Author: Kalantarian Kevo

LE GANG ERGENEKON A PROJETE D’ATTAQUER LE JOURNAL AGOS APRES L’ASSASSINAT DE HRANT DINK
Stephane ©armenews.com

armenews.com
vendredi 14 octobre 2011

TURQUIE

Un suspect dans une enquete en cours a l’encontre du gang Ergenekon
qui est accuse d’avoir complote pour renverser le gouvernement a
dit que le groupe avaient des plans pour attaquer les bureaux du
journal armenien Agos, peu de temps après que l’ancien redacteur en
chef Hrant Dink ait ete assassine. Bedirhan Sinal a temoigne dans un
contre-interrogatoire que le gang Ergenekon, auquel il appartenait,
avait projete d’attaquer les bureaux d’Agos après que le Journaliste
Dink ait ete assassine en janvier 2007.

Emprisonne après une attaque contre le journal Cumhuriyet a Istanbul
avec des cocktails Molotov en 2008 Inal a revendique que les membres
du gang se preparaient a attaquer d’autres employes d’Agos en 2008
après le meurtre de Dink.

Cependant Inal a souligne qu’ils ont dû renoncer au plan a cause des
mesures de securite qui ont ete prises dans le voisinage après le
meurtre de Dink.

L’ARMENIE : Y-A-T-IL DES AVORTEMENTS SELECTIFS DERRIERE LES DESEQUILIBRES DANS LA BALANCE DES NAISSANCES ?
Stephane ©armenews.com

armenews.com
vendredi 14 octobre 2011

ARMENIE

Le fort taux en Armenie de naissances masculines alarme les
specialistes internationaux et armeniens en matière prenatale. Leur
première inquietude est que des avortements selectifs contribuent a
un desequilibre demographique indesirable des genres.

Les statistiques du gouvernement indiquent qu’un desequilibre des
genres dans les naissances existe depuis le debut des annees 1990, mais
la tendance est devenu plus visible ces recentes annees. Le Service
Statistique d’Armenie annonce que 23800 garcons et 20900 filles sont
nes en 2010, soit un taux d’environ 114 naissances masculines pour 100
naissances feminines. En 2009, 23600 garcons et 20700 filles sont nes
marquant approximativement la meme proportion de naissance qu’en 2010.

Le Fonds de la Population des Nations unies (UNFPA) a indique une
proportion mondiale sexuelle des naissances a 105-106 mâles pour
100 femmes. L’Armenie a une population totale de 2,96 millions de
personnes.

En evaluant cette proportion, le chef du departement d’etat du
Recensement et de la Demographie a averti que l’Armenie fait face ”
un problème serieux “.

” Une etude doit etre conduite pour decouvrir si ce desequilibre est
la consequence d’avortements selectifs, ou quelque chose d’autre ”
a dit Karine Kuyumjian. ” Le problème est evident et cela deviendra
meme plus simple plus tard, quand, avec des questions demographiques,
nous ferons face a un manque de futures mères “. Les representants de
l’Assemblee Parlementaire du Conseil de l’Europe (APCE) ont recemment
atteint une conclusion semblable. Le taux extraordinaire en Armenie
de naissances masculines indique ” qu’il y doit avoir une sorte de
choix prenatal sexuel ” a dit Doris Stump, un rapporteur de l’APCE
sur le choix prenatal sexuel qui s’est rendu a Erevan en juin pour
evaluer le problème.

” Mais il n’y a aucune connaissance encore de comment cela est fait
et quelle est la responsabilite des docteurs annoncant le sexe de
l’enfant aux parents ” a dit Doris Stump.

” Plus de recherche doit etre faite sur cette question “.

Une rapport sur le besoin des Etats membres ” de se battre contre la
preference pour des garcons ” via l’orthogenie sera presente a l’APCE
en octobre a-t-elle ajoute.

Comme ailleurs dans le Caucase (la Georgie et l’Azerbaïdjan ont aussi
de fort taux de naissances masculines), beaucoup de problèmes peuvent
avoir un lien avec le poids culturel sur la valeur d’avoir des fils.

” Un bon homme doit avoir un fils ” a dit le sociologue Aharon
Adibekian, faisant des remarques sur les attitudes armeniennes vers
leur genre d’enfant. ” Si vous n’avez pas de fils, qui heritera vos
biens, de votre maison et ([s’occupera) de votre famille ? “.

Cette perspective se retrouve dans les hôpitaux armeniens ; dans un
hôpital a Erevan recemment, le père ravi d’un garcon nouveau-ne a
danse sur la musique folklorique armenienne, tandis que le personnel
medical a console la mère d’une fille qu’elle ” aurait une prochaine
fois un garcon “.

Le sociologue Adibekian, cependant, ne croît pas que cette preference
inciterait les femmes a interrompre la grossesse de foetus feminins. ”
Dans des pays en guerre, le nombre de garcons est eleve c’est un
phenomène de guerre ” a-t-il affirme, en ce qui concerne une pointe
dans les naissances masculines notees par des demographes dans des
pays engages dans un combat a long terme, où 120 garcons peuvent
naître pour 100 filles. La meme chose a pu arriver lors du conflit
entre l’Armenie et l’Azerbaïdjan a suggere M.Adibekian.

Le Docteur David Mkhitarian directeur medical du Centre
Medical Shengavit d’Erevan, ecarte aussi comme ” un non-sens ” la
revendication que des grossesses de foetus feminins sont interrompues
selectivement. ” C’est juste qu’il y a plus de garcons que des filles
qui sont nes ” a dit le docteur Mkhitarian.

La population actuelle d’Armenie favorise legèrement les femmes (51,5
pour cent) par rapport aux hommes (48,5 pour cent), une difference qui
pourrait refleter des tendances liees aux migrations du travail. Le
vice-representant de l’UNFPA en Armenie avertit que des motifs
legitimes existent pour la connexion du fort taux de natalite masculin
en Armenie a ” des actions intentionnelles “. L’UNFPA s’attend achever
un rapport sur la question en novembre.

” Comme les decouvertes de l’etude sont encore inconnues, il est
peut-etre trop tôt pour en parler avec certitude, mais si nous essayons
de le considerer logiquement, nous verrons qu’il est très possible
que cela soit cela ” a dit Garik Hayrapetian.

” Le taux de natalite a diminue de deux fois en comparaison des annees
1980 et en reduisant le nombre de filles nous risquons d’entrer dans
un cercle vicieux ” a continue Hayrapetian. ” Quand nous disons que
nous avons besoin de soldats pour pourvoir a la securite de l’Armenie,
nous ne devons pas oublier que nous avons besoin d’assez de mères …

pour que ces soldats puissent naître dans l’avenir “.

Mais pour les femmes comme Gayane Hovhannisian,27 ans, son mari
et l’honneur de sa famille depasse la moindre inquietude face a
la situation demographique de l’Armenie. Mère de deux filles, Mme
Hovhannisian a dit qu’elle n’a pas hesite a opter pour un avortement
quand elle a appris qu’elle etait enceinte d’une troisième fille. Six
mois plus tard, elle est tombe enceinte de nouveau ; cette fois, de
jumeaux une fille et un garcon. Pour eviter d’avoir une autre fille,
elle a choisi un autre avortement.

” Après ces avortements, j’ai finalement accompli le reve de mon mari
et notre fils est ne ” a dit Mme Hovhannisian. ” Je brûlerai de honte
si j’avais echoue a donner naissance a un fils “.

La statistique officielle montre que le nombre d’avortements en Armenie
(13797 cas ) a augmente d’environ 10 pour cent en 2010 compare avec
l’annee precedente ; quelques specialistes, cependant maintiennent
que les chiffres reels sont plus eleves.

Le genre d’un foetus ne peut pas etre determine avant la 14ème
semaine de grossesse, mais le loi armenienne ne permet seulement les
avortements que jusqu’a la 12ème semaine de grossesse pour les femmes
sans contre-indications.

Cela suggère que beaucoup d’avortements ” sont executes secrètement
et illegalement ” a dit Marine Margarian, coordonnateur du projet
sur les questions des droits des genres a l’ONG Information Publique
et Besoin de Connaissances. ” Bien sûr, un avortement execute après
la 12ème semaine de grossesse n’est pas enregistre officiellement ;
autrement, l’image serait plus claire “.

Le Docteur Mkhitarian a averti que les mises en garde sur les
avortements bases sur la genre ne feront rien pour arreter
l’utilisation d’avortements comme moyen orthogenique.

” … Une femme d’environ 40 ans a trois filles et elle apprend
qu’elle attend une quatrième fille, elle ira faire un avortement
malgre toutes les recommandations ou bien de l’APCE ou bien de la
Republique d’Armenie ou de quiconque ” a dit le Dr Mkhitarian.

La note du Redacteur :

Marianna Grigoryan est une journaliste independante base a Erevan et
redacteur de MediaLab.am.

UNE REPONSE A L’INVITATION A SE TAIRE DE BENON SEVAN
Par Ara K. Manoogian

12 octobre 2011

OPINION

Benon Sevan, ex chef du programme Petrole contre Nourriture des
Nations-Unies, a fait ses recommandations bien intentionnees pour
le developpement de l’Armenie, dont les effets secondaires sont
de prolonger et renforcer le maintien au pouvoir du gouvernement
armenien corrompu. Ses bonnes intentions sont exposees dans un
article “Negativisme excessif et Attaques Constantes Compromettent le
Developpement de l’Armenie”, publie dans le California Courier date au
13 Octobre 2011. Independamment de notre impatience et de notre desir
de voir un etat vraiment democratique en Armenie, nous n’avons d’autre
alternative que de patienter, car installer une democratie, atteindre
un niveau de developpement economique et social, developper une
societe civile, ou faire des reformes democratiques prennent du temps.

Bien qu’il ne donne aucune indication sur la duree exacte de cette
patience qu’il propose, une chose est claire, il parle de siècles :
“Quel temps a-t-il fallu a certaines democraties d’Europe pour
donner le droit de vote a leurs femmes ?” Il continue ensuite
en evoquant la guillotine des Francais, l’esclavage aux USA et
ainsi de suite. Sevan attend de l’Armenie qu’elle revive les
etapes passees de l’histoire du monde, pour meriter une vraie
democratie. En fait, l’Armenie revit en quelque sorte certains
passages de l’histoire. Il y a quelques mois, j’ai appris qu’un
camp d’esclaves armeniens etait dirige par Marat Janvelyan, l’un des
intouchables oligarques d’Armenie. Aucune poursuite ou enquete n’a
fait suite a ce “rapport negatif” ergoteur sur la triste realite de
l’Armenie du 21ème siècle (on peut en trouver le texte entier sur
).

Je me demande si c’est a cause de cette patience que la Georgie
d’aujourd’hui, voisine post- sovietique de l’Armenie, peut
s’enorgueillir du plus grand saut vers la democratie dans le meme
“voisinage plutôt dangereux”, terme qu’emploie Sevan pour le Sud
Caucase.

Sevan deplore l’abondance de “reportages negatifs” dans les media. Il
exhorte tout citoyen soucieux a cesser de blâmer le gouvernement
vis-a-vis de la corruption, et a saluer ses petits succès.

Parmi les centaines de reportages negatifs, n’y aurai-t-il pas au
moins un seul developpement a relater ? Nous devrions tous nous unir
et ne menager aucun effort pour les soutenir et les encourager pour
developper des institutions democratiques, et aussi pour renforcer
l’economie et elever le niveau de vie.

Les vivats sont peut-etre efficaces lorsqu’ils sont adresses a une
equipe de football, mais pas pour un gouvernement corrompu qui n’a
aucune volonte de s’engager dans des reformes democratiques. Une telle
approche est encore une autre reminiscence du comportement citoyen
preche par les dirigeants sovietiques a leurs sujets. Un regime
totalitaire, c’est en quelque sorte la democratie moins la critique a
son egard. Mais Sevan a des raisons qui sont les siennes pour inviter
au silence les auteurs de critiques : On est fatigue de lire ce que
des soi- disant experts, des agitateurs, parmi lesquels se trouvent
d’anciens dirigeants de gouvernement interesses qui poursuivent leurs
propres objectifs, pour la mise en place d’un regime non pas par les
urnes, mais en developpant une culture de pouvoir par la rue.

Benon Sevan est fatigue. En fait, il est tellement fatigue qu’il
oublie que tout le pain n’est pas cuit dans le meme four. Il confond
Levon Ter Petrossian avec des journalistes et des militants des droits
de l’homme qui expriment leur preoccupation envers les problèmes du
pays. Je crois personnellement que les trois presidents de l’Armenie
independante doivent etre poursuivis pour leurs crimes envers l’etat
et les citoyens armeniens. Pour une meilleure comprehension des
crimes economiques des gouvernements armeniens passes et presents,
je recommande de lire “Donner ou ne pas donner”, un livre blanc sur
le fonds armenien mondial “Hayastan” sur

L’appel de Benon Sevan pour se comporter en supporters des autorites
corrompues d’Armenie n’est pas la seule de son espèce. Il avait deja
montre une telle complaisance envers un regime despotique auparavant.

Dans les annees 1996-2003, comme chef du programme des Nations-Unies
Petrole contre Nourriture, Benon a ete accuse d’avoir accepte des
pots de vin du gouvernement de Saddam Hussein, tandis que ce dernier
terrorisait et assassinait son peuple en masse. Sevan a echappe a
des poursuites et a une condamnation en s’enfuyant a Chypre en 2005.

Patience est un autre terme pour indifference ? Depuis trop longtemps,
les Armeniens de la Diaspora sont restes patients envers les abus
effrenes des monopoles, les petits et moyens entrepreneurs etrangles,
et la frequence alarmante des suicides forces et des meurtres dans
l’armee, la generalisation de la pauvrete dans les regions provinciales
d’Armenie, et l’emigration de mase continue. J’exprime ma preoccupation
envers l’injustice en Armenie et je lutte pour l’amelioration, parce
que l’Armenie peut mieux faire, et le fera, a condition que tous les
citoyens concernes maintiennent la pression.

* Ara K. Mannogian est un militant des droits de l’homme representant
la Fondation de la Famille Sahan Natalie en Artsakh et en Armenie,
membre du Policy Forum Armenia (PFA, Forum Politique Armenie)
de Washington, createur de et auteur du
livre blanc “Donner Ou Ne Pas Donner”, une etude approfondie sur les
activites du Fonds Mondial “Hayastan”

vendredi 14 octobre 2011, Jean Eckian ©armenews.c

ARMENIA LAUNCH PROTEST OVER KEEPER’S RED CARD

The Journal, Ireland
Oct 13 2011

THE ARMENIAN FOOTBALL federation have filed an official protest to
UEFA over their goalkeeper’s sending off against Ireland last Tuesday.

Reuters reports that they believe replays proved the Armenia keeper,
Roman Berezovsky, chested rather than handled the ball and they have
asked for the red card to be rescinded.

There was also further complaints that Simon Cox appeared to handle
the ball in the lead-up to the sending off.

However, FFA chief Ruben Airapetyan dismissed Armenian fans’
speculation that they were the victims of a UEFA conspiracy implemented
to make up for the infamous Thierry Henry handball incident, which all
but ended Ireland’s World Cup qualifying hopes two years ago. He said:

“Trust me, I would never think or believe that it would be possible
for UEFA to give such instructions to the referee.”

Ireland won 2-1 in last Tuesday’s game, securing a place in the Euro
2012 play-offs at Armenia’s expense, where it has just been announced
that they will meet Estonia.

TURKEY TO CONTINUE PROVIDING MILITARY SUPPORT TO AZERBAIJAN

news.am, Armenia
Oct 13 2011

Turkey will continue to provide military support to Azerbaijan,
Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz told journalists in Baku.

“Our relations in the defense field are in the high level as in other
spheres. Turkey always gave military support to Azerbaijan and will
do it further,” APA news agency quotes the Minister.

He also said that the agreement on strategic cooperation and mutual
assistance signed between Azerbaijan and Turkey will give an impetus
to further strengthening of ties between High Cooperation Councils.

During the visit, the sides will discuss cooperation in the defense
industry and future projects, Yilmaz added.

The Turkish delegation will visit the military establishments of the
Ministry of Defense Industry of Azerbaijan.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN RECEIVED THE SCHOOLCHILDREN AND STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE 2011 PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS IN IT

Office of the President of the Republic, Armenia

Oct 12 2011

President Serzh Sargsyan received today the schoolchildren and
students who have been awarded the 2011Presidential Awards in the
area of Information Technologies (IT). President Sargsyan handed the
awards received in different nominations to the winners. Along with the
certificates, the winners received special emblematic statuettes which
symbolize the IT sphere. Twenty-three out of thirty-eights awardees
are students of different higher education establishments, fifteen
are high schoolchildren which were selected by the organizational
committee of the Presidential Award out of 195 nominees.

The IT educational award is bestowed on the schoolchildren and students
who excel in studies, are socially active, have participated at the IT
Olympiads, authored scientific papers and possess versatile knowledge.

The award is nominated in the following categories: the best
post-graduate student, the best undergraduate, the best bachelor of
science, the best student from Diaspora, the best female student, and
the best pupil. The awards are sponsored by Synopsis Armenia Company.

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is a partner of this program.

Today, at the Presidential Palace, the President of Armenia
congratulated the schoolchildren and student – recipients of the
awards, and wish that this recognition is their first step toward
their life full of achievements and victories.

* * * Welcoming remarks by President Serzh Sargsyan at the ceremony
of presenting the 2011 Presidential Awards in the area of Information
Technologies

Dear Students and Schoolchildren, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am glad to
cordially welcome you to the Presidential Palace. This competition
in the area of Information Technologies has become a tradition. One
might even think that it has been around for ever. I am confident,
that the competition will be continuous because the IT sphere is a
prospective direction for our country’s development.

While other countries are working toward the extraction of their
natural resources, we have to extract our talents and rely on our
brains. We should build Armenia’s prosperity on creative works because
natural resources will expire sooner or later and there are numerous
examples of that. However the world history and experience prove that
man’s creative power is limitless.

Today, the IT sector of Armenia with its 350 enterprises and thousands
of world-class specialists is the fastest growing and greatest added
value sphere of the Armenian industry. It grows by 25% annually. To
preserve these pace of development, we have been encouraging interest
of the Armenian youth toward information technologies. Our objective
is to ensure that the young people of Armenia and companies which
unite them occupy leading positions on the world market.

I am confident that our young specialists will never have problems
with employment. I have been told this on many occasions by the
leaders of all information and digital technology companies.

Furthermore, it is very important that these companies constantly
invest in upgrading the professional level of their employees. It means
that every specialist receives an opportunity to keep pace with times,
to be aware of the latest achievements and be part of progress.

Dear Friends, Yesterday we all, the entire nation were following with
the utmost attention and cheering for the Armenian national football
team. And that attention, national solidarity and rise are the most
precious achievements – regardless of the match outcome. As for why
the outcome was what it was, I will not assess it now, but would like
to say that our guys demonstrated outstanding football. They proved
that hard work, persistence and creativity are always productive and
always lead to success and victory.

The majority of our players, who participated in the match in
Dublin, just recently turned twenty. They are yours, dear awardees,
contemporaries. Two or three years ago, nobody would even dream of
such a success of our football team. But our people have a saying that
a well-polished stone will not go unnoticed. It is not easy to polish
stones; it takes patience, hard work, persistence and purposefulness.

I am confident that we, as a united entity, as the people of Armenia,
have all that qualities. I am confident that the awards presented to
you today are the best proof of it, since each and every one of you
have earned it by your honest and relentless work.

Dear awardees, I once again congratulate you on receiving these
awards. I wish this recognition become the first step in your lives
full of achievements and victories. Your example should become
contagious for your peers, your friends. Taking this opportunity, I
thank all those individuals who have participated at the implementation
of this program. Thank you.

2014 WORLD CUP: AN EARLY LOOK AT ARMENIA’S CHANCES TO QUALIFY
By Michael Karapetian

Bleacher Report
Oct 13 2011

Stunning. Astonishing. Shocking. Impossible. Unbelievable.
Extraordinary.

Those are just a few words that can describe the Cinderella-esque run
made by the Armenian side during the qualification stages of the 2012
Euro Cup in Poland & Ukraine.

A roller coaster ride which included a disappointing draw in Macedonia,
a hard-fought draw against Russia, a 3-1 defeat in Russia, a 4-0
thumping of Slovakia and ended in a bitter loss to end the campaign
in Ireland due to questionable calls.

Along with results, huge additions were made for the Armenian side
including the bringing in of Yura Movsisyan, the former MLS Cup
Champion, and Artur Sarkisov, a guy who has blistering pace and
can finish just as well. The latest major addition was that of
Turkish-born, Aras Ozbiliz.

Aras is still young, at 21, and plays for one of the premier clubs on
this planet, the Dutch Eredivisie for the side of AFC Ajax. Aras is
widely considered to have had the potential to make the Dutch side,
one of the World’s elite, so it was no doubt a great addition, though
he has yet to make his debut.

Now, the Armenian team cannot continue to dwell on their loss in
Ireland, instead, they have to look towards the future. They must
continue to improve, if they want to make another splash during the
World Cup qualifiers, in order to prove that they did not just have
one lucky campaign.

It has been widely agreed upon that the team is going to be in a
much more difficult group for the World Cup qualifiers than it was
in the European. Alongside that, they also will not have much of an
element of surprise, as these nations will surely be ready to face
this up-and-coming, small but proud, nation.

The Group (Group B)

Italy: The four-time World Cup Champions, one-time European Champions
are coming off an undefeated Euro 2012 qualification campaign (Eight
wins, two draws) and are currently sixth in the FIFA Rankings (11th
in Elo Rankings).

Perennially a powerhouse nation no matter what type of competition
they are playing in. If the Armenian side can sneak out with a win
in Yerevan it’ll be a good start, but realistically, expect the
Armenians to sneak out a point against the Italian side, though
anything is possible.

Denmark: The Danish side has never won a World Cup, but do have one
European Cup to their nation’s name. Also, they coming off a successful
qualification campaign by winning their group, which featured Portugal.

The Danes are currently ranked 17th in the FIFA Rankings and 26th in
the Elo Rankings.

Realistically, the Armenian side can look to gain three points and a
victory in Yerevan, while also being able to challenge in Copenhagen
and possibly gain a draw. In the end, I do see a win and a loss
against the Danish side to give the Armenians three points.

Czech Republic: The Czech Republic has not won any competition,
though they do have a European Cup as Czechoslovakia.

Coming off a second place finish in their group, behind Spain,
the Czech’s will have to win a playoff home-and-home against the
Montenegrin side to clinch their tickets to Poland-Ukraine. Currently
ranked 40th in the FIFA Rankings and 37th in the Elo Rankings.

These games will be teeth-grinders as they could go either way. Too
add more to the story line, both nations are currently in the same
qualifying group for the Under-21 2013 European Cup. It will be
interesting to see how many of those young guys play for the Senior
side during these qualifiers.

Prediction: Armenia gains three points at home and a draw on the road
for one point.

Bulgaria: The Bulgarian side has yet to win any major competition
with their best record being the Round of 16 during the 1986 World
Cup in Mexico.

They are coming off a qualifying campaign, which saw them finish dead
last in a group featuring Wales, England, Switzerland and Montenegro.

Currently ranked 48 by FIFA and 50 by Elo.

The games against Bulgaria are going to be similar to the matches
Armenia had against Macedonia during the Euro campaign. A win against
home is nearly considered to be a lock, but it could be the biggest
trap game for the side while in Bulgaria, should be a grind-it-out
match. All six points for the Armenians here.

Malta: Malta has never finished higher than last in their group in any
qualification stage and finished dead last in the last qualifiers as
well, with only a draw against Georgia to give them a point. Currently
ranked 153 by FIFA and 155 by Elo.

Malta is a team which the Armenian side should take the full six points
against, but if they are to overestimate them, in the slightest,
it could lead to disaster. I don’t view that as what will happen so
give six points to Armenia here as well.

That would give the Armenian side 19 points and in recent years,
that has not been enough to finish in the top two. In fact, in the
UEFA Qualifiers for the World Cup, last time it happened was back
in the 2002 campaign. Hopefully, they go through and make history by
qualifying to a tournament for the first-time in the nation’s history.

Of course, a lot can change over the next two years as well, so let’s
hope Armenia continues to build a team and gets to where they can.

ARMENIA CONDEMNS SPANISH REFEREE DURING IRELAND – ARMENIA FOOTBALL MATCH

Vestnik Kavkaza
Oct 13 2011

Thousands of Armenian football fans were outraged by the refereeing
of the Ireland vs. Armenia match and sent a letter to UEFA head Michel
Platini with demands to disqualify referee Itturaldo Gonzales.

The letter was also posted on Facebook.

Marca says Gonzales’s mistakes were not a coincidence.

The Armenian national team lost 2:1 to Ireland in Dublin on October 11
in the Euro-2012 qualifying play-offs. He sent off goalkeeper Roman
Berezovsky. Striker Simon Koks admitted that he committed hand-ball
in an interview with the BBC.

It is believed that Europe feels guilty for the scandalous game of
the Irish team on November 18, 2009, when French striker Thierry
Henri committed hand-ball and scored the final goal, entering the
2010 World Cup.

TURKEY TO GIVE MILITARY SUPPORT AZERBAIJAN, SAYS MINISTER

Hurriyet, Turkey
Oct 13 2011

Turkey’s defense minister lays flower to Turkish and Azeri martyr’s
memorial in Baku during his visit yesterday. AA photo

Turkey is ready to extend support to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces,
Turkey’s defense minister said in Baku yesterday.

“We are ready to support, cooperate and join in production with
Azerbaijan Armed Forces,” Defense Minister Ä°smet Yılmaz told
journalists after visiting former Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev’s
grave in Baku.

“A bilateral strategic cooperation agreement [between Turkey and
Azerbaijan] has been signed. Turkish Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip
Erdogan] and [Azerbaijani] President Ilham Aliyev have also decided
on the establishment of a high advisory council,” Yılmaz said.

The council will be the basis for the relations between the two
countries, Yılmaz said, adding that there were good and sound
relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Yılmaz is currently visiting Baku for meetings with Azerbaijani
Defense Minister Sefer Abiyev and was received by Aliyev upon arrival.

Turkish Ambassador to Baku Hulusi Kılıc and Turkey’s defense attaché
in Azerbaijan, Brig. Gen. Yucel Karauz, were present at the meeting
between Aliyev and Yılmaz yesterday.

ARAZ AZIMOV: “WE HOPE THAT RUSSIA WILL CORRECT ITS ACTIVITY IN THE PROCESS OF THE SOLUTION TO NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT”

APA, Azerbaijan
Oct 13 2011

“We are ready to continue political efforts towards the settlement
of the conflict”

Baku – APA. “The main goal in the solution to Nagorno Karabakh
conflict is the regulation of relations between Azerbaijan and
Armenia on the basis on international law. It comprises unconditional
recognition of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We are ready
to continue political efforts towards the settlement of the conflict”,
Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said in his interview
with Ukraine’s “Den” newspaper.

Araz Azimov said the negotiations have not given results yet. “The
negotiations held within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group and
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has actively joined the negotiation
process recently, but the negotiations have not given results yet.

Unfortunately Kazan meeting didn’t give any result and there was a
break in the process. But President Aliyev and President Medvedev met
in Sochi in August and we hope that Russia will correct its activity
on the basis of the results of this meeting and together with other
co-chairs of the Minsk Group will try to intensify the process. We are
frequently hearing aggressive statements by the Armenian president,
but we consider that these statements had speculative character. The
question is about the statement made in New York about the necessity of
recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh’s independence. We also face with
the facts that Armenia increases its efforts to purchase attacking
weapons. I think they purposefully try to create crisis striving
for soonest deployment of Russian peacekeepers. It is similar to
August 2008 events in Georgia. Such crisis can lead to the negative
consequences. Azerbaijan is not interested in any crisis. We are
interested in peaceful and normal agreements that can ensure the
territorial integrity and inviolability of our country, return
population to the occupied territories, restore communications and
establish cooperation with the neighboring countries for the settlement
of political problems in the next phase”.

Araz Azimov also assessed the role of Ukraine that it can play in the
settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict: “Ukraine is the OSCE member
like Azerbaijan and therefore there is a background for Ukraine to
be interested in the soonest settlement of this conflict in terms
of partnership and cooperation. We know that Ukraine supports
the settlement of the conflict within the territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan. At one time Ukraine assured our country that if
peacekeeping operations are conducted in the conflict zone, it will
be ready to participate in the OSCE multinational peacekeeping forces.

Ukraine has all backgrounds to be interested in the settlement of this
conflict. The factor of Ukraine’s upcoming presidency in the OSCE will
also play significant role. I would like to wish success to Ukraine,
but there are certain difficulties in the context. We are hopeful for
Ukraine’s positive contribution to the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. Ukraine has opportunities for that”.