Author: Hunanian Jack

MONUMENT TO ARMENIA ANTI-FASCISTS ERECTED IN NETHERLANDS

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.09.2009 19:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A new monument has been set up in Middelharnis,
Netherlands, to commemorate seven Armenian soldiers who were
killed by fascists during World War II. The monument consists of a
memorial plaque bearing the name of Armenian heroes and a cross-stone
(khachkar). During opening ceremony speeches were delivered by Mayor of
the town of Zevenbergen, Armenian Ambassador to Hague Arshak Manukyan
and Armenian community representatives.

Ceremony was attended by war veterans, society members and media
representatives, RA MFA press service reports.

ARMENIAN CAUCUS CO-CHAIRMEN VOICE CONCERNS OVER PROTOCOLS

Yerkir
04.09.2009 14:48
Yerevan

Yerevan (Yerkir) – The Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues, Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk
(R-IL) on September 3 expressed their reservations regarding Turkey’s
willingness to cooperate in the implementation of its agreements
under a set of recently signed protocols on the normalization of
Turkey-Armenia relations, reported the Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA).

In a public statement, the two legislators called into question
several points related to the protocols, including Turkey’s pattern
of using its ongoing dialogue with Armenia as a "stall tactic" to
delay the lifting of its illegal 16-year blockade of Armenia. The
Co-Chairman also noted their concern regarding Turkey’s efforts to
impose preconditions, stressing that: "Normalization of relations
should take place without preconditions." In a clear rebuke to the
"historical commission" long advanced by Turkey, they set forth their
view that: "Any attempt to include a review of historical fact, such
as the Armenian Genocide, or to include the ongoing Nagorno Karabakh
peace process into these negotiations stands in direct opposition to
the intent of these talks."

The leaders of the Armenian Caucus closed their statement by expressing
their hope that, "Turkey, by lifting its illegal bloc kade, will
open the door to normalized relations between Yerevan and Ankara,
and a new era of Armenia-Turkey relations based on truth, justice,
peace and cooperation."

Earlier this week, Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), the lead author
of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, expressed "serious concerns about
some provisions of the protocols," stating that "In particular, I was
deeply disappointed to see that the protocols call for the creation of
an historical commission to review the events of 1915-23. This is a
thoroughly discredited idea; there is no dispute among scholars that
the Armenian people were the subject of genocide during the waning
days of the Ottoman Empire and an historical commission is another
effort to obfuscate the truth."

Rep. Schiff went on to state that "True reconciliation between the
Armenian and Turkish peoples will occur when Turkey acknowledges the
genocide that was committed by the Ottoman Empire against Armenians
from 1915 – 1923."

On Tuesday, the ANCA circulated a memo to Members of Congress,
noting that "among primary concerns is that Armenia, blockaded by
Turkey and under intense economic and diplomatic pressure, was forced
into accepting terms that threaten her interests, rights, safety,
and future – very notably in the form of a proposed ‘historical
commission.’" The memo went on to note that "This provision, a tactic
long pursued by Ankara to cast doubt on the historical record of the
Armenian Genocide, is intended to serve Turkey’s drive to roll back
the growing tide of international recognition of this crime against
humanity. There can be no enduring relationship between Armenia and
Turkey that is not built upon the foundation of Turkey’s acceptance
of a true and just resolution of this crime."

Armenian Americans began expressing their concerns to Members of
Congress through an ANCA WebFax campaign urging lawmakers to call for
an investigation into State Department pressure on Armenia to agree to
the inclusion of a ‘historical commission’ – an affront to descendants
of Armenian Genocide victims and survivors around the world.

DETAILS OF TURKEY, ARMENIA PROTOCOLS

Anadolu Ajansi
Sept 1 2009
Turkey

Ankara, 1 September: Turkey and Armenia agreed on Monday to establish
diplomatic relations and exchange diplomatic missions.

Following Swiss-mediated talks, Turkey and Armenia agreed on the
"Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between The
Republic of Turkey and The Republic of Armenia" which will be signed
after six weeks of consultations.

With the protocol, Turkey and Armenia are confirming the mutual
recognition of the existing border between the two countries as defined
by the relevant treaties of international law, and emphasizing their
decision to open the common border.

The two countries are 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.

Turkey and Armenia have also condemned all forms of terrorism, violence
and extremism irrespective of their cause, pledging to refrain from
encouraging and tolerating such acts and to cooperate in combating
against them.

Full text of the protocol is as follows:

"The Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia,

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
or 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 by the relevant treaties of international law,

Emphasizing their decision 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 in combating 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 in 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 Turkey and the Republic of Armenia
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."

HEAD OF IGDIR TRADE EXCHANGE : ALICAN CHECKPOINT MAY BE REOPENED ONLY AFTER ARMENIANS FREE OCCUPIED AZERBAIJANI LANDS

Today.Az
55260.html
Sept 3 2009
Azerbaijan

"Alican checkpoint on Turkey-Armenia border may be reopened only
after Armenians free occupied Azerbaijani lands," head of Igdir Trade
Exchange Ismayil Aras said.

He said he wants to see economic growth in the region.

"We do not deny that reopening of the borders with Armenia will bring
great profits to the region. But we can not ignore Azerbaijan’s
interests. I read Azerbaijani media and came to a conclusion that
Turkey constantly informs Azerbaijan about the ongoing processes. But
we are concerned with Armenian President Sargsyan’s statements. We
stated several times that economic growth is crucial. But economic
growth should not be achieved at the cost of loss of land. We reiterate
that we are against reopening the border with Armenia unless Nagorno
Karabakh problem is solved," he said.

Ismayil Aras said everybody in the region keeps a close eye on
Turkey-Armenia rapprochement.

"Like Azerbaijan, we can not give up Karabakh either. This conflict
must be solved. We will not protest after all problems are fully solved
and Azerbaijan gives consent. It is obvious that those who pursued
hostile policy gained no profit. People live in poverty in Armenia. We
will continue to keep a close eye on the processes," he said.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN CONGRATULATES KARABAKH PEOPLE ON NAGORNO KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE DAY

ArmInfo
2009-09-02 11:55:00

ArmInfo. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan has congratulated the
Karabakh people on the Nagorno Karabakh Independence Day on September
2, the presidential press-service reported.

In particular, the presidential message says:

"Dear compatriots,

I congratulate us all on the occasion of Nagorno Karabakh Independence
Day.

The last eighteen years reaffirmed the unambiguousness of the historic
decision adopted in 1991. Today, the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh is
an established state with its structures, army and most importantly,
with the citizens who are the masters of their own destiny.

Today, for us and for the international community Artsakh is a
modern republic which embodies the ideals of freedom, sovereignty and
democracy, and which despite all the objective as well as artificially
created hindrances and hardships is progressing, developing its
economy and culture, and defending peace.

The Republic of Armenia and the entire Armenian nation all these
years have been and will continue to be Artsakh’s sturdy supporters. I
assure all the citizens of Artsakh and all Armenians that the peaceful
resolution to the NK conflict will be first and foremost based on
the consent and free will of the people of Artsakh.

Dear people of Artsakh,

We owe this holiday first of all to those who stepped into immortality
putting their lives on the altar of motherland and freedom. Bowing
to their memory, I once again congratulate you with this holiday and
wish you all well being, happiness and valor."

The NKR celebrates the 18th Anniversary of Independence. On September
2 1991 the joint session of Nagorno Karabakh Regional Council and
Shahumyan District Council of People’s Deputies declared the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic within the borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous
Region and Shahmyan Distirct.

RA PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT INTRODUCED ACTIVENESS IN ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROCESS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
02.09.2009 17:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Recent activeness in Armenian-Turkish process
and the Protocols signed between two states resulted from President
Serzh Sargsyan’s speech delivered during the meeting with his Serbian
colleague. Thereafter, Turkish political system started searching for
response to our President’s statement," YSU lecturer, Turkish studies
expert Ruben Melkonyan told today a press conference in Yerevan.

At the current stage, Turkey is attempting to resolve problems it has
been facing for several decades, the speaker finds. Turkey’s ruling
Justice and Development Party is considered a political force which
not only fights for problematic issues but also tries to solve them,
as seen by heated discussions over Kurdish problem and the issue on
opening border with Armenia," Melkonyan stressed, adding that one
of reasons Turkish ruling party signed the document was to save the
country’s image vs. avoiding internal problems.

DAVUTOGLU INFORMED LAVROV AND FASSIER ABOUT ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.09.2009 21:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu briefed
Russian Foreign Minister and OSCE MG Co-Chair Sergey Lavrov about
recent progress in Armenian-Turkish normalization process.

Davutoglu asked Russian diplomat to boost efforts to solve
Azerbaijan-Armenia dispute to restore a comprehensive and permanent
peace and stability in Caucasus. Earlier in the day, Davutoglu also
had a phone conversation with MG French Co-Chair Bernard Fassier and
informed him of the two Protocols concluded between Turkey and Armenia.

ARMENIA AND TURKEY AGREE TO PRESENT TO RESPECTIVE PARLIAMENTS A PLAN TO ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITHIN SIX WEEKS

NowLebanon
Aug 31 2009
Lebanon

Armenia and Turkey have agreed to present to their respective
parliaments a plan to establish diplomatic relations within six weeks,
the two countries’ foreign ministries said on Monday.

The ministries issued a joint statement saying that the two countries
agreed to start "internal political consultations" on two protocols:
one establishing diplomatic relations and the other developing
bilateral ties.

"The political consultations will be completed within six weeks,
following which the two protocols will be signed and submitted to
the respective parliaments for ratification," the statement said.

The Swiss-brokered agreement would provide for the normalization of
ties "within a reasonable timeframe," said the statement.

"The normalization of bilateral relations will contribute to regional
peace and stability," it added.

Armenia and Turkey said in April that they had agreed to a road map
for normalizing diplomatic ties after year of enmity.

Turkey has long refused to establish diplomatic links with Armenia
over Yerevan’s efforts to have World War I-era massacres of Armenians
by Ottoman Turks recognized as genocide — a label Turkey strongly
rejects.

Turkey also closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in solidarity with
ally Azerbaijan over Yerevan’s backing of ethnic Armenian separatists
in the breakaway Nagorny Karabakh region.

Washington has backed the reconciliation effort, with US President
Barack Obama calling for Armenia and Turkey to build on fence-mending
efforts during a visit to Turkey earlier this year.

BAKU’S AUTHORITIES CONCERNED ABOUT DEVELOPING IN-HOUSE PROBLEMS

Panorama.am
14:15 31/08/2009

On 29 August a protest rally, organized by Azerbaijani-Americans
for Democracy (AZAD), was held in front of Azerbaijani Embassy in
Washington, DC, in support of the arrested bloggers Adnan Hajizada
and Emin Milli, foreign media reports.

According to the source representatives from different international
organizations attended the rally having the following slogans uttered:
"Free Azeri Bloggers", "Freedom for Adnan and Emin".

It’s worth mentioning that the rally participants in Washington
announced that the Azerbaijani authorities are not so powerful. They
ensure that all those arrests of bloggers and journalists are the
evidences to the fact that the local authorities are concerned about
the atmosphere of distrust among the local Azeri people and and loss
of international image.

A representative of Reporters Without Borders, Clothilde Le Coz,
attending the rally, has read a statement demanding the immediate
release of Adnan and Emin.

Trend, Azerbaijan
Aug 29 2009

Azerbaijan does not see status of Nagorno-Karabakh outside country’s
territorial integrity: President

Azerbaijan, Baku, August 29 / Trend News /

"All occupied territories will be liberated sequentially, our
compatriots will return to these areas. The entire infrastructure will
be rebuilt there, and in the next stage, the legal status of
Nagorno-Karabakh will be defined. We have always said that
Nagorno-Karabakh, of course, should have the status, but we do not see
this status outside the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the
Azerbaijan state will never agree with it," said the President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, attending an Iftar party on the occasion of
the holy month of Ramadan hosted by Head of the Caucasian Muslims’
Board Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade at his residence on
Friday, AzerTAj state news agency reported.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7
districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed
a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia,
France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

The position of State remains unchanged – this issue can be resolved
only within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, said Ilham
Aliyev.

"People in Nagorno-Karabakh can live with a high status of autonomy
within Azerbaijani state. Today these principles are taken as a
basis. The negotiations are conducted on the basis of these
principles, and any agreement can only be based on these
principles. We have always said and say today that the issue can be
resolved only gradually. Proposals that are now the topic of
negotiations envisage step-by-step solution," said the President.

The progress achieved in the negotiation process is the result of
purposeful policy, Azerbaijani President said. "I can say that our
efforts are already yielding first results in the negotiation
process," said President Ilham Aliyev.