Author: Kanayan Tamar

GERMANY CANCELS SPYING PACT WITH US, UK

09:52 03.08.13

Germany has canceled a Cold War-era surveillance pact with the US
and Britain on Friday in response to revelations by National Security
Agency leakerEdward Snowden about those countries’ alleged electronic
eavesdropping operations, Ya Lybnan reported.

The move appeared largely symbolic, designed to show that the German
government was taking action to stop unwarranted surveillance directed
against its citizens without actually jeopardizing relations with
Washington and London. With weeks to go before national elections,
opposition parties had seized on Snowden’s claim that Germany was
complicit in the NSA’s intelligence-gathering operations.

Government officials have insisted that US and British intelligence
were never given permission to break Germany’s strict privacy laws.

But they conceded last month that an agreement dating back to the late
1960s gave the US, Britain and France the right to request German
authorities to conduct surveillance operations within Germany to
protect their troops stationed there.

“The cancellation of the administrative agreements, which we have
pushed for in recent weeks, is a necessary and proper consequence
of the recent debate about protecting personal privacy,” Germany’s
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in a statement.

British Foreign Office brushed off the significance of the German
move. “It’s a loose end from a previous era which is right to tie up,”
the Foreign Office said in a statement, noting that the agreement
had not been used since 1990.

A spokeswoman for the US embassy in Berlin, Ruth Bennett, confirmed
that the agreement had been canceled but declined to comment further
on the issue.

A German official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said the
cancellation would have little practical consequences.

He said the agreement had not been invoked since the end of the
Cold War and would have no impact on current intelligence cooperation
between Germany and its NATO allies. The official spoke on condition of
anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to publicly discuss the issue.

Germany is currently in talks with France to cancel its part of the
agreement as well.

Public reaction in Germany to Snowden’s revelations was particularly
strong, with civil rights campaigners recalling the mass
surveillancecarried out by secret police in communist East Germany
and during the Nazi era. Chancellor Angela Merkel went so far as to
raise the issue of alleged NSA spying with President Barack Obama
when he visited Berlin in June.

“The government needs to do something to show voters it’s taking the
issue seriously,” saidHenning Riecke of the German Council on Foreign
Relations, a Berlin-based think tank. “Ending an agreement made in
the pre-Internet age gives the Germans a chance to show they’re doing
something, and at the same time the Americans know it’s not going to
hurt them. Given the good relations between the intelligence agencies,
they’ll get the information they need anyway.”

According to Snowden, Germany has been a particular focus on U.S.

intelligence gathering operations in recent years. Several of those
who plotted and carried out the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in
the United States had lived in Germany.

In March 2011, two U.S. Air Force members were killed and two wounded
when a gunman from Kosovo fired on a military bus at Frankfurt
International Airport. The gunman told police he was motivated by
anger over the U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Armenian News – Tert.am

1 259 TITRES DE LIVRES PUBLIES EN ARMENIE EN 2012 POUR UN TIRAGE TOTAL DE 796 000 EXEMPLAIRES

ARMENIE-LIVRES

Selon les statistiques officielles, en 2012 furent publies en Armenien
1 259 titres de livres avec une edition totale de 796 000 exemplaires,
ce qui fait une moyenne de 632 exemplaires par titre. 1 240 titres de
livres avec un total de 760 000 exemplaires edites furent enregistres
en 2011. A peine le quart de ces livres porte sur l’art. L’an dernier
une partie important des publications -avec 453 titres- etaient
les au domaine des sciences sociales. Alors que lors de la periode
sovietique, des milliers de livres etaient publies -par les soins de
l’Etat- avec parfois des tirages de 100 000 exemplaires par titre,
depuis l’independance de l’Armenie, cette edition qui est desormais du
domaine du secteur prive a fortement chute. Sans doute la consequence
du prix des livres non subventionnes par l’Etat qui connurent une
hausse très importante et le nombre des lecteurs en baisse constante
du fait de la presence soutenue d’internet et des medias.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 3 août 2013, Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

REVUE DE PRESSE AZERBAIDJANAISE DU 13 AU 19 JUILLET 2013

AZERBAIDJAN
Politique interieure

” Ekspress “, ” 525-ci gazet ” et la presse d’opposition rendent compte
de l’arrestation des activistes Ulvi Hassanli, membre de l’organisation
” Jeunesse libre ” et Emil Baguirov, membre de ” NIDA “, suite aux
depliants hostiles au regime avec les slogans ” Change le pouvoir “,
” Proteste contre le pouvoir “. 15 et 16 .07.2013

” Les autorites poursuivent la repression contre la jeunesse “,
titre d’Azadlig. 16.07.2013

Dans son interview accordee au quotidien ” Ekho ” a propos de la visite
a Bakou d’Ahmet Davudoglu, le Ministre turc des affaires etrangères,
Mubariz Akhmedoglu, chef du centre des innovations politiques et
technologiques n’exclut pas ” le debut des operations militaires
dans le Haut -Karabakh ” comme sujet pouvant etre aborde avec les
autorites azerbaidjanaises. 17.07.2013

Un groupe de deputes du Parlement a adresse une lettre au chef
de l’Etat azerbaïdjanais a propos de liberation d’Avaz Zeynalli,
redacteur en chef du journal ” Khural “. 18.07.2013

L’ensemble de la presse azerbaïdjanaise rapporte qu’Ilham Aliyev,
president de la Republique d’Azerbaïdjan a tenu une reunion du Cabinet
des ministres consacree au bilan du developpement social et economique
du premier semestre de 2013, faisant etat d’une croissance du PIB de 5%
et de 11% pour le secteur non petrolier.

Relations internationales

La presse officielle rapporte la lettre de felicitation du president
azerbaidjanais Ilham Aliyev adressee a Francois Hollande, president
de France a l’occasion de la fete nationale francaise du 14 juillet,
rapporte la presse officielle. 14.07.2013

Leonid Kojara, Ministre ukrainien des Affaires etrangères assurant
actuellement la Presidence de l’OSCE s’est entretenu avec Edvard
Nalbadyan, ministre armenien des affaires etrangères. Les relations
bilaterales, regionales et internationales ont ete abordees lors de
cette rencontre, indique l’ensemble de la presse azerbaïdjanaise.

L’Azerbaïdjan a lance des exercices militaires conjointement avec la
Turquie., informe la presse du 17 juillet.

La presse couvre largement la visite a Bakou d’Ahmet Davudoglu,
Ministre turc des affaires etrangères. 16.07.2013

Le president azerbaïdjanais Ilham Aliyev a recu d’Ahmet Davudoglu,
ministre turc des affaires etrangères. 18.07.2013

La presse informe de la tenue de la ceremonie organisee par l’ambassade
de France a l’occasion de la fete nationale francaise, en presence
de M. Samir Sharifov, Ministre des finances de l’Azerbaïdjan.

La communaute francaise, les deputes du Parlement, representants
des autorites azerbaidjanaises et des organisations diplomatiques
ont participe a cette reception. ” Azerbaïdjan “, ” Khalg qazeti ”
du 16 juillet.

” Azadlig ” reprend les propos de Pascal Meunier, Ambassadeur de France
en Azerbaïdjan selon lesquels la France veut voir l’Azerbaïdjan comme
un pays fort, independant, democratique. 17.07.2013

” Les projets TAP et TANAP sont porteurs d’une grande valeur pour
l’Azerbaïdjan et pour la securite energetiques de l’Europe ” a
declare Suma Chakrabarti, president de la Banque europeenne pour
la reconstruction et le developpement, lors de la conference de
presse commune avec le ministre azerbaidjanais des Finances, Shakhin
Mustafayev. ” 525-ci gazet ” 16.07.2013

” Khalg gazeti ” du 16 juillet consacre un long article a l’interview
de l’Ambassadeur de France en Azerbaïdjan accordee a APA, agence
de presse. ” Nous souhaitons organiser une rencontre entre des
azerbaidjanais et des armeniens a Paris et a Strasbourg ” a declare M.

Pascal Meunier.

La chaîne de television publique Ichtimai a consacre le 15 juillet
une emission d’une heure trente a la France avec une interview en
direct de l’Ambassadeur de France.

Philippe Lefort, representant special de l’UE pour le Caucase du
Sud et la crise en Georgie visitera Bakou la semaine prochaine. Les
discussions a propos du règlement du conflit du Haut- Karabakh sont
a l’origine de sa visite, annonce la presse. 19.07.2013

Selon APA, agence de presse, le president turc Abdulla Gul se
rendra en Azerbaïdjan le 15 août, annonce l’ensemble de la presse
azerbaïdjanaise. 19.07.2013

Le president azerbaïdjanais Ilham Aliyev a recu Herbert Quelle,
ambassadeur d’Allemagne a l’occasion de la fin de sa mission
diplomatique en Azerbaïdjan. 19.07.2013

Relations armeno-azerbaïdjanaises

APA , agence de presse, evoque les propos d’Henri Reynaud, Ambassadeur
de France en Armenie , selon lesquels le processus du règlement du
conflit du Haut -Karabakh devrait etre poursuivi selon les principes
de Madrid. ” 525-ci gazet ” 13.07.2013

Le 12 juillet a Vienne, les ministres des Affaires etrangères
d’Azerbaïdjan et d’Armenie se sont entretenus en presence des
copresidents du groupe de Minsk. 03.07.2013

Image de la France

L’accident de train dans l’Essonne. Selon le bilan, il y a huit morts
et douze blesses, informent ” Azerbaïdjan ” et ” Ekspress ” 14.07.2013

L’agence internationale de notation Fitch a abaisse les notes des
banques francaises. ” Ekspress ” 13-15 juillet 2013

Au sud de la France, les activistes de Greenpeace qui ont reussi
a penetrer dans la centrale nucleaire ont ete arretes, relate ”
Bakinskiy rabotchiy ” 16.07.2013

L’arrestation des militants de Greenpeace, l’organisation ecologique
internationale après leur intrusion dans une centrale nucleaire
du Tricastin, dans la Drôme est egalement rapporte par ” Zerkalo ”
du 17 juillet.

Le president francais, Francois Hollande a confirme la mort de l’otage
francais au Mali. ” Bakinskiy rabotchiy ” 17.07 .2013

” Khalg gazeti “, ” Azerbaycan “, ” Ekho ” font etat de la publication
d’un article dans un journal francais ” Beaux Arts ” s’intitulant ”
La culture azerbaïdjanaise a l’honneur ” consacre aux projets de la
Fondation de Heydar Aliyev et a sa Vice -presidente Leyla Aliyeva.

18.07.2013

Service de presse de l’ambassade de France en Azerbaidjan

samedi 3 août 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

ARMENIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH DECLINE STARTS CAUSING CONCERN FOR GOVERNMENT – NEWSPAPER

August 03, 2013 | 07:48

YEREVAN. – The economic growth decline in Armenia in the first half
of the year has started causing concern for the Government, too. And
there are reasons for this concern, Hayots Ashkharh daily reports.

“A slowing down in economic activity is observed especially in the
second quarter. The fact that the [reduction in] economic activity
has started causing concern for the government is shown by the PM’s
statement that was made in the past executive session.

“Accordingly, [PM Tigran] Sargsyan commissioned the members of the
Government to conduct analyses in the domains which they head and to
bring to light the phenomena that hinder economic growth.

“The results of the analyses of the ministers are expected to be
discussed in the next Government session.

“The executive is in a hurry and this is not accidental, since there
is limited time to improve the economic growth indicators,” Hayots
Ashkharh writes.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

PRELACY HOSTS FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR CONSUL GENERAL

Friday, August 2nd, 2013

Consul General Grigor Hovhannissian receiving a plaque from the Prelacy

LA CRESCENTA-On the evening of Wednesday, July 31, the Western
Prelacy family and community gathered at the “Dikran and Zarouhie Der
Ghazarian” Hall to bid farewell to Consul General Grigor Hovhannissian
who will soon embark on his new mission as the first Ambassador of
Armenia to Mexico.

The reception was held under the auspices of Western Prelate
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and was organized by the Prelacy
Ladies Auxiliary. Among the guests in attendance were clergy, Central
Executive member Khajag Dikijian, ARF Central Committee Chair Dr.

Viken Hovsepian and member Dr. Viken Yacoubian, representatives
from the Board of Regents, Homenetmen and ARS Central and Regional
Executives Hamazkayin Regional Executive, ANC, Armenia Fund, United
Armenia Fund, Armenian Bar Association, Armenian American Medical
Society, Armenian Society of Los Angeles, Friends of New Julfa,
benefactors who have assisted Armenia, Prelacy Committees, and
Consular staff.

The evening began with welcoming remarks delivered by Ladies Auxiliary
member Mrs. Alisa Konanyan, who thanked the guests for joining the
Prelacy in honoring the Consul General, then invited the Prelate for
the invocation.

During dinner, Khajag Dikijian invited the guests to raise a glass in
honor of the Consul General and his wife Victoria, wishing them good
health and success. Executive Council member and Master of Ceremonies
Dr. Dikran Babikian in his greeting acknowledged the sister and
community organizations represented and thanked them all for their
attendance to express commendation for the Consul General’s service
over the past four years.

Following dinner, the Master of Ceremonies addressed the guests once
again, noting that the evening has a threefold purpose; to thank
the Consul General, congratulate him on his promotion to Ambassador,
and wish him and his family farewell. Dr. Babikian reflected on the
Consul’s achievements during his term, among them the realization
of the House of Armenia, and progress made in economic, commerce,
cultural, and other realms. He noted that the Consul General and his
wife will face new challenges in Mexico, such as raising their young
daughters in a non-Armenian environment. He then invited Executive
Council Chair Rima Boghossian to deliver her remarks.

Boghossian commended the Consul General on his service and
accomplishments, noting that he earned the love and respect of the
community with his strong leadership and dedication, and wished him
success in his new mission.

In his address, ARF Central Committee Chair Dr. Viken Hovsepian first
thanked the Prelate and Ladies Auxiliary for hosting and organizing
the reception. He noted that the Consul General served a diverse
community, which in itself is a challenge for any public servant,
but he took on that challenge and successfully carried out the mission
entrusted to him. Dr. Hovsepian stated that a diplomat’s top priority
is securing the best interest of the government he represents; however,
at time the interests of the nation as a whole are more important
than the interests of the government, and in this too the Consul
General was successful. He spoke highly of the close relationship
and bond established between the Consul General and our community,
stating that he leaves as a dear friend, and the impression he left
will last even after his departure. Finally, Dr. Hovsepian exalted
the Consul General’s deep love for our nation and people, which was
evident in his service, and wished that our nation’s leaders carry
out their mission with this same approach.

The Master of Ceremonies then invited the Prelate for his message.

The Prelate thanked the guests for joining in bidding farewell
to the Consul General and his wife. He echoed the sentiments and
commendations expressed throughout the evening towards the Consul
General, stating that there are surely others who would have liked
to express their feelings as well, however Dr. Hovsepian’s remarks on
behalf of the sister organizations certainly encompassed the thoughts
of all. Throughout his tenure as Prelate, Hovhannissian was the sixth
Consul General, with whom he established a strong professional and
personal relationship as a diplomat and a dear friend. He thanked the
Ladies Auxiliary for their efforts and Haig Bagerjian, a close friend
of his as well as the Consul General, for hosting the evening. On
behalf of the Prelacy family and friends, the Prelate wished the
Consul General and his wife the best of luck and great successes in
their future endeavors, especially given that they are leaving behind
a place like Los Angeles with its dense population of Armenians.

The Consul General conveyed his thanks for the moving remarks and
well wishes expressed by all, and his gratitude to the Prelate and
supporters. Considered the capital of the Diaspora, he stated that
his service within this community had special meaning, and here he
served not only as a government representative, but as a member of the
community, and he was proud of the great support and collaboration
he received. He stated that his diplomatic mission has afforded him
the opportunity to become better acquainted with the Diaspora, and if
he arrived here as a Consul, he returns to Armenia as an Ambassador,
the Ambassador of the Diaspora.

The Consul General took the opportunity to stress two important
points. He noted that we live in a fast-paced and ever-changing world,
giving the example that at the time that he began his service, Turkey
was presenting itself as a peace-loving nation with no issues with
its neighbors. Today though, its role in Syria tells a different story.

Therefore, stated the Consul General, we must keep pace with
new developments and changes in the world, especially in regions
surrounding Armenia, given that we stand before important milestones
and challenges such as the Genocide centennial and the continued
safeguarding of Artsakh. Armenia and Diaspora must adopt contemporary
measures and maintain open dialogue to collectively overcome new
challenges. Second, he stated that taking into consideration current
world events and developments, some may say the vision for a united and
independent Armenia is fading. However, this course is unacceptable for
the Armenian people. The Armenian people will recoup its losses. It is
crucial that the bond with Armenia remain strong and that we staunchly
defend our nation and our ties with our homeland, otherwise we risk
losing everything. The Consul General concluded by confidently stating
that periods of gloom and dismay will give way to a bright dawn.

In commendation for his meritorious service and leadership, the
Prelate presented the Consul General with a plaque of appreciation
on behalf of the Prelacy Councils, and a book on rescued treasures
from Cilicia to the couple. The Ladies Auxiliary presented his wife
Victoria with a bouquet.

The reception also included musical selections performed by singer
Anahit Nersesyan, accompanied on the piano by Professor Levon
Aprahamian.

The evening concluded with the benediction and the Armenian national
anthem.

Features – Metroplus Published: July 30, 2013 17:50 IST |
Updated: July 30, 2013 17:50 IST
SURVIVORS OF TIME
Merchants on a mission Anusha Parthasarathy

Special Arrangement Armenian Church
Special Arrangement St. Rita’s chapel

In the 360th year of Armenian presence in the city Anusha
Parthasarathy visits monuments and streets associated with this
trading community If you walk along Armenian Street today, it is
vastly different from the time when the merchantmen of Madras occupied
it. Street stalls are buzzing with business, bikes are parked right
along the road and where they are not, cars squeeze in. A sea of
people trundle down the narrow road, and yet no one turns to even take
a look at an old arched entranceway, sharing its wall with a crowded
fast-food joint. The Armenians, who established a thriving settlement
in Madras in the 1600s, will celebrate the 360th year of their
presence in the city in September this year.

The earliest existence of Armenians in India dates back to the late
8th Century. A man called Thomas Cana, arrived along the Malabar Coast
in 780 AD. According to Portraits of Hope: Armenians in the
Contemporary World by Huberta Von Voss, not much is known about his
origin or mission but he was lauded as someone who worked for the
rebirth of Christianity. The Armenian presence in Madras however,
became rather eminent in the 1660s. Madras: The Land, The People and
Their Governance by S. Muthiah points out that the earliest Armenian
tombstone dates back to 1663 and is of Coja David Margar. This was
found near Little Mount.

Hurberta Von Voss’ book though, also says that the Armenians of Madras
were the first to discover the sepulchre of St. Thomas upon the Mount
and took the Portuguese there in the 16th Century. In fact, it is
popular knowledge that the church atop the Mount served as a
lighthouse to guide Portuguese and Armenian ships around that time.

Even if there is no record of when exactly Armenians settled here, it
was clear that they monopolised trade between India and West Asia on
the one hand and Manila, a Spanish bastion then, on the other
(according to S. Muthiah’s Madras: The Land, The People and Their
Governance). They traded mainly in silk, spices and gems. In fact, the
last Armenian to live here was Michael Stephen, who left the city a
few years ago.

And now, only a church, a street named after the community and a few
lesser-known relics carry their stories.

The most visible Armenian monument in Chennai is the much-written
about Armenian church, which was first built in 1712 and later rebuilt
after the French siege in 1772. The first church was built of timber
in the present High Court area with permission from the East India
Company. The Armenians were given 50 pounds to manage the expenses of
the church.

This encouraged more traders to settle in and around the
area. Vestiges of Old Madras by H.D. Love points out that the earliest
Armenian church, situated in Old Black Town, as shown in Thomas Pitt’s
map, was probably built shortly after the Company entered into a
covenant with the Armenian residents in India. The new church,
however, was consecrated in Aga Shawmier’s chapel grounds in George
Town. The street on which the church is situated continues to be
called the Armenian Street, where the settlers once lived.

Perhaps the most famous Armenian in Madras was Coja Petrus Uscan, who
is remembered for constructing or donating to the many remaining
Armenian relics in the city. S. Muthiah’s book says that he was the
heir of a family that had trade relations with the East for
generations. But he settled in Madras only in 1723, on his return from
Manila. A philanthropist, he contributed to several religious
institutions in Madras.

Significant inscription Santhome High Road isn’t a place where one can
wind back time. Cars rush past at breakneck speed and there is no time
to stop and stare, even if the object of concern is a
three-century-old Armenian inscription that faces the road. Just at
the edge of San Thome Matriculation Higher Secondary School is
St. Rita’s church (now chapel), towards which Uscan donated
liberally. It was built by Armenians and an inscription on its east
wall, in Armenian characters, says In Memory of the Armenian Nation,
1729. H.D. Love’s book points out that the event commemorated was the
opening of the grave of St. Thomas, which took place in April 1729, to
which Uscan was a witness.

Another inscription in Portuguese in the same church shows that it was
partially rebuilt in 1740. The church, now a part of the school, is
not on the mainstream heritage map.

(To be continued…)
Keywords: Armenian Street, Armenians in chennai, Thomas Cana,
Armenians of Madras, Armenian church chennai, St. Rita’s church

© The Hindu

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO AZAT GASPARIAN’S FAMILY

Friday,
August 02

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan sent today a telegram of condolence
to the Gasparians in connection with the death of People’s Artist of
Armenia Azat Gasparian, the presidential press service said.

“The impressive characters created by the actor on the stage and screen
will remain forever in memories of art lovers. The untimely death of
the intellectual who loved his homeland is a great loss to all of us.

I express my deep condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues
of Azat Gasparian and to his numerous fans,” the president said in
the telegram.

We would remind you that Azat Gasparian died today at Nairi Medical
Center in Yerevan.

TODAY, 19:45

Aysor.am

Eternal memories from AYF tri-regional seminar

Published: Saturday August 03, 2013

What I assumed to be just another weekend getaway with AYF members at
AYF Camp, ended up being a once in a lifetime experience. This weekend
wasn’t at all ordinary, but instead a weekend that molded and shaped
my understanding of our cause and where we stand, today. It’s safe to
say that the weekend of June 6th-9th of 2013 became a life changing
experience for me, as well as for my fellow ungers across North
America.

The weekend began when our ungers from the East Coast and Canada flew
in, uniting all three regions. AYF members who flew in early had the
opportunity to tour and visit our AYF Western Region Central Offices,
where they listened to representatives from our sister organizations,
the Sardarabad Bookstore, and much more. After spending Thursday night
at the Armenian Center in Pasadena, which included a presentation led
by Unger Stepan Keshishian and including talks by representatives of
all three regions about their respective programs in the homeland, the
educational series began. The first one had to do with the history and
growth of AYF Camp by Tamar Yardemian Baboujian. Next, an educational
about the Armenian National Committee of America, including HyeVotes,
Politics, and Advocacy Days, was presented by Tereza Yerimyan. Lastly,
Unger Vicken Hovsepian spoke about the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation in the Western Region. When listening to the questions by
members of the East Coast and Canada, one could already know to expect
an intellectually stimulating and informative weekend. Before heading
over to camp that day, we made a stop at the Montebello Armenian
Genocide Monument in order to pay our respects to our ancestors.

On Friday night, after getting to know everyone a little bit better,
we had our first educational up at camp. We had the privilege of
having our weekend directed by Unger Mourad Topalian. He facilitated
the first lecture on the Social and Political Issues we face in
Armenia. Each AYF member there was challenged to come up with
different problems and obstacles facing our homeland today. I wasn’t
too surprised to see that many of us had the same things written down.
Though, it was surprising to hear each member say something different
than the rest.

The next morning was followed by the traditional AYF Camp flag-raising
ceremony and early morning exercises. After breakfast, Unger Giro
Manoyan, the ARF Bureau Political Affairs Director who flew in from
Armenia to join us for the entire weekend, provided us with valuable
information regarding the People’s Movement in Armenia and the most
recent elections that took place.

After lunch and some free time, our second activity was facilitated by
Unger Vicken Sosikian. We had an open discussion regarding the
commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. While
sharing ideas and suggestions with Armenian youth regarding the
anniversary, I realized that this is what truly makes the AYF unique.
There were countless agreements as well as disagreements. With every
new idea and comment, however, it became obvious to all of us how much
we were growing in sync with one another as to our strong will to
further our cause. It only made us closer to one another. We even
started a Tri-Regional Genocide Committee by the end of that
discussion. We are an organization that acts, and we did just that.

Before Dinner, Unger Giro Manoyan gave us our second educational of
the day, the Conflicting Policies in our nation, and our Armenia. The
rest of our Saturday prior to our big Khrakhjank/Kef, Ungers Mourad
and Giro also guided us through Hai Tahd (the Armenian Cause), its
next phase for 2013, and deeper social and political issues.

My favorite part of the weekend was what we called the “pre-dance jam
session” before our memorable Khrakhjank. A few of us had taken our
instruments up to camp that weekend. To somehow describe the strong
connection we all felt during the weekend would be what I personally
experienced at that moment. Just outside in the little walkway to the
lodge, I was surrounded by a few ungers, and we all had our
instruments with us. Each of us were from different regions and began
to play our hearts out as we naturally followed each other’s beat and
rhythm. Having only met for the first time, it was as though we had
been playing music with each other for years. There was even a moment
when we began to play an Armenian rhythm and melody, and a few of the
ungers who were watching and listening began to dance. Words cannot
describe how I felt, and I only wish that I could go back and relive
that moment.

Once we all got back inside, the music lived on within us. I have
never danced so much shoorchbar (circle-dance) in my life. Looking
around the room, it hit me that, yes, we all had met for the first
time, but we quickly became a family. All of us-ungers from all across
North America-hand in hand, dancing, singing, and laughing together.
However, the night was still young. There was no better way to follow
up our dance than ending the night by singing our hearts out. With our
arms around one another, we sang our revolutionary songs together led
by Unger Krisdapor Arabian. We sang until the sun came up.

This entire weekend was a life-changing experience for me, and I can
safely say for my ungers who were there with me. Traditionally, you
would expect there to be small social cliques from each region.
However, we were all one unit and one family for the entire
weekend-one region and one chapter. We all felt an amazing sense of
belonging; we were home, surrounded by members of a beautiful
organization. Even after the educationals had finished, we still
engaged in conversation to come up with ideas and ways to help improve
everything from politics, to recognition, the ARF, and even to our AYF
Juniors. Words cannot describe how incredible it was to be surrounded
by people who felt the same way I did-who finished my sentences, and
had the same sense of optimism.

CSTO AND COMMUNICATION SECURITY

01.08.2013

Based on a report presented at the “Regional Security” panel discussion
(26.06.2013)

Sevak Sarukhanyan Head of the Center for Political Studies, “Noravank”
Foundation, PhD

On June 26, 2013 a meeting of the CSTO Secretary General N.Bordyuzha
and Coordinator of the CSTO Analytical Association I.Panarin with
the Armenian experts was held at “Noravank” Foundation. Communication
security issue was among those on the agenda.

In particular, it was mentioned that currently the CSTO did not carry
out the function of protection of the communication infrastructures,
which were of vital importance for the organization’s member countries
and which go through the territories of the third countries, but
according to N. Bordyuzha such function should not be excluded in
the future.

It can become an important step for the CSTO, because NATO carries
similar function today and it is ready to provide (in the military
aspect) security of the main international transportation corridors,
on the stable activity of which security of the member countries
depends. First of all it refers to the international energy corridors,
malfunctioning of which may deliver a serious blow to the security of
other countries, including NATO member countries. First of all this
refers to Strait of Ormuz and Suez Canal, which theoretically can be
“closed” by Iran and Egypt correspondingly but this does not happen
because of the supposed counteractions by the US and NATO.

Provision of the security of the communications going through the
territories of the third countries is an important issue for the
CSTO too but it has not been resolved yet. The main reason is that
the CSTO member countries (except Armenia) have no vital necessity to
protect communications going through the third countries – Russia and
Kazakhstan export energy carriers on a large scale, Kirgizstan and
Belarus have direct access to Kazakhstan and Russia correspondingly,
and they do not depend on the activity of international corridors. The
situation with the Republic of Armenia is different; it has no common
border with other CSTO countries and it imports gas from Russia through
the territory of Georgia. The instability in Georgia in the 1990s was
the main challenge to the energy security of Armenia because due to
the factual civil war and domestic conflicts Tbilisi could not provide
security of the transportation corridors going through its territory.

It is obvious that over the last decade the domestic political
situation in Georgia stabilized and Armenian-Georgian relations
develop in rather positive way. In this aspect the fact that Tbilisi
never conditioned the activity of North-South gas pipeline by its
relations with Moscow can be welcomed. But the gas pipeline coming
to Armenia through Georgia is still rather risky. The high-risk of
the gas pipeline is conditioned by a number of circumstances:

1. The gas pipeline going through the territory of Georgia can become a
subject to subversions as it was in the early 1990s during the Karabakh
war. Unfortunately there is no ultimate survey of how many times,
by whom and on which segments the pipeline was blown up but we found
publications about at least 3 explosions in 1993. Those explosions
obviously aimed to deliver blow to Armenia and to affect its fighting
efficiency. The attempts of such subversions are not excluded in the
future either, taking into consideration theoretical possibilities of
the Azerbaijani-Armenian military encounters. Today Georgia has become
a stable and developing country but it can hardly control the whole
length of the gas pipeline, taking into consideration the fact that
there is no such necessity because energy security of Georgia does
not depend on it. It should be mentioned that taking of the decision
by the CSTO on providing security of the strategic communications
can become a serious stimulus for Georgia to raise the level of gas
pipeline security and its protection.

2. After signing the EU Association Agreement with Armenia and
Georgia these states will take an energy system liberalization
track. Of course this policy may take a while but it is obvious
that Yerevan, as well as Tbilisi, sooner or later will join EU
“third energy package”, which provides absolutely free access of the
“third parties” to the energy system. In this aspect the possibility
of privatization of the North-South gas pipeline by the government
of Georgia is rising and Tbilisi has avoided it in recent years. Let
us remind that the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan stated that they
wanted to buy the pipeline which (if it happens) may seriously affect
the energy security of Armenia.

There will be a possibility of “energy blackmail” which will be very
difficult to oppose by economic and legal means, especially taking
into consideration the fact that Baku will not sign Association
Agreement and will not be obliged to coordinate its actions with
Brussels. This is serious challenge to Armenia and Yerevan will have
to come to definite agreements with the EU concerning the future of
the North-South gas pipeline and it will be much easier if the CSTO
takes a decision on protection of the strategic communications.

At the same time, it should be mentioned that Armenia will face
a problem of protection of two other crucial infrastructures –
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline and Metsamor NPP. But these two objects
are not going through the territories of the third countries and this
reduces their vulnerability and gives an opportunity to provide their
security by national means.

At the same time it should be mentioned that the possible decision of
the CSTO on protection of the strategic communications is gainful not
only for Armenia – this decision will be a serious stimulus to turn the
CSTO into a real international military and political alliance and will
have a positive effect on the entire system of international security.

“Globus” analytical journal, #8, 2013

Return Another materials of author IRAN AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTIONS[01.07.2013] “IRANIAN GAS CAN REPLACE RUSSIAN BUT IT IS
MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE”[10.06.2013] KARS-AKHLKALAKI-TBILISI RAILWAY
AND ITS REGIONAL PROSPECTS [25.04.2013] QAZVIN-RASHT-ASTARA OR
IRAN-ARMENIA? [21.02.2013] IRAN AND SANCTIONS[10.12.2012] SIGNIFICANCE
OF NUCLEAR ENERGY FOR ARMENIA [27.09.2012] ON THE REGIONAL POLICY OF
IRAN[28.06.2012] TURKISH FACTOR IN “LEVIATHAN” AND “APHRODITE” ENERGY
“WARS”[03.05.2012] POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAN AND POSSIBLE IRAN-US
COLLISION[22.03.2012] IRAN AND DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA[26.01.2012]

WHAT A “SENSATIONAL” LEAKAGE ON KARABAKH

The recording of the telephone conversation between presumably
Lithuanian diplomats was posted on the web, who are discussing the
upcoming EaP summit and the destiny of Karabakh, and one of the
interlocutors says that Artsakh cannot be returned to Azerbaijan,
otherwise Safarov’s case may repeat.

The Lithuanian MFA has defined it as a provocation. The leakage has
been interpreted in different ways, as well as the source of it. At
the same time, there are some interesting things about it.

It is known that Lithuania has taken up the chairmanship of the EU,
and in November four post-Soviet states are expected to pre-sign the
Association Agreement with the EU.

Russia is currently up for hindering it. In regard to Armenia, it is
expressed in the economic and military sectors and in the propaganda
campaign. As to Karabakh, the Russia-based experts-political scientists
and their Armenian “branches” state that Armenia will return Karabakh
in case of integration with the EU.

It is known that Karabakh is not in the Customs Union suggested by
Russia because in case of joining the Customs Union Armenia must set
up customs on the border with Karabakh. From the political point of
view, it implies return of Karabakh to Azerbaijan which is part of
Russia’s regional policy of the recent years, and the Customs Union
is the easiest way of resolving the Karabakh issue. By the way,
Russia used the same mechanism to enable annexation of Karabakh by
Azerbaijan in 1921.

The Russia-based experts-political scientists and their Armenian
“branches” avoid this topic carefully.

Instead, nothing is known about the Association Agreement in this
aspect. The Armenian government has not published the text of the
agreement yet despite the urges of EU officials, and one can imply
that the agreement will address Karabakh after the Moldovan model. In
the case of association of Moldova the EU does not require customs
on the border with Transnistria, only migration points.

Apparently, something similar is proposed to the Armenian side,
at least Europe will hardly understand that otherwise Armenia will
not be able to pre-sign the agreement. Evidence to this could be
Azerbaijan’s refusal to sign the association agreement with the EU.

In any case, the place of Karabakh in the process of integration will
be uncertain as long as the text of the Association Agreement has not
been published. From this point of view, the leakage of the telephone
conversation of presumably Lithuanian diplomats may be a specific
device in the light of propaganda launched by Russia and its Armenian
branches in regard to Karabakh and the integration process in general.

12:12 02/08/2013 Story from Lragir.am News: