Author: Karagyozian Lena

TURKOLOGIST HAKOB CHAKRIAN: AS ARMENIA AND TURKEY ARE NOT ABLE TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS INTERNATIONAL STRUCTURES DO THAT

NOYAN TAPAN
SEPTEMBER 2, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. According to Turkologist Hakob
Chakrian, the main and first result of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols
is that RA President Serzh Sargsyan will leave for Turkey to watch
the Turkey-Armenia football match. Declaring this at a September
2 press conference he also said that some things will be clarified
after President’s visit to Turkey, and it will be possible to guess
what the next steps will be.

According to the agreement reached between Armenia and Turkey, after
signing the protocols should be ratified by the parliaments. In this
connection H. Chakrian said: "Turkish parliament’s two parties will
be against, there will be persons being against in Erdogan’s party,
as well. It may proceed easier in Armenia but we will have other
problems."

According to him, the initiators of making the protocols are not the
Armenian or Turkish sides but the international forces, the European
Union, the United States. "As Armenia and Turkey are not able to
solve their problems international structures proceeding from their
interests try to do it," the Turkologist said. However, in his words,
one thing is obvious: thanks to these Protocols Armenia and Turkey
will get free of pressures of the international forces.

Touching upon responses in Turkey following the publication of the
mentioned documents H. Chakrian said that they are different. Turkey’s
opposition accuses Prime Minister Erdogan of betrayal reminding that
he had stated that the Armenian-Turkish border will be opened when
the Nagorno Karabakh problem is settled. And Azerbaijan accuses Turkey
of betrayal and exerts psychological pressure.

YEREVAN TO HOST DISCUSSIONS ENTITLED "NOT AN INCH OF NATIVE LAND"

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
02.09.2009 21:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On September 3, Miatsum National Initiative
will organize discussions entitled "Not an inch of native land"
in connection with dangerous situation which arose around NKR upon
Madrid principles’ declassification. Discussions will take place in
Tekeyan Center in Yerevan, Miatsum National Initiative reported.

RF FOREIGN MINISTRY HAS POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO ARMENIAN-TURKISH RAPPROCHEMENT

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
02.09.2009 14:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "RF Foreign Ministry has positively accepted Armenia
and Turkey’s willingness to start internal coordination process with
the purpose of signing Protocols on ‘Establishing Diplomatic Ties’
and ‘Developing Bilateral Relations’ ", RA MFA Press and Information
Department says in a release.

"Armenia and Turkey are our friends. We perceive current rapprochement
as a normal process expected for a long time. We’ll be happy if
current consultations between two states result in a substantive
arrangement. As shown by preliminary analysis of draft protocols,
elements and implementation time-limits, Ankara and Yerevan are serious
and determined about studying the issues under consideration. Let’s
note that none of steps envisaged by those documents can be interpreted
as harmful to a third party," says the statement.

Russian Foreign Ministry finds that the recent serious and mutual
efforts undertaken by Armenian and Turkish leaderships create real
chances for changing current situation and starting constructive
cooperation after a long period of freezing.

"We hope that improvement of ties between two neighbors will liven
up trade-economic relations and positively affect social-economic
situation in both states, especially in times of global financial
recession. Russian official representatives constantly called on
Armenian and Turkish partners to resolve existing conflicts within
such pragmatic logic. It is also important to proceed further
with Armenian-Turkish rapprochement process. That will objectively
contribute to improving situation in the region and strengthening
peace and security," says the release of Russian Foreign Ministry.

SCHIFF CALLS ON TURKEY TO RECOGNIZE GENOCIDE

Yerkir
02.09.2009 15:39

Yerevan (Yerkir) – Reacting to the Monday’s announcement of protocols
for the establishment and development of relations between Armenia
and Turkey, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said true reconciliation will
occur when Turkey recognizes the Genocide, Asbarez reported.

"While I welcome what may be an important step in the rapprochement
between Armenia and Turkey and hope that the upcoming talks result in
a swift opening of full diplomatic and commercial relations between
Ankara and Yerevan, as well as a reopening of the border, I have
serious concerns about some provisions of the protocols accompanying
the announcement," said Schiff on Tuesday.

"In particular, I was deeply disappointed to see that the protocols
call for the creation of an historical commission to review the
events of 1915-23. This is a thoroughly discredited idea; there is no
dispute among scholars that the Armenian people were the subject of
genocide during the waning days of the Ottoman Empire and an historical
commission is another effort to obfuscate the truth," added Schiff.

"Turkey cannot be allowed to re-write this tragic part of its
history as a price for normal relations with Armenia. To do so means
acquiescence in a charade that demeans the memory of so many victims,"
explained the Congressman.

"True reconciliation between the Armenian and20Turkish peoples will
occur when Turkey acknowledges the genocide that was committed by
the Ottoman Empire against Armenians from 1915 – 1923. The Armenian
Genocide, the first genocide of the 20th Century, resulted in the
deaths of 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children and the sorrow
that the Armenian people carry in their hearts cannot be healed by
diplomatic relations alone," reaffirmed Schiff.

TURKEY-ARMENIA HOSTILITY THAWS AFTER 100 YEARS

PRESS TV
Sept 2 2009
Iran

Turkey and Armenia have agreed on a protocol which could result in
reopening of the border between the two long-time foes by the end of
the year.

The two countries have announced that they would sign accords within
six weeks under a plan to end a century of hostility.

According to an unofficial translation of the protocol released by the
Turkish Foreign Ministry, the two countries have agreed to establish
ties in various areas.

Turkey and Armenia have also agreed to support each other in
international bodies, including the United Nations.

Ankara and Yerevan have agreed to open the Turkey-Armenia border
within two months after the implementation of the protocol, Turkey’s
Yenisafak newspaper reported.

"If everything goes as planned, if mutual steps are taken, the borders
could be opened around New Year," Reuters quoted Foreign Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu as saying.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in solidarity with Muslim
ally Azerbaijan, which was fighting Armenian-backed separatists in
the breakaway mountain region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenians also accuse Turkey of committing a massacre against 1.5
million of their kin between 1915 and 1917 as the Ottoman Empire was
falling apart.

Turkey rejects Armenian claims that the killings amounted to
"genocide", and says many people were killed on both sides of the
conflict.

The thaw in relations between Turkey and Armenia seems to have worried
Azerbaijan, which may feel it is losing its traditional supporter,
Turkey.

Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry spokesman Elhan Polukhov has said that
any Turkish move to open its border with Armenia before "the Armenian
occupation of the Azerbaijani territory" is over would be contrary
to the national interests of Azerbaijan.

AZERBEIDJANI INCURSION ON WIKIPEDIA
by Shahan Kandaharian

Aztag Daily
Aug 25 2009
Lebanon

There is a remarkable over-crowdedness on the "The history of the
truth-Armenian allegations" website on the Internet. The rings of
an unending chain of misinformation about topics related to purely
Armenian issues are being posted with a noteworthy quickness of
pace. Those who receive Armenian news through Google-Alert in their
e-mail inboxes clearly can see the extent of the matter being talked
about here in this article. This seems to be the latest means adopted
by the Turks in their information war, which should not be ignored
by the representatives of the information field on the Armenian
side. This literally is an incursion of misinformation which although
not officially announced but carries all the convincing ingredients
that it enjoys the auspices and support of the Turkish state if not
its initiative.

Yesterday evening parallel to the Turkish information incursion
the Azerbeidjani "Today Az" issued a political propaganda concern
in cyberspace. We are referring to "Today Az"’s known website which
posted an article that called the Azeri public opinion to war. The
issue is the following: The article titled "The Azerbeidjan-Armenia
war continues on Wikipedia" is protesting that the word search for
"Armenia", "Artsakh", "Gharapagh", "Artsakh Conflict" is yielding
"false" information to the person searching. The issue is clear:
Artsakh is mentioned as being part of the Armenian Republic knowing
that it had been included in the borders of ancient Armenia.

Those who visit Wikipedia know that this open version of Internet
encyclopedia also accepts inputs by visitor-readers about a certain
topic. "Today Az" is calling for the influx of the "right" information
in this open encyclopedia and for the "correction" of the "falsehood"
represented as information until now. In reality the call is for the
perversion of realities!

The close follow up is necessary to see what results would the searches
of the above mentioned terms yield. Of course just following is not
enough; if "Today Az" has called for a war following wouldn’t be enough
on the Armenian side. Armenian visitors of Wikipedia must take part in
the information-misinformation war announced on Wikipedia. Wikipedia or
any self-respecting open encyclopedia website must finally realize that
there’s the need of maintaining a certain level of credibility. And
no matter how active the Azeri information incursion would be,
information must not be replaced by mis-information.

If we cannot have an impact on the intrigues of the so called "The
History of the truth-Armenian allegations" website, we can take part
in the maintenance of the Wikipedia credibility.

This, too, is a unique version of information war waged on
cyberspace. This time, too, we are not the aggressor. We would
be guilty, though, if we stand still in the face of the unleashed
incursion. Meanwhile the authors of Wikipedia must understand that
this incursion is as much against them as against the Armenians.

GEORGIAN FM PAYS VISIT TO YEREVAN

Panorama.am
17:40 31/08/2009

Foreign Minister of Georgia Grigol Vashadze is going to pay working
visit to Armenia on 4-5 September, "News-Georgia" reports referring
to the Georgia Foreign Ministry.

"The visit is going to take place in the framework of Armenia-Georgia
political dialogue," David Jalagani, deputy FM said.

Georgian FM will have meetings with Armenian FM Edward Nalbandyan
and other high ranking officials.

NEW NARCOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT OPENED AT THE HOSPITAL FOR DETAINEES

rahos||society&pid=15004
14:57:26 – 28/08/2009

Today, within the framework of the 5th phase of the South Caucasus Anti
Drug (SCAD-V) programme, the new Narcological Department was officially
opened at the Hospital for Detainees of the Ministry of Justice of
Republic of Armenia. The department has been established and equipped
with the joint financial support of the SCAD-V programme funded by the
European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) in Armenia and the International Committee of Red
Cross (ICRC). The Ministry of Justice has secured the workmanship
and supervision of the implementation of construction works.

The project is aimed to improve the health services, and, particularly,
addiction treatment capacities for inmates. At the same time, it
allows separating patients with tuberculosis from other patients. The
new Narcological Department will create an enabling environment
for inmate drug addicts to receive qualified drug detoxification
treatment. It is also anticipated that the department will provide
methadone substitution treatment along with psycho-social support
to injecting drug user inmates. By the establishment of the new
Narcological Department, the treatment services provided to drug
addicts will be improved and the innovative drug treatment methods
will help to enhance the quality of life of drug addicted inmates. The
project results will also contribute to the risk reduction for such
blood-borne diseases, as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, C and tuberculosis.

Addressing the event, Mr. Dirk Boberg, UNDP Resident Representative
a.i. said, "Drug addiction is a behavioral and mental chronic
disorder which requires continuous care – both in civil society and
in the penitentiary. Treatment of addiction and integration of drug
treatment into public health programs and social services are viewed
as cost-effective means of preventing the spread of problematic drug
use and blood born viruses, like Hepatitis C and HIV. Treating drug
addicts, regardless their civil status, is an investment in the health
of Armenian nation."

The overall objective of the SCAD-V programme is the gradual adoption
by South Caucasus beneficiary authorities of EU good practices
in the field of drug policies. From 2007-09, the SCAD programme
has encouraged the Governments of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia
to adopt EU good practices in five key areas: legal assistance,
drug epidemiology/information, prevention of drug use, treatment
for drug addicts, and reinforcement of regional law-enforcement
cooperation. The programme covers both supply and demand reduction
aspects and facilitates the implementation of drug related components
of the Action Plans of the European Neighborhood Policy.

The SCAD-V also carries out research, baseline studies on drug
epidemiology aimed at the establishment of national drug information
systems, trains treatment professionals on innovative methods
of treatment and harm reduction, enhances regional cooperation
between law-enforcement operational officers, and trains educators,
mass media representatives and NGOs on primary drug prevention
techniques. Provision of technical assistance for detoxification
centers and forensic laboratories is another area of the programme
activity.

NEW MALL IN STEPANAKERT

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Aug 27 2009
Armenia

"For Direction" company reconstructs a former trade centre in
Stepanakert (Nagorno-Karabakh capital) into a mall. It will open soon
and comprise hotel suites, open-air cafes, Asian as well as European
cuisine spots and a cinema for children.

NKR President Bako Sahakyan visited the mall the other day to see
the progress of the work.

"YEREVAN PRINCIPLES" V. MADRID PRINCIPLES

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Aug 27 2009
Armenia

Democratic Party of Armenia (DPA) developed so-called "Yerevan
Principles" on Karabakh peace process and presented the package
of proposals to RA President Serzh Sargsyan. The document offers a
conceptually new approach to settlement of the conflict, DPA Chairman
Aram Sargsyan told journalists on August 27.

"DPA has repeatedly declared its disagreement with some provisions
of Madrid document. Thus, the board of the party decided to present
RA President its own official position on the issue," Sargsyan stated.

The "Yerevan Principles" has three provisions that may foster the
sides to reach consensus.

Under the first provision, the sides should sign a peace agreement
(to be valid till the end of the negotiation process) that will
hold back the parties from use of propaganda – as it provokes enmity
in societies.

The second provides for set up of trust-and-understanding stimulating
programs for societies of the two states.

DPA draws special attention to economic outlook between Armenia
and Azerbaijan, under the third provision, the sides should realize
economic cooperation programs.

Within framework of such programs, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic will be
able to participate in the regional programs and to have an opportunity
of direct contact with Azerbaijan.