Author: Kajoyan Gevork

EUROPE MUST BE WARNED OVER BAKU’S NAMING STREETS AFTER CRIMINAL – EXPERT

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 4, 2012 – 17:49 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian Turkologist Ruben Melkonyan commented on
recent extradition and release of Azeri criminal Ramil Safarov, given
a life sentence in Hungary over the murder of an Armenian lieutenant.

“If international organizations fail to react to Safarov’s extradition,
leaving Azerbaijan unpunished for pardoning the murderer, one can
safely say that any cannibal tribe in Africa could become affiliated
with them,’ the expert told a news conference.

“Recent events proved Azerbaijan’s pursuit of systematic policy of
Armenophobia, while bringing up a criminal society.”

“Azerbaijan is on the loosing side of foreign policy issues, with
recent events clearly showing that Aliyevs haven’t learnt even the
most basic diplomacy lessons,” the expert said.

Meklonyan went on to draw parallels between Turkish and Azeri
societies, noting heroization of criminals as common occurrence in
both countries.

“Azerbaijan’s naming a street or a school after a criminal should
serve as a warning to Europe,” the expert said.

HUNGARIANS PROTEST AGAINST RELEASE OF AZERI OFFICER

Updated News

Sept 4 2012
Canada

Almost 2,000 Hungarians protested in Budapest on Tuesday against
the government’s decision to allow an Azeri soldier who had killed
an Armenian officer in 2004 to return home, leading to heightened
tensions between the neighboring countries.

Last week Hungary released soldier Ramil Safarov to Baku, where Azeri
President Ilham Aliyev pardoned him on arrival. Safarov had served
eight years of his life sentence for killing an Armenian officer
during a NATO training in Hungary.

Armenia immediately broke diplomatic ties with Hungary and said
releasing Safarov, who was given a hero’s welcome on his return,
was a “grave mistake”.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at odds since the war between ethnic
Azeris and Armenians that erupted in 1991 over the mainly Armenian
Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. A ceasefire was signed in 1994 but new
cross-border clashes this year have prompted worries of a resumption
of fighting.

Hungary said it acted in compliance with international law and that
Azerbaijan had promised to uphold Safarov’s sentence. While the two
countries were in talks about developing closer economic ties, these
were in no way linked to the release of the soldier, it said.

Azerbaijan dismissed media reports that it planned to buy Hungarian
bonds, which blogs and newspapers had speculated might have played
a part in Safarov’s release.

Protesters chanting “We are sorry, Armenia” said they doubted the
government’s motives, adding that whatever the reasons, the decision
was unacceptable.

“Murderers should not be extradited to countries where it is clear
that ethnic hate crimes are considered heroism,” said protester Laszlo
Muhari, 30. “In a democratic country this is not acceptable.”

“(Prime Minister Viktor) Orban should stop lying and start giving
clear answers, because it is simply impossible that such a brutal
killer is just released without a background deal.”

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT CALLS PROTESTERS NOT TO BURN HUNGARIAN FLAGS

Focus News

Sept 4 2012
Bulgaria

Yerevan. Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian called the protesters,
and especially the youths, not to burn more Hungarian flags,
Novosti-Armenia reported.

On September 1 angry Armenians burnt down a Hungarian flag in front
of the honorary consulate of Hungary in Yerevan, after Budapest
extradited Arzei murdered of an Armenian officer.

“I would like to address our society and especially the young people
and ask them not to burn Hungarian flags. The Hungarian flag does
not belong to the ruling Hungarian party, it is not the symbol of
the Hungarian prime minister,” Sarkisian remarked, adding that the
Armenians and Hungarians had been having really good relations for
hundreds of years.

“Many sons of the Armenian nations sacrificed their lives for the
freedom and independence of Hungary. They used to occupy high-ranking
position and great achievements. The actions of a single person or
a single political party do not give enough grounds for animosity
between nations. Of course, we can stage protests, but we should not
betray ourselves and our values,” the president said.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT TO HOLD EXTRAORDINARY SITTING

Focus News
Sept 3 2012
Bulgaria

Yerevan. The National Assembly of Armenia will hold an extraordinary
sitting on September 5 to adopt a declaration in connection to the
extradition and pardon of Azeri officer Ramil Safarov, RIA Novosti
reported.

In February 2004 Armenian officer Gurgen Margarian, commissioned
to Budapest to attend English-language courses organised by NATO,
was killed with an axe by the Azeri officer Ramil Safarov, who was
attending the same course.

In April 2006 Safarov was sentenced to life imprisonment by the
Hungarian court. On Friday, August 31, 2012, the Azeri officer was
sent back to his country, where teh Azeri president pardoned him.

Safarov was even promoted to the rank of major, given a house and
eight years’ worth of back-pay.

Azerbaijan’s move incited a sharp reaction in Armenia. President
Serzh Sargsyan announced that his country terminates all diplomatic
relations and official connections with Hungary, while Minister of
Defence Seyran Ohanyan and Chief of the General Staff of the Army
Yuri Khachaturov ordered the army to be on high alert.

ARMENIAN POLICE OFFICERS RECALLED FROM BUDAPEST

Mediamax
Sept 3 2012
Armenia

Yerevan/Mediamax/. The Police of Armenia has recalled 10 police
officers who were undergoing training at the International Law
Enforcement Academy in Budapest with the assistance of the U.S.
Embassy.

“In this situation the delegation of the Armenian Police cannot stay
on the territory of a county which has rejected justice and concluded
a deal with the authorities of Azerbaijan. Taking into consideration
the above mentioned, I would like to inform you that the delegation
of the Armenian Police will leave Budapest in the coming days and
return to Armenia. I think the government of the United States
will understand our step, moreover that the U.S. President Barack
Obama has already expressed concern over the actions of Hungarian
and Azerbaijani authorities,” the letter of Police Chief Vladimir
Gasparyan to U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern reads.

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS AGAIN REMAIN NEUTRAL: THERE IS NO PRECISE STATEMENT

19:38 . 03/09

OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs issued a statement after their meeting with
the Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs. But as it often happens in case
of ceasefire violations or actions of Azeri snipers and subverters,
this time, too, they avoided a clear and addressed criticism.

Robert Bradtke, Igor Popov, and Jacques Faure expressed their deep
concern and regret over Aliyev’s pardon and any attempts to glorify
the crime, which have a negative impact on the negotiations process
and the process of establishing trust between the sides.

The co-chairs reiterated to both ministers that, as their Presidents
stated in Los Cabos on June 19, there is no alternative to a peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They will continue to
maintain contacts with the sides to reduce tensions and advance the
peace process.

ARMENIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY VICE CHAIRS DISCUSS SAFAROV’S EXTRADITION WITH PRESTIGIOUS ORGANIZATION

news.am
September 03, 2012 | 15:21

YEREVAN. – Armenian National Assembly (NA) deputy speakers Eduard
Sharmazanov and Hermine Naghdalyan as well as ruling Republican Party
(RPA) MP Karen Avagyan on Monday met with Canan Atilgan, the Regional
Office Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

The MPs highly appreciated the Foundation’s considerable efforts toward
expanding and consolidating the democratic and Christian values of
Europe, NA press service informs.

At the same time, however, they expressed a regret that this meeting
coincided with the period when Ramil Safarov was extradited from
Hungary to Azerbaijan, where he was granted pardon and made a hero
by the country’s authorities.

NA MPs recorded that they expect a fair assessment by the leading
international organizations with respect to this development.

In her turn, Canan Atilgan considered this incident to be worrisome
for them as well, since it obstructs their mission, too. She assured
that senior EU officials will soon issue a statement over this event
because EU bears responsibility for the policy led by a member state.

Also, Ms. Atilgan assessed Azerbaijan’s demeanor as extremely
problematic, and assured that she understands and shares the Armenian
people’s concerns.

Separately, the interlocutors also discussed the chances for RPA’s
participation in the conference that will be held in Georgia on
September 22, and at the initiative of the European People’s Party’s
(EPP).

THE ARTSAKH REPUBLIC PROCLAMATION PRESIDENT BAKO SAHAKYAN SIGNED DECREES ON AWARDING MEDALS AND HONORARY TITLES OF THE NKR.

20:23, 3 September, 2012

In connection with the 21st anniversary of the Artsakh Republic
proclamation President Bako Sahakyan signed decrees on awarding medals
and honorary titles of the NKR.

For personal bravery and courage shown in the defense of the Motherland
five individuals, among them two posthumously, were awarded with the
medal “For Courage”.

For successful performance of combat missions, raising combat readiness
of the forces as well as courage shown defending state borders 158
individuals, among them 9 posthumously, were awarded with the “For
Service in Battle” medal.

For services shown to the Artsakh Republic in the sphere of state
building, economy, healthcare, culture and education eight individuals
were awarded with the “Mkhitar Gosh” medal, five people were decorated
with the “Vachagan Barepasht” medal, two individuals received the
“Anania Shirakatsi” and twenty two individuals were awarded the
“Gratitude” medals.

For significant contribution to the spheres of culture and healthcare
Larisa Sargsyan, soloist of folk instruments ensemble “Dizak” (the
town of Hadrout) was conferred honorary title of Honored Artist;
Mels Hovsepyan, self-taught artist, Artsakh freedom fighter, major of
reserve, was conferred honorary title of Honored Worker of Culture;
honorary titles of Honored Doctor were conferred to Vardan Ghoukasyan,
head of the surgical department of the Republican Medical Center
under the ministry of healthcare and Eduard Patvakanyan, doctor-
urologist of the same center.

BAKU CONS HUNGARY: AZERBAIJAN BACKS OFF ON BUYING HUNGARIAN SECURITIES

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 3, 2012 – 20:02 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Azerbaijani State Oil Fund (SOFAZ) has no plans
to invest in securities and other financial instruments in Hungary,
it said, according to Trend News.

Information on the purchase of Hungarian securities by Azerbaijan
came after the release of Azerbaijani officer.

According to earlier reports, Ramil Safarov, convicted in Hungary
over the murder of Armenian lieutenant was extradited to Azerbaijan
in exchange for Azeri purchase of Hungarian securities worth Euro
2-3 billion.

SOFAZ slammed the report as “false.” Azeri sources, however, report
that Safarov was extradited following a certain “deal” struck between
Hungary and Azerbaijan.

Safarov, the Azerbaijani army officer who was serving a life sentence
in Hungary for axing to death Armenian Lt. Gurgen Margaryan, was
extradited to Azerbaijan and pardoned by Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev.

Official Yerevan reacted by suspending diplomatic ties with Hungary.

UAR PRESIDENT MEETS WITH REPS OF MOSCOW-BASED ARMENIAN ORGANIZATIONS

tert.am
03.09.12

The website reports that President of the Union
of Armenians of Russia (UAR) Ara Abrahamyan held a meeting with
representatives of Moscow-based Armenian organizations on Monday.

He pointed out two important factors that must prove landmarks for
the Armenian people and state. “Recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh must be
Armenia’s next step,” Abrahamyan said.

He announced his intention to meet with Russia’s top-ranking officials,
including President Vladimir Putin and demand an adequate response.

He expressed his concern over Russian officials’ silence. Abrahamyan
noted that, as Armenia’s strategic ally, Russian should have been the
first to respond. As a Russian citizen he is concerned over Armenians’
safety in Russia. Therefore, if a heinous crime was committed in a
European Union (EU) member-state, and the murderer was heroized in
a country that is a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council,
no Armenian is secured against “new Safarovs.”

Abrahamyan also intends to visit Hungary and hold a number of meetings
with opposition forces and government officials and demand that the
officials responsible for Safarov’s extradition resign. Also, since
Hungary admits it has been deceived by Azerbaijan, Abrahamyan will
demand that Hungary sever diplomatic relations with it.

Other well-known Armenian businessmen intend to apply to international
legal companies to get the murder imprisoned again.

Armenian Ambassador to Russia Oleg Yesayan, and Head of the Russian
diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Ezras Nersisyan attended
the meeting.