Author: Kajoyan Gevork

TURQUIE : UNE ONG VEUT BRISER LE BLOCUS DE GAZA

TURQUIE

Une ONG islamique turque a annonce lundi son intention d’affreter une
nouvelle flottille pour tenter de briser le blocus de Gaza, quatre
ans après une première tentative qui s’etait soldee par la mort de
dix activistes turcs.

Les organisateurs de l’expedition de 2010 se sont reunis le week-end
dernier a Istanbul et doivent annoncer mardi a la presse leur decision
de renouveler l’operation “a la lumière de la dernière agression
israelienne sur Gaza”, a indique la Fondation pour l’aide humanitaire
(IHH) dans un communique.

“La coalition de la flottille de la liberte va a nouveau voguer vers
Gaza pour defier le blocus israelien”, a precise IHH en estimant que
“la complicite de la plupart des pays” avec l’Etat hebreu “impose ce
devoir a la societe civile”.

IHH doit tenir une conference de presse mardi a Istanbul a 8h00 GMT.

En mai 2010, des commandos de l’armee israelienne avaient arraisonne
et saisi un des navires de la flottille, le Mavi Marmara, dans les
eaux internationales. Dix activistes turcs avaient trouve la mort
suite a de violents affrontements avec des soldats israeliens.

La justice turque a ouvert en 2012 un procès par contumace contre
quatre anciens responsables de l’armee israelienne, qui font depuis
le mois dernier l’objet d’une demande de mandat d’arret international.

Après les excuses officielles presentees par le Premier ministre
israelien Benyamin Netanyahou a la Turquie, des negociations ont
debute entre les deux pays pour l’indemnisation des victimes turques
mais elles n’ont pour l’heure pas abouti.

Elu dimanche president dès le premier tour de scrutin, le Premier
ministre islamo-conservateur turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a multiplie
ces dernières semaines les violentes attaques contre Israël.

L’ONG IHH est consideree comme proche du gouvernement turc.

jeudi 14 août 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

WHAT ATTRACTIONS ARE THERE IN ARTSAKH? IDENTIFICATION OF TOURISTS

August 13, 2014 18:45

On 13 August more than 300 tourists from different countries (Russia,
Greece, Canada, Spain, etc.) visited the Artsakh State Museum of
History and Local Lore. Some tourists of “Hyur Service” LLC shared
their opinions and impressions about Artsakh with the correspondent
of Artsakhpress.

Daniel, 37 years old, Spain, salesman at a manufacturing company.

“This is my first visit to Artsakh, I did not know much about
Artsakh before visiting here. I really find it very interesting,
it’s a great place to visit. Actually, I visited here to know more
about the history, the Karabakh people, it’s culture. We have been
to Shoushi already, and we’ll be going to Tigranakert, Gandzasar and
some other places. Among the similarities between the two countries
(Spain and Artsakh) I would like to mention that both are Christian
countries, both Spanish and Armenian languages are included into the
Indo-European family of languages, which is a very interesting fact.

It’s been a place with difficult times but still you could stand up
over time. I hope you’ll have a good future”.

Armen Davoodian, 38, Los Angeles, broaker, born in Iran.

We arrived here yesterday evening. It’s a tour of three days. Our group
includes 40 people. This is my first visit to Artsakh. I had no idea
what it’s going to be. I loved the history of this country, the culture
and everything else. The main purpose to visit here is basically to see
the country. I liked the Artsakh State Museum a lot, the guide gave an
informative history presentation. Artsakhian people are more honest,
polite and nice. There are many traditions in comparison with the USA”.

Artsakhpress.am

– See more at:

REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE FOR STATE SECURITY OF THE ARMENIAN SOCIALIST SOVIET REPUBLIC M. A. YUZBASHYAN

MARCH 14, 1979

This document was made possible with support from the Leon Levy
Foundation

Under the influence of the most aggressive forces of imperialism,
the foreign policy course of the United States government and its
allies clearly exhibits a tendency toward returning to a policy
“from the position of strength” and to the “cold war.” The current
leadership of the PCR [People’s Republic of Cambodia], who unleashed
undisguised aggression against socialist Vietnam in February of this
year, has practically merged with the forces of imperialism in its
anti-Soviet aspirations. Therefore there clearly exists an attempt
by our enemies to create a united anti-Communist front.

In implementing of the aggressive course against the countries of
the socialist commonwealth, and mainly against the Soviet Union, an
important role is given to the special services and the anti-Soviet
foreign centers, the subversive activity of which has acquired a
global character.

One would like to especially emphasize the fact that the enemy,
without giving up its final strategic goals, has adjusted its tactics
[and] focused on conducting ideological subversion which has as its
goal “exploding” socialism from within. A powerful, multi-branch
apparatus has been put in service for ideological subversion. And
the imperialist countries long ago raised this line of subversive
activity to the level of state policy.

By acting in skillful and diverse ways, and by actively using specific
features of different regions of the USSR all the channels through
which people travel in and out [of the Soviet Union], and the mass
media, the enemy often achieves his dirty goals. Under the influence
of hostile Western propaganda, negatively inclined individuals inside
the country, including those in the Armenian SSR [Soviet Socialist
Republic], still commit anti-state, and anti-Soviet crimes.

Notwithstanding the absence of a social base in the country for
anti-Soviet activity there are certain marginalized individuals who
choose the criminal way [of life]. This kind of person also exists
in our republic.

Protecting Soviet society from the overtures of the reactionary
imperialist forces is the main task of the organs of state security,
which they successfully fulfill under the unwavering control and
daily leadership of our Party.

All the people, the widest strata of our society, take part in
fulfilling that noble task. And it is precisely in this connection
that we should consider the CC CPSU Resolution of 23 May 1977,
“About Raising the Vigilance of the Soviet People.”

Even taking into account the obvious exceptional character of this
crime, it appears that the case of the “Bombers,” which was presented
today to the Bureau of the CC CP of Armenia, , bears clear traces of
all these processes and phenomena, so to speak, of the external and
internal order, which were mentioned above.

Brief summary of the case: During the evening of 8 January, in various
public places in the city of Moscow, criminal elements carried
out explosions of hand-made bombs, resulting in human casualties,
destruction and damage to state property. The explosions occurred
in the metro train, in grocery store No. 15, and next to the window
of grocery store No. 5. As a result of the explosions, 7 people were
killed, and 37 people were injured to varying degrees.

At the end of October 1977, criminals were preparing to detonate
new explosives, this time at the Kursky Railway Terminal. However,
the measures for ensuring safety in public places, undertaken jointly
by the organs of the KGB and MVD, scared the criminals, and they fled
hurriedly leaving behind a bag with the explosives.

As a result of the additional measures which were undertaken the
operative group of the Armenian SSR KGB, working in coordination with
the USSR KGB, succeeded in capturing the criminals at the beginning
of November 1977. They turned out to be: S[tepan] S. Zatikyan, head
of the group, born in 1946 in Yerevan, and resident of Yerevan,
nonaffiliated, married, did not complete higher education; A. V.

Stepanyan, born 1947 in Yerevan, resident of Yerevan, with a secondary
education; Z. M. Bagdasaryan, born 1954 in the village of Kanachut
in the Artashatsky region, and resident of Kanachut, with a secondary
education.

>From 16 to 24 January 1979, the Collegium for Criminal Offenses of
the USSR Supreme Soviet held an open trial session to consider the
criminal case charging S. S. Zatikyan and his two accomplices with
anti-Soviet activities and committing a subversive act.

During the course of the trial the information received earlier by the
KGB organs was fully confirmed with regard to the fact that Zatikyan,
having served a four-year sentence for anti-Soviet activities, did
not disarm ideologically, and, moreover, chose the road of extremist
methods of struggle against the Soviet state. After being indoctrinated
in a hostile spirit, he involved his accomplices in the preparation
and implementation of the subversive acts.

In the course of the investigation and trial in this case, a large
amount of material and other evidence was collected. Approximately
750 victims and witnesses were questioned, 140 expert tests were made,
and over 100 searches were conducted; persuasive evidence was collected
in the residences of the criminals, linking them to the explosions.

This gave [the investigation] the opportunity to fully reveal
Zatikyan’s and his accomplices’ roles in the crimes they prepared and
committed, even during the preliminary investigation. In particular,
Zatikyan stated during the preliminary investigation the following:
“I did not testify against my own will, I told the truth that I built
the explosive devices … that my actions … represent just one method
of struggle against the regime that exists in the Soviet Union.” Later,
during the trial, Zatikyan refused to give testimony. However, his
accomplices gave extensive testimony about the circumstances of
preparing and carrying out the new subversive acts. Zatikyan was
fully implicated by his accomplices and other witnesses, by the
conclusions of the experts, as the main ideological and practical
organizer of the subversive acts and the main actor in building of
the explosive devices.

Taking into account the exceptional danger and the grave consequences
of the crimes committed by him, the court sentenced Zatikyan and his
accomplices to the ultimate measure of punishment–the death sentence.

The verdict was received with approval by the numerous representatives
of the Soviet public, who were present in the courtroom, including
representatives from our republic. By the way, one of the jurors and
all three defense lawyers were also from our republic. The sentence
was carried out.

Using the Zatikyan case as an example it would be instructive to trace
how he came to his evil design and who and what helped him in that.

Brief background. Over the last 12 years, the Armenian KGB has
uncovered and liquidated more than 20 illegal anti-Soviet nationalist
groups created under the influence of hostile Western propaganda.

Altogether, about 1,400 people were engaged in anti-Soviet activities
in some form or another.

In accordance with the Party’s principles, the organs of state
security have given and continue to give preference to preventive
and prophylactic measures, and consider arrest an extreme measure only.

Those arrested represented only 4.3% of the individuals who were
proven to have engaged in anti-Soviet activities. Zatikyan was one of
them–he was a member of one of the anti-Soviet nationalist groups,
which pompously named itself NUP (National United Party). It was
created by the unaffiliated artist Khachatryan Aikaz, born in 1918
(in 1978 he was sentenced to 1.5 years of prison for a common crime),
who, upon learning about Zatikyan’s role in the explosions in Moscow,
called himself his “spiritual father.”

In 1968, Zatikyan was arrested and sentenced, as was already mentioned,
to four years in prison. At his arrest, they confiscated a document
written by Zatikyan–“Terror and Terrorists”–in which he made an
effort to justify the methods of extremism and means of struggle
against the Soviet state.

During his stay at the correctional labor colony, and then in prison
(where he was transferred because he systematically violated the
regime, and negatively influenced other inmates, who chose the road
of improvement), Zatikyan not only did not change his ways, but,
on the contrary, nursed thoughts about even more extreme methods of
hostile activity.

One should also note that Zatikyan admired the Dashnaks [Armenian
Revolutionary Federation, an ultra-nationalist movement whose
territorial ambitions include the Karabakh region and those parts of
“Greater Armenia” currently within the borders of Turkey and Georgia].

In the course of the investigation, and during his trial, he called
the Dashnaks a “sacred party.”

One of Zatikyan’s accomplices–Stepanyan–participated in the
anti-Soviet nationalist gathering. For that, in 1974, he was served
an official warning in accordance with the Decree of the Presidium of
the USSR Supreme Soviet of 25 December 1972. However, that official
warning did not bring Stepanyan to his senses, did not stop him from
committing the crime.

The USSR KGB gave a positive assessment to the investigative and trial
measures undertaken by the organs of state security of the USSR. The
Armenian KGB also took an active part in that work.

However, all this took place after the first series of explosions had
occurred in Moscow. And the second series of explosions had already
been prepared. There should have been no explosions at all. In any
case, after the explosions, the criminals should have been quickly
discovered and arrested. However, that did not happen. We realize
that we have obviously made some mistakes here. The republican KGB
drew the following lessons from the “Bombers” case.

One can name the following reasons [as those] that contributed to
the emergence of the “Bombers:” Enemy influence from the abroad
in the framework of the ideological subversion carried out by the
adversary. Negative influence by some hostile individuals on the young
people.As was already mentioned, mistakes in our work, in the work of
the Armenian KGB. Loss of sharpness of political vigilance among some
categories of the population, as a consequence of a certain weakening
of the ideological work.

In addition to that, there is some concern about persons who are not
involved in productive labor, as well as such aliens to our social
regime [who practice] phenomena such as bribery, theft of socialist
property, petty crime, and vicious systematic libel against honest
Soviet people in the form of anonymous letters and statements.

All this not only darkens the general moral and political climate
in the republic, but also represents potential fertile grounds for
marginalized elements, who then slide toward anti-Soviet activities.

Foreign Armenian colonies represent a special concern for us. Let
us dwell on just one question out of the whole system of issues
related to this situation. The processes and developments occurring
in the colonies, taking into account their various connections with
the republic, influence the situation here. The enemy, primarily the
United States, actively works with the foreign Armenian colonies–they
use all means to encourage persons of Armenian nationality to move
and establish permanent residency in their country. Today already
600,000 Armenians reside in the United States.

An Armenian Bureau was created and is now functioning in the State
Department, and Columbia University is planning to create an Armenian
Cultural Center.

All these events unquestionably serve the same anti-Soviet goals.

There are plans to increase the Armenian diaspora in the United States
to one million people. This could have serious consequences for us.

The best organized force in the foreign Armenian colonies is the
anti-Soviet nationalist party Dashnaktsutyun. It is the most dangerous
for us due to a number of circumstances (experience, knowledge of
the situation, absence of language barrier, etc.).

That is why the CPSU CC resolution of 27 December 1978 about
strengthening our work with the Armenians residing abroad has a great
significance in trying to interfere with the efforts of the American
administration to extend its influence on the foreign Armenian colony.

The KGB of the Armenian SSR reports its suggestions regarding the
realization of the above-mentioned CPSU CC resolution to the Armenian
CP CC separately.

Dashnak propaganda is being skillfully and inventively carried out, and
it reaches its addressees more often than other kinds of propaganda. We
have to give them credit–they choose topics for ideological attacks
against us in a fine and clever manner.

Take for example slogans like “Great and united and independent
Armenia.” Or the way they threw in the so-called “land issues” (both
internal and external). It is natural that the Dashnaks did not pass
by Sero Khanzadyan’s letter, did not miss the clearly non-scholarly
polemics between Z. Buniatov and some of our scholars. They did not
shy away from the case of Zatikyan and his accomplices either. In
addition, every time the Dashnaks choose the most skillful and at
the same time innocent forms for their propaganda (for example about
the “purity” of the Armenian language, about creation of genuinely
Armenian families, etc.), which represents nothing other than acts
of ideological subversion.

Of course, the current situation, the growing might of the socialist
forces, and, first of all, of our country, could not but affect the
Dashnak strategy, but their essence, their strategic designs remained
unchanged, and we should start from that assumption in our work.

Naturally, we should also work against the Dashnaks–to try to limit,
decrease their practical anti-Soviet activity.

It is necessary to point out that lately the enemy has been devoting
more attention to the socio-political sphere in his intelligence
endeavors. In our republic, they are interested in such issues as the
attitude of the local people to the Russians, Azerbaijani, and other
peoples of the Soviet Union, to the “land” problem (both internal and
external), to Turkey, and to the United States. [They are interested
in] how the genocide is taught in schools, what kind of nationalist
outbursts happen in the republic, and how the nationalities issue
is being resolved, and how the authorities treat the so-called
dissidents, etc.

It is not hard to notice where the enemy is aiming–this is not
just an expression of idle interest! The enemy is trying to weaken,
and if possible to undermine, the friendship of the peoples of the
Soviet Union–the basis of our power.

In our republic, to some extent, the acts of ideological subversion,
which are conducted now within the framework of the campaign for the
so-called “defense of human rights” have made their impact. There
emerged the so-called “Group of Assistance for the Helsinki Accords”
(the group was dissolved, its leader–Nazaryan–was sentenced to 5
years in prison at the end of 1978). There also emerged an all-Union
“leader” of the so-called “Free Labor Unions”–some Oganesyan [in
our republic]. As a result of the prophylactic work, he renounced
his unbecoming activity.

The actions named above did not bring success to the enemy. They
are not that dangerous for our republic. The Dashnak propaganda,
and everything that originates in the Armenian foreign colonies is
a different issue. The Dashnaks exploit the nationalist feelings of
the people, speculate on them. The Armenian KGB constantly takes that
fact into account in its work.

Information in the Soviet press and on the radio about the trial and
the sentence in the case of the “terrorists” caused sharp indignation
against the criminal actions taken by Zatikyan and his accomplices
in the entire Soviet Union, in all the strata of population of the
republic. The people throughout the republic condemned those actions
and approved the sentence of the USSR Supreme Soviet, emphasizing
that those criminals have nothing in common with the Armenian people,
which owes all its accomplishments, and its very existence in the
Soviet state, to the great Russian people.

At the same time, we should not close our eyes to the fact that
there are some hostile individuals with anti-Soviet and anti-Russian
sentiments, who are nursing thoughts about separating Soviet Armenia
from the USSR, express extremist sentiments (read excerpts).

For example, an unidentified person called the USSR KGB in Moscow
after Zatikyan and his accomplices’ sentence was carried out, and
expressed a threat to “avenge” the sentenced.

The KGB of Armenia sees this main task as follows: to prevent and
to interdict in a timely manner all extremist and other adversarial
expressions on the part of the negative elements.

In this, we are starting from the assumption that in the current
conditions, only politically well-prepared Communist members of the
security organs can carry out the demanding tasks of ensuring state
security, of protecting Soviet society from the subversive actions of
the enemy’s special services, from the foreign anti-Soviet centers,
and from some hostile individuals inside the country. We believe
that no Communist can have any kind of neutral, or passive position
in issues of ideology.

The issues of ideological and political preparation and
internationalist education of the personnel have been and will remain
at the center of attention of the Collegium, the Party Committee of the
KGB of the republic, and the party organizations of the [KGB] units.

The Armenian KGB works under the direct control of and direction
of the CP CC of Armenia, and it constantly feels the assistance and
support of the Central Committee and the government of the republic.

Officers of the Armenian KGB assure the CC CP of Armenia that they
will apply all their skills and power to fulfill the tasks entrusted
to them.

Chairman of the Committee for State Security

Of the Armenian SSR

[signature] M. A. (Marius) Yuzbashyan

14 March 1979

KARABAGH SOLUTION STYMIED BY NEW COLD WAR

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

Mirror Spectator
Editorial 8-16

By Edmond Y. Azadian

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has not been conducting
himself as the head of a country which was beaten back after
initiating an aggressive war against Armenia and Karabagh, our historic
Artsakh. Instead, he is threatening Armenians with a new war counting
on the expansion of his country’s military. Some of his comments
are outrageously threatening and bordering on the declaration of war.

Recently visiting a military unit near Agdam, Aliyev offered some
bellicose remarks to his soldiers, hoping that his threats would
be heard across the border in Armenia and spread terror among the
population.

He specifically stated, “Today, the fascist leadership, the
military junta of Armenia, is leading the country into an abyss. They
have occupied our lands, but at the same time, they have occupied the
whole of Armenia. The Armenian people should get rid of the criminal
and corrupt leadership. Otherwise, huge disasters are in store for
Armenia. If the Armenian fascist state does not give up its dirty
deeds, the very existence of the Armenian state can be called into
question.”

This very much sounds as if Aliyev has borrowed it from the opposition
leaders’ rhetoric in Armenia or from the mantra of its diasporan
surrogates.

When the enemy is at the gate, any similar statement by any Armenian
is not patriotic, to say the least.

But Aliyev also has his own rhetoric and does not owe authorship to
any one else as he states: “Azerbaijan has been producing modern
weaponry and equipment. At the same time, the equipment, machinery,
weapons and ammunitions we purchase from foreign sources also meet the
highest standards. The most advanced air defense installations have
been acquired. Our army has the most powerful artillery. High-precision
missile systems with great destructive power, combat and transport
helicopters, combat aircraft, armored vehicles, tanks – all of
those are factors that form the potential of the Azerbaijani army
today. Today, the Azerbaijani army is capable of destroying any object
in Nagorno-Karabagh.” Former Azeri president, Ebulfez Elcibey,
made similar statement during the Karabagh war. That is why by the
time of the ceasefire, most of the Azeri military hardware was in
the hands of the Armenian forces.

Not only that, Aliyev threatens to occupy “the Erivan
Khanate,” including Zangezour, and eventually hoist the Azeri
flag over “all the occupied territory, including Shusha and
Khankhendi [Stepanakert.]”

In an article in Outlook.com, Mark Dietzen, who is criticizing US
Ambassador James Warlick’s unilateral plan to resolve the
Karabagh conflict, also qualifies Aliyev’s statements in the
following manner: “This is not the behavior of a losing side
seeking reconciliation, but a losing side seeking revenge.”

Indeed, Azerbaijan’s arms’ build-up has been alarming
in recent years. Following its defeat at the hands of the Armenian
forces, Azerbaijan launched an arms race to destroy Armenia’s
economy. Funded by its oil wealth, Azerbaijan has been on a military
spending spree, allocating $3.44 billion for defense in 2013. Its
defense budget has skyrocketed by 493 percent since 2004, according
to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Armenia
has tried to follow suit, spending $427 million on defense, a
115-percent increase from 2004, according to the same source. While
Armenia’s spending is in the millions, rather than in the
billions like Azerbaijan, the country does not have the all-important
oil spigot to flood its coffers with money.

Most of Azerbaijan’s armaments are supplied by Israel and
Russia. Even if Israel does not harbor any hostility against Armenia
itself, its geopolitical interests compel it to have a foothold
on the Iranian border, since the Azeri government also has a bone
of contention with Tehran, over the so-called “Northern
Azerbaijan” province in Iran.

The Russian Uralvagonzavod Concern just announced that it will send
a new batch of military equipment to Baku at the order of Azerbaijan.

In view of Azerbaijan’s declared hostility against Russia,
one would be at a loss to explain, let alone justify, Vladimir
Putin’s policy of arming Azerbaijan. In a recent UN vote
condemning Russia for taking over Crimea, Azerbaijan voted with
the US against Russia. Azerbaijan has also cut an energy deal with
British Petroleum worth $45 billion to supply Europe with oil and gas,
bypassing the Russian territory.

It is believed that Moscow still entertains the notion of enticing
Azerbaijan to join its Customs’ Union. It also has its own
prospects for energy deals with Baku.

Just this past week, the Russian cabinet approved Armenia’s
accession to the Customs Union, though it is hard to see the
cohabitation of two enemies in the Russian camp.

Many people are alarmed and have been questioning the causes of recent
border flare-ups between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Every time a summit
meeting is planned between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan,
the Baku government orders intensified attacks, hoping to extract some
concessions from Yerevan at the conference table. This time around,
those clashes sounded like the beginning of an all-out war. The Azeris
suffered significant losses and withdrew. There were fewer casualties
on the Armenian side, but in a war situation, the statistics always
remain questionable.

Armenia, in turn, raised its own war rhetoric. Reporting about the
border situation to Armenia’s cabinet, Minister of Defense Seyran
Ohanian concluded his remarks with the following statement: “I
believe that they have fallen victim to their own lies. For years, they
have preached to their people that they have a powerful army, that they
are constantly rearming, that they are invincible. In this context,
I must say that the Turk remains a Turk and we will act towards them
according to the same rules that they wish to use against us.”

President Serge Sargisian’s comments were equally harsh. When
referring to Aliyev’s bellicose tone, he said, “Armenia
has ballistic missiles that have a range of 300 kilometers and can
ruin any city. If they don’t care about their own lives, if
they are aiming at Yerevan, let them consider the consequences.”

The escalation in tensions in the Caucasus cannot be viewed in
isolation. Armenia and Azerbaijan are not alone in this game. The
tensions in the Caucasus are the direct result of global power
alignments. Although President Obama emphatically denied that
instituting sanctions against Russia dance on the brink of a new
Cold War, US actions in the world, supported by the European powers,
are nothing less than the beginning of a new Cold war, with policies
aimed at containing Russia. After the collapse of the Soviet empire,
in a unipolar world, the US enjoyed the privilege of global hegemony
and obviously does not wish to retreat from that position. Despite
promises given to Mr. Gorbachev, however, the West has been expanding
the NATO alliance to encircle Russia.

As if reckless aggressions against Iraq, Libya and Syria had been in
full compliance of international law, Russia’s annexation of
Crimea has been treated by the US and its allies as the only violation
of international law governing sovereign nations.

For 20 years, Russia, the US and France were cooperating within the
framework of the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), but the US suddenly broke ranks and
declared a unilateral policy to resolve the Karabagh conflict. That
policy was enunciated by Ambassador Warlick, who has represented the
US on the body, and later repeated by the US Ambassador to Armenia
John Heffern. The new policy dissected the Madrid Principles to
give an edge to Azerbaijan in the ultimate solution, but above all,
introduced the element of peacekeeping forces on the Karabagh border.

It was not difficult for analysts to conclude that under the guise
of peacekeeping, the US is seeking a foothold in the Caucasus on the
Iranian border, a foothold which will also doubly serve to encircle
Russia.

Armenia refused the offer of peacekeepers, even when its ally,
Russia, intimated that it could send its own peacekeeping forces,
because once Armenia cedes power to foreign forces, it surrenders
its right to negotiate on its own.

The most frequently-asked question recently has been who can win the
war if events lead to that state. It is very difficult to predict
the outcome. The result will be determined by the alignment of forces.

Will Turkey participate? Will Russia intervene? There is more of a
tendency in Washington for interventionism, especially when there
may be a prize at the end to introduce a new wedge in the sanitary
cordon around Russia.

One thing is clear that Russia does not wish to lose Azerbaijan to
the West nor to alienate Armenia, more than it has already.

Therefore, the status quo is the best solution for Russia by default.

And it looks like that has also been the outcome of the
much-anticipated recent summit meeting in Sochi, where President
Putin brought together Presidents Sargisian and Aliyev. We need to
be reminded that there was a similar offer by the French president,
Francois Hollande.

But Putin took the first opportunity to bring the parties together.

Aliyev’s pre-meeting maximalist stance that Armenia must return
all occupied territories unconditionally was dampened. Instead, Aliyev
played the UN card and accused Armenia of ignoring UN resolutions,
after which Armenia’s president asked which UN resolution
was honored by Azerbaijan itself? In the end, no party gave in and
apparently Putin’s goal also was met. At the conclusion of the
Sochi summit, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov summed
up the conclusions: “The meeting was important. The presidents
have confirmed their commitment to the principles outlined by the
co-chairs of OSCE at the presidential level and those principles imply
a necessity to seek a peaceful solution which respects the territorial
integrity and the right of the people to self-determination.”

By the way, the concept of “territorial integrity” means
different things to different parties in the dispute.

This means we are back at square one. Tensions may subside for a while,
waiting for another cycle of cross-border shooting.

Is the Karabagh conflict contained? Certainly not. It has merely been
postponed to another round.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES FRENCH COUNTERPART

12:05 * 12.08.14

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has addressed a congratulatory
message to President of France Francois Hollande on the occasion of
his 60th birthday anniversary.

In his message, Armenia’s leader wished his French counterpart
happiness and success for prosperity of France and its people and
building up of the country’s international reputation.

President Serzh Sargsyan thanked his French counterpart for his
personal contribution to the strengthening of Armenian-French
friendship and for his efforts at a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

Armenian News – Tert.am

KIRSAN ILYUMZHINOV RE-ELECTED AS FIDE PRESIDENT

10:35, 12 August, 2014

YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. The FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
was reelected by a wide margin with 110 votes against Garry Kasparov’s
61. In his speech after the elections, Kirsan showed gratitude to
all his supporters and personally thanked his opponent Garry Kasparov
for raising the image of chess in the world. FIDE President invited
the team of the 13th World Champion to join the FIDE team and help
in development of chess.

The FIDE General Assembly started on 11th August at 9am at the Tromso
University.

As reports “Armenpress” citing the FIDE official website, Ms
Margaret Murphy, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, presented
a report. After the roll call to establish the quorum, the Assembly
proceeded with the election of Scrutineers.

Kevin Bonham (AUS), Graham Boxall (JCI), Hesham El Gendy (EGY),
Carol Jarecki (IBV) and Paris Klerides (CYP) were nominated by the
General Assembly. FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov presented his
report. Ilyumzhinov informed that the World Championship Match as
well as two FIDE Grand Prix events Baku and Tashkent will hold this
year and two more Grand Prix events will be announced for next year.

Nigel Freeman presented the report about budget and at the end of
his mandate as FIDE Treasurer thanked all federations and officials
for the cooperation throughout the years.

Graham Boxall, Chairman of the Verification Commission, was the next
one to present his report.

After the lunch break, scrutineers El Gendy, Jarecki and Klerides took
the floor and FIDE Presidential Board members moved to the audience.

After the roll call it was confirmed that 174 federations were present
to vote.

Garry Kasparov was first to present his ticket and program and
then Kirsan Ilyumzhinov also took the floor to present his ticket
and program.

After that the secrete voting took place and after announcing of
result the FIDE General Assembly applauded to reelected FIDE President
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.

SERGE SARKISSIAN >.Serge Sarkissian affirme

Ahlul Bayt News Agency (ABNA), Iran
Aug 10 2014

Imam Reza’s Traditions to Be Published in Armenia

Majid Meshki, Iranian cultural attaché in Armenia said the book
includes Hadiths narrated from the eighth infallible Imam (AS) related
to moral, social and family issues.

“40 Hadiths (traditions) of Imam Reza (AS)” will be translated into
the Armenian language and published by Iranian Cultural Center in
Armenia.

Majid Meshki, Iranian cultural attaché in Armenia said the book
includes Hadiths narrated from the eighth infallible Imam (AS) related
to moral, social and family issues.

He added that the Armenian translation of the book will be unveiled in
the Keramat ten-day festival planned to be held on the sidelines of
the Razavi festival.

According to Meshki, an exhibition of artworks and photos of Razavi
holy shrine will be among the programs of the festival.
The Razavi festival is scheduled to be held on the birth anniversary
of Imam Reza (AS) in September.

A delegation from Astan-e Quds Razavi will be dispatched to Armenia on
the auspicious occasion to participate in the program.
Razavi festival is annually organized by Imam Reza (AS) International
Foundation. The last four editions of the event were held at an
international level.

Rudaw, Kurdstani Iraq
Aug 10 2014

Armenia’s Yezidis Urge the World to Help their Community in Iraq

By Teimuraz Shamoian

YEREVAN, Armenia – The Yezidi community of Armenia staged a
demonstration in the capital Yerevan on Friday, condemning attacks by
Islamist militants against their brethren in Iraq and calling on the
international community to protect the Yezidis from threat.

“We can’t help our brothers who are there, because of terrorists,” a
community organizer in Yerevan told Rudaw. “But we call on the
international community which watches how Yezidis are killed to act.”

The protests were organized by the Yezidi National Committee of
Armenia and community-based organizations and activists who marched to
the American Embassy and delivered their concern about the plight of
Yezidi civilians stranded on Mount Shingal in northwestern Iraq to the
US ambassador.

“You know how it feels to be victims of Genocide and persecution,”
Karam Hadzoyan, an activist protestor told Rudaw. “We ask Armenian
government to help us Yezidis, who are oppressed and killed by IS in
Sinjar.”

The protesters also criticized the Iraqi government for “not doing
enough to protect Iraq’s ancient and peaceful community of Yezidis” by
gathering in front of the Iraqi Embassy.

An estimated 100,000 Yezidis fled Shingal and surrounding villages and
sought shelter on an arid mountain ridge last week when militants from
the Islamic State (IS) overran their town in a surprise attack.

Around 40,000 Yezidi Kurds are believed to live in Armenia, making it
the largest Yezidi community in any of the former Soviet republics.

“They want all Yezidis to disappear,” said one young protestor. “Help us.”

Sashik Sultanyan, a protest organizer vowed that there would be more
demonstrations unless the world “responded to their plight.”

“We plan to repeat our protest in few days, if there is not any
reaction,” he said. “The Yezidis of Armenia always will stand with
their brothers.”

Sargsyan: Conflict can and should be resolved on basis of compromise

Sunday,August 10

The press service of the Armenian president has released details of
the trilateral meeting of Presidents of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan
– Serzh Sargsyan, Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev held in Sochi today.

According to a press release, the sides discussed issues related to a
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict as well as the current
situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the Line of Contact
due to the escalation of tensions by Azerbaijan in recent days.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “I want to thank you once again
for the opportunity to meet you in Russia. Yesterday we had an
opportunity to speak about bilateral relations with both President of
Armenia and President of Azerbaijan. We also communicated in an
informal setting in the evening. True, thank God, we did not discuss
business matters last evening. Nevertheless there was a chance to talk
with each other about various subjects. I think it creates a certain
atmosphere so as to speak about the most complex and difficult issues
related to the regional settlement.

Naturally there are international formats for solution of these
problems, the Karabakh settlement. No doubt we respect all these
international formats and will continue working with our colleagues.

But based on the fact that we have special, very close relations, a
profound prehistory allowing us to frankly exchange opinions about
where we are and what should be done to make headway in resolving all
these problems inherited from the past. In any case, I think it is
useful. In any case, it’s useful. I am glad to meet with you today and
discuss all these themes.

If you have something to add, please do so,” Vladimir Putin said.

Azerbaijani president said: “Thank you for your attitude to the
problem. As we said during the discussion yesterday, this problem
requires a solution. It drags on for a long time. I hope that your
personal participation in the process will give renewed impetus to the
negotiating process.

As you said, there is already a format of negotiations, and a legal
basis for resolving the conflict also exists. The UN Security Council
passed four resolutions demanding an immediate and unconditional
withdrawal of Armenian occupation forces from Azerbaijani territory.
Unfortunately, 20 years have passed, but those resolutions still
remain on paper.

The Minsk Group in the person of Co-chairs is working, trying to bring
the sides closer, but they have not succeeded very much. I think that
as our friend, partner and neighbor, Russia certainly has a special
role in the settlement process. We hope that in the near future we
will find a negotiated and peaceful solution that will be in line with
the norms and principles of international law and also in line with
justice”.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said: “Thank you, Vladimir
Vladimirovich, for your efforts, your attention to the Karabakh
problem at a difficult time like this. We, the Armenian side, highly
appreciate that.

We believe that the conflict can be resolved. It should be resolved on
the basis of compromise and the principles that the OSCE Co-chairs
suggested to us.

The Azerbaijani side constantly refers to four resolutions of the UN,
but let me ask Mr. Aliyev a rhetorical question: What paragraph of
those resolutions has Azerbaijan fulfilled? Armenia which exercised
its influence to stop hostilities is the only one to have fulfilled
paragraphs of the resolutions.

And if we return to the events of the early 1990s, I think it will be
a good thing on the one hand, but on the other hand, something may
drag on. It will be a good thing because at that time we reached an
opinion that there can be no military solution to the conflict. And if
we start blaming each other again, I think the conflict will remain
unresolved for a long time.

I am grateful to you for seeking to solve the problem. The solution of
this problem stems from Armenia’s national interests”.

“I am pleased to note that the Azerbaijani president indicated the
need for a peaceful resolution of the problem and you too have just
said that. In fact, it is the main thing because there is no greater
tragedy than loss of human lives.

At the same time we should act on the premise that the conflict
situation arose long ago, we inherited it from the past, as a legacy
of the Soviet Union. We should show patience, wisdom and respect for
each other to find a solution.

No doubt any complex situation can be resolved if there is good will.
I think there is such good will on the part of the Azerbaijani people
and the Armenian people as well,” Russian President Vladimir Putin
said.