Author: Jagharian Tania

PanARMENIAN.Net

Dick Cheney confirmed U.S. readiness to promote Turkish-Armenian
reconciliation
19.10.2007 15:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Currently in the United States on a formal visit,
Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan met yesterday with
U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney, the RA government’s press office
said.

Noting the high level of the Armenia-U.S. relations, PM Sargsyan
reiterated Armenia’s aspiration to deepen them.

`The Armenian authorities are determined to build a modern and
democratic state,’ he said.

The parties also referred to political processes in Middle East,
Karabakh settlement and Armenia-Turkey relations. Briefing on
Armenia’s position on the issues, PM Sargsyan said, `With the Armenian
Genocide recognition issue on the agenda, Yerevan is ready to
normalize relations with Turkey without preconditions. As to the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Armenia upholds a peaceful resolution via
compromise.’ He voiced hope that the talks in the framework of the
OSCE Minsk Group will produce effect.

For his part, Mr Cheney confirmed U.S. readiness to promote
Turkish-Armenian reconciliation and the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement.

He also praised the Armenian community of the U.S.

MOTTAKI, ARMENIAN MINISTER DISCUSS ISSUES OF MUTUAL INTEREST

IRNA, Iran
Oct 17 2007

Visiting Armenian Energy Minister and the Armenian head of joint
cooperation commission Armen Movsisyan discussed issues of mutual
interest with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki here Wednesday.

According to the Foreign Ministry Media Department report, in the
meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral ties and cooperation in the
fields of energy, banking, trade, consular affairs, security issues,
railroad transportation and joint projects.

Mottaki said, "Ties between the two countries in all fields are
developing and called for prompt implementation of joint projects."

Movsisyan, by referring to the both countries intention for expansion
of ties, said, "The prospect of bilateral relations is very promising
and constructive."

AN INCONVENIENT HISTORY

Student Newspaper, Scotland, UK
Oct 19 2007

Between 1915 and 1923, an estimated two million Armenians were killed
or deported from the Ottoman Empire. These figures are not a point
of contention, but whether these killings constituted genocide has
been fiercely debated ever since. Turkey has steadfastly denied every
attempt to categorise the incidents as genocide and has imprisoned
multiple Turkish journalists and historians for ‘insulting Turkishness’
by suggesting that it was indeed genocide. The latest volley in
the war of words came Thursday 11 October, when the United States’
House Committee on Foreign Affairs passed a resolution terming the
killings genocide by a 27-21 vote. This clears the way for the measure
to be debated in the House of Representatives, where it is expected to
enjoy considerable support. This comes despite the fact that President
Bush and other administration figures lobbied intensely against the
measure’s passage.

Turkey responded swiftly, recalling its ambassador to the United States
for consultation and warning that the consequences "won’t be pleasant"
if the measure passes. The timing could not be much worse for the
Bush Administration, as Turkey was already fuming about cross-border
raids launched against Turkish soldiers by Kurdish rebels who have
found shelter in Northern Iraq.

Surprisingly, the measure did not pass based on the usual
Washington partisan politics, as both Democrats and Republicans
split on the resolution. This reflects the bigger issue that this
resolution brings up: which are more important, moral principles or
strategic realities? There is no doubt in my mind that the death of
approximately 1.5 million Armenians was a targeted, premeditated,
government-sponsored genocide.

Yet there is also little doubt that this non-binding resolution
could result in drastic political fallout and an extremely pissed off
Turkey – the only Islamic country part of NATO and probably America’s
strongest Islamic ally. If Turkey responds as harshly as some expect,
the consequences for US troops in Iraq could be severe, as Turkish
bases and airports are essential for keeping US forces in the Middle
East supplied. Since the French National Assembly passed a similar
resolution condemning the genocide last year, no French airplanes
have been allowed to pass through Turkish airspace. Should American
politicians really choose a symbolic rejection of mass murder and
ethnic cleansing over America’s political and strategic interests?

Passions run deep in Turkey over this issue, and even many
intellectuals are not at all prepared to have an open discussion
about the long-ago event. A friend of mine studied in Turkey for
a semester last year and he was amazed at the level of sensitivity
to this matter. He had frank and engrossing discussions with Turkish
professors and students about a multitude of issues – American-Muslim
relations, the ban on head scarves, Islamic fundamentalism, Kurdish
separatists, Jewish-Muslim relations – but he said that even the most
open-minded Turk suddenly closed down and stuck to the party line
when he brought up the subject of the Armenian genocide. He quickly
learned not to discuss the events of 1915-1923.

This automatic rejection by the Turks of the label of genocide is
precisely why I think the measure is a courageous act. Because
principles really are important, and all too often the current
US administration has placed strategic reality (or overoptimistic
delusions) over principles. When Bush claims to want to democratise the
Middle East yet supports dictatorships in Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia
and Jordan, it makes him, and unfortunately America as a whole, look
like a megalomaniacal fool. It is about time that American politicians
were willing to stand up and make principles something important again.

Even more than an encouraging sign for America, I believe that
this could have important positive ramifications for Turkey. Turkey
aspires to become part of the European Union and by extension, what
some call the ‘Western World.’ Well, one sign of a strong, ‘Western’
country is its ability to face unpleasant truths about itself.

Whether it is America facing up to the unforgivable treatment of
Japanese-Americans during World War II or Britain coming to terms
with its colonial history, mature and vibrant democracies can survive
criticism and critique. If Turkey wants to become part of the EU club,
it surely has some soul-searching to do.

read comments at
venient-history/

"ARMENIAN RAILROADS": ITS FURTHER FATE
Vasak Tarposhyan

Hayots Ashkharh Daily, Armenia
Oct 17 2007

The pre-qualification stage of the bid announced for handing the
"Armenian Railroads" to accredited governance came to a close.

For implementing the governance of the Armenian rail network, two
companies have submitted a claim; they are "The Russian Railroads"
and "RITES", an Indian company. At the second stage of the bid the
profitableness of the proposals submitted by each of the parties will
be determined. And this will serve as a basis for announcing the
name of the company taking over the leadership of the railroad. It
is planned to end the process in January next year.

Handing the railroad to accredited governance for a period of about 30
years, the Government is first of all anticipating a solution to the
problem of attracting investments and refreshing the system. Perhaps
it is with this purpose that making a $ 170 investment is one of
the main requirements proposed to the participants of the bid. This
is the sum that is required for providing a continuous railroad
operation. Otherwise, the railroad will encounter serious difficulties
in a short while.

With the purpose of increasing the effectiveness of the operation of
"Armenian Railroads", a great number of constructive changes were made
during the recent years. However, the railroad never gained anything
from that. Considering that factor, the Government decided, after a
long search, to hand it to concessionary governance which is actually
an alternative opportunity for involving investments in the system.

Although, during the recent years the "Armenian Railroads" worked
with gains, those sums are not enough to save the railroads by way
of returning the money to the system in the form of investments. By
making annual investments in the amount of a couple of million Dollars,
it is impossible to repair a system that requires means, exceeding
the above-mentioned number 100 times.

Obviously, if the things go on like that, the railroad will, in a
short while, come face-to-face with a serious fact. Especially in a
situation when all the operation time-limits are coming to a close.

The accidents which occurred one after another several months ago
can be an evidence for this, as they were chiefly caused by the
depreciated system.

The rolling stock of the railroad has a 25-30 years’ history, which
means that the railroad may totally become deprived of carriages in
case of not receiving a relevant replenishment.

Fortunately, several electric trains were purchased from Russia this
year. And what’s more, in 1980 the "Armenian Railroads" acquired new
locomotives for the last time.

Technically, both the railway and the railroad bridge are in an
extremely hard condition. Even though separate railroad sections
and bridges underwent repairs at the expense of different financial
means during the past years, this cannot be considered a solution
to the problem. There are bridges that were built around a hundred
years ago and today, in the estimation of specialists, they are not
merely in bad, but in extremely bad conditions.

Perhaps, everything produces an influence both on the speed of the
railway and the efficiency of its operation. That’s why using this
particular service has become inappropriate both in terms of its high
prices and its low speed.

It is not difficult in such conditions to imagine what would happen
if the railroads providing a communication between Armenia and
abroad opened today. And that this will sooner or later happen,
there is no doubt about it. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare
for such developments in advance, not to become faced with serious
facts tomorrow.

WORK CONDUCTED IN DIRECTION OF CREATING COMMON EDUCATIONAL FIELD IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Oct 17 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues concerning reforms being
made in the higher educational institutional system of Armenia
within the framework of the Bologna process were discussed during
the working consultation held by Robert Kocharian, the President of
the Republic of Armenia, on October 17, which was attended by Levon
Mkrtchian, the RA Minister of Education and Science, and the rectors
of the state higher educational institutions. The President mentioned
that fundamental reforms in the sphere of economy have already been
implemented, which cannot be said about the spheres of education and
culture, where there is still a lot to be done.

Levon Mkrtchian touched upon the work being implemented in the
direction of creating a common educational field and the three
main problems, at the solution of which the reforms are directed:
investment of credit system, three-degree educational system, and
formation of quality estimation system.

The rectors of higher educational institutions presented the existing
problems and tasks, as well as the work done in that direction.

Robert Kocharian attached importance to the fact that all the higher
educational institutions implement reforms proportionately, otherwise,
in his words, if some of them advance and some leg behind, the process
cannot have desirable results.

According to the information provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA
President’s Press Office, the problem concerning the fact that
graduates of higher educational institutions should be provided
with jobs was also spoken about during the meeting. In this respect
importance was attached to the conformity of HEI professions with
the demands of the labour market.

ARMENIA WAITING FOR TURKEY’S REPLY

ArmInfo
2007-10-16 21:45:00

The Turkish side has not yet replied to the Armenian side’s request
on the detention of Armenian citizens in Turkey.

As ArmInfo correspondent was informed at the Armenian Foreign Ministry,
the Armenian side is waiting for official Ankara’s reply. To recall,
according to foreign mass media, over 100 citizens of Armenia are
arrested in Turkey.

The official version of the arrest is violation of the visa regime.

Spokesman of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Karapetyan has
recently said that the Armenian side has applied to the Turkish
Embassy in Tbilisi on this matter.

Press and Information Department
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Armenia
Tel. + 37410 544041. ext. 202
Fax. + 37410 565601
e-mail: [email protected]
web:

STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. VARTAN OSKANIAN
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF ARMENIA
AT THE 34TH SESSION OF THE UNESCO GENERAL CONFERENCE
17 October 2007

Mr. President,

UNESCO provides the platform where humanity’s global challenges are
addressed among equals, placing responsibility on each of us to pursue
international cooperation in this organization’s fields of competence –
education, science, culture and communication and information. These are the
areas of human knowledge which are essential for deep and successful
globalization, fair and equitable globalization, will lead to sustainable
development and poverty eradication. Our hope, of course, is that this is
the path to prosperity and peace.

That is why we have welcomed UNESCO’s intention to expand its activities in
Armenia. Armenia’s high economic growth and positive macroeconomic state
have led to the alleviation of some of the more obvious social and economic
ills. I have repeatedly said that our second generation reforms will be the
more difficult, the more challenging to adopt and implement and this
category includes the essential but difficult reforms in education and
science, culture and communication.

In a country with a proud and ancient record of education and science, we
are deep in the throes of reforms. With the Bologna measures as guide, our
students are prepared to undergo yet another period of transition – this
time to ease their entry into the international educational arena.

The science community too is undergoing restructuring to facilitate their
integration into international scientific cooperation programs. The vibrancy
and competitiveness of these fields are essential for their own sake, as
well as for economic and social advancement.

But dear colleagues, UNESCO’s calling card is its commitment to the World’s
Cultural Heritage – the concept and the content. Armenia attaches great
importance to the organization’s efforts to develop legal instruments aimed
at the protection of the cultural heritage of humanity.

We are diplomats immersed in the world of culture, education and science.
Diplomats and people of the arts and culture are both the beneficiaries of
dialogue, and perhaps because of that, we feel compelled to continually
search for non-traditional ways to approach the overarching issue of our
time: living at peace in a pluralist world. Diplomats and cultural workers,
like the societies which we represent, live in neighborhoods that are not
going to change, with memories that are not going to go away, and with
experiences that are irreversible. Therefore, we look for ways to break the
barriers of the past because we remain convinced that between cultures and
countries, there must be dialogue and understanding.

Mr. President,

As a people, serving as the perennial buffer between empires, on the most
trampled path on earth, Armenians have become living witnesses of the
benefit of dialogue between and within cultures. We have been engaged in
that international exchange for ages. Today, we in Armenia are among its
greatest promoters, especially in our neighborhood.

Today, Armenia is a cosponsor of the Draft Resolution on "Proclamation of an
international year for bringing cultures together" that will hopefully be
adopted by the current session of the General Conference.

The UNESCO focus on "Demonstrating the importance of exchange and dialogue
among cultures to social cohesion and reconciliation to develop a culture of
peace" and "Sustainably protecting and enhancing cultural heritage" is
welcome. But this sounds hollow if we only do so when it’s easy to do. When
it’s easy, cultural heritage is protected and exchange and dialogue do take
place on their own. When it is hard, undesirable and hopeless, that is when
UNESCO, its instruments, its clout, its ability and willingness to speak in
the name of all mankind, that is when UNESCO is needed.

Mr. President,

Armenia appreciates and respects the historical-cultural heritage of
national minorities, which are within its territory. The destruction of
timeless monuments in the Soviet period – monuments belonging to all
religions, not just our ancient Christian churches and monasteries, but also
mosques — cannot be undone. We can only take pride in what we have and
protect and preserve them. In fact, the Cemetery of Riataza, belonging to
Armenia’s Yezidi non-Christian minority, Armenian sites on the Great Silk
Road and Yerevan’s exquisite, recently restored Blue Mosque are on the
waiting list for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In our region, borders have changed frequently and peoples have moved and
been moved repeatedly. Armenia’s ancient civilization has established
settlements, left behind traces of living communities — fountains and
bridges, churches and massive religious and artistic sculptures. The fate of
those monuments is important for their own sake, for the sake of artists and
historians, but even more so, for the sake of a world that must remember its
history, must remember the legacy of peoples who have come and gone.

Our interest therefore in the world’s cultural heritage is not just
philosophical. It is very much personal. Our history is indeed intertwined
with the history of our neighbors, with their history. We are dismayed at
attempts to ignore this history. We are appalled at attempts to undo this
history.

We are not the only ones who have said from this podium that the destruction
of a people’s patrimony is tantamount to destroying their memory, their
history, their identity. Unfortunately, we have neighbors who have built
today’s identity on a less than real history. And we see the trauma and
instability that results.

Once again, we urge UNESCO to send monitors to our region, specifically to
Nakhijevan, to see and appropriately judge the intentional destruction in
areas far removed from war and confrontation.

Mr. President,
Prosperity and peace, that is that goal of all UN agencies. In UNESCO, we
have a better chance of achieving our objectives because our fields of
interest are those that cross borders and frontiers naturally, across
differences and distances and across histories and memories.
Thank you.

TURKISH PM SLATES ARMENIAN RESOLUTION

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
Oct 16 2007

The vote by the US House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee
has scared Turkish-US ties, Erdogan said.

ANKARA – Turkey’s Prime Minister on Tuesday slammed the passing of
a resolution by the US House of Representatives Foreign Relations
Committee acknowledging claims that the Ottoman Empire had committed
an act of genocide against its Armenian citizens during World War One.

Addressing a meeting of parliamentary deputies of his ruling Justice
and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara Tuesday, Prime Minister Recep
Tyaaip Erdogan said the recent developments in the US has stretched
Turkey’s patience beyond breaking point.

"The recent developments at the House of Representatives in regard
to the incidents of 1915 have left a deep mark on the memories
of the Turkish nation," he said. "No one has the right to judge
Turkey’s history without any document or evidence in hand. Such a
judgment implies execution without trial. Of course, in practice,
such decisions have no value. We know who we are and have confidence
in our history. No one should expect Turkey to bow its head to
historical lies."

Erdogan said that Turkey had been forced to develop new ways with
dealing with countries, such as France and now the US, that had
adopted resolutions in favour of Armenian allegations.

GENOCIDE: AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
By Gary Kamiya

Salon
Oct 16 2007

The Armenian genocide bill has been attacked by both the right and
the left — and it may make matters worse. But it’s necessary.

President Bush urges Congress to reject a bill on Armenian genocide
Oct. 10, 2007.

It was the first holocaust, one of the worst crimes of the 20th
century. In 1915, during World War I, the ruling political party
under the Ottoman regime ordered the extermination of its Armenian
subjects. At least 800,000 and as many as 1.5 million men, women and
children were murdered or died of disease, starvation and exposure.

The details of the genocide, as laid out in books like Robert Fisk’s
"The Great War for Civilization" and Peter Balakian’s "The Burning
Tigris," are harrowing. Lines of men, women and children were roped
together by the edge of a river, so that shooting the first person
caused all the rest to drown. Women were routinely raped, killed
and genitally mutilated. Some were crucified. Children were taken on
boats into rivers and thrown off.

The genocide was not carried out by the Republic of Turkey, which
did not exist yet, but by the ruling party in the final years of the
collapsing Ottoman regime. To this day the Turkish government has never
acknowledged that what transpired was a monstrous and intentional
crime against humanity. Instead, it claims that the Armenians were
simply unfortunate victims of a chaotic civil war, that only 300,000
to 600,000 died, that Turks actually died in greater numbers, and
that the Armenians brought their fate on themselves by collaborating
with the Russians.

7/10/16/armenian_genocide/index_np.html

NAGORNO-KARABAKH PRESIDENT: ARMY’S PROBLEMS IN FOCUS OF LEADERSHIP’S ATTENTION¢¢

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Oct 16 2007

The army¢s problems will always be in the focus of the leadership’s
attention, NKR President Bako Sahakian stated in the course of a
solemn ceremony of handing the keys from new flats to 11 families of
NKR Defense Army¢s officers, IA REGNUM reports.

Congratulating the officers¢families, Karabakh President stated the
construction of housing for servicemen would be continued.

To note, NKR PM Ara Harutyunian, Defense Minister Movses Hakopian and
other officials, as well as the representatives of public participated
in the ceremony.

–Boundary_(ID_pCS2xtRD2qjhW/RSouK03w)- –