Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Edward Nalbandian: Azerbaijan threatens not only regional, but also
international security

armradio.am
01.09.2012 13:17

The Armenian delegation headed by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian participated in the 16th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement
in Tehran, featuring high-level delegations from 120 member and 17
observer states.

The full text of Minister Nalbandian’s speech at the summit is provided below:

`Mr. Chairman, Excellencies,
First, I would like to express gratitude to the Iranian Government for
the excellent organisation of this Summit.

The Non-Aligned Movement is a family of Nations, associated by shared
values of Respect for fundamental human rights and for the goals and
principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Being an observer
state of this Movement, Armenia shares its values.

Mr. Chairman,
I am convinced that it is important to personally share with this
distinguished audience the truth about manipulation with the inclusion
by Azerbaijan in the Final declaration of this Summit the paragraph
391. Being a member of Non-Aligned movement for only about a year
Azerbaijan is already abusing its membership, by misleading the member
states and orienting them against the approaches of the international
community. In fact, this paragraph presents the Nagorno-Karabakh issue
in such a manner, which could hamper the mediation efforts of the OSCE
Minsk Group Co-Chairs, the only internationally mandated negotiating
format and could undermine the ongoing peace process.

It is very regrettable, that this paragraph is in direct contradiction
to the wording, logic and spirit of the ongoing peace process. It is
also in full contradiction to the wording and logic of the statements
made by the Presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries –
France, Russian Federation and the United States in the framework of
G8 summits in Deauville (2011), Muskoka (2010), l`Aquilla (2009) and
recently in Los Cabos (2012), as well as the relevant statements made
in the framework of the 56 member countries of the OSCE Astana Summit
(2010) and Ministerial Councils in Vilnius (2011), Almaty (2010) ,
Athens (2009) and Helsinki (2008).

These declarations and statements highlight the three principles of
international law – non-use of force or threat of force, equal rights
and self-determination of peoples and the territorial integrity – as
the key principles for peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

Unfortunately, paragraph 391 selectively addresses the above mentioned
principles ignoring the principle of self determination of peoples and
does not use the internationally accepted term of the
`Nagorno-Karabakh conflict’.

Such an approach is not only endangering the negotiating process, and
fragile peace on the ground, but is contrary to the founding
principles of the Non-Alignment movement. The principle of
self-determination was and is one of the basic pillars since the very
first day of the foundation of this movement, which are emphasized in
all Summit and ministerial documents.

The Non-Aligned Movement throughout its history has always supported
the right of peoples to self-determination. The mere fact that the
number of independent states in the world, the number of members of
the United Nations and the number of members of the NAM has grown
considerably since the days of establishment of this movement back in
1961, is largely thanks to the realization of the right to
self-determination.

Mr. Chairman,

Unfortunately, it has become a routine for Azerbaijan to disrespect
the internationally reached agreements and to violate fundamental
principles of international law, therefore it is not surprising that
being a member of this movement, Azerbaijan is continuously violating
almost all `Bandung principles’ – propagating racism and ethnic
hatred. The International organizations have appropriately registered
numerous cases of xenophobia, intolerance and racism in Azerbaijan.

Mr. Chairman,

The Non-Alignmnet movement through its history has always supported
exclusively peaceful settlement of conflicts. While Azerbaijan
threatens not only regional, but also international security and
stability by daily war-mongering, by drastic increase of military
budget: twenty fold during the last five years, by accumulation of
offensive military capabilities in violation of its international
obligations, continuous threats to use force. Such behavior of
Azerbaijan is not befitting a NAM member state, moreover, it
undermines the authority of this important organization.’

Diaspora Ministry: Hungary paved the way for assassinations

September 1, 2012 – 12:16 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenia’s Ministry of Diaspora issued an appeal to
Armenians across the globe, calling for action against the extradition
and pardon of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan’s murderer Ramil
Safarov.

The Ministry said:

`Leaders of the traditional Armenian political parties, pan-Armenian
structures, youth and women’s organizations, humanitarian, athletic,
cultural and educational institutions, editors of Armenian media
outlets.

The time has come for the nation to unite as one. It is an
extraordinary occasion because once again, the Armenian state and
nation have been intrigued, especially in the 21st century, and the
Azerbaijani who brutally hacked Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan in
Hungary has been released.

We emphasize with pain and disappointment that Hungary, which is a
member country of the European family and considers itself developed
and democratic, formed a part of that intrigue by making a deal with
Azerbaijan and violating European values and laws.

With this Hungary inspired cannibal-monsters, encouraged criminals,
paved the way for assassinations on the ethnic and religious grounds
and proved that today’s Hungarian authorities do not deserve to be
part of Europe and be considered a member of the European family, and
all this is taking place in the heart of Europe and in front of the
eyes of all mankind.

As for the President of Azerbaijan, he took Europe’s side with his
psychology of feudalism and, staying true to his essence of being a
totalitarian sultan, committed another illegal act and released the
criminal by signing an `edict’.

We are certain that Armenian communities around the world will raise
their voice, will take advantage of their contacts and will do
everything possible to

1. organize massive protests in front of Hungary’s diplomatic
representations in the given countries,

2. demand that the government and the parliamentarians of their
respective countries of residence

a) influence Azerbaijan to annul such a humiliating decree on pardon
and return the criminal back to the prison cell in which he belongs,

b) condemn the Hungarian government’s actions and demand that European
organizations apply sanctions against Hungary,

c) turn the issue of Azerbaijan’s future European integration into a
topic of discussion through parliamentarians within the Council of
Europe since the illegal act committed by the leader of that country
does not fall in line with European laws, the system of values and the
spirit of humanitarianism,

3. condemn the illegal deal and actions of the Hungarian government
and the President of Azerbaijan through the mass media,

4. appeal to worthy citizens of Hungary to express their disagreement
with the Hungarian government’s decision and condemn it through
demonstrations, speeches, letters and other actions.

It is offensive that, when handing the criminal over to Azerbaijan,
the Hungarian government did not even recall the thousands of
Armenians who had sacrificed their lives and become heroes in the
fight for Hungary’s independence and freedom along with the people of
Hungary, or hasn’t the Armenian community made its worthy contribution
to Hungary’s development in the past and isn’t it making that
contribution today?

The time has come for us to unite. The 10 million Armenians around the
world will express their protest and anger against this flagrant
injustice. Whoever shuts an eye to illegitimacy and monstrous
brutalities will find himself as the victim someday as well.’

Iran’s ambassador thanks Armenia for earthquake relief

news.am
September 01, 2012 | 10:58

YEREVAN. – Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia, Mohammad Reisi, extended his
appreciation to the Government of Armenia for its humanitarian
assistance provided to the survivors of the recent devastating
earthquake that hit Tabriz, Armenia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations
informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

`Under such circumstances, the compassion by noble friends comforts
the loved ones of the victims of such natural disasters. I ask God
that may no such tragedy occur with any people. I wish good health and
happiness to the dearly beloved Armenian people, and glory to the
distinguished Government of Armenia,’ Iran’s ambassador noted.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, the Government of Armenia
had adopted a decision to provide humanitarian assistance to victims
of the devastating earthquake that hit Iran on August 11.

Relief equipment worth close to AMD 57 million (approx. $139,155) was
allocated for this purpose. Armenia’s humanitarian assistance to Iran
comprised 26,000 boxes of canned food, about 40,000 liters of drinking
water, 81 tents – which can house around 700 people – 1,000 blankets,
6,000 sheets, 300 mattresses, 460 sleeping bags, and 100 portable
beds.

Five trucks loaded with Armenia’s earthquake relief to Iran had headed
from Yerevan to that country on June 17 at around 7:30pm.

The humanitarian assistance was delivered to Iran’s East Azerbaijan
Province Crisis Headquarters.

To note, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit northwestern Iran on August
11, killing 300 people and injuring close to 2,500. The tremor was
felt in Armenia and Azerbaijan, too.

It’s Time To Understand Meaning of Justice

Igor Muradyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 09:21:04 – 01/09/2012

The murder of the Armenian officer has a long story. It is related to
the tragedy of Sumgait. Then there was no retaliation against the
murderers. Neither the Armenian state, nor the Armenian society
inquired what happened to the murderers. Those who took revenge on the
Russian officers who committed military crimes against the Armenian
people were not supported by either the Armenian state or the major
political parties.

Since then Azerbaijan has ransomed not only criminals but also its
rivals, including the Lezgi and Avar people who fought for the rights
of their people and those in prison or in Russia. The high-ranking
officials of the Russian law-enforcement bodies accepted huge bribes
for these services.

In fact, Azerbaijan went with impunity thanks to the position of
Moscow and false perceptions of justice and good image by the
Armenians.

This time Azerbaijan again demonstrated its ability to reach its goals
successfully in the world with the help of money and what
international law and law in general is worth. Now everyone has
understood that the scoundrel in Budapest should have got what he
deserved.

In addition, due punishment should be given to all those Hungarian
scoundrels who committed that crime with a European expression of the
face. Murder is an extreme case but a whole cohort of venal authors
has emerged which launch information attacks on Armenia and the
Armenian Diaspora. Since then there are not even intentions to react
to this adequately. Meanwhile the anti-Armenian policy in the
information field is the same murder and the answer must be adequate.
Instead there is only blabbing.

The Armenians are overwhelmed with a pathetic delirium that the
government will be changed, and we will resolve all the problems and
the murderers of Armenians will not be returned to Azerbaijan. So go
ahead, idiots, wait until the government changes, when the Armenian
political class will continue to fight for its `civilized image’. No
doubt, they will talk for a couple of days and get quiet, they are
cultured and law-abiding people.

What should be done in this situation? First of all, stop any
negotiations, including those mediated by the Minsk Group. The
question is closed, let’s see what and who will dare to do anything.
The worst thing will be a bit stained reputation of the Armenian
political leaders. But most probably, this reputation will grow.

It is just a crime to fail to use this opportunity to discontinue the
talks on Karabakh which will not be forgiven soon, and the Armenians
will remember about it with regret. Could one negotiate with a beast
and under the aegis of European prostitutes?

The second thing to do is to enforce the verdict on that Budapest
scoundrel, do in him. Colonel Budanov who abused the Chechen girl was
also judged and pardoned. So what? Guys did not spare their time and
their lives. They followed him and did in him as a dog. Whose
reputation suffered?

Armeniska Riksförbundet I Sverige
Board of the Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden
Frihetsvãgen 8
17753 Jãrfãlla (Stockholm)
Sweden
Email: [email protected]
Web:

The following open letter has been attached in PDF as well.

To: Hungarian Embassy in Stockholm September 1, 2012
H. E. Ambassador Gábor Szentiványi

Honourable Ambassador,

For the past 24 hours, the world media has been reporting on the
extradition of the Azerbaijani axe murderer Ramil Safarov who upon arrival
to Baku was welcomed as a hero. Today, the Azerbaijani News Agency, APA,
has also reported that not only has he been fully pardoned by Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev, Safarov has also been promoted to the rank of
Major, rewarded with a house, and got paid for the last eight years’
salary. This means only that Safarov, while committing the murder in
Budapest and being convicted for that murder has de facto been in the
service of Azerbaijani Military forces during this whole time. In no
country a murderer would withhold his military salary, not to mention
being promoted for his crime. Azerbaijan has now openly sanctioned the
possibility of killing Armenians for later being celebrated and promoted
for it.

With this action Azerbaijan has not only displayed its open hatred towards
Armenians, but also mocked and violated the Hungarian justice system, a
member of the European Union. Certainly, Hungarian Justice Ministry has
stated that its Azerbaijani counterpart had assured them that Safarov
would, in accordance with the 1983 Strasbourg Convention on the Transfer
of Sentenced Persons by which Safarov was being extradited, serve the
remaining of his sentence in Baku, but this has evidently not been the
case.

Mr. Ambassador, the Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden wishes to
find out how Your Government will now react to this breach of rules and
agreements and demand Baku to honour the laws according to which the
extradition was performed. Sources claim that Azeri financial aid to
Hungary in form of purchase of state bonds being the prelude to this
episode. However, we firmly hope that Hungarian justice and integrity is
above this kind of agreements and the rumours are nothing but just
rumours. We hope that Your Government, as a member of the European
community in the 21st century respecting international laws, will
reprimand Baku for its disrespectful action against justice, human values,
and Hungary’s reputation.

We look forward to Your response and views on the subject.

With best regards,

The Board of the Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden

ANKARA GETS ANOTHER “SURPRISE” FROM FRANCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 1, 2012

French students will hardly miss the opportunity to learn true history
of Ottoman Empire, while Ankara again compromised itself.

Poor knowledge on legislation and governmental system of other
countries played a mean trick on Turkey and, unfortunately, on Armenian
media as well. The decision of the French ministry of education,
which has nothing to do with the country’s president, to include
study of the Armenian Genocide into the secondary school curriculum,
sparked a new splash of hatred towards France in Ankara.

Turkey met this move with an immediate rebuff, and this is not the
first case. The Turks seem to be just busy finding fault with the
whole world over the Armenian Genocide.

PanARMENIAN.Net – They keep nagging and grudging, send notes [of
protests] and try to intervene into internal affairs of France,
Switzerland and several other countries. Actually, Turkey’s EU
Minister Egemen BagıÅ~_ has no right to demand anything from
the French ministry of education. Weakness of French ex-president
Nicolas Sarkozy who did not sign the bill criminalizing the denial
of the Armenian Genocide and sent it to the Constitutional Court
unleashed Turkey which started to believe it can impose its rules of
game. Furthermore, BagıÅ~_ claimed no other country in the world
can boast a history as simple and transparent as Turkey’s.”Turkey
does not know what Genocide is; Turks take pride in their history
and ancestors,” he said. Indeed, the Ottoman Empire based on other
concepts – deportation, the way to nowhere, annihilation of Christian
nations of the empire, especially the Armenians. The minister should
have been reminded of the fact that the modern Turkish republic was
built on bones and money of the Armenians.

Now, lets’ get back to the Turkish minister who has urged Paris
against testing bilateral relations once again. “I call on the French
authorities to intensify efforts in resolving the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict in the framework of OSCE Minsk Group rather than distort
the historical facts,” Hurriyet Daily News quotes BagıÅ~_ as saying.

He also urged the French government to “face own history rather than
check-up fictitious facts.” This was an obvious blunder by the Turkish
official, of course.

France equally mentions both the bloody pages of its history and its
victories. No one in France ever denies the massacre of St.
Bartholomew’s Day, brutalities of the Great French Revolution, or the
conquest of Algeria. BagıÅ~_ may be unaware of this, anyway… As
to the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, Turkey has no chance to
be ever dealing with this issue.

The most ridiculous part of this story is that Turkey, for some
reason, is addressing the French leader Hollande with an urge to
“intervene”. According to the Turkish media, the decision of the
French minister of education may again have a negative impact on
the ties between France and Turkey; the latter hoped the new French
president would support restoration of contacts with Paris.

There is nothing new in the “squabble” that started between France and
Turkey back in 2001. Turkey is again trying to rehabilitate itself
through blackmail; this works with regard to U.S. and Great Britain
only, and totally fails in Europe.

The French students will hardly miss the opportunity to learn the
true history of the Ottoman Empire, while Ankara has again compromised
itself.

However, since attack is the best form of defence, Turkey rushed to
protect itself, trying hard to position its country as a “beacon of
democracy in the Islamic world”. Still, this becomes increasingly
harder. No doubt, in 2015 Turkey will again deny the Armenian
Genocide. Also, this atrocity against the humanity will undoubtedly
gain recognition by many other states in the upcoming two years. So,
instead of demonstrating wishful thinking and threatening others,
Ankara will have to take more reasonable moves.

Karine Ter-Sahakian

TRAVAUX D’EXTENSION DU MUSEE DU GENOCIDE A EREVAN
Krikor Amirzayan

armenews.com
samedi 1er septembre 2012

Les travaux d’agrandissement du Musee du genocide a Erevan se
termineront dans un an. Selon son directeur, Haïg Demoyan, les bureaux
administratifs du musee seront transferes dans le nouveau bâtiment
de l’extension, l’ancien bâtiment contiendra les fonds d’archives. Le
nouvel espace contiendra egalement des salles d’etudes et de reunion.

Le Musee du genocide armenien a ouvert ses portes en 1995 a l’occasion
du 80e anniversaire du genocide armenien. Les architectes du muses
sont S. Kalachian, A. Tarkhanian et F. Arakelian). Au cours de ses
17 ans d’existence, le musee a accueilli des centaines de milliers
de visiteurs, des ecoliers, des etudiants, de simples citoyens ou des
touristes. Les documents presentes sont expliques en armenien, russe,
anglais, francais et allemand. De nombreuses personnalites etrangères
ont visite le Musee du genocide. Parmi les plus illustres, citons
le Pape Jean-Paul II, le president de la Russie Vladimir Poutine,
le president francais Jacques Chirac ainsi que de très hautes
personnalites politiques. L’espace actuel dedie a la presentation
des documents exposes est de près de 1 000 m².

PARDONED RAMIL SAFAROV’S FATHER THANKS AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT

Trend
Aug 31 2012
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani people have brought back their officer, the father of
pardoned Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov convicted in Hungary,
Sahib Safarov, told Trend on Friday.

“I did not expect a quick pardon after his return from Hungary to
homeland. For that we are grateful to Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev,” Sahib Safarov said.

Ramil Safarov told Trend that he expresses gratitude to the head of
state and he is very happy to return to Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov, who was convicted in Hungary,
returned on Friday to Azerbaijan. Today, under the order of the head
of state, he was pardoned.

Ramil Safarov was born on August 25, 1977 in Jabrail region of
Azerbaijan. Safarov, 34, who participated in NATO exercises in 2004 in
Hungary, was charged with the murder of the Armenian officer Gurgen
Margaryan, who insulted the Azerbaijani flag. By the verdict of the
Budapest court, Safarov was sentenced to life imprisonment without
the right of pardon during 30 years.

BAYRAM SAFAROV: “ARMENIANS MUST UNDERSTAND THAT RAMIL SAFAROV’S RELEASE IS THE NEXT VICTORY OF AZERBAIJAN”

APA
Aug 31 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku. Kamala Guliyeva – APA. “Extradition and pardoning of Ramil
Safarov is one of the steps made towards the liberation of Nagorno
Karabakh. Armenians must understand that this is the next victory
of Azerbaijan”, chairman of Public Union “Azerbaijani Community of
Nagorno Karabakh” Bayram Safarov told APA.

“Ramil Safarov’s pardoning was a dream of all Azerbaijani community of
Nagorno Karabakh. He is a hero of Azerbaijan, dear for all of us. His
release is the result of the policy of Azerbaijan and the next defeat
of Armenians. At last the justice has been restored”.

AZERBAIJAN’S RULING PARTY: RELEASE OF RAMIL SAFAROV IS TRIUMPH OF COURAGE AND JUSTICE

Trend, Azerbaijan
Aug 31 2012

Order of President Ilham Aliyev to pardon Ramil Safarov is a triumph
of determination, courage and justice, Deputy Chairman and Executive
Secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party Ali Ahmedov told the
party’s official website. “I believe that the people of Azerbaijan
hold that view,” Ahmedov said.

Congratulating relatives of Safarov, Ali Akhmedov noted that the
release of Ramil Safarov will herald the liberation of Karabakh,
because the fates of Karabakh and Safarov have similar features.

“Both Karabakh, and Ramil became victims of saboteurs. The first
is occupied by the enemy, while the other for so many years was
imprisoned. Ramil was released, next is the liberation of Karabakh.

Please God, day will come, when President, Supreme Commander Ilham
Aliyev announces the liberation of Karabakh. All believe and wait for
it. One injustice has been relegated to history, the other, I believe,
will also be eliminated,” Ahmedov said.

He said that, of course, Safarov going at large is the result of the
peaceful policy of Azerbaijan, enhancing respect for Azerbaijan and
its standing in the international arena.

“Azerbaijani people and the state are known worldwide for their love
of peace, they treat with respect all peoples, religions and cultures.

In world history no cases of Azerbaijan’s violence, injustice against
any country have been recorded. Azerbaijan has the right to expect
from the other the same treatment and is very glad that Hungary was
able to assess all of this,” Ahmedov said.

Citing the words of national leader Heydar Aliyev “When there is mind
– no need to use force”, Ali Ahmedov regarded Safarov’s release as
a result of this mind and wisdom.

“This is the result of the wisdom of President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev,” he stressed.

Azerbaijan, of course, has the strength and those who have occupied
Karabakh over 20 years are well aware of this, Ahmedov said.

“We have both mind and strength. I want to sincerely say “Go ahead,
Azerbaijan! Let your flag stand,” he said.

Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov, who was convicted in Hungary,
returned on Friday to Azerbaijan. Today, under the order of the head
of state, he was pardoned.

Ramil Safarov was born on August 25, 1977 in Jabrail region of
Azerbaijan. Safarov, 34, who participated in NATO exercises in 2004 in
Hungary, was charged with the murder of the Armenian officer Gurgen
Margaryan, who insulted the Azerbaijani flag. By the verdict of the
Budapest court, Safarov was sentenced to life imprisonment without
the right of pardon during 30 years.