Author: Jagharian Tania

Yeni Musavat, Azerbaijan
July 29 2009

Kurdification of Azerbaijan a dangerous plan

Ethnic Kurdish officials in the authorities are planting mines for the
future of our country

by Tofiq Ahmadli

As time goes Kurds enjoying quite strong support in Azerbaijan feel
themselves more comfortably here. This even has reached a point that
an ethnic Kurdish crime boss visits Baku freely to attend a wedding
party here. As we already reported, several days ago, ethnic Kurdish
crime boss Zahir Kalashov, alias Sakro, attended the wedding party in
Baku. Invited especially to the event at Ay Isigi restaurant in Baku,
Sakro and some of his next of kin left Baku immediately after the
wedding. A highly reliable source has told us this news.

The source said that Sakro was invited to the wedding especially by an
ethnic Kurd represented in the leadership of the country. Sakro is
close to Ded Khasan who is known as a godfather in the criminal
underworld.

The source said that both Sakro and Ded Khasan are in close relations
with Gen Baylar Eyyubov, the head of the presidential security. And
bearing in mind that Ay Isigi is owned by the Eyyubovs, one can assume
that the crime boss was invited by this circle. Over the recent years,
Kurds have been moving to Baku intensively. A considerable number of
Kurdish families from Turkey, Iraq and Iran have settled here since
2005.

We need to highlight that Azerbaijan is in no way against the
principles of internationalism. Our country has been a place for
various ethnic groups Lezgins, Talis, Avars, Inqiloy, including Kurds
and representatives of other ethnic groups for many years and they
live here without problems, enjoying equality. The issue in question
is about the purposeful settlement of Kurds, in particular, of tribes
connected to the PKK [the Kurdish People’s Party] directly or
indirectly. This is a policy designed for the future.

Actually, observations enable us to say that Kurdification of
Azerbaijan is not a new plan but a process being implemented for a
long time. True, after reports carried by Yeni Musavat newspaper about
the settlement of Kurds in different districts, the law-enforcement
agencies of the country did carried out some activities to this
end. Settlers were quickly sent out. Nevertheless, the process is so
intensive that interference of the police and other structures do not
bring to fruition each time.

In our previous issues, we reported about the settlement of Kurds in
Goycay District. Observations and researches by our correspondent
discovered that a new settlement is under construction for Kurds in
the district. This is not the first such a case. Over the recent
years, there have been reports and information in the media outlets
about camps constructed for Kurds in the capital and in several
districts of the country. We have to acknowledge that Yeni Musavat
paper is very sensitive about this topic.

The settlement of Kurds in Azerbaijan has intensified since 2007. Over
this period, with close support of a Kurdish group in the authorities,
a considerable number of Kurdish families have been settled in Goygol,
Samux, Samkir, Goranboy, Naftalan districts. Our correspondents have
repeatedly prepared reports about areas they were settled and closed
camps they are kept. Yeni Musavat is not against any people or ethnic
groups to live in Azerbaijan. Our point is different when we highlight
this issue. The issue in question is about the settlement of tribes
who are close or sympathize with the PKK, along borders of our
country. In several dozens of years, like our ungrateful neighbours,
no-one can guarantee that newcomer Kurds would not have territorial
claims on our lands.

It is an open secret which major countries are behind the political
Kurdism, how and on which conditions Kurds are being organized. Given
this, the settlement of immigrants in our fatherland can be considered
a mine planted against Azerbaijan’s future. Although plans of the
political Kurdism ideologists come across resistance in Turkey, Iraq,
Iran, they are provided with fertile conditions in Azerbaijan.

They even are so confident and self-reliant that ethnic Kurdish crime
boss visits the wedding in Baku and no-one troubles him… In former
times, tsarist Russia settled ethnic groups to various territories of
Azerbaijan. It also arranged massive settlement of Armenians from
across different areas in mountainous part of Karabakh and inflated
their numbers artificially. At the next stage, by means of the settled
Armenians, they kicked off territorial claims to us. In the conflict
under way for 100 years, Azerbaijan has suffered immensely. Following
the artificial conflict between us and Armenians, we have lost a lot
of lands. Tens of thousands of Azerbaijani Turks have been killed. Our
development has been hindered. Russia has been still taking advantage
of this conflict. In their turn, Armenians have ambitions to create a
second Armenian state in Karabakh.

A similar scenario is now being implemented under a Kurdish plan. We
are about to face a Kurdish problem without resolving the Armenian
problem. Actually, this also runs against the interest of the Kurdish
people. Therefore, it is necessary to beat the drum together and
uninterruptedly. Otherwise, both the Azerbaijani Turks and Azerbaijani
Kurds would be driven into trouble.

[translated from Azeri]

FARE INCREASES FOR THOSE TRAVELLING FROM GYUMRI TO YEREVAN

/
2009/07/31 | 16:04

Marzes

Travelers from Gyumri to Yerevan were shocked to learn today that
the one-way fare for minivans had gone up to 1,500 AMD from 1,200.

The route is serviced by "Transakntart" which is owned by National
Assembly Deputy Martun Grigoryan, who also chairs the Prosperous
Armenia Party branch in Shirak Marz. "Tigran Ltd." is also a part
owner of the transport fleet.

According to the owners, constant price increases in fuel, tires and
auto parts lead to the fare hike. They also claimed that a drop in
ridership also contributed to the 300 dram increase.

According to the 2009 job tender submitted by the firms, they agreed
to transport passengers at a rate of 1,500 AMD. The offer was accepted
by state tender committee.

July 31, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AND
CONSECRATE ICONS AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA

On Sunday, August 9th, 2009, the eve of the Fast of Assumption, H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy
and deliver the sermon at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena.
During Divine Liturgy, the Prelate will also consecrate church
icons.
Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by parish pastor Rev. Fr. Khoren
Babochian.

APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE
"HARUT BARSAMIAN DISABLED ARMENIAN STUDENTS SCHOLARSHIP FUND"

His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and the
Executive Council of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
America hereby announce that they will begin accepting applications for the
"Harut Barsamian Disabled Armenian Students Scholarship Fund" for the
2009-2010 academic year.
The Fund has been established by Prof. Harut Barsamian to assist
physically disabled students of Armenian decent in obtaining higher
education at any accredited college or university in the United States. The
application for the scholarship should include:

– A short biography of the applicant
– A medical certificate regarding the physical condition of the applicant
– A certificate from the college or university about the status of the
applicant as a student.

The Scholarship Fund may provide up to $3,000 for each academic year.

Applications must be submitted by Monday, August 31, 2009, to the
following address:

Harut Barsamian Disabled Armenian Students Scholarship Fund
C/O Western Prelacy
6252 Honolulu Ave., La Crescenta, CA 91214

PRELATE CELEBRATES DIVINE LITURGY AT THE CRESCENTA VALLEY CHURCH ON THE
FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARISH

On the afternoon of Sunday, July 26th, 2009, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Armenian
Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley on the fourth anniversary of the
establishment of the parish. The Prelate was assisted at the altar by
parish pastor Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian.
The Prelate’s sermon centered on the parable of the Good Shepherd
which shows how our Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ, came into this world to
die for the sins of His lost people in order that they might be saved, and
that He will seek us when we stray from Him.
The Prelate also commended the parish pastor, delegates, Board of
Trustees, Ladies Auxiliary, and deacons and altar servers for their
commitment to the growth of the parish over the past four years and
expressed his wish that the parish have its own church in the near future.
A reception in the adjoining hall followed after services.

PRELACY YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN UPLIFTING ACYA "SPIRITUAL GROWTH" SUMMER
CONFERENCE

The Armenian Church Youth Association, under the auspices of H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, held its first ever summer
conference at the Western Prelacy during the weekend of July 24th, 2009.
With the guidance of Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, and dedicated
members of the ACYA executive committee, over sixty young Armenians
assembled at the Prelacy "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall to
participate in the conference which was entitled, "Spiritual Growth".
The event brought young, faithful Armenians from the local churches
of the Western Prelacy together with several delegates from the Eastern
Prelacy for a weekend of prayer services, enlightening lectures, Bible
studies, roundtable discussions, Q&A sessions, fellowship, testimonies, and
a half-day tour of the San Juan Capistrano mission.
The conference began on Friday morning with a prayer service led by
the Prelate, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Very Rev. Fr. Vaghinag Meloian,
Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, and two deacons. The youth participated in
the service, which was conducted in both Armenian and English. The service
was followed by a brief Bible study by Deacon Shant Kazanjian, one of the
delegates from the East Coast. The seminar officially began with opening
remarks by the Prelate. The Prelate conveyed his blessings and encouraged
the youth and young adults alike to continue to grow spiritually by
increasing their knowledge of the word of God, decreasing sin in their daily
lives, increasing their trust in God, and increasing practice of Christ-like
quality. The conference continued with Fr. Vaghinag’s presentation on God’s
love of the Armenians and the Armenian’s love of God. He thereafter took
questions from the attendees relating to the Armenian Christian’s dedication
and devotion to the church in the 21st century. In the afternoon, Fr. Muron
presented a brief-yet-thorough history of the Armenian Church. His
presentation was followed by a round-table debate which focused on issues
that the youth face in their daily lives. The nighttime portion of the
event included an evening prayer service, which was highlighted with a group
reading of "I Confess in Faith" by St. Nerses the Graceful. The night
concluded with a showing of a Biblical film entitled "The Climb".
Day two of the conference began with a morning prayer service
conducted by Father Muron, Father Barthev and deacons, and was followed by a
Bible study presented by Shant Manjikian, a Hollywood ACYA member. The
conference continued with a lecture by Father Barthev regarding the seven
mortal sins and the seven virtues. Thereafter, members participated with the
reading of scriptures, discussions, and a question-and answer session with
Fr. Barthev. In the latter portion of the day, ten members had the
opportunity to present testimonies discussing miracles that touched their
lives. On Saturday night, the Western Prelacy held a dinner & dance event
for all conference attendees. Additionally, members of the ACYA’s
"Lousavorich" choir were invited as guests to celebrate their recent
concert. More than 80 attendees enjoyed a night of great food and
international music.
On the third and final day of the conference, the youth enjoyed a
trip to the San Juan Capistrano Mission. Prior to departure, all the
attendees received a book entitled "The Armenian Church’s Responses to
Non-Orthodox objections," a gift from the Prelate.
The conference uplifted the spirits of all the participants, with
all looking forward to similar events in the future.

TURKISH GOVERNMENT REACTS TO ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT

APA
July 30 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. "We are firm in the normalization of Turkey-Armenia
relations. But we want the international community, especially Armenia
to demonstrate the same firmness in terms of Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict," Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said at the joint
press conference with Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sven
Alkalaj in Ankara, APA reports quoting Anadolu agency.

With this Turkish Minister reiterated Ankara’s stipulation that the
borders with Armenia will not open, unless Nagorno Karabakh conflict
is solved. Ahmet Davutoglu said the process of normalization should be
based on strong will and parties should have open, frank discussions
on all issues.

"We believe that there will be large-scale normalization in the region
soon," he said.

On July 28, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said he will visit
Turkey only after the borders are opened, or on the eve of opening.

TATEVIK HOVANESIAN TO GIVE CONCERT IN LA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
29.07.2009 12:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR)
recently received the enthusiastic support of Boston’s Armenian
community through two highly anticipated events: the "Jazz for Life"
benefit concert and the 69th Grand Convocation of the Daughters
of Vartan.

Headlined by world-renowned singer Tatevik Hovanesian, "Jazz for Life"
was held on June 27 at the Armenian Cultural Foundation center in
Arlington, drawing hundreds of jazz aficionados and supporters. The
concert, organized and sponsored by the Amaras Art Alliance of
Watertown and the Armenian Cultural Foundation (ACF) of Arlington,
benefited the ABMDR’s current and forthcoming projects.

Throughout the "Jazz for Life" concert, Tatevik dazzled her
fans with her signature jazz stylings, including innovative
renditions of classics by Komitas and Sayat Nova, as well as beloved
performances of her own original songs, often spiced with exuberant
improvisations. Tatevik, who had traveled from New York to appear at
the concert, was accompanied by her trio, comprising Bob Albanese,
David Meade, and Joe Fitzgerald, Asbarez.com reported.

Tatevik Hovanesian was born in Yerevan. Starting to sing jazz at
the age of 11 in the orchestra of radio and television, she became
a soloist of Orbelian’s Orchestra at 17. She was named "Ella from
Yerevan", and kept earning the title of the Best female jazz singer of
the USSR year after year. For 10-12 years singer Tatevik Hovanesian was
unmatched in the USSR. She has lived in the United States since 1985.

RA PRESIDENT ATTENDS NEW ZVARTNOTS TERMINAL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
24.07.2009 20:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan attended
International Airport Zvartnots today to see the new terminal under
construction.

The terminal will be put into operation in 2011 and allow serving 3
million passengers.

SENIOR RULING PARTY MP SAYS KARABAKH STATUS REMAINS A PRIORITY
Tigran Avetisian

Armenialiberty.org
http://www.azatutyun .am/content/article/1784917.html
July 24 2009

Armenia – Galust Sahakian, head of the Republican Party’s parliamentary
faction

A senior member of Armenia’s ruling party has insisted that the status
of Nagorno-Karabakh remains the core issue for the Armenian side in its
continuing negotiations with Azerbaijan over the disputed territory.

Galust Sahakian, head of the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK)
parliamentary faction, said at a press conference on Friday that
"the status of Nagorno-Karabakh was a priority for Armenia in the
past and remains such in the present."

"We insist that Nagorno-Karabakh can never be part of Azerbaijan,"
he added.

Sahakian said a solution to the long-running dispute might not be
necessarily anywhere near in sight despite the recent publication of a
set of basic principles of its settlement by the leaders of the nations
leading international peace brokering efforts on Nagorno-Karabakh.

The senior HHK member argued that the purpose of the publication was to
make discussions "more open", which he described as "a positive step."

The presidents of the United States, Russia and France that co-chair
the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE), issued a joint statement on July 10 outlining six basic
principles of the Madrid Document that the international mediators
submitted to the negotiating parties back in November 2007.

The published principles, in particular, concern the withdrawal
of ethnic Armenian troops from the territories surrounding
Nagorno-Karabakh and their return to Azerbaijani control, as well as
"an interim status" for the disputed territory pending "a future
determination of the legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh through a
legally binding expression of will."

Other principles also include guarantees for the territory’s
security and self-governance in the transition period backed up with
a corridor linking Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh and international
security guarantees, including a peacekeeping operation, as well as
"the right of all internally displaced persons and refugees to return
to their former places of residence."

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs said earlier this week they will hold a
working session at the end of this month "to prepare an updated version
of the Madrid Document in accordance with the ‘L’Aquila Declaration’
of the United States, Russian and French presidents

The statement made by the three leaders on the sidelines of the G8
Summit in the Italian town came amid growing international hopes for
the resolution of the "few remaining differences" between Armenia
and Azerbaijan before they could finalize their agreement on the
Basic Principles.

However, the talks between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan
in Russian capital Moscow late last week failed to produce an
immediate result. Still, they were hailed as mainly productive by
the international negotiators, who hope to set up the next meeting
of the presidents in September.

The HHK’s Sahakian told the media that the Madrid principles are
acceptable for the Armenian side "only as a basis for negotiations."

Sahakian called media attention to what he described as "the positive
component" in the published principles.

"Though not in a legally binding document, but for the first time
it has been stated that ultimately solutions to the Karabakh issue
will be found internationally within the framework of the right of
nations to self-determination."

Sahakian insisted that discussions about any territorial concessions
can be held only after an agreement around the main issue,
i.e. Nagorno-Karabakh’s status.

The HHK parliamentary leader also warned against undue speculation
in the process.

"If we begin now to discuss what we are giving and what we are taking,
we will distort the main point," he said.

GUINEA-BISSAU NATIVE RUNS FOR OFFICE IN RUSSIA
By Anna Smolchenko

Agence France Presse
July 22 2009
France

MOSCOW — For Joaquim Crima, the stark divisions that frequently define
politics in Russia may not be as black and white as most believe.

The 37-year-old native of Guinea-Bissau, shrugging off deep-seated
prejudice in a society where the rare sight of a black man turns
heads, says he will run for public office in the small central Russian
village where he lives.

And in the process, Crima, who has acquired Russian citizenship,
will put his adopted country’s claims to being a modern, colour-blind
democracy to the kind of test that it is, well, just not too accustomed
to facing.

"I have a chance to change some things for the better and I have an
obligation to do so," he said, pointing to the dire state of roads
and drinking water in the village of Srednyaya Akhtuba where he lives.

"If this is a democracy, then why should I withdraw?" Crima asked,
talking to AFP in a telephone interview.

"Let the people decide!"

Those people are already getting an eyeful of the choice they could
face when they go to the polls on October 11 to elect a new chief
for a district in the Volgograd region.

A billboard shows a white-shirted, necktie-sporting Crima — he
has adopted the Russian name Vasily Ivanovich — standing beside
a winding river, the words "Vasily Crima — New District Chief"
emblazoned across the side and bottom.

Local election officials however say Crima, who hails from the city
of Bolama in the former Portuguese colony, faces an uphill battle
just to be taken seriously in Russia.

"There is an impression that he is laughing at himself, saying ‘I am
a Russian Obama’," Viktor Sapozhnikov, chief of the district election
commission, said.

If he goes through with his plan to run for office, said Sapozhnikov,
voters would cast ballots for him either "for the sake of a joke"
or as an act of protest against Russia’s moribund political life.

Crima, who speaks calmly and intelligently, is reluctant to compare
himself too closely to Barack Obama, the first black US president and
one with roots in Africa, but he says there are relevant parallels
in their situations.

"This process has already started," he says, referring specifically
to the ascendency of black politicians in societies long governed by
white men.

"Sooner or later Russia will be ready."

Crima, who lives with his Armenian wife and their nine-year-old son,
first came to Russia in the waning days of the Soviet Union, studying
to become a teacher at a university in Volgograd.

He speaks Russian with an easy fluency, but despite his educated
background currently earns a living selling watermelons grown and
supplied by his father-in-law.

Though there are several Russians of African origin who are well known
in contemporary and historical Russia — Russia’s most beloved poet,
Alexander Pushkin, had African ancestry — few, if any, have been
elected to any office.

Despite the political odds, and the ever-present threat of
racially-motivated violence directed against him, Crima says he is
not intimidated.

The populist tabloid Tvoi Den, one of the few newspapers to write about
Crima’s political plans, quoted him as saying with intentional irony
that he "will slave like a negro" for the benefit of his constituents
if elected.

Crima told AFP he was not uncomfortable using this racial stereotype.

"If Russians are accustomed to calling dark-skinned people ‘negroes’
then so be it. I am not in the least bit offended because you have
to be proud of who you are."

Registration for candidates in the Srednyaya Akhtuba district election
begins Saturday.

KARABAKH NEGOTIATORS TO DISCUSS "UPDATED" MADRID PRINCIPLES IN KRAKOW

Liberty
ticle/1783098.html
July 22 2009
Armenia

The Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will hold a working session at the end of
July in Krakow, Poland, to prepare an updated version of the Madrid
Document in accordance with the ‘L’Aquila Declaration’ of the U.S.,
Russian and French presidents

In a statement published on the OSCE website, the Co-Chairs said
that the discussions between the Armenian and Azerbaijani president
in Moscow on July 17-18 on issues related to the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were held "in a frank and constructive
atmosphere"

They said this "allowed the sides to discuss at length and in detail
proposed formulations to overcome their remaining differences on the
few elements of the Basic Principles that have yet to be conceptually
agreed."

The Co-Chairs also say in the statement that they intend to visit the
region in September "to assess the possibilities for a subsequent
meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents either at
the end of September or the beginning of October."

ARMENIA HAS FAILED TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN TERRITORIAL CLAIMS OR PEACE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SINCE END OF LAST CENTURY: U.S. EXPERT

Today.Az
/53887.html
July 17 2009
Azerbaijan

U.S. political expert and senior research fellow at the Jamestown
Foundation Vladimir Sokor spoke in an exclusive interview with Day.Az.

Day.Az: Many accepted the recent visit by U.S. President Barack Obama
to Russia and agreements reached as a starting point of improving
relations between Moscow and Washington which is also expected to
have a good impact on joint solution of the problem. To what degree
the nature of the U.S-Russia relations, key mediators in the OSCE
Minsk Group, will impact resolution of the Karabakh problem?

Vladimir Sokor: I think that the solution does not depend or depends
to a small extent on the relationship between the United States and
Russia. No matter how these relations are developed, the settlement
of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict must be reached on the spot, that
is not between Washington and Moscow but between the parties to the
negotiation process. So, I think, the bilateral relations between the
U.S. and Russia almost had no influence on multilateral negotiation
process on Karabakh.

Q: Can the Karabakh problem be solved by military ways?

A: I think is it early to talk about it. President Ilham Aliyev
has repeatedly said that Azerbaijan, as a sovereign nation, retains
the right to use military means and methods to solve the conflict,
that is to restore its territorial integrity. Azerbaijan has the
right to do so, but only when all political and diplomatic means are
exhausted. Search for these methods is continuing with the active
support of Azerbaijan.

Q: Meanwhile, Armenia continues to be worse off: it has remained
aloof from all regional projects and economic crisis is deepening
in the country. Can Armenians go to the solution of the conflict
sacrificing territorial claims in exchange for real prospects for
the normalization of life and economic growth?

A: This is a very complex issue that has been discussed at least
over the last 10 years. Even in 1997, 12 years ago, then President
of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan begun a public discussion on this
topic. According to his argument, Armenia should make this choice
between territorial ambitions, keeping of other people’s land, that
is the territory of Azerbaijan or normal development in economic and
social terms. Ter-Petrosyan said that Armenia should choose the second
option. And so he was overthrown. In 1999 the then Prime Minister of
Armenia Vazgen Sarkisian seemed to have come to the same conclusion
like Ter-Petrosyan. He wanted to begin a policy of rapprochement and
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This means the return
of five to six regions to Azerbaijan in the first phase. Vazgen
Sarkisyan was killed in the Parliament. This conspiracy has not yet
been disclosed.

So the debate continues over the years. Armenia is still faces the
same dilemma – the normal socio-economic development and the ambitions
of territorial expansion.