Author: Kanayan Tamar

PRES. SARKISIAN SHIES AWAY FROM DEMANDING COMPREHENSIVE JUSTICE FOR TURKISH-PERPETRATED GENOCIDE
By Appo Jabarian

USA Armenian Life Magazine

May 20, 2011

A few days ago, President of Armenia Serzh Sarkisian stated that
Armenia and Turkey will reconcile only when Ankara recognizes the
Armenian Genocide. But he stopped short of amplifying the fact that
today’s Armenia, as the legal successor of the 1918 Democratic Republic
of Armenia, has valid Eastern Armenian as well as Western Armenian
territorial claims against Turkey.

The 1918 Armenian republic was founded on territories of Eastern
Armenia, comprising of a land mass totaling around 60,000 sq. km. As a
result of a Communist takeover in 1920, the newly Sovietized Armenia
was further dismembered by Communist leaders in Moscow in favor of
Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia; and was reduced to a tiny 29,000 sq.
km.

As for Western Armenia, the 1920 Wilsonian Arbitral award by U.S.
President Woodrow Wilson granted Armenia the legal document to
recover the Turkish-occupied lands of Western Armenia. The Wilsonian
Arbitration is a binding international decision to which two sovereign
states – Turkey and Armenia submitted.

Instead of demanding the enforcement of the Wilsonian Arbitration,
President Sarkisian, not only steered away from land claims,
triggering a strong chain of discontent among the Armenians, he
carefully separated “demands” for Genocide recognition from the
“need” to establish relations with Turkey, claiming that “those who
are trying to present attempts to establish relations with Turkey as
reconciliation are wrong. Real reconciliation comes after recognition.”

While it is understandable that Armenia and Turkey need to establish
relations, it is categorically unacceptable to see Yerevan harboring
willingness to give in to covert pressures forcing Armenia to
capitulate by relinquishing land claims against Turkey.

During President Robert Kocharyan’s administration, Armenia actively
pursued a policy of “unconditional relations” with Turkey meaning
that Ankara may establish diplomatic relations with Yerevan without
imposing unfair conditions such as recognition of today’s border with
Turkey; or return of liberated territories in the Republic of Artsakh
(Nagorno Karabagh).

Pres. Sarkisian’s popularity dipped substantially in Armenia and its
Diaspora when Yerevan signed the Turkish-imposed infamous Protocols in
Zurich a couple of years ago under the watchful eyes of U.S. Secretary
of State “Oil Lady” Hilary Clinton and the wry smiles of Turkey’s
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, the architect of failed Turkish
policy of “Zero problems with neighbors.”

Risking new waves of deep disappointment and possible protests both in
Armenia and Diaspora, Sarkisian said that when efforts to normalize
relations with Turkey were launched, many opponents said that the
process would impede efforts for international recognition of the
Genocide, qualifying that conjecture “was wrong.”

However, it was heartening to learn that President Sarkisian is
not intent on pursuing “relations with neighbors,” such as Turkey,
“at all costs.”

“The fact of Armenian Genocide is indisputable and we must spare
no effort for Turkey to recognize the Genocide finally. It is a
struggle for justice and for security. It is, at the end of the day,
a struggle for inadmissibility of such crimes not only in our region,
but throughout the world,” he emphasized.

The issue of Armenian Genocide reparations is directly related to
the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 committed by Kemalist Turkey
(1922-present) and two preceding Turkish regimes – Ottoman Turkey
(1453-1908) and Young Turks (1908-1922). And as such, financial,
estate and territorial reparations should be made to Armenians both
on individual and collective basis. President Sarkisian should boldly
remind and urge the Republic of Turkey, the newest Turkish successor
state deliver to the Armenian people no less than comprehensive justice
for the losses inflicted by genocide and the resulting massive illegal
confiscation of the entire territories in Eastern and Western Armenia.

Former Secretary of the UN Human Rights Committee, Professor Alfred de
Zayas, Geneva School of Diplomacy accurately defines the parameters of
justice determinedly sought by the victims of the Armenian Genocide
and their heirs: “Because of the continuing character of the crime
of genocide in factual and legal terms, the remedy of restitution has
not been foreclosed by the passage of time. Thus the survivors of the
genocide against the Armenians, both individually and collectively,
have standing to advance a claim for restitution. This has been
also the case with the Jewish survivors of the Holocaust, who have
successfully claimed restitution against many States where there
property had been confiscated. Whenever possible restitutio in integrum
(complete restitution, restoration to the previous condition) should be
granted, so as to re-establish the situation that existed before the
violation occurred. But where restitutio in integrum is not possible,
compensation may be substituted as a remedy.”

Armed with justice and legitimate claims for reparations and
restitutions, Armenians and their leaders can ill-afford to pursue
a defeatist policy that can bring about one capitulation after another.

Turkey remains unrepentant and continues to bully its neighbors and
the minorities in what is now called Turkey. It must be reminded by the
international community that bullying does not work and does not pay.

BAKO SAHAKYAN: AZERBAIJAN PRESENTS ITSELF IN FRONT OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS UNCONSTRUCTIVE EXTREMIST UNIT

ARMENPRESS
MAY 23, 2011
YEREVAN

Azerbaijan presents itself in front of international community as
unconstructive, extremist unit, Bako Sahakyan said in an interview to
“Echo Moskvi” radio station, adding that such approach is unacceptable
for the Armenian party. He said the Karabakhi side has always
pointed out that the conflict must be settled on the basis of mutual
concessions but Azerbaijan understands it in different way. Sahakyan
pointed out that it does not correspond to the spirit of either the
process of negotiations or the peaceful settlement process.

In response to the question about military actions he noted that if
the international community continues non-working way such escalation
of tension is possible.

“International community does not undertake corresponding steps toward
loosening the tension in the region. Though the OSCE Minsk Group
periodically urges the international community to be correct and stop
the hooligan activities and change its policy”, the NKR president said.

Speaking about bringing NK over the table of negotiations, Bako
Sahakyan expressed conviction that nothing will be decided with the
awareness of the NK.

Bako Sahakyan considered Armenia and Artsakh a common homeland.

According to him, Armenia is the state which is the most interested
in the recognition of the independence of Karabakh. The leadership
of Armenia has many times noted that the only reason why it has not
recognized the independence of Karabakh is the process of negotiations
within the framework of the OSCE Minsk group. The NKR president said
Armenia is undertaking great efforts for the international recognition
of the Nagorno Karabakh.

HERITAGE SAYS PARLIAMENT DOESN’T OBSERVE REGULATIONS

Tert.am
23.05.11

Armenia’s parliament did not observe parliamentary regulations by
delaying the discussion of a draft law on open-air trade proposed by
the opposition party Heritage, the party has said.

In a statement issued on Monday, Heritage said by not including the
document in the agenda the National Assembly breached Armenia’s law on
“NA Regulations”.

Another draft law on the same issue, submitted by independent MP
Victor Dallakyan, was also delayed.

“The NA chairmanship has blatantly violated ‘NA Regulations’ law of the
Republic of Armenia, as prior to the session at 11 am, the Standing
Committee on Economic Issues of the National Assembly had reached a
positive conclusion to already the joint legislative initiative by
Heritage MPs and Viktor Dallakyan,” read the statement.

Further, is said that if a draft law is given a positive conclusion,
the parliament must include it in the agenda.

In the statement the Heritage party described it as “an obvious
unlawfulness” and demanded the parliamentary leadership and coalition
MPs to comply with parliamentary regulations.

USA IS READY TO MAKE A PRESENT OF NAGORNYY KARABAKH TO AZERBAIJAN FOR ITS ‘INVOLVEMENT’ IN MILITARY AND POLITICAL CORRIDOR FROM THE BLACK TO CASPIAN SEA

arminfo
Monday, May 23, 18:36

The USA is ready to make a present of Nagornyy Karabakh to Azerbaijan
for its “involvement” in the military and political corridor from the
Black to Caspian sea, the head of the Caucasus Department of the CIS
Countries Institute, Mikhail Aleksandrov, told journalists today.

“Having separated Georgia from Russia by the war dated 08.08.08, which
resulted in the South Ossetian conflict, Washington is now trying to
make an arrangement with Azerbaijan to take part in its attempt to
create the military and political corridor from the Black Sea up to
the Caspian. But Baku is not striving to take part in such a project.

For this reason, Azerbaijan was offered to fulfill its cherished
dream to enslave Nagornyy Karabakh. I think Baku will not refuse such
an offer, as they understand very well that in case of preserving
the present balance of forces in the region as well as outside it,
settlement of the conflict is impossible. For this reason, the USA
is a vocal supporter of the quick settlement of the Karabakh conflict
on the conditions of Azerbaijan”, – he said.

He also added that appointment of the former American co-chair of the
OSCE MG Matthew Bryza – an American ambassador to Azerbaijan proves
his version. At the same time, as the expert said, Marie Yovanovitch,
a rather odious person known to everybody like a specialist on color
revolutions, still remains an american ambassador to Armenia.

“The replacement of Yovanovitch does not at all mean changing of the
policy of Washington and is dictated only by aspiration to replace
the ambassador with a person which causes less anger. The American
policy in the Caucasus remains the same. In general, statements by
both ambassadors are clearly demonstrating the policy of Washington
in the region”, – he said.

“Despite the fact that the bellicose statements have been coming only
from Azerbaijan, the OSCE, European Commissioners, Minsk Group say
that both parties to the conflict should calm down and reduce the
rhetoric. They do not separate Azerbaijan like the only initiator
of tension. Thus, these statements make the parties to the conflict
equally responsible for aggravation of tension. This means that they
are preparing the ground for making both parties responsible for
resumption of the battle actions”, – Aleksandrov concluded.

PARLIAMENT ADOPTS THE PACKAGE OF AMENDMENTS TO THE ELECTORAL CODE
Lena Badeyan

“Radiolur”
24.05.2011 15:21

The National Assembly today completed the discussions on the package
of amendments to the Electoral Code. According to the Chairman of
the Standing Committee on State-Legal Issue David Harityunyan, some
of the proposals of the opposition ARF Dashnatsutyun faction were
taken into consideration.

The coalition has accepted one of the four proposals of the opposition,
said Vahan Hovhannisyan, head of the ARF faction. However, according
to him, it’s also progress and success.

Nevertheless, Dashnaktsutyun voted against the package of amendments
to the Electoral Code. It was adopted at third reading with a vote
of 76 to 12 and no abstentions.

L’INTERVIEW DU PRESIDENT SARKISSIAN AU QUOTIDIEN RUSSE MOSKOVSKIE NOVOSTI
Stephane

armenews.com
lundi 24 mai 2011

L’interview du President Sarkissian au quotidien russe Moskovskie
Novosti a l’occasion du 20e anniversaire de la fin de l’URSS, fait la
une de l’actualite. Faisant le bilan des 20 annees postsovietiques,
le President Sarkissian a expose toutes les difficultes par lesquelles
le peuple armenien etait passe, estimant que la plus grande conquete,
au bout de ces 20 ans, est l’acquisition de la stabilite. S’agissant
du travail de ses predecesseurs, le President s’est abstenu de
critiques et les a, au contraire, remercies, ainsi que tous ceux
qui ont travaille en faveur de l’Armenie. S’agissant du règlement du
conflit du HK, le President n’a pas exclu la reprise d’hostilites,
declarant que cette question peut etre resolue uniquement sur la
base de concessions mutuelles et soulignant que le peuple du HK
doit pouvoir disposer de son destin lui-meme. ” Le Haut Karabakh a
acquis son independance au prix d’une guerre dure et sanglante, et il
serait naïf de croire qu’il y pourrait renoncer “. Selon le President
Sarkissian, le document de Madrid propose par les copresidents du GDM,
donne la possibilite de proceder a l’elaboration d’un grand accord
pacifique sur les trois principes exposes dans ce document, dont le
droit des peuples a disposer d’eux-memes, le principe de l’integrite
territoriale et le principe du non recours a la force. Cependant
ces principes ne sont pas concus de la meme manière par l’Armenie et
l’Azerbaïdjan. ” Le principe de l’integrite territoriale ne signifie
pas l’inalterabilite de frontières ” a-t-il declare en evoquant
l’apparition de dizaines de nouveaux pays sur la carte du monde au
cours des dernières 20-30 annees. A la question de savoir pourquoi
l’Armenie ne reconnait pas l’independance du HK, le President a
repondu que cela ferait echouer le processus de negociations.

S’agissant de la normalisation des relations avec la Turquie, le
President Sarkissian a declare que la reconciliation entre l’Armenie
et la Turquie ne peut etre entamee qu’après la reconnaissance par
la Turquie du genocide armenien. Evoquant les propos de Napoleon :
” la geographie est le destin “, le President a souligne l’importance
d’etablir des relations avec les voisins, ” mais pas a n’importe quel
prix “, a-t-il ajoute.

Ambassade de France en Armenie

Service de presse

MARIE YOVANOVITCH FAIT PRESSION POUR UN RULE PLUS GRAND POUR LES FEMMES ARMENIENNES
Stephane

armenews.com
lundi 24 mai 2011

L’ambassadrice americaine Marie Yovanovitch est intervenue pour une
participation plus active des femmes dans la vie politique de l’Armenie
disant que c’est une condition necessaire pour la democratisation et
l’autorite de la loi.

Marie Yovanovitch a dit que les reformes politiques et economiques
dans le pays ne produiront pas de resultats desirables tant que les
femmes armeniennes restent insuffisamment representees dans toutes les
branches du gouvernement et les structures politiques. ” les systèmes
politiques dans lesquels les femmes prennent des rôles de direction
en politique et au gouvernement ont les plus bas niveaux de corruption
” a-t-elle dit.

Le diplomate s’exprimait lors d’une conference sur le rôle des femmes
armeniennes en politique qui a ete organisee a Erevan par l’Institut
democratique national americain. Le forum de deux jours a reunie les
representants d’organisations de femme et certains femmes tenant des
positions de haut niveau au sein de l’Etat armenien dont la Ministre
de la Culture Hasmik Poghosian.

Hasmik Poghosian est l’une des deux seles femmes du gouvernement
d’Armenie. Le nombre de femmes dans le Parlement armenien n’est pas
plus eleve.

Marie Yovanovitch s’est plaint qu’au cours de son travail diplomatique
de trois ans dans le pays traditionnellement domine par les mâles elle
a souvent entendu le point de vue qu’une femme doit principalement
s’occuper de son mari et de ses enfants, au lieu de s’engager dans des
activites politiques. Elle a dit que l’echec d’employer le potentiel
intellectuel des femmes est ” un crime “.

S’adressant au service armenien de RFE/RL, certains participants a
la conference ont insiste pour affirme qu’il n’y avait aucun obstacle
specifique a un plus grand activisme feminin en Armenie.

” Toutes les occasions sont en place [pour les femmes] ” a
revendique Arevik Petrosian, membre de la Cour Constitutionnelle qui
a precedemment servi comme vice-president du Parlement. ” Je ne pense
pas il y ait des obstacles politiques aux activites des femmes dans
l’arène politique “.

” Je vois des attitudes negatives non pas envers des femmes, mais de
l’intellect en general ” a dit Karine Danielian, ancienne ministre
de l’Environnement. ” C’est-a-dire qu’il n’y a aucune demande de
connaissance, d’education et d’intellect. S’il y avait une telle
demande, les femmes arriveraient automatiquement partout “.

Hraparak: Students kidnapped in Armenia’s town?

news.am
May 18, 2011

Rumors had it a fifth-grade student Narine was kidnapped from N2
school in Sisian town on May 17. According to students, the two men
kidnapped the girl. Witnesses said one of them was in black mask,
Hraparak newspaper reports.

The girl was allegedly forced into a black Volga and taken away in an
unknown direction. However, director of the school Hrant Azarumyan
refuted these reports in a conversation with the newspaper, calling
them a `figment of the imagination.’ Nevertheless, local residents say
that a week earlier a similar case was registered in a kindergarten
and in Brnakot village.

Goodbye, revolution!

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 20:22:16 – 21/05/2011

Karapet Rubinyan addressed the civil conference organized by the
founder of the Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian. The ex-member of the
Armenian National Congress says the governments which succeeded each
other were unable to meet the simple expectations and hopes of the
citizens to create an environment where they are legally and socially
secure. He says the beginning of the year inspired hope. On the one
hand, the Arab revolutions, on the other hand, the social situation
aroused revolutionary moods in the society. It seems that if the
Congress led them and kept them in the street for at least a few days,
Serzh Sargsyan who became president through rigged elections and the
bloody events of March 1 would leave, Rubinyan said.

However, the Congress stopped being fundamental opposition and started
a dialogue with the government, the result of which can be guessed
only. Karapet Rubinyan concluded that scheduled elections are to be
expected, which means goodbye revolution, goodbye fundamental changes,
and we will face a rigged election again.

However, Karapet Rubinyan notes that it is not hopeless. The reason is
the multiple civil initiatives. Rubinyan says these initiatives must
grow into a civil forum where a free discussion to shape the movement
which will create premises for changes.

Ramkavar Azatakan: ANC promised revolution, yet failed

May 21, 2011 – 14:55 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

Formation of a third political force might become possible only upon
confirmed cooperation of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) with the
Armenian authorities, according to Ramkavar Azatakan Party leader.

As Eduard Antinian said during the Civil Meeting organized by Heritage
opposition party, `ANC promised a revolution and change of power in
the country, yet failed to deliver. Unless pre-term elections are
held, supporters of ordinary elections will have to regroup, also
reminding the people about ANC’s unfulfilled promises, to enable them
to make a right choice in future.’

`ANC calls itself the guarantor of stability in the country, despite
prior statements, suggesting a revolution would be possible in case
other opposition parties joined it. Based on this premise, the
opposition parties in question are the true stability guarantors, whom
ANC must thank for disallowing destabilization in the country,’
Antinian ironized.