Author: Kajoyan Gevork

LATVIAN EX-PRESIDENT: NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLVABLE

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Sept 5 2013

5 September 2013, 18:20 (GMT+05:00)

By Sara Rajabova

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is resolvable and should be settled
peacefully, former President of Latvia Vaira Vike Freiberga told
journalists in Baku, on September 5.

Latvia’s ex-president is on a visit to Azerbaijan to participate at a
joint high level meeting of Nizami Ganjavi International Centre and
Club of Madrid, which was organized with the support of the State
Committee for Work with Diaspora.

According to Vike Freiberga, the prime direction of the work of the
Nizami Ganjavi International Centre is the propaganda of ideas of
tolerance and co-existence.

“The conflicts harass society. Refugees cannot return their homeland
for years,” she said.

Talking about the existing conflicts in the region and their
settlement, Vike Freiberga said that one of the main topics of today’s
meeting is the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 when Armenia made
territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since a lengthy war in the early
1990s that displaced over one million Azerbaijanis, Armenian armed
forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s internationally
recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent
regions.

The UN Security Council has adopted four resolutions on Armenian
withdrawal, but they have not been enforced to date.

“Many in Latvia used to say the country doesn’t have any chance
to restore its independence. However, this happened when the USSR
collapsed, and many things changed and borders appeared, though
there were none previously. Conflicts can be resolved when nations
understand how much they lose due to them. The conflict is resolvable
and it should be done peacefully,” Latvia’s ex-president said.

She also added that Azerbaijan has always been a reliable friend
of Latvia.

Vike Freiberga noted that Azerbaijani and Latvian officials and
businessmen organize mutual visits. She pointed out that there are
enough favorable prospects to develop various spheres between the
two countries.

The Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) and the Club de Madrid
opened a High Level Preparatory Meeting for the “Shared Societies
Forum 2014” to be held in Baku next year.

The event, supported by the Azerbaijan State Committee for the Work
on Diaspora, is attended by former heads of state and government of
Latvia, Finland, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka and officials of some
influential international organizations.

The two-day meeting will debate preparatory actions for the forthcoming
Forum, and also discuss settlement of the conflicts in the South
Caucasus, involvement of women in active social life, intercultural
and interfaith dialogue, the Millennium Development Program after
2015 and other topics.

NGIC and Club de Madrid also plan to organize a Board Meeting. The
event will see the adoption of an appeal to UN Secretary General Ban
Ki-Moon and the UN General Assembly.

TURKISH WRITER GETS ARMENIA’S ‘GRIGOR NAREKATSI’ MEDAL

, Turkey
Sept 5 2013

Armenian Culture Ministry has awarded the Turkish writer Yasar Kemal
with the ‘Grigor Narekatsi’ Medal

Armenian Culture Ministry has awarded the Turkish writer Yasar Kemal
with the Grigor Narekatsi Medal.

A committee, including the representative of Armenian Culture Ministry
Seyranuhi Geghamyan, an Armenian Deputy Aragats Akhoyan and the
representatives of Western Armenian Council Vahan Melikian and Sevag
Ardzruni, arrived in Turkey so as to present the medal to the writer.

The representative of Armenien Culture Ministry Seyranuhi Geghamyan
made a statement and said, “We are here to convey Armenian people’s
feelings of appreciation to Kemal showing individual chivalry as
opposing to the destruction of an Armenian church in Akdamar Island
situated on Lake Van.”

On the other hand, writer Yasar Kemal stated, “I am honored by the
Grigor Narekatsi medal. Grigor Narekatsi, whose poesy is as important
as his holy personalty, is also my countryman. I thank the Armenian
Culture Ministry which builds a friendly bridge in the name of Saint
Grigor Narekatsi. Our common wish is a world where hostility becomes
friendship and anger becomes love.”

The ‘Grigor Narekatsi’ Medal receives its name from a monk, poet and
philosopher Grigor who lived between 951-1003. Saint Grigor is said
to have lived mostly in eastern province Van in Turkey.

ADVICE ON HIV IN ARMENIA SCORES EUREKA PRIZE

WA today, Australia
Sept 5 2013

National Sci-Tech
by Nicky Phillips

A Sydney researcher who convinced a small eastern European country
to treat its HIV patients with life-saving drugs instead of an
unproven local medicine was one of the researchers honoured at the
2013 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes on Wednesday night.

Before the University of NSW’s David Wilson started working in Armenia
many of the country’s HIV patients were dying from disease-related
infections, a trend that had been reversed around the world since
the development of antiretroviral drugs in the mid-’90s.

“It reminded me of what was happening here in Australia in the 1980s
when we didn’t have any treatments,” said the epidemiologist, who
has a background in medicine and economics.

Since Dr Wilson, who works with governments from low- to middle-income
countries to manage epidemics, convinced the Armenians to start using
proven therapies in 2011 the country’s AIDS-related deaths have fallen
from about 34 per cent of those with the disease to 0.3 per cent.

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‘~QA lot of pride was at stake for them because they’d put a lot of
money and resources around their drug,’~R he said.

For the global impact of his research, Dr Wilson, an associate
professor, was awarded the Eureka Prize for emerging leader in science
at a gala dinner at Sydney’s Town Hall.

In Australia, Dr Wilson has also demonstrated the health and economic
benefits of needle-exchange programs, which resulted in clinics being
set up around the country.

‘~QI often don’t see the people [my work] influences or affects but I
see the bigger picture – the shifts in policy, the changes in funding
that change the health of the population – and I get tremendous
satisfaction from that,’~R he said.

Others awarded at the annual prizes included a team who developed
a program to encourage farmers to plant native shrubs for livestock
feed. The Enrich project team, led by CSIRO, found grazing livestock
on native plants could improve a farmer’s profitability by up to
24 per cent in low- to medium-rainfall areas, as well as decrease
greenhouse gas emissions and erosion.

Two-time Eureka prize winner and evolutionary biologist Rick Shine,
from the University of Sydney, was honoured for mentoring young
researchers and UNSW’s Rob Brooks, also an evolutionary biologist,
was awarded for promoting the understanding of science with his
award-winning book, Sex, Genes and Rock ‘n’ Roll, as well as his
regular columns and TV and radio interviews.

The night’s top award, the Eureka Prize for leadership in science, was
won by nanotechnology expert Frank Caruso from Melbourne University.

The material scientist is best known for developing nano-sized
materials that can improve vaccines and drug delivery or to generate
sharper imaging from MRI scans.

He was also a member of the team that won the prize for
interdisciplinary scientific research that developed nano-scale
diamond sensors that can light up the insides of cells.

with Bridie Smith

SPARTACUS WOWS KATARA AUDIENCE

Gulf Times, Qatar
Sept 6 2013

The Spartacus ballet, staged in the Arabian Gulf for the first time
at Katara Opera House, was enjoyed by a large audience as part of a
special presentation.

While the ballet will be open to the public until tomorrow (8.30pm),
Katara organised a special invitation-only show for a select audience.

Members of the public, artistes, diplomats and media personalities
were among the guests who attended the show performed by Armenian
National Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Dozens of dancers participated in the ballet, which was composed by
Armenian musician Aram Khachaturian in 1954.

Spartacus had its first staging at Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow in 1958.

Since then, the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre has
preformed the ballet over 200 times around the world.

The work follows the exploits of Spartacus, the leader of the
slave uprising against the Romans known as the Third Servile War,
although the ballet’s storyline takes considerable liberties with
the historical record.

After being captured by the Romans, Spartacus is sent into the
gladiatorial ring to provide entertainment and forced to kill another
slave – who turns out to be his friend.

A horrified Spartacus then incites fellow captives to rebel and
succeeds in raising an army of slaves. The captives manage to escape
but Spartacus, following a series of events, is captured by the Romans
and impaled.

Spartacus is considered as a great symbol of the fight against
injustice.

COMMISSION: EU-ARMENIA ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT COULD BE COMPATIBLE WITH CIS COOPERATION

ENPI Info Centre
Sept 5 2013

05-09-2013

The EU has taken note of Armenia’s apparent wish to join the
Russia-led Customs Union but said it needed to hear from Yerevan
about the intentions of the authorities and “how they wish to ensure
compatibility between these and the commitments undertaken through
the Association Agreement (AA) and DCFTA.”

A memo issued by the European Commission yesterday said the EU would
draw its conclusions on the way forward after this consultation.

The memo described the AA/DCFTA as “a blueprint for reforms
beneficial for all and not a zero-sum game,” stressing that it
“could be compatible with economic cooperation with the members of
the Commonwealth of Independent States.”

The negotiations of the Association Agreement (including a Deep
and Comprehensive Free Trade Area) with Armenia were finalised in
July this year, after three and a half years. “This agreement would
allow Armenia with the EU´s support, to drive forward a programme
of comprehensive modernisation and reform based upon shared values,
political association and economic integration,” the memo said. (EU
Neighbourhood Info)

ARMENIA AT THE CROSSROADS

The Messenger, Georgia
Sept 5 2013

By Messenger Staff
Thursday, September 5

There is a possibility that Armenia might officially refuse to
continue its policy of cooperation with the European Union’s (EU)
Eastern Partnership project. At the Vilnius Summit scheduled in
November, 2013 Armenia will have to sign the official document with
the EU about the associated membership. However, after the visit of the
Armenian President, Serzh Sargsyan, in Moscow, September 3, things may
radically change. Initially Armenia took the position when it claimed
to enjoy both options – cooperate with Russia and at the same time
participate in the Eastern Partnership project. However, Moscow has
managed to blackmail Yerevan and in return of Armenia’s sovereignty
and safety demanded Armenia to join the alliance with Moscow.

In fact Russia can influence the decisions of all the former Soviet
Union countries: Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine, and Armenia; whereas
Moscow cannot exercise such influence on Georgia.

ANDREY KOKOSHIN: “EURASIAN INTEGRATION IS NECESSARY”

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Sept 5 2013

The statement announced during the Russian-Armenian summit on Yerevan’s
decision to join the Customs Union and take part in establishing
the Eurasian integration process caused discussion on importance of
integration projects. Ahead of the G20 summit in St.

Petersburg the dean of the World Politics Department of MSU, Andrey
Kokoshin, told Vestnik Kavkaza about prospects of G20 and the Eurasian
project.

MARTIROSIAN: ARMENIA HAS JOINED UNION OF AUTHORITARIAN REGIMES

“A process – in which neither political forces nor the public
participated so as to legitimize it – has taken place,” the deputy
chairman of Heritage Party Armen Martirosian said at a meeting with
reporters today, when commenting on Armenia’s decision to join the
Customs Union.

“If Armenia was pressurized and forced to join the Customs Union,
it means that in the future we will be nothing,” Martirosian said.

According to him, there was a similar situation in Armenia at the
beginning of the 20th century when Turkey and Russia reached an
agreement and the Armenians lost Western Armenia and Nakhijevan and
managed to keep Syunik thanks to the struggle led by Garegin Nzhdeh.

“In terms of the system of government, we have joined a union of
authoritarian regimes,” Martirosian noted.

In his words, Russia is one of the most corrupt states in the world
and the strengthening of oligarchy and monopolies will continue in
Armenia – the same processes that happen in Russia.

Armen Martirosian stressed that Armenia has for several years conducted
negotiations with the European Union and Europeans immediately reacted
to Armenia’s latest decision, noting that it is not a game.

Martirosian expressed an opinion that Armenia will turn from a
semi-independent country into a fully dependent territory and half
of its population will emigrate to the metropolitan country – Russia,
while youths will move to Western Europe.

NATO DATA: ASSAD WINNING THE WAR FOR SYRIANS’ HEARTS AND MINDS

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

– SEPTEMBER 4, 2013

A man waves the Syrian flag bearing the image of President Bashar
Assad. /Marwan Naamani/AFP/Getty Images

Special to WorldTribune.com

LONDON – After two years of civil war, support for the regime of
Syrian President Bashar Assad was said to have sharply increased.

NATO has been studying data that told of a sharp rise in support
for Assad. The data, compiled by Western-sponsored activists and
organizations, showed that a majority of Syrians were alarmed by the
Al Qaida takeover of the Sunni revolt and preferred to return to Assad,
Middle East Newsline reported.

“The people are sick of the war and hate the jihadists more than
Assad,” a Western source familiar with the data said. “Assad is
winning the war mostly because the people are cooperating with him
against the rebels.”

The data, relayed to NATO over the last month, asserted that 70 percent
of Syrians support the Assad regime. Another 20 percent were deemed
neutral and the remaining 10 percent expressed support for the rebels.

The sources said no formal polling was taken in Syria, racked
by two years of civil war in which 90,000 people were reported
killed. They said the data came from a range of activists and
independent organizations that were working in Syria, particularly
in relief efforts.

The data was relayed to NATO as the Western alliance has been divided
over whether to intervene in Syria. Britain and France were said to
have been preparing to send weapons to the rebels while the United
States was focusing on protecting Syria’s southern neighbor Jordan.

A report to NATO said Syrians have undergone a change of heart over
the last six months. The change was seen most in the majority Sunni
community, which was long thought to have supported the revolt.

“The Sunnis have no love for Assad, but the great majority of the
community is withdrawing from the revolt,” the source said. “What
is left is the foreign fighters who are sponsored by Qatar and Saudi
Arabia. They are seen by the Sunnis as far worse than Assad.”

yrians%E2%80%99-hearts-and-minds/

REP. GRIMM WITHDRAWS SUPPORT FROM SYRIA AIR STRIKES

Thursday, September 5th, 2013

Rep. Michael Grimm

WASHINGTON-Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman, Rep. Michael
Grimm (R-NY) posted on his Web site Thursday that he is withdrawing
his support for the proposed US air strikes against Syria.

“I have heard from many constituents who strongly oppose unilateral
action at a time when we have so many needs here at home. Thus, after
much thought, deliberation and prayer, I am no longer convinced that
a U.S. strike on Syria will yield a benefit to the United States
that will not be greatly outweighed by the extreme cost of war,”
said Grimm on his site.

“When President Obama announced his plans to strike Syria in response
to the discovery that the Assad regime used chemical weapons to kill
thousands of men, women and children; my initial reaction, as a Marine
combat veteran, was to stand by the Commander in Chief and support
immediate, targeted strikes,” explained Grimm. “I believed that the
reputation and credibility of the United States was on the line and
that we had to send a strong message that the use of chemical weapons
is reprehensible and will not be tolerated. Unfortunately, the time
to act was then and the moment to show our strength has passed.”

The Armenian National Committee of America, citing the Armenian
American community’s profound concern for the fate of Syria’s Armenian
population and the welfare of all of Syria’s citizens, circulated
letters Wednesday across Capitol Hill calling on Members of the U.S.

House and Senate to oppose legislation authorizing U.S. strikes
against Syria.

“As our nation’s elected representatives gather this week to consider
potential U.S. actions against Syrian targets, we wish to add our
voice, as Americans of Armenian heritage, to those of our fellow
citizens who oppose American military strikes and are against any
escalation of violence. Such an escalation would very likely create
further challenges and lead to serious additional harm to Christian
communities, including Syria’s Armenian minority,” said ANCA Chairman
Ken Hachikian in letters to U.S. legislators. “We take this stand
mindful of the horrific human suffering that armed conflict has
already visited across Syria, including the death and destruction
being endured, to this day, by Armenians and other Christian
communities. There has already been too much bloodshed, too much
brutality, and too much suffering. An escalation in aggression can
neither save lives nor help bring about peace.”

The ANCA also launched a Web campaign for Armenian-American to express
their message of opposition to the administration’s planned attacks on
Syria.