Author: Kalantarian Kevo

ILL WINDS BLOW FOR VIKTOR THE TROUBLEMAKER
By Dariusz Kalan

EU Observer
Sept 7 2012

Related
Axe murder complicates EU-Azerbaijan love affair
Hungarian PM to EU: ‘We won’t be a colony’
Azerbaijan tests EU credibility

BRUSSELS – Viktor Orban has been behaving like a classic
realpolitiker: instead of cooperating closely with the EU in its time
of crisis, he has chosen to develop contacts with rich and generous
regional powers from the East which do not impose any political
commitments on his country let alone show interest in its
constitutional transformation.

Shaken by its poor economic and angry at the EU’s criticism his
reforms, Orban’s Hungary has been chatting up non-democratic states
that demonstrate an openness for investment and financial aid. This
eastern focus already enjoys a firm conceptual footing–the so-called
Eastern Wind doctrine.

Over the last two years, Budapest’s reinforced diplomatic efforts have
run from the Northeast through Central Asia and Transcaucasia to the
Persian Gulf. Missions of high officials made visits to Brunei, China,
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia,
Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan.

Azerbaijan too has featured prominently. It is not hard to see why. In
2011 the value of Hungary’s trade exchange with Azerbaijan (â~B¬52.8mn)
was twice as big as with Georgia and almost five times higher than
with Armenia.

Orban himself was twice in Baku, and his collaborators more often. One
of his closest confidants, Peter Szijjarto, was promoted to the
position of vice-chairman of the Hungarian-Azerbaijani
Intergovernmental Economic Commission.

The intensification of Hungarian-Azerbaijani relations has been
especially noticeable in the last few months. In May, the Hungarian
Economic Center was established in Baku with the aim of supporting
small- and medium-sized businesses. A month later, Orban went to
Azerbaijan to meet president Ilham Aliyev, a move reciprocated by
Szijjarto in July. At the end of August, the weekly Figyelo revealed
that Baku had agreed to buy Hungary’s public bonds worth â~B¬2-3 billion.

And it is not just narrow economic interests that drive the
government. Security issues play a role too. In September 2010, Orban
brought Hungary into the Azerbaijani-Georgian-Romanian project of AGRI
pipeline. In the same breath he maintains his support for the Nabucco
pipeline, which is the second possible route for Azerbaijani gas to
Europe.

The decision of his government to release Ramil Safarov, a former
lieutenant in the Azerbaijani army, who was sentenced to life
imprisonment on charges of premeditated murder with extreme cruelty of
an Armenian colleague, seemed to be the natural further step in
deepening friendly relations with Baku.

However, no one in Budapest predicted that this would result in an
immediate and firm reaction by Armenia, which severed diplomatic ties
with Hungary and put the army on a state of alert toward its neighbour
Azerbaijan, with whom it is locked in a frozen conflict.

The first declarations from Budapest suggest that Hungarian
authorities were not quite aware of the geopolitical consequences of
this prisoner transfer. They acted in accordance with the relevant
Convention of the Council of Europe. But so did Aliyev, who not only
pardoned Safarov–the new national hero in Azerbaijan–but also promoted
him to the rank of major and gave him a flat.

No matter, Hungary is already the greatest loser in the affair. If it
is true that Budapest has been cheated by Aliyev, who promised that
Safarov’s sentence would be continued in Baku, Orban’s naivety will be
brought to light. It will call into question the government’s
competence to carry out the policy of such a broad opening to the
East.

Orban might, of course, receive an apology from Azerbaijan in the form
of further economic concessions, but this in turn will have a very
negative impact on the country’s image in the West, making it
extremely hard for Hungary to throw off its reputation as a country
that subordinates its foreign policy to economic interests.

Moreover, if blame does shift to Baku, a worse scenario may come to
pass. Its machinations could be cited by Armenia in order to awaken
the frozen Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. For
Orban–it would be an image and political catastrophe.

The best hope is for Budapest to maintain the ambiguity about who is
responsible – hardly the behaviour of a reliable European partner.

The writer is an analyst at the Polish Institute of International
Affairs in Warsaw

NATO CHIEF ACCUSES AZERBAIJAN OF HARMING PEACE EFFORTS
By Naila Balayeva

Chicago Tribune
,0,5997231,full.story
Sept 7 2012
IL

BAKU, Sept 7 (Reuters) – NATO’s chief accused Azerbaijan of undermining
peace efforts with its neighbour Armenia by pardoning a soldier who
had murdered an Armenian and warned the countries on Friday they must
not return to war.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he was “deeply
concerned” about Azerbaijan’s decision to clear Ramil Safarov and its
impact on the Caucasus Mountain countries’ still simmering dispute
over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

“There must be no return to conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan,”
Rasmussen told students during a visit to a diplomatic academy in
Azerbaijan’s capital Baku. “There is no military solution” to the
dispute, he added.

Azeri President Ilham Aliyev angered Armenia and world powers by
pardoning Safarov after the army officer was repatriated last week
from Hungary, where he had served eight years of a life term.

Safarov had been convicted of murdering an Armenian officer during
NATO-sponsored language training in Budapest in 2004.

But the 35-year-old was treated as a hero upon his return, promoted
to major and given an apartment and back pay for his years in jail.

“I am deeply concerned by the Azerbaijani decision to pardon Ramil
Safarov. The act he committed in 2004 was a crime which should not be
glorified, as this damages trust and does not contribute to the peace
process,” said Rasmussen, who was due to meet Aliyev later on Friday.

Ethnic Armenian forces defeated Azeri troops and took control of
the mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh region in a war that erupted as the
Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991.

A 1994 ceasefire halted the conflict which killed 30,000 people and
forced about a million, mostly Azeris, to flee.

Fighting still breaks out intermittently across the ceasefire line
and Aliyev has repeatedly said Azerbaijan may one day take the region
by force.

Countless meetings between presidents and international mediation
led by the United States, Russia and France have brought no deal to
end the dispute in the strategic South Caucasus, a route for Westward
energy exports from the Caspian Sea area, including Azeri oil and gas.

Hungarian authorities say Azerbaijan had promised to uphold the
sentence handed down to Safarov, who entered Lieutenant Gurgen
Markaryan’s room as he slept and attacked him with a knife and axe,
nearly severing his head.

Armenia has suspended diplomatic relations with Hungary, and opponents
of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban say the decision to free
Safarov was suspicious at a time when he was trying to establish
closer economic ties with energy-rich Azerbaijan.

(Writing by Steve Gutterman; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
by Gabor Czene

Nepszabadsag
Sept 5 2012
Hungary

Hungary’s Armenian minority demands probe into extradition of
Azerbaijani killer

The international convention that was alluded to by Hungary
when it returned Safarov to Azerbaijan had not been created to
facilitate the escape of criminals – Sevan Sarkisyan, chairman
of the National Armenian Self-Government pointed out. Armenians
in Hungary have expressed their regret and astonishment over the
events and the severing of diplomatic relations. At the same time,
they demand an inquiry to establish the political – or even criminal
– responsibility. In the Armenians’ view, in obeying Azerbaijan,
the Hungarian justice authorities disregarded the most important,
namely moral considerations.

This is the first time Sarkisyan has come before the public since the
scandal erupted. As he said, he wanted to wait until the positions
became crystallized before giving a news conference. Sarkisyan does
not want to assume that the Hungarian government acted in bad faith.

Rather, the government’s attitude was “naive, and at the same time
unprofessional,” he presumed. The Ministry of Public Administration
and Justice should have represented professionalism but, regrettably,
the ministry “was not on top of things.”

The Armenians – he continued – consider Hungary as a “European
Christian country.” Therefore, the murdered Armenian soldier had come
to a country where he could feel safe. However – Sarkisyan recalled –
“he did not get the protection he had believed he would.”

According to his statement, Armenia was given guarantees by NATO
and the EU member states that Hungary would act with circumspection
in the issue. No problems arose in connection with the trial and the
sentence itself. However, the extradition of Safarov to Azerbaijan is
completely unacceptable. Sarkisyan mentioned that a similar procedure
would be unthinkable in connection with an Israeli-Arab conflict.

The National Armenian Self-Government tries to perform a mediating
role, but Sarkisyan did not rule out the possibility that tempers
would lead to violent acts.

To Nepszabadsag’s suggestion whether economic considerations may have
played a role in Safarov’s extradition, Sarkisyan gave an evasive
answer. In his opinion, Azerbaijan perceived Hungary’s economic
interest and “tried to hunt down the Hungarians” using this situation.

Now everyone is “hauling Fidesz [-Hungarian Civic Alliance] over the
coals” but – he added – Hungary has a party that has been “continually
spreading lies about Azerbaijan in Hungary.” This party is Jobbik
[Movement for a Better Hungary]. He has no concrete evidence but he
concluded this on the basis of the far-right party’s statements.

To Nepszabadsag’s question as to who should conduct the inquiry urged
by the national self-government, Sarkisyan said that it should be
Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Even if he is apparently showing no
willingness at the moment.

Alex Avanesyan, deputy chairman of the national self-government,
indicated that the nearly 9-million-strong diaspora provides the
Armenians’ true strength. Armenians have a strong lobby in the United
States and in a number of West-European countries. Demonstrations are
being held throughout these days in several cities of the American
continent and Europe. Avanesyan called the flag burning in Yerevan an
isolated and extreme event and stressed that the protest demonstrations
were not directed against the Hungarian people.

Gabriella Gaspar nee Soos, who was appointed by the Armenian military
ministry to represent the victim in the Safarov case, was also present
at the news conference. In her opinion, the position taken by the
defence, namely that the murderer had been in a restricted mental
state, is baseless. Expert opinions differ on certain points but
no debate was conducted on a racist motivation. Safarov killed his
Armenian victim with no fewer than 26 axe strikes and, while a fellow
Azeri tried to make him change his mind, he would have killed another
Armenian soldier, too, if the man had not locked himself in his room.

During the trial Safarov never said that he regretted his act – she
noted. Gaspar said that, according to international law, in cases like
this, the countries whose airspace is to be used during the transport
of the extradited person must be notified. Among other issues, she
asks the Hungarian government whether this has been complied with in
Safarov’s case.

[Translated from Hungarian]

VANADZOR MAYOR: ROADS PARTIALLY RECONSTRUCTED WHILE 3,600 FAMILIES CONTINUE LIVING IN EARTHQUAKE-DAMAGED HOMES
Adrine Torosyan

hetq
13:52, September 7, 2012

Participating in incumbent Vanadzor mayor Samvel Darbinyan’s rally
yesterday were representatives of state and community institutions
– employees from city hall and the regional council; healthcare
professionals; actors from the state theatre; state institute,
public school and kindergarten staff with their students and even
the children from the kindergarten; Republican Party of Armenia (HHK)
members; and war veterans.

The current regional governor of Lori province first thanked Vanadzor
residents for “the HHK’s shining victory” in the parliamentary
election, then addressing them, said, once again they’re faced with
a similar issue and that the upcoming local election is no less
important than the parliamentary election. “It’s no coincidence
that the square is so crowded today,” said the regional governor,
Artur Nalbandyan. Then he invited to the platform Samvel Darbinyan,
as the HHK candidate, who is backed by “an entire political force,
a coalition of political forces” – the HHK council and executive body
led by the Armenian president.

Addressing the election campaign, Nalbandyan said that the other
candidates are making promises that Darbinyan already resolved
long ago.

“There are political parties and individuals, who never having been in
politics, are making promises – making such promises that it seems to
me that after the election, Vanadzor will have no problems or issues
whatsoever. Such promises that the HHK, led by its candidate Samvel
Darbinyan, has known of long ago and the issues have been resolved.

Very serious work has been done over the years,” assured Lori’s
regional governor.

Darbinyan didn’t provide any specifics when describing the work he’s
done as mayor: “13 years ago you supported me with your vote, and I,
with you, took up our native city that’s damaged, has survived an
earthquake and war and experienced a blockade – a city which was
destroyed and had many problems. We, with our Vanadzor residents,
together began to build our public schools, kindergartens, music and
sports schools and cultural centers. We began to develop the political
and cultural life of our city, and to restore our entire community’s
economy. We had achievements during these years.”

The mayor pointed to one “achievement” and several issues, which
during the 13 years that he’s been in office haven’t been resolved.

“We also were able to partially reconstruct our roads, to get lighting
for them, and now, when we have significant achievements, we’re moving
to a new stage of development; a stage in which we have to rebuild,
restore all the buildings that need to be reinforced as a result
of the earthquake and return them to the 3,600 families that till
today are living in those damaged apartments. We are faced with the
task of restoring the roofs and entrances of residential buildings,
covering their yards with asphalt and building new playgrounds for the
children and playrooms for the adults. We are faced with the task of
developing tourism and small and medium businesses in our green city.”

RICHARD HOVANNISIAN TO SPEAK ABOUT SMYRNA CATASTROPHE ON 90TH ANNIVERSARY

Arts | September 7, 2012 10:53 am

BELMONT, Mass. – The First Armenian Church of Belmont, the Charles K.
and Elisabeth M. Kenosian Chair in Modern Armenian History and
Literature at Boston University and the National Association for
Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) will sponsor the illustrated
lecture, “The Smyrna Catastrophe, 1922-2012,” by Prof. Richard G.
Hovannisian, on Friday, September 28, at 8 p.m. at the Nahigian
Fellowship Hall at First Armenian Church, 380 Concord Ave.

Prof. Simon Payaslian, who holds the Kenosian Chair at Boston
University, will provide an introduction.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Smyrna Catastrophe
when much of the city, the second largest in the Ottoman Empire,
was destroyed by fire during the final phase of the Greco-Turkish
War. The calamity marked the end of a strong Christian presence in
the historic Aegean coastal regions and turned hundreds of thousands
of Greeks and Armenians into refugees.

In this illustrated lecture, Hovannisian will discuss the important
role of Smyrna (Izmir) in modern Armenian history and the inferno
that engulfed the city in September 1922. Hovannisian is the editor
of the recently published Armenian Smyrna/Izmir, the 11th volume of
proceedings from the UCLA conference series, “Historic Armenian Cities
and Provinces.” He also traveled to Izmir and environs in June as the
historian-guide for a NAASR Armenian Heritage Tour led by Armen Aroyan.

A book signing of Armenian Smyrna/Izmir will immediately follow the
lecture. There will be a reception and refreshments at the NAASR
center, across the street from First Armenian Church. The lecture
and reception are free and open to the public.

Hovannisian is the author of Armenia on the Road to Independence,
the four-volume history The Republic of Armenia, and has edited and
contributed to more than 25 books including: The Armenian Genocide
in Perspective; The Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times;
Remembrance and Denial; Looking Backward, Moving Forward and The
Armenian Genocide: Cultural and Ethical Legacies. Hovannisian is
professor of Armenian and Near Eastern history at UCLA and is the
chancellor fellow in the Department of History and the Rodgers Center
for Holocaust Education at Chapman University for fall 2012.

Armavia to take Syrian-Armenian children back home

tert.am
07.09.12

The Armenian children from Syria who are on holiday in Armenia will go
back in a plane of Armavia airline.

Spokesperson Nana Avetisova informed Tert.am that Armavia will resume
Yerevan-Aleppo flights on September 10.

Armenia~Rs national air carrier, Armavia, suspended flights to Syria
after Syrian insurgents threatened to down planes using Damascus and
Aleppo airports from September 3.

HUNGARY’S SOCIALISTS DEMAND ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED SAFAROV DOCS

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 7, 2012 – 19:05 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Hungary’s opposition Socialist Party has asked
the justice minister to grant access to documents connected with
the Hungarian decision to extradite the Azeri assassin Ramil Safarov
convicted for killing an Armenian officer in Budapest, Politics.hu
reported.

Socialist lawmaker Gergely Barandy told a press conference that a
review of the documents made in preparation of that decision could help
clarify who and to what extent was responsible for Safarov’s transfer.

Safarov was repatriated last week, and was pardoned and released by
the Azeri authorities on arrival in his home country, unleashing a
diplomatic storm, with Armenia suspending diplomatic ties with Hungary.

“There seems a strong chance that the prime minister of Hungary let
loose a criminal serving a life sentence for murder in the hope of
material gain,” the Socialist politician said, referring to reports
that the decision was tied to economic interests between the two
countries.

Barandy said “the public needs more than assumptions”, calling for
non-classified documents to be made public; he urged to grant lawmakers
access to the related classified information.

ONE BIG CHINESE WEDDING WOULD BE ENOUGH FOR US TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF ARMENIAN BRANDY EXPORT TO CHINA: YBC MANAGING DIRECTOR

arminfo
Friday, September 7, 18:11

One big Chinese wedding will be enough for us to solve the problem of
Armenian brandy export to China, Managing Director of Yerevan Brandy
Company Ara Grigoryan joked during a press-conference on Friday.

He said that the Chinese market is a mystery for YBC. “In China it
will take you 20-25 years of hard work to explain to at least 1%
of the Chinese what Armenia, Armenian brandy and ARARAT

ARMENIA’S FM MEETS IRAQ’S DEPUTY PM

news.am
September 07, 2012 | 13:05

YEREVAN. – Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian on Friday
received a delegation led by Iraqi Deputy PM Rowsch Nuri Shaways.

Nalbandian expressed confidence that the Iraqi delegation’s visit to
Armenia will stimulate economic collaboration, and stressed that the
visit also has an important political impetus. The Minister expressed
a hope that the arrangements reached during the visit will open a
new chapter in bilateral ties and further strengthen Armenian-Iraqi
friendship, MFA press service informs.

In his turn, Iraq’s Deputy PM noted that he is impressed by the
results of the visit, which he considered to be historic. In Rowsch
Nuri Shaways’ words, the objective of the Iraqi delegation’s visit to
Armenia is to achieve concrete arrangements on developing cooperation
and raising the relations to a new level. He stressed that the meetings
in Yerevan were very productive.

The Iraqi Deputy PM also reconfirmed his government’s decision to
open an Iraqi embassy in Armenia.

In addition, the interlocutors discussed cooperation and the avenues
for expanding the legal framework, and underscored the Iraqi-Armenian
community’s role in deepening ties between the two countries and
peoples.

Edward Nalbandian and Rowsch Nuri Shaways also exchanged views on
the developments unfolding in the Middle East.

BAKO SAHAKYAN TO BE OFFICIALLY INAUGURATED AS ARTSAKH PRESIDENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 7, 2012 – 15:02 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On Friday, September 7, Stepanakert’s Palace of
Youth and Culture will host a special sitting of Nagorno Karabakh
parliament, dedicated to inauguration of the Republic’s president
Bako Sahakyan.The inauguration ceremony at NKR capital’s central
square will be followed by Artsakh armed forces parade.

To celebrate the event, a concert of Forbidden Saints world famous
band will be held in the evening, Karabakh-open.info said.

Bako Sahakyan won July 19 presidential race, having garnered 47095
votes.