Author: Kanayan Tamar

U.S. CALLS FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN TURKEY

PanARMENIAN.Net
November 4, 2011 – 11:53 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The United States is a strong defender of freedom of
expression in Turkey and in all countries around the world, a State
Department spokesperson said.

“We do not want to comment at this time on specific cases before the
courts,” Victoria Nuland told a daily briefing in Washington when asked
to comment on the recent arrest of Turkish and Kurdish intellectuals,
specifically the case of Ragip Zarakolu.

“We urge that the prosecution proceed transparently, and that all
defendants be assured due process and a fair hearing in a timely
manner,” she said.

DISMISSALS OF NO BENEFIT TO ARMENIA’S SOCIETY – ETHNOGRAPHER

Tert.am
14:51 03.11.11

The ethnographer Hranush Haratyan does not think that the recent
resignations will bring about any radical changes.

“Society will neither benefit nor lose,” she said.

“It should be noted that the dismissals are the result of developments
over the recent 12 to 18 months. The public has not so far received
an answer to its question concerning the reasons for dismissals.

Moreover, we do not know if particular parties are responsible for
resignations of particular ministers or the coalition. For example,
the Rule of Law party, which is a coalition party, has not made any
comments for society,” she said.

“The coalition has a task of reproducing itself. I think it will
successfully accomplish this task. The coalition will have about
60% of seats in Parliament, the Armenian National Congress 10 to 11
percent. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun and
the Heritage party will have the same number of seats,” Kharatyan said.

EXPERT BOARD ON PROBLEMS OF JAVAKHK
Igor Muradyan

Lragir.am News

12:17:43 – 03/11/2011

The positions of the United States and the European community on
the problems of Javakheti, including communication with experts and
policy makers of Western countries, leads to conclusions on efforts
to ignore serious ethnic, political, social and economic problems in
the South Caucasus.

These experts and policy makers working for programs and orders of
the U.S. administration and the Senate state that their evaluations
and papers are left without attention on behalf of the political
instances. At the same time, in the past few weeks new moods are
felt in the West which are connected with great concern regarding
the destiny of the ruling regime in Georgia.

Trying to transform Georgia into a “key state” in the region
in terms of military, political and communication projects, the
Western politicians do not get response on behalf of the Georgian
political government to proposals and initiatives besides meaningless
declarations.

There are convincing signs that the U.S. administration is already
viewing Saakashvilis’s political team as interim in the implementation
of medium-term goals of the United States in Georgia. This relationship
is supported by the relevant committees of the Senate and the
House. Both liberal and rightist conservative analytic centers in the
United States are warning the administration on the possible failure of
the ruling regime in Georgia. In certain analytic and reconnaissance
communities of the United States the idea of inadequate assistance
and support to Georgia, the geopolitical and economic functions which
this country must perform, has occurred. It is thought that increased
attention paid to Georgia leads to unbalancing of the U.S. policy
in the region, in the race of weapons and unjustified escalation
of tensions.

These ideas still do not influence the drafting of official documents
and decision making but expectations are there and are intensifying.

It is not ruled out that the U.S. policy on methods of ruling
the Georgian government will have a more critical character which
is indirectly confirmed by the failure of Saakashvili’s visit to
Washington and escalation of tensions in the U.S.-Georgian relations.

At the same time, critical moods are intensifying in the European
structures towards Georgia which may be expressed more tangibly. No
doubt, it has a goal to ensure conditions for constant misinformation
of the European Community. Therefore, the necessity occurs to create a
public structure for constant monitoring of the public and political
processes in South Georgia and development of qualified assessments,
namely on the results of implementation of assumed programs and
implementation of Georgia’s commitments to the European Community.

Now this public structure – the Expert Board on the problems of Javakhk
(Samtskhe Javakheti) with five long-term experts in Armenia and one
invited expert from Javakheti. In its activities, it is necessary to
involve experts from Georgia, the European community and the United
States. People who are well-aware of the problems of Javakheti by
virtue of their professional experience could be permanent members of
the Council. The activities of the Council must be aimed at getting
information, evaluation of events and development of proposals. On
the basis of the results it will be possible to come up with definite
initiatives on the European and international arena, as well as
conduct a meaningful propaganda.

It should be taken into account that so far no structure in Armenia has
implemented this goal in the necessary format. The Armenian society
still lacks objective information on the situation in Javakhk,
other regions of South Georgia. Besides, the Armenian lobby in
the United States and the European community could organize their
activities more effectively if there were worked out materials and
proposals. Considering the intention of the government to create an
Institute of Political Studies, it is expedient to agree the activities
of the institute with the activities of the expert board.

However, it will be expedient that the Council organizes its activities
independently, otherwise the meaning of this structure as a public
initiative will be lost.

This initiative needs the support of the government and political
parties. (In addition, it is necessary to understand that joint work of
experts is required rather than politicians or civil society activists
who who refer to themselves as experts.)

WHY DON’T RECENT DISMISSALS RAISE QUESTIONS FOR ARMENIA TV STATIONS?

epress.am
11.02.2011 20:08

Armenian TV stations have trouble digesting the news — any news. The
TV news reporter is not the face of the news she presents.

A parade of resignations has begun: ArmNews continues to broadcast the
president welcoming the new police chief the day after the fact —
even during its 3 pm broadcast. Furthermore, no questions arose for
any TV reporters regarding any of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s
statements on the matter — why is Police Chief Alik Sargsyan being
dismissed from his post if he has resolved all the issues put before
him? What does it mean that with this appointment “our people will
feel themselves more protected”?

The issue is that Armenian TV stations have not yet decided where the
boundary between TV and online news media lies. It’s obvious that no
one from the TV stations stood on guard outside the Republican Party
of Armenia’s central office. But it’s also a fact that the TV station
cannot be satisfied with information acquired by telephone.

The third problem is that at the time of his dismissal, a state
official presents a greater interest for opposition or online news
outlets and is more accessible to them as he has nothing to lose. This
is why the reporter from local opposition daily Haykakan Jamanak
(“Armenian Times”) can more easily get in touch with National Assembly
Chair Hovik Abrahamyan than any TV station.

The TV station knows that it is outside of the imperative of urgent
information. Armenia TV’s Zham (“Hour”) news program differs in many
ways from its website. Zham’s webpage was the first to report on Alik
Sargsyan’s dismissal; however, the news ppeared on the televised news
program only the next day.

Shant TV began its Horizon news program with Hovik Abrahamyan’s
resignation. However, none of the Horizon reporters were outside the
Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) office. That is, the journalist’s
work is absent in the news; the news is served after the already
established fact.

Suppose local daily Joghovurd (“People” or “Nation”) was the first to
find out that Yerevan mayor Karen Karapetyan was going to resign. The
news, which wasn’t yet fact, was already known two days beforehand.

Clearly the paper has its sources among government circles, but the
news wasn’t solely about the resignation; the news was also about why
is he resigning and where is he going? Who did he have problems with
and what sort of problems were they?

Instead, H1â~@²s Tesankyun (“Point of View”) is active in this
sense. The commentator watched the former mayor’s interview with
ArmNews and, in his words, approximately figured out why Karen
Karapetyan is going to Gazprom.

If knowing that is urgent, then you, commentator, who also work at
Haylur, you should’ve tried to figure it out as a Haylur reporter.

That is to say, get a hold of Karen Karapetyan through your “channels”
and personally find out why he’s moving to Gazprom.

And the already out-of-office mayor shouldn’t be ridiculed on H1
(Armenia’s Public TV), that “he’s leaving on a mission.” You are
authorized to understand a person’s decision, but a journalist
differs from a TV viewer in that, to put it this way, he strips
bare a person’s decision. Since you haven’t yet uncovered the facts,
don’t laugh at him.

After all, he responded to those questions that he was asked. Are you
not satisfied with what was said? Did you have any other questions for
the former mayor? Ask him. Remember, without giving details so far, H1
doesn’t have the right to ridicule even a citizen of Armenia murderer.

The entire country wants to know what’s happening with the ruling
administration. Online news media and newspaper write of nearly
nothing else.

Vladimir Gasparyan, in the presence of the president and former police
chief, says, “It’s probably the time to move from words to action.”

This sentence was broadcast by all the TV stations. And no one was
curious where the newly appointed police chief’s sense of ethics were?

what are the words that have to be turned into action? whose words
are they — his, Serzh Sargsyan’s or the former police chief’s who
have built the state administration system only with words?

I understand that Haylur cannot ask too many questions, but why don’t
these dismissals raise questions for the other local TV stations?

And, by the way, doesn’t the fact that high-ranking officials are
giving their reasons for being dismissed through private news outlets
give Armenia’s Public Television, purely as a provider of information,
a cause for concern?

If it doesn’t see a problem, allow me to observe that you shouldn’t
ridicule those from whom you haven’t personally “wrung out” the
reasons for their resignation.

This article was written by Mher Arshakyan and originally published
on Media.am.

TURKISH CULTURE MINISTER PRAISES PUBLISHER RAGIP ZARAKOLU

PanARMENIAN.Net
November 3, 2011 – 11:54 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay has
praised prominent publisher Ragıp Zarakolu who was arrested for
alleged links to an outlawed organization.

“[Zarakolu] is a valuable publisher and writer,” Gunay told journalists
when asked about his reaction to the arrest, Hurriyet daily News
reported.

Zarakolu, along with Professor BuÅ~_ra Ersanlı and 42 other suspects,
was arrested in Istanbul on Tuesday for his alleged involvement with
the outlawed Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), the alleged urban
wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

“I have known him since my school years. Of course, I do not know
the reason for the arrest warrant. Frankly, I would like to learn
because I never heard about his involvement with any act of violence
until now,” Gunay said.

While testifying in court, Zarakolu said all the accusations directed
against him concerned his intellectual activities.

“My actions are aimed at presenting my own contributions to find
a solution for a problem that has been going on for years. To this
effect, I am also invited this evening to an international meeting
that will take place with the culture and tourism minister as host,”
Zarakolu said.

Zarakolu is the head of the Turkish Publishers’ Union’s Committee
for the Freedom of Publishing, as well as the recipient of numerous
prestigious awards pertaining to the freedom of expression.

“These documents include various book drafts. My activities that are
the subject of the accusations are entirely intellectual activities,”
Zarakolu said about the documents that were seized from his flat by
law enforcement officials.

“A worthy publisher and writer. What are the allegations about this
friend of ours? As the public, we also have the right to know,”
Gunay said.

HRAPARAK: ARMENIA’S MINISTER OF SPORT PACKS A SUITCASE

Tert.am
12:02 03.11.11

The newspaper reports that on Nov 2 evening Armenia’s Minister of
Sport and Youth Affairs Artur Petrosyan packed up his belongings and
left his office.

This ministerial post belongs to the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP).

The PAP is a coalition party, and PAP Chairman Gagik Tsarukyan is
the only person that can demand the minister’s resignation.

Last night the ministry staff discussed the reasons, but did not find
any. One of the reasons may be the staff’s letter to the PAP chairman,
wherein they ask Gagik Tsarukyan to call the minister to order.

AZERBAIJANI MPS ASSESS RESIGNATION IN ARMENIA AS GOVERNMENTAL CRISIS

Trend, Azerbaijan
Nov 2 2011

The recent resignations of senior Armenian officials show that the
president cannot govern the country, MP Aydin Mirzazade told Trend
on Wednesday.

“The recent events prove once again that President Serzhe Sargsyan does
not have a concept for the country’s development and for teamwork,”
he said.

“We are talking about a crisis of Armenian statehood and national
identity rather than personnel changes,” he said. “The political elite
of the Armenian nation sees its own development in its territorial
claims against neighboring countries.”

“This never gave success to any country,” Mirzazade said.

These changes are visible signs of the crisis occurring in the Armenian
society, he said.

“The continuous emigration of the population, its economic regression,
the country’s isolation from regional economic projects, and the lack
of total progress in the economic, political, military and diplomatic
spheres are obvious,” he said.

He stressed that if the Armenian authorities continue their current
policy, similar signs of a crisis will often take place.

Armenian National Assembly Chairman Hovik Abrahamyan, Yerevan Mayor
Karen Karapetyan, the country’s police chief Alik Sargsyan, other
officials have been recently resigned.

“The latest events taking place in Armenia are the elements of the
authorities’ crisis,” Azerbaijani MP Zahid Oruj said. “It will be
intensified in the future.”

MEMBERS OF RUSSIAN STATE DUMA ASSESS AZERBAIJAN’S MEMBERSHIP TO UN SECURITY COUNCIL – POLL

Milaz.info, Azerbaijan
Nov 2 2011

Alexei Ostrovsky: “The new status of Azerbaijan at the United Nations
will have an impact on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict”

“UN’s confidence in Azerbaijan is a value giving by the international
organization to the achievements of Azerbaijan in recent years”,
chairman of the Russian State Duma’s committee on CIS issues, MP Alexei
Ostrovsky said, APA correspondent reports from Moscow. “I consider
that Ilham Aliyev worthily follows the foreign policy course started
by Heydar Aliyev. I welcome the independent position of Azerbaijan and
personally Ilham Aliyev. His policy is not based on the position of
the West, more exactly, economic partners, but dictates the interests
of Azerbaijani people. The new status at the United Nations will
contribute to the strengthening of Azerbaijan’s independence”.

The committee chairman said Russia and Azerbaijan are strategic
partners. “It is seen in both personal relations between the presidents
and all instances of the two countries. We don’t divide the regional
countries to the friends and enemies. We have same attitude toward
Azerbaijan and Armenia. We advocate for peaceful solution of the
problem. I consider that the new status of Azerbaijan at the United
Nations will have an impact on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict”.

Member of the State Duma of Russia from the Communist Party Anatoly
Lokot said that his country’s support to Azerbaijan’s candidacy
to the non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council was an
important political step: “It show’s Russia’s goodwill. I believe
that Azerbaijan will appreciate this friendly support. Russia is a
strategic country for Azerbaijan. There are many things tied us. We
mustn’t forget that many Russians and Russian-speaking population are
living in Azerbaijan. The relations with the South Caucasus have great
significance for Russia. Though several western countries wanted to
interrupt our relations, their attempts failed”.

“I assess Azerbaijan’s election as the non-permanent member to the UN
Security Council as an estimation given by the world community and
Russia to the positive changes observed in Azerbaijan”, said Deputy
Chairman of the State Duma’s Security Committee Vladimir Kolesnikov.

According to him, it is an estimation given to democratization
process in Azerbaijani society, level of society and human security:
“At first, as a person who has visited Azerbaijan many times, I can
say that one can leave this country with pleasant impressions. I wish
the achieved successes to develop Azerbaijan yet more”.

Kolesnikov said that the justice would win in the settlement of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict: “I wish the law to win in the settlement
of this conflict, the settlement process to be based on law”.

SERGEY MINASYAN: THERE CAN’T BE A BETTER DOCUMENT THAN THE PROTOCOLS FOR YEREVAN AND ANKARA

Mediamax, Armenia
Nov 2 2011

Yerevan/Mediamax/. Deputy Director of Caucasus Institute, political
scientist Sergey Minasyan believes that although the Armenian-Turkish
protocols are in a “half a meter” state, nevertheless there can’t be
a better and more acceptable document for the sides.

Sergey Minasyan said today that if one day Yerevan and Ankara decide
to get back to the process of settlement of relations, they should
do it within the frames of the protocols, Mediamax reports.

According to the political scientist, who has recently returned
from Turkey, where he and other Armenian experts took part in the
Conference on “Reconsideration of settlement of Armenian-Turkish
relations”, Turkey tries to link Armenian-Turkish relations to the
Nagorno Karabakh problem and it looks very false.

As Sergey Minasyan said, Turkey understands that by linking these two
issues together Ankara not only toughens Armenia’s position but also
traps the Turkish authorities.

TURKEY CAN POLITICALLY ASSIST IN RESOLUTION OF KARABAKH PROBLEM – OSCE SECRETARY GENERAL

news.am, Armenia
Nov 2 2011

ISTANBUL. – In an interview with Zaman daily of Turkey, the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) new
Secretary General, Lamberto Zannier, also reflected on the Karabakh
issue.

As per Zannier, this matter could be resolved by way of OSCE, or
other organizations, but it can only be resolved through a genuine
desire by the parties. “You can take the horse into the water, but
you cannot make it drink water. This problem is somewhat like that.

No matter how much the talks may continue under the brokerage of US,
France, and Russia, it is all the same; it is not the OSCE’s monopoly.

As Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s neighboring country, Turkey certainly
could politically assist in the Karabakh process,” OSCE Secretary
General stated.