Author: Kanayan Tamar

Trend, Azerbaijan
Sept 24 2011

Azerbaijan: Armenia should change position on Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict resolution
[24.09.2011 17:40]
Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 24 / Trend , M.Aliyev /

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov has today stated that
no step forward was taken to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
after the Kazan meeting.

“Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has recently met with the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs in New-York, but I do not believe that any
progress will be achieved. As the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs
understand that Armenia should change its position,” he told
journalists.

Presidents of Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia, Ilham Aliyev, Dmitry
Medvedev and Serzh Sargsyan, met in Kazan on June 24. The meeting,
which was the ninth over the last three years, ended without reaching
an agreement on the basic principles, but the sides mentioned the
progress towards this goal.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are
currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

APA, Azerbaijan
Sept 24 2011

Elmar Mammadyarov: `Armenia rejected the renewed Madrid principles and
threatened the process of peace negotiations’

[ 24 Sep 2011 10:51 ]

Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs met with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs

Baku – APA. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar
Mammadyarov met in New York with co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group
Robert Bradtke (USA) and Igor Popov (Russia), who mediate the
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk. They
discussed the process of negotiations for the peaceful settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and emphasized the importance of
continuation of this process, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told
APA.

Minister Mammadyarov said that unfortunately Armenia rejected the
renewed Madrid principles and threatened the process of peace
negotiations. `The significant progress can be achieved only if
Armenia accepts the official document submitted by the Minsk Group
co-chairs to Azerbaijan and Armenia in December, 2009′.

Minister and co-chars expressed common notion that current status-quo
doesn’t satisfy both Azerbaijan and international community and it was
reflected in the relevant document adopted in Deauville, France.
Basing on the mutual agreement reached on a number of principles of
the settlement process, Azerbaijan proposes to start the work on the
peace agreement.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov emphasized that Armenia must understand the
necessity of withdrawal of its troops from the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan because it will lead to peace, stability and clearness in
the region.

Agence France Presse
September 23, 2011 Friday 4:41 PM GMT

Armenia protest maintains pressure on government

YEREVAN, Sept 23 2011

Up to 6,000 opposition protesters rallied in the Armenian capital on
Friday as part of their continuing campaign to force the government to
hold immediate elections.

“We must strengthen the pressure on the authorities so they fulfil our
demands to hold presidential and parliamentary polls before the end of
the year and change the electoral law,” former president Levon
Ter-Petrosian, the leader of the Armenian National Congress opposition
bloc, told the rally.

Angry about poverty and alleged institutional corruption, some
protesters carried placards with the slogan “Snap elections” while
others held pictures of Armenian soldiers killed on non-combat duty,
claiming mistreatment of servicemen.

Another speaker at the rally threatened the authorities with political unrest.

“We call on the people to get ready for civil disobedience,” the
opposition bloc’s coordinator Levon Zurabian said.

The bloc is seeking to win fresh concessions from the coalition
government led by President Serzh Sarkisian after gains made this year
amid a series of demonstrations.

Sarkisian’s administration has already fulfilled demands to allow
rallies in a previously forbidden central square and released
activists jailed for involvement in clashes after disputed
presidential elections in 2008 that left 10 people dead.

But the authorities have ruled out any possibility of early polls and
talks between the governing coalition and Ter-Petrosian’s bloc aimed
at easing political tensions have broken down.

Some analysts believe that the opposition bloc is continuing its
protests as an electioneering tactic to inspire more support ahead of
the next parliamentary polls due in 2012.

“The opposition wants to get more votes by creating an even more tense
situation,” Sergei Minasian of the Caucasus Media Institute told AFP.

Armenia has gone through political and military turmoil since
independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, with a series of disputed
elections and a war with neighbouring Azerbaijan over the region of
Nagorny Karabakh.

mkh-emc/zak/jmm

Panorama, Armenia
Sept 24 2011

Hurriyet: because of Azerbaijan we cannot mend relations with Armenia

Turkish columnist Rauf Tamer has published his remarks on Ankara’s
regional policy in `Hurriyet’ daily. Tamer says now it’s difficult to
say who is a friend and who is a rival. It’s even impossible to call
rival’s rival a friend because the enemies are changing too often.
Thus, Tamer says, Turkey is like walking through a mined field, which
requires great caution.

The columnist writes Turkey puts forth great efforts and energy to
materialize resolution for its conflict. Besides, Turkey becomes
exhausted and tired when fights for others.

`Because of Azerbaijan we cannot mend relations with Armenia. The
reason is deep into our hearts – Azerbaijani people are our brothers.
Because of Palestine, we tense relations with Israel. Again, because
the Palestinians are our brothers.’

Tamer encourages Turkish statesmen to draw attention on their domestic
issues – terrorism, blood, attacks, clashes with Kurds, etc.

Russia factually recognized legitimacy of elections in NKR – expert

September 24, 2011 – 14:48 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Russia has factually recognized the legitimacy of
election in Karabakh, with Russian Foreign Ministry statement
essential in forming government bodies in the republic, according to
the Deputy Director of Caucasus Institute.

As political analyst Sergey Minasyan told PanARMENIAN.Net `the
important thing is that the process got off the ground.’

Dwelling on the Georgian authorities’ controversial statement on
election in Artsakh, the expert suggested that the move was prompted
by Tbilisi attempt to avoid similar situation in Abkhazia and South
Ossetia.

`As is known, Russia does not recognize the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
as an independent state. Our view is that the elections cannot
influence the peace process for Nagorno Karabakh,’ Russian Foreign
Ministry’s website quoted the ministry’s spokesman Alexander
Lukashevich as saying.

`Russia in close cooperation with the other OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs
– the USA and France – is undertaking active mediation efforts in the
matter of resolving the Nagorno Karabakh problem. We will continue to
assist the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides in disentangling the
Karabakh knot as soon as possible by reaching a compromise,’ he said.

`We reaffirm support for the principles of territorial integrity, the
non-use of force, as well as other fundamental principles and norms of
international law’, Lukashevich said.

Voters in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic have voted to elect local
government bodies in the capital, Stepanakert, and more than 200 other
communities. The Karabakh election commission said Karabakh’s 54 658
eligible voters (58,71%) cast their ballots on September 18 for
candidates vying for mayorships and council seats.

Villaraigosa Issues Statement On Independence Anniversary

asbarez
Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Mayor Villaraigosa

LOS ANGELES – Mayor Villaraigosa issued the following statement Friday
on the 20th Anniversary of Armenia’s independence:

`Armenian National Day is a historic and joyful day for Armenian
people here in Los Angeles and around the world. On behalf of the City
of Los Angeles, I congratulate Armenia on 20 years of independence and
of enjoying the fruits of living freely.

As home to the largest Armenian population outside of Armenia, Los
Angeles is honored to be a sister city to Armenia’s capital, Yerevan.

Our City’s Armenian population has a proud, rich and enduring
heritage. We are grateful for the lasting contributions this community
has made to the economic and cultural growth of Los Angeles.

I extend my best wishes to everyone celebrating this momentous
anniversary of Armenian independence.’

Journalist, Author Maria Armoudian to Speak at `ANC Grassroots’
Workshop on Advocacy through Media

asbarez
Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Maria Armoudian

KPFK radio host to discuss role of media in transformational politics

GLENDALE – The Armenian National Committee – Western Region announced
that Maria Armoudian will serve as a panelist in the ANC Grassroots
workshop on activism through convergent and social media. The workshop
is part of the ANC Grassroots weekend that will take place from
Friday, November 25 to Sunday, November 27 at the Sheraton Universal
Hotel.

Capitalizing on the proliferation of convergent and social media
outlets such as, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, and the online
portals for major media organizations is integral to the Armenian
Cause. Media coverage is a vital part of the Armenian Cause, and
providing the media with facts, resources and accurate information is
crucial to preserving the historical record and countering genocide
denial.

Author Maria Armoudian is a veteran journalist who has written for
Daily Variety, Billboard, and Business Week. Her work has also been
syndicated by both the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times
Syndicates. She is currently the host and producer of the weekly
public affairs show `The Insighters’ on KPFK. Armoudian is a fellow at
the Center for International Studies at the University of Southern
California.

In her recent, critically acclaimed book `Kill the Messenger: The
Media’s Role in the Fate of the World,’ Armoudian demonstrates vividly
the consequences of an absent or unethical media. In some instances,
such as Rwanda, the Bosnian War, and the Holocaust, the media
instigated further conflict. In other cases, journalists helped
facilitate peace and understanding between war-torn peoples simply by
accurately and ethically reporting the news. Journalists helped
protect human rights and foster democratization in South Africa,
Taiwan, Mexico, and Senegal, while media professionals aided both the
destruction and rebuilding of democracy in Chile.

The book was undergirded by Armoudian’s doctoral studies into the
causes of genocide, war, peacemaking, democratization, and the
protection of human rights and the environment. In addition to her
decades in journalism, Armoudian also has nearly 20 years of public
sector experience having worked as a legislative consultant in the
California Legislature focusing on corporate reform, environmental
protection, government accountability and civil rights. She was
recently appointed to the Los Angeles City Taxicab Commission. From
2005 to 2010, she served on the City of Los Angeles Environmental
Affairs Commission where she helped develop and oversee the City’s
sustainability plan.

Throughout her career, Armoudian has been actively involved in the
community and in civic engagement efforts. She is a board member of
the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, has served on the board
of the Pacifica Foundation and is a past president of Southern
California Americans for Democratic Action.

Armoudian is a Ph.D. candidate in Politics and International Relations
at the University of Southern California. She graduated magna cum
laude with a B.A. in political science from Southwestern Oklahoma
State University.

The three-day ANC Grassroots program is the first in a groundbreaking
series of workshops, conferences and seminars that will educate the
community about civic leadership arising from grassroots efforts. ANC
Grassroots will bookend the Armenian National Committee of America –
Western Region (ANCA-WR) Annual Banquet, which will take place on
Saturday, November 26 at 7 p.m.

The conference and Annual Banquet are open to interested individuals
throughout the entire United States, and participants are encouraged
to register early. Tickets for ANC Grassroots, which includes the
Friday night cocktail in the Starview Room; as well as conference
sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which include breakfast,
post-banquet dance, and a keynote luncheon on Sunday, are $150.
Tickets for the Annual Banquet are $200. Those interested in attending
the Annual Banquet and ANC Grassroots can purchase a package for $300.

Students with valid ID can purchase discounted tickets to the Annual
Banquet and Conference.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.

Moscow Blackmails Armenia

IGOR MURADYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 16:59:48 – 24/09/2011

The Russia-based Nezavisimaya Gazeta Newspaper, which acts as the `red
carpet’ of the Russian politics, published an article entitled `Libyan
Plane Flew to Armenia’ which dwells on supply of arms to Libya. In
reality, it is all about Armenia and only Armenia.

Moscow has always been jealous of foreign political and military
relations of Armenia with different countries. Supply of arms to
Armenia from other countries is a special and sensitive issue for
Russia. I can remember a dirty story in the Moskovski Komsomolets
Newspaper on a small load of bullets supplied to Armenia from
Kyrgyzstan, which was transported to Armenia via Sheremetyevo Airport
in Moscow. At that time, the scheme of decision making of the Russian
government on this issue was revealed.

Now the Russians have launched blackmail after the rapprochement of
the Armenian government with the Americans and the French, despite
clear indication that Armenia remains in the CSTO and maintains
political and military relations with Russia.

Recently, the Russian government allegedly got information from its
reconnaissance that Armenia has entered some more binding relations
with the United States and NATO. Even if there is reason for such
suppositions, it is the first step to understanding the `new’ policy.

In reality, there is another circumstance of political and emotional
importance, if I may say so. The Russian president obviously has a
grudge, not to say hostile attitude, to the president of Armenia
because despite the general evaluations of the meeting of the
presidents of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan in Kazan, and the
accusing position toward Azerbaijan, Moscow has understood that
Armenia caused the failure of its policy of rapprochement with
Azerbaijan.

Hence, the different motives of behavior of Russia are juxtaposed.
Apparently, Russia has set to work out a scheme of dismantlement of
its relations and positions in the South Caucasus.

ANCA holds meetings in Tbilisi

September 24, 2011 – 10:12 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian National Committee of America Chairman Ken
Hachikian conducted a series of high-level meetings with Georgian
authorities and Armenian community leaders in the organization’s
efforts to call broader attention to the plight of the Armenian
community in that country.

`This trip was an excellent opportunity to have a frank and open
discussion with Georgian authorities and our own U.S. representatives
in that country about the opportunities and challenges facing the
Armenian communities in Javakhk and Tbilisi,’ said ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian. `In the upcoming months, we look forward to working with
the Administration and Members of Congress and exploring ways to
expand cooperation with our compatriots in the region.’

In a week-long trip to Georgia’s capital Tbilisi and the Armenian
populated Samtskhe-Javakheti (Javakhk) region, Hachikian was joined by
ANCA Communications Director Elizabeth Chouldjian in discussing the
Armenian American community’s concerns about the socio-economic
situation in the regions and efforts to maintain the Armenian culture
and language of the community in the broader tapestry of Georgia’s
cultural diversity.

Hachikian and Chouldjian met with Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol
Vashadze, Cultural Minister Nikoloz Rurua, and representatives of the
Ministries of Education, Justice, Regional Development and
Infrastructure, Regional Integration and the National Security
Council, which assisted in coordinating the meetings. They also
discussed U.S. policy and assistance efforts in the region with U.S.
Ambassador to Georgia John Bass, outgoing USAID Country Director Jock
Connelly and Millennium Challenge Corporation Resident Country
Director Jim McNicholas.

In Javakhk as in Tbilisi, the ANCA representatives spoke with a broad
range of Armenian representatives of non-governmental organizations
and the Armenian Church. The ANCA looks to continue this dialogue with
Armenian community leaders, the Georgian government as well a U.S.
Administration and Congressional leaders in an effort to help address
the needs of the local community, Asbarez reported.

35000 Armenian viewers visit News.yandex.ru monthly

September 23, 2011 – 19:42 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – News.yandex.ru service hosted a workshop on
September 23.At the workshop, Yandex News partner relations manager
Tatiana Isaeva and the head of Yandex News Lev Gershenzon commented on
Armenian viewers statistic and Armenia-related programs.

According to statistical data, 35000 are using the search option at
news.yandex.ru; 7000 follow the website -recommended links to learn
about world news, 13000 use the website as a news source.

Yandex News cooperates with 25 Armenian partners, with daily postage
of their news reports at news.yandex.ru totaling 800.

According to the head of news service, a possible creation of Yandex
News Armenian version is envisaged. `Our system enables an
Armenian-language search; yet we haven’t yet completed a full
Armenian-language version of the website,’ he noted.

According to Isaeva, Armenian media hardly ever provides reference to
other local media outlets, which can’t but reflect on number of
Armenian users of Yandex News.

Yandex is a Russian IT company which operates the largest search
engine in Russia and develops a number of Internet-based services and
products. The Yandex.ru home page has been rated as the most popular
web site in Russia. Yandex attracts more than 56 million users from
all over the world. – cite_note-6
The web site is also present in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and
Turkey.