Author: Kanayan Tamar

RUSSIAN CEMETERY VANDALISED IN AZERI CAPITAL
Seymur Kazimov

IWPR
August 23, 2011
UK

No suggestion that race or religion is involved, just neglect of the
Russian minority’s graveyards.

Police in the Azerbaijani capital Baku are investigating the
desecration of Russian graves in a case that has highlighted the poor
state of the dwindling minority’s cemeteries.

Natalya Narizhnaya visited the cemetery in Surakhani district on July
18 to lay flowers on the graves of her relatives, only to find that
several had been damaged and the headstones smashed.

She says that while initially reluctant to take up the case, police
eventually took the complaint seriously.

The incident caused a storm on the internet after the Russian website
carried a story headlined “Orthodox graves destroyed
in Azerbaijan”, hinting that the vandalism might be the work of ethnic
or anti-Christian bigots in this predominantly Muslim country.

Hajibala Eyvazov, speaking for the Surakhani district authorities,
denied such suggestions, saying that the falling numbers of ethnic
Russians had left cemeteries abandoned and neglected.

“We don’t have the people or the money to guard the cemetery,” he
said. “The graves there are mainly very old. The surviving relatives
left the country long ago, so the cemetery gets very few visitors and
is left unattended. We’ve frequently urged the Russian community to
care for the cemetery, but they haven’t responded.”

Svetlana Ivanova, head of the Russian community in Surakhani, said
the Azerbaijani government needed to step in as local people were
unable to keep the cemetery in good shape.

An IWPR journalist who visited the cemetery noted that Orthodox crosses
on graves had not been destroyed, making this unlikely to be the work
of religious extremists, but confirmed that the Russian section of
the cemetery looked unkempt and derelict, particularly when compared
with the area where ethnic Tatars – a Muslim group from Russia –
were buried.

Elkhan Shahinoglu, head of the Atlas think tank, agreed that the
damage looked more like the handiwork of vandals than of bigots.

“I don’t think the destruction of graves in the old cemetery was some
sort of planned, deliberate act…. This dreadful act was probably
carried out by a bunch of hooligans,” he said. “In Azerbaijan –
particularly Baku, which prides itself on its international character –
there’s never been animosity towards Russians. The Russian language
is still very important in Baku, and every second person speaks
it beautifully.

“So it wouldn’t be right to ascribe the destruction of graves to
ethnic animosity. But there is a need to find and punish the culprits
as quickly as possible, otherwise common hooliganism carried out by
people who hold nothing sacred could take on a political aspect.”

Before 1991, when Azerbaijan was still part of the Soviet Union,
cemeteries were maintained by local government, but funding has
declined since then and many graveyards have fallen into disrepair.

This applies particularly to Russian graveyards, because large numbers
of this community have emigrated to Russia itself. The 2009 census
showed that around 120,000 remained in Azerbaijan, compared with around
half a million – a tenth of the republic’s population – in the 1970s.

“There are very few of us left here here,” Ilya Maximov, 63, said.

“Many Russians left Azerbaijan in the early 1990s. It was a tough time
– the collapse of the Soviet Union was followed by poverty and war
[in Nagorny Karabakh]. Many chose a better life and left their homes.”

But Azerbaijani as well as Russian cemeteries could also do with
better upkeep.

Ilgar Ibrahimoglu, a theologian and head of the DEVAMM organisation,
which campaigns for religious rights, said the government does not
assign enough money to protect graveyards.

“The Alley of Honour and the Alley of Martyrs are exceptions,”
he said, referring to memorial complexes in the centre of Baku. “In
other cemeteries, the relatives of the deceased have to look after the
graves. So old graveyards with few visitors are in disarray. And people
of ill will take advantage of this and do whatever they want there.”

The Tatar section of the Surakhani cemetery is in a better state
because relatives care for it, but is still vulnerable.

“We do it voluntarily,” Maksud Ahmadjanov, appointed to oversee care
of the Tatar graves, said. “But local people throw their rubbish into
the cemetery. We can’t seem to explain to them that this is a very
bad habit. We are left having to clean up as much of the rubbish as
we can.”

Seymur Kazimov is project officer at the Azerbaijan Media Centre.

DECREASE IN BIRTH RATES, RISE IN DEATHS: WHAT’S IN STORE FOR ARMENIA

epress.am
08.23.2011

The time when Armenia will have more deaths than births is not far,
said demographer Ruben Yeganyan at a press conference in the Armenian
capital today.

Yeganyan noted that the total birth rate coefficient in Armenia is
1.7 whereas the standard is 2.1, which shows how many children a
woman has throughout her reproductive age.

“At the international level, there’s a drop in birth rates. The factors
for this drop are mainly the rise in standards of living and increase
in education levels,” he said, noting, however, that the situation
in Armenia is markedly different.

According to the expert, the drop in birth rates in Armenia is due
to the deterioration of socioeconomic standards in the country.

“In the 70s and 80s, the birth rate was almost stable. However,
in the 90s, the situation radically changed, the reasons of which,
unlike internationally, were the socioeconomic conditions and the
huge wave of emigration. If there’s no state intervention, if this
country doesn’t improve in economic, social and moral terms, the
current state policy in the demographic sector will be considered
simply a nervous contraction,” he said.

The demographer expressed his concern for what is in store for Armenia
if such trends continue.

“This process will continue rapidly, the age structure of the
population will change, which, by the way, has already changed:
if we judge by international standards, we are considered to have
an aged population – we have reached a level of nearly 12% of our
pension-age population, which is a very high level. Then, in both
political and economic terms we will weaken, we will dwindle. If
there is no intervention, the processes will carry on irreversibly,”
said a concerned Yeganyan.

ONLY PARK IN ARMAVIR TO BE REPLACED BY A BANK AND CHURCH

epress.am
08.23.2011

Apparently the Armavir Town Park where tree felling and rapid
construction have taken place since May 2011 is not actually a park,
according to official documents, say Armavir Park supporters, reads
a statement by local environmental organization Ecolur.

According to Armavir’s new city plan, the park is a territory that
falls under the jurisdiction of Armavir Municipality and not a park.

Currently, the park has been sold and there are plans to construct
a bank, church and veterinary pharmacy on the land.

Armavir residents are unaware of the public hearings of construction
projects in progress in the park territory, reads the Ecolur
statement. In this regard, EcoLur has contacted Armenia’s Ministry
of Nature Protection with the following questions:

On what grounds has the RA Ministry of Nature Protection permitted
tree felling in the only public park in the town of Armavir and
constructed buildings?

When were the public hearings on building projects held?

Which companies are carrying out the construction?

Has the RA Ministry of Nature Protection given the green light to
these projects? If yes, “please provide us with the copy of these
conclusions and minutes of public hearings.”

EXPERT CONCERNED OVER ARMENIA’S DEMOGRAPHY

Tert.am
23.08.11

At his meeting with journalists Aug. 23, the demographer Ruben Yeganyan
addressed the problem of “latent depopulation.” “We are going to have
more deaths that births soon,” he said.

The current birthrate is 1.7 in Armenia instead of 2.1 necessary for
natural reproduction of population.

“The present natural population growth is temporary. The situation
will change in a few years because of more deaths and fewer births,”
the expert said.

Socio-economic problems are the major reason for decline in birthrate.

Emigration accounts for 25 to 30 per cent as well. This tendency will
go on developing unless the government interferes, and the population’s
age structure may change. Referring to some research Yeganyan said
that Armenia is rated as a country with an ageing population.

“The government’s interference is a must,” he said. Supporting only
families with many children will not resolve the problem- large
families constitute a very small share of Armenia’s population.

Starting families should be encouraged, he said.

HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK: ARF-D BUREAU FREE OF AMERICANS

Tert.am
23.08.11

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) has two
large “branches” – the ARF-D in the American West and the ARF-D in
the American East.

For years the two have played a decisive role in the ARF-D’s
activities. First, they have been the primary source of financing.

Secondly, their strong ties with the political elite of the world’s
number one democracy have made the structures influential. The two
have for years “directed” the Armenian electorate in the United States
and played an important role in the Armenian lobby’s activities. Due
to the aforementioned factors, the US Dashnaks have been members of
the ARF-D Bureau.

However, the General Meeting of U.S. Dashnak organizations this June
had Vigen Hovsepyan and Haik Oshakan leave the Bureau.

That was the first sign of tension between the U.s. Dashnaks and the
current ARF-D leadership, particularly, Hrant Margaryan and his team.

The public did not take notice of the changes in the ARF-D Bureau
membership. On the other hand, the statement issued by the ARF-D
office in the American West proved “a bolt from the blue” as it was
severely critical of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

In its statement issued last week, the ARF-D Bureau expressed its
disagreement with U.S. Dashnaks thereby fueling the doubts concerning
the U.S. Dashnak structures’ tasks o separating from both Armenia’s
incumbent authorities and the ARF-D Bureau.

Rumor has it that at the General Meeting in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia,
which was held behind closed doors, the U.S. delegation was severely
critical of the ARF-D bureau’s activities over recent years.

ANOTHER ARMENIAN CHURCH VANDALIZED IN GEORGIA

news.am
Aug 22, 2011
Armenia

TBILISI. – Another Armenian church was vandalized in Georgia. This
time it was Church of Surb Etchmiadzin located in the capital, Tbilisi,
which was consecrated by Armenian Catholicos Karekin II two months ago.

On August 19 evening two young people, supposedly drunk, entered the
Armenian church. Two sellers of candles and cleanup woman labeled
their behavior as arrogant and disrespectful, Armenia-based Yerkir
Media television reported.

One of them started to turn over the pages of the Holy Book placed on
the sanctuary tearing off one of the pages. He also sat down on the
chair of bishop. Women tried to call young people to order and finally
ousted them from the church. Young people tore off the announcements
installed on the doors and burnt them down.

Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan said they had appealed to police. Diocese of
the Armenian church intends to appeal to Georgia’s Internal Ministry
and other structures and file a note of protest to the Georgian
Orthodox Church.

Mirzakhanyan said young people’s behavior is a result of the recent
amendments made to the legislation providing for legal status to the
religious minorities of Georgia. The legislation sparked anti-Armenian
sentiments.

The Armenian diocese of Georgia plans to issue a statement on the
incident. Earlier Georgia’s ombudsman was informed. A month ago unknown
left inscriptions insulting Armenians on the walls of a hotel located
near the Surb Etchmiadzin church.

US POLL: KIM KARDASHIAN’S DIAMOND HEADPIECE: LOVE OR HATE IT?

US Magazine

Aug 22, 2011

It wouldn’t be a true Kardashian event without some major glitz
and glam.

Kim Kardashian stunned in a strapless, custom-made ivory wedding gown
by Vera Wang at her nuptials with Kris Humphries in Montecito, Calif.

on Saturday. To complement the elegant dress, the 30-year-old bride
added a sparkling diamond headpiece to her veil.

FIRST PIC: Kim Kardashian’s wedding dress!

“She looked very Armenian, like an Armenian princess,” a source at
the wedding told Us Weekly.

The typically over-the-top reality superstar kept her makeup (done
by celeb makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic) surprisingly simple with
smoky eyes, full brows, pink blush and glossy pink lips. The only
over-the-top touch: what appeared to be several sets of false lashes.

VIDEO: See Kim Kardashian’s wedding video!

A couple days before the wedding, another insider told Us that
Kardashian “wants to be the most polished, elegant version of herself
and [look] timeless.”

PHOTOS: Kim’s other white-hot looks!

Tell Us: What do you think of Kardashian’s diamond-drop headpiece?

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPION THINKS OF COACH CAREER

news.am
Aug 22, 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Weightlifting world champion Nazik Avdalyan currently feels
recovered after a car crash several months ago but it is evident that
she will not return into professional sport this year, Avadlyan told
Armenain News-NEWS.am.

“The doctors say that I am still in recovery phase and do not advise
me to train. They do not fully guarantee that I will not suffer new
injuries once I return to training. In short, my training is big
question so far but I think of coaching career,” said Avdalyan.

Avdalyan got into road accident on Gyumri-Vanadzor highway on April
26, this year. She received several grave injuries of spinal column.

“INSTEAD OF ENCOURAGING ARMENIAN PEOPLE TO PEACE, SERZH SARGSYAN CALLS THEM TO RADICALIZATION”

Toda.Az
Aug 22, 2011
Azerbaijan

Statements, made by President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the meeting
of the youth movement “Together” at Lake Sevan, saying that he wants
to put an end to all the agreements that were reached in the peace
process over Nagorno-Karabakh, which began with the Prague process
and continued with preparation of the renewed Madrid principles,
told Trend First Secretary Press Service of the MFA of Azerbaijan
Elman Abdullayev.

Urging the young Armenian people to continue the occupation of
Azerbaijani territories, President Sargsyan again officially showed
real intentions, which are far from peaceful, Abdullayev said.

“Instead of encouraging their people to peace, Sargsyan calls them to
radicalization, what absolutely contrary to the statements President,
co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group, the presidents of Russia – Dmitry
Medvedev, France – Nicolas Sarkozy, United States – Barack Obama.

Making such statements, Sargsyan reveals its true purposes, and
demonstrate, that he is not search of way to peace and does not want
to change its non-constructive position.

President Serzh Sargsyan, speaking at a meeting with members of the
youth movement “Together” at Lake Sevan, said that the problem of
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved peacefully “Interfax”,
reported.

“Sooner or later Karabakh will be recognized, no one doubts, Serzh
Sargsyan said. The sooner it happens the better it will be for all
including Azerbaijan”.

EU COULD USE ‘SOFT POWER’ TO SETTLE KARABAKH CONFLICT

news.az
Aug 22, 2011
Azerbaijan

News.Az interviews Alex Jackson, an expert on politics and security
in the Caspian region and former editor of the Caucasian Review of
Int’l Affairs.

What are the main differences between the Russian and Western
approaches to the independent republics created after the collapse
of the Soviet Union?

Essentially, Russia sees the post-Soviet states as members of its
family, with Russia itself as the head of the family. However this
family is unruly and many of the members have slipped away from
the control of the family head. Some of these family members (like
Georgia) require more tough measures than others (like Kazakhstan)
to bring them into line. Although Russia does not want to actually
control these states directly, it wants them to be aligned with its
interests and policies.

This sense of the former Soviet Union as a family is relevant
for ideological reasons, because many policymakers in Moscow,
particularly Putin, still view the former Soviet states as
historically and culturally part of a greater Russia. It is also
relevant for strategic reasons, as these neighbouring states are
critical to Russia’s long-term geopolitical strategy (in terms of
energy, security and politics).

The West tends to view the former Soviet states more as independent
actors, and as partners in their own right. This does not mean
that Europe is necessarily “better” – it is often unfocused and
contradictory in the way it approaches the region. Many regional
states are frustrated by the fact that the EU moves slowly and is
uncoordinated in comparison with Russia.

Do you expect changes in Russia’s approach to its neighbours’
rapprochement with Europe?

Changes in Russian foreign policy towards its neighbours depend to
a large extent on two factors: internal and global. The internal
politics of Russia and Russia’s economic performance affect
its foreign policy. High oil prices and political competition or
potential instability encourage it to act more assertively towards
its neighbours. The presidential elections next year could encourage
a return to a more confrontational foreign policy if Vladimir Putin
returns to the presidency.

The relationship with the US also has a significant impact on Russian
policy towards its neighbours. Recent years have shown that a stronger
US policy of building influence in the former Soviet Union provokes an
equally strong reaction from Russia. We saw this over missile defence,
Kosovo, NATO enlargement, and the war in Georgia was the most powerful
example. If the “reset” with the US fails, as some commentators are
currently arguing, then this may be reflected in a more aggressive
Russian line towards neighbouring states that it perceives are too
pro-American.

Does the EU see the CIS states as possible EU members?

It is unlikely that any of the current CIS states would be considered
potential EU members anytime soon. Turkey’s accession process is a huge
problem for the EU and there is a lot of scepticism over whether it
will get in. This fact, along with the serious political and financial
crisis sweeping Europe, makes it very implausible that the EU would
take on any new member states from the CIS in the near future.

What are the prospects for a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh
problem, when the sides still hold opposite positions? What kind of
role can the West play in this process?

Currently there is very little progress on the Karabakh settlement.

Although the presidents have held a number of meetings over the last
year, there has been no progress to show for it and indeed both sides
have engaged in public disputes on many occasions. Russian attempts
to get Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign a plan for a peaceful settlement
have failed so far and international mediators are very frustrated.

However, it is unlikely the peace talks will collapse entirely –
both sides have an interest in the talks continuing. And a return to
war is very unlikely at this stage.

The West has had a limited role so far in settling the Karabakh
conflict. It has generally let Russia take the lead. Although the
US has invested some time and energy, it has no direct strategic
interest. Europe has been even less involved. However, the EU (not
NATO) could have a role to play, using its “soft power” experience
and its record of helping to defuse tensions in the Western Balkans
to encourage both sides to compromise and reach a final settlement.