Author: Kanayan Tamar

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER REJECTS OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE IN TALKS WITH ARMENIA

Anadolu Agency
Feb 9 2009
Turkey

"Turkish foreign minister rejects third party intervention into
Turkey-Armenia talks as counterproductive"

ANKARA (A.A) – Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Monday any
intervention by a third party into Turkey’s ongoing talks with Armenia
would prove counterproductive.

"The dialogue between our two countries aims at normalizing
all bilateral relations and we make progress to that end in each
contact. And I do not believe that the intervention of other countries
would be constructive," Babacan told a joint press meeting with
visiting Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin in Ankara.

Babacan said talks with Armenia included the events of 1915, asking
for support to the dialogue between Turkey and Armenia.

"As we conduct such important talks all should avoid moves that would
damage this process," Babacan said.

The Turkish foreign minister said he discussed with his Ethiopian
counterpart recent developments in Somalia, and problems in Sudan
and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Babacan said Turkish parliament was set to discuss on Tuesday a
government motion to deploy naval forces to the Gulf of Aden.

Visiting foreign minister said on his part that Ethiopia welcomed
Turkish businesspeople investing in his country, adding that Turkey
had established good relations with African countries.

SERZH SARGSYAN TO CONGRATULATE ALBERT AZARYAN

Panorama.am
11:41 11/02/2009

The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of the
famous Armenian sportsman Albert Azaryan’s 80th anniversary sent
a congratulatory message to him, reports the press service of the
President’s Administration. It is particularly mentioned in the
message:

"Dear Mister Azaryan, I cordially congratulate You on the occasion of
80th anniversary of yours. Being one of the first Olympic Champions,
You are the glory and the pride of Armenian sport. Sport encyclopedias
tell about "Azaryan’s cross". Your investment in the development of
Armenian sport is great.

Once more I congratulate You with the jubilee anniversary, I wish
You strong health, long lasting life and success."

AMERICAN CO-CHAIR OF THE OSCE MG HOPES AN ARRANGEMENT ON THE BASIC PRINCIPLES WILL BE REACHED IN SUMMER OF THE CURRENT YEAR

ArmInfo
2009-02-11 14:14:00

Arminfo. American co-chair of the OSCE MG Matthew Bryza hopes an
arrangement on the basic principles will be reached in summer of the
current year.

‘I hope though that there will be agreement on the basic principals,
let say by the middle of the year, summer time. But it remains to be
seen whether anything whatever will be signed at that point. The basic
principals of settlement, once they are agreed they became an outline
of formal then document that later will be negotiated and signed’,
Matthew Bryza said when commenting on US Ambassador to Armenia Marie
Yovanovitch’s statement on possibility of signing of the framework
agreement on Karabakh in summer 2009 APA reported. ‘Again, I didn’t
read that quote but I don’t necessarily anticipate signing of anything
this summer unless the presidents say they do want to sign something.

May be they will maybe they will not. We really need to sustain the
positive momentum on Nagorno-Karabakh that presidents Aliyev and
Sarkisyan have built. And their meeting in Zurich was positive and
was the most productive meeting between the presidents what I have
experienced today on Nagorno-Karabakh. They both are being creative,
I mean both presidents, and looking for the ways to bridge the final
differences between their perspective countries position. I think
we have real chance to do that. We have the opportunity to help them
find the right formulations, right concepts so that we get a balance
and fair agreement and this agreement that will be complicated and
must find some way to take into account the most important issue for
Azerbaijan which is the territorial integrity. By the way, the USA,
Russia, France and all Minsk group recognize the territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan’, Bryza said and added that the agreement must taking
into account Azerbaijan territorial integrity, and the Armenian desire
for self determination. ‘Because that what Armenians say their most
important point is. So there is going to be an agreement. You have to
take it account. And you also should take into account the principle
of non use of force. So I think that we can do this. In fact, we,
the Minsk group Co-Chairs have proposed the way to do that and we are
trying to finalize that text to maintain the balance in order which
mutually agreeable. So that is our priority to get this job done’,
– he said.

GORAN LENNMARKER: GOLDEN POSSIBILITY IS CREATED FOR SETTLING NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT THIS YEAR

Noyan Tapan

Feb 9, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. On February 9, RA NA Speaker Hovik
Abrahamian received a delegation led by Goran Lennmarker, the Honorary
President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, OSCE PA President’s
Special Representative for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Noyan Tapan
was informed about it by the RA NA Public Relations Department.

Attaching importance to OSCE Minsk Group’s activity in the Nagorno
Karabakh peaceful settlement process, H. Abrahamian in that context
highly assessed the unbiassed and objective report presented by
G. Lennmarker in 2005. He reaffirmed Armenian authorities’ position
that there is no alternative to problem’s peaceful settlement and once
more drew attention to Azerbaijan’s bellicose statements, which is
evidence that the neighboring country does not wish to see the problem
solved, otherwise it would try to prepare its society for problem’s
peaceful settlement. H. Abrahamian said that the Azeri authorities
presenting themselves as supporters of problem’s peaceful settlement,
continue war threats and appeals, hatred propaganda in their country.

The parliament Speaker considered as an important step aimed at
problem’s peaceful settlement the agreement reached between Armenian
and Azeri Presidents during their meeting in Saint Petersburg,
accepting Madrid principles as the negotiations basis, signing
Declaration on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict by the Presidents of
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and RF in Moscow, the declaration adopted by 56
OSCE member-countries’ Foreign Ministers in Helsinki, RA President
Serzh Sargsyan’s and Azeri President Ilham Aliyev’s meeting in the
city of Zurich, Switzerland.

H. Abrahamian stressed that declaring European integration as a
political priority, Armenia is interested in problem’s quick solution,
based on concessions and in a peaceful way, which, according to him,
will contribute to deepening the reforms aimed at strengthening
democracy in the country. In his affirmation, Armenia should have a
good-neighborly relations with all its neighbors, and S. Sargsyan’s
initiative to invite Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Armenia is its
best example. H. Abrahamian said that Armenia has repeatedly announced
its readiness for cooperating with Turkey without preconditions
considering it inadmissible that Turkey pretending on membership to
EU will have closed borders with its neighboring country.

Attaching importance to peace and stability in the issue of regional
development, H. Abrahamian said that in consequence of the events in
South Ossetia Armenia’s economy suffered a loss of 650m USD.

G. Lennmarker welcomed Armenia’s interests aimed at problem’s
peaceful settlement mentioning that the problem should be solved
within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. According to him,
"a golden possibility" is created for settling the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict this year, which should be based on concessions. In the
context of regional integration and cooperation G.

Lennmarker considered as progress the initiative to invite the Turkish
President to Armenia, which, in his words, will have a positive
continuation. Considering inadmissible the borders’ being closed,
he said that it is the European Union that decides it external borders.

AZERBAIJAN READY FOR DELIMITATION OF STATE BORDER WITH ARMENIA

Azerbaijan Business Center
Feb 9 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Azerbaijan is ready for delimitation of its
state border with Armenia (the country’s longest border).

Garib Mammadov, the chairman of the State Land & Cartography Committee,
says that Azerbaijan is ready for delimitation of the border with
Armenia only after the latter releases occupied territories of
Azerbaijan.

"The state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia recognized by the
world community has length of 1 007 km," he said.

Diverse sources indicate different surface area of lands occupied by
Armenia – 16% and 20% of Azerbaijani territory.

"Surface of occupied lands of Azerbaijan is 20% with taking into
account buffer zone," Mammadov said.

Hot Boxing News
Feb 8 2009

Arce Rushed to Hospital after Knockout Defeat to Darchinyan

By Adam Ramirez
FightNetBoxing.com
Photo: Mary Ann Owen
February 8, 2009

(FEB 8) ANAHEIM- Challenger Jorge Arce was rushed to the hospital
Saturday about an hour after taking a beating from WBA, WBC and IBF
junior bantamweight champ Vic Darchinyan at the Honda Center. In a
bizarre scene, Arce was treated by EMT staff in the Honda Center press
room while a handful of reporters wrote copy on deadline.

EMT staff were concerned about Arce’s blood pressure, which was
fluctuating from high to low. Arce initially insisted he was fine to
walk to the ambulance; however, after he admitted to being unbalanced,
he got on the gurney and started breathing from an oxygen mask.

The EMT cleared the hallway so that he could have some privacy, and he
was wheeled onto the ambulance away from the press conference, which
was happening at the same time.

Arce had a glassy look in his eye during the verbal exchange with the
EMT.

"Ask him where he hurts," an Anaheim EMT asked.

"Behind my ear and my right eye here," Arce said through the oxygen
mask. Arce had complained during the fight about being struck behind
his ear.

The scene happened while reporters typed away on their
computers. While he was being wheeled to the ambulance, a promoter
asked him if he could sign for his paycheck.

It was a stark reminder how championship boxers have to endure so much
to earn a living. More to come on this breaking story.

Darchinyan Has Too Much Power, Skills for Arce in Title Fight
Aremenian champ shows some skills en route to 11th round TKO

By Adam Ramirez
FightNetBoxing.com

ANAHEIM – Vic Darchinyan strutted into the ring Saturday night with a
Cheshire Cat-like smirk. He exuded confidence and had a look on his
face that said: "I own this guy, just watch."

Then the Armenian champion proceeded to follow up his braggadocio with
a strong, 11-round TKO of Mexican Jorge Arce to defend his 115-pound
IBF, WBC and WBA world titles.

The partisan crowd in the Honda Center made the arena feel like a
World Cup match. Darchinyan fans waved red, orange and blue Aremenian
flags while Arce’s Mexican supporters changed "Mexico, Mexico!" The
Mexican fans loudly jeered Darchinyan as he entered the ring, which
only seemed to make him smirk that much more.

Make no mistake, Darchinyan backed up his brashness with a dominating
performance. He won every round on most observers cards, although one
could argue Arce won a hotly contested third round. Regardless,
Darchinyan delivered in every respect in this skillful performance.

"I did punish him tonight, and I could have done the same if we had
fought 2 or 3 years ago," Darchinyan said after taking a victory ride
on a handler’s shoulders. "I am more than a left-handed fighter, I can
take people apart with both hands."

Darchinyan’s powerful left hand set the tone for the night. He landed
straight lefts and left counterpunches early and often. The
33-year-old champ showed versatility, strength and ring savvy.

Darchinyan had kind words for Arce after his victory:

"[Arce] surprised me, I didn’t expect this kind of fight," Darchinyan
said. "He’s a tough, and a good fighter.

"I hit him with some good shots, but he kept fighting back. I would
have liked to have knocked him out cold, but I’m happy."

Darchinyan earned all his accolades on this night with a punishing
performance.

Arce, for his part, left everything in the ring. A true warrior, Arce
refused to go down and insisted to keep taking shots from Darchinyan.

At the end of the 11th round, he looked frustrated and out of
sorts. Both his eyes were badly swollen at that point. A deep cut had
developed over his right eye that was bleeding badly. Arce kept pawing
at the eye and he seemed out of sorts each time Darchinyan pressed
him.

Arce was badly swollen after the fight, but insisted that they should
have let him come out for the final round.

"I came to fight, I still don’t know why they stopped it," Arce
said. "I’m a puncher, and I had a puncher’s chance in there, I would
have liked to have tried to win it in the last round.

"But I make no excuses. Darchinyan is a good strong, fighter. But I
know I hurt him a few times with body shots and, of course, I’d like a
rematch. I don’t like it when fights end like that."

Adam Ramirez, who was highly impressed by Darchinyan, can be reached
at [email protected]

http://www.hotboxingnews.c om/NEWS2009/news0208091.htm

Milliyet, Turkey
Feb 5 2009

Hostility to Israel and United States or a Disaster Scenario

Hasan Cemal

Does the Turkish public harbour antagonism to Israel today? Yes, it
does.

Does this situation also provoke a wave of anti-Semitism? Yes, it
does.

Another question: Would you want extreme anti-American sentiments to
be compounded to the rising tide of hostility towards Israel?

The leaders of Israel and the "Jewish lobby" in Washington need to
think about the answer to this question.

Compounding hostility to Israel with anti-American sentiments – how
can this happen? It is very simple. The passage of any resolution
recognizing the Armenian genocide in the US Congress would immediately
lead to an explosion of anti-Americanism in this country and result in
a shattering of pots and pans in every sense.

Indeed, if you want to provoke an even bigger wave of hostility, you
could comply with the demands of the Armenian diaspora and make sure
that Congress approves such a resolution before the 29 March [local]
elections in Turkey. Such a step would deal an even more mortal blow
to Turkish-US relations.

Is the Jewish lobby in favour of this? Does Israel want it? What about
the Obama administration?

How well has the brain trust of the new US President contemplated the
dangers of such a move?

Here is a possible scenario:

Stage one: The Armenian genocide bill is brought before Congress. The
Jewish lobby helps the Armenian lobby or remains neutral. President
Obama keeps his campaign pledge and Congress approves the bill.

Stage two: Hostility to Israel and the United States surges in Turkey
on the top of a massive nationalist tide. Turkey’s relations with both
countries are dealt a heavy blow. Nationalist, neonationalist, and
radical Islamist movements in Turkey gain strength.

Stage three: The normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia
are sadly postponed to another time. Fanatics and extremists on both
sides gain.

Stage four: Turkey turns into an impeding rather than a facilitating
player in the game plans of the new US administration with regard to
the Middle East, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Russia, Afghanistan, and energy
security.

Stage five: No one should doubt that the EU will also take its share
of any explosion of hostility to Israel and the United States as a
result of the passage of an Armenian resolution in the US
Congress. Groups – in and outside Turkey – that do not want to see
Turkey join the EU would benefit greatly from this.

Stage six: The rising anti-Western tide in Turkey narrows Prime
Minister Erdogan’s manoeuvring room on Cyprus substantially. The
resulting failure to resolve the impasse in Cyprus by the end of 2009
harms Turkish-EU relations on the top Turkish-US relations.

Stage seven: Neonationalists, extreme nationalists, and radical
Islamists are obviously most pleased with a Turkey whose ties with
both the United States and Europe are rapidly deteriorating and that
is sliding into political instability on the top of economic
instability caused by the global financial crisis. Groups that want to
pull Turkey into Eurasia, the Islamic world, or, for example, the
Iran-Hamas-Syria axis are especially delighted.

Stage eight: As these stages unfold simultaneously, the military is
once again enticed to intervene – as was done in 2003 and 2004. Fresh
coup plans similar to the "Flaxen Girl," "Moonlight," and "Glove" are
activated to make Prime Minister Erdogan to pay the price.

There is no need to make the scenario longer. This is a vicious cycle
– an unpleasant and dangerous vicious cycle that may be set in motion
by an Armenian genocide resolution in the US Congress.

More correctly, it is a disaster scenario.

Let us note right away that Israel, Turkey, the United States, the EU
as well as regional peace and stability would be harmed by such a
vicious cycle.

Are we obligated to confine ourselves to such a cycle?

Read my fourth article in this series tomorrow.

[translated from Turkish]

OSCE co-chairs to discuss steps to resolve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

2009-02-07 12:45:00

ArmInfo. The OSCE Minsk Group Russian, French and U.S. co-chairs will
discuss steps to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

The co-chairs will visit the region in late February or early March to
continue consultations with both countries’ governments, OSCE Minsk
Group U.S. Co-Chair Matthew Bryza told Trend News. The co-chairs will
discuss steps to resolve the conflict following the meeting between the
Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Zurich on Jan. 28.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Armenian counterpart Serzh
Sargsyan made progress in agreeing on key elements of the basic
principles, Bryza told Trend News after the meeting. "The meeting was
positive and constructive. The presidents made progress in solidifying
their mutual understanding on several key elements of the basic
principles and in narrowing differences on some other issues," Bryza
said.

GEORGIA, ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN DISCUSS ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM IN TBILISI

Today.Az
/50539.html
Feb 6 2009
Azerbaijan

The session of the steering committee of the South Caucasus Anti-Drug
program, attended by representatives of the governments of the three
countries of the region, was held in Tbilisi Friday.

The meeting participants discussed results of the anti-drug program
from 2007 and the plans for 2009.

The program is implemented under financial support of the European
Union and in the indirect participation of the UN Development Program.

The program was launched five years ago. The fifth stage of the
program, estimated at over EUR 2 mln, started in 2007 and will last
for three years.

"The drug problem is a transnational problem and it equally concerns
all the three South Caucasus states. In this connection it is
very important to cooperate to reduce spread of drugs and their
consumption", ambassador Pair Eklund, head of the representative
office of the European commission in Georgia told reporters.

In turn, UNDP permanent representative Robert Watkins noted that the
main goal of the program is assistance to cooperation between the
South Caucasus country in combat with drugs.

The program consists of several components, in particular, assistance
to cooperation between the South Caucasus countries in combat with
drugs.

The program including several components, in particular, assistance to
cooperation between governments to attain harmonization of legislation
with the EU laws. Moreover, it implies broadened capabilities to treat
drug addicts and introduce a special course about harm of drugs to
the school curriculum.

"Significant progress has been attained through several years of the
program. Cooperation has strengthened and harmonization of the law
has occurred at a definite stage, while the number of treated and
the quality of treatment grew up. Moreover, this issue has started
to be discussed at schools", noted Watkins.

Seminars for judges and prosecutors, trainings for representatives
of the law enforcement bodies, schoolchildren and mass media
representatives are planned in the framework of the anti-drug program
in 2009. At the same time, the program ensures technical assistance
to the centers of detoxification and laboratories of the judicial
expertise.

THE FEAST OF ST. SARKIS CELEBRATED IN ARMENIA
Sona Hakobyan

"Radiolur"
06.02.2009 17:15

St. Sarkis is the patron of youth and love. This year the feast of
St. Sarkis is celebrated on February 7. Marking the feast day of
St. Sarkis, the patron saint of young love, unmarried Armenian men
and women eat a piece of salty bread, ideally after fasting all day,
in the hope of dreaming about their future husband. Tradition says
the man who brings them water in the dream will be the man they marry.

During the reign of Constantine the Great, St. Sarkis, then a Greek
General, was recognized for his great military skill as a warrior,
and was made a Roman General. Although he fought for the Roman armies
under the authority of a pagan monarch, St. Sarkis, a Christian,
spread the teachings of Christ.

He destroyed pagan temples, and religious artifacts whenever possible
and erected churches and crosses to replace them.

On the night preceding the feast of St. Sarkis faithful people place
a tray full of gruel before the door believing that while passing
near their door at dawn St. Sarkis will leave his footprint on the
gruel symbolizing the fulfillment of their dreams.

Divine Liturgies will be celebrated in all churches named after
St. Sarkis tomorrow. Following the Liturgy a special ceremony of
blessing of young people will be offered.