Author: Kanayan Tamar

MANIFESTATION A MARSEILLE
Aurelie Ohanian

armenews.com

mardi 18 septembre 2012

A l’initiative du CCAF Marseille Provence, une manifestation de
protestation s’est deroulee hier, contre la venue du President de
l’Azerbaïdjan Ilkham Aliev ce jour a l’Elysee. En effet, le President
Francois Hollande accueillera aujourd’hui celui qui a libere l’assassin
Safarov et en a fait un heros dans son pays, suite a son extradition
depuis la Hongrie.

Près de 200 Marseillais se sont ainsi reunis, autour de nombreuses
personnalites du monde politique, mais aussi religieux. La presidente
du CCAF Marseille Provence,Eliane Kazandjian et son Vice-President,
Julien Dickran Harounyan, après avoir rappele les faits de ces
dernières semaines, ont passe la parole a des elus locaux qui,
tour a tour, ont exprime leur indignation face a cette situation et
leur volonte de transmettre le message au President de la Republique
francaise d’agir pour aider a retablir la justice.

Etaient presents : Henri Jibrayel (depute des Bouches du Rhône),
Valerie Boyer (deputee des Bouches du Rhône), Roland Blum (adjoint
au Maire de Marseille), Denis Rossi (Conseiller General des Bouches
du Rhône), Didier Parakian (conseiller municipal de la ville de
Marseille), Florence Masse (conseiller municipal de la ville de
Marseille.

Pascal Chamassian, Secretaire national du CCAF et conseiller municipal
de la ville de Marseille a conclu en affirmant que le combat etait
loin d’etre termine : le CCAF appelle l’ensemble des democrates et
des defenseurs de droits de l’homme a exprimer leur indignation face
a ce deni d’humanite en participant au grand rassemblement qui aura
lieu le 18 septembre a 18h devant l’ambassade d’Azerbaïdjan 78 avenue
d’Iena(metro Charles de Gaulle-Etoile ou Kleber).

ARMENIAN FM REAFFIRMS PRINCIPLED POSITIONS ON CYPRUS

Cyprus News Agency
Sept 14 2012

Nicosia, Sept 14 (CNA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward
Nalbandian reassured here Friday of his country’s time-long principled
positions and its unwavering support for the sovereign rights of the
Republic of Cyprus.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Cyprus Minister of Foreign
Affairs Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis [Markoullis], Nalbandian said “I have
reiterated once again our position of appreciation of the constructive
approach and initiatives undertaken by Cyprus for the resolution of
the Cyprus problem and expressed regret that the Turkish side is not
duly responding to these steps”.

Nalbandian is paying a two-day working visit to Cyprus, at the
invitation of his Cypriot counterpart. His visit is a follow-up to
Marcoullis’ visit to Erevan, last April, and is held in the framework
of the Protocol on Consultations between the two Ministries and of
the Joint Declaration on bilateral relations, which was signed in
January 2011 in Nicosia between the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan,
and the President of the Republic Demetris [Dimitrios] Christofias.

Markoullis said they had the opportunity to further advance through
substantive discussions the bilateral strategic relationship with
Armenia, a traditional friend and ally of Cyprus.

Nalbandian expressed satisfaction “to be in a country with which we
have centuries-old friendship and brotherly relations, which passed
the test of time, in a country, the parliament of which was one of
the first that recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide, in
a country with significant Armenian heritage, and the presence of
vibrant Armenian community”.

One aspect that constitutes a unique bond between Cyprus and Armenia,
said Marcoullis, in this respect is the fact that Cyprus has provided
a safe home to thousands of Armenians who fled to escape the Armenian
Genocide of 1915-1923 by the Ottomans.

“Our brotherly relations are supplemented by the fact that Cyprus
boasts a vibrant and extremely active Armenian community which
is harmoniously integrated in the Cypriot society, enriching and
fostering the multicultural character of our people”, she added.

During the meeting, she said, “we had a productive dialogue on an
array of bilateral issues and exchanged ideas for further enhancing
our relations and cooperation in the areas of tourism, trade, economy
and investment, as well as for the continuation and intensification
of our cooperation in multilateral fora.”

“I once more reconfirmed that Cyprus constitutes a firm supporter of
Armenia within the EU and will continue working towards the substantial
strengthening of EU -Armenian relations, in all areas of cooperation”,
she added.

She also said that Cyprus will be chairing later this year, on behalf
of High Representative Catherine Ashton, during the Cyprus Presidency
of the Council of the EU, the Permanent Cooperation Council between
the EU and Armenia.

Minister Nalbandian briefed Marcoullis on the latest developments
in the Nagorno Karabakh issue on which she reiterated Cyprus’ full
support for the continuous peace efforts, via dialogue.

Marcoullis conveyed her deep regret and concern for the Azeri
Presidential pardon and release of the Azerbaijani army officer Ramil
Sahib Safarov, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the heinous
murder of the Armenian Army officer Gurgen Marrgaryan, in 2004.

“It is imperative that Azerbaijan demonstrates full respect to the
letter and the spirit of the relevant international Conventions, as
well as fulfil the diplomatic assurances and commitments given as a
condition for such release”, she said.

The two Ministers exchanged views on a number of regional and
international issues.

GIVING EQUIVALENT COUNTERBLOW TO AZERBAIJAN SHOULD BE RULED OUT – NEWSPAPER

news.am
September 18, 2012 | 07:29

YEREVAN. – “This is a good moment to work calmly and not to take
drastic steps. In this situation the Armenian side should not take
drastic steps, [and] make harsh statements that will run counter to
the European Parliament’s resolution,” Armenian National Assembly
Standing Committee on Foreign Relations former Chairman, opposition
Armenian National Movement Party Board member Hovhannes Igityan told
168 Zham daily, speaking about Armenia’s next most likely courses of
action following the European Parliament’s recently adopted resolution
on the Ramil Safarov case. Igityan added:

“[Taking] Revenge, giving equivalent counterblow to Azerbaijan,
or other such drastic steps, should be ruled out. The Armenian side
needs to take advantage [of the fact] that Europe placed Azerbaijan
and Armenia on different platforms.

In this situation, we ought to rotate the matter’s resolution in the
direction that we want; this will prove that Armenia is a civilized and
a democratic country, whereas Azerbaijan solely pretends to be such.”

“According to him, Armenia must see to it that the EU-member
countries-the world’s seriously playing states-likewise possess the
view specified in that resolution,” 168 Zham writes.

Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier that Ramil Safarov, a lieutenant
in the Azerbaijani military, was extradited on August 31 from Hungary,
where he was serving a life sentence-and with no expression of
either regret or remorse-for the premeditated axe murder of Armenian
lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, in his sleep, during a NATO Partnership
for Peace program in Budapest back in 2004.

As expected, Ramil Safarov’s return to Baku was welcomed, as was
his act of murder, by the officials of president Ilham Aliyev’s
government and much of Azerbaijani society, and the Azerbaijani
president immediately granted him a pardon.

And Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan announced on August 31 that
Armenia is suspending its diplomatic ties with Hungary.

Ramil Safarov’s pardoning is condemned by virtually all international
organizations.

FRANCOIS ROCHEBLOINE: TIMING OF AILHAM ALIYEV’S VISIT TO FRANCE IS NOT RIGHT

arminfo
Tuesday, September 18, 12:35

French Member of Parliament from Loire, Francois Rochebloine condemned
the visit by Aliyev. Rochebloine claimed that the timing of the visit
is not right, as it is happening only a few days after the pardoning
of Safarov, who murdered Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan.

He added that Azerbaijan’s habit of creating unwanted provocations
is making it difficult to maintain the peace and stability in the
South Caucasus region.

“Safarov case aroused condemnation in Armenia and in all democratic
countries,” he said.

Earlier on August 31 the Armenian authorities adopted a decision to
suspend diplomatic relations and official contacts with Hungary.

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan made public the decision at a
special meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions on Friday after
the Hungarian authorities extradited Azeri officer Ramil Safarov,
who was sentenced by a Hungarian court to life in jail for killing
sleeping Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan with an axe in Budapest
in 2004. Both the officers were undergoing an English language course
under the NATO PfP program. The same day after Safarov’s extradition,
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev decreed to pardon the criminal.

EDOUARD NALBANDIAN RENCONTRE LA TROYKA DU GROUPE DE MINSK

Publie le : 18-09-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
presente cette newsletter bimensuelle sur l’actualite politique,
economique et culturelle du Haut-Karabagh mise a notre disposition
par la Representation de la Republique du Haut-Karabagh en France.

Representation du Haut-Karabagh en France

Le chef de la diplomatie armenienne rencontre la troïka du Groupe de
Minsk a Paris

Le ministre armenien des affaires etrangères Edouard Nalbandian
rencontrait les copresidents du Groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE le 3
septembre a Paris. A l’ordre du jour des discussions, la conduite
inqualifiable de l’Azerbaïdjan dans l’affaire Safarov, qui a ravive
les tensions au Sud du Caucase.

La rentree diplomatique au Sud du Caucase a ete particulièrement
agitee, avec le regain de tensions entre l’Armenie et l’Azerbaïdjan
provoque par l’extradition a Bakou le 31 août par la justice hongroise
de Ramil Safarov, où cet officier azeri, condamne a l’emprisonnement a
perpetuite en 2006 a Budapest pour le meurtre de l’officier armenien
Gurgen Markarian, perpetre deux ans plus tôt dans la capitale
hongroise dans le cadre d’un stage de formation de l’Otan, a ete
aussitôt gracie par le president Aliev et comble d’honneurs par
le pouvoir azeri. Bousculant un agenda diplomatique deja delicat,
en raison de la multiplication des violations du cessez-le-feu de
mai 1994 par l’armee azerie aux frontières entre le Haut Karabagh
et l’Azerbaidjan, l’affaire Safarov a ete inscrite a l’ordre du jour
prioritaire de la rencontre a Paris, le 3 septembre, du ministre des
affaires etrangères d’Armenie, Edouard Nalbandian, et des copresidents
du Groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE, l’Americain, Robert Bradtke, le Russe
Igor Popov, le Francais Jacques Faure, en presence de l’Ambassadeur
Andrzej Kasprzyk, representant personnel du president en exercice
de l’OSCE.

Assez grave pour laisser planer la menace d’une reprise des operations
militaires entre Armeniens et Azeris, l’affaire a d’ailleurs eclipse
tous les autres volets du processus de negociations au Haut Karabagh,
deja dans l’impasse : les discussions ont porte essentiellement
sur la situation creee par l’extradition du criminel azeri par la
Hongrie, avec laquelle l’Armenie venait d’ailleurs de suspendre ses
relations diplomatiques en reaction a cette mesure inattendue qui a
par ailleurs suscite l’incomprehension parmi ses partenaires europeens
et occidentaux. Pourtant, si les Etats-Unis, a commencer par leur
president Barack Obama, ont denonce l’attitude de la Hongrie, les
Europeens ont paru vouloir menager la Hongrie et croire en sa bonne
foi quand elle affirme ne pas avoir ete informee que Safarov serait
libere sitôt rentre a Bakou, pour concentrer leurs critiques sur le
regime azeri.

Les trois puissances mediatrices copresidant le Groupe de Minsk ont
en tout cas uni leurs voix pour denoncer la grâce accordee par le
president Aliev a un criminel motive par la seule haine ethnique et
traite en heros national a Bakou.A Paris, les diplomates ont insiste
sur les consequences negatives de cette affaire, non seulement sur le
processus de negociations, mais aussi sur la paix, la stabilite et la
securite regionales. Edouard Nalbandian a souligne que l’Azerbaïdjan
avait viole de facon manifeste la legislation internationale,
ainsi que les accords et traits internationaux, mais aussi ses
propres engagements, au risque de reduire a neant les efforts des
copresidents en vue de parvenir a un règlement pacifique du conflit
du Haut Karabagh ; le chef de la diplomatie armenienne a inscrit
cette nouvelle affaire dans la logique politique des autorites de
Bakou consistant a rejeter systematiquement les propositions sur
une resolution du conflit, et a torpiller toutes les initiatives
visant a mettre en place des mesures de confiance, et constituant
par la meme une menace serieuse pour la paix et la securite dans la
region. La communaute internationale ne saurait tolerer la poursuite
d’une telle politique fondee sur la provocation par l’Azerbaïdjan,
sous le couvert des negociations, a souligne M. Nalbandian.

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Representation du Haut-Karabagh en France

MORE THAN 890 ATHLETES & 13000 SPECTATORS PARTICIPATE IN 44TH ARMENIAN SPORTS COMPETITIONS

Press TV
Sept 14 2012
Iran

One of the country’s largest sports competitions, and exclusive to
Armenians, the event was inaugurated on September 14th, in Tehran. The
annual sports event will last for a week.

The head of the annual event told Press TV about this year’s
competition, as compared to previous years.

The more than 890 Armenian athletes from around the country and from
the state of Armenia, will compete in nine fields: soccer, basketball,
tennis, table tennis, volleyball, swimming, billiard and running. They
will be watched and encouraged by 13,000 spectators at the Ararat
Cultural and Sports Club in Tehran.

A member of the Ararat basketball team told us about her achievements

Every year, the Armenian Sports Competition is dedicated to a prominent
Armenian figure, and this year was no different.

Listen to the TV report at

ARMENIANS OF HUNGARY REJECT EXPLANATIONS BY HUNGARIAN GOVERNMENT ON AZERI MURDERER

news.am
September 14, 2012 | 18:36

BUDAPEST. – Armenian National Autonomy of Hungary released a statement
on the Azeri murderer release after Hungarian government returned
the murderer to Azerbaijan.

“The Armenian National Autonomy of Hungary expressed its regret and
shock after the immediate diplomatic ties suspension between Armenia
and Hungary. We do not understand and cannot accept the explanations
which, despite lots of promises to the Armenian side by the Hungarian
justice bodies, neglecting the most important human and moral values,
yielded to the Azerbaijani pressure and extradited the murderer.

We believe it was a disastrous professional error by the Hungarian
authorities. We also demand that a case is instigated and a verdict
cast against all those, regardless of their office and personality,
calling for political or even criminal responsibility.

It is high time to explain the world, that a Christian country with
5,000 years of history should not be underestimated to a country which
turns a coward murderer, who killed a human in his sleep, into a hero.

We do believe that Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] should be internationally
recognized,” Vice Chairman of the “Armenian National Autonomy
of Hungary” Nikoghos Hakobyan wrote, the Department of Armenian
Communities of Europe at the Armenian Ministry of Diaspora reports.

ARGUMENTI NEDELI BLAMES THE US FOR AGGRAVATION OF SITUATION IN NAGORNO KARABAKH

armradio.am
14.09.2012 16:38

The Russian Argumenti Nedeli has published an article, blaming the
United States for aggravation of situation in Nagorno Karabakh.

Referring to sources close to the Hungarian Government, the paper
notes that Hungary is strongly concerned about the harsh reaction
of Armenia and the international community to the extradition of
Azerbaijani axe-killer Ramil Safarov.

The paper says Hungary extradites 6-8 convicted criminals a year,
and Safarov’s transfer was a common procedure. The Deputy Foreign
Minister of Azerbaijan sent an official confirmation that the murderer
would not be released and his sentence would continue to be executed
in Azerbaijan.

“However, Baku deceived Budapest: Safarov was released and
demonstratively awarded by President Ilham Aliyev as soon as he
stepped on Azerbaijani soil. The news really shocked the hapless
Hungarians. The country found itself in an extremely unpleasant
situation,” the paper writes.

“Budabest is aware that this deportation may well become a “Caucasian
shot in Sarajevo,” Argumenti Nedeli writes, reminding that the killing
of Austrian archduke Ferdinand in that city caused the start of the
First World War.

“If new war breaks out in Nagorno Karabakh, Budapest will have its
share of guilt. Besides, all parties can draw benefits from the
current situation, except Hungary,” the article reads.

“Safarov’s return raised the rating of Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev in his country. Nevertheless, Baku is dissatisfied with
Budapest. After the details of the deal were revealed, Azerbaijani
political figures are viewed as liars,” the paper says.

As for Armenians, despite great outrage, they got another opportunity
to demonstrate the “craftiness of Baku” to the world. It has already
helped Armenia gain the support of world powers; the deal has already
been condemned by the European Union, Russia and the United States.

Referring to Gurgen Margaryan’s murder, the source said that
“Washington managed to come off clear.” The thing is that the English
language classes in Budapest were organized by the US. The source says
they were not NATO classes but FBI’s (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

At the same time the source notes that the Hungarian authorities
immediately warned the Americans that Safarov had bought an axe.

However, they did not react to the situation, as a result of which
“the thug calmly sharpened the axe and beheaded the unfortunate
Armenian,” the paper concluded.”

HUNGARY’S ARMENIANS DEMAND PROSECUTION FOR SAFAROV EXTRADITION OFFICIALS

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 14, 2012 – 21:35 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian National Autonomy of Hungary issued a
statement urging to prosecute those responsible for extradition of
Azeri criminal Ramil Safarov convicted for axe-murdering an Armenian
officer in Budapest.

In its statement, the organization expressed regret over the frozen
Armenia-Hungary ties. The Autonomy, however, slammed Hungarian
authorities’ decision to extradite the murderer, yielding to Azeri
pressure, also pointing out the violation of the 983 Strasbourg
convention.

The organization further urged to prosecute those responsible for
Safarov extradition, condemning Baku’s heroization of a criminal.

In conclusion, the Autonomy called on the international community to
recognize Artsakh independence.

NEW TIGRAN PETROSIAN IN THE WORLD OF ARMENIAN CHESS

ARMENPRESS
14 September, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS: Tigran S. Petrosian, student of
Armenia’s chess and checkers Olympic Junior School, champion of Armenia
in U16 and U18 age categories, participated in Anapa’s international
open tournament in the period from August 29 till September 10 and
captured the first place completing international master’s norm.

As Armenpress was informed from the Armenian Youth Fund, Tigran S.

Petrosian’s participation was sponsored by this fund. 14 chess players
from 4 countries ( Armenia, Russian Federation, Israel, Moldova)
participated in the international open tournament of Anapa.

,,It is a great honor to become a member of Armenia’s national chess
team , and it’s a goal for all chess players. Armenian chess team is
respected all over the world” said Tigarn Petrosian.

Tigran hopes that one day he will grant victories to Armenia being
a part of national adult’s team.

Tigran S Petrosian was at the top 3 during World Youth Olympic Games
in 2009. In 2010 he was the winner of Chess World Youth Olympic Games
in U16 age category. This year he is going to represent Armenia U18
World Championship in Slovenia.