Author: Kalantarian Kevo

ARMENIAN, EU CHIEF DIPLOMATS EXCHANGE LETTERS

Vestnik Kavkazussia
Nov 29 2013

29 November 2013 – 2:43pm

Armenian and EU Chief Diplomats Edward Nalbandian and Catherine Ashton
have exchanged letters at the Vilnius summit with agendas for further
cooperation, ITAR-TASS reports.

The letters will be published within the framework of the summit of
the Eastern Partnership.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan is heading the Armenian delegation
to the summit.

Armenian and EU Chief Diplomats Edward Nalbandian and Catherine Ashton
have exchanged letters at the Vilnius summit with agendas for further
cooperation, ITAR-TASS reports.

The letters will be published within the framework of the summit of
the Eastern Partnership.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan is heading the Armenian delegation
to the summit.

A DIPLOMATIC FAILURE?

European Voice
November 28, 2013

With only two deals pending with Georgia and Moldova, Andrew Gardner
asks what the EU can learn from its Eastern Partnership project

On Friday, a day after Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych announced
that he would not sign political and trade deals with the European
Union, Stefan Fule, the European commissioner for the neighbourhood,
was asked whether the EU’s Eastern Partnership was a diplomatic
failure.

It was a pointed question, but also to the point. The biggest of the
EU’s six eastern neighbours in the EU’s Eastern Partnership, Ukraine,
had just decided to “pause” talks with the EU. Armenia had said in
September that it would join Russia’s Eurasian Union rather than
strike agreements with the EU.

Belarus has never shown an interest in the partnership on offer from
the EU, while Azerbaijan wants to cast it aside. And so, at the Eastern
Partnership summit today and tomorrow (28-29 November), the EU will put
its name to agreements with only two countries, Moldova and Georgia –
both tiny and poor and neither in control of all of its territory.

A natural conclusion to these widening differences would be to abandon
the Eastern Partnership and pursue bilateral approaches.

Predictably, Fule, the European commissioner for the neighbourhood,
saw things differently. “I don’t see a need [for introspection],”
he said. He described association agreements – the political deal on
offer, of which free trade is a part – as “an instrument with huge
transformative power, second only to enlargement”.

He has a strong case. Four years ago, when the Eastern Partnership
was established, the EU’s offer of access to the EU’s market was seen
as vague and too remote for most of the neighbours.

Now, Georgia and Moldova will initial political and trade deals,
and until September Armenia was on the cusp of doing so. Ukraine has
already initialled the deals; when its politicians find the will,
they can pull the deals off the shelf and sign them.

A policy approach that has brought the EU’s relations with its eastern
neighbours to this point cannot, and will not, be easily discarded.

But, whatever Fule says, there will be plenty of introspection
following Ukraine’s decision.

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED

What lessons are there to learn from recent months and, in particular,
from relations with Ukraine?

Russia has revealed its character: Russia has held back its neighbours
by twisting arms, a point that EU leaders have underlined by openly
attacking the economic pressure applied by Russia to Ukraine in
particular. (Even Moldova has been held back, under Russian pressure
postponing EU-related energy measures required by the European Energy
Community). West Europeans too have clarity – that Russia is a bully,
as its post-communist members have long pointed out.

The EU has shown greater interest in its eastern neighbourhood
than ever before and this has produced results. In particular,
the engagement of Angela Merkel, Germany’s chancellor, has been a
boost for the EU, has helped reform in Moldova especially, has put
necessary pressure on Ukraine and has, overall, provided a back-stop
against Russian pressure.

The EU has all along been dealing with a multi-speed region, but it
now has a clearer sense of the speed of individual countries. Midgets
– Moldova and Georgia – have been willing to move forward fast. The
giant, Ukraine, is lumbering along, but generally forward, in a
highly unpredictable fashion. Armenia pushed ahead technically,
but its political will was questionable. The two other countries in
the region have much reason to be interested in Europe – Europe is
Azerbaijan’s new, best energy market, while for Belarus Europe is a
counter-weight to Russia – but they show next to no interest in what
the EU is offering.

Improbable changes can happen. In 2004, large volumes of Russian
money helped Yanukovych as he fought, ultimately unsuccessfully,
for the presidency. As president since 2010, Yanukovych has zigzagged
towards the EU, to the point this summer and autumn when Russia felt
it had to apply overt and blatant pressure.

It is unwise to pin too much hope on individual politicians. Since
Ukraine initialled the trade and political agreements in spring
2012, the chances of the deals being signed have depended on
Yanukovych. All along, Yanukovych has kept his thinking largely to
himself. He apparently gave no hint that he was willing to heed EU
advice and grant a partial pardon to his jailed political rival,
Yulia Tymoshenko. Only recently did he begin to tell the EU just how
worried he was about Russian economic pressure and about the state
of the country’s finances.

The EU can be confident about ambitious political and trade deals
in the region only when the region has changed more. Ukraine’s and
Armenia’s decisions not to press ahead with deals with the EU showed
how closely they remain tied to Russia, economically and strategically.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP?

When the Eastern Partnership summit ends tomorrow (29 November),
it should be clearer whether the EU has learnt those lessons and
whether its neighbours have drawn the same lessons.

Some conclusions will be drawn, but may not be publicly expressed. For
instance, that Ukraine and other eastern EU neighbours should now
expect the EU to be more wary. If Ukraine signs the political and
trade deals, possibly at the next EU-Ukraine summit in the spring,
it can expect the ratification process, which typically lasts two to
three years, to be difficult.

Another possible conclusion is that the EU should adopt an approach of
‘strategic patience’ towards Russia and its relations in the region.

Russia’s bullying behaviour lost it the support of the Georgian public
long ago, is now costing it support in Moldova, and damaging it in
the eyes of Ukrainians and Armenians.

However, the EU’s policy cannot simply be passive; it will have to
decide what to do with its Eastern Partnership. Perhaps it should
deepen its relations in the region bilaterally. The case is strong.

The main elements of the EU’s relations with the region – the political
‘association’ agreement, the trade deals and visa liberalisation –
are issues handled bilaterally. Some elements introduced in 2009 as
part of the Eastern Partnership (such as more tailored and specific
goals for individual countries, more conditions and the measuring of
progress) do not need to be part of a broader policy package. One of
the EU’s principles in the region – more EU support for more reform –
encourages policymaking that is more differentiated and bilateral.

But the Eastern Partnership also introduced potentially useful
multilateral ways of developing relations between the EU and between
the eastern partners themselves – in the form of summits, meetings
of foreign ministers, a parliamentary assembly (Euronest) and forums
for civil society and business.

Ultimately, Russia’s pressure on its neighbours may guarantee that
the Eastern Partnership continues in its current form. But the form
of policies is less important than the aims: to make these countries
less peripheral to Europe and the world and less vulnerable to Russia.

PRESS RELEASE
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Building 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel:? +(3741) 56 01 06? ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Yerevan, November 29, 2013

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 16th Telethon raised over $22,6 million in
pledges and donations

We are pleased to announce that Hayastan All-Armenian Fund worldwide
Telethon 2013 raised $22,661,372 in pledges and donations for numerous
projects in Hayastan and Artsakh, and primarily for Vardenis – Martakert
highway construction, which was approved by the Fund’s annual Board of
Trustees meeting.

Below is the initial list of pledges:

Russian Federation_ 12 350 000 US dollars
US Western Region_ 2 000 000 US dollars
France, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Greece, Belgium /Phoneathon/ _ 1
984 000 US dollars
Armenia_ 1 642 372 US dollars
Switzerland /private donation/_ 1 250 000 US dollars
Artsakh_ 1 000 000 US dollars
US Eastern Region_ 1 000 000 US dollars
Argentina_ 700 000 US dollars
Toronto /Canada/ _ 225 000 US dollars
Brazil_ 170 000 US dollars
Montreal /Canada/ _ 120 000 US dollars
Great Britain_ 100 000 US dollars
Lebanon_ 94 000 US dollars
Iran_ 60 000 US dollars
Austria_ 10 000 US dollars

AUTHORITIES ARE NOT RESPONSIVE TO OUR NEEDS, SAYS KARABAKH WAR VETERAN (VIDEOS)

20:16 ~U 28.11.13

A veteran of the Nagorno-Karabakh war has criticized the Armenian
authorities of being irresponsive to their social demands.

Speaking at a rally in Yerevan, Khachik Avetisyan said the authorities
do not seem to be willing to admit that the country is facing a
real plight.

“At the last rally, I spoke of a possible dialogue with the
authorities, having in mind the public call voiced by the Republican
Party lawmaker Karine Achemyan. I emphasized in my speech that
a dialogue may take place in case the authorities admit that the
country is facing a deep crisis and is in need of radical reforms,
not cosmetic ones. And if they do not have a political will to realize
them, they must step down,” he said, adding that the Republican MP’s
speech had made clear that the authorities do not care about the state
and the people and are absolutely unwilling to launch any reforms.

ARMENIA: JAILED CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS FREED – BUT ALTERNATIVE SERVICE APPLICATIONS MISSING?

Forum 18
Nov 28 2013

By Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service

Armenia’s Jehovah’s Witness community has welcomed the freeing from
prison of all conscientious objectors jailed for refusing military
service, and the approval of 72 applications for the new civilian
alternative service. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses expressed concern
over 41 further applications to the government’s Alternative Service
Committee – many lodged in July – which officials claimed to Forum
18 News Service have not been received. 12 of those waiting for a
Committee decision have criminal cases against them, and have been
deprived of passports. This means, among other things, that they
cannot travel abroad, legally work, or marry. Artur Sogomonyan –
secretary of the Alternative Service Committee – insisted to Forum
18 that no applications had been lost. The Territorial Administration
Ministry spokesperson claimed she could not answer Forum 18’s question
as it had not been formulated in accordance with the law.

Armenia’s Jehovah’s Witness community has welcomed the freeing from
prison of all their young men imprisoned for refusing military service
and the approval of 72 applications for the new civilian alternative
service. “Now, for the first time since 1993, no Jehovah’s Witnesses
are imprisoned in Armenia for their conscientious objection to military
service,” they told Forum 18 News Service.

However, Jehovah’s Witnesses expressed concern over 41 further
applications to the government’s Alternative Service Committee –
many lodged in July – which officials claimed to Forum 18 have not
been received. Also, 12 of those waiting for a decision have criminal
cases against them, and have been deprived of passports. This means,
among other things, that they cannot travel abroad, legally work,
or marry (see below).

The release of all known conscientious objectors from prison, and
the introduction of what appears to be a fully civilian alternative
service, implements a January 2001 commitment Armenia made on joining
the Council of Europe to do both these things by January 2004.

Repeated failure to do both has been strongly
criticised internationally (see F18News 17 October 2013
).

Jehovah’s Witnesses calculate that more than 450 of their young men
were imprisoned for conscientious objection between 1993 and 2013.

Another known conscientious objector former prisoner was a member
of Armenia’s small Molokan community, a Russian Protestant-style
community.

However, a Council of Europe commitment Armenia made at the same time –
“to ensure that all churches or religious communities, in particular
those referred to as ‘non-traditional’, may practise their religion
without discrimination” – has not yet been fully implemented (see
forthcoming F18News article).

Amendments

The conscientious objection change came in amendments to the 2003
Alternative Service Law and to the 2003 Law on Implementing the
Criminal Code. They were approved in parliament on 2 May 2013 and
signed into law by President Serzh Sarkisyan on 21 May (see F18News
6 June 2013 ).

President Sarkisyan was reminded of the continuing imprisonment of 29
conscientious objectors when he addressed the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 2 October. In response,
Sarkisyan claimed that Armenia has conducted “an immense amount of
work” to ensure freedom of conscience, according to remarks published
on the Parliamentary Assembly and presidential websites. He pointed to
the alternative service legal amendments and the abolition of criminal
prosecution for conscientious objectors. “There is a political will,
legislative reform has been implemented and the process is under way,”
he claimed.

Releases

The releases of imprisoned conscientious objectors only began after
President Sarkisyan’s Strasbourg speech.

Eight imprisoned conscientious objectors – all Jehovah’s
Witnesses – were freed on 9 October after they were included
in a prisoner amnesty which saw their prison terms reduced
by six months. Several of the eight were freed just days
before the end of their sentence (see F18News 17 October 2013
).

Six more were released on 24 October, the day after their applications
were accepted. They were the first to benefit from the June 2013
amendments. The remaining 14 were freed on 12 November, the same
day the Alternative Service Commission accepted their applications
(see below).

Alternative Service Committee applications

The government has set up an Alternative Service Committee to decide
on applications for alternative service (see F18News 6 June 2013
). It has met
twice to review applications. At its first session on 23 October, 72
applications were approved. Six of them were from Jehovah’s Witness
prisoners, who were freed the following day.

Only one application – not from a Jehovah’s Witness – was rejected,
Committee secretary Artur Sogomonyan told Forum 18 from Yerevan on
27 November. He said the individual had lodged his application late
and therefore it could not be considered. He declined to identify
the young man. Human rights defenders were unable to identify the
individual either.

At the Alternative Service Committee’s second session on 12 November
– held in Erebuni Prison because all the 14 applicants were then
prisoners there – all applications were accepted. The releases of
the prisoners occurred the same day, Jehovah’s Witnesses told Forum 18.

The Committee interviewed each applicant separately for between five
and 40 minutes, their lawyer Yelena Margaryan told Forum 18 from
the capital Yerevan on 27 November. For all the Jehovah’s Witness
applicants, she was present during interviews. During the 23 October
interviews she was also accompanied by another lawyer.

“Questions to the young men were reasonable,” Margaryan told Forum 18.

“The Committee wanted to understand their stance.” Decisions on each
application were made the same day as the hearing.

Will civilian service be civilian?

All the young men accepted for alternative civilian service are waiting
at home for information on where they will be assigned to perform
their service. Those who have served a prison sentence will have
the length they have served deducted from the length of alternative
civilian service.

Under a 25 July government decision, 11 institutions were identified
as places where alternative civilian service would be carried
out including nursing homes, children’s homes and psychiatric
clinics. The 11 institutions are controlled by a number of
ministries: the Labour and Social Affairs Ministry, the Health
Ministry and the Emergency Situations Ministry. A separate list
identified tasks the alternative service workers would carry out,
including hospital orderly, laundry worker, kitchen worker, ground
staff or emergency rescuer’s assistant (see F18News 17 October 2013
).

Jehovah’s Witnesses told Forum 18 that they are hopeful that the
alternative civilian service will remain civilian.

Since the Alternative Service Law entered into force in 2004,
those called up could instead apply for alternative service under
military control, which lasted up to 42 months. This did not meet
the country’s Council of Europe commitments (see F18News 3 December
2012 ). When the
Alternative Service Law was first adopted in 2004, 22 Jehovah’s
Witnesses and a Molokan accepted the new alternative service. But
they abandoned it in early 2005 after it became clear it was under
military control. All 23 were subsequently imprisoned (see F18News
22 February 2006 ).

The new 2013 alternative civilian service has been set at
three years, compared to military service of two years. Although
Jehovah’s Witnesses note that the longer service could be considered
“punitive”, they told Forum 18 that they consider this a lesser
issue than having a genuinely civilian service available for
their young men. Armenian human rights defenders have criticised
the length of the alternative service (see F18News 6 June 2013
).

Missing applications?

In addition to those whose applications for alternative civilian
service have been accepted, applications from 41 Jehovah’s Witness
conscientious objectors have yet to be considered by the Alternative
Service Committee. Many were lodged on 23 July, the same day that
others which have already been considered were lodged. Others were
lodged after that as the young men involved were still aged 17 and were
trying to clarify from Conscription Offices whether such applications
should be lodged before they reach their 18th birthday.

Twelve of those waiting for a decision have criminal cases against
them, and five of the 12 have criminal trials currently underway
against them. “In the case of those on trial, courts repeatedly have
to adjourn hearings as they wait for an Alternative Service Committee
date”, their lawyer Margaryan told Forum 18.

They have no passport and live under restrictions while they wait for
the Alternative Service Committee decisions. The restrictions imposed
by having no passport include not being able to legally work or marry.

However, Sogomonyan – secretary of the Alternative Service Committee –
insisted to Forum 18 that no applications are currently pending. Asked
about the 41 waiting – many of which were lodged more than four
months earlier – he responded: “I haven’t got them. Any that have
been submitted end up with me.” Asked if they could have got lost,
he replied: “Applications don’t get lost.” He speculated that some
might have been submitted after the deadline, but had no information.

The applicants’ lawyer Margaryan insists that the 41 applications
were submitted properly. She stated that some may have been submitted
late, as individuals still aged 17 or who had medical conditions
which might have led to exemption from call-up were trying to
find out from Conscription Offices whether they needed to submit
applications. She insisted that in all these cases, individuals who
submitted applications late asked for an extension to the consideration
period, which was not rejected.

Forum 18 tried to reach Vache Terteryan, First Deputy Minister of
Territorial Administration and Chair of the Alternative Service
Committee. However, his staff told Forum 18 on 27 November that he
was not available, referring Forum 18 to Ministry spokesperson Zoya
Barsegyan.

At Barsegyan’s request, Forum 18 asked in writing the same day what
has happened to the missing applications and whether the young men now
have to send photocopies to the Committee for them to be considered.

She responded on 28 November refusing to answer the question, as she
said it had not been formulated in accordance with the law.

26 cases at European Court of Human Rights

A total of 26 Jehovah’s Witness conscientious objectors who were
subjected to imprisonment to punish them for refusing to perform
military service or the military-controlled alternative service then
on offer have lodged cases to the European Court of Human Rights
(ECtHR) in Strasbourg, Jehovah’s Witnesses told Forum 18. They said
these cases are continuing.

In four previous cases, the ECtHR in Strasbourg has found the Armenian
government to have violated the rights of conscientious objectors. In
a landmark case, the court ruled in July 2011 in favour of former
conscientious objector prisoner Vahan Bayatyan. The ECtHR handed
down two similar judgments against Armenia – in cases brought by
Hayk Bukharatyan and Ashot Tsaturyan – in January 2012 (see F18News
1 February 2012 ).

In November 2012, the ECtHR – in its fourth decision against Armenia
in conscientious objector cases – found that Armenia had violated the
rights of 17 Jehovah’s Witness conscientious objectors. For the first
time in such cases, Armenia’s European Court Judge, Alvina Gyulumyan,
did not dissent from the judgment.

The November 2012 judgment awarded compensation of 6,000
Euros to each of the 17 conscientious objectors. The
government was also required to pay a total of 10,000 Euros
in costs for all the applicants (see F18News 3 December 2012
).

This judgment became final on 27 February 2013, with compensation
payable by 27 May. The government paid the 112,000 Euros compensation
in mid-May.

The ECtHR’s most significant judgment was in July 2011, in the case of
former conscientious objector prisoner Vahan Bayatyan (Application No.

23459/03). It found that the right to conscientious
objection is protected by Article 9 (“Freedom of thought,
conscience and religion”) of the European Convention on Human
Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (see F18News 7 July 2011
).

Conscientious objection deniers

Other Council of Europe countries which do not offer a full civilian
alternative to compulsory military service are Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Azerbaijan freed both of its known conscientious objector
prisoners earlier in 2013 (see F18News 28 June 2013
).

Turkish military court decisions concerning conscientious objection
claims have shown a selective and not complete recognition of the
right to conscientious objection, after Council of Europe pressure
on the Turkish government to implement ECtHR judgments (see F18News
1 May 2012 ).

The unrecognised breakaway entity of Nagorno-Karabakh in the south
Caucasus also imprisons conscientious objectors. Jehovah’s Witness
Karen Harutyunyan was sentenced in December 2011 to 30 months’
imprisonment and remains in prison in Shusha (see F18News 17 January
2012 ).

Belarus – not a Council of Europe member – has in recent
years imprisoned conscientious objectors, though none are
currently known to be in prison. Any Alternative Service Law is,
officials claim, now being prepared (see F18News 10 January 2013
).

Turkmenistan – also not in the Council of Europe – currently has
eight known conscientious objector prisoners (see F18News 29 August
2013 ). The latest
prisoner freed was Juma Nazarov on 29 August. (END)

More coverage of freedom of thought, conscience and belief in
Armenia and the unrecognised entity of Nagorno-Karabakh is at

A personal commentary, by Derek Brett of Conscience and Peace
Tax International, on conscientious objection to military
service and international law in the light of the European
Court of Human Rights’ July 2011 Bayatyan judgment is at

A compilation of Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE) freedom of religion or belief commitments can be found at

A printer-friendly map of Armenia is available at

All Forum 18 News Service material may be referred to, quoted from,
or republished in full, if Forum 18 is credited as
the source.

IRAN NOT INTERESTED IN POSSIBLE NATO PEACEKEEPING ACTIVITY IN THE REGION

November 28, 2013 | 18:19

Iran’s role in the Karabakh conflict is seen as a role of a country not
interested in any military escalation on its borders, says editorial
posted on Iran.ru website.

The authors emphasize that Iran is not interested in a possible NATO
peacekeeping activity in the region.

“It’s hard to imagine that countries like the U.S., France and
others would agree to a peacekeeping operation exclusively by the
CSTO countries or Russia alone. But the presence of NATO forces in
the conflict area, even if it is authorized by the OSCE mandate or
the UN, can not but act as an irritant to Iran,” the authors claim.

The authors remind that Iran’s doubt related to the possible presence
of NATO troops near its northern borders are objective and can not
be ignored.

“Iran’s position on the Karabakh settlement basically comes down to
two points. Firstly, it is the necessity of a peaceful solution and
no alternative to negotiations,” the article says.

And secondly, Iran considers that exclusively regional states’
involvement in the peace process as a mediating party is the most
appropriate option, and this should lead to the ousting of the external
actors from mediation in the Karabakh settlement.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY BECOMES OF LONELY MEN

Hurriyet, Turkey
Nov 27 2013

Koray CalıÅ~_kan [email protected]

A coup d’état took place in Egypt. All right. Coups are bad. All
right to that also. In the first place, Turkey did what it had to
do in principle. However, even Hamas, the Palestinian organization
al-Ikhwan, that is the Muslim Brotherhood, is more realistic in this
subject now. Even the Egyptian al-Ikhwan is trying to understand
where it made a mistake. How did the whole society unite against them;
they are searching for the reasons. They are considering how common
ground could be found with the regime.

In such a period, instead of exploiting diplomacy to the end, Turkey
has started an uncalled for fight with Egypt, which accommodates half
of the population of the Arab world. With rude contempt, relations were
blown apart. Other than us, no other country that has a Muslim majority
population, any Arab country nor any Western country has opted for
this negative path. In the end, our ambassador was expelled from Egypt.

Thus, in the region, all together with Armenia, Egypt, Syria and Israel
we are left with no ambassadors in four countries. This unnecessary
toughness does not help al-Ikhwan, Egypt, Turkey or the region. In
order to defend the notion that a success criteria exists in diplomacy,
you need to have diplomatic relations. Period.

Meanwhile, Iran has achieved a very important success. Uranium is
good only when it is enriched. Uranium in its natural state has 0.7
percent of the U235 used in nuclear activities. Without the isotope
enrichment, uranium cannot be used in nuclear activities.

For the uranium to be used in nuclear reactors, it has to be enriched.

3 percent enrichment is adequate for a reactor. Uranium enriched over
20 percent can be used in nuclear weapons. In countries such as Israel,
China, the United States, United Kingdom and Russia, there is uranium
enriched 80 percent and above.

According to the deal struck with Iran, this country will enrich
uranium as much as it needs but to a maximum of 5 percent. In other
words, Iran’s nuclear program is accepted by the international
community with the prerequisite that it is produced for energy only.

There is only one reason for this: The Western world led by the U.S.

could not prevent Iran’s nuclear program; it said, “Then, let us at
least manage it.”

Iran gave the green light to the West’s controls. In return for that,
an embargo worth $1 billion has been lifted for each month. In the
long term, the entire embargo will be lifted. Iran will be able
to produce its own nuclear technology and if it is able to hide it
(Israel has no doubts in that) will also have nuclear weapons.

The chemical weapons agreement with Syria has also been signed. This
is also an achievement of the Iran-Russia cooperation. The Western
world does not trust the al-Qaida led al-Ikhwan and militant Islamist
politics. Moreover, they can even draw reactionary regimes such as
Saudi Arabia to their own side.

While all of these developments are taking place, the Justice and
Development Party led government is trying to become the spokesperson
of al-Ikhwan. It is making diplomacy equations with zero gains in the
Middle East. It must be because the diplomatic feet have been numbed
for not having taken a walk for such a long time that it cannot even
take a few simple steps.

Turkey, a country which is ahead of the game in the Middle East
with its huge potential, with its experience of operating democratic
institutions, with its cultural ties, economic power and development
potential, is more and more becoming “Alone.” (The Turkish film
“Issız Adam” which means the lonely man.)

Turkey has the flour, the butter, the sugar and it is repeatedly asking
“What was the name of that dessert?”

Let me say it: Both in Arabic and in Turkish, it is called “halva.”

Its recipe is simple. Its equivalent in diplomacy is sweet talk and
intelligence.

*Koray CalıÅ~_kan is a columnist for daily Radikal in which this
piece was published on Nov 26. It was translated into English by the
Daily News staff.

November/27/2013

WHO INVOLVES KAVPOLIT.COM INTO ANTI-ARMENIAN PROVOCATION?

20:18 27/11/2013 ” SOCIETY

Russian portal “Kavpolit.com” renowned for its articles covering
Caucasus issues was involved in anti-Armenian provocation: on the
site, while translating the travel notes of the British traveler
Daniel Hamilton serious mistakes were made, and phrase and photos
with anti-Armenian content were added, which do not exist in original.

It is noteworthy that Daniel Hamilton has published his notes on a trip
to Armenia and Karabakh from May to September, and the “translation”
was published on Kavpolit.com site in November.[]

In the notes made on May 16 Daniel Hamilton writes about the Armenian
town of Shushi, emphasizing that the town is often called by its
Azeri name ‘Shusha’ in various guidebooks. In the translation of
“the Caucasian Policy” the city is named in Azerbaijani as “Shusha”
which is presented as a place-name used by the author.

“Shushi was once one of the largest Armenian towns in the world and
the heart of the Caucasus silk trade. It retains some of its historic
buildings but saw scenes of some of the most bitter fighting during
the Karabakh war. War stories about Shushi are legendary in Karabakh.

The town served as a base from which the Azeri army launched missile
and shell attacks on Stepanakert before being dramatically recaptured
one night by Armenian forces,” the blogger writes.

He notes that during the trip to Shushi one can see the influence
of both Christianity and Islam in Nagorno-Karabakh. “Ghazanchetsots
Cathedral, which was used by the Azeri army to store missiles during
the war, has been fully restored and should not be missed.

Similarly, you should make an effort to visit the Yukhari Govhar Agha
mosque which, while no longer in use, is protected by the Nagorno
Karabakh Government,” the blogger reports.

In the translation of the “Caucasian policy,” we see a discrepancy
with the original text: “Today Shusha is a village, but once it was a
major city of a Silk Road and the center of the Armenian culture. Many
historical buildings are preserved there that are worth seeing. Shusha
is a surprising mix of Islamic and Christian civilizations. Visit the
local fortress of Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, the 18th century Govhar
Agha mosque.”

Further, in translation made by D. Jalilova a completely false
paragraph, which cannot be found in the original article, appears:
“Unlike the other monuments of local architecture, the mosque is in
terrible condition. Though officially it is protected by the state,
the building is in a dilapidated condition and the people are not
allowed to enter. Thus you may admire it only from the outside.”

It is noteworthy that Daniel Hamilton, just on the contrary, writes
that the mosque is under the patronage of the NKR government.

The translator of the “Caucasian policy” entitled the excerpt about
Aghdam “Pigsty in mosque and gardens on the ruins”, though text of
there is very little information about Aghdam in the original text.

Naturally, in the article written by Daniel Hamilton there is nothing
said about the pigs grazing in the mosque.

In the article published in “Caucasian policy” among the pictures made
by Daniel Hamilton there are also photos of animals grazing in the
mosque, however, the British author does not possess such photos and
cannot have them as this photo “runs” in the Internet for a long time;
a number of Internet sites used to discuss its accuracy. There were
suspicions that the photo is mounted with the help of Photoshop. It
was this picture and the mentioned above paragraph about the animals
in the mosque that caused a number of armenofobic comments on the
site of the “Caucasian policy.”

Below is the paragraph about Aghdam published on Kavpolit.com. To note
in advance that only the phrase “Aghdam is a ghost city” in this text
coincides with the original publication.

Thus the fabrications attributed to Daniel Hamilton: “Today Aghdam
is a ghost city where there is not a single undamaged building left,
except the mosque of the 19th century. The mosque is decorated with
blue mosaics and is rather beautiful. But the building is gradually
falling apart because of the lack of care. And on the marble floor,
where people were once praying cows and pigs graze today. The military
allow shooting the mosque. But you can hardly be allowed to walk
around the city with a camera. Armenian fortifications are located here
which should not be photographed. The cattle is grazing on the ruins,
and people from nearby villages come to the gardens that have still
remained there to get a harvest, several dozen of homeless people
live in deserted houses,” D. Jalilova writes in the “translation.”

In the translated article were not included the comments of the author
concerning the fact that Karabakh had become the part of Azerbaijan
due to “the Soviet Russian policy” which was divide and rule,”
which was aimed at preventing the ethnic groups of strengthening
(e.g., Armenians).”

The blogger also writes that Nagorno-Karabakh is a democratic
country where the rule of law prevails: “The country held successful
Presidential elections in 2012 which received top marks from
international election observers (myself included).”

Naturally, this phrase was not included in the “translation” by D.

Jalilova where quite a lot of phrases appeared which cannot be found
in the original.

P.S.

At the time of publication of this article, the provocative photo was
removed from the Kavpolit.com site; probably the editorial office had
already guessed that the portal has been exposed, by involving itself
into provocation. Armenofobic comments below the article have been
removed as well. However, some fabrications of the translator presented
as the opinion of the British blogger still remain on the site.

Naturally, we understand that the editor cannot check every translated
line and often the work is based on “trust.” This incident is likely
to contribute to the fact that our colleagues from the “Caucasian
policy” will be more responsible in hiring employees and with the
trust towards them; otherwise the level of trust towards the portal
will be sharply decreased among the audience.

EDUARD SHARMAZANOV: EUROPE’S RESPONSE TO ARMENIA’S ACCESSION TO CUSTOMS UNION WAS RADICAL

ArmInfo’s interview with Eduard Sharmazanov, Vice Chairman of the
Armenian National Assembly, Spokesperson of the Republican Party
of Armenia

by Tatevik Shahunyan

Wednesday, November 27, 13:50

Mr. Sharmazanov, ahead of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius
on Nov 28-29, what is your assessment of the Armenia-EU relations?

– In the run-up to the Vilnius Summit, the Armenia-EU relations can
be qualified as constructive. Furthermore, these relations have a
potential for further development.

Mr. Sharmazanov, do you have any information on the format or level
of Armenia’s participation in the Summit in Vilnius? Do Armenia-EU
relations depend on who will represent Armenia at the Summit?

– I think, I am sure that after the Summit in Vilnius the Armenia-EU
relations, especially their political component will go on developing.

Mr. Vice Speaker, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to
visit Armenia on December 2. Do you share the views that the Russian
president was intentionally delaying his visit to Armenia waiting
for Yerevan’s agreement to access the CU?

– I don’t share these views, as neither official Yerevan not Moscow
had confirmed the earlier media announcements on Putin’s visit. The
date of the visit has been officially announced. It is December 2. And
the visit will take place. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit
to Armenia will give a fresh impetus to promotion of cooperation
between the two countries in a variety of dimensions.

Anti-Russian sentiments are growing in Armenia ahead of Putin’s
visit to Armenia. It is rumored that Armenia has turned into Russia’s
colony by accessing the CU under pressure of Moscow. Many call this
an elementary economic deal, a kind of reverence in change for gas
tariff subsidies…

– To assess Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union as an economic
deal to subsidize the gas tariffs is a lack of political foresight.

Integration into the Customs Union opens up new possibilities for
Armenia in terms of both economic and security issues. If we look at
Armenia’s foreign trade turnover, we can see that Armenia’s commodities
are mostly exported in the Eurasian direction. As for Europe, it
consumes mostly Armenian raw materials – copper, molybdenum¬, etc.,
which are in demand regardless of whether we have an Association
Agreement with the European Union or not. As regards security,
such a small country as Armenia cannot resist all the threats all by
itself. Therefore, it should be a part of a certain security system,
in this particular case – a part of the CSTO.

As for the anti-Russian sentiments, Armenia is a democratic country
where everyone has the right to express his or her point of view. But
I should point out that the anti-Russian sentiments often come from
the marginal political circles and one should not take them seriously.

This resembles a tempest in a teapot.

Mr. Sharmazanov, you have brought so many advantages of Armenia’s
accession to the Customs Union. Didn’t Armenia realize all the
beauty of Eurasian integration four years ago, before starting the
negotiations for the Association with EU?

-We have always developed cooperation in the Eurasian dimension.

Moreover, I should remind those, who did not expect Serzh Sargsyan
to take the Sept 3 decision, of Sargsyan’s pre-electoral interview
with Vesti Nedeli about the integration processes in the Customs
Union. I think if they watch that interview once again, they will
understand that the statement on the Customs Union membership was
not spontaneous. Yerevan has never said that it would build relations
with Europe at the expense of partnership with Russia. We have always
advocated deepening relations with Europe and promoting partnership
with Russia.

If the September 3 decision was not spontaneous, at least, for the
ruling camp, Europe’s reaction to it was a real surprise. “Actually”
Europe does not share Yerevan’s stance on simultaneous integration
into two different structures…

– A professional politician is never surprised. Everything must be
foreseen. However, Europe’s reaction was unfounded, at least for me.

Right after Brussels’ statements that it is impossible to sign
an Association Agreement between Armenia and the European Union
amid the republic’s integration into the Customs Union, Yerevan
suggested continuing the cooperation in the political component of
the Association Agreement. Brussels’ response was radical first,
but Yerevan’s suggestion has given some results, because Armenia
and the EU are currently working at a joint document on cooperation,
and it is most likely to be signed in Vilnius. Germany’s Ambassador
to Armenia has expressed such confidence, at least.

Addressing to the Karabakh issue…President of Armenia said in a
statement after his meeting with Ilham Aliyev that the latter is
willing to resolve the conflict, but it is insufficient. What else
do we need to resolve the conflict?

– Willingness is not enough. Here we need to find common grounds based
on the principles of self-determination right, territorial integrity
and nonuse of force. And one more thing Azerbaijan must realize is
that no final settlement is possible without Nagorno-Karabakh’s
direct participation in the peace talks. Since the Kazan meeting
there has been certain progress in Azerbaijan’s attitude towards
the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. At least, the Azeri President made no
bellicose anti-Armenian statements after the last meeting with his
Armenian counterpart.

Mr. Sharmazanov, Ankara has recently intensified its efforts towards
integration into the Karabakh peace process. Turkey offers its
involvement into the process at all international structures. After
their recent talks with Putin and Kerry, Erdogan and Davutoglu came
out for the necessity of developing measures to resolve the Karabakh
conflict by combined efforts of Ankara, Moscow and Washington. Moscow
and Washington did not respond to that. Does it mean that Ankara is
gradually enlisting support of Russia and USA?

– Turks should first solve their problems with their neighbors. Their
involvement is out of question as long as they show a one-sided
attitude and support to Azerbaijan.

Mr. Sharmazanov, what about domestic political situation in the
country? Is it stable, tense but stable or explosive?

– Not explosive. It is stable with elements of tension rather than
tense. Such tension is natural for a country where 35% of people
are poor.

Don’t you think that the situation in the country has deteriorated
over the past years? The public discontent is on the rise. Protest
actions and public unrest have become very frequent. Don’t you think
that the reason is the deteriorating social conditions of the people?

– I respect public protest actions if they are spontaneous rather
than orchestrated by somebody. Democracy implies civil society. One
more reason why public activity is on the rise now is that the key
opposition forces are on the fringe and have no more influence on
the public opinion.

PUTIN’S VISIT TO BE NEW STIMULUS IN ARMENIA-RUSSIA RELATIONS – OPINION

11:53 ~U 27.11.13

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to Armenia is
expected to give a new stimulus to the bilateral cooperation, according
to Eduard Sharmaznov, a deputy speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly.

Speaking to the ArmInfo news agency, Sharmaznov downplayed the
criticism that the Armenian authorities’ decision to join the Eurasian
Customs Union was made under pressures by Russia (which offered Armenia
economic advantages, particularly subsidized tariffs for the Russian
gas supply).

“The integration into the Customs Union offers Armenia new
opportunities both economically and in terms of security. And once
security is the issue, a small country like Armenia cannot overcome all
the threats on its own; hence it has to be represented in a security
alliance which, in the given case, is the CSTO [Collective Security
Treaty Organization],” he said.

As for the intensified anti-Russian tensions in Armenia ahead of
the Russian leader’s visit, Sharmazanov noted that Armenia, as a
democratic country, allows everyone to have his or her own opinion
on any development.

“But I have to say that anti-Russian opinions are voiced mainly by
marginal political forces,” he added.

Armenian News – Tert.am