Author: Kanayan Tamar

news.am, Armenia
Nov 26 2011

Rapprochement with Armenia can become counterbalance to `Arab spring’
factor in Turkish foreign policy – expert

November 26, 2011 | 19:46

PARIS. – Though Turkey has not ratified the Protocols on establishing
diplomatic relations with Armenia, it would like to find a way for it,
researcher on Turkish politics, expert at French Institute of
International Relations (IFRI) Dorothy Schmidt told Armenian
News-NEWS.am commenting on the recent statement of the Turkish
President Abdullah Gul regarding the Protocols.

Gul has stated on Wednesday in London that the Protocols are not dead.
However, relations between the two states cannot be normalized in
short term. Armenian-Turkish relations are frozen as much as they
cannot melt by one blow, Turkish President has said.

In response to the question whether the main prerequisite for the
normalization of the relations is still the Karabakh conflict, Schmidt
said that it is quite possible. However, it is necessary to remember
that Turkish authorities would have liked to find means to adopt the
Protocols. Normalization of the relations will improve the image of
the Turkish diplomacy. There is a will for it, however it is not
possible at the moment, Schmidt added.

According to her, currently “Arab spring” creates a difficult
situation for the Turkish diplomacy in the context of “zero problems
with neighbors’ official policy. Difficulties mainly rise with Syria
and Iran, which show dissatisfaction for the installment of the U.S.
elements of anti-missile defense in the territory of Turkey. For the
pristine image of the politics of “soft power” by Turkey, it should
seek new equilibrium points. Thus, the revival of the issue of
rapprochement with Armenia is quite natural, the expert concluded.

news.am, Armenia
Nov 26 2011

Azerbaijan makes provocative statements in order to divert attention –
Armenian MP

November 26, 2011 | 17:44

YEREVAN.- Azerbaijan makes provocative statements in order to divert
public attention, head of Republican parliamentary group Galust
Sahakyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

On Friday Azerbaijan’s deputy FM Araz Azimov said Armenia does not
have the right to make any changes in the occupied regions hinting at
the road construction project in Karvachar.

In early November the construction of a road from Karvachar to
Vardenis was announced. It will shorten the distance between Armenia
and Karvachar by 150 kilometers.

`I do not see any need to comment on such statements. Libel is used
for provocation in order to distract public attention,’ said Galust
Sahakyan.

Global Insight
November 25, 2011

Inter-RAO UES Reportedly Seeking to Get Out of Contract for Armenia’s
Metsamor NPP

Russia’s Inter-RAO UES is reportedly unhappy with the terms of its
management contract for Armenia’s Metsamor nuclear power plant (NPP)
and is looking for an early termination of the contract, according to
Russian business dailyKommersant. The report, citing sources close to
the majority state-owned Russian power company, said that Inter-RAO
UES was not specialised in running nuclear energy facilities with
“increasing risks” and that the company wanted to potentially transfer
the current management contract for the Armenian NPP to Rosatom, the
Russian state nuclear concern that operates Russia’s own NPPs.
Rosatom, however, is more interested in building a new 1-GW NPP in
Armenia rather than taking over management of the ageing Metsamor NPP,
which has just one 400-MW operational reactor. Inter-RAO UES took over
financial management of the Metsamor NPP in an agreement with the
Armenian government in 2003. The management contract is set to expire
in 2013.

Significance:The international community has lobbied Armenia for an
early shutdown to the Soviet-era Metsamor NPP, citing the safety risks
of continuing to operate the plant in an active seismic zone. Indeed,
the plant was powered down following a devastating earthquake in
December 1988 in Armenia, but under an energy blockade against Armenia
by both Azerbaijan and Turkey, the Armenian government restarted one
reactor at the NPP in 1995. Metsamor continues to provide around 40%
of Armenia’s total power supplies, and the government has said it will
not decommission the NPP until a new one is built, allowing the
country to replace lost power generation capacity. Inter-RAO UES is
perhaps wary that it lacks the necessary expertise to handle a crisis
at Metsamor, particularly as there is increased focus on the seismic
risks to the Armenian NPP following recent earthquakes in nearby
eastern Turkey and the Fukushima nuclear disaster earlier this year in
Japan (seeCIS: 18 March 2011:). Metsamorenergoatom, a joint venture
between Rosatom’s Atomstroiexport and Armenia’s Ministry of Energy and
Natural Resources, is planning to build a new NPP in Armenia, but the
first unit at the new plant is not expected to be operational until at
least 2017.

Interfax, Russia
Nov 25 2011

Baku not expecting Karabakh process delays due to Armenian elections

BAKU. Nov 25

Elections in Armenia and countries brokering a solution to the
conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh cannot cause any delays in resolving
the problem, Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said.

“Opinions that the elections in the countries co-chairing the OSCE
[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe] Minsk Group, as
well as in Azerbaijan and Armenia, are dragging out the negotiating
process are political lies,” Azimov told journalists in Baku on
Friday.

The countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group and Armenia are heading
into an electoral process.

“As far as elections are concerned, they can be held consecutively in
each country once every four or five years. But, it seems to me, the
position of each country becomes known before elections, and it
undergoes only minor changes after elections,” he said.

“We have not seen much difference” between the positions taken by
incumbent Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and his predecessor Robert
Kocharyan on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the deputy foreign
minister said.

“So far, it is impossible to say who will win next year’s presidential
elections in Armenia. But we do not see any rival to Sargsyan yet. It
means that the factor of elections in Armenia should not be taken
seriously,” Azimov said.

Speaking about the OSCE Minsk Group member countries – Russia, the
United States and France, Azimov said that “the situation would not
change there [after the elections]”.

“Our requirement is that the countries’ fundamental positions and
interests should result in a solution to the conflict,” he said.

tm rb

Egyptian Gazette
Nov 26 2011

People: Do not be afraid

By Ihab Shaarawy – The Egyptian Gazette
Saturday, November 26, 2011 03:19:14 PM

CAIRO – While many people in Egypt and outside are beginning to ask
many questions about the future of this country, one man who looks to
holy books for inspiration assures everyone that we mustn’t be afraid.

“You have to dismiss your fears; this country is going to overcome all
the problems, and prosperity and peace will prevail,” says Krikor
Okosolinos Coussan, the Bishop of Alexandria for the Armenian
Catholics.

The phrase `Do not be afraid’ occurs 62 times in the Holy
Bible, one of them being in Luke 1:30, when the Angel Gabriel tells
the Virgin Mary not to be afraid.

For Monsignor Coussan, now is not the time for fear and
speculation, but for working and praying. Last month, he offered Mass
in an Armenian Catholic church in Heliopolis for peace to prevail in
this country.

What was astonishing was that many Christians of other
denominations and Muslims too attended the Mass.

“I wanted to tell the people that this is Egypt, where we all
live together, with one heart and one faith, worshipping one God,” he
told The Egyptian Gazette, adding that the service got a lot of media
attention and that many journalists abroad now keep on calling him to
ask about the situation in Egypt.

“People outside should know that Eastern people have a unique
nature, which is why they can live together in a warm and loving
atmosphere, whatever differences they have.

`And this is another reason why I am optimistic,’ added
Bishop Coussan, a prelate of Armenian descent, who was born in Syria,
and has lived and studied in Lebanon, Italy and France.

He was posted to Egypt five years ago, since when he has
always insisted that he wants to help all Egyptians, whatever their
religion or beliefs.

“Here we all live in one land, moving along the same path and
worshipping one God,” he said, adding that sometimes secret hands try
to create divisions or rifts between the sons of this country, but
these hands will soon be discovered and punished for their evil.

“Today, the sheikhs and priests must walk hand in hand,
telling the people, especially the humble, how strong their
relationship is,” he stressed, explaining that, since arriving in
Egypt, he has maintained strong relations with people of every faith.

Coussan regretted that there is some tension between Al-Azhar
and the Vatican. He is now working to defuse the tension and stressed
that he counts many Azhar sheikhs among his good friends.

“Along with my friends, Muslim clerics, I intend to organise
several activities and seminars to show the people how all the divine
books urge people to live together and respect each other’s faith and
lives,” added Monsignor Coussan, who doesn’t agree with those people
who fear certain groups will dominate the political scene in Egypt.

“Why do we feel afraid of someone when we don’t talk together?
We have to engage in dialogue first. And this dialogue will be based
on the divine books that all say the same thing: Live in peace and
respect each other’s faith.’

Bishop Coussan stayed in his church in downtown Cairo
throughout the revolution, because he wanted to be near the young
people who were protesting against the ex-regime, only a few steps
away from his church.

“I wanted to be near them, so I could offer them whatever help
they needed. It was my duty,” said the Bishop, who considers himself
to be a father for all Egyptians, not just the several thousand
Armenian Catholics living here.

He believes that those Armenians who came to Egypt in the
early 20th century are a model for peaceful living and acceptance of
the Other in this area of the world.

For him, it is transparency and justice that will extricate us
from the hardships we are suffering.

“The absence of these two things was the main reason for these
young people to take to streets, asking for the removal of the
ex-regime. Now it’s time to avoid the mistakes made in the past,” he
said.

http://213.158.162.45/~egyptian/index.php?action=news&id=22490&title=People:%20Do%20not%20be%20afraid

FINANCES
L’Azerbaïdjan craint de rembourser aux Arméniens et Russes les dépôts
bancaires de la période soviétique

Le 22 novembre le Parlement azéri a examiné une question présentée par
le député Ali Mesilmi sur le retour aux propriétaires des dépôts
placés dans les banques en Azerbaïdjan lors de l’époque soviétique. Le
journal « Azadlik » revient sur ce dossier et écrit que « dans le
liste des remboursements on compte 400 000 Arméniens et 120 000
Russes. Cela représente des millions de manats que l’Azerbaïdjan
devrait reverser à la Russie ou l’Arménie ». Un député azéri rajoute «
2 millions de personnes sont concernées par ce remboursement des
dépôts ». Le président du Parlement, Oktay Asadov ne serait pas
défavorable à ce remboursement et dit « nous avons les moyens de
rembourser et le gouvernement doit préparer le mécanisme de ce retour
». Mais pour ce qui concerne les Arméniens et les Russes, les
autorités de Bakou restent plus nuancés, voir sceptiques. Oktay Asadov
précise « il convient de faire tout notre possible afin que ces sommes
ne quittent pas l’Azerbaïdjan ». En clair faire une loi à deux niveaux
et ne pas rembourser les avoirs des Russes et des Arméniens…

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 26 novembre 2011,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

HAUT KARABAGH
L’armée arménienne réplique au Haut Karabagh
Les Azéris compteraient déjà plusieurs soldats morts

Selon certaines sources, l’Armée de la République du Haut Karabagh a
entrepris depuis quelques jours des tirs plus intensifs en direction
des positions azéries sur différents points du front afin de déloger
les snipers. La semaine dernière, deux soldats Arméniens avaient été
victimes de ces tirs azéris. Les Arméniens répliquent à ces attaques.
Le 23 novembre à 19h30 une action arménienne en direction de Horadiz
s’est soldée par la mort d’un soldat azéri. Mais les médias
d’Azerbaïdjan restent silencieux. D’autres soldats azéris auraient
également trouvé la mort au cours de ces derniers jours. « L’Arménie
répliquera avec force à chaque soldat Arménien tué » avait affirmé le
ministère arménien de la Défense. L’armée arménienne semble donner une
réplique adéquate aux attaques azéries. Même si Bakou préfère garder
le silence et provoque les lignes arméniennes, en mettant en grand
danger ses propres soldats.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 26 novembre 2011,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

SAAKASHVILI TURNS TOUGHER WITH ARMENIANS – AZERI EXPERT

Tert.am
26.11.11

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has ceased to pursue
pro-Armenian policies after a failure to gain the Armenian lobby’s
support to strengthen his positions in the country, an Azerbaijani
political analyst has said.

The Russian news agency Regnum has quoted Mubariz Ahmedoglu, the
chief of Azerbaijan’s Political Innovations and Technlologies Center,
as telling Salamnews.org, that the Georgian leader is now turning his
eyes on the Jewish lobby, seeking in the meantime to attract Turkey.

“The Armenians in Georgia have so far lived in euphoria, behaving
as though it is Armenia connects Georgia with the West, with Tbilisi
being dependent upon Yerevan,” he said.

As for the Georgian authorities’ neutral stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, the expert explained that Saakashvili had constantly
relied on Azerbaijan’s resources in an attempt to make his country
a regional leader.

“That is why Saakashvili is interested in the protraction of the
Karabakh conflict as that would make Armenia and Azerbaijan dependent
upon Georgia,” he said, adding that the long drawn-out process would
make Georgia serve as a channel for international programs, giving
it an extra advantage over its South Caucasus neighbors.

HAYOTS ASHKHARH: FINANCIAL FRAUDS AT ONE NATION, ONE CULTURE FUND

Tert.am
26.11.11

Armenia’s Control Chamber has finished inspections at the One Nation,
One culture fund, which revealed financial frauds when Tamara Poghosyan
was head of the fund.

According to the fund’s financial statements for 2008, 2009, and 2010,
the fund’s expenses were not in conformity with budgetary financing.

KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT-PRIORITY IN OUR FOREIGN POLICY – ARAZ AZIMOV

news.az
Nov 25 2011
Azerbaijan

The priority of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy is the resolution of the
Karabakh conflict.

The statement came from Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Araz
Azimov speaking in an event on “20th anniversary: Evolution of
Azerbaijan’s foreign policy”.

He said all diplomatic means are used for the conflict settlement.

“There are resolutions and orders of international organizations in
this direction”. Azimov said Azerbaijan is a state which plays an
important and active role in the region.

“These include regional security, fighting terrorism, energy
security”. The deputy minister noted that Azerbaijan’s choice is
integration into Europe and Euroatlantic structures. In this area,
it established good relations with NATO, EU and Council of Europe”.

“Armenians’ laying road to Kalbajar against Geneva Convention”

It is illegal to create any infrastructure in occupied lands.

The statement came from Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Araz
Azimov while commenting on a new road laid by Armenians from Lachin
to Kalbajar, the districts of Azerbaijan under Armenian occupation.

This contradicts the Geneva Convention and this is not the first
illegal step taken by Armenia, Azimov said.

“Armenia will be held accountable for all these in future,” the deputy
foreign minister added.