Author: Kanayan Tamar

LES TURCS SALUENT LA DEFAITE DE NICOLAS SARKOZY

Le Monde

9 mai 2012
France

Le Monde.fr | 09.05.2012 a 11h27 ~U Mis a jour le 09.05.2012 a 11h51

C’est peut-etre le pays qui s’est le plus rejoui du resultat de
l’election presidentielle francaise. Depuis cinq ans, jamais les
rapports entre la France et la Turquie n’avaient ete aussi crispes.

L’election de Francois Hollande le 6 mai est percue la-bas comme un
nouveau depart.

Sarkozy “est un ennemi de la Turquie, il soutenait cette loi sur le
genocide armenien, il etait injuste envers la Turquie”, affirme un
passant. Francois Hollande s’est jusqu’a present peu exprime sur les
relations franco-turques, se contentant d’appeler a des relations
apaisees entre les deux pays.

PA WILL UNDERPLAY CONGRESS
HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 10:55:50 – 10/05/2012

Will Serzh Sargsyan force the Prosperous Armenia Party to form a
coalition with the the Republicans? This is the key post-election
question.

A lot of experts think that RPA was able to play down the opposition
factor and aspiration of PA in the parliamentary election and will
further try to have PA form a coalition again and thus put an end to
the independent political biography of PA.

But does this require forming coalition of the RPA and PA? If PA has
been defeated so that the RPA can determine any format, the coalition
with PA will be ballast for PA.

Most probably Serzh Sargsyan knows this. Hence, forming coalition
would mean that PA is still an influential factor in government and
Serzh Sargsyan, despite having de jure absolute majority, nevertheless
de facto he has to take into account PA and offer to form a coalition
to neutralize further tension and resistance.

In this meaning, if RPA forms coalition with PA, even if it will
mean PA’s defeat because during the campaign the party set such an
opposition bar that forming coalition would be strange, a coalition
government will mean that Serzh Sargsyan’s victory was not absolute,
and he has to offer partnership to Gagik Tsarukyan or more exactly
Robert Kocharyan.

If the Republican Party has been able to beat PA, PA could be more
useful to Serzh Sargsyan as opposition rather than as a coalition
partner. In addition, it is not essential whether PA will be a
marionette or a real rival.

The point is that if PA is not dangerous for RPA, by leaving PA as
opposition Serzh Sargsyan can see to several issues. First, thus PA
will start to fight the other forces rather than RPA. PA will continue
to gain self-confidence in the opposition and in this sense it must
impose recognition of its long-term leadership over the other forces
representing the opposition.

At the same time, with that status of PA Serzh Sargsyan will continue
to underplay the so-called opposition “originality” of the Armenian
National Congress, and the Congress may remain in the same situation
as during the campaign, in the shade.

In the long run, by leaving PA in the opposition, Serzh Sargsyan will
encourage competition within the opposition, thus rendering the field
mostly controllable by the time of the presidential election.

There is little possibility that the opposition will unite
against rather than compete with the RPA, evidence to which is the
parliamentary election and the first post-election steps of these
subjects.

SHOOT-OUT IN YEREVAN KARAOKE CLUB

news.am
May 10, 2012 | 12:03

YEREVAN.- Police is investigating a shoot-out in one of Yerevan’s
karaoke clubs which occurred on Wednesday night.

Police officers are working at the site but have not identified the
shooters so far.

According to information at Armenian News-NEWS.am’s disposal, 7-8
young men mad up a quarrel with “Cool” karaoke club’s manager Naira
Baghdasaryan which ended in a scuffle. The, young people went out of
the club and fired at manager’s car. Police confirmed the reports.

ARTSAKH PRESIDENT: OUR ARMY WILL FURTHER BE STRONG AND VICTORIOUS

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 10, 2012 – 11:20 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – President of Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artsakh)
Bako Sahakyan delivered a speech at the parade of NKR Armed Forces
dedicated to the Victory Day, 20th anniversary of NKR Defense Army
and Liberation of Shushi on May 9.

“I cordially congratulate you on the Victory Day, 20th anniversary
of NKR Defense Army and Liberation of Shushi, a day that has been
sanctified by blood of our sisters and brothers thus becoming one of
the most cherished holidays nationwide,” the President said.

“On this solemn day, I first of all bow my head to the bright memory
of our brave sons perished for the motherland’s liberation. Eternal
honor and glory to our martyrs!

May 9 is a holiday of victory, the victory of nationwide unity and
consolidation; it is the victory of our fathers and grandfathers in
the Great Patriotic war, when best sons of the Armenian people hand
in hand with other nations fought against violence and evil, setting
an example of selfless heroism and courage for future generations,”
he said.

“May 9 is the victory day of all Armenians in the national liberation
struggle, when all parts of the Armenian nation became a single whole
uniting around the exalted idea of defending Artsakh. Everything was
being done for the sake of our sacred mission, for the realization
of our centuries-long aspirations, for the bright future of the
Armenian nation.

With this sense we liberated Shushi, our ancient fortress, a cultural
and spiritual center that had been in captivity for years and which
is reviving and getting a new breath of life today.

With this sense the defense army, the most important guarantor of
our nation’s freedom and security, its pride and one of the greatest
achievements, was formed. The army was born in the crucible of the
war; it accomplished and nowadays continues with credit its sacred
mission of the motherland’s defender.

It is also due to the Armenian army that peace and stability in the
whole region are secured. This undeniable reality cannot be ignored.

We will continue to keep the army strong and victorious, with a high
level of fighting capacity and strong spirit, ready to realize any
task assigned.

Free, independent and developing Artsakh is a great and exclusive value
for all Armenians. Due to the support of Mother Armenia, our sisters
and brothers from the Diaspora, Artsakh managed to recover from the
wounds of the war and embarked on the path of stable development. We
will spare no efforts to achieve this goal. Today our sons born in the
liberated homeland who keep its boundaries secure are proudly standing
in the parade. They continue the mission of their hero fathers with
dignity, thus preserving the memory of all our martyrs,” President
Sahakyan said

Together with those who gained our cherished victory, today’s
servicemen of Artsakh army defend security of their native land and
peaceful life of their own people. This has been so for 20 years,
so will it be forever,” he concluded.

EU ON VOTE 2012: BETTER, BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH

Vote 2012 | 10.05.12 | 11:45

The EU has welcomed efforts by the Armenian authorities to hold the
recent parliamentary elections”in a way which represents progress
towards more transparent and competitive elections”, while saying a
number of issues remained to be addressed.

In a joint statement Wednesday, EU High Representative for Foreign
Affairs Catherine Ashton,and tefan Fule, Commissioner for Enlargement
and European Neighbourhood Policy, said: “The European Union takes
note of the preliminary results of the parliamentary elections held
on 6 May and welcomes the statement of preliminary findings and
conclusions of the International Election Observation Mission on the
conduct of elections.”

They added: “We welcome the efforts by the Armenian authorities
to hold these parliamentary elections in a way which represents
progress towards more transparent and competitive elections. However,
the elections also demonstrated the need to address a number of
issues in order to fully meet internationally recognized democratic
standards.”They urged the Armenian authorities to address the
shortcomings identified by the OSCE/ODIHR as a matter of priority,
ahead of the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for 2013.

“At the same time,” the joint statement added, “we welcome that six
political parties will be represented in the National Assembly. This
is a positive step towards the development of a pluralistic and
democratic political culture in Armenia.”

“The EU urges all political forces to refrain from unlawful acts
and pursue political dialogue. The constructive dialogue between
authorities and the opposition is very important for the consolidation
of stability in the country,” Ashton and Fule concluded.

BCM.RU STORY ABOUT MILITARY PARADE IN NK

Panorama.am
10/05/2012

More than two thousand military officers took part in the military
parade that Nagorno-Karabakh hosted Wednesday, “bcm.ru” writes.

“The military parade in Stepanakert marked 67th anniversary of the
Patriotic War, the Liberation of Shoushi and 20th anniversary of NKR
Defense Army. The parade was led by first Deputy Commander of the
Army Levon Mnatsakanyan.

Different kind of armaments have been displayed, as well as unmanned
flying vehicles of Armenian production,” reads the story.

L’EGYPTE COMMEMORE LES VICTIMES DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 10 mai 2012

Une commemoration du 97ème anniversaire du genocide armenien a eu
lieu en Egypte dans la soiree du 24 avril. Une sainte liturgie a ete
chantee dans l’eglise Saint Gregoire l’Illuminateur en presence de
l’evèque du Diocèse Ashot Mnatsakanyan et un requiem pour le repos
des victimes a eu lieu.

Un depôt de fleurs a la memoire des victimes du genocide armenien a eu
lieu en presence de l’Ambassadeur d’Armenie en Egypte Armen Melkonyan,
du personnel de l’ambassade et des leaders de la communaute.

En soiree “le Mas des Alouette” a ete projete au club armenien Husaber.

Une messe et un requiem pour le repos des victimes du Genocide armenien
S’est egalement tenu dans l’Eglise Sainte Poghos-Petros d’Alexandrie.

Le meme jour la chaiîne de television ON TV a emis un programme
consacre au genocide armenien avec la participation du docteur Mohamed
Refaat El-Imam.

EurasiaNet.org, NY
May 8 2012

Central Asia & Caucasus: Remembering a Shared Sacrifice

Vladimir Putin’s first full day back on the job as Russian president
was a time for paying tribute to the Soviet past. Russia and other
formerly Soviet states mark Victory Day on May 9.

Putin laid a wreath May 8 at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier just
outside the Kremlin’s walls, and then sent messages of solidarity to
the leaders of members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
There was one notable exception — Putin’s bête noire, Georgian
President Mikheil Saakashvili.

In a message to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Putin suggested the
shared sacrifices of World War II, when the Red Army beat back a Nazi
German invasion, created the foundation for the strong bilateral ties
of today. `The partnership between Armenia and Russia is characterized
by old traditions of friendship and trust, close brotherly ties and
deep respect for veterans,’ Armenian Public Radio quoted Putin as
writing.

In sending a congratulatory note to Georgia, Putin addressed the
Georgian people, snubbing Saakashvili’s administration. `No matter how
much time has passed since the end of WWII, May 9 will forever remain
a day of pride and a common memory for the peoples of Russia and
Georgia,’ the Russian leader wrote.

For the dwindling number of veterans who remain alive, now in their
80s and 90s, the war remains a defining moment. As these of portraits
of veterans by Jonathan Alpeyrie shows, the Red Army was an
international force, not just a Russian army. Roughly a half-million
Armenians and about 700,000 Georgians served during the war, and only
about half of those who answered the call lived to return home.

Today, these veterans live in separate countries. Outside Russia, the
Russian language, the lingua franca of the Soviet Union, is in
decline, spoken mainly in large cities. They receive their veterans’
pensions in lari and drams, not rubles, though complaints that those
pensions are not commensurate with the sacrifice they made may be one
commonality throughout the region. Some had to endure civil strife
that erupted in formerly Soviet states in the late 1980s and early
90s.

Surviving the war took a good bit of courage and a large dose of luck.
The 67 years that have passed featured another set of challenges for
veterans, including the need at a relatively advanced age to make a
jarring transition from Communism to a market-based system. Thus, the
veterans of World War II should not only be heralded as victors, they
deserve to be saluted for adapting to the Soviet collapse.

Trend, Azerbaijan
May 8 2012

Baku declares inefficiency of talks with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh problem

Azerbaijan, Baku, May 8 / Trend A.Akhundov /
Armenia still poses a threat to peace and stability in South Caucasus,
and continues its occupation of Azerbaijani territories. If it goes
on, the Azerbaijani authorities, will demonstrate their will using all
means, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social and Political
Department Chief Ali Hasanov said on Tuesday, answering journalists’
questions about the 20th anniversary of Shusha’s occupation.

“Azerbaijan has repeatedly condemned the inhumane activities of the
Armenians, condemned them for endangering peace and stability in South
Caucasus. Azerbaijan denounces and condemns the steps undertaken by
Armenia that complicate the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict,” Hasanov said.

He said that in this regard Azerbaijan has raised the issue at the
relevant global institutions.

“Negotiations, held with the Armenians, are still ineffective,”
Presidential Administration department chief stressed.

Armenian troops carried out a military operation on May 8, 1992 to
occupy Shusha. Artillery shots were fired over the city which
continued up to 6 pm. Over 1,000 Armenian soldiers attacked Shusha
from three sides.

Some 248 historical facilities, eight museums, one photo gallery,
eight music schools and tens of cultural facilities lie under Armenian
occupation in Shusha.

During Shusha’s occupation, hundreds of innocent people died, nearly
60 citizens, including women and children were taken prisoners and are
missing. Most have not been released yet. Nearly 22,000 people became
homeless.

ANSAmed – Italy
May 7, 2012 Monday 6:49 PM CET

France: Hollande, Turkey hopes for improvement in relations;
Erdogan, dialogue with social democrats easier

LJUBLJANA

(ANSAmed) The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has
reacted to the election of François Hollande as France’s new
President. “Following the election of François Hollande, the Turkish
government now hopes that relations between Paris and Ankara can be
more constructive and that talks on Turkey’s rapprochement with the EU
will progress,” Erdogan said today in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana,
where he is on an official visit.

Erdogan was quoted by the Slovenian news agency STA.

“For Turkey dialogue is easier with the social democrat block in
Europe, which has always expressed support for Ankara’s entry into the
EU,” said Erdogan, pointing out that his country has been knocking on
the door of the EU for 50 years. “I hope that this anomaly can be
rectified as soon as possible,” he added.

“The electoral cycle in France is not yet at an end and only after
parliamentary elections in June will we really know real relationships
will be,” he added.

Asked about Nicolas Sarkozy, Erdogan said that he was saddened by the
deterioration in relations between Turkey and France during the
defeated French President’s term in office, especially after Paris
decided to criminalise any public denial of the Armenian genocide.

The website of the leading Slovenian newspaper, Delo, reported that
Erdogan appeared happy with the result of the French presidential
elections.