Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARMENIAN PATRIARCH: PRESIDENT OF LEBANON IS WORKING TO ENSURE PEACE ALONG THE BORDER DURING THE POPE’S VISIT

Rome Reports

July 26 2012

July 26, 2012. (Romereports.com) The Pope is scheduled to travel to
Lebanon in September, but the question many ask is will the war in
neighboring Syria present a challenge? The Patriarch of the Armenian
Catholic Church, which is based in Lebanon, says he’s hoping a truce
will be implemented during those days.

Nerses Peter XIX Tarmouni Armenian Catholic Patriarch “Quite often
we do see conflicts along the border with Lebanon and Syria, so the
president of Lebanon is working to ensure peace on both sides of
the border.”

Even though the Pope’s official itinerary was made public in July,
several Catholic communities in Lebanon have been planning the visit
for months now.

Among that list is the Armenian Catholic Church. It’s led by Patriarch
Nerses Peter XIX Tarmouni, who works out of the headquarters in
Lebanon.

Nerses Pedro XIX Tarmouni Armenian Catholic Patriarch “The people of
Lebanon, from all faiths, with just a few exceptions, are looking
forward to the Pope’s visit. Especially because it follows a visit
John Paul II made in 1997 because of the Synod.”

The Pope’s trip will last roughly 55 hours. Even though it’s relatively
short, he will meet with key civil and religious representatives
from that country. One of those gatherings will take place at the
headquarters of the Armenian Patriarchate.

Nerses Pedro XIX Tarmouni Armenian Catholic Patriarch “The Holy Father
will bless a memorial dedicated to Armenian monk, Hacob Meghapart,
who was involved in the publication of the first Armenian language
book back in 1512. It was a book of prayers that was published 500
years ago in Venice. Armenians would travel with this book, which
came to be known as the ‘Friday Book.’

The Pope’s visit will close with a Sunday Mass celebrated in Beirut’s
City Center, where roughly 600,000 people are expected. Even people
from Syria are expected to attend, despite the country’s turmoil.

Nerses Pedro XIX Tarmouni Armenian Catholic Patriarch “I hope nothing
interferes with the Holy Father’s visit. May Jesus, who is the King
of all hearts, put peace in the Middle East, especially in Syria
and Lebanon.”

It will be a historic visit, where the Pope is not only expected to
deliver the conclusions of the Synod on the Middle East. He’s also
expected to send a message of peace to all Arab countries.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH ELECTED THE PRESIDENT
by Yury Simonian

DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
July 25, 2012 Wednesday

Official Baku broadened the list of non grata persons

Source: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, July 23, 2012, p. 6

OFFICIAL BAKU DECLARED ALL OBSERVERS WHO ARRIVED TO THE PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTIONS IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC PERSONS NON GRATA; The central
election commission of unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR)
announced the final results of the presidential elections held on
July 19. Acting head of the republic Bako Saakian won the elections
with a 50% superiority over the nearest competitor. Inauguration of
the president elect will be held on September 7. The opponents of
Saakian recognized the results of the elections.

The central election commission of unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR) announced the final results of the presidential
elections held on July 19. Acting head of the republic Bako Saakian
won the elections with a 50% superiority over the nearest competitor.

Inauguration of the president elect will be held on September 7. The
opponents of Saakian recognized the results of the elections.

According to the central election commission of NKR, more than 47,000
residents of the unrecognized republic of the 73,000 who came to the
polling stations voted for Saakian. His main rival Vitaly Balasanian
scored slightly more than 20,000 votes. Participation of the third
candidate Arkady Sogomonian can be symbolic taking into account
his result.

If some people expected that elections of the president of NKR would
take place according to a scenario popular in the post-Soviet space
and would lead to aggravation of the internal political situation they
were wrong. Soon after announcement of the results defeated Balasanian
released an address to the people of NKR and recognized the victory of
Saakian although with reservations. Balasanian announced that he would
be glad to congratulate the winner but would not do this because of
some breaches at the polling stations. According to his information,
the electorate was pressurized in some districts of the republic.

Contrary to such opinion, members of the monitoring groups did not
register breaches on the day of the elections. Some others said that
they were insignificant and could not have any effect on the result.

The elections were praised by co-chairs of the Armenian group of
the US Congress Frank Pallone and Ed Royce. Representatives of the
international institutions who visited Nagorno-Karabakh on that
day said that the elections of July 19 corresponded to democratic
standards and traditions.

The international community expectedly did not recognize the
presidential elections in Nagorno-Karabakh as legal. Official Baku
did not like such attitude because it demanded the Western partners
not to allow their organization at all and announced all observers
who arrived to NKR persons non grata. Alexei Martynov, director of
the institute of the newest states, called broadening of the black
list by the Azerbaijani authorities continuation of the policy of
isolationism. He said, “We will not be admitted to Baku? Well, we
will go to Stepanakert.”

Along with this, we cannot say that there is similar optimism in
the Nagorno-Karabakh society. The comments mentioned definition
“illegal” with regard to the elections caused noticeable irritation in
Stepanakert. Masis Mailian, chair of the public council for foreign
policy and security of NKR, spoke about the need for revision for
the position of the co-chairs of the Minsk OSCE group who put the
word elections in brackets in the official document. Mailian says
that the earlier the OSCE intermediaries in the Nagorno-Karabakh
regulation start taking into account the real state of affairs the
more efficient will be their intermediary mission.

[Translated from Russian]

OSCE REPRESENTATIVES MEET WITH ARMENIAN VILLAGER WOUNDED BY AZERBAIJANIS

news.am
July 25, 2012 | 17:31

YEREVAN. – Field assistants of the Personal Representatives of OSCE
Chairman-in-Office met on Wednesday with a peaceful resident of Nerkin
Karmraghbyur village in Armenia’s Tavush Region, who was wounded by
the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

The meeting between the field assistants Antal Herdic and Irji
Aberle and the injured Gor Parsanyan, from the aforesaid village,
was open for the journalists, Armenian News-NEWS.am reports. As it
was earlier informed, Parsanyan was injured on July 21 while making
agricultural works.

The meeting with the injured Armenian was preceded by the conversation
with the heads of the Armenian villages, including Movses, Aygepar
and Nerkin Karmraghbyur. The meeting was held immediately after
the monitoring was conducted in the direction of Aygepar village
of Armenia’s Tavush Region and Alibeyli village of Azerbaijan’s
Tovuz Region.

The village heads spoke about situation along the line of contact
and the growing number of cases when Azerbaijanis open fire at the
villages and roads.

NKR OFFICIAL: AZERI PEOPLE DRAWN TO IDEA OF FREE ARTSAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 25, 2012 – 18:29 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Baku administration didn’t dare send observers to
monitor presidential elections in Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic,
adviser to NKR Foreign Minister said.

“Democratic elections and developed political system in NKR both
morally and politically affect Azerbaijani people, who are forced to
tolerate hereditary transfer of power. Azeri aggressive position is
explained by Azerbaijani people’s regard and envy of Artsakh’s model
of a free, successful and independent state.

International observers from 22 countries monitored NKR polls, all of
them characterizing the elections as legitimate, transparent, free,
democratic and fully in line with the republic’s election law and
international electoral standards.

The international observers with regret received the non-constructive
statements by representatives of several international organizations.

Speculations as to NKR elections’ possible hindering the Armenian-Azeri
conflict settlement run counter to the international law and spark
bewilderment.

Under No.3 article of Convention on the Rights and Duties of States,
“the state’s political existence doesn’t depend on being recognized by
other countries. Even before recognition, the state has the right to
protect its integrity and independence, ensure self-preservation and
prosperity, and consequently pass laws in its interests and determine
the jurisdiction and competence of the courts. Implementation of
rights has no restrictions and differences from the fulfillment of
rights by other states in line with the international law,” Ruben
Zargaryan said in interview with Analitika.at.ua.

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION PARTY LABELS VERDICT AGAINST ACTIVISTS “ILLEGAL AND BRUTAL”

news.am
July 25, 2012 | 15:15

YEREVAN.- Opposition Republic party’s political council issued a
statement on the verdict against the activists of the opposition
Armenian National Congress bloc.

The ruling regime continues its political persecution and the policy
encouraging law enforcers’ violence, the statement says.

A verdict against activists of the opposition Armenian National
Congress bloc was delivered last Friday.

Tigran Arakelyan was sentenced to six years, Artak Karapetyan to three,
Sargis Gevorgyan and Davit Kiramijyan to two years in jail.

The party labeled the verdict as “illegal and brutal” calling the
activists “victims of political persecution.”

The Republic party calls on the citizens to continue struggle for
establishment of legitimate political power in Armenia.

TURKISH INTELLIGENCE SERVICE IN SEARCH OF ARMENIAN-SPEAKING PERSONNEL

news.am
July 25, 2012 | 15:45

Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization is seeking the personnel
who know Armenian language.

Turkish intelligence said it is ready to recruit those knowing Arabic,
Persian, Armenian, Sorani and Hebrew, Today’s Zaman reports.

Candidates need to be citizens of Turkey and are required to have
completed their military service.

The candidates that earn scores of 70 and above in Arabic, Persian
and Armenian will be also exempted from the foreign language test.

LA MEXICAN-ARMENIAN TASK FORCE TO SET UP JOINT BUSINESS COUNCIL

Published: Wednesday July 25, 2012

Consul General Hovhannissian addresses the meeting.

Related Articles
As Mexico’s ambassador visits Los Angeles, an Armenian-Mexican task
force is established

Glendale, Calif. – Members of the Mexican and Armenian business
communities gathered at the Residence of Armenia in Los Angeles in an
initiative designed by the Mexican-Armenian Task Force to engage both
communities in mutual business ventures and cultural exchange.

The July 19 event, hosted by the Consulate General of Armenia, was
also co-sponsored by the Mexican Consulate General, the Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce and the Mexican Armenian Task Force. The Task
Force, established in 2009, is comprised of activists representing
both communities.

The 2012 Armenian-Mexican Business Reception included an expo,
displaying foods and beverages imported from Armenia by California
based companies such as: Krajdian Importers, Importers Direct
Wholesale, Grand Candy and Noy. The gathered were offered authentic
Armenian food catered by lead Armenian Restaurants of Southern
California including: Anoush, Arbat and Phoenicia restaurants.

Miguel Gonzales of Northgate Markets and Vahe Karapetian of AA Cater
Truck Inc., formed the Business Council and provided seasoned insight
into their successes as well as marketing strategies.

Through this venture, the Task Force’s next initiative is the official
establishment of a Mexican-Armenian Business Council, comprised of top
executive entrepreneurs to engage in mutual trade, marketing and
product distribution.

THE HEADS OF VILLAGE COMMUNITIES OF ARMENIAN TAVUSH REGION ARE CONCERNED BY AZERBAIJANI ACTIVITIES

ARMENPRESS
25 July, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 25, ARMENPRESS: Field assistants of personal
representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-office Andrzej Kasprzyk
Antal Herdic and Irji Aberle on July 25 met the leaders of Aigepar,
Nerkin Karmraghbiur and Movses communities of Armenian Tavush region.

Armenpress reports that the heads of communities introduced to field
assistants the situation in their communities, spoke about cases of
cease-fire regime violation and other issues.

Head of Nerkin Karmraghbiur community Manvel Kamendatyan mentioned
that in reality there are many problems in border villages as the
peaceful population has appeared in frontline. Especially during the
last year the main vector of the opponent has declined to peaceful
population in result of which there are victims and wounded people.

“They say the snake does not harm sleeping person and Azerbaijanis
shoot at peaceful citizens who work in hteir farms, shoot even on
kindergartens” said Kamendatyan. He also added that “Armenians are
Christian nation, does not want war, but are not afraid of it”.

Head of Movses community Ludwig Aperyan paid the attention of
representatives of international institutions to the fact that there
is not a day without shooting by the opponent. “The situation is
so tensioned that the population can not work in their farms or to
gather the harvest as there is not a guarantee that the opponent will
not shoot at tem” he mentioned.

Head of Aigepar community Andranik Aidinyan stressed that during
previous months the shootings became more frequent. “People are
not safe even in their houses though they closed their windows by
stones but are afraid that the bullet can penetrate inside the house”
said Aidinyan.

LES EXCUSES D’HURRIYET
Jean Eckian

armenews.com
mercredi 25 juillet 2012

Le redacteur en chef du journal Hurriyet a presente des excuses a ses
lecteurs pour avoir attribue, dans un article, la nationalite italienne
a Sarkis Balyan (1831-1899), l’architecte concepteur du Palais et de
la mosquee de Yldiz commandes par Abdul Hamid II, inaugures en 1886.

Le 24 juillet, le journaliste apportait la rectification avec ses
excuses, precisant que Sarkis Balyan n’etait pas italien, mais
armenien.

Balyan fait partie d’une longue dynastie d’architectes et d’artistes
armeniens qui ont faconne l’aspect de Constantinople aux 18 et
19èmes siècles.

Le Sultan Abdul Aziz avait decerne plusieurs medailles d’honneur a
ces createurs. L’un des plus celèbres etant sans conteste Mimar Sinan,
architecte imperial (1489-1588).

Photo prise avant 1895 par le Studio photo des frères Abdullah,
Vicken, Hovsep et Kevork.

voir d’autres photos :

?q=Abdullah%20Freres&co=cph

CHANGES IN TURKEY’S BORDERS?
by MURAT YETKÄ°N

Hurriyet
July 26 2012
Turkey

The fact that some Syrian border posts are no longer controlled by
troops loyal to Bashar al-Assad but by Syrian Kurdish rebel groups, and
that Kurdish flags have been raised in some Syrian border towns with
Kurdish populations, has seriously disturbed the Turkish government.

One group in particular has attracted Turkey’s attention, the
well-organized Democratic Union Party (PYD), which according to
spokespersons “shares the same ideology” with the Kurdistan Workers’
Party (PKK). The PKK has been waging an armed campaign against Turkey
for the last three decades, claiming more than forty thousand lives
to date.

Concern about the rise of the PYD caused Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan
to convene an emergency meeting in Ankara with his top security and
foreign policy team members. Another matter of concern to Ankara
was the fact that some of the Syrian Kurdish militants in Syria have
been sheltered and trained by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)
in Iraq, while the KRG’s leader Masoud Barzani has promised Erdogan
that he will convince the PKK (based in his territory) to give up
its “armed struggle” against Turkey. The government is going to take
some “additional measures” against the PKK presence along the Turkish
borders with Syria and Iraq, according to a statement issued following
the meeting.

Turkey’s border with Iraq was settled in an agreement with the United
Kingdom when it was the mandatory power there, following a serious of
Kurdish uprisings (supposedly assisted by British-backed agitators)
in 1926, three years after the regime change in Turkey from Sultanate
to Republic. The border with Syria was settled when the people of
the border province of Hatay voted to be a part of Turkey rather than
remain with the newly founded Syria under French mandate in 1938.

Actually, the territories of the failing Turkish Empire under the
Ottoman dynasty almost a century ago were “shared” among Britain,
France and Czarist Russia, via a secret agreement to the Sykes-Picot
plan of 1916, which was then exposed in the Brest-Litovsk peace
agreement in 1918 by the Soviet leadership who seized power in Russia
through the Bolshevik revolution of 1917.

Another wave of border changes came about with the collapse of
the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Some were peaceful, like the
reunification of Germany and the “Velvet Divorce” that gave birth
to the Czech and Slovak Republics. But Yugoslavia was split into six
parts via a human disaster that has not come to an end even today.

Borders in the Caucasus are also not in a stable condition yet, with
ongoing disputes between Azerbaijan and Armenia and Russia and Georgia.

Following the instability of borders in regions northwest and northeast
of Turkey, now the Arab Spring has caused instabilities on Turkey’s
southern and southeastern borders, which consist mostly of straight
lines drawn in the sand by Mr. Sykes and Mr. Picot according to
their strategic value as determined by energy resources. As the
territorial integrity of Syria and Iraq is in greater jeopardy with
every passing day, the borders become more unstable and the Kurds
arise as independent actors in regional politics.

Yet there are three countries in the region which have the capability
to expand, rather than shrink: Israel, Iran and Turkey. There are
already political and economic actors trying to push Turkey to claim
some energy-rich parts of Iraq and Syria, which would mean a regime
change such as a federated Turkey, with Kurdish and possibly Arabic
members. But Ankara instinctively resists the idea of border changes,
which could drag the whole region into a chain reaction of wars. The
region is heading towards a dangerously unstable phase because of
the civil war in Syria.