Author: Kanayan Tamar

AND NOW, WITH SERBIA, TOO

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Oct 28 2013

by Yavuz Baydar

Imagine if Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras goes to Nicosia and
declares that “Cyprus is Greece, Greece is Cyprus!”

Or, imagine if Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan, while visiting
Nagorno-Karabakh, announces enthusiastically that “Armenia is
Nagorno-Karabakh and Nagorno-Karabakh is Armenia!”

This is more or less what Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
did in Kosovo. Having landed in Prizren, he said: “We all belong to
a common history, common culture, common civilization; we are the
people who are brethren of that structure. Do not forget, Turkey is
Kosovo, Kosovo is Turkey!” He added that he “feels at home” when he
visits Kosovo.

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica DaA?iAâ~@¡ told reporters that Erdogan’s
statement represented “a direct provocation aimed at Serbia,” and that
“something of that kind should not be happening.”

The Serbian government said, “Such statements dealt direct harm to
relations between Serbia and Turkey.” Belgrade expressed its wish
that the European Union will “via its relevant organs, and also in
the capitals of all member countries” undertake appropriate measures
towards Turkey, as is customary in similar situations – considering
that it was “an act that disturbed the peace process in the southern
Serbian province.”

“In the Republic of Serbia, such statements cannot be received as
friendly. They depart from the assurances we get from our contacts
with Turkey’s top officials,” said the Serbian Foreign Ministry.

There were angry demonstrations in Belgrade, with nationalists shouting
“Kosovo is Serbia.” Sentiments even spilled over into Austria where
the leader of the extreme-right Freedom Party (FPO), Heinz Christian
Strache, countered that “Turkey is not Kosovo, Kosovo is not Turkey,”
adding: “We fought for this several centuries ago, and it will always
remain like this. First, Erdogan undermined European societies with a
mass of its citizens, whom he calls ‘his soldiers,’ and now he openly
expresses territorial pretensions in a sovereign European country –
Serbia. This is absolutely unacceptable.”

The crisis has now reached the point of a big chill between Ankara
and Belgrade. Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said he was pulling
out of the trilateral talks between Serbia, Turkey and Bosnia and
Hercegovina. “I expect that reason will prevail in Turkey and Turkey
will apologize to Serbia over this aggression without arms,” he said.

“Until then, as president of Serbia, I am freezing my participation
at the trilateral meeting between Serbia, Bosnia and Hercegovina,
and Turkey, because that is not a meeting of war rumbling but of
democratic countries with statesmanly reason that leads to peace in
the Balkans,” he added.

What is all this about? Storm in a teacup? Actually, there was nothing
wrong with the first part of Erdogan’s statement – the one about
common this or that – but the second part is like sticking a knife
into an open wound in Balkan history and Serbian national identity.

Kosovo is at the centre of it, based on the infamous war between the
Ottomans and Serbs in 1389. It is seen by Serbs as the “motherland.”

It is also where Slobodan Milosevic, a former Serbian president,
made the famous speech that started the bloody Balkan wars in the
early 1990s.

Wisdom says, therefore, Kosovo is Kosovo.

Whether read from a written text or ad-libbed, this incident only
adds another element to the conviction that the primary enemy of
Turkish foreign policy is tactlessness in rhetoric, fed by a delusion
of grandeur.

The subject is always the same.

The ill consequences are spreading to a larger geography in Turkey’s
vicinity – the Middle East, the Caucasus and the Balkans – rapidly
wasting its chances as a benevolent, influential, trusted, impartial,
fair modern power.

The crisis with Serbia only adds to the big troubles of whatever
remains of the “zero problem neighbourhood” of Ankara. The phrase
about Kosovo has caused huge damage to the good efforts of President
Abdullah Gul and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to restore ties
with Serbia since 2009. It is back to square one.

Has it at all helped what remains of the reputation of Erdogan’s
once-fine initiative on the Alliance of Civilizations, its reputation?

Absolutely not.

And it only gets worse.

FAVORABLE CONDITIONS FOR JEWELRY PRODUCTION AVAILABLE IN ARMENIA – GAGIK GEVORGYAN

21:47 ~U 29.10.13

The area for a free economic jewelry production zone is available,
but tremendous work has to be done both in and outside Armenia,
Chairman of the Russian Guild of Jewelers and of the Armenian World
Association of Jewelers Gagik Gevorgyan told Tert.am.

“We must be able to implement programs. This means that people must
come and open up businesses in Armenia. Armenia’s authorities have
done their best and created the most favorable conditions. We should
convince Armenian businessmen that they can establish their businesses
here, make valuable jewelry and sell it in their countries,” he said.

Armenian businessmen are now making jewelry in India, China, Vietnam
and the United Arab Emirates.

Much has changed in Armenia, Gevorgyan says.

“Many businessmen are ready to come to Armenia and cooperate with
local jewelers. And Armenian jewelers’ works are competitive.”

The businessmen wishing to establish production in Armenia will bring
their style and design to the country.

“How can Armenian jewelers know the demand in the French market?

Businessmen coming from there are expected to bring their design
here, form a group of the best jewelers and make the jewelry they
want. If Armenian jewelers can offer anything interesting, foreign
businessmen are willing to employ their potential. I hope it will
happen,” Gevorgyan said.

Asked about the measures to ensure the import of Armenian jewelry,
he said that it has nothing in common with the free economic zone,
but necessary work will be done.

“Thousands of businessmen will come here from different parts of
the world. If they establish necessary contacts, they will bring
foreign culture here and our culture will be disseminated there,”
Gevorgyan said.

He is sure that the program will bring world fame to Armenian jewelry,
which has centuries-old traditions.

“We have peculiar ornaments. We have our Armenian spirit, ideas and
design. I am happy we can preserve it and present to the entire world.

I hope Armenian jewelry will gain world fame in the future,”
Gevorgyan said.

VADIM GOMOZ: AT PRESENTATION OF HIS BOOK KUZNETSOV ADMITS BEING PRO-AZERBAIJANI BIAS THUS DEVALUATING THE BOOK

19:20 29/10/2013 ” SOCIETY

Panorama.am had an exclusive interview with Vadim Gomoz, the editor of
“Wikipedia”.

– You’ve been at the presentation of Oleg Kuznetsov’s book in Moscow,
“Truth about the “myths” of Karabakh conflict”, which was initially
considered as a response to the book of candidate of historical
sciences Stanislav Tarasov called “Myths about Karabakh conflict.”

However, you publicly unveiled a lot of historical inaccuracies and
fact juggling in the content of the book concerning the history of
the Armenian people. Tell us more about it.

– The story of this book revealed an interesting problem. As far as
I understood from the presentation most of the work was actually
carried out by Azerbaijani historian Eldar Abbasov who spoke at
the presentation. He, having investigated the archival documents,
demonstrates incapacity of allegations of Stanislav Tarasov. According
to Abbasov, a selective quoting and document reduction has been made
during the publication. I am not going to judge who is right and
who is wrong, for that I will have to get more familiar with these
documents kept in the archives, however I liked Abbasov’s presentation,
it was absolutely correct. Among the Azerbaijani representatives he
was the only one who spoke to the point, and never made anti-Armenian
attacks. Nevertheless, in the end the results of his works have been
presented in Kuznetsov’s book, and are openly preceded by anti-Armenian
propaganda, with all sorts of absurdities.

– Thus, it means that this product of Azerbaijani propaganda has
caused exactly opposite effect?

– Any historian who will read this book will not be able to go on. If
the author can allow himself to make racist attacks against Armenians,
accompanied with unfounded allegations that contradict to everything
we know about the history of the region, then where are the guarantees
that by presenting the documents, the author will follow the criteria
of scientific scrupulousness? Such passages, on the contrary, a
priori persuade the third-party reader in Tarasov’s correctness,
who is forced to argue with such opponents and on their background
appears to be a pillar of academic correctness and integrity.

– It is known that Kuznetsov claims in his book about Stanislav
Tarasov’s pro-Armenian disposition, at the same time he does not shun
of cooperation with the Azerbaijani side.

– At some point Kuznetsov stated, “Yes, maybe I am not objective,
but I unmasked Tarasov.” From my point of view, just on the contrary,
he did everything to avoid the opportunity to oppose Tarasov on the
merits. Summarizing; they say the smart learns from others’ mistakes,
stupid – on its own. This case can serve an excellent lesson for all
parties of the Karabakh conflict. As soon as the academic study gets
surrounded with propaganda hullabaloo, together with xenophobic tinge,
the credibility of that study tends to zero.

And this, from my point of view, is the main result of Oleg Kuznetsov’s
book presentation.

There are normal researchers in both sides. The problem is in
isolating them from aggressively ignorant crowds, because when there
are ambassadors, Ph.D.s, distinguished writers all around you, and
everyone is trying to dehumanize the opponent, even the mere silence
seems to be a courageous deed. And if you try to argue, they may call
you a “public enemy.”

TACHAT VARDAPETIAN SETS HOPES ON NEW GEORGIAN PRESIDENT

Tuesday,
October
29

Deputy of the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) parliamentary faction,
native of Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia, Tachat Vardapetian
hopes that the problems of Javakhk will be solved now that the party
of Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili came to power.

“Democracy won in the Georgian elections and I set my hopes on the
new president. I hope he will solve the existing problems in Javakhk,
in particular, problems related to the preservation of the Armenian
language and culture”, the MP said.

T. Vardapetian is also hopeful that Georgian-Russian relations will
improve, which will have a positive effect on the Armenian-Georgian
relationship, especially taking into account Armenia’s decision to
join the Customs Union.

TODAY, 18:24

Aysor.am

STEPAN SAFARYAN: THE CIS HEADS OF STATE MINSK SUMMIT SHOWED SHAMEFUL SITUATION AROUND ARMENIA

by Hovhannes Kazaryan

ARMINFO
Tuesday, October 29, 16:01

Moscow has reached its goal, and before the Vilnius summit of the
“Eastern partnership” it “forced” Armenia to abandon the Association
agreement and DCFTA with the EU, secretary of the opposition Heritage
party, Stepan Safaryan, said at today’s press-conference.

He said that a stalemate situation has been created for Armenia. On
the one hand, Armenia “at the instigation” of Russia has found itself
beyond the frames of the Association Agreement with the EU, and on
the other hand, Moscow is not in a hurry to involve Armenia in the
Customs Union.

He said that even top leadership of the country do not strictly
understand the prospects of joining the Customs Union. He also added
that at present having gained its goal Moscow “makes a big splash” in
the matter of Armenia’s joining the Customs Union. The disinformation
of Russian mass media about the results of the CSTO summit in Minsk
is evidence of it, the politician said.

To be impartial, Safaryan said that Armenia’s problems are stemming not
only from the authorities but the opposition as well. He also confessed
that at present not everything of OK within the Heritage party.

GREECE MINISTER VISITS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL (PHOTOS)

October 29, 2013 | 17:09

YEREVAN. – At the invitation of Armenian Minister of Defense Seyran
Ohanyan, a delegation, led by Greek Minister of National Defence
Dimitris Avramopoulos, arrived in Armenia Monday on a two-day
official visit.

At the Armenian MOD, the two defense ministers held a private
conversation, which was followed by extended talks.

They discussed Armenian-Greek military cooperation as well as regional
and international security. The parties greatly appreciated the high
level of collaboration between the defense ministries of Armenia
and Greece.

Subsequently, the Greek delegation paid a visit to the Armenian
Genocide Memorial, laid a wreath to the monument to the genocide
victims, and also toured the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.

FRENCH ENVOY TALKS KARABAKH, CUSTOMS UNION, GENOCIDE BILL

October 29, 2013 – 15:36 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs never ignored the
issue of the Nagorno Karabakh’s involvement in the conflict settlement
talks, French envoy to Armenia noted commenting on former co-chair
Bernard Fassier’s statement.

“Fassier, who earlier stressed the necessity of Karabakh’s involvement
in the talks, is an experienced diplomat and has extensive knowledge of
the issue, so I cannot really question his words,” Henri Reynaud said.

“I can only add that the OSCE MG will take every effort to promote
the settlement. However, the MG is a mediatory mission and can only
offer the settlement options to the conflicting parties, with the
latters responsible for final decision.”

According to the envoy, with elections completed both in Armenia and
Azerbaijan, the countries might come up with new suggestions. The
ambassador also stressed the necessity of rapid settlement of the
conflict, which prevents the development of the region, Armenia
Today said.

According to Panorama.am, the envoy said that Armenia’s sovereign
decision to join the Customs Union was accepted, with the country’s
leadership having expressed a wish to continue relations with the EU.

“EU, as well, did not close its doors to further partnership with
Armenia in a number of sectors and formats, such as administration,
legal, etc., which are not covered by the Customs Union,” he noted.

The envoy offered no comment on reports suggesting Armenia was
pressured by Russia into joining the Customs Union.

As he further noted, a new bill on criminalization of the Armenian
Genocide hasn’t yet been submitted to the French parliament, according
to Novosti-Armenia.

ISLAMISTS SET FIRE TO ARMENIAN CHURCH IN SYRIAN TOWN

October 29, 2013 – 16:52 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Islamists set fire to Surp Khach Armenian church
in Tel Abyad town in northeast Syria.

According to Beirut-based Aztag daily, the arson was committed by
members of al Qaeda-linked Islamic State in Iraq and Levant group,
who took the cross off the church and torched it.

Armenians have been living in Tel Abyad since 1915. The church was
built in 1932 and reconstructed in 1996. Before the war, it also
hosted a Sunday school.

10,000 Armenians fled to Armenia while 5,000 found shelter in
neighboring Lebanon.

More than 115,000 people have been killed in Syria war, including
tens of thousands of soldiers, rebels and civilians.

Photo: aztagdaily.com

HRAPARAK: NSS CHIEF HAS HEALTH PROBLEMS

11:13 29/10/2013 ” DAILY PRESS

Director of Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) Gorik Hakobyan
has heath problems, according to Hraparak newspaper.

“He is in Germany for the purpose of medical treatment. In parallel
with the appointment of the new Prosecutor General, rumors were
circulating that Gorik Hakobyan will also resign, but the process is
being protracted as no substitute has been found yet for him. Now,
these talks are again circulating,” the paper says.

Source: Panorama.am

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN VOTED THE BEST IN BUNDESLIGA THIS WEEK

11:01 29.10.2013

A superlative attacking midfield display from Borussia Dortmund
playmaker in the Revierderby was enough for the Armenian to run away
with the Matchday 10 Player of the Week vote, Bundesliga’s official
website writes.

Dortmund won 3-1 against local rivals FC Schalke 04 and Mkhitaryan
demonstrated the full array of his playmaking abilities. As many
as 58 per cent of bundesliga.com readers voted for the 24-year-old,
giving him his second Player of the Week gong this season, after his
brace against Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 4.

“For those traditionalists who believe a playmaker’s passes are more
important than his goals, Mkhitaryan’s was a performance for the ages.

His beautifully weighted ball in the 17th minute allowed Marco Reus to
cross for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who duly opened the scoring. As
if the secondary assist was just a warning, Mkhitaryan then picked
up two genuine assists. The first was a pass that invited Nuri Sahin
to strike from 20 yards for his first goal of the season, while the
second was the mark of a modern creative master,” the website writes.

He drove 70 yards after picking the ball up on the edge of his
box, and then displayed superb vision to slide a pass in for Jakub
Blaszczykowski, who made no mistake in making it 3-1. Mkhitaryan’s
performance blew away his challengers for the award, Mario Mandzukic’s
brace from the bench to lead Bayern to a 3-2 victory over Hertha
Berlin only gaining him 19 per cent of the vote.