Author: Kanayan Tamar

ANCA CIRCULATES SEVEN POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS TO CHECK AZERBAIJANI AGGRESSION

tert.am
08.06.12

Amid escalating Azerbaijani attacks this week against both Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
circulated a set of seven specific policy recommendations for the
Obama Administration and the U.S. Congress to check Baku’s aggression
and support the peaceful and democratic resolution of Azerbaijan’s
conflicts with Armenia and the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh).

In an ANCA memo sent this week to Congressional offices, ANCA
Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian stressed that: “It’s
time for America and the rest of the international community to take
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at his word when he openly threatens
to restart his war against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. The cost
of appeasement – and the dangers of a renewed war – are far too high
for us to either dismiss Aliyev’s threats or to ignore the hazard he
represents to the region and beyond.”

Among the policy recommendations being advanced by the ANCA is the
immediate suspension by the Obama Administration of all military
aid to Azerbaijan, and a ban on the sale or transfer to Baku of any
military equipment or potentially dual-use items.

– The Obama Administration should publicly, forcefully, and
unequivocally condemn Azerbaijan’s acts of aggression and threats of
renewed war.

– The Obama Administration should suspend all military aid to
Azerbaijan, and stop the sale or transfer to Baku of any military
equipment or dual-use items (including the proposed sale of advanced
helicopter-based surveillance equipment – DDTC 12-002).

– The Obama Administration should fully enforce Section 907 of the
FREEDOM Support Act until Baku has stopped its threats of war, ceased
all acts of aggression, demonstrated a commitment to a lasting peace
with Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh through solely non-violent means,
and has accepted the OSCE Minsk Group’s call to pull back all snipers
(a proposal already accepted by both Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh).

– The U.S. House-Senate conference committee charged with reconciling
the FY13 foreign aid bill should accept the House version’s allocation
of at least $5 million in aid to Nagorno Karabakh.

– The Obama Administration should support the reinstatement of the
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh as a full participant in all peace talks,
including the negotiations hosted by the OSCE Minsk Group.

– The Obama Administration should remove out-dated, counter-productive
barriers to broad-based U.S.-Nagorno Karabakh governmental and civil
society communication, exchanges, contacts, cooperation, and travel.

– The Obama Administration should insist that the Azerbaijani
government end restrictions on U.S. Embassy officials and third-party
experts visiting and investigating the medieval Armenian cemetery,
in Djulfa, Azerbaijan, which was destroyed in December of 2005 in a
videotaped act of systematic desecration by the Azerbaijani military.

GORDIAN KNOT OF KARABAKH PROBLEM

Trend
June 8 2012
Azerbaijan

On the eve of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to
the region, the situation on the contact line between Armenian and
Azerbaijani troops became strained. As a result of a sabotage attack
committed by the Armenian army on June 5 at the Azerbaijani post
in the north-west of the country, Azerbaijani armed forces suffered
losses with the killing under gunfire of five Azerbaijani soldiers.

The enemy also suffered when the assailants were killed and wounded.

Recent developments on the front-line once again prove that the
conflict has not come to an end, but gradually increases to become
large scaled turning the whole situation into a bigger problem which
becomes harder and harder to be solved. And the longer the current
situation remains, the more both sides suffer losses of young soldiers
resulting in their families facing misfortune.

What is the solution? Seek ways to liberate lands, use the existing
situation, or, as the last way out, choose a military solution to
the conflict? To do this, international organisations should exert
pressure on Armenia.

It is necessary to return the occupied territories of Azerbaijan
and withdraw the Armenian army from there. But how? In the present
situation one can conclude that the United States, Russia and the EU,
which should exert pressure on Armenia, should want it.

The fact that this conflict began 25 years ago and is not still
resolved first led to the fact that Europeans forgot about it. One
can say that all the local conflicts that occurred in Europe have
been partially, or completely resolved.

Secondly, it is difficult to imagine that a strong Armenian diaspora
will agree to such a solution to the conflict. On the other hand
recognition of the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh or loss of these
territories is a condition unacceptable for the Azerbaijani side.

No one will exert pressure on Azerbaijan and even in the case
of exerting it, no one can explain it. The OSCE mission meets and
recommends that the problem should be solved peacefully. The special
role of Russia and other members of the Minsk Group – France and the
United States in resolving this conflict means turning into a major
participant in a strategically important region.

So, Azerbaijan is the only country that tries to change the status quo
and resolve the conflict, the country that is interested in it. It is
impossible to imagine otherwise. Although Russia wants to benefit from
both sides, it chose Armenia as a historical and constant ally. One
can say that without the Russians the Armenians would not have been
able to establish their own state. On the other hand, the Russians do
not think of interrupting their relations with Azerbaijan because of
Nagorno-Karabakh, as Azerbaijan may supply its gas and oil to Europe
and bypass Russia by alternative routes. The country has turned into
a giant power in the Caspian region. It is a state that pursues its
independent energy policy and at the same time has a joint transport
corridor with Turkey, which is a NATO member and with which Azerbaijan
has a comprehensive relationship.

Thus one can conclude that it is impossible to put pressure on
Azerbaijan by force and sooner or later compromise should be found and
this ‘knot’ should be untied taking into account national interests,
thanks to mutual concessions and achieving the peace. Otherwise,
the daily press and television news will continue to report on human
losses from both sides.

DOLLAR SEEMS “INVINCIBLE” IN ARMENIA

news.am
June 06, 2012 | 16:47

YEREVAN. – The US dollar’s exchange rate is continuing its “triumphant
campaign” in Armenia’s financial market.

The dollar’s average exchange rate against the Armenian dram (AMD)
hit a new record, at NASDAQ OMX Armenia stock exchange on Wednesday,
with AMD 414.73/$1. The last time when the US currency was this high
in the country was on July 27, 2006.

The dollar gained value by AMD 3.70, or 0.9 percent, from Tuesday’s
trading session.

The US currency’s exchange rate rose all the way to AMD 415/$1, but
it subsequently began to drop due to the Central Bank’s intervention,
and the session closed at AMD 413.75/$1.

The total sales were $22.66 million.

And Armenia’s exchange offices buy the dollar at the AMD 410-413/$1
range and sell it at the AMD 415-417/$1 range.

ALEXANDER ISKANDARYAN CALLS TO DISTINGUISH WAR FROM FIRING

ARMENPRESS
6 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, 6 JUNE,ARMENPRESS: The regional visit of United States
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton can not be called a visit to
different countries. Armenpress reports, that during the meeting with
the journalists on June 6, political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan
noted, that each purpose of Clinton’s visits was a different one. “The
subversive activities of Azerbaijan have the aim to draw America’s
attention, I doubt that Clinton displeasure will be very impressive,
anyhow it will be” he noted..

He said, that there is a tendency in Azerbaijan, to update the threat
of war from time to time, but the one, who knows the issue, may differ
firing from the war resumption. ” The amount of concessions that
is required from Azerbaijan is not profitable for him, but Armenia
can not do such an amount of concessions as well”- mentioned the
political scientist. He noted, that he followed to the Azerbaijani
media publications. In his words, it is a thankless task to put
the stresses on politician’s each word, forcing to reproduce the
desirable things.

This is how the Azerbaijani media acts, we shall realize, that they
are just politicians, and not prophets.

In Iskandaryan’s opinion, the real goal of Azerbaijani side to leave
the situation like it is now. The political scientist does not exclude
the possibility for Azerbaijan to go on with justifying and making
surreal explanations. He is convinced that CSTO has a lot of functions
regarding Armenia’s security, anyhow the recent cases of ceasefire’s
violation are not a basis for an intervention.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER INVITED TO TURKEY

ARMENPRESS
6 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 6, ARMENPRESS: The conference of foreign affairs
ministers of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) will
be held on June 26 in Istanbul. On that occasion Turkish newspaper
“Zaman” informs that official Ankara sent an invitation to Foreign
affairs minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian to take part in “BSEC”
conference. At present Turkey is presiding country in “BSEC”.

Armenpress was informed from Armenian foreign affairs Minister’s
press secretary Tigran Balayan that Armenia always receives official
invitations to BSEC meetings as a founder state and there would be
announcement in case of decision on participation of the minister.

Turkish newspaper expressed opinion that Armenian foreign affairs
minister will accept the invitation. Newspaper reminded that Turkish
foreign affairs minister had taken part in “BSEC” conference in
Yerevan in 2009.

SYRIA CRISIS: MORE ARMENIANS FLEE AS MIDDLE EAST VIOLENCE RAGES ON
By Siranuysh Gevorgyan

ArmeniaNow
06.06.12 | 11:27

More and more Armenians have been leaving their native Syria for
Armenia as violence has been ranging in this Middle Eastern nation
for more than a year now.

Recent weeks have brought little news of any immediate peace as the
international community has even been mulling a military intervention
to stop the bloodshed in Syrian towns and villages.

Armenia Diaspora Ministry spokesman Tevos Nersisyan told ArmeniaNow
that about a hundred Armenian families arrived in Armenia from Syria
in the past several weeks. The official, however, stressed that he
meant only the families that had actually applied to the ministry.

“We do not possess the data for all, we estimate that many come and
simply stay with their relatives,” he said.

Clashes between rebels and government forces in Syria began last year
and continue unabated despite calls from the international community
to cease fire. The United Nations estimates more than 13,000 people
have died in the violence. Western powers hold Syria’s controversial
president Bashar al-Assad responsible for the escalating situation,
while Russia and China tend to exonerate the Assad regime, at best
blaming both the government and opposition factions for the violence
in Syria.

Official Damascus announced on Tuesday the expulsion of diplomats of
a number of states from the country. The Syrian government made the
decision in relation to the United States, Great Britain, France and
Turkey, which decided late last week to expel senior Syrian diplomats,
including ambassadors, from their countries.

Eight Western nations made a decision to expel Syrian diplomats
following what appeared to be a mass killing of civilians by
pro-government militia in the Syrian village of Houla on May 25. A
total of 108 people, including 49 children and 34 women were killed
in what the United Nations concluded were murders committed by the
Syrian government troops.

The Diaspora Ministry official in Yerevan says many Syrian Armenians
prefer going to neighboring Lebanon, as well as European countries.

“Armenians in Lebanon feel stable, strong, and many people take
refuge there. There is a relatively small number of Syrian Armenians
preferring to come to Armenia. We know that Armenia is not going
through good times either, there are problems… but those families
that have money do come to Armenia and buy apartments here. It is up
to them to decide whether they will stay here or not. Our community
in Syria used to be one of the most sustainable and successful. Many
ran businesses, had connections… It is regrettable that all this
is taking place in Syria,” said Nersisyan.

According to the Diaspora Ministry’s data, Syria is home to more
than 50,000 ethnic Armenians that have strong bonds with traditional
Christian faith and Armenian culture. “We do not include in that number
the Kurdish and Arab speaking Armenians, as well as Catholic Armenians,
with whom communication is not active. If we include them as well,
then we estimate that more than 100,000 Armenians live in Syria,”
said Nersisyan.

Twenty-one-year-old Meghrik Hayitian came to Armenia together with her
mother, father and sister about three months ago. In an interview with
ArmeniaNow she told about her experience in Aleppo, the largest city
in Syria where most Armenians have lived. She said that in Aleppo the
situation was calmer than in other places of the country, but after
their departure to Armenia one of her mother’s relatives there was
killed in an explosion.

“And before our departure one of friends was killed, ethnic Armenian
serviceman [of the Syrian army] Vigen Hayrapetyan,” she said.

The Hayitians in Armenia are being helped by their Syrian-Armenian
uncle, who moved to Armenia a long time ago. At present, she works
at the children’s clothing store owned by her uncle, still she plans
to continue her studies, not in Armenia, but abroad. Hayitian finds
it difficult to say whether she would return to Armenia after she
completes studies abroad.

TURKEY REBUFFS US CALL TO NORMALIZE RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA

armradio.am
06.06.2012 13:44

Ankara has rebutted a statement by the United States calling on Turkey
to take steps to normalize its relations with Armenia, citing the
Armenian Constitutional Court’s previous rulings on the two countries’
diplomatic protocols.

“Turkey’s position on the issue is clear,” a Turkish diplomat told the
Hurriyet Daily News, adding that the Armenian court’s Jan. 12 decision
established that the protocols conformed to the country’s constitution.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Turkey to normalize
relations with Armenia, speaking to journalists in Yerevan on June 4,
saying “the ball is in Turkey’s court.”

“We are committed to seeing Armenia and Turkey normalize relations
because we think this is a better path forward for the citizens of
both countries and we strongly support ratification of the protocols
without preconditions,” she said. “We believe these are countries
that should have open borders, should work together, should trade,
and they should have people to people exchanges because it would be
mutually beneficial to all concerned.”

The Turkish diplomat also cited a provision of Armenia’s Declaration
of Independence, which was referenced in the Armenian court ruling as
problematic for Turkey. That provision states: “The Republic of Armenia
stands in support of the task of achieving international recognition
of the 1915 genocide in Ottoman Turkey and Western Armenia.”

500 TURKISH DIASPORA GROUPS TO COME TOGETHER ON THURSDAY

4 June 2012

Representatives of Turkish citizens living in different parts of the
world will come together for the first time in Ankara on Thursday
to establish a group called the Turkish Diaspora. During the first
meeting of the Turkish Diaspora the target will be to define the
problems of Turkish people living abroad and how to solve them.

Currently nearly 6.5 million Turkish citizens are living abroad, and
for the first time their representatives will come together under the
auspices of the Turkish government. Representatives of approximately
500 federations, trusts and associations will be involved in the
meeting organized under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister
Bekir Bozdag.

During the meetings held in Ankara over June 7-8 Turkish citizens
living abroad will discuss their problems in detail as well as
common ways forward on the basic issues concerning Turkey. Also, a
common stance will be determined on the issues such as the so-called
Armenian genocide allegations raised in France, the growing racism in
Europe, Turkey’s EU membership, the removal of visa requirements for
EU travel and Islamophobia, and common strategies will be identified
for acting collectively.

Other ministers will also attend the meeting. After the opening speech
by Bozdag the ministers will get the chance to meet the representatives
of expatriates.

Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arınc, Labor Minister Faruk Celik,
Minister of Education Omer Dincer, Customs and Trade Minister Hayati
Yazıcı, Family and Social Policy Minister Fatma Å~^ahin and Youth
and Sports Minister Suat Kılıc will join the meeting to discuss the
problems and to propose solutions. During the meeting many issues
concerning citizens living abroad including trade, social security
and family and youth issues will be discussed.

OSCE CHAIRMAN’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE VISITS NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Trend
June 7 2012
Azerbaijan

Personal representative of the OSCE chairman, Ambassador Andrzej
Kasprzyk visited Nagorno-Karabakh on June 6, Panorama.am. reported.

Kasprzyk met with representatives of the separatists in Khankandi.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. 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.

LE PREMIER MINISTRE ARMENIEN APPELLE L’UE A IMPOSER DES SANCTIONS A L’AZERBAIDJAN
Gari

armenews.com
vendredi 8 juin 2012

Alors que l’on assiste a un brusque regain de tensions de part et
d’autre de la frontière armeno-azerie, où des affrontements auraient
fait 5 morts côte azeri et 3 côte armenien en debut de semaine,
le premier ministre d’Armene Tigrane Sarkissian a appele mardi 5
juin les responsables de l’Union europeenne a imposer des sanctions
a l’Azerbaïdjan.

L’Armenie et l’Azerbaïdjan se rejettent la responsabilite de
cette escalade de la violence, mais c’est plus generalement la
militarisation accrue du regime de Bakou que denonce Erevan. Les
responsables armeniens estiment que ce regain de tension illustre
la volonte manifeste des autorites azeries de regler par la force le
conflit du Karabagh.

Dans un entretien accorde au journal European Voice, le premier
minister armenien, qui se trouvait en visite de travail a Bruxelles,
a indique que l’UE devrait menacer l’Azerbaïdjan de sanctions,
et preciser les termes de telles sanctions, dans la mesure où
l’Azerbaïdjan tente ouvertement de torpiller le processus de paix
sous l’egide du Groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE. Il a aussi appele l’UE a
redoubler d’efforts pour mettre fin aux tentatives de l’Azerbaïdjan
visant a militariser le Sud Caucase et pour parvenir a un règlement
pacifique du conflit du Karabagh.

Durant sa visite a Bruxelles, T.Sarkissian a aussi evoque les
discussions prevues le 19 juin entre l’Armenie et l’UE concernant la
mise en place d’un accord commercial. Le premier ministre armenien,
qui a ete reconduit a la tete du gouvernement de l’Armenie après
les legislatives du 6 mai, a precise a cet egard qu’un accord de
libre echange avec l’UE necessaitait la mise en place d’une nouvelle
infrastructure en Armenie.

Il a par ailleurs souligne que les relations entretenues par l’Armenie
avec son partenaire strategique et commercial privilegie, la Russie,
et avec l’Europe, etaient complementaires, tout en precisant que
l’Armenie ne souhaitait pas integre l’Union eurasienne, dont l’actuel
president russe, Vladimir Poutine, avait jete les fondations en octobre
2011, alors qu’il etait premier ministre, et qui comprend la Russie,
le Kazakhstan et la Bielorussie. T. Sarkissian a indique que les
relations entre la Russie et l’Armenie ne devraient pas changer du
fait du retour au Kremlin de M. Poutine. Ce dernier devrait effecttuer
une visite en Armenie dans les prochains mois.