Author: Jidarian Alex

APA, Azerbaijan
Jan 23 2010

Azerbaijani taken hostage by Armenian frontier guards speaks out

[ 23 Jan 2010 23:09 ]

Marneuli. Nizami Mammadzadeh ` APA. Azerbaijani citizen taken hostage
by Armenian frontier guards on Georgia-Armenia border on the night of
January 21-22 released after the Georgian police interference, APA’s
correspondent of Georgia bureau said.

Today, APA’s correspondent of Georgia bureau in Sadakhli met with
Azerbaijani citizen taken hostage by Armenian frontiers and talked
with him about the details of how incident happened.

As V. Naibov, taken hostage said, there have been recently problems
with Armenians on the frontline. Since the front line is close the
residential areas, the cattle or even people often pass the border
accidentally.

Armenian frontiers told that they captured 33-year old Azerbaijani
citizen V.Naibov at a place close to the border line while he was
grazing the cattle.

`It was so cold, that I was shivering. Therefore I began to set up
fire, when I realized that the ships had already passed the border.
While I was trying to make them return, a lieutenant and a soldier
captured me taking to the tent located in the forest, where were a
group of soldiers in military forms. When we arrived there, their head
made call to the military base located near the Jojkan village. Then,
they received the order to keep the ships there, and take me to the
military base. Then I was taken to the military base located 10-12km
away from the Jojkan village. They spoke with me both in Azeri and
Armenian language there. Their Russian was much better. After two days
of keeping me there, the Georgian police intervened in the incident
and they released me at last’.

V.Naibov added that, there were tens of such cases in Sadakhli, Burma,
Tezeknd, Khulderen villages, when the peaceful citizens was taken
hostage and after Georgian interference freed. `And sometimes it
caused even deaths’.

DENIZ BAYKAL: AMERICA WANTED TO GET MY SUPPORT FOR THE PROTOCOLS SIGNED WITH ARMENIA

APA
Jan 22 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. "The high-level U.S. delegation had come to me before
the protocols were signed with Armenia.

They wanted to get my support fort he protocols and said after that
Armenia would gradually approach the West. I told them that they would
not be able to draw away Armenia from Russia, it was and would be
impossible. I mentioned that there were Russian tanks in Armenia. I
advised them to take interest in Azerbaijan in stead of it, because
Azerbaijan is closer to the West and its economy is stronger. The
Americans failed to persuade me, but could persuade the government,"
leader of the Turkish opposition, chairman of the Republic People’s
Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal said in his interview to the Aksam newspaper.

He once underlined that the protocols signed with Armenia were wrong.

"I had known it from the very outset and warned the government. But
they did not listen to me. After the recent step of Armenia the
government calmed down and gained the opportunity to escape. I ask
you: What has this step given to Turkey? Nothing. We hurt Azerbaijan
for nothing," he said.

"TURKISH ARMENIAN PROTOCOLS INVALID": CHAIRMAN OF REPUBLICAN PEOPLE’S PARTY

APA
Jan 21 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku. Ayaz Abdulla – APA. Chairman of opposition Republican People’s
Party Deniz Baykal gave comments on protocol-related decision of
Armenian constitution court, APA reports quoting CNN Turk.

Delivering a speech in the meeting of RPP presidium Deniz Baykal
called the protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia invalid. "A
process of the border opening with Armenia failed, therefore the
signed protocols are invalid", – opposition leader underlined.

D. Baykal also stressed that RPP will not bolster in the Turkish
parliament notwithstanding a decision taken by constitutional court
of Armenia.

"Even if the constitution court of Armenian doesn’t take this decision,
ratification of these protocols won’t pass through Grand National
Assembly of Turkey. Because, it’s apparent that Armenia doesn’t have
any intensions to liberate from occupied lands of Azerbaijan", –
D. Baykal noted.

AHMADINEJAD: INDEPENDENT STATES BENEFIT FROM GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

IRNA
Jan 21, 2010

Tehran, Jan 21, IRNA – Visiting former Armenian president Robert
Kocharian conferred on Thursday with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
on regional and global developments.

At the meeting, the Iranian president said that the current regional
as well as global developments would benefit independent and
justice-seeking nations around the globe.

"Those who have always masterminded plots against us are become very
weak and the powerful states and their justice-seeking nations are
on the right track, determined to broaden level of relations and
cooperation with one another," he said.

Regional countries have enough potential to attain peace, welfare
and tranquility through mutual cooperation, he pointed out.

Existing ties between Iran and Armenia are very friendly, said the
Iranian president adding that the two sides are determined to implement
jointl projects and play an active role in regional developments.

The visiting Armenian former president, for his part, said that his
country is to broaden all out relations with the Islamic Republic
of Iran and underscored that the two sides enjoy ample untapped
capacities to increase current level of mutual and regional relations
and cooperation.

AAE: TURKEY SHOULD RECONSIDER ITS PAST BEFORE BECOMING AN EU MEMBER

armradio.am
20.01.2010 11:55

The Assembly of Armenians of Europe issued the following statement
on the third anniversary of the assassination of Hrant Dink:

"On the occasion of the third anniversary of the assassination of
the Armenian intellectual Hrant Dink committed by Turkish extremists
and the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Assembly of
Armenians of Europe (AAE) expresses its gratitude to the international
public opinion, in particular to the European countries, organizations
and political parties that condoled and supported the Armenian Cause.

The assassination of Hrant Dink, editor-in-chief of the newspaper
"Agos" published in Istanbul, committed by a Turk extremist on January
19, 2007 in front of the editorial office, was not a simple accident.

Hrant Dink was a fervent fighter for human rights and was repeatedly
condemned for having broken the discreditable low No 301 regarding
the "offense to the Turkish nation". This proves that nationalism is
stimulated and encouraged by the Turkish state itself on a daily basis.

Turkey desires to become a European country and a member to the
European Union and continuously promises to undertake positive and
effective measures in order to acquire the European standards and
criteria.

Turkey dares to blame the European Union for being a "Christian Club",
while violent persecutions towards Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks and
other nationalities go on in Turkey itself. Recently the Ecumenical
patriarch declared, that the "Christian minorities are crucified like
Christ in Turkey".

By blaming the European Union for being a "Christian Club", Turkey
tries to overpass the real problem, which is the understanding and the
application of human values, which are universal and do not depend
on any ideology, religion or belief. Otherwise Turkey would never
persecute millions of Kurdish Muslim population and Turkey would not
annul a legal political party with many representatives in the Turkish
Parliament. This comes to prove once more, that the discrimination and
the violation of democratic rights are beyond religions and believes.

It is also worth to mention the strained relations between Turkey and
its neighbours. Turkey does its best to show that it tries to regulate
the relations with the neighbours and settle all the problems, there
seems to be a dead end.

The violations of maritime and aerial frontiers of Greece take place
every day and even during the holidays, the occupation of Cyprus,
continues since 1974, but he most ridiculous behaviour of Turkey
concerns Armenia.

Turkey continuously refuses to recognize the Armenian Genocide, and
more, it breaks the international low by blockading Armenia, which
has no access to the sea. Recently, under international patronage,
Turkey signed an agreement with Armenia, but later on, the president
and the prime minister of Turkey, declared that the ratification of
the said agreement depends on some unexpected preconditions. Such
an unprincipled and irresponsible approach is dangerous not only for
its neighbours or Europe, but also for the Turkish people.

On the occasion of the third anniversary of the assassination of
Hrant Dink, the AAE expresses its condolences to the family of the
victim as well as thanks the persons and organisations in Turkey,
which fight for democracy in their country and condemn the genocide
committed against the Armenians.

The AAE supports all the European organizations and countries, that
maintain that democratization of Turkey is a precondition for its
admittance as a member of EU.

Before becoming a member to the European Union, Turkey should
reconsider its past, and then make practical measures for improving
its system of values."

PIERRE BALIAN FAILS SHORT PROGRAM AT EUROPEAN FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.01.2010 12:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian single skater Pierre Balian failed his
short program at the European Figure Skating Championships going
on in Tallinn, Estonia. Garnering 31,82 points, Balian is the 37th,
one from the bottom.

Russia’s Yevgeny Plyushchenko is leading with 91,30 points.

Pierre Balian, 25, lives and trains in Los Angeles, U.S. He represents
Armenia for the second time, after a vain attempt at Nebelhorn Trophy
in Oberstdorf last year.

THE WAY OF SETTLING THE KARABAKH CONFLICT HAS BEEN SPECIFIED, AND THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLE HAS BEEN LAID DOWN

Interfax
Jan 18 2010
Russia

Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said at the government meeting on Monday.

"I think this formula may be vital for settling the Karabakh conflict.

The problem will be resolved within the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan," Aliyev said.

"The Armenian forces of occupation must be pulled out from all lands,
and our fellow citizens must return there. It is necessary to take
security measures, and the Azeri and Armenian communities of Karabakh
must enjoy a high degree of autonomy within the Azerbaijani state.

That is our position. The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan
recognized by the international community must be restored," the
president said.

AZERBAIJANI MP: RESOLVING NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT IS ONE OF TURKEY’S PRIORITIES

Today
s/59737.html
Jan 19 2010
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with member of Azerbaijani Milli Majlis (parliament)
Fazil Mustafa.

In your opinion, will co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, who are
expected to visit Yerevan and Baku by late January, offer any
innovations in the negotiations on settlement of the Karabakh conflict?

I do not think one should expect any innovations from the OSCE Minsk
Group. As in their previous visits, they will come to Baku to check
whether Azerbaijan has changed its position on the Karabakh issue.

Therefore, this visit of the OSCE Minsk Group will be no more than
the next "walking". The solution of the Karabakh conflict must be
sought in the plane of relations between Moscow, Washington and Ankara.

The media often uses the phrase "clarifying the Madrid principles".

What, in your opinion, does this "clarification" imply?

I think this implies status of Nagorno-Karabakh, a phased withdrawal
from the Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani lands, as well as holding a
referendum on the territory in the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous
Region. Baku holds firm stance on this issues and states that it is
possible to hold referendum only after Azerbaijani refugees return
to Karabakh.

Do you think Turkey will link development of economic relations with
Russia with a resolution of the Karabakh problem in near future?

I do not think we can expect something like that. It is wrong to think
that Ankara will link these two issues. Karabakh conflict is one of
the priorities for Turkey. I think Moscow may change its stance on
political issues once economic ties between Russia and Turkey are
deepened leading to a softening of Russia’s position on this issue.

How do you comment on Russian FM Sergey Lavrov’s statement that
attempts to artificially link normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations with the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are
"incorrect"?

This statement indicates that Russia has not changed position on the
Karabakh conflict. Russia has almost repeated the wording to address
these issues raised by Yerevan. On the other hand, it is wrong to
expect Russia to make any change in position on the Karabakh issue.

Along with this, I hope that PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan was able to
convince Moscow that the development of their bilateral cooperation
depends precisely on these issues.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Emil Kazaz Celebrated at AGBU Reception

On Saturday, November 7, 2009, the Armenian community gathered to attend
a tribute event dedicated to world-renowned sculptor and painter, Emil
Kazaz. The event was held at the AGBU’s Alex Manoogian Center in
Pasadena. The AGBU Kazaz Tribute, along with a three-day exhibition
event that took place from November 6 – 8, was organized by the AGBU
Southern California District Committee. More than 1,500 people attended
the exhibition and the tribute, coming from near and far to view the
artist’s work and meet him.

The AGBU Kazaz Tribute Committee was headed by Haig Messerlian and was
vice-chaired by Ani Aivazian. Other committee members who worked
tirelessly to put the successful tribute together included Ara
Arzumanian, Ara Babayan, Sonia Babayan, Ani Babian, Nairie Balian, Houry
Boghossian, Eada Bourian, Ani Boyadjian, Benjamin Charchian, Vahe
Imasdounian, Maral Ghazarian, Ivan Kesian, Aleen Khanjian, Vartouhy
Kojayan, Yeva Manucharyan, Avedis Markarian, Maral Moukhtarian, Nazareth
Moukhtarian, Silva Nazaretian, Siran Oknayan, Krikor Satamian, Shaghig
Sepetjian, Garine Seuylemezian, Cynthia Simonian, Tamar Sinanian, Maida
Tchaprazian, Shake Toumayan, and Aline Yeterian. Cooperation for the
exhibition was provided by Monet Airian, Director of the Airian Dome of
Fine Art, who represents Emil Kazaz worldwide.

Many distinguished guests attended Saturday evening’s tribute event,
including Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North
America Archbishop Hovnan Derderian; California State Assembly member
Paul Krekorian; nationally known artist, author, educator, and newly
appointed Dean of the Art Department at the University of California
Irvine, Joe Lewis; internationally known art historian and director of
the Arshile Gorky Museum in Etchmiadzin, Shahen Khachatryan, renowned
concert pianist Vatche Mankerian; operatic tenor Bakur Kalantaryan; and
representatives from the Armenian media and leaders of the community.

Committee chairman Haig Messerlian served as the Master of Ceremonies.
In his opening remarks, he emphasized the importance of cultural figures
such as Emil Kazaz, who inspire us by enriching and promoting the
culture of our nation for the entire world. Messerlian stated, "While we
recognize our cultural heroes who are no longer with us, as we should,
we also need to recognize and honor our heroes while they are alive and
actually weaving the thread of our culture, taking it to new heights –
men and women who make our culture a living one, the kind that doesn’t
just rely on the laurels of the past but makes itself grow and
flourish." He continued, "And it doesn’t matter in what style or
language; Aivazovsky painted seascapes, Saroyan expressed himself in
English, Aznavour sings in French, Kazaz sculpts and paints in his own
unique style. What matters are the quality, universality and harmonious
beauty of the words, the music, the shapes and the colors."

The event featured remarks by the special guests. Joe Lewis presented a
brief background of the honored guest and an analogy of his work and
style. Archbishop Derderian offered his remarks, and relayed the
blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians,
inviting the distinguished guest to the podium to receive the highly
coveted St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Medal. Art historian Shahen Khachtryan
also spoke, reflecting on the significance of the evening. "Emil Kazaz
has earned the prestigious Lorenzo Medici Medal in 2003 from the
Florence Biennale and the Grande Lorenzo Il Magnifico (Medici) Prize in
sculpture in 2007. His artistic achievement is a source of national
pride. I am privileged and pleased to join you this evening and express
a heartfelt thanks to AGBU for organizing this wonderful event."

Along with the speeches, the attendees enjoyed musical entertainment by
pianist Vatche Mankerian, who performed several selected musical pieces
by Chaconne, Bach, and Busoni, Operatic tenor Kalantarian, who is
greatly admired by Kazaz, also performed a number of songs. On behalf of
AGBU President Berge Setrakian, Sinan Sinanian, a member of the AGBU
Central Board of Directors, and Berj Shahbazian, Chairman of the AGBU
Southern California District Committee, provided the highlight of the
evening when they presented Kazaz with the AGBU President’s Award,
followed by the SCDC Award, honoring his outstanding talent, lifetime
cultural and artistic achievements and contribution to Armenian and
international culture. The exhibit and tribute successfully reflected
AGBU’s goal of promoting and preserving the Armenian heritage and
culture through the arts.

With chapters in Glendale, Pasadena, Orange County, San Diego and San
Fernando, AGBU SCDC () oversees a host of cultural, youth
and educational programs in Southern California that include the
Generation Next Mentorship Program, the Ardavazt Theater Group,
Sardarabad Dance Ensemble, the Hye Geen movement, Asbeds, Young
Professionals (Orange County & Los Angeles), scouts, athletic teams, and
a local Ladies’ Committee. SCDC carries on AGBU’s mission and maintains
a prominent role in one of the largest and most vibrant Armenian
communities in the world. Southern California is also home to two of
AGBU’s leading day schools, the Manoogian-Demirdjian School (MDS) in
Canoga Park and the AGBU Pasadena High School, which is the first new
day school to have been established in the Armenian diaspora during the
last decade.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians on six continents.

news.az, Azerbaijan
Jan 15 2010

Armenia needs protocols more than Turkey – Azerbaijani analyst
Fri 15 January 2010 | 12:34 GMT Text size:

Fikret Sadikhov Turkish parliament will not pass these protocols as
easily as in Yerevan, said political scientist Fikret Sadikhov.

"The hasty decision by the Armenian Constitutional Court to approve
the Turkish-Armenian protocols signed in Zurich proved the Armenians’
intention to open borders with Turkey. However, these protocols are
not so vital for Turkey. Turkey is able to live and develop without
the ratification of the protocols,’ political scientist Fikret
Sadikhov said at a meeting of political scientists in the Novosti
international press centre on Friday.

`The fact that Serzh Sargsyan got the decision of the Constitutional
Court despite the unwillingness of part of the political establishment
of Armenia and the diaspora shows the difficult condition of Armenia’s
economic and foreign policy which Sargsyan hopes to improve through
improving ties with Turkey. Meanwhile, these protocols are merely
rhetoric for Azerbaijan as they do not reflect Azerbaijan and its
problems,’ he said.

According to Sadikhov, the Turkish parliament will not pass these
protocols easily. `The pro-Azerbaijani positions are strong in the
Turkish parliament, two Turkish parties represented in parliament
speak in support of Azerbaijan’s position on the Karabakh issue and I
do hope that the Turkish parliament will not ratify the protocols
until Armenia withdraws from the occupied Azerbaijani lands,’ he said.

He thinks that if the Turks yield to external pressure and ratify the
Zurich protocols, this will affect Azerbaijani interests as it will
hamper the peaceful withdrawal of Armenia’s occupying troops from
Karabakh.

Novosti Azerbaijan