ARMENIE
Le train Erevan-Batumi-Erevan a transporté 5100 personnes entre le 15
Juin et le 11 Juillet
La compagnie des chemins de fer du Caucase du Sud a annoncé qu’elle a
transporté 5100 vacanciers arméniens à Batoumi, une ville balnéaire
géorgienne sur la mer Noire, depuis le 15 Juin, soit 4,1 pour cent de
plus qu’il y a un an. Le premier train a emmené 114 vacanciers
arméniens vers la mer Noire, a indiqué la compagnie.
dimanche 21 juillet 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com
Baku upset by the visit of Australian MPs to Nagorno Karabakh
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14:20 20.07.2013
Azerbaijan’s position on foreign citizens’ visits to Nagorno-Karabakh
is unchanged. Baku will continue considering them illegal, spokesman
for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Elman Abdullayev told media.
`According to the Foreign Ministry’s order, Azerbaijan’s all
diplomatic missions abroad have placed the information on their
websites by urging the citizens of the countries in which these
diplomatic missions have been accredited to abandon such visits,’
Abdullayev said, Trend reports.
A group of parliamentarians from Australian state of New South Wales
visited Nagorno-Karabakh this week.
The Azerbaijani embassy in Australia has been instructed to convey
Baku’s discontent to the country’s leadership.
CHORRORD INKNISHKHANUTYUN: MYSTERY OF NERSISIAN FOREST IN ETCHMIADZIN
Saturday,
July 20
‘Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun’ writes that only 3 ha of the 12 ha
Hersisian forest in the city of Etchmiadzin was left after felling,
but even that small forest poses threat to the environment.
According to the paper, the 1915 Genocide survivors who died from
famine, cholera and typhus were buried in that place. Trees were
planted to prevent the spread of various infections.
“Various establishments and restaurants were constructed here. The fact
is inadmissible from the moral point of view. Besides, in the opinion
of epidemiologists, the area is dangerous in terms of development
of causative agents of cholera and typhus. Biologists say the risk
of infections increases in wet conditions. Besides, water pipes were
laid in the area, their damage could result in serious consequences,”
the paper notes.
TODAY, 10:46
Aysor.am
SECURITE DES JO DE SOTCHI : LA GEORGIE POURRAIT COOPERER AVEC LA RUSSIE (MINISTRE)
russie
La Georgie est disposee a cooperer avec la Russie afin d’assurer la
securite des Jeux olympiques 2014 de Sotchi (Russie), et reflechit
actuellement au format d’une telle cooperation, a declare lundi le
ministre georgien de la Defense Irakli Alassania.
“Les representants des autorites georgiennes et moi-meme avons a
plusieurs reprises indique que nous sommes ouverts a la cooperation
avec les pays de la region, notamment avec la Russie, afin d’assurer la
securite. Quelle forme prendra cette cooperation, via un intermediaire
ou un Etat, nous le definirons dans un avenir proche”, a declare
M. Alassania.
Selon lui, tous les pays ont interet a ce que les JO de Sotchi, ville
russe du littoral de la mer Noire situee non loin de la Georgie,
se tiennent dans une atmosphère calme et paisible.
“Le principal dans cette situation est le ministère de l’Interieur,
mais on peut mobiliser egalement les services speciaux de notre
ministère afin d’assurer une operation antiterroriste en cas de
besoin”, a indique le ministre.
Les anciennes autorites georgiennes, en majorite membres du mouvement
pro-presidentiel “Mouvement national uni”, ont rompu les relations
diplomatiques avec la Russie en 2008 suite a la reconnaissance de
l’independance de l’Abkhazie et de l’Ossetie du Sud par Moscou. Elles
n’ont pas exclu le boycott des JO de Sotchi par la selection
georgienne.
Le nouveau gouvernement georgien, forme suite aux elections du 1er
octobre 2012, a annonce son intention de normaliser les relations
avec la Russie. Le premier ministre Bidzina Ivanichvili (chef de la
coalition au pouvoir Reve Georgien) a declare en decembre 2012 que
si la Georgie souhaitait ameliorer ses relations avec la Russie,
les sportifs du pays devaient participer aux Jeux olympiques de Sotchi.
RIA Novosti
samedi 20 juillet 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com
MEMORIA, PAZ Y DERECHOS HUMANOS URUGUAY TENDRA EL PRIMER MUSEO ARMENIO EXTRATERRITORIAL EN MEMORIA DEL GENOCIDIO
Comite Central Israelita Uruguay
19 julio 2013
El MEC presento el proyecto de Museo del Genocidio Armenio que sera
un espacio de educacion, reflexion y memoria de ese pueblo, pero que
estara abierto a todas las comunidades, donde se trataran temas como
el racismo, la xenofobia, los derechos humanos, la tolerancia y la
paz. Uruguay fue el primer país en reconocer el genocidio de esta
comunidad y ahora sera el primer país que le ofrece a Armenia un
museo extraterritorial.
El lanzamiento de este proyecto conto con la participacion del
ministro de Educacion y Cultura, Ricardo Ehrlich; el subsecretario,
Oscar Gomez; el coordinador del Sistema Nacional de Museos, Javier
Royer; el embajador de la República de Armenia, Vahagn Melikian,
y el arzobispo de la iglesia Armenia en Uruguay, Hakob Kelendjian.
El genocidio armenio fue la deportacion forzosa y exterminio de un
millon y medio de personas por el gobierno turco-otomano entre 1915
y 1923. Se caracterizo por la utilizacion de marchas forzadas en las
deportaciones, en condiciones extremas, que generalmente llevaban a la
muerte a muchos de los deportados. La fecha del comienzo del genocidio
se conmemora el 24 de abril de 1915, el día en que las autoridades
otomanas detuvieron a 235 intelectuales armenios que eran líderes de
la comunidad armenia en Estambul.
Uruguay fue el primer país que reconocio este genocidio, al cumplirse
los 50 años de este hecho, en 1965, declarando el 24 de abril como el
Día de los Martires Armenios. Ahora, el Museo del Genocidio Armenio
sera el primer museo armenio extraterritorial, y tendra como objetivo
promover la memoria, la respuesta contra cualquier acto genocida y
la reflexion sobre el racismo y la xenofobia.
El coordinador del Sistema Nacional de Museos, Javier Royer, definio
la propuesta de este museo como un espacio de reflexion y educacion,
tanto sobre el genocidio armenio como de otras situaciones similares.
Tratara sobre la xenofobia, el racismo, el etnocidio y sera una
herramienta de educacion para promover la tolerancia y la paz. Se
presentaran colecciones que muestren la cultura armenia con su
patrimonio tangible, intangible y su historia oral, pero tambien
tendra espacios para expresiones culturales y artísticas de otras
comunidades. Como sede, el Ministerio de Educacion y Cultura ofrecio
la vieja casa de Jose Enrique Rodo, en la calle Treinta y Tres,
la que debera ser reacondicionada para este proyecto.
Las autoridades presentes coincidieron en que la colectividad armenia
en Uruguay es muy amplia y presente, y es la muestra de lo que fue el
Uruguay de inmigrantes, aquel que constituyo una sociedad diversa y
que, en esa diversidad, permitio el desarrollo de aquellas personas
que tuvieron que vivir el desarraigo de su lugar de origen.
En esa línea, sostuvieron que este museo sera una muestra de
fortaleza y de construccion de toda la ciudadanía y no solo del
pueblo armenio-uruguayo. Sera un lugar para la construccion cotidiana
de los valores del respeto por el otro, en pos de la tolerancia en
la diversidad y en la igualdad de los derechos. Como lo subrayo el
ministro Ricardo Ehrlich, “todo dolor que afecte la dignidad humana
nos concierne. No podemos ser ajenos”.
,-paz-y-derechos-humanos-Uruguay-tendr%C3%A1-el-primer-museo-armenio-extraterritorial-en-memoria-del-genocidio&id=9600
BAKU IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE WORK OF THE OSCE MINSK GROUP
Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijan
July 18, 2013 Thursday
Baku/17.07.13/Turan:
Azerbaijan is not happy with the work of the OSCE Minsk Group, said
the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov, at a joint press
conference with Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu. “Azerbaijan
has objective reasons for dissatisfaction with their work,” said
Mammadyarov.
Asking the question on the probability of Iran’s the negotiating
process on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Mammadyarov did not give
a clear answer.
“We welcome any initiatives in all countries with a view to a
peaceful settlement,” he said. “We would like the settlement begin
with the withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories
of Azerbaijan”, he stressed.
The Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, said that members of
the Minsk Group should actively participate in finding solutions to
the conflict.
“Long-term activity of the Minsk Group has not produced results,”
he said.
In turn, Ankara is ready to provide its assistance to the work of
the Minsk Group, said Davutoglu.-16D-
EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ON SOUTH CAUCASUS TO DISCUSS NAGORNO-KARABAKH IN BAKU
Trend, Azerbaijan
July 19 2013
Azerbaijan, Baku, July 18 / Trend /
The EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus will discuss
the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the development
of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU in Baku.
EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Philippe Lefort’s
visit to Baku is scheduled for next week, the EU Baku office told
Trend today.
Lefort is currently on a visit to Yerevan, where he discussed the
conflict’s settlement with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian,
the Armenian media reported.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. The Armenian
Armed Forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. are
currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.
ARMENIAN OLIGARCH “DISAPPEARED” AFTER MEETING WITH LUKASHENKA
Charter 97
July 19 2013
Armenian media say that Gagik Tsarukyan has not appeared in public
for more than a month.
They stress that the oligarch disappeared from news after his meeting
with the Belarusian ruler, Lragir.am (Yerevan) writes.
“Gagik Tsarukyan vanished without traces after the pompous opening
of a church in Abovyan with participation of Lukashenka,” the website
informs.
The Armenian oligarch met with the Belarusian ruler during the
dictator’s latest visit to Yerevan in May 2013. He invited Lukashenka
to the opening ceremony of a church in Abovyan.
“The lavish ceremony will bring together spiritual and secular
representatives from a variety of countries, as well as Aliaksandr
Lukashenka, who is a friend of Tsarukyan,” the local media reported.
The oligarch is known for presenting a 400-litre barrel of cognac to
Kolia Lukashenka.
AT THE CROSSROADS, IMITATING DEMOCRACY
Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijan
July 18, 2013 Thursday
How the Azeri government attempted to dismiss US Helsinki Commission
briefing
The US Congressional Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe,
known as the Helsinki Commission, on Tuesday strongly urged the
Azerbaijani government to fulfill its obligations on human rights
and democracy, as the country heads towards presidential election.
“Azerbaijan is at a crossroads: One path leads forward toward democracy
and economic prosperity for its people, while other path leads towards
authoritarianism, corruption and, eventually economic stagnation of
decline: The presidential election this fall will be an important
opportunity for Azerbaijan to act on its choice,” Dr. Paul M. Carter,
Jr, Commission’s Senior State Department Advisor, stated during
the special briefing on “Troubled Partner: Growing Authoritarianism
in Azerbaijan.”
Speaking of the October election, the Commissionspokesman emphasized
that all candidates must be allowed to move or campaign freely without
fear of harassment or arrest.
Journalists must be free covering reports on the election and other
stories without the threat of detention on trumped up charges, fiscal
assault or jamming of broadcast. NGOs, religious organizations and
other elements of civil society must be allowed to operate without
arbitrary autocratic or legal requirements.
“And all of Azerbaijani society must be able to trust that is
government is transparent and rules best mannered in the interests
of all and not in the interests of one group,” Dr. Carter added.
“These are the obligations that Azerbaijan has undertaken as a member
of the UN, OSCE and other international obligations.”
The briefing has raised US concern over the directions in which the
Azerbaijani government has been heading.
The main witnesses were Thomas Melia, State Department’s Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Dr. Miriam
Lanskoy, Director for Russia and Eurasia at the National Endowment for
Democracy, ErkinGadirli from REAL and EldarNamazov from NationalCouncil
of Democratic Forces.
Azerbaijani government was represented by a surprise delegation led by
SamadSeyidov, Chairman of the International and Inter-Parliamentary
Relations Committee of MilliMajlis and the county’s ambassador to
the US ElinSuleymanov.
In the meantime, some ruling MPs, such as
SevinjFataliyeva,AsimMollazade along with Embassy staff were present
at the auditorium packed by the government supporters.
Many of the rights defenders, journalists and think-tank
representatives were unable to get into the hall, due to the unexpected
high-rate pro-government participation.
The purpose of blocking the briefing from attendance was clear later:
most of the opportunities to ask questions were used by pro-government
participants, who rather addressed issues like regional threats,
Russia, Iran and NK problems, instead of human rights:
Meanwhile, the discussion managed to raise several main concerns
such as IlhamAliyev’srunning for presidency for the third time,
RustamIbragimbekov’snomination, attacks on media and youth activists,
etc.
While questioning the legal procedure of Ibragimbekov’s registration
due to his Russian passport, ElinSuleymanov and SamadSeyidov refused
to guarantee that the opposition leader would not face problems
while running for presidency. The discussion followed by unexpected
question from government supporters why the opposition nominated
Ibragimbekov”but not somebody else.”
The government “has to keep promises to invite election observers from
the OSCE ODIHR, release detained politicians such as IlgarMammadov,
investigate human rights violations and encourage real dialogue with
civil society,” State Department’s Tomas Melia emphasized.
In the meantime, he reaffirmed, Washington doesn’t take any side,
and it is up to Azerbaijani people to decide its future.”Azerbaijanis
should be able to enjoy free election, freedom of assembly,” he added.
In his speech EldarNamazov mentioned that democracy and human right
violations were not only a concern for Azerbaijani reality but also
for the regional security.
“Transition is necessary: we hope our partners also understand that”,
he said urging the international community to sendindependent observers
and exit-poll ahead of election, as “all previous election results
have been rigged.”
Another speaker, ErkinGadirli highlighted the need to political dialog
in the country, adding that the problem is about how the government
treatsthe people.
Samadov, in his part, snapped at the briefing organizers for calling
Azerbaijan a troubled partner:
President Aliyev, he said, recently “signed a special action plan to
improve the human rights situation in the country.”
“Democratic forces in Azerbaijan are trying to unite. Who created this
environment? The opposition is sitting together with us. Is this what
you call an authoritarian regime?”
Changing the angle of the discussions, Samadov rather dedicated his
speech to the “growing pressure from different countries on Azerbaijan
”
When asked about the number of the political prisoners in Azerbaijan,
he said, there is “no one left!”
What are the main outcomes that averageAzeris should consider from
today’s Hensinki briefing?
TURAN’s correspondent asked this question from one of the speakers,
Dr. Miriam Lanskoy, NED’s Director for Russia and Eurasia.
“What I saw at the congressional briefing was an interesting exchange;
I think everyone could see there were places where both sides were
vulnerable. The government wants to change the subject to talk
about Karabakh, to talk about Armenia, and not human rights within
Azerbaijan, and tries to deflect the issue. Then you could see also
that it’s difficult for the opposition to address the whole issue of
how Mr. Ibragimbekov can run, and his Russian passport. That question
kept coming up, but it hasn’t been resolved at this time,” she said.
When asked what would the international reaction be if Mr.
Ibragibmbekov is prevented from entering the country or is not let to
register, she said, it “depends on the context and how things unfold.
”
“The Azeri government has chosen different tactics in different
elections:In 2010 they didn’t register many people, but in the past,
for instance, in 2005, during the previous parliamentary election,
they registered everybody, and hoped just that candidates would take
votes from one another..I think there are different expectations
and different thoughts about which way the government will go. The
international reaction will depend on how things unfold. If Mr.
Ibragimbekov is denied to register – on what ground, and what context
and so on.”
Speaking to TURAN, Ms. Lanskoy also expressed concern over pressure
against youth activists.
“There were a few more youth activists that were arrested over the
weekend and who apparently disappeared. I’m not sure if they are still
in detention, or where exactly the situation regarding them is now.”
Speaking of ruling YAP figures’ recent statement regarding president
Aliyev not campaigning during upcoming election, she called it strange.
“I’m guessing what he is trying to say is, “I don’t need to campaign
because everybody loves me anyway, and I don’t need to make any kind
of effort.” The President’s speech from July 2nd where he said that
the oppositions are all traitors and they are against the nation,
and that the police can do anything without being punished, this is
very unfortunate: So he is not showing a serious attitude toward the
election. He is not saying, “look, there is my position, and there
is opposition, and we will campaign trying to appeal to the Azeri
voter.”So it sounds very strange.”
AlakbarRaufoglu Washington, DC
TURKEY TO STAY AWAY FROM KARABAKH CONFLICT – ARMENIAN OFFICIAL
Aravot , Armenia
July 18 2013
[Translated from Armenian]
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said at a joint news
conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov yesterday
[16 July] that Turkey had supported and would continue to support
Azerbaijan and was ready to contribute to peaceful settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.
[Armenian] National Assembly Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov
came with a comment on the statement: “The Turkish Foreign
Minister reiterated his country’s support not for a fair but for a
pro-Azerbaijani settlement of the Karabakh-Azerbaijan problem.
Therefore, if Turkey is indeed interested in a most speedy settlement
of Karabakh-Azerbaijan conflict, the country should make a simple
thing: Not to interfere and intrude upon the settlement process”.