Author: Kalantarian Kevo

AZERBAIJANI LEADERSHIP STRICTLY ADHERES TO POLICY OF FALSIFICATION OF 1990 POGROMS OF ARMENIANS IN BAKU
By Ivan Gharibyan

NEWS.am
January 13, 2012 | 09:00

On January 13, 1990, Baku is still the capital of Soviet Azerbaijan.

The city is covered by massive anti-Armenian riots. The national
fascist Popular Front of Azerbaijan (PFA) wants to seize the power. In
fact the Front took it to the streets.

The leadership of the republic could not cope with a problem, namely
“not to allow such developments”. In the evening mass pogroms of
the Armenian population started in a city, which used to be tolerant
mainly due to establishment and enforcement of Soviet power.

By this time, the Armenian population of the city dropped from 200,000
to 50,000. Armenians were destined to become victims of the brutal
actions of criminals.

Popular Front of Azerbaijan was acting very “professionally”. Prior to
the Armenian massacres, Soviet military units were completely blocked
in the Salyan barracks, moreover, there were already victims among
family members of the soldiers.

The Baku police was demoralized amid a complete blockade of all the
central government buildings by Front’s supporters. The rioters also
received “a wave of support” from corrupted leader of Azerbaijani
Communist Party Heydar Aliyev and his clan.

The ghastly outcome of united efforts of nationalists-fascists and the
Aliyev clan was more than disappointing: a week of medieval raids,
burned homes, shops, chaos, murder and rape. According to official
statistics, about 100 Armenians were brutally killed in their homes
and in the central streets of the capital of Azerbaijan. The number
of injured was not even counted.

Only the belated decision of the Presidium of USSR Supreme Soviet
to declare state of emergency in Baku on January 19 allowed avoiding
possible extermination of the entire Christian population of Baku city
(at that time the pogroms spread on Russian population as well). The
Soviet Army was able to restore order partially. Armenians had to
leave the city losing all the property.

Twenty-two years passed, Baku is blooming under the millstone of
Aliev clan’s authoritarian regime. Presently, Azerbaijanis themselves,
residents of old Baku, are expelled from their homes without getting
any compensation. Their houses will be replaced by luxurious hotels,
huge trading centers.

The most important issue is not to remember former Armenian citizens of
Baku. Instead, the local television boasts about “tolerant Azerbaijan”
where “representatives of different nationalities always lived
peacefully”. Among the ridiculous statement of Azerbaijani TV are
“Erivan – capital of Western Azerbaijan”, “Armenians – aliens in the
Caucasus” and others. Armenian pogroms “never existed”, these are
“provocative anti-Azerbaijani speculations”, insist Azerbaijani
officials.

It is wrong to build life based on constant lies. Doing so, you
will finally have the problems, which brother-Turks have presently
faced with. They have an aspiration to join the EU but are constantly
reminded of Genocide of Armenians. It is better to acknowledge shameful
and indelible chapters of history, as forgiveness exists. You would
better remember simple human values instead of cultivating cynical
lies. You should instead remember the values, which urged many
Azerbaijanis to save their Armenian friends and neighbors 22 years ago.

“THE PKK IS ALSO EUROPE’S PROBLEM”

Sabah
Jan 13 2012
Turkey

Breaking News

The European Parliament has held their first session on Turkey’s
annual progress report.

The draft, prepared by the EP’s Dutch Christian Democrats Group Member
Ria Oomen-Ruijten was discussed by the EP Foreign Affairs Commission.

While the majority of parliamentarians found the report to be
‘balanced’, it is anticipated that there may be up to 400 amendment
proposals.

European Parliament MP’s expressed their unease at the report
prepared on CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıcdaroglu regarding lifting his
immunity, which he has also requested, and underlined the necessity
for judicial reform and a civilian constitution. Meanwhile, the draft
report condemns the PKK terrorist organization and requests European
Nations collaborate with Turkey on this issue.

While the European Parliament’s Turkey Rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruijten
responded to the commission’s criticism and comments, in regards to
the issue, she stated, “The PKK is a terrorist organization. This
problem does not solely involve Turkey. At the same time it also
closely affects Europe, because, the PKK’s sources of funds are
provided from European Union nations. Human trafficking, drug trade
and arms smuggling are all conducted for this purpose. The EU cannot
leave Turkey on its own in the struggle against terrorism.”

Answering questions for the Turkish press following the meeting,
Oomen-Ruijten refrained from commenting on the ruling by Denmark’s
justice system to not shut down Roj TV, which has been recorded to have
connections to the PKK. The draft report, which requests a political
solution be reached on the Kurdish issue, also emphasizes the need
for all political parties, including BDP, to distance themselves from
the terrorist organization. Expressing her concern at the number of
KCK arrests, the EP rapporteur also offered up the criticism that
thoughts and expressions are penalized in Turkey.

Oomen-Ruijten also touched upon the positive areas found by the
European Commission, “We have an agreement made with Turkey in 2004.

We are trying to portray the picture of how much Turkey has adapted
to the Copenhagen criteria in our annual reports. A number of nations
that experienced the Arab Spring look to the democratization in Turkey
with envy. However, when we look from a European perspective we see
that there are still steps to be taken for further democratization
in Turkey. Turkey and the EU need to work together.”

A REACTION TO FRANCE FROM A EUROPEAN LIBERAL LEADER

European Parliamentarian and Leader of the Liberal Group in Parliament
drew attention to the fact that a promise was made to Turkey 50 years
ago and expressed that he does not side with claims that Turkey has
experienced a shift in axis, however also stated that if that were the
case it would not come as a surprise. Emphasizing the need to support
Turkey during the membership process, Watson also criticized France’s
approach towards criminalizing the denial of Armenian allegations by
stating it was not ‘a positive sign’.

Emine Bozkurt, the AP’s Turkey rapporteur on women’ rights and gender
equality noted that she found Turkey’s draft report to be balanced and
expressed her pleasure that next week they would be handling the need
for work on the constitution to gain speed and for readjustments on
shortening periods of detainment. Bozkurt criticized the report on
Kılıcdaroglu by stating, “The objective should not be to silence
the opposition.”

The EP’s Turkey progress report, following the inclusion of the
amendment proposals, is expected to be passed by a vote at the Plenary
Session held in Strasbourg in March.

ON ARMENIANS, ARMENIANS, AND ARMENIANS
Nareg Seferian

Voice of America

Jan 12 2012

I just finished my first semester of graduate school in the Boston
area. One of the advantages to which I was looking forward before
starting the master’s program was the presence of a large and active
Armenian community in Boston, dating back a hundred years and more.

Meeting my brethren

There are six Armenian churches, a few schools, a couple of newspapers,
and various organizations and community centers. I had never really
lived “the Diaspora life,” as some would call it, so I was excited
about getting to be around my own people expressing our culture
(in its uniquely Boston variety).

And it has proved to be very interesting, actually. I have been to a
number of events – public lectures, banquets, and get-togethers and
the like, not to mention attending church services regularly.

But there’s also an Armenian world tied in with my main purpose for
being in Massachusetts: the education.

My graduate school actually has a special program that brings in young
bureaucrats and professionals from Armenia for six-month courses on
politics, society, economics and international affairs. It is really
a remarkable initiative, funded by an Armenian-American foundation.

It is just this sort of activity that showcases how the Diaspora can
be of meaningful assistance to the country, the Republic of Armenia,
so I felt proud to witness it first-hand, as I got to sit in on a
few of those classes myself.

Finally, my graduate school has some regular students who happen to be
Armenians or of Armenian descent. They formed the third group in my
ethnic life, as it were. Ironically, even though I myself fall under
that category as someone who grew up outside Armenia (although not in
America), these were the ones with whom I had the least interaction,
mainly because I shared almost no classes with my fellow Armenian
grad students. Maybe that will change this next semester.

What are they like?

It is interesting for me to observe these three groups. They share
some characteristics, but they are very different for the most part.

After all, the students are here for the short-term or the medium-term,
while the Armenian-Americans live and work here.

The ones from Armenia undergoing the special course are professionals;
they have jobs back home, perhaps even families, while the regular
Armenian students may be just starting their career, or transitioning
from one career to another. Perhaps they are married with kids,
perhaps not.

The regular Armenian students may be from Armenia, or not (one of
them, in fact, is from France). The ones from Armenia certainly speak
Armenian, but many of the Armenian-Americans do not, or they speak
a dialect different from the one prevalent in the Republic of Armenia.

All this diversity within one group, within one area, has been quite
fascinating. My graduate education experience has ended up teaching
me much more about the world and about society than what my professors
have been lecturing about politics, international affairs, diplomacy,
or law. And in just one semester too.

PACE CO-RAPPORTEURS MAKE MONITORING VISIT TO ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
2012-01-12

Strasbourg, 12.01.2012 – John Prescott (United Kingdom, SOC) and
Axel Fischer (Germany, EPP/CD), co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for the monitoring of Armenia,
will make a fact-finding visit to Yerevan on 16-17 January.

Talks are scheduled with the President of the Republic Serzh Sargsyan,
the President of the National Assembly Samvel Nikoyan, the Foreign
Affairs minister Edward Nalbandyan and the Justice minister Hrayr
Tovmasyan, as well as with the Chairperson of the Central Election
Commission Tigran Mukuchyan. The co-rapporteurs will also meet
representatives of political parties and the judicial authorities,
as well as NGOs and the Armenian delegation to the PACE.

Discussions will mainly focus on the follow-up to PACE Resolution 1837
(2011) – on the investigation into the ten casualties of the March 2008
events, the creation of an independent police complaints mechanism,
and civilian oversight over the police – as well as on preparations
for the 2012 parliamentary elections, and on the priority areas for
the monitoring procedure.

OMBUDSMAN OF ARMENIA EXPRESSES CONCERN WITH TRAGIC DEATH OF A SOLDIER

arminfo
Thursday, January 12, 20:29

Today Ombudsman of Armenia Karen Andreasyan expressed his condolence
to the relatives and friends of conscript soldier Hayk Khachatryan,
who died on December 30. He also expressed his serious concern over
the tragic incidents in the army, the press service of the Human
Rights Defender’s Office told ArmInfo.

Andreasyan abstained from any comments on the incident not
to disturb the preliminary investigation. However, given that
Khachatryan’s relatives expressed their discontent with the delayed
medical assistance to the soldier, Andreasyan called on the military
servicemen and their relatives to inform about the problems, incidents
and complaints as soon as possible by dialing the hotline number
1-16. The Ombudsman thinks that the well-timed call of the persons
concerned and the interference of the Human Rights Defender may
prevent tragic consequences in similar situations.

To recall, Hayk Khachatryan, 18, died at the infectious hospital of
Nork on Dec 30. A criminal case has been instituted under Article 376
Part 2 of Armenian Criminal Code (habitual negligence in office that
caused grave consequences). Earlier, Khachatryan’s grandmother sent a
letter to some mass media and said that her grandson died of chickenpox
due to the negligence of the military unit’s health care workers.

BELARUS EAGER TO INTENSIFY TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA

armradio.am
12.01.2012 18:01

Belarus is eager to intensify trade and economic cooperation with
Armenia and further develop relations with the CSTO, President of
Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Armenia’s National
Security Council (NSC) Secretary Arthur Baghdasaryan on 12 January.

The head of state stressed that Belarus and Armenia have to do a lot
to promote trade and economic ties.

The President expressed regret that in 2011 the Belarusian-Armenian
trade declined. “There are objective and subjective reasons,”
the President noted. He also reminded that there was a period in
the history of bilateral relations when the Belarus-Armenia trade
was zero. Today the two countries should do their best to increase
bilateral trade as the potential to forge ties is big.

The President said that in the anticipation of Arthur Baghdasaryan’s
visit to Minsk, Armenia put forward a proposal to enhance relations.

Armenia is keen to buy various Belarusian goods, from agricultural
equipment to consumer products.

The head of state said that he will instruct the Government to enhance
cooperation with Armenia. “We are ready to find ways to deliver goods
you have requested to Armenia and set up joint ventures. For example,
at first we can launch the assembly of some types of machines and
equipment,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The second cooperation priority, according to the President, is
the interaction in the CSTO. “Our countries are in one military and
political block. We have no closed topics and we will continue to
cooperate with you. Please feel free to send here your specialists. We
are ready to discuss any cooperation matters,” the head of state said.

He also thanked Armenia for cooperation in international
organizations. In his words, the recent international events prove
that Belarus and Armenia have similar positions on many issues.

Alexander Lukashenko confirmed that Belarus will do its best to promote
friendship with Armenia and implement all agreements with this country.

Arthur Baghdasaryan, in turn, noted that Belarus is Armenia’s ally
and strategic partner. The official expressed confidence that the
Armenian side will develop this strategic cooperation. He is convinced
that the visit will help strengthen Belarus-Armenia trade, economic,
military, and technical cooperation.

‘NO BREAKTHROUGH’ LIKELY AT PRESIDENTS’ KARABAKH TALKS
Rasim Musabayov

News.Az
Thu 12 January 2012

News.Az interviews Azerbaijani political expert Rasim Musabayov,
an independent member of the Milli Majlis.

What are your expectations of the next round of talks between the
Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents on resolution of the Karabakh
conflict? The talks will be held in Sochi this month with the mediation
of Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev.

This will be the last meeting Dmitriy Medvedev holds as Russian
president with the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia. I think
that Medvedev has put in a lot of effort into promoting a Karabakh
settlement during his four-year presidential term. The meeting in
Sochi will be a farewell meeting for Medvedev and I do not expect
it to achieve any breakthrough on the Karabakh settlement. I am also
not too sure that the meeting will be rich in content.

Anyway, the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia will come to Sochi and
meet Dmitriy Medvedev. Upon completion of the talks the presidents of
Azerbaijan and Armenia will at best thank Medvedev for his efforts on
a Karabakh settlement and say that they appreciate Russian mediation
and will continue to search for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Why do you say that the trilateral meeting between the presidents of
Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia in Sochi will not manage any positive
achievements in a Karabakh settlement?

There is no new proposal on the negotiating table. Moreover, we cannot
not see any attempts by Russia to put heavy pressure on Armenia to
be constructive.

There is the fact of the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenians
and that the Armenians do not want to liberate these territories
without attaining their goal of legalizing the separation of
Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan would have agreed 15
years ago, when the country was in a tough position, but it is absurd
to expect such concessions from Azerbaijan today.

Now the Armenians want to protract the Karabakh conflict and to make
Azerbaijan commit to the non-use of force in any document while the
occupation continues. Of course, Azerbaijan refuses to sign such a
document. And I cannot see a single factor that could force Azerbaijan
to change this position.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that the political
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh and Transdniestrian conflicts will
be a priority in Russian foreign policy in 2012. How effective can
Russian activity be, given that Moscow’s assistance in resolution of
the Karabakh conflict has yet to be effective?

Russia is to hold presidential elections in March this year. A new
president will be elected and Russia will probably have a new foreign
minister. After the inauguration of the new president and appointment
of the foreign minister, new foreign policy priorities will be set in
Russia. Therefore, I do not expect Russia to propose new initiatives
on the Karabakh and Transdniestrian conflicts.

How likely is that, by agreeing to take part in a major project
implemented by the United States or Russia, Azerbaijan may obtain
decisive support on a Karabakh settlement from one of the two
superpowers?

As far as Russia is concerned, a major project would imply
Azerbaijan~Rs participation in the creation of a Eurasian union.

However, this union is not yet of any interest to Azerbaijan. As
all Azerbaijan’s communications pass through Georgia and Turkey,
it would be senseless for Baku to join a union that does not include
these countries. Therefore, I do not think that this alliance can be
of any interest to Azerbaijan. Moreover, no one else will be able to
find any benefit for Azerbaijan in the Eurasian union. On the contrary,
there are intentions to feed satellites and settle political problems
through Azerbaijan. I do not think that Azerbaijan today will be
willing to take decisions to participate in the Eurasian Union.

However, Baku will not reject the proposal to join the union
categorically. Baku~Rs approach will be: set up a fully functioning
union and if we think we can benefit, we’ll consider joining.

As far as the United States is concerned, a major project would
imply the location of US military bases in Azerbaijan. The important
question here is whether the Americans give any guarantees of security
to Azerbaijan, or assume any commitment to ensure the territorial
integrity of the country? If the Americans undertook this commitment,
Azerbaijan would locate even three US military bases on its territory.

But there are no such commitments, while it would be unwise for
Azerbaijan to assume the risks of granting its territory for the
military and geopolitical plans of the United States. This would mean
that Azerbaijan would risk being one-on-one with Russia and Iran.

Therefore, Azerbaijan interacts on a bilateral basis with both the
USA and Russia while making its interests the cornerstone.

ALIYEV RECOGNIZED NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC, SIGNED DOCUMENT

Panorama.am
12/01/2012

This official document, signed by former President of Azerbaijan,
Heydar Aliyev, was attached to many lawsuits submitted to the European
Court of Human Rights by Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan. By this
document Aliyev in essence recognized the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

The document, written in Russian, said: “Azerbaijan’s leadership
empowers Deputy Chairman of Supreme Council L. Jalilov to conduct
negotiations with the leaderships of Azerbaijan and NKR on organizing
a meeting.”

Chairman of Azerbaijan’s Supreme Council Heydar Aliyev had signed
the document.

ARFD: ARMENIA SHOULD REVOKE SIGNATURES UNDER THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS AND OFFER A PROJECT OF A MORE SIMPLE AGREEMENT

arminfo
Thursday, January 12, 13:09

“ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party has arrived at a conclusion that the
official stance of Armenia implying establishment of relations with
Turkey without preconditions – is acceptable to us. However, Turkey
still sets preconditions to establishment of relations with Armenia,
which is not acceptable to us,” says Kiro Manoyan, a member of ARFD
Bureau, Head of ARFD Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office,
in an on-line interview with ArmInfo.

Armenian and Azerbaijani journalists interview political experts
and figures as part of the project “Alternative Information in the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Dialogue” implemented by the Region Research
Center (Armenia) and Institute for Peace and Democracy (Azerbaijan).

“In this light, ARFD believes that Armenia should revoke its signature
under the protocols signed in 2009 and suggest a project of a more
simple agreement saying that both the states have arrived at a decision
to establish diplomatic relations, to open all the overland roads
connecting them, to settle all the problems through peace measures on
the basis of the International Law and the international practice,”
Manoyan says. The day when Turkey will be ready to establish relations
with Armenia without preconditions, he says, may become a start for
the countries’ relations. These relations should grow to the level of
good- neighbored relations only through recognition of the Armenian
Genocide and its own responsibility by Turkey.

The politician is sure that recognition of the Armenian Genocide by 25
countries and international organizations is a good basis for stating
that the fact of the Armenian Genocide has already got international
recognition. However, he says, recognition of that fact by such
countries as the UK and Israel will have a big political significance.

Manoyan thinks that the issue of the Armenian Genocide’s recognition
of the Israel Knesset will have progress in 2012. In addition, he
says, denial of the Armenian Genocide will be finally criminalized
in France in 2012.

“Actually, we have entered a new stage when the Genocide denial is
criminalized, on the one hand, like it was in Slovakia, and reparations
are discussed, on the other hand. For instance, the decision of the
U.S. House in Dec 2011 urging Turkey to return all the churches and
the properties belonging to churches to the Christians, including to
Armenians,” Manoyan says.

CAROUSEL: THE JOY OF MEZZE, WITH OR WITHOUT BELLY DANCING
By Jonathan Gold

LA Weekly

Jan 11 2012
CA

The Lebanese-Armenian restaurant Carousel has been holding down its
position in Little Armenia longer than almost anyone can remember,
as it’s a reliable place for kebab platters, the usual salads, and an
exemplary version of muhammara, a rough, spicy paste of pomegranate
molasses, roasted peppers and crushed walnuts that carries all the
wallop of Mexican chorizo without any of the hog grease. Carousel
is especially good for birthday parties and such — you get a fairly
enormous fixed spread of mezze for about $23.50 a head, you can bring
your own wine (there is no alcohol license), and you can bring your
own cake if you’re into that sort of thing.

Carousel’s sister restaurant, a fancy Glendale place with belly
dancing, seafood dishes and oceans of arak, has been getting all
the press for the last decade or so. But party or no, Carousel is
worth visiting, for its slabs of spicy sujuk sausage; for its chopped
eggplant with onion and tomato; for its slivers of marinated, grilled
liver; for its thick lebneh; and for its huge plate of pickles, too:
green and black olives, pickled turnip sticks dyed scarlet with beet
juice, sprigs of fresh mint and soft slabs of salty feta cheese.
Arayes seems the Armenian equivalent of the Sloppy Joe, a savory
ground-meat/tomato mixture sandwiched in pita. Almost everybody seems
to order one of the kebab platters, and why not? The ground-meat
kofta is especially good.