Author: Kajoyan Gevork

APA, Azerbaijan
Aug 20 2012

Armenian ASALA threatens Turkey

[ 20 Aug 2012 12:43 ]
Baku. Anakhanim Hidoyatova – APA. Armenian Secret Army for the
Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) released a report on the policy Turkey
pursued in the recent years.

`Any military adventurism or any direct or indirect violation of the
security and the social cohesion of the Armenian community of Syria on
the part of Turkey will be met by similar counter-measures.

The conspiratorial and hostile policy of the Turkish state against the
neighboring countries reached its peak and has led Turkey in a total
isolation in the whole region.

The aggressive policy against Iraq’s integrity, the direct military
intervention in the bloody crisis of Syria, the continuation for more
than 20 years of the blockade imposed on Armenia, the conspiratorial
and double-faced policy towards Iran, the non-stopping threats against
the territorial integrity of Greece and Cyprus and the augmenting
coercive measures against the Kurdish people have transformed Turkey
into a center of danger for the stability of the region.

We call the Turkish intellectuals and the progressive public of Turkey
to face the black pages of their national history and condemn the
continuing policy of hatred, conspiracy and genocide against the
neighboring peoples, adopted by their country’s government which is
cherishing dreams of a revival of the bloodthirsty Ottoman regime.
This policy achieves only to sustain and increase the enmity and
hatred between Turkey and the neighboring peoples.

We express our solidarity to all the peoples of the area and we
declare that the Arab people will decide its destiny and shape its
future all alone without the crocodilian tears and hypocritical care
of the Turkish ruling circles,’ press service of Armenian Secret Army
for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) reported.

The FINANCIAL, Georgia
Aug 20 2012

Georgians Marry Russians the Most, Interracial Marriage Statistics Show

Written by Mariam Papidze, The FINANCIAL

The FINANCIAL — Interracial marriage is on the rise in Georgia,
according to statistics of the civil registry. Latest data shows that
more Georgian women get married to foreign men than the other way
round.

1,941 mixed marriages were registered in Georgia in 2012. 2,788 mixed
marriages were registered in 2011 which is 57 percent higher than the
previous year’s data.

988 Georgian women were married to foreign men and 864 foreign women
got married to Georgian men. As for different countries’ citizens, 89
couples registered their marriages in Georgia this year.

Georgian men and women mainly marry Russians compared to other foreign
nationals. 388 Georgian women married Russian men in 2012 and 495
Georgian men married Russian women. Compared to last year’s data it is
obvious that more and more Georgians are choosing Russians to be their
spouses. 1,107 marriages between Russians and Georgians were
registered in 2010 which is 69 percent higher than the year 2009’s
data.

After Russia comes Armenia in terms of the biggest number of marriages
between Georgian men and foreign women. 92 Georgian men married
Armenian women this year.

The statistic of Georgian men’s marriages to other countries’ citizens
is as follows: 56 marriages to Ukrainian women; 48 – to Azerbaijani
women; 28 – to American women; 24 – German women; 11 – Israeli women;
9 – Latvian, Uzbek and Cossack women; 7 – Lithuanian women; 4 –
British, French, Swedish and Moldovan women; 3 – Belorussian,
Estonian, Canadian and Kirgiz women; 2 – Turkish, Turkmen and Czech
women.

As for Georgian women getting married to foreign men, after Russia
another of the biggest number of mixed marriages is those registered
married to Turkish men. 174 Georgian women married Turkish men; 114 –
Greek men; 36 – American men; 33 – German men; 30 – Azerbaijani men;
19 – British men; 18 – Armenian men; 17 – Iranian men; 16 – Ukrainian
men; 15 – Indian men; 14 – Italian men; 12 – French men; 11 – Israeli
men; 6 – to Australian, Lithuanian and Nigerian men; 5 – to
Bangladeshi, Egyptian, Canadian, and Latvian men; 4 – to Pakistani and
Syrian men; 3 – to Afghan, Albanian, Spanish, Swedish and Norwegian
men; 2 – to Belgian, Bulgarian, Estonian, Dutch, Polish, Cossack and
Chinese men.

Economists and psychologists have differing opinions about why
interracial marriages are on the rise in Georgia. While economists
claim that this is a result of globalization and open borders,
psychologist Marina Gogsadze believes that interracial marriages are
due to different psychological factors.

`Based on my own experience, I can say that Georgian girls often
deliberately try to find a foreign husband,’ said Marina Gogsadze,
psychologist. `We see that statistically, more Georgian women get
married to foreign men than the other way round. Women have two
motives: material wellbeing and psychological trauma. This trauma is a
result of past relationships with Georgian men. The women think that
they will find relief in a marriage with a foreign man. Another factor
in interracial marriages in Georgia is that some Georgians believe
they can start another, wealthier life married to a foreigner. They
buy in to the illusion that marriage with a foreigner will solve their
economic problems,’ she added.

Discussing marriages in economic terms shows that living alone is much
more expensive than living with a spouse, according to different
economic aspects. Economists claim that living together with a spouse
reduces expenses. However in the case of interracial marriages the
contrary happens – marriage increases expenditures for the couple.

`In general, living with a spouse is much more cost-saving than living
alone,’ said Maka Chitanava, economist, research associate at ISET
(International School of Economics at Tbilisi State University).
`According to the economics of love and marriage, a couple try not to
make risky decisions. They are afraid of making an incorrect decision
which might harm their partner. This caution generally leads to making
the right decisions, increasing their income and finally improving
their economic conditions. Also, husband and wife are dividing all the
expenses, such as utility fees, food, petrol and other daily expenses.
So, living together reduces expenses in general,’ Chitinava added.

`In terms of interracial marriages though, expenses are increasing. An
obvious example is visiting the parents or family of a husband/wife,
which requires additional expenses. When two people with wholly
different values get married, then this also tends to increase a
couple’s daily expenditures,’ said Chitanava.

`The marriage market has become larger. Individuals can choose their
mates on a large and more competitive market. Because of globalization
it is very easy to find a kindred spirit in today’s world. And I
imagine that more Georgians will be having interracial marriages with
western European and American citizens in the future,’ she added.

A mixed marriage is the marriage of two individuals from different
races or religions. As Georgians often marry Russians, Armenians and
Turkish people it means that these social groups are more close to
Georgians than other ones, demographics believe.

`Statistics show that Georgians often marry Russians. In this case a
crucial factor is that the religion is the same between Georgians and
Russians,’ said Tsiuri Antadze, demographic, independent expert.

`In most cases it is the mother’s nationality that determines the
character and values of her son or daughter. That is why attention
should be paid to the nationality of the woman Georgian men get
married to. The reason why many Georgians tend to marry Russians is
that Russia is close to our country in cultural terms. And in
addition, a lot of Russians live in Georgia,’ said Tsiuri Antadze,
independent expert.

,_Interracial_Marriage_Statistics_Show/

Foreign Policy
Aug 20 2012

Gen. Hertling’s trip report: Security and conflict in the Caucasus
region, not frozen

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks
Best Defense guest columnist

The Caucasus — that historical causeway of conflict between Europe
and the Middle East — remains a complicated tangle of security
concerns. Ethnic tensions still affect long standing territorial
disputes, internally displaced indigenous people align with or oppose
powerful diasporas, and an increasing nouveau riche — an oil-fueled
minority upper class — is growing in an area once known only for
desperate poverty.

While the Minsk Group spearheads the OSCE’s efforts to find a
political solution to the conflict in and around Nagorno-Karabakh,
Armenia and Azerbaijan both remain frustrated with the lack of
political resolve; military leaders on both sides proudly and
unjustifiably claim they could “settle it” quickly. The recent
Georgian experience with Russia has left significant cross-border
scars that will likely not heal anytime soon, especially as Georgia
desperately seeks NATO membership and European acceptance. The
spider-web relations between Iran and Israel with many of those in
this region confuses even the experts; and the border between Turkey
and many of her allies — especially Armenia — are subject to
political resolution of multi-generational disputes between those two
countries.

All of these factors exist in a crucible surrounded on three sides by
Turkey, Iran, and Russia. The potential for conflict is considered so
plausible and the issues related to the interaction so confusing that
a few years ago the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command
developed scenarios linked to the Caucasus to help prepare Majors for
military contingencies. The U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff
College at Fort Leavenworth uses the “GAAT”
(Georgia-Armenia-Azerbaijan-Turkey) exercise as a thread of continuity
throughout the course. Understandably there is no right or wrong
answers to any of the questions posed to young field grade officers in
the course, but the underlying conflict scenarios meet the requirement
to analyze and exercise an extremely complex Joint, Interagency,
Intergovernmental and Multinational resolution.

During a recent U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) command visit to Georgia,
Armenia and Azerbaijan, my young aide de camp — a recent graduate of
Leavenworth — pronounced after accompanying me that she wished she
had visited these countries before participating in “the GAAT.” After
observing the meetings with the regions’ visionary political
leadership, and seeing the capabilities of the emerging non-conscript
militaries and the unique differences between the younger generation
of professional leaders and the older generation of Soviet-trained
generals, she proclaimed: “this is very different from what I learned
in the classrooms at Leavenworth, Kansas.”

There were some tensions, to be sure. But there was also reason for optimism.

European Command’s strategy of Theater Security Cooperation — and
USAREUR’s contribution as part of that strategy in training and
exercising with the militaries and engaging with military and
political leaders — is bearing significant results. The four nations
that make up “the GAAT” are integrating forces in NATO out of theater
and peacekeeping operations in places like Afghanistan and Kosovo, and
the potential for peaceful management of the region’s substantial
security challenges is improving.

Georgia has participated in ISAF since 2005 and has provided a
caveat-free battalion under U.S. command since 2010. This contribution
is set to double in October of this year. The Georgian military
leadership is now requesting USAREUR’s support to train a
brigade-sized command and control element for their increasingly
capable and dramatically more professional force. Armenia has recently
volunteered to send forces to the continuing Kosovo peacekeeping
operation under U.S. command, after their partnership deployment with
Greece ended due to the fiscal crisis in that country. Even while
engaged in the poorly-named “frozen conflict” of Nagorno-Karabakh
(N-K), both Armenia and Azerbaijan deploy company-sized elements to
Afghanistan, under German and Turkish commands, respectively. Indeed,
the fact that Azerbaijan and Armenia have both created brigade-sized
peacekeeping and NATO-compatible units is an extremely positive
development. Remarkably, both nations have developed these forces as a
distinct military branch for the express purpose of participating in
multinational operations. These units, which are specifically
non-aligned with operations in N-K conflict, are largely manned by
professional soldiers, not conscripts, and are led by
English-speaking, western-trained officers. At a glance during my
visit, they also appear better trained than line forces occupying
positions along the NK line-of-contact.

The infusion of values and the concept of a “profession of arms” are
taking hold in the younger elements of the Georgian, Armenian, and
Azerbaijani officer corps, who are often trained in the west through
the Individual Military Education and Training (IMET) program. The
differences between these younger leaders — many of whom have already
taken command in key positions — and the older Soviet-trained
generals are palpable. In Georgia, for example, the Chief of the Army
is exceedingly young, but in two years of engagement I have watched
him grow into a mature and dedicated leader of his relatively small
Army. The younger Battalion and Brigade Commanders in Armenia and
Azerbaijan — many of whom received education at the Army’s War
College at Carlisle or at Leavenworth — also exhibit a professional
character found in more advanced security forces. Several of these
Armies are also focusing on growing a professional NCO corps; this is
one of the more significant signs of emerging and quantifiable
progress. The younger, visionary political leaders know these aspects
of a professional force are critical for further democratization and
inclusion in European and NATO organizations.

As the world’s security focus shifts away from ISAF, and the National
Security Strategy of the U.S. “rebalances” toward the Pacific, USAREUR
continues to look at the Caucasus countries in the same way that we
view the others that make up the European Area of Responsibility; as
partners in future coalitions.

The forward presence of U.S. forces in various parts of the world is
critical to an expansion of security cooperation and partner capacity
building. Our forward presence in Europe eliminates the tyranny of
distance, and it significantly enables realistic training and
exercises with security forces of all different nations. But more than
that, our presence builds trust; something that rotational forces
cannot do to the same degree as those who share the continent. All
these factors are necessary elements in reassuring political and
military officials that there is a peaceful solution to regional
tensions, and that other security challenges are best met working
closely — and daily — with regional allies. Forward presence
reinforces the reality that the United States is a committed partner
in maintaining regional security.

Having seen the potential for conflict, and the continued methods of
resolving conflict, I am excited about the future of security and
conflict resolution in the Caucuses. That optimism is borne out by the
progress made by Georgian, Armenian and Azeri security forces. Each
country is, in different capacities, building a base of military
professionalism and reform, and is ensuring a more peaceful security
for their nations.

The Caucasus’ position as a geographical, cultural, and political
epicenter means that movements -positive and negative — in Georgia,
Armenia, and Azerbaijan reverberate well beyond the local region. With
America’s continued support, the Caucuses will remain a source of
stable, reliable, interoperable partners who are the foundation of
future regional and global security.

Lieutenant General Mark Hertling is the current Commanding General,
U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army, where he is responsible for
training U.S. Army Soldiers and units for Contingency and Full
Spectrum Operations, enhancing Theater Security Cooperation, and
Building Partner Capacity with 51 allied nations that are part of the
European area of operation. Prior to this posting, he served as the
DCG for Initial Military Training at TRADOC and previous to that the
Commander of the 1st Armored Division, where the unit was deployed to
Northern Iraq as Task Force Iron.

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Aug 20 2012

Armenia: the logic of internal political struggle

Author: Susanna Petrosian, Yerevan, exclusively to VK

On September 9, the Ararat, Armavir, Shirak, Lori and Syunik regions
of Armenia will hold elections for local governmental bodies. The
election campaign will begin on August 22 and run until September 7.
In all the communities, several people put forward their nominations.
So, in cities of Sisian, Kapan and Meghri in Syunik region five, four,
and three candidates for mayor came forward respectively. In Kajaran,
Agarak and Dastakert two candidates are registered; the same number of
candidates intend to struggle for the post of mayor of Echmiadzin. In
the second and third largest cities of Armenia, respectively, in
Gyumri and Vanadzor, elections in which are considered to be central,
five people will fight for the post of mayor, including members of the
ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), one of the most influential
forces in the country today, the party “Prosperous Armenia” and the
opposition party “Dashnaktsutiun”. Note that the current mayor of
Gyumri, Vardan Ghukasyan, did not apply for registration. The RPA
previously stated that it would not support the candidature of
Ghukasian.

The most active position is taken up by the ruling Republican Party
which nominated its representatives or expressed support to
independent candidates in all communities. Vice Chairman of the
Republican Party, MP Galust Sahakyan stressed the critical importance
of the elections: “The Republican Party has always taken the most
active part in the elections to the local governmental bodies, because
the whole essence of the socio-economic life of the country is based
on the work of the community.” Meanwhile, the Republican Party accuses
the opposition of passivity on the issue of participation in the
elections. “For communicating with the people we must first take an
active part in the elections to local authorities, and not to think
only of the parliamentary and presidential elections. Opposition
constantly brags before the upcoming elections to local authorities,
make different suggestions, but always avoids the elections to the
most important link in the relationship with the people – to local
government, ” – Sahakyan says.

Indeed, apart from “Dashnaktsutiun”, which has the necessary financial
resources and party structures in almost all communities, other forces
of opposition such as Armenian National Congress (ANC) and the
“Heritage” do not participate in the election on September 9.
“Dashnaktsutiun” supports an unaffiliated candidate in one community
and, in addition, nominates its candidates in 11 communities,
including cities of Gyumri, Sisian, Kapan.

According to deputy chairman of “Heritage” Armen Martirosyan, the
problems the country faces require a much higher level of solutions,
rather than the level of local authorities: “The elections to local
authorities cannot implement freely competitive environment in the
economy, the rule of law in the administration of the country, ensure
transparency in tax and customs authorities, change the laws, provide
tax benefits to small and medium business etc. The elections to local
government are mainly designed to solve daily problems.”

Some members of the ANC declared that the ANC would not participate in
the regular activities aimed at legitimizing the authorities,
especially since the election outcome is pre-determined. ANC
coordinator Levon Zurabyan stated that in the upcoming elections ANC
will support political forces that are not part of the ruling
coalition, including “Prosperous Armenia”. That is, the ANC intends,
like in the parliamentary elections, only to struggle against the
ruling Republican Party. Most likely, the ANC will not take part in
the elections because of limited financial resources.

In turn, board member of the PPA, deputy of the National Assembly
Tigran Urikhanian stressed that the PAP is open to any constructive
cooperation, if it aims at the protection of law and the rights of
voters and candidates: “If Armenians are interested in it, we can
constructively cooperate with other forces without preconditions. ”

Most likely, the passivity of the opposition will be one of the few
distinguishing characteristics of these elections to the local
government, which, according to the incoming signals, will be held
according to the thumb scheme in which the main link will be presented
by administrative resources. Media have disseminated information about
the intervention of Director of Kajaran copper-molybdenum factory
Maxim Hakobyan in the elections of the mayor supporting the mayor in
action Vardan Gevorgyan.

But more important here is the way in which the outcome of the
September elections will affect the presidential elections scheduled
for February 2013. Elections to local authorities can be regarded as a
rehearsal for the presidential election, but only to a certain extent.
These elections are held in early September, almost six months before
the presidential elections. Many experts believe that the main
political intrigues are expected in October or November. Recent
history of Armenia shows that for both political parties and the
public parliamentary and particularly presidential elections are the
key political events. Strengthening of local authorities is one of the
key objectives of the ruling administration, but Armenia has its own
logic of political struggle, the apogee of which remains the
presidential elections. They cannot be held without surprises for
voters, and in particular for the authorities.

Such “pre-election surprise”, but rather a headache for the government
in February 1998, was the former first secretary of the Communist
Party of Armenia Karen Demirchyan. The similar situation existed in
the fall of 2007: when seemingly nothing could disturb the serene
political atmosphere, suddenly, the first President Levon
Ter-Petrosyan entered the political arena, after 10 years of silence.
Although in both cases the administrative resource clearly worked in
favor of the current government, due to the experience and credibility
amongst the population of these two politicians, the political
situation and the configuration of the political field radically
changed. Given the course of the parliamentary elections on May 6, we
should not exclude another “pre-election surprise” at this time. Thus,
not the election to local government but the next “pre-election
surprise” in the fall will determine the future political processes,
including the presidential election.

Mediamax, Armenia
Aug 20 2012

Regional Center of Humanitarian Aid to operate in Armenia

Yerevan/Mediamax/. The Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations
jointly with their Russian counterparts is going to establish a
Regional Center of Humanitarian Aid in Armenia.

Armenian Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Yeritsyan said today
that a relevant agreement will be signed in the nearest future,
Mediamax reports.

According to the Minister, the Center will be launched already next year.

Turkey’s new constitution will favor Armenians’ interests more – expert

August 20, 2012 – 20:48 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Turkey’s new constitution will favor the interests
of Armenians and other national and religious minorities more,
representative of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Armenian
National Academy of Sciences said.

As Vahram Ter-Matevosyan noted, the constitution commission
representatives met with Turkey’s Armenian community, paid heed to its
views and demands.

`Hope the new constitution will bring progress at least in terms of
national identity,’ the expert told a press conference, adding that
only religious minority is defined in Turkish constitution.

Dwelling on Armenian citizens illegally residing in Turkey, Mr.
Ter-Matevosyan stressed the need to grant them the right to conduct
negotiations on problem solution.

`I believe the new constitution with laws and regulations liberalized
will ameliorate the condition of Armenian community, including RA
citizens,’ he said.

As to Turkey’s EU Minister Egemen BaÄ?ıÅ?’ possibly assuming Istanbul
mayor’s post, the expert noted that it won’t affect he city’s Armenian
community.

Civilitas to appeal Yerevan court decision

news.am
August 20, 2012 | 20:57

YEREVAN. – The Civilitas Foundation will appeal the Armenian capital
city Yerevan’s Kentron and Nork-Marash General Jurisdiction Court
decision. The judge rejected the Civilitas Foundation’s petition to
annul the decision by the National Security Service (NSS).

The NSS has instigated criminal case against the Foundation and its
founder Vartan Oskanian. The court session was convened on Aug. 18.

`Unfortunately we expected such a decision, and we will appeal it in
the highest courts till the European Court. Baseless accusations and
artificial demands divert our attention, hence, hampering and
postponing the activity of our Foundation and the work of CivilNet
media,’ The Civilitas Foundation head Salbi Ghazarian said.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, on May 25 the NSS
Department of Investigation launched a criminal lawsuit on charges of
money laundering with respect to The Civilitas Foundation.

Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire regime 300 times last week

armradio.am
20.08.2012 16:03

According to the data of the NKR Defense Army, about 300 cases of
ceasefire violation by the Azerbaijani side were registered at the
line of contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and
Azerbaijan from August 12 to 18.

The rival fired more than 1,200 shots from weapons of different
caliber in the direction of the Armenian positions.

Committed to the maintenance of the ceasefire regime, divisions of the
NKR Defense Army did not yield to the provocations of the Azerbaijani
side and continued to protect the military positions all along the
line of contact, Press and Propaganda Department of the NKR Ministry
of Defense reports.

ARMENIE
Les Syriens d’origine arménienne devraient recevoir leur nouveau
passeport dans un délai de 6 ou 7 mois

Les autorités d’immigration à Erevan ont annoncé vendredi 17 août 2012
que les ressortissants syriens d’origine arménienne qui ont demandé la
nationalité arménienne devraient recevoir leurs nouveaux passeports
dans un délai maximum de sept mois. La loi arménienne prévoit une
période maximale d’un an pour traiter les demandes.

Armen Hakobian, le chef adjoint du Département des passeports et des
visas de la police nationale, a déclaré que les demandes de
nationalité pour les Arméniens syriens sont actuellement traitées dans
un délai maximum de six ou sept mois. « Tous les Arméniens obtiendront
la nationalité selon une procédure simplifiée », a-t-il déclaré à RFE
/ RL (Azatutyun.am).

Le gouvernement arménien a encore simplifié le processus pour les
Arméniens de Syrie le mois dernier. Ces derniers devraient recevoir
leurs passeports arméniens à Damas et à Alep.

Selon le département des passeports et des visas de la police
nationale, 3248 Syriens d’origine arménienne ont demandé la
citoyenneté arménienne au premier semestre de cette année. 415
demandes supplémentaires auraient été faites au mois de juillet. Le
ministère a signalé plus de 3000 demandes supplémentaires par rapport
à l’an dernier. Hakobian n’a pas l’autorisation de donner le nombre de
dossiers qui ont été approuvés. Selon lui, aucun d’entre eux n’a été
rejeté.

La plupart des candidats arméniens syriens seraient toujours en Syrie.
Selon le ministère arménien de la diaspora, environ 2.000 d’entre eux
résident actuellement en Arménie. Kevork Payasian est gé de 69 ans et
est né à Alep. Aujourd’hui, il attend d’obtenir la nationalité : «
Nous ne voulons pas revenir en Syrie, a-t-il déclaré à RFE / RL . Nous
voulons travailler ici, mais pour l’instant, nous avons du mal à nous
en sortir. »

Comme beaucoup d’autres migrants syriens, K. Payasian n’a toujours pas
trouvé d’ emploi. Lui et son épouse Helen vivent dans un appartement
avec un de leurs fils qui travaille dans un restaurant d’Erevan.

lundi 20 août 2012,
Laetitia ©armenews.com

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Aug 19 2012

Stray bullet kills man after Eid prayers in northwestern Turkey

A 32-year-old man died after being hit by a stray bullet fired at the
courtyard of a mosque after Eid prayers on Sunday in the northwestern
province of TekirdaÄ?. (Photo: AA)

19 August 2012 / TODAYSZAMAN.COM,

A 32-year-old man died after being hit by a stray bullet fired at the
courtyard of a mosque after Eid prayers on Sunday in the northwestern
province of TekirdaÄ?.

Murat Serdar was hit in the head when he was exchanging Eid greetings
with the conglomerate after performing Eid prayers in the Karadeniz
Mosque.

The bullet was reportedly fired by 40-year-old Turhan Samast, who
surrendered police hours after the incident. He told police that it
was accident and he was regretful.

Samast is allegedly the cousin of Ogün Samast, the convicted killer of
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink who was shot dead in 2009.