Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARMENIAN ATHLETES RECEIVE POOR WELCOME IN TURKEY

Armenian Weekly
Aug 2, 2011

TRABZON, Turkey (A.W.)-The European Youth Olympics Festival opened
in Trabzon, Turkey on July 24, with 3,000 athletes joining from all
over Europe, including Armenia. Some 49 countries are represented at
the event, but not all received the same welcome.

Young athletes from Armenia and Israel were booed by local spectators.

At the wake of the deadly events in Norway, the crowd held a moment
of silence in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack of June 22.

However, what one Turkish journalist noted was the hatred in the air
towards the Armenian and Israeli athletes.

“Yes, there was a moment of silence for those murdered in Norway
and all other victims of terrorism,” wrote Murat Yetkin, a Hurriyet
columnist, “but the young athletes from Armenia and Israel were booed
by local spectators because of the political and cultural atmosphere.”

“Yet, due to the decades-long cultural pollution as a result of
indoctrination going back to the years of the collapse of the Ottoman
Empire, the traces of the atmosphere of hatred is still around,”
he added.

Turkey’s prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was among the 30,000
spectators.

Arm�e-Pologne
Le Pr�dent Polonais �Erevan

La visite officielle du Pr�dent polonais, Bronisław Komorowski, �Erevan, constitue le principal sujet d’actualit�Avant de
s’entretenir en tête-�tête avec son homologue arm�en, le chef de
l’Etat polonais s’est recueilli devant le m�rial du g�cide. Au
terme de l’entretien des deux chefs d’Etat, des documents ont �
sign�entre les deux pays. Il s’agit notamment d’un accord de
coop�tion 2011-2013 dans les domaines de la culture, de l’�cation
et des sciences, d’un memorandum de coop�tion dans le domaine de la
m�cine v�rinaire et d’un autre entre l’Agence arm�enne de
d�loppement et l’agence polonaise de l’information et des
investissements �angers. Lors d’une conf�nce de presse conjointe,
le Pr�dent Sarkissian a indiqu�ue des bases solides existent,
selon lui, pour une coop�tion dans les domaines de l’agriculture, du
tourisme et de l’�rgie. Il a affirm�voir discut�n d�il avec le
pr�dent polonais dont le pays assume actuellement la pr�dence de
l’UE, des � perspectives � europ�nes de l’Arm�e et du programme de
Partenariat oriental, dont la Pologne est l’un des cor�cteurs. M.
Komorowski a exprim�e soutien de son pays �l’� amarrage � europ�
de l’Arm�e, ainsi que sa disponibilit� partager avec celle-ci son
exp�ence �ce sujet. Le Pr�dent Sarkissian a en outre indiqu�voir discut�vec son homologue du conflit du HK, rappelant que les
attentes du côt�rm�en, comme celle de la communaut�nternationale, vis-�vis du sommet de Kazan ne se sont pas r�is�.
Tout en ne souhaitant pas qualifier ce sommet de fiasco, le chef de
l’Etat arm�en a implicitement rejet�a responsabilit�u manque de
progrès sur la partie azerbaïdjanaise. � L’on �it vraiment prêt du
but �Kazan. Mais ce qui devait arriver est arriv�Tout d’abord, il
faut mettre en cause le fait que le climat n’�it pas propice, ce
dont j’avais parl�epuis la tribune de l’APCE. La question de
l’atmosphère est primordiale. Vous ne pouvez empoisonner votre peuple
tous les jours et �tous les niveaux �, a d�ar�. Sarkissian,
ajoutant que tous ceux qui avaient suivi les d�arations de la veille
du Pr�dent azerbaïdjanais (voir dans le paragraphe
Arm�e-Turquie-Azerbaïdjan), pourrait se demander s’il s’agissait-l�d’une d�aration digne d’une � personne normale �, sinon d’un chef
d’Etat. Ce que demande le peuple du HK et en g�ral le peuple
arm�en, est une solution juste du conflit bas�sur les principes du
droit international. Ces principes sont �nc� a-t-il rappel�dans
le document appel� principes de Madrid �. Il est n�ssaire de
respecter le droit du peuple du HK �avoir des garanties de s�rit�t �vivre dans la � patrie historique �.

R�ndant aux questions des journalistes, le chef de l’Etat arm�en a
soulign�a n�ssit�e l’assistance technique et financière de l’UE
au HK. � La d�cratie est une valeur absolue et tout soutien �la
d�cratie est très appr��ar la partie arm�enne. Or si demain
l’UE apporte son soutien au HK en vue d’y renforcer la d�cratie et
les structures �tiques, l’on ne sera qu’heureux �. Les dernières �
�ctions l�slatives � ont permis �toutes les forces politiques �être repr�nt� �� l’AN �. Trois � �ctions pr�dentielles � ont
eu lieu au HK et aucun des trois � pr�dents � �s n’a h�t�e
pouvoir. � Ils ne se sont jamais permis des expressions outrageuses �l’adresse du peuple azerbaïdjanais, �la diff�nce du pouvoir du pays
voisin �. Et de rappeler que � l’homme rempli par la haine n’est pas
en mesure de prendre des d�sions saines �. Dans ces conditions, le
soutien de l’UE au HK est une n�ssit�a-t-il conclu. Le Pr�dent
polonais a soulign�uant �lui, que dans le règlement du conflit du
HK, les deux principes du droit international devant pr�loir �ient
ceux de l’int�it�erritoriale et du droit des peuples �disposer
d’eux-mêmes.

Ambassade de France en Arm�e

R�ction Merie Hakobian

Le Chef de l’État polonais a quitt�’Arm�e vendredi en fin de
journ�satisfait de son s�ur en exprimant sa profonde gratitude et
son soutien quant �une future int�ation de l’Arm�e �l’Union
europ�ne, ainsi que la construction d’une forte relation bilat�le
entre les deux pays.

Le pr�dent Serge Sarkissian a not�ue les deux peuples depuis des
siècles ont form�es relations cordiales, et not�ue “notre pays, en
effet, tend �être de nature �devenir membre de l’UE, et de cette
façon le soutien des amis est très important”, a-t-il dit.

dimanche 31 juillet 2011,
Jean [email protected]

VIC DARCHINYAN RETURNS ON SEPT. 3 IN ARMENIA
Scott Christ

Bad Left Hook

July 29, 2011

While he waits for a bigger fight to come along in the crowded
bantamweight division, Vic Darchinyan will return to the ring on
September 3 with a homecoming fight in Armenia, facing South African
southpaw Evans Mbamba.

Mbamba (18-1, 9 KO) was lined up as Darchinyan’s mandatory in 2009,
but Darchinyan (36-3-1, 27 KO) instead moved up to bantamweight to
face Joseph Agbeko. Darchinyan lost that fight, and has since also
lost to Abner Mares, but was competitive in both bouts and in April,
stormed through Yonnhy Perez on Showtime to win the consolation fight
in the network’s bantamweight tournament. Mbamba, meanwhile, faced
Tomas Rojas in October 2009 and was blown out in Mexico, floored
twice and losing wide on the scorecards.

The 35-year-old Darchinyan is probably hoping to land a rematch with
the winner of the Agbeko vs Mares Showtime tournament final fight
(August 13), but in the meantime will take this as an interim fight to
stay sharp. Mbamba is moving up to bantamweight for the first time,
and while he likely doesn’t pose a legitimate threat to Darchinyan,
this is a better fight than what was rumored for Darchinyan in Yerevan
on the same date. Previously, Darchinyan was supposedly set to face
Namibia’s Paulus Ambunda (15-0, 9 KO).

MARTIROS SARYAN’S “PERSIA” BEING RESTORED
Alisa Gevorgyan

Iranian.com

July 29, 2011

The painting “Persia” by Martiros Saryan is being restored on financing
from the Armenian Ministry of Culture. The seven-member group headed
by Gayane Kazanti started the restoration works on June 25.

Armenian specialists help Italian expert Luciano Billiot to restore
the canvas.

Conservation and restoration of Martiros Saryan’s damaged paintings
started at Sayran Home-Museum in 2006. Special technologies and
equipments and corresponding professional experience was necessary to
do that hard work. The Ministry of Culture decided then to allocate
financial means to the pilot program.

COURT DEMANDS PSYCHIATRIC REPORT FOR HAYAL IN DINK CASE

Today’s Zaman
July 29, 2011
Turkey

The Ä°stanbul 14th High Criminal Court demanded a psychiatric report
for Yasin Hayal at Friday’s hearing in the assassination case of
Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink.

Hayal, who is one of the primary suspects in the case, claimed in the
previous hearing that he was being threatened in prison by people from
Pelitli, a small town where Dink’s convicted murderer, Ogun Samast,
is from. However, a response from the prison administration indicated
that no one had visited Hayal in the past six months.

Meanwhile, Erdogan Toygun, the lawyer for Erhan Tuncel who is another
suspect in the murder case, said that the statement from the prison
refutes Hayal’s claims. As Toygun spoke, Hayal rudely interrupted to
say he was attacked at the gates of the prison and that this could
be easily proven with the security camera recordings. Hayal’s lawyer
then demanded that Hayal be evaluated at the Bakırköy Psychiatric
Hospital, to which Hayal responded that he feels quite healthy. The
court ruled that Hayal should be mentally evaluated at the hospital
and the result should be submitted to the court. The court also asked
the Tekirdag prosecutor’s office to submit prison records relevant
to Hayal’s claims of threats against him in prison.

Additionally, the court indicated that the content of a report
submitted by the Telecommunications Directorate (TÄ°B) said that it
would not release telephone recordings of people who were suspiciously
close to the murder site because that would ‘interfere in their
private lives’. The court ruled that any lawyers who object to the
TÄ°B’s decision should submit petitions to the 9th High Criminal Court.

The court also ruled that Hayal and Tuncel should remain in custody
pending trial because of “strong criminal suspicion.”

OSCE MUST PLAY DIRECT ROLE IN SETTLEMENT OF CONFLICTS IN POST-SOVIET SPACE – US

news.az
July 29, 2011
Azerbaijan

OSCE must continue playing a direct role in the resolution of
protracted conflicts in Georgia, Moldova and Nagorno Karabakh.

Barack Obama’s administration insists that the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe play direct role in the resolution
of ‘frozen’ conflicts in the post-Soviet space.

The statement came from US Assistant Secretary of State for European
and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon. He spoke at the hearings, organized
by the two-party Commission on Security and cooperation in Europe
(Helsinki commission) functioning at the US Congress.

Alongside Gordon, the event on the US policy on OSCE was attended
by deputy chief of Pentagon on issues of international security
Alexander Verbshow and US Assistant Secretary of State on Democracy,
Human Rights and Labor Michael Posner.

“OSCE must continue playing a direct role in the resolution of
protracted conflicts in Georgia, Moldova and Nagorno Karabakh”, Gordon
said. He said conflicts have a damaging potential, able to destabilize
security in the OSCE region’. The task to overcome these conflicts,
according to the United States, ‘must remain top priority for OSCE
and all its member-states’, said official of the US Foreign Ministry.

In turn, while commenting on negotiations over Nagorno Karabakh,
Verbshow voiced opinion that a step back occurred in these
peacekeeping efforts. The attempt to ensure ‘a breakthrough’ in
negotiations in Kazan held on 24 June, was not successful, while
‘tensions along the contact line of the parties grow’, according to
the US official. According to his information, Armenia and Azerbaijan
‘are still unable to complete coordination of basic principles of
settlement of the conflict and we remain in an unconstructive and
dangerous situation’.

ITAR TASS

SWEDISH AZERBAIJANIS CALL FOR PROTEST AGAINST SARGSYAN’S STATEMENT

news.az
July 29, 2011
Azerbaijan

Swedish Azerbaijanis Congress called on UN, OSCE and international
mediators.

Swedish Azerbaijanis Congress called on UN, OSCE and international
mediators to express strong protest against the Armenian president
Serzh Sargsyan’s aggressive statements, which instigate the Armenian
youth to follow wrong ideas, reported the State Committee for Diaspora
Activity.

The Swedish Azerbaijanis Congress said Serzh Sargsyan’s statement that
“Karabakh was liberated and now young generations have to liberate
Agri Dagh” instigates the young people to hate the neighbor countries
and is unbecoming to the statesman.

While OSCE Minsk Group tries to develop the talks between Baku
and Yerevan for the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, such
statement by the Armenian president proves that Armenian politicians
admitted the fact of occupation of the Azerbaijani lands and they
try to prevent the OSCE Minsk Group’s peace efforts and violate the
international norms and principles on respect for the territorial
integrity of other states.

The statement reads that UN Security Council, Council of Europe,
European Parliament, the Organization of the Islamic Conference
recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and passed
resolutions demanding withdrawal of Armenian troops from Nagorno
Karabakh and other seven regions of Azerbaijan.

‘We support the position of the governments of Azerbaijan and Turkey
that our peoples have to live in peace and the occupation of the
territories of neighbor countries has to be ended. We consider
that this idea should be educated among the young generations of
our peoples. The Swedish Azerbaijanis Congress called on UN, OSCE
and international mediators to express strong protest against the
Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan’s aggressive statements, which
instigate the Armenian youth to follow wrong ideas’.

APA

ARMENIA DECIDES ON SEPTEMBER 20

OikoTimes

July 29, 2011

Armenian national broadcaster announced that they are accepting songs
for the 2011 Junior Eurovision Song Contest already with a deadline
for August 20. The broadcaster also announced that the national final
for JESC will take place on September 20 in Yerevan. Armenia is the
host country of the 2011 Junior Eurovision which will take place
on December 3rd in the capital. It is the first time that the host
country is also the winner of the previous jESC edition

ERDOGAN WANTS ANOTHER APOLOGY, THIS TIME FROM ARMENIA
Herb Keinon

AZG
30-07-2011

Turkish PM says Sarksyan trying to “fill youth with hatred”; Israeli
source: Who will ask Erdogan to apologize for occupying northern
Cyprus?

Israel can take solace that it is not the only country in the world
from which Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking an
apology: On Wednesday he demanded one from Armenia as well.

The Turkish news website Today’s Zaman, reporting on Erdogan’s current
trip to Azerbaijan, quoted him as saying that Armenian President Serzh
Sarksyan should apologize for calling on Armenian school children to
occupy eastern Turkey.

Sarksyan, asked by a student if Armenia would get back its “western
territories” along with Mount Ararat – an area of great historical
significance to Armenians – that’s now in Turkey, replied that
“it depends on you and your generation. I believe my generation
has fulfilled the task in front of us; when it was necessary in the
beginning of the ’90s to defend part of our fatherland – Karabakh –
from the enemy, we did it. I am not telling this to embarrass anyone.

My point is that each generation has its responsibilities and they
have to be carried out with honor.”

The statement infuriated Turkey. According to Today’s Zaman, Erdogan
said Sarksyan’s behavior was a provocation and an attempt to fill youth
with hatred, which he said would lead Armenia’s youth into “darkness.”

“There cannot be such diplomacy. Sarksyan has made a very serious
mistake…. He must apologize,” Erdogan was quoted as saying.

Erdogan’s demand for an Armenian apology comes just a few days after
he threatened Israel with a “Plan B” – a further downgrading of ties –
if it did not apologize for last year’s Mavi Marmara incident.

“What we see here is a pattern developing,” one Israeli diplomatic
source said of Erdogan’s most recent demand for an apology. “Who
is going to ask Erdogan to apologize for Turkey’s occupation of
northern Cyprus?”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s senior forum of
eight ministers – a body known as the octet – met on Wednesday, but,
according to government officials, did not deal with the Mavi Marmara
issue because Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya’alon was not present.

Ya’alon, who in recent weeks has led the Israeli team negotiating with
the Turks over putting an end to the flotilla incident and re-establish
normal ties, has come out strongly against an apology to Ankara.

In addition to an apology, Erdogan is also demanding that Israel
pay compensation to the families of the nine Mavi Marmara passengers
killed while trying to break the naval blockade on Gaza, and to lift
the blockade itself.

While there is objection inside the octet to a blanket apology,
there is believed to be a willingness to issue a partial apology for
“operational failures” that led to the loss of lives, but not the
type of apology that could be interpreted as taking responsibility
for the incident.

The release of the UN Palmer Commission report on the incident, which
was to have been on Wednesday, has been postponed until August 20 to
give the sides more time to come up with an acceptable formula.

AZERIS TAKE OFFENSE ON IRANIANS AGAIN

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 29, 2011

PanARMENIAN.Net – Arts Festival is under way in Tabriz. On one of
the photo-exhibitions Azeri turk symbols were mocked and offended,
according to Azeri Press Agency.

Antiazeri and antiturk caricatures have been demonstrated at the
exhibition.

On caricatures exhibited in Haghani Park in Tebriz, movement of Azeri
turks who demand compliance of their national rights, Azerbaijani
Republic, a grey wolf totem and other national attributes have been
offended.

The event was organized at the support of Ministry of Culture and of
Iran and other organizations.