Author: Kanayan Tamar

Trend, Azerbaijan
May 19 2012

Mayor’s Office of U.S. Portland recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, May 19 /Trend E.Tariverdiyeva/

On the eve of anniversary of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR)
Municipality of the American city Portland (Maine) adopted a
resolution recognizing the historical fact – occurrence of
Nagorno-Karabakh, Zangezur and Nakhichevan to Azerbaijan – the first
in the history of secular parliamentary republic in the Islamic world.

It is noted in the document that the Republic of Azerbaijan was
proclaimed on May 28,1918, stretching from the Caucasus mountains in
the north to the Araz river in the south, Caspian Sea in the east to
Kerki in the west, included Karabakh, Zangezur and Nakhichevan
regions, and became the first secular Muslim parliamentary democratic
republic in the history of the world, and was recognized as such by
other democratic nations of the time, including the United States of
America.

The resolution also provides a link to the memories President Woodrow
Wilson, who met with the Azerbaijani delegation in Paris on May 28,
1919, the one-year anniversary of Azerbaijan’s founding, and later
remarked, “Well, one day there came in a very dignified and
interesting group of gentlemen who were from Azerbaijan…. I did find
this out immediately: that I was talking to men who talked the same
language that I did in respect of ideas, in respect of conceptions of
liberty, in respect of conceptions of right and justice”

The resolution also stresses that the territorial integrity, state
sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan is
unconditionally supported by the United States which proves the
absurdity and stillbirth of recently adopted anti-constitutional
resolution of Rhode Island, calling the U.S. president to recognize
the so-called “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.”

Every year for the last 94 years, an estimated 40 million Azerbaijanis
around the globe and 400,000 Azerbaijani-Americans, have been
celebrating May 28 as the National Day of Azerbaijan, the resolution
said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 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 the 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.

The Arts Desk
May 19 2012

Globe to Globe: King John

Armenia’s version of Shakespeare’s European war play hits every note – and more

by Tom Birchenough

You might have wondered if, when Armenia was offered King John as part
of the Globe to Globe season, they felt they’d drawn the short straw.
Not a bit of it. Shakespeare’s early history play, the action of which
pre-dates those for which he is better known by a century, may be
rarely performed (though there’s one from the RSC at Stratford
currently that looks highly contemporised), but here, in what I
suspect is a judiciously trimmed version, it brings out so much that
genuinely crosses international lines, speaking Shakespeare’s story
with the local accent of the producing nation.

And Armenia and the Caucasus in general provide such fertile ground
for pondering the same kinds of historical realities that Shakespeare
did. In very recent memory there have been cities, effectively
besieged like Angiers, at the mercy of larger, warring powers. No big
stretch of the imagination to liken Shakespeare’s bickering monarchs
to various post-Soviet rulers – the concept of the hereditary
presidency being monarchy in all but name. Memories of the cruelty of
war remain in very many landscapes. Losses have indeed been suffered.

But Tigran Gasparyan’s production from Yerevan’s Gabriel Sundukyan
National Academic Theatre doesn’t labour these points. Shakespeare has
been a key part of its repertoire since its foundation in 1922, and
apparently the bard was a way for the nation (and not only Armenia) to
explore ideas of freedom under Soviet rule. Interesting, that. The
action comes with an approximate costume definition that mixes loosely
Napoleonic war outfits, with a touch of Mad Max, and ruffs where
required. There’s still a single sword involved, but all the battle
scenes are done with suitcases.

Yes, suitcases and trunks, plus the odd hold-all. I couldn’t find a
designer credit anywhere, so can only assume it is director Gasparyan,
and it works brilliantly. Characters enter one by one at the
beginning, each with their baggage (in the literal and metaphorical
sense), which can be built into an ever-morphing range of visual
effects. It becomes the throne in various different constructions, or
the castle walls from which Artur jumps to his death (the outstanding
Gnel Ulikhanyan, who’s jumping from roughly 8ft, not something most
actors have to do). And yes, two sides go to war with suitcases.

When you haven’t seen a production in its original staging it’s hard
to guess how it’s been adapted for Globe presentation, but it works
here outstandingly. The balcony becomes both the walls of Angiers, and
the negotiation scenes between John’s party and the European lot. You
have to keep your eyes skinned, as there are plenty of lurking
characters behind the side columns.

Interfax, Russia
May 18 2012

Armenian opposition defies election results

YEREVAN. May 18

The opposition Armenian National Congress led by the country’s former
president Levon Ter-Petrosian has asked the Constitutional Court to
rule against validity of the results of the May 6 parliamentary
elections.

The court president ordered judges to examine the claim, the Armenian
Constitutional Court spokesperson told Interfax.

At the parliamentary elections held in Armenia on May 6 the Republican
Party led by incumbent President Serzh Sargsian mustered 44.02% votes,
thus gaining a parliamentary majority. The Armenian National Congress
(a partisan bloc) mustered 7.08% votes.

In their reports, international observers gave a positive assessment
of the voting process.
kk rb

Mediamax, Armenia
May 17 2012

David Tonoyan: EU gave a proper assessment to reforms in Armenian Armed Forces

Thursday 17 May 2012 09:42

Yerevan/Mediamax/. First Deputy Defense Minister of Armenia David
Tonoyan told Mediamax that the EU institutions “have given a proper
assessment to the policy of the Armenian Defense Ministry for
reinforcing civilian and democratic control over Armed Forces.’

David Tonoyan said this commenting by Mediamax’s request on the joint
Document of the European Commission and EU High Representative for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the fulfillment of the European
Neighborhood Policy by Armenia and other partner states in 2011.

`I would like to draw attention to fact that the framework of the
documents differs for all states. There is an impression that our EU
partners mainly referred to spheres where the progress is tangible or
there are serious issues subject to speedy resolution. It’s noteworthy
that out of countries of our region only in case with Armenia the EU
referred to issues of civilian control over Armed Forces,’ the
Armenian Deputy Defense Minister said.

`I think the reports give an objective assessment to current
situation. The EU institutions gave a proper assessment to Armenian
Defense Ministry’s policy for reinforcing of civilian and democratic
control over Armed Forces. This policy is expressed both through the
provision of transparency acceptable in terms of national security and
through the improvement of the mechanisms of human rights protection
and increase of awareness about them.

There are certainly remaining issues conditioned by objective and
subjective reasons, but we have to admit that the reformation is a
stage-by-stage process and its continuity requires political will.
These issues are in the focus of attention of the Armenian President
and Defense Minister. The approach is as follows: there is no
alternative to democratic values, including issues of defense and
security,’ David Tonoyan told Mediamax.

ARAM I VISITS ARMENIAN COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN PART OF TEHRAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 19, 2012 – 13:10 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – As part of his pontifical visitation program,
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, paid
a pastoral visit to the Armenian communities in Ghazvin, Rasht and
Anzaly, located in the northern part of Tehran, Iran.

Accompanied by the Primate of Tehran Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian,
the Primate of Isfahan Bishop Papken Charian, reverend fathers Magar
Ashkarian and Mesrob Sarkissian and the representatives of the Armenian
community in Tehran, His Holiness received a warm welcome.

Besides, an ecumenical gathering was organized in honor of His
Holiness Aram I. The gathering was attended by the Armenian clergy
by Nuncio of Vatican, the archbishops and clergy representing the
Syrian Orthodox, Latin Assyrian, Chaldean and Armenian Catholic and
Evangelical churches.

“Interreligious dialogue should acquire a top priority on the
ecumenical agenda. Of course interreligious is not a new ecumenical
item, however His Holiness believes that “it requires a new approach
and methodology in light of the emergence of new concerns and
challenges pertaining to interfaith dialogue,” His Holiness said.

Hraparak: Tsarukyan targets prime minister’s job for his relative-in-law

Panorama.am
19/05/2012

PAP leader Gagik Tsarukyan targets prime minister’s job, Hraparak says.

“For joining the coalition, he demands the resignation of the
current prime minister, however, not for a PAP candidate but for his
relative-in-law Hovik Abrahamyan.

The authorities think his demand will not be fulfilled since Tigran
Sargsyan will stay in his job until the presidential elections, with
Serzh Sargsyan being determined to keep him on his position by all
means,” the paper says.

AZERBAIJANIS’ CLAIMS TO BE INHERITORS OF ALBANS NONSENSE – GEORGIAN EXPERT

news.am
May 19, 2012 | 03:32

TBILISI. – Dispute around David-Gareja monastery complex on the
Georgian-Azerbaijani border will not lead to military actions
between the two states, Georgian expert Soso Tsintsadze told Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

“The Azerbaijani claims are based on the allegedly fact that they
are inheritors of the Caucasus Albans. It is just like as to claim
that the modern Turks are the inheritors of Byzantine,” the expert
said adding inasmuch as Azerbaijani have no connection to the Albans,
the Albans have no connection to the monastery complex.

Regarding possible settlement of the issue between Georgia and
Azerbaijan, Tsintsadze said that it is likely to be solved through
territorial exchange.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am has earlier informed, Azerbaijan has installed
a border post in the disputable area of the unique David-Gareja,
60 km south-east to Tbilisi.

SOMMET DE L’OTAN : FRANCOIS HOLLANDE RENCONTRERA GUL

Publie le : 18-05-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – La 25e reunion du sommet
de l’OTAN se tient a Chicago ces 20 et 21 mai 2012. L’OTAN compte faire
progresser les principes et politiques cles qui faconneront l’Alliance
en 2020 et au-dela. Cette reunion est destinee a permettre de donner
corps aux decisions prises au sommet de Lisbonne en novembre 2010, en
les transposant en initiatives et programmes concrets. Un fonctionnaire
du gouvernement turc a confirme que le president Abdullah Gul, qui
representera la Turquie lors du sommet de l’OTAN, aura ses premiers
entretiens avec Francois Hollande, president francais nouvellement
elu. Nul doute que cette rencontre portera essentiellement sur les
desiderata turcs d’imposer le negationnisme d’Ankara sur le territoire
de la Republique francaise. Francois Hollande, qui soutient activement
depuis plus de dix ans, le combat pour la reconnaissance du genocide
armenien et par consequent la lutte contre sa negation, va affronter
la, son premier challenge visant a imposer des valeurs universelles.

16 mai 2012 / TODAY’S ZAMAN, ANKARA

Extraits :

Gul et Hollande auront leur première reunion au sommet de l’OTAN

Un fonctionnaire turc a confirme que le president Abdullah Gul, qui
representera la Turquie lors du sommet de l’OTAN, aura ses premiers
entretiens avec Francois Hollande, president francais nouvellement elu.

La Turquie espère que la victoire electorale d’Hollande contre son
predecesseur, Nicolas Sarkozy, puisse ouvrir la voie a la reactivation
de l’offre a rejoindre l’UE, actuellement au point mort. Sarkozy,
farouche opposant a l’adhesion turque, a bloque les negociations
d’adhesion sur cinq chapitres que Paris a estime directement lies a
l’adhesion. Les diplomates turcs et europeens s’attendent maintenant
a ce que le blocus francais soit desormais leve car Hollande est
connu pour avoir une opinion plus favorable sur l’adhesion turque
que Sarkozy.

Traduction Collectif VAN d’après The Today’s Zaman – 18 mai 2012 –
16:30 –

Lire aussi :

L’ambassadeur de France en Turquie affirme que la loi penalisant la
negation des genocides ne vise pas les Turcs

25e reunion au sommet de l’OTAN

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Today’s Zaman

DISPARITION DE L’HISTORIEN STEPAN BOGHOSSIAN, SPECIALISTE DE LA QUESTION ARMENIENNE
Krikor Amirzayan

armenews.com
samedi 19 mai 2012

L’historien Stepan Boghossian vient de disparaître a Erevan. Il
etait l’auteur de nombreux ouvrages sur l’Histoire et notamment la
Question armenienne et le genocide. En 1991 il avait fonde le Centre
d’etudes de la Question armenienne. De 1970 a 1988 Stepan Boghossian
exerca durant 18 ans la fonction de directeur de la Radio-television
d’Armenie. De 1988 a 1990 il etait egalement a la tete de l’agence
de presse armenienne Armenpress. Par ailleurs il fut responsable des
publications de l’Etat durant de très nombreuses annees. Recompense
par de nombreuses distinctions et medailles Stepan Boghossian etait
le père de l’actuelle Ministre de la Culture Hasmig Boghossian.

MP: AZERBAIJAN’S POSITION WILL BE DIRECTLY CONVEYED TO OPPOSITE SIDE IN YEREVAN

Trend
May 18 2012
Azerbaijan

Plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation
of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC PA) in Yerevan is very
important from the standpoint of presenting to the opposite side
the position of Azerbaijan not in an indirect way, and not through
international organisations, but directly, member of Azerbaijani
delegation to BSEC PA Zhalya Aliyeva told Trend on Friday.

Azerbaijani MPs Asaf Hajiyev, Musa Guliyev, and Zhalya Aliyeva will
attend the 39th meeting of the BSEC PA plenary session, which will
be held in Yerevan from May 21 to 24.

“The visit to Armenia is very important to convey the position of
Azerbaijan to the world,” she said.

The fact that Armenia has not implemented any Security Council
resolutions, is a well known fact, to this day Armenia hasn’t given
any adequate response to the steps taken by Azerbaijan to solve the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue through peaceful means, Aliyeva noted.

Despite the fact that the statute of the BSEC PA prohibits to touch
upon political issues Azerbaijani MPs will try to deliver their fair
position to the world, she said.

“If one of the issues raised in this organisation will be linked to
pollution, environmental protection, we will raise issue about the
destruction of forests, pollution of rivers by harmful substances in
the occupied territories. If it goes on violence against women, then,
first of all it’s necessary to remind about the damage war caused
to women. We will bring to the attention of the plenary condition
of women, who for more than 20 years have lived in war conditions,
in tents, and still remain in captivity,” she said.

The Azerbaijani delegation will go to Armenia for a visit on May 20.

At the meeting, the chairmanship in the PA will move from Armenia to
Azerbaijan. Thus, the 40th session of the BSEC PA will be held this
fall in Baku.