Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Congressional Documents and Publications
September 27, 2012 Thursday

HOWARD BERMAN WRITES SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON, CALLS FOR
AZERBAIJANS SUSPENSION FROM NATO PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE PROGRAM AND
ENDING ARMS SALES TO AZERBAIJAN

WASHINGTON

The following information was released by the office of California
Rep. Howard Berman :

U.S. Rep. Howard L. Berman, the top Democrat on the House Foreign
Affairs Committee, wrote Secretary of State Clinton today and called
for Azerbaijans suspension from the NATO Partnership for Peace Program
and ending arms sales to Azerbaijan. Berman wrote the letter following
the recent pardoning of Azerbaijani axe-murderer Ramil Safarov and his
promotion to the rank of major in the Azerbaijani military.

The letter follows:

Dear Madam Secretary,

The recent pardoning by President Aliyev of the Azerbaijani
axe-murderer Ramil Safarov — and his promotion to the rank of major
in the Azerbaijani military — was indeed appalling. Aliyev’s action
makes a mockery of justice and shows contempt for NATO and its
members, as well as for NATOs Partnership for Peace (PfP) program and
all states that participate in it. The State Department appropriately
issued a strong condemnation of Azerbaijan’s pardon. In my view,
however, the abhorrent nature of this pardon, as well as the gruesome
nature of the original crime and the context in which it occurred,
demands something more. It demands a strong and meaningful response.

Accordingly, in light of the fact that this unprovoked and horrific
murder occurred at a PfP event, I urge you to arrange for a joint
protest to President Aiyev by all members of NATO. Second, I urge that
NATO suspend Azerbaijan from all participation in PfP events unless
and until Aliyev rescinds the pardon and promotion and re-incarcerates
the killer, or returns him to Hungary, to serve the remainder of his
life sentence. Further, I strongly encourage you immediately to halt
all military assistance and arms transfers to Azerbaijan. President
Aliyev’s action, in its callous disregard for Armenian life,
obliterates any near-term hopes for building trust between Armenia and
Azerbaijan. It thus undermines attempts to foster peace in the
volatile Caucasus region. It likewise serves to remind us that a
peaceful resolution regarding Nagorno Karabakh must provide adequate
security safeguards against Azerbaijani aggression.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

U.S. Congressman Howard L. Berman

PAP to present the whole truth on Oskanian’s case to NA. Urikhanyan

18:01, 28 September, 2012

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: Debating the member of `Prosperous
Armenia’ party Vartan Oskanian from the parliamentary immunity is
baseless. This was declared by PAP press speaker Tigran Urikhanyan
after PAP session held on September 28.

`We have prepared our arguments, or more exactly the truth, for all
131 deputies to submit it to their judgment’ noted Urikhanyan. He has
informed that about further actions of PAP the public will be informed
from the exact moment the fact of motion would be put on plenary
session’. Prosecutor General of Armenia Aghvan Hovsepyan presented a
petition to NA on September 27 on involving former minister of Foreign
Affairs Vartan Oskanian as a defendant in the criminal case of
National Security Service’s criminal investigation department.

True or False? Armenians Really Don’t Want to Return to Western Armenia
Hrant Gadarigian

hetq
19:28, September 28, 2012

I came across an article in Hurriyet Daily News and I would like to
get reader feedback on it.

The article, written by Vercihan ZiflioÄ?lu, is entitled `Armenians
snub mayor’s call for return’.

It deals with the September 25 statement of Diyarbakır Mayor Osman
Baydemir in which he invited Armenians and other Non-Muslim people
with roots in the area to return.

Here’s what Mayor Baydemir allegedly said:

`An Armenian, an Assyrian and a Chaldean, whose grandfathers or
great-grandfathers were born in Diyarbakır, have the same right to
live in Diyarbakır as I have, [speaking] as a Kurdish person who was
born in Diyarbakır. I would like to invite all the ethnic groups whose
ancestors once lived in Diyarbakır back to Diyarbakır again. Come back
to your city,’

Baydemir made the call to Turkish and visiting Armenian journalists at
a conference entitled `Expanding the Scope of Dialogue: Media and
Armenia-Turkey Relations at the Current Stage’.

The article then provides quotes of various Armenians responding to
the mayor’s statement. Here’s what they had to say. (Let us assume
that the quotes are credible)

Ara Sarafian, Director of the Gomidas Institute in London – `
Baydemir’s call is not enough. And what is more, it could be
manipulated by Turkish nationalists. As in most provinces, Armenians
were also massacred in Diyarbakır. Why should they return to the city
they left with great pain?’

Suzanne Khardalian (Stockholm-based film director whose family hails
from Adiyaman and Marash) – I don’t believe it is a serious and
sincere call. It has no meaning for us; no one could come back. What
would we find out about ourselves if we returned? I would of course
want to return to the land where my ancestors were born, but it is not
possible under such conditions.’

Garo Yalick (Resident of France whose family has roots in Van and
Mardin) – `They only remember to call on Armenians when they are faced
with political problems. So I want to ask, why should we come back?’

Hakob Chakiryan (columnist for the newspaper Azg in Armenia) –
“Diyarbakır is being introduced as the capital of North Kurdistan,
while Osman Baydemir is regarded as the Kurdish Workers Party
representative. Diyarbakir is a city associated with the Kurdish
problem. It must be the last place to go in terms of Turkey-Armenia
relations.’

So what are your thoughts? Here’s a few of my own to get the discussion rolling.

I get the sneaking feeling that the writer went out of her way to
present the impression that Armenians have no intention to `return’ to
any part of western Armenia.

The fact that she managed to get the director of the Gomidas Institute
to pose the question `Why should they return?’ and a film director to
comment `It has no meaning for us’ leaves the impression that
Armenians have turned the page on 1915 – the Genocide eviction and
exile – and have moved on.

What about Chakiryan’s confusing response? Many Kurds regard
Diyarbakır as the capital of north Kurdistan; so what? It’s also the
site of the recently renovated Saint Giragos Church that officially
reopened last year. Many Armenians, contrary to what Chakiryan
believes, see the city as a potential site for an expanded Armenian
cultural presence.

Of course, Osman Baydemir is a politician who probably does have
ulterior motives, but why do these and other Armenians use it as an
excuse for inaction and closing the door on any attempt to prove
whether the mayor is sincere or not.

This isn’t the first time that Baydemir has made such calls. I don’t
hear the mayors of Erzeroum, Elazig or Van urging Armenians to `come
home’.

When Garo Yalick asks `Why should we come back?’, I can only assume
that he and others like him would ask the same regarding the Republic
of Armenia?

When Suzanne Khardalian states `I would like to return but it’s not
possible under such conditions’, what conditions is she referring to?

Would she return if all the Kurds disappeared magically overnight?
Would she return if the Republic of Armenia magically gained control
of the lands promised by the Treaty of Sevres?

This is the same rational that many in the diaspora hid behind while
at the same time spouting patriotic rhetoric about `Our Lands’. They’d
all return if only….

The same excuses are used not only regarding their imagined western
Armenia, but also regarding the present-day reality of the Republic of
Armenia.

Unbelievably, there are still many so-called patriots who argue that
the ROA isn’t their `homeland’.

Fine, to all those who claim this to be the case I would recommend
that you contact Mayor Baydemir about his invitation to return to
Diyarbakır; one of the six villayets of western Armenia.

That is if you are serious about returning to the lands of your ancestors…

Allegations against Oskanian unfounded – Prosperous Armenia rep.

September 28, 2012 – 19:49 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Prosperous Armenia party believes allegations
against former foreign minister Vartan Oskanian unfounded, the party
spokesman said.

As Tigran Urikhanyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, information on
Prosperous Armenia’s steps regarding `Oskanian’ case will be divulged
following the plenary sitting at the parliament.

Mr. Urikhanyan further refuted media reports slamming Prosperous
Armenia members’ absence at parliamentary discussions of 2011state
budget implementation.

Armenia’s Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan addressed the National
Assembly with a proposal to deprive ex-minister Vartan Oskanian of his
congressional immunity over the money-laundering charges against
Civilitas Foundation.

Almost Bluntly

Igor Muradyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 16:29:15 – 28/09/2012

Despite ambiguous public statements and perhaps in the result of this
ambiguity, the political leadership of Armenia, realizing the
catastrophe of the foreign policy, has actually made it clear, first
of all, for itself, that it won’t participate in the Minsk
Group-mediated negotiations.

The Americans and Europeans confirmed this too who are interested in
disorganization of the regional policy of Turkey and Russia, as well
as in the blockade of Turkey and Azerbaijan in the geopolitical sense,
hence strengthening control on them.

The Minsk Group is a disputable foreign political resource for Russia
which will re-direct its initiatives quite rapidly and make new
efforts to compensate the weakening of its foothold due to the
liquidation of the Minsk Group. The U.S. and France will make attempts
to review the political ideology of the Minsk Group setting new aims
and tasks. This means a flawed policy of `settlement’ will be replaced
by the task of achieving controlled security from the point of view of
the interests of the Western community.

Russia will either have to enter into a tough fight on the `Karabakh
issue’, which is hardly possible, or to adjust itself to the new
situation.

We should not rule out that the current political leadership of
Armenia has different opinions and positions on the continuation of
negotiations. But those whose actions determine the future of the
state understand that no matter how `complementary’ and `friendly’ the
foreign support on the declarative readiness of Armenia to continue
negotiations is, it is so artificial and clear that real negotiations
will end up in a catastrophe not only for the country but also the
team.

These positions and opinions can’t be ignored for a long time. The
Armenian society, or rather the marionettes and hirelings, continue to
promote the Minsk Group backed by Russia. It is hard to have a more
harmful and destructive position. At the same time, the differences
and boundaries of interests of rival political groups and companies
are completely erased.

One must be pathologically limited and mentally defective to see in
the position of Azerbaijan on the criticism and dissatisfaction of the
Minsk Group a sign and a landmark for reflections and choice of
Armenia’s positions. For Azerbaijan, the OSCE Minsk Group is the only
motivation for its behavior in internal and external aspects, to avoid
war and unquestioned military defeat, to support the existence of the
regime.

For Turkey, the Minsk Group is the justification of the lack of
signals to launch a war, the explanation of its behavior to
Azerbaijan, elimination of bigger troubles, and most importantly, an
attempt not to get involved into a deeper geopolitical blockade and
isolation. Now Baku understands the reality just like Ankara. Time and
opportunities were enough for this.

The Minsk Group is suitable for the cowardly and dependent mentality
of Azeris and their historical leadership. For Azerbaijan the Minsk
Group is not only a format of negotiations but also the only thing
`connecting’ it with Karabakh.

There are signs that it is time to change radically not only
international policies on Karabakh but also to tackle the definition
of the international status of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, as well as a
real settlement for Lowland Karabakh, which is practically impossible
under the current ideology of the Minsk Group.

If the format and ideology of the Minsk Group on the Karabakh issue
does not change, negotiations on the anti-Armenian principles of
Madrid will eventually lead to a war with even tough consequences for
Armenia.

Australia disappointed about Safarov extradition

16:53, 28 September, 2012

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS:The Australian Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has added its voice in the international
condemnation and criticism of Azerbaijan’s pardon of convicted
axe-murderer Ramil Safarov, reports Armenpress citing Armenian
National Committee of Australia. In late August 2012, Hungarian
authorities extradited Safarov back to Azerbaijan after receiving
”assurances” from Baku that he would serve the remainder of his
sentence in Azerbaijan. However, upon his return to Baku, Azerbaijan’s
president Ilham Aliyev pardoned Safarov, and he is now being hailed as
a national hero. In a letter received by the Armenian National
Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) in response to a formal request
for comment by Foreign Minister Bob Carr, his department DFAT stated:
“The Australian Government is disappointed by the decision of
President Aliyev to pardon Safarov.” DFAT noted that this issue
occurred against the backdrop of the Narogno-Karabakh conflict and
that ”Azerbaijan’s actions have the potential to undermine the
ongoing mediation process under the OSCE Minsk Group.” ANC Australia
Executive Director Vache Kahramanian welcomed the Australian
government’s statement. He said: “We welcome the Australian
government’s response to this important issue. Today Azerbaijan is a
country that continues to act as an aggressor towards Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh. It is therefore important for the international
community to raise its voice and condemn such actions.”

Minister Nalbandian’s meetings in New York

armradio.am
15:46 28.09.2012

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Eamon Gilmore on the sidelines of the 67th
session of the UN General Assembly. OSCE Secretary General Lamberto
Zanier was present at the meeting. The interlocutors discussed the
damage caused to the process of settlement of the Karabakh issue by
the Azerbaijani-Hungarian deal. The OSCE Chairman-in-office hailed
Armenia’s commitment to reach the resolution of the conflict via
negotiations.

At the Permanent Representation of Kazakhstan at the UN Edward
Nalbandian participated in the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the
Collective Security Treaty organization (CSTO) member states. Issues
related to the coordination of the foreign policies of the member
states were discussed.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and

Slovenia Edward Nalbandian and Karl Erjavec noted that the bilateral
cooperation has reached a new level over the past years, evidenced by
a number of reciprocal visits and mutual support within the framework
of international organizations. The Ministers exchanged views on the
developments inSyria. Minister Nalbandian briefed his Slovenian
counterpart on Armenia-EU relations, the programs implemented within
that framework and the progress achieved in the ongoing negotiation.
Karl Erjavec informed Edward Nalbandian about the influence of the
global financial-economic crisis on his country and the steps taken to
eliminate its results.

The Armenian Foreign Minister next met with his Georgian counterpart
Grigol Vashadze. The interlocutors referred to the process of
implementation of the agreements reached between the leaders of the
two countries, and a broad range of issues of bilateral cooperation.

Edward Nalbandian participated in the reception hosted by the Foreign
Minister of France, Laurent Fabius, in honor of the heads of
delegation of the member states of the International Organization of
the Francophonie. The event was attended by UN Secretary General Ban
Ki-Moon, Foreign Ministers of the International Organization of
Francoponie.

Armenians believe in the rising, not the suffering. Huffington Post

16:15, 28 September, 2012

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: Huffington Post dwelled on Armenia
and its reach history, reports Armenpress . Armenia is a mystical
place filled with monasteries, pagan temples, prayer stones and
churches, most tucked away in wildly remote places to protect them
from destruction. (It didn’t.) These pockmarked Christian monuments
are the pride of Armenia as well as testament to a seemingly endless
parade of invaders: conquering Persians, rampaging Mongols, invading
Turks, totalitarian Soviets, as well as the ravages of devastating
earthquakes. For over 600 years, Armenians knew themselves to be a
distinct people and yet were not a sovereign country. Faced with
hostility from all sides, Armenians held fast to their identity and
managed to survive into the modern era with a faith as deep and
constant as the obsidian stone that is part of this beautiful
landscape. Although the Kardashians are undoubtedly the world’s most
famous Armenians, they are not typical of the Armenian character
(sorry, Kim) , although I did see an awful lot of beautiful women in
the modern capital of Yerevan. Actually, it’s a bit hard to get a firm
grasp on the Armenian character because it’s full of such deep
contradictions. Armenians are enormously proud, highly educated (with
a literacy rate of almost 100 percent), and hospitable beyond your
wildest expectations. In centuries of life along the Silk Route,
Armenians became known for their business savvy in commerce and trade,
and they interacted easily with almost every European and Asian
culture. But Armenia’s psyche is indelibly haunted by the memory of
great loss (1.5 million annihilated in 1915 alone) and like all the
Caucasus’s states, the people have experienced centuries of brutal
conflict that staggers the imagination and continues today in the
convoluted conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabagh. Armenia was
a part of the Soviet Socialist Republics for more than 70 years, and
has only been independent for 21 years. Armenia’s economy was far more
robust and productive under Soviet rule, and the country is still
struggling to establish a modern economy with almost no natural
resources (and with its two borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan
closed). While the capital of Yerevan is bustling, elegant and
thriving, in the countryside there is little besides subsistence
farming to support the villagers and the poverty rate approaches 35
percent. Many men still immigrate to take jobs in neighboring
countries; in fact, three times as many Armenians now live outside the
country as inhabit it. That’s why Heifer is investing $3.7 million
in projects to help the smallholder farmer in Armenia achieve economic
independence and food security — and what I came to see. Despite the
economic challenges, Armenia is hardly depressing. For one thing, the
country is beautiful. The food is incredible, and though the people
are tough (they’ve had to be) they are also joyful, sweet people who
love to garden, to eat, to talk and to welcome visitors, particularly
if you’re one of the 8 million diaspora Armenians who’s coming back
home. Even their blooming Christian cross never features the crucified
Christ, because Armenians believe in the rising, not the suffering.

Armenian President and Russian Ambassador discussed Armenian-Russian
cooperation issues

15:26, 28 September, 2012

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: The President of the Republic of
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received the Ambassador of the Russian
Federation to the Republic of Armenia Vyacheslav Kovalenko on
September 27. As reported by Armenpress, quoting the Press Department
of the Embassy of Russia, during the meeting the interlocutors
discussed the issues of the second Armenian-Russian interregional
cooperation forum to be held in Yerevan on October 12-13.

The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan stated about his readiness to
support the activation of the development of the relations between the
subjects of the Russian Federation and the regions of the Republic of
Armenia.

The interlocutors discussed the participation prospects of Armenia in
the implementation of the universe study programs jointly with Russia.
The issues on cultural and humanitarian cooperation, in particular on
organization of events, devoted to the historical memorial dates of
the general history and the organization of the regular Russian
Language Days in Armenia to be held in October 2012 were discussed as
well.

The meeting was attended also by the Advisor of the Embassy of the
Russian Federation and the Head of the Representative Office of
Rossotrudnichestvo in Armenia Victor Krivopuskov.

Nearly 10 thsd tons of buffalo meat imported to Armenia from India every year

arminfo
Thursday, September 27, 18:14

Every year nearly 10 thsd tons of buffalo meat is imported to
Armenia from India, which meets the veterinary standards of Armenia,
Abraham Bakhchagulyan, Head of the State Food Safety Service of the
Armenian Ministry of Agricultutre, said at today’s session of the
Government. He said that 5 companies, which have a 10-year experience
in deliveries, their own slaughter-houses meeting international
standards, meat processing shops, and cold-storage facilities, supply
the republic with buffalo meat. He assured that over the past 2 years
the control services did not reveal a single case of intoxication with
buffalo meat. Bakhchagulyan added that a total of 10.3 thsd tons of
buffalo meat was delivered to Armenia in 2011.

In particular, the suppliers are Alex Grig (61.2% of the market),
“Pargev” (17%), Mokonats (9.5%), Armen-Amik Yeghbayrner JV (6.5%),
Univeral Avan (3.5%). Over Jan-Sept 2012, these companies imported a
total of 5284 tons of buffalo meat to Armenia. In the meantime, the
shares of the market participants have changed. For instance, the
share of Alex Grig has dropped to 18.1%, “Pargev” – 33.4%, Armen-Amik
Yeghbayrner – 23.52%, Universal Avan – 11.6%, he said.