkish protocol to the parliament for
ratification in the coming days.

The Armenian President informed about this in his speech at the
Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, the Mediamax
special correspondent reported from London.

Feb.9, Sargsyan addressed to his Turkish Counterpart Abdullah Gul,
urging Ankara to respect the reached agreements.

Turkey will continue to be faithful to the promises that Ankara gave
to Azerbaijan, he said.

The fact that Serzh Sargsyan has today tasked its administration to
send the Armenian-Turkish protocol to the parliament for ratification,
does not mean that the procedure will be conducted, he said.

STRIPTEASE CLUBS TO GET STATE LICENSE IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2010-02-11 22:25:00

ArmInfo. Government of Armenia is expected to regulate the sphere of
striptease services.

Justice Minister of Armenia Gevorg Danielyan said at the government on
Thursday that the package of amendments to a number of laws proposed
by the government recognizes striptease services licensed activity
and makes a number of restrictions. In particular, he said, the
organizations offering striptease services must be located at least
300 meters from residential buildings, educational establishments,
libraries, administrative buildings, state power agencies and the local
self-government, health case facilities, public parks ands religious
organizations. In addition, distance between the organizations
providing relevant services must at least 50 meters.

Striptease services must be provided in special premises with no
translucent windows and doors with no external plates with pictures
characterizing activity of the given establishments. Persons below 18
must not be allowed to striptease establishments. Danielyan said that
the presidential administration proposes differentiated approaches
to such organizations in regions and the capital city. Yerevan
Municipality proposed restrictions on striptease clubs, saunas and
discotheques.

The government decision implies closing of the greatest part of
striptease clubs in Yerevan or their moving to the industrial districts
of the city.

ARTSAKH’S FM MEETS WITH CILIKIA HOLY SEE CATHOLICOS ARAM I

Aysor
Feb 11 2010
Armenia

Foreign Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh), Georgy
Petrosian, who is on a three-day visit to Lebanon, together with
Armenia’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Ashot Kocharian, has met with His
Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Holy See of Cilicia.

Georgy Petrosian will also meet with leaders of Armenian parties
and public figures of Lebanon, a spokesperson for the NKR Foreign
Ministry said.

GUL PLEDGES TO REMAIN PERSONALLY ENGAGED IN ARMENIA-TURKEY RAPPROCHEMENT

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
11.02.2010 19:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish President Abdullah Gul sent a reply to
President Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia.

"We will continue to work for taking our normalization process forward
based upon the understanding reached between our two countries," Mr.

Gul said.

"Our bilateral efforts aimed at the normalization of Turkish-Armenian
relations attracted due attention world-wide by creating a new
hope for peace in our conflict-ridden geography. Overcoming the
long-established prejudices and nurturing mutual understanding
and trust among our two neighboring peoples were indeed our main
objectives when endorsing the process of normalization between our
countries. You should have no doubt that our determination to take
these objectives forward is intact, provided that this resolve and
commitment remains reciprocal," he said. "I also agree with you
that responsible governance necessitates both standing behind words
and supporting words with deeds. Hence, we will continue to work for
taking our normalization process forward based upon the understanding
reached between our two countries. We have to be aware that concluding
this historic process will require honoring our commitments in their
entirety as well as displaying adequate political courage and vision."

Mr. Gul said that "a future characterized by sustainable peace,
security, prosperity and cooperation for all the people living in
the region is their common goal." "I will remain personally engaged
in this process hoping to see it reach a satisfactory conclusion for
both of our countries," he concluded, Anatolian News Agency reported.

RA LEADER: KARABAKH PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS BE READY TO DEFEND THEIR RIGHT TO SURVIVE

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.02.2010 18:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijan has exhausted the resources of trust
in terms of autonomous status for minorities within its boundaries,
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated in his speech at Chatham
House, Royal Institute of International Affairs.

"Azerbaijan was not and is not capable of providing guarantees of
even internal security to such autonomies. There was once another
Armenian autonomy in Azerbaijan: Nakhijevan. What happened to it? Not
a single Armenian is left in Nakhijevan. Can such guarantees be
taken for granted? You might say Azerbaijan was different then, and
is different now. During the last 18 years of that "difference" more
Armenian and Christian monuments were destroyed than in the preceding
70 years. The international organizations tasked with protection of
the cultural heritage were unable to do anything: Azerbaijan did not
even permit them to visit and see the obliterated Armenian monuments,"
Serzh Sargsyan emphasized.

"In the meantime, a full-blown race of arms continues in the South
Caucasus. It is extremely dangerous. It is dangerous not only for
the South Caucasus peoples, but also for Europe and the powers that
have a stake in the region, the corporations that have invested
in the Caucasus, and everyone else. Azerbaijan has not faced any
substantial confrontation for having exceeded all the possible caps
on conventional arms. Even if not used in a war against Karabakh, the
weapons Azerbaijan is stockpiling today will shoot somewhere. The only
question is where and when. While spending large sums on purchases of
oil, the advanced states, in my opinion, cannot remain indifferent to
how their moneys are being spent. The fact is that these very proceeds
can become a source of threats, something that has happened elsewhere
in the past.

Armenia and Karabakh have never unleashed and never will unleash
a war. We despise war, as our generation was forced to look death
straight in the eyes, and has seen and lost more than can be imagined.

However, we realize that we must be ready for war in case others
wish to fight. We cannot turn a blind eye to recurrent belligerent
threats coming from a neighbouring state, whose President’s New Year
address to his people sounded no different from the speech of an army
commander motivating his units for a battle.

The irony is that Azeri propaganda, spending hundreds of millions
of dollars, does not miss any opportunity to label Karabakh as an
aggressor, despite the fact that the people of Karabakh had to take
on arms literally to avoid extermination.

The reality is that the people that live in Karabakh are and will
always be ready to defend their right to survive, their values,
churches, and cross-stones," Armenian leader concluded.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN SENT A MESSAGE TO ABDULLAH GUL

Noyan Tapan
Feb 9, 2010

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. President Serzh
Sargsyan sent a message to the president of the Republic of Turkey
Abdullah Gul.

The message, reported to Noyan Tapan by The Press office of the
president of the Republic of Armenia, states:

"Excellency, passing thought Turkish airspace, I send my greetings
to you and the people of neighboring Turkey. Our initiative, aimed at
the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations, holds attention
of the international community. This is a historic moment, indeed,
and it is recognized not only by us, but also by the global community.

Efforts of the countries engaged in the region, aimed at the
improvement of bilateral relations, are indispensable. I am confident
that it wouldn’t be possible to move forward without their support. At
the same time, I believe no matter how interested friendly states
might be in a positive resolution of the impasse, there are certain
things that can be done only by our two nations.

Mr. President,

I hope you will agree that the Armenian and Turkish peoples assign
the main task of getting rid of the stereotypes regarding each
other and establishment of the atmosphere of mutual trust to their
respective governments. We can achieve results only if there are
trust, resolve, and unfaltering stance. A situation when words
are not supported by deeds gives rise to mistrust and skepticism,
providing ample opportunities to counteract for those, who oppose
the process. We should be mindful of the fact that in this particular
case, the time is working not for but against the process. If until
now we have been able to bring our bilateral relations up to a level
which made the prospects of building normal relations between our
two countries more tangible and discernible, now the time has come
to manifest determination to make next major step and leave to the
coming generations a stable and secure region.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest esteem."

Armenian judo wrestlers to participate in 2010 Dusseldorf Grand Prix
05.02.2010 22:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On February 19-22, Dusseldorf will host Judo Grand
Prix tournament.

As head coach of Armenian judo team Artur Gevorgyan told
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, 5 Armenian sportsmen with participate in the
championship: Armen Nazayan, Hambardzum Tonoyan (66 kg weight
category); Artem Baghdasaryan, Robert Vardanyan (73 kg weight
category) and Hakob Arakelyan (100 kg weight category).

Upon tournament completion, Armenian sportsmen will leave for Czechia
to participate in team practice session.

On February 27-28, Armen Nazayan, Hambardzum Tonoyan, Artem
Baghdasaryan, and Hakob Arakelyan will compete in World Cup due in
Prague.

On March 1, the wrestlers will be back to Armenia to start preparatory
trainings for Armenian Cup to kick off on March 6.

Judo meaning "gentle way", is a modern Japanese martial art and combat
sport, that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. Its
most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is
to either throw one’s opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise
subdue one’s opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an opponent
to submit by joint locking the elbow or by executing a choke. Strikes
and thrusts (by hands and feet)’as well as weapons defences’are a part
of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms (kata) and are not allowed in
judo competition or free practice (randori).
Ultimately, the philosophy and subsequent pedagogy developed for judo
became the model for almost all modern Japanese martial arts that
developed from "traditional" schools (koryū). In addition, the
worldwide spread of judo has led to the development of a number of
offshoots such as Sambo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Practitioners of judo
are called jÅ«dÅ?ka.

An employee of Armenian Culture Ministry becomes a ‘hero’ of a criminal case

2010-02-06 14:40:00

ArmInfo. An employee of Armenian Culture Ministry becomes a "hero" of
a criminal case.

The press-service of the Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office told
ArmInfo that a criminal case been instituted against Areg Hayrapetyan,
the former adviser to the culture minister, and currently the head of
the culture ministry’s legal and control department. It has been found
out as a result of inspection held by the Control Chamber of Armenia
that on 8 May 2007 by the culture minister’s order No223 Hayrapetyan
was appointed authorized member of the commission for control and
technical performance of procurement. Using his position, on 11 May
2007 he came out with an initiative to sign an agreement on provision
of services in elaboration of legal acts worth 19010000 AMD between
the culture ministry and Inorient LLC founded by him in 2004.
Hayrapetyan, as well as culture adviser N.Ter-Vardanyan, who was the
chairman of the given commission signed 4 false conclusions on
technical characteristics of the work, which really was not done, and
as a result, appropriated 19010000 AMD.

The Department for Protection of State Interests under the Armenian
Prosecutor General’s Office has instituted the case under Articles
178, 38-178 and 308 of the Armenian Criminal Code. The case has been
transferred to the Chief Investigation Department of Armenian Police.