Author: Kajoyan Gevork

A SUGGESTION FOR SECRETARY CLINTON
Tereza Yerimyan

asbarez
July 29, 2011

UCLA Class of 2012
ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship – 2011

Summer seems to be the prime time for all sorts of conferences
here in Washington, DC. Foreign policy conferences, trade group
conferences, and who can forget the ANCA’s Armenian Cause 2.0. So
when ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian called me into
her office one Thursday afternoon and asked if I wanted to go to the
U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s (USGLC) conference on U.S. foreign
aid policy, I jumped at the chance.

Let me start off with a bit about the USGLC. It is a broad-based
influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs, national security and
foreign policy experts, businesses, faith-based, academic and community
leaders from the 50 states who “support a smart power approach of
elevating diplomacy and development alongside defense in order to build
a better, safer world.” The USGLC works in Washington, DC and across
the country to educate and garner support from the American public
and policymakers on the importance of America’s civilian-led tools
of diplomacy and development. The ANCA is a member of this coalition
and works with it to influence the expansion of U.S.-Armenia trade
and U.S. foreign aid to Armenia and Karabakh.

The USGLC featured guest speakers including Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton, World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick, MSNBC Chief White
House Correspondent Chuck Todd, a number of U.S. senators and former
U.S. ambassadors, and other guests. The conference was the perfect
place to explore opportunities to expand U.S.-Armenia economic
relations.

At 8 am, I walked into the lobby of the Grand Hyatt and all I could
see were officials speaking with each other – all kinds of business
leaders, consultants, government officials and more. Seemed like
most everyone knew one another or knew of each other. I walked
around the table expo in the lobby and started introducing myself
to representatives from the Millennium Challenge Co., USAID, OPIC,
and CARE, among others.

Then we all headed to the ballroom to hear the remarks of the day. I
searched for the nearest table to the podium and found one that was
not reserved. Our table was the very definition of diverse – a former
U.S. Ambassador to Peru, members of the Food for Hunger organization,
an associate from Boeing, and the Director of CARANA (a consulting
firm). The next table over was reserved for the National Security
Council, the President’s principal forum for considering national
security and foreign policy matters. Booz Allen, Tetra Tech. Inc.,
and Deloitte were among the other reserved tables lined up near me.

Secretary Clinton’s opening remarks were powerful and persuasive. She
implored Congress to pass two foreign aid bills that would amount
to 1% of the total U.S. budget. The ANCA has been working with House
and Senate Appropriators on Armenian American aid priorities during
my time here in DC – although our community was advocating for more
than the Obama Administration was requesting from Congress.

Secretary Clinton emphasized the importance of trade and foreign
investment. “We promote trade to open new markets and create more
jobs at home,” she explained. She advocated bilateral trade agreements
that would “put trade deals to work on behalf of the American people.”

All sound advice – which got me thinking. If bilateral trade is such
a priority – why not extend that concept to expand U.S.-Armenia trade?

The ANCA has been advocating for this for years now, in the form of
a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with Armenia. The
agreement would help foster economic growth in both the United
States and Armenia, strengthening ties between our two governments
and further reinforcing the bonds between the American and Armenian
peoples. The American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia has come out in
support of the initiative and so has Dr. Varos Simonyan, the head of
the Armenian Ministry of Economy’s European Union and International
Economic Affairs Department.

The U.S. government has negotiated TIFAs with over 50 other countries
and regional economic groups, including Georgia and Ukraine. A TIFA
agreement would provide a broader, ongoing, and more consistent
platform for our government to meet and consult with Armenian
government officials regarding expanding our economic cooperation and
exploring opportunities for trade and investment. Secretary Clinton
cautioned that “economic competitors are signing bilateral trade
deal,” with countries that are strategic for our national security
and economic interests. She argued for more creative exports.

Madam Secretary, a TIFA with Armenia fits right into your vision for
a stronger, mutually beneficial economic relationship. Let’s explore
creative ways to expand bilateral trade between Armenia and the U.S.

At the same time, let’s consider establishing a double-taxation
treaty which will allow U.S. businesses in Armenia to operate without
the pressures of an outdated Soviet era tax treaty. If you are
serious about expanding trade opportunities, Armenian and American
businesses are ready to take you up on your offer – starting with
the establishment of a TIFA.

PRESIDENT OF POLAND BELIEVES ASSISTANCE TO ARMENIA IN EUROPEAN INTEGRATION IS IMPORTANT

AZG
30-07-2011

Armenia-Poland Update: 2011-07-30 00:18:47 (GMT +04:00)

A farewell ceremony for the President of the Republic of Poland
Bronislaw Komorowski took place at the Presidential Palace on July 29.

Before the ceremony, the two Presidents discussed the outcomes of
their meetings and discussions.

“I would like to express my gratitude for the visit to Armenia. I
believe assistance to Armenia in European integration is important
and makes sense. We can also build close Armenian-Polish relations,
as there is a potential,” Komorowski noted.

President Sargsyan noted the two peoples have been on close terms for
centuries and Armenians are always happy to welcome the president of
a friendly country. According to Sargsyan, our country really seeks
to be like the EU member states and the support of a friendly country
is of great importance.

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER: DEFENCE MINISTRY ACTS NO SO WELL

arminfo
July 29, 2011

The investigation of the criminal cases on murder of servicemen almost
always comes to deadlock, and many of them have not been detected yet,
chairman of Helsinki Committee of Armenia Avetik Ishkhanyan said at
today’s press-conference.

“Every time investigation of circumstances of the death servicemen
has been developing in an endless circle. All the evidences either
disappear or are deleted. Parents and relations of the victims are
not allowed to get acquainted with the cases and forensic enquiries”,
he said.

For his part, chairman of the Vanadzor office of Helsinki Committee
Artur Sakunts said that Defence Ministry is responsible for the death
of every soldier and is obliged not only to protect but also guarantee
his unharmed service.

“Defence Ministry acts not so well, more truly, it does not act at
all. They do not investigate military crimes, moreover, they cover
culprits, which have authority in the army”, – Sakunts said.

The also said that from 1 January to 25 July of the current year
17 cases of death of servicemen were registered in the army: 7 as
a result of cease-fire regime breaking, 3 suicides, 1 – breaking of
security and 2 – as a result of breaking of the statutory relations.

Turkish military command resigns amid controversy

10:47 – 30.07.11

Turkey’s entire top military command resigned Friday in a row with the
government over generals jailed for an alleged coup plot, AFP
reported.

Chief-of-staff General Isik Kosaner stepped down after several
meetings with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in recent days ahead
of an early August meeting of the army’s high command which decides on
promotions for senior officers.

Media reports blamed tensions between the military and Erdogan over
army demands for the promotion of dozens of officers being held on
suspicion of involvement in an alleged anti-government plot.

As well as Kosaner, the commanders of the army, air force and navy
also quit, NTV and CNN-Turk reported – a first for Turkey.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said that the
United States had confidence in Turkey and declined comment on the
military resignations.

“We have confidence in the strength of Turkey’s institutions, both
democratic and military. It’s an internal matter,” Toner told
reporters.

“We view Turkey as a stalwart ally within Nato, and we have a strong
security cooperation with them,” he said.

Kosaner was appointed to his post for a three-year term last year,
while the other three commanders were due to have retired next month.

Forty-two generals and dozens of officers are in jail in a probe of
alleged plots to unseat the government led by the Justice and
Development Party (AKP), the moderate offshoot of a banned Islamist
movement.

Several of those held are retired, but senior officers in the army
have been trying to get some of the serving officers promoted despite
their incarceration.

The government insists the group be forced to retire.

The most senior of the jailed group is four-star General Bilgin
Balanli, head of Turkey’s military academies, who had been in line to
become air force commander this year. He was detained in May.

Tert.am

news.az, Azerbaijan
July 30 2011

Fear obvious in Sargsyan’s actions and statements
Sat 30 July 2011 04:07 GMT | 0:07 Local Time

News.Az interviews political scientist Tofig Abbasov.

As has been reported, while answering to participants of the fifth
competition in Armenian language, literature and Armenian studies held
in Armenian Tsakhkadzor, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan openly
boasted about the results of aggression against Azerbaijan and urged
to prepare for occupation of `Western Armenia’-territories of
sovereign Turkey.

What has he been aimed at by saying so and how can Armenia benefit from it?

A professional politician often uses a strong argument and a
light-minded politician stakes on the argument of force. President of
Azerbaijan Serzh Sargyan is not used to build, he is used to destroy
even after he said farewell to arms and headed the state. For this
reason, he is preparing a new generation of new shocks, while
progressive politicians think only about creation.

As the Armenian experts from among local citizens constituted the
majority of the audience in Tsakhkadzor, the appeals were addressing
national managers who will have to organize the future of the Armenian
house. But the instruction of the president shows that it was an exact
calculation. It aims at make a zombie of young people and provoke new
`heroic actions’.

Why do the world community, heads of superpowers, particularly, of the
United States, Russia and France, not react to this scandalous and
provocative statement by the Armenian President?

I would also like to know the reason of their silence when the head of
the sovereign state is voicing openly expansionist appeals,
threatening to the security of the other country. I suppose they do
not benefit from accentuating this, since they back Armenia all the
time, despite its destructive foreign course.

Just after the Tsakhkadzor speech by Serzh Sargsyan, Gazakh resident
Nailya Poladova was wounded by Armenians in her back. But murders of
9-year-old Fariz Badalov by an Armenian sniper and Aygun Shahmaliyeva
killed by a toy blast occurred before that. Can these terrorist acts
be the implication of the personal instruction of Serzh Sargsyan?

I would not want to believe that the head of a neighboring state is a
petty, vindictive and bloodthirsty man, and who is using sophisticated
means of dealing with women and children. After all, the president has
to think and act in global categories of creative nature, being
responsible for the fate not only of his fellow citizens, but also
other peoples, communities. However, the excess, which occurred in
Tsakhkadzor undermine confidence in the peaceful spirit of Serzh
Sargsyan.

There have been repeated cases in history when people with no
brilliant intellect and political intuition made dirty and
inappropriate plans once they got to power. It is not ruled out that
it is just the case. Ð?ÑоÑ?лÑ?Ñ?аÑ?Ñ?

What does Sargsyan hope for by making such provocations?

It seems to me that with the upcoming presidential elections Sargsyan
is intentionally raising tension to induce fear to both external
forces and internal enemies. On the other hand, he has no clear
program of activities, not to mention the reforms to bring the country
out of stagnation. In such situations, when there is a bouquet of
dangers, he resorted to what’s he is really good at – to threaten, to
promise unreal things and undermine the loose soil of trust in
himself.

And moreover his actions are filled with fear. The deep-lying
inferiority feeling, gray halo against the confidence of his vis-Ã-vis
` President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the international arena,
forces the Armenian leader to make emergency steps which is why he
shifts to radicalism since he has no will, ethics or opportunity to
act differently.

What provocations can be expected from Armenia and what should
Azerbaijan oppose to them?

Any provocations should be expected. As for counter-measures, I think
Azerbaijan’s course is right, which is bewildering to Sargsyan, who is
making mistakes by mistakes. Baku and Ankara must strengthen
coordination of actions in the security space and hold a consistent
tactics in international institutions.

I suppose that officials of UN, OSCE, NATO and Council of Europe, as
well as the senior officials of the indicated countries must be
informed about Sargsyan’s `well-known ideas’.

Akper Hasanov
News.Az

news.az, Azerbaijan
July 30 2011

Sargsyan’s words strengthened Azerbaijan’s argument
Sat 30 July 2011 07:00 GMT | 3:00 Local Time

News.Az interviews Gareth Jenkins, non-resident Turkey expert at the
USA’s Johns Hopkins University.
How would you estimate territorial aspirations to Azerbaijan and
Turkey said by Armenian president?

I think that, in some ways, what Sargsyan said about Nagorno Karabakh
actually strengthened Azerbaijan’s argument. He made it clear that
Armenian support for the ethnic Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh was not
about “rights” or “freedoms” but territorial acquisition, namely
Armenia attempting to annex part of Azerbaijan. I understand why many
people were angry but it was also effectively an admission of guilt;
and reinforced what Azerbaijan has been saying all along.

I don’t think anybody takes seriously any Armenian claims to Turkish
territory. But what disturbed me was the way in which Sargsyan
appeared to be suggesting that Armenia was trading the area around
Mount Ararat for Nagorno Karabakh. First of all, Turkey and Azerbaijan
are two separate, sovereign states. Just because Sargsyan believes
that Armenia should have had some of what is now Turkey — and there
are agreements guaranteeing the border between Turkey and Armenia —
that does not give Armenia to steal territory from another state to
compensate.

Erdogan said in Baku, that Sargsyan should apologize for his words. Is it real?

I think it is unrealistic to expect an apology and I think it was a
mistake for Erdogan to demand one because it distracts from the main
issue and makes it look as though the dispute is all about pride. It
is not. The issue is respect for international agreements and
internationally accepted principles. The focus should not be whether
or not Sargsyan apologies for what he said. It should be Nagorno
Karabakh.

Does this statement harm Turkish-Armenian normalization process?

Undoubtedly. I think it also demonstrates the incompetence of the
Armenian government. Regardless of whether or not it should have been
signed, I think there was a time after the agreement in Switzerland in
October 2009 when Armenia could claimed that it was doing more to
implement that agreement than Turkey, and that Ankara was the main
obstacle to the
normalization of ties that so many countries – particularly the US –
had been pushing for. Responsibility for the lack of progress began to
shift after Sargsyan suspended the parliamentary ratification of the
agreement with Turkey. After his most recent statement, and the
underlying mentality it revealed, I think that the international
community will be a lot more
sympathetic to Turkey’s protests that the real obstacle to any
normalization of ties is Armenia.

International mediators talk a lot about a need of trust measures
between Armenia and its neighbors – Azerbaijan and Turkey. What are
the prospects of reproaching process between them when one of the
leaders makes such a statements?

In a word, zero. The irony is that Armenia was so pleased that it had
managed to get the agreement in Switzerland without the normalization
of ties being linked to Nagorno Karabakh, and now Sargsyan has linked
ties with Turkey to Nagorno Karabakh by claiming that the Armenian
occupation of Azeri territory is some kind of revenge. I hope that
this spurs the international community into action. A solution is not
going to happen if the international community steps backs and allows
Sargsyan to continue thinking and speaking like this.

F.H.
News.Az

news.az, Azerbaijan
July 30 2011

Russia ready to be responsible for its commitments within OSCE Minsk Group
Sat 30 July 2011 07:11 GMT | 3:11 Local Time

I fully agree with opinion of President Ilham Aliyev that Russia and
Azerbaijan are tied with warm and friendly relations of two strategic
partners.

The statement came from President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev. He was
commenting to a special edition of The Business Year magazine on 20th
anniversary of Azerbaijan – The Business Year Azerbaijan 2011.

‘The essence of these relations are manifested in different spheres of
cooperation including economic, humanitarian and the sphere of
provision of security. These close ties were openly manifested in the
support Russia received from Azerbaijan during the recent natural
disaster when fires covered the Russian territory. Looking into the
future, I see bright perspectives for cooperation’, he said.

According to the Russian president, energy is among the main sector,
but not the only sphere of cooperation between the two states. He
believes that energy summit in the future will help check watches on
all main issues, particularly, cooperation in gas sector.

‘Regional issues are constantly the center of our attention and we are
discussing them with Azerbaijan. We would like to preserve the
positive experience we got in issues related to Caspian Sea, which is
common for our states’, Medvedev said.

He said humanitarian cooperation is also very important.

‘A very symbolic event occurred in 2010, when Baku transferred us
icons, confiscated in the attempt of their smuggle to Azerbaijan. Such
cooperation between the law enforcement bodies of the two countries is
encouraging. Additionally, it was a gesture of friendship and we
appreciate such relations’, the Russian president said.

He said that it is necessary to be very attentive when bilateral
economic interests are involved.

“We must understand that every country has its own, quite pragmatic
interests. Here, unlike humanitarian sector, the main goal is to make
a profit, and it is normal. We need to match our desires with our
capabilities in this matter, and this is the main task.

Secondly, as I and Azerbaijani president pointed out earlier, our two
countries are major players in the energy sector, and we have many
common interests, as we produce and supply energy resources.
Therefore, it is necessary to reach an agreement and establish even
closer cooperation in this sector,” Medvedev noted.

The Russian president also stressed the importance of maintaining
stability in the Caucasus.

“Preserving stability in the Caucasus, of course, is also a very
important issue for Russia. This is the basic concept which we adhere
to when building a relationship with Azerbaijan, our closest neighbor
and friend.

Therefore, we are interested in maintaining peace and order in the
region. A decision to extend presence of the Russian military base in
Armenia, adopted in the course of my visit to Yerevan, should be
viewed in this context. The military base is designed to ensure peace
and order, maintain stability and reduce the complexity that we have
today,” Russian President said.

He also stressed Moscow’s mediation in settlement of
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

“The frequency of meetings between the presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan held with my participation has reached a historic high.
Speaking on the issue not so long ago I noted that I am not ashamed of
our work. These were important discussions, during which the parties
noted presence of a number of difficulties in this process.

But in any case, these efforts produce certain result and negotiations
are going on. In my opinion, intensity of these contacts should not be
reduced. Russia is ready to be responsible for its commitments within
the OSCE Minsk Group. Its moral duty towards the neighboring countries
is to continue dialogue on this issue between them.

Personally, I am ready to contribute to these contacts and bring up
the most complicated issues on the agenda of negotiations for
discussion. I hope that in near future we will continue similar
consultations involving me and our foreign ministers. Russia will
adhere to its obligations seriously and will take appropriate steps to
help achieve the necessary result. This result is indeed a vital,
since it is able to bring lasting peace and security to the region,
which, no doubt, is a zone of Russian interests,” Medvedev noted.

1news.az

Bako Sahakyan received Artsakh native philanthropist Hayk Maghakelyan

13:05, 30 July, 2011

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS:

On 30 July President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan received
Artsakh native philanthropist Hayk Maghakelyan.

The prospects of realizing different social programs were discussed
during the meeting, Central Information Department of the Office of
the Artsakh Republic President reported.

Bako Sahakyan called important the participation of our compatriots
living outside the republic in the development of Artsakh noting the
authorities’ willingness to assist the realization of such programs by
all means.

Russian First Channel searching for talents in Armenia
30.07.2011 16:47

Sona Hakobyan
`Radiolur’

The Russian First Channel is looking for talents in Armenia. The
famous `Minuta Slavi’ program is holding castings in Yerevan.

People of different ages representing most different genres
participate in the castings.

Organizers say Armenia has always been rich in talents, voicing hope
that they will find a number of bright performances here.

The number of participants reaches 40. Many students of the Leonid
Yengibarov studo participate in the competition.

HAUT KARABAGH
7 924 touristes au Haut Karabagh en 2010

Le Haut Karabagh a accueille 7 924 touristes en 2010, contre 5 546 un
an plus tôt, ce qui représente une hausse de 31%. Ces chiffres furent
communiqués par Sergueï Sarkissian, l’un des responsables officiels du
tourisme au sein du gouvernement de la République du Haut Karabagh.
L’an dernier 5 739 personnes, soit la majeure partie des touristes qui
se sont rendus au Haut Karabagh étaient venus de l’étranger et 2 185
d’Arménie. L’ge moyen de ces visiteurs est de 40 à 50 ans. Selon S.
Sarkissian il y a aujourd’hui 18 hôtels au Haut Karabagh
essentiellement concentrés dans la capitale Stepanakert et à Chouchi.
Le tourisme au Haut Karabagh est en forte croissance.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 30 juillet 2011,
Krikor [email protected]