Author: Kalantarian Kevo

KNESSET EXPECTED TO HOLD A PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

armradio.am
12.06.2012 14:07

Israeli Knesset chairperson Reuven Rivlin has decided to permit the
debate on the Armenian Genocide for today.

The Knesset is expected to hold a public discussion about the genocide
of the Armenian people, at the request of MK Zahava Gal-On (Meretz),
Israeli Haaretz newspaper informs.

The Knesset will mark the anniversary of the genocide with its first
discussion of the matter on Tuesday, and a second public discussion
will be planned, to be held by one of the Knesset committees.

The decision follows the Turkish decision to try senior Israeli
officials in court for their involvement in the IDF raid on the
Gaza-bound ship the Mavi Marmara – the debate will be held just one
day before the publication of the State Comptroller’s report on the
affair on Wednesday.

NALBANDYAN: DAVUTOGLU’S STATEMENT SMELLS OF RACISM

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 13:33:55 – 12/06/2012

A press conference followed the meeting of Edward Nalbandyan, foreign
minister of Armenia and Eamon Gilmor, OSCE Chairman-in-Office,
foreign minister of Ireland.

In his speech, Edward Nalbandyan said the strengthening and extending
of relations with Ireland is important for Armenia. He said that the
foreign ministers discussed issues relating to the bilateral relations,
regional questions and a wide range of international issues. Nalbandyan
said that the collocutors discussed cooperation between Armenia and
OSCE on three planes. They dwelt also on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
while the stability and peace in the Caucasian region will be one of
the priorities of the Irish chairmanship of the OSCE.

Edward Nalbandyan reported that he had presented to Mr. Gilmor the
latest developments of the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Armenia’s approaches
are consistent with the position of the international community and
the Karabakh conflict settlement has not alternative but peace.

Answering the question of an Armnews reporter on the recent statement
by the foreign minister of Turkey who expressed concern over the
killed soldiers and said that the Armenian side does not react to
the steps undertaken by the OSCE Minsk Group, Nalbandyan said that
this statement of the Turkish minister smells of racism.

“We have never heard any concern by Turkey over the killed Armenian
soldiers in the result of Azerbaijani provocations”, said Nalbandyan.

According to him, Turkey’s statements of this kind encourage
Azerbaijan’s new provocations. Turkey is trying to shift Azerbaijan’s
responsibility for not wanting to obey the international appeals and
withdraw the snipers etc. on others. It pretends as if it does not
know who is responsible for the lack of progress in Kazan relating
to the basic principles, said Nalbandyan.

20 years ago, Armenia agreed with Turkey’s involvement in the Minsk
Group hoping it would be fair, but the 20 years have shown it is not
only unfair, but it also harms the settlement process, said Nalbandyan.

Edward Nalbandyan said that Armenia has always supported the creation
of mechanisms to investigate border incidents while Azerbaijan has
always refused them. While, the statements of the Armenian, Russian
and Azerbaijani presidents in Sochi contain relevant provisions in
this connection.

CHORRORD INKNISHKHANUTYUN: NEW INTRIGUES INSIDE ARF

Panorama.am
12/06/2012

New intrigues are rumored to be boiling up inside ARF, Chorrord
Inknishkhanutyun paper writes.

“Some ARF members have reportedly decided to go underground after
being deeply disappointed by the results of the parliamentary
elections. They don’t want to interfere in the work of the party or
in political processes. That is why not so famous ARF members, yet
big businessmen Ashot Apoyan and Karlen Gevorgyan hinted to their
co-partisans that there will be no funding from them in the future.

This is because they have not entered parliament or at least have
not been offered any positions. Instead, Karlen Gevorgyan, owner of
a big construction company, managed to agree with Yerevan Mayor Taron
Margaryan on making benches for Yerevan streets, getting a big income,”
the paper writes.

AZERBAIJAN APPLIES TO BORDER SABOTAGE TO DISTRACT POPULATION’S ATTENTION FROM ITS HOME ISSUES- DEPUTY

/ARKA/
11 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, June 11. /ARKA/. The recent sabotages of Azerbaijan on the
border with Armenia and contact line with Nagorno-Karabakh imply
Azerbaijan’s dissatisfaction with the status quo and this country’s
attempts to distract the attention of its population from the home
issues, the Armenian National Assembly deputy Vardan Hayvazyan said.

Over the last few days the skirmishes on the Armenian-Azerbaijani
border as well as in the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijani
forces resulted in deaths of soldiers.

The attempts of the Azerbaijani saboteurs to infiltrate Armenia’s
north-eastern Tavush region bordering Azerbaijan as well as
Nagorno-Karabakh borders caused in 25 deaths of Azeri soldiers. The
Armenian and Karabakh army lost four soldiers, eight were wounded
Hayvazyan added that currently Azerbaijan is facing a number of
issues related to escalation of Iranian-Azerbaijani relations, oil
zones control and USD rate stabilization.

The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in 1988 after the
predominantly Armenian-populated Karabakh declared about secession
from Azerbaijan.

As Azerbaijan declared its independence from the Soviet Union and
removed the powers held by the Karabakh’s government, the Armenian
majority voted in 1991, December 10, to secede from Azerbaijan and
in the process proclaimed the enclave the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Full-scale fighting, initiated by Azerbaijan, erupted in the late
winter of 1992. International mediation by several groups including
Europe’s OSCE’s failed to bring an end resolution that both sides
could work with. In the spring of 1993, Armenian forces captured
regions outside the enclave itself. By the end of the war in 1994,
the Armenians were in full control of most of the enclave and also
held and currently control seven regions beyond the administrative
borders of Nagorno-Karabakh. Almost 1 million people on both sides
have been displaced as a result of the conflict. A Russian- -brokered
ceasefire was signed in May 1994 and peace talks, mediated by the OSCE
Minsk Group, have been held ever since by Armenia and Azerbaijan.

BAKO SAHAKYAN: IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH A COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT WITHOUT ARTSAKH’S PARTICIPATION

armradio.am
12.06.2012 12:45

On June 12 President of the Nagrono Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan
met in Yerevan with the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Deputy Prime Minister
and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Ireland Eamon Gilmore.

Issues related to the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict
were discussed during the meeting.

Highly appreciating the efforts of the OSCE in the settlement of
the Karabakh conflict, President Sahakyan stressed the necessity
of restoring the negotiation format approved by the OSCE Budapest
summit, noting that it would be impossible to reach a comprehensive
settlement of the conflict without the direct participation of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

The President once again reiterated the adherence of official
Stepanakert to the peaceful settlement of the conflict within the
framework of the Minsk Group, adding at the same time that militaristic
and anti-Armenian policy of Azerbaijan, which has recently acquired
radical forms, is one of the most important hindrances on the way of
solving the issue and should receive a corresponding reaction of the
international community.

The President of the Artsakh Republic emphasized the necessity of
the visit of the OSCE-Chairman-in-Office to Nagorno Karabakh.

THERE MUST BE NO SNIPERS IN KARABAKH CONFLICT ZONE – OSCE CHAIRPERSON-IN-OFFICE

news.am
June 12, 2012 | 12:16

YEREVAN. – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ireland’s Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore, in Yerevan today called
on all parties to refrain from the use or threat of force and to
abstain from retaliatory measures.

“I strongly condemn the recent violent incidents. This conflict will
not be resolved by the use of force. The cycle of violence must stop,”
said the OSCE Chairperson following a meeting with the Armenian Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian. “This is the same message I will deliver in
Azerbaijan on Thursday. The time has come to build trust; this requires
will and commitment on the part of all those involved to seek peace.”

“We in Ireland know all too well the devastating cost of conflict. And
we know how hard it is to resolve such situations,” he said recalling
the Northern Ireland peace process. “From our experience it is
essential to have a clear and determined policy not to yield to
violence or the temptation to retaliate. Courage, perseverance and
meaningful engagement are called for.”

The Chairperson stressed his support for the mediation efforts of the
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs: “The OSCE can help to bridge differences
between countries and between peoples. We can provide a forum for
dialogue and support the sides to strengthen the ceasefire and find
a negotiated solution.”

“However, in order to make progress towards resolving this
long-standing conflict, the sides should further advance their work
on the general principles of a resolution, remove snipers from the
line of contact, agree on a mechanism for investigating incidents
on the frontlines and find ways to implement the recent agreement
by the Presidents to develop people-to-people contacts,” he said,
emphasizing the need for confidence-building measures.

He will meet President Serzh Sargsyan, Hovik Abrahamyan, the Speaker
of the National Assembly, and representatives of political parties
and later today.

In his meetings the Chairperson will also discuss Armenia’s
co-operation with the OSCE, its Office in Yerevan and Institutions. “I
welcome the excellent co-operation between Armenia and the OSCE,
which is supporting the country in its reform process, especially in
police and judicial as well as with regulatory and economic reforms”.

Following the visit to Armenia, OSCE Chairperson Gilmore will be in
Georgia on 12 and 13 June and in Azerbaijan on 13 and 14 June.

SERIOUS CHANGES EXPECTED IN PARLIAMENTARY FACTIONS OF REPUBLICAN, PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTIES – NEWSPAPER

news.am
June 12, 2012 | 06:02

YEREVAN. – After next year’s presidential elections, significant
changes are expected within the National Assembly Faction of the
Prosperous Armenia Party, and these months are a serious test for
the PAP MPs, Yerkir daily writes.

“According to the news we received, in case of working correctly and
not allowing any mistakes, [PAP Chairman] Gagik Tsarukyan promised
to leave them alone to work for the next four years.

That is, the PAP MPs must prove their loyalty to Gagik Tsarukyan and
to conscientiously fulfill their obligations until the presidential
elections.

By the way, there are whispers likewise among the [ruling Republican
Party] RPA that serious changes also await their parliamentary
faction. But here the reasons and mechanisms for depriving of the
[parliamentary] mandate are different,” Yerkir writes.

KARABAKH AGAIN MUST BECOME NEGOTIATING SIDE – NKR PRESIDENT

news.am
June 12, 2012 | 10:54

STEPANAKERT. – Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) President Bako Sahakyan
on Tuesday met in Yerevan with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, and
Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore.

Issues related to settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict were
discussed during the meeting, Office of the NKR President informed
Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Rating highly the OSCE’s efforts in resolving the Azerbaijani-Karabakh
conflict, President Sahakyan underlined the necessity of restoring
the negotiation format approved by the OSCE Budapest Summit, noting it
would be impossible to reach a comprehensive settlement of the conflict
without the direct participation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

The Head of the State reiterated the adherence of official Stepanakert
to peaceful settlement of the conflict, and within the framework
of the Minsk Group, adding that the militaristic and anti-Armenian
policy of Azerbaijan, which has recently assumed radical forms, is
an important hindrance for solving the issue and it should receive
a corresponding reaction by the international community.

The NKR President noted the importance of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s
paying a visit to Karabakh and getting familiar with the country.

NKR Acting FM Vassily Atajanyan, Personal Representative Andrzej
Kasprzyk of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, and other officials
likewise were present at the meeting.

MONTE MELKONIAN IN HIS OWN WORDS

hetq
17:13, November 25, 2004

I think participating on the front line of the struggle is the best way
for anyone (.). The best way to participate is by going right there,
to the front line of the struggle and participating there. (.).

If people stick to their principles and decide that they are first and
foremost an Armenian, and as an Armenian they’ve got to participate
in the solution to make self-determination for our people a concrete
reality, then I think any honest person would end up doing what
I’m doing. (.). I consider my work to be first and foremost that
of bringing a solution to the Armenian question, the question of
self-determination for the Armenian people throughout their historic
homeland.

August 1991, from a private video interview

The Azerbaijan government has clearly decided to empty the Armenians
out, and therefore there is no choice but to resist. (.). So we don’t
have the right to lose in this case. We must win this time. We must
win. (.). A lot of Armenians don’t understand that we can win. [But
we can].

January 25, 1992, from a videotaped address to Diasporan friends

If politics was run on a logical and honest basis, there would never
be the need for war; not only here, but everywhere in the world.

Unfortunately this logic and honesty are not there. We should fight,
we should lead this war to its end, because unfortunately that’s the
only way to solve the problem.

from a 1992 interview to a French TV station

The loss of Artsakh would be an enormous loss for the Armenian people,
which can lead a few decades later to the total disappearance of the
Armenian people. If the Azeris manage to occupy Artsakh, their next
target will be Zangezour. (.). It is obvious for all of us what the
consequences would be for our homeland if they took Zangezour.

Everyone should feel how important this is and everyone should do
everything so that we can end this war quickly.

October 3, 1992, from an interview to the Stepanakert (Karabakh) TV

The first reason [of the Karabakh struggle] is a reason of principle.

Nagorno Karabagh is an integral part of the Armenian homeland. It’s
as much a part of Armenia as any other part, as Yerevan , Dilidjan
or Sevan. And so, we’ve got to reunite it with our homeland. It was
arbitrarily included in Azerbaijan in 1921 by a very opportunistically
motivated reason on the part of Stalin, and so we are trying to
correct that error. Second of all, the people there are fighting to
protect their homes and families. They know very well that if they
don’t fight the Azeris will come and split their throats, burn their
villages and kick them out of here. And thirdly, we know very well
that Azerbaijan has expansionist designs which go way beyond Artsakh
and include the take over of Zangezour, the southern part of present
day Armenia . So we know very well that if we don’t resist here, the
war will continue into what is known as Armenia right now. So we got
our backs up against the wall, to put it short; we’ve got to do this.

April 1993, from an interview to a British TV journalist

I’m an Armenian from the United States , and I’m fighting here for the
same reason as anyone else. I’m an Armenian. This homeland belongs
as much to me as to any other Armenian. And I’ll say I think I have
just as much responsibility to defend this piece of my homeland as
any other Armenian. So it’s totally natural to be here and to fight
alongside all the other inhabitants of this region.

April 1993, from an interview to a British TV journalist

I would have liked that people respect me not in words, but with
their deeds; that they work, they do normal work in this struggle,
instead of swearing in my name or in the name of others. (.). It’s
not important that people applaud. What is important is that they
become conscious, that they bare responsibility.

March 1993, from an interview to the Stepanakert (Karabakh) TV

Believe me, I couldn’t care less if people respect me or not. What is
crucial for me is that I respect myself. Without self-respect I would
become a wretched wreck. It is for self-respect that I work and live.

Personally, I don’t believe in competition with others, be it physical,
mental, or any other form of competition. What I believe in is
competition with myself. This is the hardest, most frustrating kind
of competition, because it’s impossible to outdo yourself. You always
feel you could-and must-do better. I wouldn’t say this is an entirely
healthy approach to life, but it’s the way I am now. This is also what
has given me the ability to face the tons of incredible hardships I’ve
gone through. However, this does not mean that I fully respect myself.

No, no, I’ve made too many mistakes, and left too many problems
unsolved to really respect myself.

October 12, 1986; from a letter to a friend, written from his prison
cell, in France

Artsakh has not been my first struggle, and I’m sure that it won’t
be my last…

WHY DO ARMENIANS PREFER GEORGIA AMONG SUMMER HOLIDAY SPOTS?

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 16:01:42 – 12/06/2012

In a couple of weeks the line of cars will head for the
Armenian-Georgian border. Perhaps it’s in the nature of Armenians
to go on holiday in groups in the same place. But this fact can be
explained from other perspectives as well; the choice of Georgian shore
is conditioned with relatively affordable prices of hotels, hostels and
rest houses, as well as with a more limited travel budget, simplified
customs system, and with an absence of communication barriers.

Trips to Georgia have turned into a profitable business for those
who are engaged in it, especially trips in the direction of Batumi,
Kobuleti, Ureki and some other places nearby. Still seasonal, but a
profitable one.

For the Georgian inbound tourism market the holidaymakers from Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Russia are regarded as the target groups.

Only in 2011 448.374 holidaymakers visited Georgia, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Georgia said. The number of holidaymakers increases
significantly especially during summertime period. The number of
people, targeting Georgian coastal zones, has increased by 37%,
in comparison with 2010.

At present the development of the hotel market is set as one of the
top priorities on the agenda of the Georgian government. Along with
the construction of new hotels, hostels, rest-houses, the government
is aimed at improving the level of accommodation and at coordinating
the flow of holidaymakers. According to the National Tourism Industry
of Georgia, each tourist spends on average 1,500$ in Georgia. The
forecasts say, that apart from the target zones, new rest places in
Svaneti, Ajaria are to go under exploitation this year.

The reasoning why Armenians prefer to spend their holidays in Georgia
may be provided in this dropdown:

– The entry visa is issued directly at the frontier.

– The Georgian hotel market prices are more affordable in comparison
with the offers of local resorts.

– The fare is close to minimum.

– There are no language barriers. The flow of Armenians has left its
track, as even in neighbor states Armenians still talk in Armenian.

– Everyone may find an accommodation offer, meeting its requirements.

The destination choice falls on Georgia as the average travel budget
allows to pick that direction where accommodation + travel + coastal
zone = rest, which is not possible to enjoy in Armenia, and definitely
not due to a simple fact that Armenia has no sea coasts, but because
the local rest market with its price scale is not affordable to a
medium-budget Armenian traveller. Whereas in case of choosing some
other seaside directions, a line of other obstacles come out: visa
acquisition (which in case of European directions is like a lottery:
one cannot predict whether the solution of the long-lasting process
will be in savor of the bidder or not, even with a compilation of
all proper documents), and a sharp contrast of travel budget.

And how to choose accommodation in Georgia?

The variants to choose are quite many and depend on the travelling
experience, budget limit and on the level of awareness. Apart from the
traditional Armenian method, the so-called meet-and-sale option, many
people prefer to choose an accommodation directly upon their arrival.

Some prefer to learn the details of the accommodation offer in
advance and select the ones, previously accommodated and recommended
by their friends.

Whereas active Internet users apply individually by studying the
Georgian hotels and booking the one which suites them best. It seems
to be not a time&effort taking option, even more an unbiased one,
especially taking into account the important fact that no additional
service charge is applied in case of suchlike on-line bookings. This
option is convenient because one can see the pictures, prices at a
place and choose one by comparison.

As for the online accommodation offers, they vary
as well, for example Sedoi Ural hotel in Kobuleti
(),
3-star Prestige Hotel in Batumi
(),
Hotel Savane in Kobuleti
():