Author: Hovhannisian John

ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS NOT LINKED TO KARABAKH PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.10.2009 14:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The October 8 meeting between Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev proved
that Armenian-Turkish reconciliation is not linked to the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement process, Orinats Yerkir party member
Hovhannes Margaryan said.

"Upon completion of the meeting, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs stated
that the Karabakh conflict should be resolved in compliance with the
right of nations to self-determination and non-use of force and with
respect to the principle of territorial integrity," he said.

The ending of the statement diminishes the importance of the principle
of territorial integrity, according to Margaryan.

Meanwhile, the statement the Co-Chairs issued on October 9 says,

"The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsian and the President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met in Chisinau, Moldova on 8 October at
the residence of the U.S. Ambassador. The meeting was organized
by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Ambassador Yuri Merzlyakov of the
Russian Federation, Ambassador Bernard Fassier of France, Ambassador
Robert Bradtke of the United States) in the presence of the personal
representative of the Chairman-in-Office Ambassador Andzrej Kasprzyk.

This was the fifth meeting between the two presidents in the last ten
months and confirmed the positive dynamic of their negotiations. The
meeting further promoted elaboration of the Basic Principles for
the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The talks
were constructive and serious, including an in-depth, line-by-line
discussion of a number of points of the Co-Chairs’ proposals.

The presidents asked the Co-Chairs to incorporate the results of
the discussion into their proposals in advance of the next meeting
between the two."

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION For Justice & Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B-1000 Bruxelles
Tel/ Fax: +32 2 732 70 27/26
Website :Eafjd [1]

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PRESS RELEASE

_For immediate release_
FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER 2009

CONTACT : VARTéNIE ECHO

TEL. / FAX. : +32 (0) 2 732 70 27
CONFERENCE IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CALLS FOR LEGAL STANDARD ON
GENOCIDE DENIAL

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM 9 OCTOBER 2009 – The EAFJD is pleased to announce
that the `Denial and Democracy in Europe’ conference addressing
the ban on genocide denial in Europe was hosted at European Parliament
on 6 October 2009 from 3 -6:30 pm.

The conference, which was attended by nearly 100 delegates including
MEPs, political advisors and media experts, explored genocide denial
in the EU in light of the Framework Decision against Racism and
Xenophobia, adopted by the European Council last year.

The keynote speakers included German MEP Mr Elmar Brok, French MEP
Mr Jean-Marie Cavada, and Dr H.C. Ralph Giordano, a renowned German
intellectual and Holocaust survivor. Mr Brok and Mr Cavada expressed
the importance of the Framework Decision and Dr H.C. Giordano said
that any hope for reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia should be
contingent on Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Mr Brok said that the struggle against genocide denial is `an
outgrowth of Europe’s history and experience of the Holocaust.’
Brok explained that Hitler’s famous statement that no one remembered
the Armenians who perished at the hands of the Ottoman Turks, was used
as proof to his party that there was impunity for the crimes his party
was committing. He stated that `upholding remembrance and fighting
against genocide denial is a political duty’.

Mr Cavada emphasized the contrast between Germany’s response to
their history and Turkey’s obstinate position on the Armenian
Genocide, despite the facts. He explained that understanding one’s
national history is a cornerstone to democracy and, tackling the topic
of Turkey’s EU accession talks, that `we cannot trust a government
that does not look at its own past.’ Drawing a distinction between
the people of Turkey and the Turkish authorities, Cavada called the
latter `dangerous’ and genocide denial `a cancer’.

Mr Giordano, having survived the Holocaust and having studied the
Armenian Genocide, recounted the political history of the events
leading up to 1915, calling the Genocide an `apocalypse of universal
extent,’ the likes of which the world has only ever seen one other
time, upon the liberation of Germany following WWII. Mr Giordano
explained that the Jews and Armenians are a uniquely unified people
with a tragic history shared by survivors and descendents alike.
Adding that both peoples were endangered in the past and the present,
he explained that `it is my biography that compels me to push for an
alliance between these communities.’

The conference was a joint effort on the part of the European
Armenian Federation, the Jewish Laic Community and IBUKA-France, the
major Tutsi advocacy organization in Europe. The chairpersons of these
three organizations denounced genocide denial in Europe and stressed
the importance of upholding European values through a strong
interpretation of the Framework Decision.

Article 1 of the Framework Decision Framework Decision against
Racism and Xenophobia prohibits genocide denial in the EU. As EU
Member States must incorporate the provisions of this Framework
Decision into their national legislations by 2010, the strength of
individual domestic interpretations is on the table.

Mrs Hilda Tchoboian, as Chairperson of the European Armenian
Federation, called upon the various ministries of justice and the EU
Fundamental Rights Agency to implement strict interpretations of the
Framework Decision and thus introduce a legal standard for genocide
denial, and to monitor and address genocide denial in the EU in all
its forms. Moreover, addressing the present negotiations between
Armenia and Turkey, she recalled that European Armenians support the
normalisation of relations between the two countries but that they
oppose `Turkey’s attempts to surreptitiously introduce its denial
policy into the protocols and other international instruments.’

SUMMARIES OF THE SPEECHES AND VIDEO INTERVIEWS OF MR CAVADA AND MR
BROK ARE AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE OF THE EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION.
[4]
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THOUSANDS OF ROMANIAN WORKERS PROTEST LOW WAGES

Panorama.am
15:42 07/10/2009

Thousands of Romanian workers from all over the country protested
low wages in the capital on Wednesday, rallying outside government
headquarters to demand leaders do something to increase their pay,
according to the foreign media.

Trade unions said up to 20,000 workers were expected to take part in
the three-hour rally, and traffic was diverted in Bucharest.

Hundreds of thousands of teachers, medical staff and other public
workers staged a one-day strike Monday.

ARMENIA CAN BENEFIT FROM NORMAL RELATIONS WITH TURKEY: SERZH SARGSYAN

Tert.am
16:18 05.10.09

During the week-long Pan-Armenian Tour, Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan met with representatives from different Armenian national
organizations and structures from the Western United States and Latin
America at Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on October 4.

Referring to Armenian-Turkish political dialogue, Sargsyan said
negotiations with Turkey have taken place since Armenia’s independence
and only recently have they been made public.

Sargsyan attached importance not only to the will to be consistent
in following one’s purpose in any negotiation, but also the time
and situation in which they are held, expressing confidence that
it has been quite favourable for Armenia in terms of strengthening
its purposes.

As announced by the press office of the Armenian president, speaking
on the presigned Armenian-Turkish Protocols, President Sargsyan said,
"Yes, I believe it is possible to hold normal negotiations, to have
normal relations with Turkey and not to lose but rather benefit
from it."

The Armenian Benevolent General Union organized a gala banquet, which
took place after the meeting at the Hilton, in honour of President
Sargsyan. More than 500 member of Diasporan communites from the
Western United States and Latin America were present at the gala.

During a speech made at the gala, Sargsyan said:

"One of the reasons why today there are 120 different types of
hyphenated Armenians (Armenian-American, Armenian-Argentinean,
Armenian-Brazilian, and so on) is Turkey. The Turkey of the 19th,
20th century. But the sorrow of losing one’s loved one, family,
home is, perhaps, measured by thousands of years… But today, we
still don’t see repentance; even more so, we face denial. We see a
vain expectation that our voice will be heard less over time. How
unfortunate. Our sorrow is deep. Our loss is inconsolable. It is
impossible to silence our voice. Our spirit is unbending. We have
all this. But we also lack some ties impedes us very much…

"Future Armenia will be such as we dream, plan and build it
today. Alexander Tamanyan was dreaming, planning and beginning to
build the capital for all-Armenians, Yerevan. The following generations
really lived in the capital dreamt by Tamanyan. Of course, time made
its inevitable edits, but, I repeat, we lived in that city. Today, the
situation is the same. Our future country will be such as we imagine
it. What is necessary in the first place is trust, which Tamanyan had:
first in himself; second, in the future of Armenians. I am here also
for that reason, for us to renew our trust in our own abilities and
in future."

ASHOT DANIELYAN WINS BRONZE AT ASLAMBEK ASLAKHANOV TOURNAMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.10.2009 17:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian sambo wrestler Ashot Danielyan (74 kg)
won bronze at Aslambek Aslakhanov tournament held in Saint Petersburg
from October 1 to 4.

In the semi-final, Danielyan was beaten by 2008 champ Sergey Shibanov
(Russia).

Aslambek Aslakhanov tournament is one of four stages of Sambo
World Cup.

ARMENIA NO LONGER TO BE AN ISOLATED STATE

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.10.2009 17:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA President’s meeting with Armenian community
members is very important for us, AAC Eastern Eparchy Primate and
National Council of Churches USA Chairman, Archbishop Vigen Haykazyan
said, commenting upon Serzh Sargsyan’s meeting with Armenian community
representatives in Los Angeles. He also expressed support to Armenian
authorities’ position on Armenian-Turkish ties.

Nevertheless, Archbishop stressed the need for clarifying certain
clauses in Armenian-Turkish Protocols. Armenian Diaspora, he said,
was formed as a result of Genocide, hence such basis cannot be erased
from people’s minds.

ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH GIVES POSITIVE ASSESSMENT TO ALL-ARMENIAN DISCUSSION OF THE PROTOCOLS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.10.2009 16:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Supreme Spiritual Council convened a meeting
on September 30 in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, under
the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians. Following discussion on the process
aimed at normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations and the associated
ongoing discussions, the Supreme Spiritual Council made the following
statement:

"The Supreme Spiritual Council welcomes the process to establish
diplomatic ties free of preconditions between Armenia and Turkey and
the process to normalize Armenian-Turkish relations, for the sake
of regional security, preservation of peace and the development of
regional cooperation.

The Supreme Spiritual Council positively assesses the pan-Armenian
discussions currently taking place surrounding this process.

The Supreme Spiritual Council considers as natural and understandable
the concerns of Armenians living in Armenia, Artsakh and the
Diaspora, within the context of the bitter historical experience
of our people with Turkey, Turkey’s official policy of denying the
Armenian Genocide, Turkey’s intolerant position expressed toward the
Republic of Armenia, as well as the formulations contained in the
yet to be signed protocols regarding Armenian-Turkish relations that
have caused various interpretations, and the unacceptable statements
coming from the Turkish side associated with this process. In this
regard, the Supreme Spiritual Council reconfirms that the Armenian
Genocide is an indisputable fact, as is the right to independence
for the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh and the self-determination of
the Armenians of Artsakh. Our people and authorities shall never
abdicate the pursuit and defense of our just national rights.

The Supreme Spiritual Council exhorts all sons and daughters of our
nation to show utmost vigilance and reason to avoid nation-damaging
polarization, and united to face the challenges before our people.

The Supreme Spiritual Council appeals for the assistance of our Lord
Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the authorities of
the Republic of Armenia, so that they lead the process of normalizing
Armenian-Turkish relations to a successful conclusion, for the sake
of our people’s cherished and vital interests.

PRESIDENT OF THE NKR MEETS WITH SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS KAREKIN II

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 29, 2009
STEPANAKERT

STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS: On 28 September President of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan met with Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II who arrived in Artsakh to
participate in solemn celebrations dedicated to the 20th anniversary
of reopening the Artsakh Diocese of the One Holy Universal Apostolic
Orthodox Armenian Church.

Central Information Department of the office of the NKR President told
Armenpress that a wide range of issues related to relations between
the state and the church, socio-economic situation in Artsakh, and
the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict were discussed
at the meeting.

The president highlighted the visit of the Supreme Patriarch to
Artsakh, noting that that it would duly contribute to the development
of spiritual life in NKR.

The importance of steady deepening the state-church interrelations
and carrying out important religious events in Artsakh was mutually
underlined.

Touching upon the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict
Bako Sahakyan noted that the official Stepanakert is a proponent of
peaceful settlement and the restoration of the full-fledged negotiation
format. The President again underlined that independence and security
of Artsakh cannot be matters of discussions.

The primate of the Artsakh Diocese Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan,
and supreme hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church partook at
the meeting.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN CONGRATULATES CHANCELLOR MERKEL ON VICTORY

armradio.am
29.09.2009 15:38

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message to the
Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, on the occasion of the victory of
the Christian Democrats in the parliamentary elections in Germany. The
message reads:

"Dear Mrs. Merkel,

On behalf of the Armenian people and myself I congratulate you on the
occasion of the victory of the party headed by you in the elections
to the Bunderstag of the Federal Republic of Germany.

I’m confident that the government formed as a result of your decisive
victory will contribute to the further prosperity of Germany, the
reinforcement and development of peace in Europe, as well as the
expansion and deepening of the Armenian-German relations.

I want to avail myself of the opportunity to wish you good luck and
happiness to the friendly people of Germany. In accordance with the
agreements reached during our meting in Munich, I invite you to visit
Armenia any time convenient to you."

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-

PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext. 202
Fax: +37410. 565601
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

Foreign Minister of Armenia continues his meetings in New York

On September 26, Foreign Minister of Armenia who is in New York with a
working visit participated in the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the
Collective Security Treaty Organization’s member states.

Foreign Ministers of the CSTO member states discussed several issues
of the agenda – particularly, the coordination of foreign policy
within the UN and other international structures, European and
international security, as well as the issues concerning the UN
General Assembly’s agenda.

On the same day, Edward Nalbandian had meetings with Foreign Ministers
of Russia, Austria, Switzerland, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Australia, Canada
and Iran.

During warm and ingenuous meeting with Foreign Minister of Russia
Sergey Lavrov a number of bilateral, regional and international issues
were discussed.

Edward Nalbandian informed Sergey Lavrov about the details of the
steps undertaken for the normalization of relations between Armenia
and Turkey.

At the meeting between Foreign Minister of Serbia Vuk Jeremic and
Edward Nalbandian, they both expressed satisfaction with the
intensification of bilateral cooperation in different areas during the
recent period, which was marked by the official visit of the President
of Serbia to Yerevan by the invitation of the President of Armenia.

Edward Nalbandian presented to his Serbian counterpart the process of
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and the recent
developments in the negotiation process for the settlement of Artsakh
(Nagorno Karabakh) issue. Vuk Jeremic expressed his gratitude for the
balanced position of Armenia on Kosovo issue and presented the legal
process on Kosovo in the International Court of Justice and the
expectations of the Serbian side. Vuk Jeremic reaffirmed the
invitation for Edward Nalbandian to visit Belgrade.

In the course of the meeting with the newly appointed Foreign Minister
of Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev Edward Nalbandian congratulated him on
the appointment as Foreign Minister of friendly Kazakhstan and
expressed the determination of Armenia to support the next year
chairmanship of Kazakhstan in the OSCE.

Ministers Nalbandian and Saudabayev had a detailed discussion on
issues concerning the ways of the development of Armenian-Kazakh
cooperation, the coordination of activity within the international
organizations and the OSCE activity.

In course of the meeting between Edward Nalbandian and
Foreign Minister of Austria Michael Spindelegger the two discussed the
ways for the expansion of bilateral cooperation, Armenia-European
Union relationship and the possibilities of partnership between the
two countries within that framework. On Minister Spindelegger’s
request Edward Nalbandian presented the process and perspectives of
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, as well as the recent
developments in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) peace process. During the
meeting with Foreign Minister of Australia Hon Stephen Smith they had
an interested discussion on the practical steps and ways aimed at the
promotion of cooperation between Armenia and Australia. Ministers
exchanged views on some actual issues of international relations and
discussed possibility of rapprochement of cooperation within the
frameworks of the UN. Minister Smith attached importance to the
contribution of the Australian Armenian community in the life of the
country in different fields and mentioned that it could become a
unique bridge between Armenia and Australia for the expansion of
cooperation. Edward Nalbandian invited his Australian counterpart to
visit Yerevan to continue the started dialogue.

During the meeting with Foreign Minister of Canada Lawrence Cannon
Edward Nalbandian discussed issues concerning the cooperation between
the two countries in international organizations. They also touched
upon the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.

On the same day Armenian Foreign Minister met Foreign Minister of Iran
Manouchehr Mottaki. They discussed issues of bilateral relations
agenda and regional developments.

On Iranian Foreign Minister’s request, Edward Nalbandian presented the
process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.

Foreign Minister of Iran presented to the Armenian Foreign Minister
the recent developments on Iran’s nuclear program.

In course of the negotiations with Head of the Swiss Federal
Department of Foreign Affairs Micheline Calmy-Rey Minister Nalbandian
touched upon the issues concerning the expansion of cooperation areas
between the two countries and mentioned that the opening of the Office
of Diplomatic Mission of Switzerland in Yerevan could play a serious
role in that process. Foreign Minister of Armenian thanked his Swiss
counterpart for supporting the process of normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations. -0-