Author: Kalantarian Kevo

AZERBAIJAN: BROAD CONSENSUS ON CRIMEA WORRIES

Institute for War and Peace Reporting, UK
IWPR Caucasus Reporting #730
April 9 2014

With Karabakh in mind, government votes against Moscow’s annexation
move.

By Nijat Melikov – Caucasus CRS Issue 730, 8 Apr 14

For once, government officials, opposition politicians and commentators
in Azerbaijan have found common cause in voicing concern about Russia’s
annexation of Crimea.

When the United Nations General Assembly met on March 27 to discuss
a resolution deeming the Crimean referendum illegal, Azerbaijan was
one of 100 countries that voted for the motion. Eleven countries,
including Russia and just two other former Soviet states – Armenia
and Belarus – voted against.

Aside from the UN vote, the Azerbaijani government has refrained from
condemning Moscow’s actions too publicly.

Speaking before the March 16 Crimean referendum, deputy foreign
minister Araz Azimov reiterated the official position, telling the
Azertag news agency that his country believed in “the principles of
sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders”.

For Azerbaijan, that means Nagorny Karabakh, which has been run by
a separate Armenian administration since the war of the early 1990s.

While Karabakh has not won international recognition. Azerbaijanis
fear that Crimea could set a precedent for territories wishing to
formalise splits of this kind.

Hikmet Hajizade, a leading figure in the opposition Musavat party
and a one-time ambassador to Moscow, said he understood and supported
the government’s cautious opposition to Russia.

“You need to be very careful with a crazy politician like Putin. There
are already people in Russia talking about recognising Nagorny
Karabakh,” he said.

Vafa Guluzade, a political analyst who served as an adviser to the late
president Heydar Aliyev – the father of current leader Ilham Aliyev –
said the Kremlin’s arguments about needing to protect ethnic Russians
abroad were “absurd”.

“By that law, Russia could send troops to New York, since there’s a
Russian-speaking population concentrated in Brighton Beach,” he told
IWPR. “Russia is planning to regain the territories it lost with the
collapse of the Soviet Union, and Putin isn’t even trying to hide
the fact he wants to restore the empire.”

Guluzade described the Crimean referendum as “practically identical
to the one Adolf Hitler held for the Austrian Anschluss and [moves]
to ‘defend the rights of the Sudeten Germans'”.

Rasim Musabekov, an independent member of parliament and a political
analyst, said the government’s measured response was in line with
international law.

“We cannot react more strongly than the Ukrainians have done
themselves, that is, in a proportionate manner. When Armenia occupied
Azerbaijani territory, Ukraine too limited itself to expressing
support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity,” he said.

Longer term, Musabekov said, Moscow would need to come to terms with
the implications of its policies towards Ukraine.

“Putin is convinced he’s won, but this is going to have a negative
effect on his medium-term and long-term prospects. If you believe
Russia has won in Crimea, you need to understand that it has lost
Ukraine,” he said. “The scars that Russia has inflicted on Ukraine
through its actions in Crimea will take a long time to fade from
Ukraine’s national consciousness.”

Nijat Melikov is a journalist with the Zerkalo newspaper in Azerbaijan.

LAWMAKERS, ARMENIANS URGE U.S. TO INVESTIGATE ATTACK ON SYRIAN CITY

Los Angeles Times
April 8 2014

By Richard Simon

April 8, 2014, 6:36 p.m.

WASHINGTON – For Rep. Anna G. Eshoo, the attack on a Syrian town
that is home to descendants of the Armenian genocide was a painful
reminder of the past.

“I can’t help but think, ‘Here we are again,'” said Eshoo, whose
grandparents survived the early 20th century genocide. “It’s like
ripping a scab off of a wound…. History is repeating itself.”

Eshoo, a Democrat from Menlo Park, joined other California
representatives — including some with large Armenian American
constituencies — to call attention to the rebel assault last month
on the northern Syrian town of Kasab near the Turkish border and to
press for humanitarian aid to the victims and an investigation into
Turkey’s role in the strike.

Syrian rebels, including some linked to Al Qaeda, crossed into
Syria from Turkey on March 21, attacking the home to about 2,500
Armenian Christians and forcing many to flee. A week later, hundreds
of protesters gathered outside the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles,
accusing Turkey, which has called for Syrian President Bashar Assad’s
ouster, of helping facilitate the attack.

Representatives of the Armenian National Committee of America, who
joined several lawmakers at a Capitol Hill news conference Tuesday,
called for, among other things, the U.S. to investigate Turkey’s
assistance to the rebels, facilitate the return of Syrian Armenians
back to their homes, and provide at least $3.5 million in humanitarian
assistance for displaced civilians from Kasab.

There was no immediate response from the Turkish Embassy in Washington.

Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) and Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford)
recently joined Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) and Michael G. Grimm
(R-N.Y.), co-chairmen of the Congressional Armenia Caucus, in a
letter to President Obama calling the attack “far too reminiscent”
of the early days of the Armenian genocide.

An estimated 1.2 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks as
the empire was dissolving during World War I.

Resolutions have been repeatedly introduced in Congress over the years
to recognize the mass killings between 1915 and 1918 as genocide. But
the measures have run into resistance amid fears they would damage
U.S. relations with Turkey, an important ally. Though historians have
concluded the killings were genocide, Turkey has contended that the
deaths were due to war, famine and disease.

“The United States cannot sit by idly while these extremists target
civilians and force more than 2,000 in this instance to flee their
homes,” said Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno). Also attending the news
conference were Reps. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), Judy Chu
(D-Monterey Park), Schiff and Pallone.

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US CONTENT WITH THE SECURITY LEVEL OF ARMENIAN NUCLEAR POWER STATION

The Messenger, Georgia
April 9 2014

By Messenger Staff
Wednesday, April 9

US officials have recently expressed their satisfaction with the
level of security at the Armenian nuclear power station.

Armenia’s nuclear power station started functioning in 1980. It was
stopped in March 1989 after the devastating earthquake in December
1988 in the Armenian town of Spitak. However, later in November of
1995 it started functioning again because of the heavy energy crisis
the country had been facing.

Experts say the station could now function until 2016.

Armenia’s closest neighbors, Turkey and Azerbaijan, demand the urgent
closing of the station because of the high-risk of its operation.

ARMENIAN DELEGATION WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN CIS DEFENSE CHIEFS’ COMMITTEE MEETING IN BAKU

Interfax, Russia
April 7 2014

YEREVAN. April 7

The Armenian Defense Ministry has cancelled the flight of its
delegation to Baku, where the meeting of CIS defense chiefs’ committee
is scheduled for April 8.

“Despite the invitation of the CIS defense ministers’ council secretary
and official notification sent to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry,
the hosting party has not confirmed its readiness and interest in
having the Armenian delegation, thus the flight to Baku was cancelled,”
the Armenian Defense Ministry press office told Interfax.

The route of the Armenian delegation to the event and back was going
to use a route through Moscow.

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RUSSIA ADVOCATES PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT – GENERAL STAFF CHIEF

Interfax, Russia
April 7 2014

BAKU. April 7

Russia advocates a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, chief of Russia’s General Staff, General of the Army Valery
Gerasimov said during talks with Azeri Defense Minister Col. General
Zakir Hasanov on Monday.

“We discussed further military-technical cooperation, and prospects
of broadening it. Among the main tasks to be fulfilled by Russia,
Azerbaijan and Armenia is that of settling the Karabakh problem one
way or another in order to move on and rule out military ways of
tackling it,” Gerasimov said.

The Azeri defense minister said that Russian-Azeri military
cooperation has been developing at a high level and in all areas,
including military development, education and implementation of
military-technical projects.

A great deal of work has been done in this direction in recent years.

The Azeri armed forces are receiving modern weapons, tanks, combat
vehicles and artillery systems from Russia, all of which strengthen
our country’s defense capability,” Hasanov said.

The talks also dealt with the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh.

“I hope that Russia, as a co-chair of the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe’s Minsk Group, will facilitate a peaceful
settlement,” Hasanov said.

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LONDON’S ARMENIAN COMMUNITY HELPED BY CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION GRANT

Targeted News Service
April 7, 2014 Monday 2:44 AM EST

LONDON

The city of London issued the following news release:

The City of London Corporation’s charity, City Bridge Trust, has
awarded Ealing based Centre for Armenian Information & Advice (CAIA)
Pounds90,000 towards its information and advice services.

CAIA provides advice and support to ethnic Armenians living in London,
many coming from conflict areas, and CAIA is the only specialist
provider for this community in Europe.

The grant will help the charity to meet the increasing demand for
advice resulting from recent changes to welfare rules, legal aid and
housing benefit.

Misak Ohanian, CEO of Centre for Armenian Information & Advice said:

“This is tremendous news which means that a vital service that many
disadvantaged and marginalized people rely on has been safeguarded
for the next three years.”

Billy Dove, Chairman of City Bridge Trust said:

“Centre for Armenian Information & Advice deals with 13,000 visits
as well as 10,000 inquiries every year. This grant means it will
continue to provide a great service for London’s Armenian community
and enhance their independence.”

City Bridge Trust is the grant-making arm of Bridge House Estates,
whose sole trustee is the City of London Corporation. It supports
London’s charities and provides grants totalling around Pounds15
million per year.

WC FRIENDLY: ALGERIA VS. ARMENIA TO BE PLAYED IN SION, SWITZERLAND

Algeria Press Service
April 7, 2014 Monday

ALGIERS- The friendly match between Algeria and Armenia is to be played
May 31st in Sion (Switzerland), the Algerian Football Federation (FAF)
announced Monday.The FAF did not elaborate on the reasons behind the
change of the venue for this game, which is part of Desert Foxes’
preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.Before playing the
friendly game, the Algerian team will complete a training camp in
Algiers in May.The FAF, who held a meeting Sunday, confirmed it has
taken special measures for a better preparation ahead of the 2014
World Cup.According to the source, the preparation for the world major
sporting event is being held under Coach Vahid Halilhodzic.At the
2014 WC, Algeria will compete in group H along with Belgium, Russia
and South Korea. Desert Foxes’ first match will be against Belgium
on June 17, before playing South Korea on June 22, in Porto Alegre,
and Russia on June 26 in Curitiba.

ZAREH SINANYAN CHOSEN AS GLENDALE MAYOR

Wednesday, April 9th, 2014

Glendale City Mayor Zareh Sinanyan

GLENDALE–The Glendale City Council of Thursday voted to select
Councilman Zareh Sinanyan as the next mayor of Glendale, during its
regular Council session with friends and family in the audience.

Glendale Council Members are elected by the public at large while the
Mayor is selected by the Council Members on an annual basis. Glendale
Council Members serve four-year terms with an election cycle every
two years.

Sinanyan was nominated by Councilman Frank Quintero, who was joined by
fellow councilmembers Ara Najarian and Laura Friedman in the vote for
his nomination. Councilman and outgoing mayor Dave Weaver abstained.

In his remarks, Sinanyan thanked his wife, Lori, his children, family
friends and supporters and said he was humbled by the “trust bestowed
upon me by the voters of the City of Glendale and my colleagues on
City Council.”

“The past year has been very educational for me and each of you have
played a unique role in that process,” said Sinanyan referring to
his fellow City Council members.

“Councilman Quintero, I look forward to serving with you for the next
two months. Thank you for your mentorship and support during these
12 months. Councilmember Weaver, I thank you for your leadership in
the last 12 months and look forward to working with you in the future.

Councilmember Najarian, we have had our disagreements, in fact
our votes have seldom aligned on issues, but I look forward to
ever-increasing cooperation on all issues that concern Glendale.

Councilmember Friedman, thank you for calling in and expressing your
support for my candidacy. I think you and I have voted along the same
lines on many issues and I look forward to working together for the
betterment of our city,” added Sinanyan.

He pledged that he will work will all residents and groups in the city
to ensure the ongoing projects advance to make the city of Glendale
and better place for its residents.

“We shall do everything to ensure that all parts of Glendale, from far
North, to South, East to West, homeowners and renters, big businesses
and mom and pop shops are increasingly engaged in and well informed
about the developments in the City, and that their opinions and needs
are heard loud and clear,” said Sinanyan.

He also pledged to make city government more transparent proposing
to translate city-produced materials in Armenain, Korean, Spanish
and Tagalog to increase access to a broader base of Glendale residents.

“Thank you, and let’s make this a great year of continued progress
in Glendale,” concluded Sinanyan.

Sinanyan was elected to City Council in April of 2013 and has since
served as the Chair of the Housing Authority. Councilman Sinanyan
has been involved with the City of Glendale directly since 2006,
when he was appointed to Glendale’s Parks, Recreation and Community
Service’s Commission.

ROUHANI, ALIYEV HOLD TALKS, SEEK CLOSE TIES

Political Desk

On Line: 09 April 2014 16:44
Thursday 10 April 2014

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani of Iran and his Azeri counterpart
Ilham Aliyev held high-profile in Tehran on Wednesday.

Rouhani said there is no obstacle to expand ties between the two
neighboring countries.

The fraternal relations will serve the interests of both countries
and regional stability, the Iranian president noted.

As two neighbors Iran and Azerbaijan share historical, religious,
cultural, and ethnic links.

Rouhani said the great potential in different economic sectors has
provided a good opportunity to expand relations.

The Iranian president suggested that the two countries form a joint
economic committee to increase ties.

He went on to say that Iran is ready to cooperate with Azerbaijan in
implementing energy projects such as building electrical power plants,
adding that the two countries’ private sectors should be encouraged
to invest in such spheres.

He also said that promoting tourism is essential in effort to expand
bilateral ties.

Aliyev, for his part, emphasized the need to expand political,
cultural and economic relations between the two countries.

In January, Rouhani and Aliyev met each other on the sidelines of
the World Economic Forum in Davos and discussed bilateral relations.

Aliyev voiced his country’s support for Iran’s nuclear energy program,
saying Tehran has legitimate right to use nuclear energy for civilian
purposes.

He also put emphasis on the need to resolve the Caspian Sea legal
regime through more consultations.

Iran and Azerbaijan sign four cooperation agreements

During their meeting on Wednesday the presidents of two countries
also signed three memorandums of understanding and one agreement for
bilateral cooperation.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Iranian Interior
Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli and Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov for dealing with unexpected incidents.

The second MOU was inked by Iranian Transport and Urban Development
Minister Abbas Ahmad Akhoundi and Azeri Minister of Ecology and
Natural Resources Huseyn Baghirov.

The third MOU was signed by Iranian Youth and Sports Minister Mahmoud
Goudarzi and Mammadyarov.

The cooperation agreement for constructing two hydroelectric power
plants in Azerbaijan was signed by Azeri Economic Development Minister
Shahin Mustafayev and Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian.

Iran does not accept any change in geographical borders of the
regional countries

During a joint press conference on Wednesday, Rouhani said that
changing regional countries’ geographical borders is not acceptable.

He voiced Iran’s readiness to resolve regional problems, specifically
the Nagorno-Karabakh, within the framework of international
regulations.

Rouhani went on to say that such disputes should be resolved
politically and in a peaceful way.

Aliyev praised Iran’s stance in this respect and emphasized the need
to maintain Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 between Armenians of
Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. Since a lengthy war in the early
1990s that, the Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent
of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territory, including
Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions. The UN Security Council’s
four resolutions condemned the occupation of Azerbaijan territory
and demanded the withdrawal of the Armenians.

NA/PA

ENGENIY SATANOVSKY: IN THE MIDDLE EAST CHRISTIANS FEEL SAFE ONLY IN IRAN AND ISRAEL

by Ashot Safaryan

Tuesday, April 8, 15:43

The campaign of the western superpowers on ousting Syria’s President
Bashar Asad is optimized for the genocide of national and ethnic
minorities, Russian expert, president of the Middle East Institute,
Evgeniy Satanovsky said over the televised bridge Moscow-Yerevan
dedicate to the events in the Syrian Kessab populated with Armenians.

‘

He said that Kessab has found itself on the way of a regular attack
of rebels because of a rather specific reason. “Today they openly
say “Christians – to Lebanon and Alawites – to the grave”. However,
Christians can not manage to deport. They should not have illusions.

We know that at the beginning of the 20th century quarter of population
of the Middle East were Christians. Today we cannot find even 2%
of Christians in the Middle East”, – he said.

The expert emphasize that at present nothing threats Christian
communities only in the two countries of Middle East – Iran and
Israel. “Total de-christianization of the Middle East has been taking
place. All Christians of the Middle East are potential victims of
terrorists”, – Satanovsky said.

Touching on Turkey’s role in these processes, the expert said that
today Prime Minister Erdogan has been restoring the Ottoman Empire.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also openly says about it. “For this
reason, radical extremist course towards expansion based on growth of
the role of Islam in the Turkish society, in the external direction,
undoubtedly is leading to support of radicals. Of course, it may be
not Al-Quida, but Syrian Free Army is not better than Jabhat al-Nursa
or any other Islamist extremist wing”, – he concluded.

To recall, in the early morning on March 21, armed militants
from the Jabhat al-Nusra Islamic terrorist group infiltrated
into northern Syria’s Latakia Governorate, which is predominantly
inhabited by Armenians and Alawites, from four directions. Two large
groups of terrorists had launched the attack from Turkey. About 600
Kessab-Armenian families were initially sheltered in Latakia city. A
group of Armenia parliament members recently visited Syria to assess
the situation in the region. They met with President Bashar Assad.

On 30 March, representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA),
Jim Costa (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA) have
condemned the attacks and urged the State Department to investigate
Turkey’s involvement. They sent a joint letter to President Obama over
the issue. In addition, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian applied
to the UN Secretariat with a letter calling for immediate response
to the attacks by the armed Turkish bands in Kessab. He demanded
Ankara to take immediate measures to stop the attacks on Syria from
the territory of Turkey.