Author: Jagharian Tania

INTELLECTUAL AND CULTURAL SETBACK IN AZERBAIJAN

NEWS.am
12:03 / 08/11/2009

Azerbaijani website 1news.az raised a concern with intellectual level
of modern Azerbaijani society. The author of article under "Classics
should be read (now and then)…" head, published August 11, states:
"Under Soviet regime Azeris were not the most literate nation of
all Soviet republics. Only Muscovites and intellectuals in regions
were those being in fond of reading and constantly enriching their
library…"

"Under various reasons, like instability in the first years
of Azerbaijan independence, Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict,
Nagorno-Karabakh military conflict, the majority of reading people
left Baku. Due to social-economic problems and shifting priorities,
book is no more a thoughtful gift, as well as library is not host’s
pride," the author asserts, acknowledging that Armenians and Russians
being the intellectual and cultural backbone of Azerbaijani SSR left
Baku and regions under the mentioned circumstances.

The author recalls that within last 70 years Azerbaijani alphabet has
been changed thrice which also impacted the reading circles. "By no
means all could easily adapt to new alphabet and deprive themselves
of a pleasure to read modern literature published in the country,"
the author concludes.

I concur wholeheartedly with the author on uneasy lot of the
nation that lacks alphabetic script due to historical and cultural
setback. However one can argue for the advantages and disadvantages
of the modern Azerbaijani publications – propagandist and agitation
literature, as well as some ‘historical’ piece of writing that are
fully donated by Mehriban Aliyeva’s foundation. Should one read this
stuff? It’s a rhetorical question…

"Another reason for decreasing number of readers after independence is
definitely the advocated switch of political benchmarks. The result –
everything from Turkey is considered right and proper in Azerbaijan,"
the text reads "Russian-speaking mass was replaced by Turkish-speaking
passion". And here the information of Turkish Radical daily (referring
to Independent Trade Union of educators data) is right to the point,
stating that average Turk reads one book in 10-year period. Conclusions
on the prospects of Azerbaijani intellectual growth reading this
statistics inevitably come to mind.

ERGENEKON SUSPECTS ATTEMPT TO HIDE EVIDENCE FROM PROSECUTORS

Today’s Zaman
12 August 2009, Wednesday

An army officer arrested as part of the investigation into Ergenekon,
a clandestine gang charged with many crimes including plotting to
overthrow the government, smuggled dozens of documents that could
be incriminating evidence outside his office days before he was
apprehended, the prosecution has claimed based on phone conversations
monitored by the police.

The prosecution now says a senior lieutenant, Muhammed Sarýkaya,
for whom a search and arrest warrant was issued by a court on Jan. 6,
organized an operation to wipe out all evidence the investigators might
find in his room located inside the Guvercinlik Gendarmerie Rangers
Private Safety Operations Battalion Command facilities in Ankara. On
Jan. 7, the police arrived at the premises with a search warrant
issued by a court; however, the officers and the accompanying public
prosecutor were kept waiting at the gate by the guards for a long time.

Transcripts of phone conversations between the guards at the gate
and Sarýkaya show that the officials immediately called the senior
lieutenant, asking him to destroy military paperwork and other
classified documents immediately, starting with any files that might
be on his laptop.

The first phone call made to Sarýkaya on that day is, however, not
from the guards, but from another senior lieutenant, Noyan Pamukcu,
who told him that a search warrant had been issued in his name and
that he should meet with him immediately. This was at a time when
Sarýkaya was waiting for a medical report required for him to be
assigned to a post abroad.

In a phone conversation that begins at 10:56 a.m. on Jan. 7, Pamukcu
said: "Brother, rush to the guesthouse as fast as you can. I can’t
tell you now, this is more important than the report. I will send
you a message. Leave the report alone, and get here as fast as you
can. I’ll see you outside."

At 10:58, Pamukcu sent a message to Sarýkaya in which he said: "A
judge has ordered a search of your room. Is there anything on your
laptop? This is serious. Don’t use your phone. Call me at 050054347xx
using someone else’s phone."

At 11:08, another warning came from another friend, Ramazan Bulut,
who called Sarýkaya and suggested he destroy every document on his
laptop, or any other illegal or classified document, and leave the
laptop in someone else’s car if need be. Bulut said: "Don’t ask me
what’s going on, OK? Go to your room, and things like your laptop or
military publications or banned publications, go there, get those
out and come back to the battalion. Get your laptop out, leave it
in someone else’s car and then get here as fast as you can. I’ll see
you when you get here."

Bulut is also the officer who met the public prosecutor who arrived
at the military facility to search Sarýkaya’s room.

Police records show that Sarýkaya, who was supposed to be at a
hospital, was in his room during the search and that no documents
had been seized by the police on his laptop or in his room during
the search.

Public prosecutor Mehmet Murat Yonder on Feb. 23, started a probe into
Sarýkaya, Bulut and Pamukcu on charges of "destroying, obstructing
or hiding evidence of a crime." Yonder later ruled the investigation
outside his jurisdiction and referred the case to military prosecutors.

Sarýkaya was arrested on Jan. 10 as part of the Ergenekon
investigation. Bulut and Pamukcu continue to serve in their previous
positions.

Allegations against Sarýkaya Sarýkaya is accused in the third
Ergenekon indictment of being the leader of death squads formed by the
organization to assassinate important minority group leaders and other
public figures, including the head of the Alevi-Bektaþi Federation,
Ali Balkýz, and the spiritual leader of Turkey’s Armenian community,
Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan.

In a document titled "The Intimidation Plan" found in the home of
Ergenekon suspect Ýbrahim Þahin, who is accused of establishing
death squads for Ergenekon using the military’s resources, Sarýkaya
is listed as the leader of cell number four.

AMNESTY RELEASED 301 PRISONERS IN ARMENIA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
11.08.2009 20:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 301 prisoners were released from the penal
institutions of Armenia on the basis of the amnesty declared by the
RA NA as of August 11, 2009, press service of the RA Ministry of
Justice reports.

The largest number of prisoners, 63 people, released from the Erebuni
penal institution, while the lowest, 1 convict from Yerevan Kentron. 8
women and 3 juveniles are among the total number of amnestied.

CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA REGISTERS NEW BRANCH OF UNIBANK

ARKA
Aug 7, 2009

YEREVAN, August 7, /ARKA/ . The Central Bank of Armenia has registered
a new branch of Unibank. The new ‘Zvartnots’ branch will be carrying
out limited financial operations, the Central Bank press service
told ARKA.

It said the decision to register the branch was made by Central
Bank chairman Arthur Javadian on August 5, 2009. The branch will be
operating at Armenia’ Zvartnots international airport.

Unibank ZAO was founded in 2001. Fifty percent of its shares are
owned by Uniastrum Asset Management company and the other half is
held by resident company Evainvest.

According to ARKA preliminary data, Unibank’s assets as of June 31,
2009 stood at 76.2 bln AMD, liabilities at 64.9 bln AMD, its aggregate
capital totaled 11.3 bln AMD and its net profits for Jan.-June amounted
to 297.2 million AMD. The bank runs 30 branches. ($1- 369.9 AMD).

WHY ARTSAKH MATTERS TO THE WEST AND RUSSIA
By David Boyajian

Armeniapedia
/550
Aug 7, 2009

On April 12th 2009 Tigran, a reader of Keghart, in a comment entitled
"In Vain…" stated, "We have to accept the unfortunate fact that
Armenia doesn’t have the same resources nor the same importance
as its two neighbours do. We are a landlocked country, surrounded
by two vicious and criminal nations who are being backed by similar
countries… Until a miracle happens and our chances and luck improve,
the only thing we should be doing is trying to survive the situation
and make our fight only for the acceptance of the Genocide and nothing
else for the moment. Hopefully, their turn will come and they will
be begging for our help against the Turks!"

David Boyajian, in response, had the following to say, "Dear Tigran:
Sadly, like too many Armenians, you do not seem to understand that
Armenia (and Artsakh) are tremendously important to the West due to the
fact that, aside from Georgia, which is unstable and under pressure,
it is the only way into and out of the Caucasus that avoids Russia
and Iran. The West knows this very well. Armenia is in a unique and
very powerful position. Russia must also know that without Armenia,
its entire southern tier, from the Caucasus to Central Asia, will
fall to NATO, and Russia will be ripe for the picking.

Please read this article, "Why Artsakh M atters to the West and
Russia".

Since the Russian-Georgian war (2008), the announcement of "the
Roadmap" (April 2009) and the Madrid Principles (July 2009) some
geopolitical considerations have changed, but David Boyajian’s
principal arguments about the importance of Armenia and Artsakh for
the West and Russia remain valid.

The article penned by him, originally published in Armenia Life USA
on 8th June 2007, and later reproduced in Armeniapedia is brought to
the attention of the readers.

A surprising number of people seem to believe that the West couldn’t
care less whether the longstanding Artsakh (Karabagh) conflict
is solved.

That notion may stem partly from the West’s habit of playing down
legitimate Armenian concerns and boosting the interests of Azerbaijan
and Turkey. Sadly, some Armenians who should know better seem to have
bought into the lie.

The fact is that the US and NATO attach great importance to an Artsakh
peace accord. By the same token, Russia – though it won’t say so
publicly – apparently does not presently favor such an agreement.

What would be the results of an Artsakh accord?

The West’s Dream

The border between Armenia and Azerbaijan would certainly open. Various
kinds of trade would follow.

Turkey might also open its border with Armenia. That is uncertain,
however, because Turkey could insist on additional conditions, such
as Armenia’s dr opping the genocide issue.

Yet even if Turkey’s border with Armenia were to remain shut, there
is always Turkey’s 6-mile border with Azerbaijan’s Nakhichevan enclave.

That by itself would connect Azerbaijan proper to Turkey, via
Azerbaijan’s open border with southern Armenia [see the author’s
"Meghri: The Pan-Turkish Superhighway and Other Wrong Turns" on
Armeniapedia.org].

One way or the other, an Artsakh peace could fulfill the West’s dream:
a route from Azerbaijan and the oil and gas rich Caspian Sea region,
through Armenia and Turkey, to Europe.

The West desires an Armenian route because currently the sole way
into and out of Azerbaijan runs through Georgia, which continues to
be under heavy economic, political, and even military pressure by
Russia. Alternative routes through Russia or Iran are, of course,
unacceptable to Washington.

Were Moscow to actually succeed in shutting off Georgia from the West
– a possibility, though it would spark a major confrontation with
Washington – Armenia would become the only path into the Caucasus. But,
again, a prerequisite for all this is a solution to Artsakh.

For many of the same reasons, Russia does not presently want an
Artsakh pact.

Russia’s Nightmare

The Kremlin, of course, regards the Caucasus as being within its
traditional sphere of influence. It wants near exclusive control over
Caspian resources.

Therefore, Russia does not wish Armenia to become, like Georgia,
yet another route for oil and gas pipelines from the Caspian to Turkey.

How do we know that Russia is satisfied with the status quo in Artsakh?

Because for the past decade or more, Moscow has evidently applied
no pressure on Yerevan or Baku to come to an agreement. Moreover,
we have never heard Moscow ask Ankara to open the border with Armenia.

No, the very thought of NATO’s using Armenia to penetrate the Caucasus
gives the Kremlin nightmares. The longer the Artsakh conflict remains
frozen, the sounder Russian leaders sleep.

Hidden Reasons

You may wonder why, if it’s trying to penetrate the Caucasus,
Washington has applied little, if any, pressure on Turkey to open
its border with Armenia. A likely reason is that Washington feels
that the closed border exerts pressure on Yerevan to first sign an
agreement with Baku. Washington won’t come right out and say that
because it would cause a furor in the US Congress and Yerevan.

An additional reason Washington wants an Artsakh peace agreement is
that a renewal of war would endanger the outflow of Azeri oil and
gas to the West.

For the very same reason, a war might actually please Moscow.

To believe that Armenia and Artsakh, even in view of all their
problems, are unimportant to the world’s major powers is to sell
ourselves short and to misunderstand the political dynamics of
the region.

Armenia is still the most stable country in the Caucasus. The US
has not built a huge embassy in Armenia for nothing. Russia does not
regard Armenia as a strategic ally for no reason.

The real challenge is to understand and leverage Armenia and Artsakh’s
importance.

THE NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS IS LIKE A GAME

Azadliq
July 29 2009
Azerbaijan

Given this, it would not be right to expect anything new for the
resolution of the Karabakh conflict in the near future

Zafar Quliyev: `Let us wait to see which leading force wins and so
it will step up its influence to impact the resolution of the conflict’

[translated from Azeri}

Frederick Starr, the director of the John Hopkins University Central
Asia and Caucasus Institute, has come up with noteworthy remarks
on the Karabakh conflict. According to a Turan news agency report,
he said that the process of the Karabakh settlement within the
framework of the OSCE Minsk Group is inefficient and ignominious,
stressing the importance of rejecting it to replace with a new format.

Starr said that a lot of moves had recently taken place around
the Karabakh conflict, nevertheless, there is much smoke than
flame. Commenting on the current state of affairs, he said: "There have
been many statements and meetings. We, of course, welcome substantial
statements, but it would be very good if they were backed by deeds."

The expert also recalled the Russian incursion into Georgia a year
ago: "It is unclear what Russia wants: to resolve the conflict or
preserve everything as they are. Apparently, Russia simply wants to
create an illusion that it allegedly is active in the negotiations,
that it takes certain steps but actually they are all tricks."

Russia wants the conflict to continue. Europe and the USA have to
realize once and for all that in the Nagornyy Karabakh problem, Russia
like a year ago in Georgia, "is a direct player in the conflict".

Commenting on these remarks, political expert Zafar Quliyev stressed
that it contained nothing new: "His remarks almost contain nothing
new. Similar opinions have been voiced repeatedly.

Our domestic experts have repeatedly expressed their discontent with
the activities of the [OSCE] Minsk Group, demanding that its format
be altered. The Minsk Group has fully turned into a non-constructive
organization. That is to say, it is idle. At the same time, similar
opinions were aired with regard to Russia. From time to time,
international experts also commented on the issue.

The political expert believes that it is interesting that the remarks
are being aired now. Now on the one hand, in the negotiations process
we are observing intensification. Over the last half a year, the
presidents have met five times. The OSCE Minsk Group often holds
meetings to preserve optimism. They also express an opinion that
serious progress is possible in the negotiations process by the end of
the year. The Madrid principles have actually been made public. They
stress similarity in positions and new steps made by the presidents.

Nevertheless, at this point when the negotiations are intensive,
US Vice-President Joe Biden’s severe criticism of Russia, as well
as the criticism of the OSCE Minsk Group by the US expert and at the
same time, airing discontent with Russia’s position cause interest.

This manifests that actually, the leading states at the geopolitical
level, first of all, the USA and Russia, are in a confrontation
over several issues as well as on the settlement of the Karabakh
issue. Although, several days ago, in the run-up to the summit of
the G8, the leaders of mediating countries issued a joint statement
on Karabakh.

This statement led to an illusion that these countries allegedly
share common views and they have reached an agreement.. By issuing
the joint statement, they actually tried to speed up the negotiations
process. This statement seemed strengthening optimism. However,
the unsuccessful Moscow talks at the next stage and opinions being
aired at present show those positions of Russia and the USA are still
clashing. They are not allies but rivals in the South Caucasus.

This rivalry still manifests itself with regard to the resolution of
the Karabakh issue and it is possible that it would be the case from
now on. Moscow views the resolution of the Karabakh issue differently,
it wants first of all retain its initiative and act as an initiator
both in the region and in the resolution of the Karabakh conflict. At
the same time, after the Georgian events, the USA has been doing its
utmost to lessen Russia’s influence in the South Caucasus and step
up its role in the existing conflict.

Given this condition, the format of the Minsk Group could not be
successful since interests and positions of the mediating countries
are clashing.

As a result of this, no serious progress is being made in the
negotiations process. The negotiations process resembles a game. Given
this situation, it would be wrong to expect anything in the resolution
of the Karabakh conflict. Either radical changes should be made to
the format and the activities of the Minsk Group or we have to wait
for the end of the geopolitical struggle in the South Caucasus. We
should wait and see which leading force will win and consequently,
step up its influence in the resolution of the conflict."

TAMARA FRUIT’ ARMENIAN COMPANY TO INCREASE EXPORT VOLUMES UP TO $4 MLN BY 2012

ArmInfo
2009-08-06 13:49:00

ArmInfo. ‘Tamara Fruit’ Armenian company is going to increase export
volumes up to $4 mln by 2012, Director General of the company Boris
Hovannisyan told journalists today. To recall, on 12 February 2009
‘Tamara Fruit’ got 300 mln (about $1 mln) drams government grant to
fulfill the programme on creation of the organic berry gardens at the
territory 60 ha. The company has already imported 70 thsd young plants
from the Netherlands. At present 66 mln drams have been already spent
to fulfill the programme.

Hovannisyan said that the farms selected within the frames of the
programme will get young plants free of charge in an exchange of
obligation to sell their harvest only to ‘Tamara Fruit’ for 5 years
with the market prices. At present the programme is being implemented
in Kotayk, Aragatsotn, Tavush and Vayots Dzor regions of Armenia. The
programme will be finished in 2012.

Within the frames of the programme the company is going to increase
the volume berries export up to 500-800 tonnes per year. To recall,
besides the government grant for the organic gardening programme, in
February 2009 the government allocated $3,4 mln budgetary guarantee
to buy organic primary products from Armenian farmers.

‘Tamara Fruit’ company was founded in 2002. About 70% of its production
are exported to Russia and Europe.

ARMENIAN FM: NOVRUZ MAMEDOV’S LATEST SLIPS OF THE TONGUE SHOW HIS UNAWARENESS

ArmInfo
2009-08-06 14:08:00

ArmInfo. Novruz Mamedov’s latest slips of the tongue show his
unawareness and wishful thinking, which have been repeatedly mentioned
also by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs said Tigran Balayan, Head of
the Armenian Foreign Ministry Press-Service Department for Media,
when commenting on the statement by Novruz Mamedov, Head of the
Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Department for International
Relations, that Armenia is allegedly pressured to make concessions
in the negotiations for settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

"US Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza has recently said
that Mamedov had never been present at the meetings of Armenian and
Azerbaijani president and cannot judge their content and the sense
of the negotiation process", Tigran Balayan said.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT CONDUCTS CONSTRUCTIVE POLICY IN KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT ISSUE, HOVHANNES MARGARIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Aug 3, 2009

YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, NOYAN TAPAN. In the Karabakh conflict settlement
issue, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan is conducting a constructive
policy, which is in line with the principles of Orinats Yerkir Party
(OYP), the member of the RA Mational Assembly OYP faction Hovhannes
Margarian said at the August 3 press conference.

In his opinion, the Armenian president will not take any anti-Armenian
steps in the Karabakh problem’s resolution. According to H. Margarian,
OYP attaches importance to 3 major principles regarding the Karabakh
problem: the self-determination of Nagorno Karabakh, a direct land
connection with Armenia, and the security guarantees by international
structures. "The Armenian president is consistent in all these
principles, and we defend and accept his policy," H. Margarian
declared.

As regards possible mutual concessions, he found it difficult to make
comments as it is not clear what will be conceded in return for what
concessions. "It is difficult for me to say what should be conceded,
but I am convinced that whatever decision Armenian president takes,
it will proceed from the interests of the peoples of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic and Armenia," H. Margarian said. He added that Serzh
Sargsyan is doing everything to find such a solution to the Karabakh
problem which would be in favor and to the benefit of the nation.

Speaking about the process of normalizing the Armenian-Turkish
relations, H. Margarian said the Armenian president has clearly stated
in case of what conditions he will leave for Turkey so it remains to
wait for Turkey’s return step.

Interfax, Russia
July 31 2009

YEREVAN HAS DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO NORMALIZE RELATIONS

Armenia has done its best to normalize Armenian-Turkish relations,
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said while meeting with the
participants of the program Come Home on the coat of Lake Sevan on
Thursday, Armenian media reported.

"Over the course of one year we conducted negotiations with Turkey,
which had a normal atmosphere. We reached an agreement on two
documents, but after that some Turkish officials tried to offer
preconditions to us and tie Armenian-Turkish relations to the Karabakh
conflict and Armenian- Azeri relations. Any preconditions are
unacceptable to Armenia," Sargsyan said.

"Turkey has to understand that we cannot talk about preconditions in
the 21st century. Any precondition, any tough approach leads to
resistance," said Sargsyan.

"We realize that Turkey is a large and powerful state. We know very
well the role of Turkey in our region and the whole world, but the
Turks should accept that fact that we are Armenians and that we are an
independent state," Sargsyan said.

According to Turkish media reports, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu said before leaving for Lebanon on Thursday that Turkey had
no preconditions for Armenia, but had one demand: "respect
international law and free the occupied Azeri land."

"Turkey has manifested and continues to manifest good will aimed at
improving the relations with its neighbors, including Armenia. But
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s statements cause our regret and do
not contribute to the normalization of relations. We have no
preconditions for Armenia, but we have one demand: respect
international law and free the occupied Azeri land. We believe that
President Sargsyan has chosen the wrong path," Davutoglu said.