Author: Karakhanian Suren

TURKISH OPPOSITION REMAINS SKEPTICAL OF GOVERNMENT’S "ARMENIAN OPENING"
Saban Kardas

Jamestown Foundation
Sept 16 2009

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met the leaders of opposition parties
as part of his attempt to brief them about recent developments in
Turkish foreign policy, and solicit their support for the government’s
"Armenian opening." On August 31, Turkey and Armenia announced the
details of a roadmap for the normalization of bilateral relations. The
parties initialed two protocols regulating the steps to be taken
toward the resolution of contentious issues. To allay concerns among
domestic opposition parties and in Azerbaijan, the Turkish government
emphasized that the final decision would rest with parliament and
that Baku’s views would be taken into account during the parliamentary
approval process (EDM, September 8).

Since accomplishing the objectives of normalization would require
bold steps and political determination on the part of the Justice and
Development Party (AKP) government, this new initiative is denoted
as the "Armenian opening," echoing the recent Kurdish opening. Given
the necessity of parliamentary approval, the focus of the policy on
Armenia has shifted to the domestic political processes.

Davutoglu, at the urging of Prime Minister of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has
taken time out from his heavy international diplomatic agenda to win
over the opposition parties for the normalization policy. Davutoglu
met Deniz Baykal, the leader of the main opposition Republican
People’s Party (CHP), and the leaders of the Democratic Left Party
(DSP) and the Felicity Party (SP) Numan Kurtulmus and Masum Turker
respectively. However, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader
Devlet Bahceli, who has been the most outspoken critic of the Armenian
opening, refused to meet him. Earlier, Davutoglu met Parliamentary
Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin, and he is scheduled to have additional
meetings with the leaders of parties that received at least 1 percent
of the popular vote in the July 2007 parliamentary elections. He
also met the opposition leaders in May, following his appointment as
foreign minister (Today’s Zaman, September 16).

One common theme emerging from Davutoglu’s contacts is that
the opposition leaders unequivocally state that any progress in
Turkish-Armenian relations needs to be contingent upon the protection
of Azerbaijan’s concerns over Karabakh. In response, Davutoglu sought
to reassure them that normalization with Armenia would not come at
the expense of harming ties with Azerbaijan, and that Baku was being
informed about the progress of Turkish-Armenian talks (Anadolu Ajansi,
September 15).

Another common theme is the skepticism of the opposition parties
toward the contents and the form of the Armenian opening, especially
the involvement of foreign actors. They continue to view the opening
as an agenda imposed upon Turkey by external forces, and believe that
the main benefactor of the process will be Armenia.

For instance, SP’s Kurtulmus maintained that according to popular
perceptions, the process seemed to be driven by Armenia, and that
Turkey appeared to be only a passive player. He asked Davutoglu
to correct this image. He also expressed his reservations about
the committee of historians, and maintained that the committee
would be unlikely to reach a decision disproving Armenian genocide
claims. Kurtulmus also criticized the government’s recognition of
Switzerland as the mediator between Turkey and Armenia, arguing that as
a country that punishes the denial of the "Armenian genocide" claims,
Switzerland could not be considered as impartial in this issue. DSP’s
Turker, also shared similar concerns (Cihan, September 15).

The main opposition leader Baykal raised the most vocal
criticisms. During the joint press brief after meeting with Davutoglu,
Baykal noted that the CHP considered foreign policy issues as "state
policies" that require a national consensus. He added that his party’s
decision to meet Davutoglu was meant to make a contribution to state
policy, and should not be interpreted as representing "support"
for the government’s agenda. He stated his disappointment with
the government’s overall approach to this issue, and reiterated
his earlier position that the normalization agenda is imposed upon
Turkey. "There is a process and a roadmap underway which is beyond
the knowledge of the opposition parties. Now, through these contacts,
the government is not asking ‘Let us discuss Turkey’s interests,
and formulate [the policies] together.’ The government is saying
to us. ‘We are given a roadmap. We decided to implement it; come,
help us realize this roadmap.’ This is not an effort to formulate
a policy. This is an effort to find support for a program that is
already formed," Baykal objected (ANKA, September 15).

Baykal also characterized the two protocols as "traps." He argued
that although the protocols satisfy Armenian concerns by laying out
the details of Turkey’s re-opening of the border, they fall short of
meeting Turkish demands regarding Armenia’s recognition of the Kars
Treaty on defining the Turkish-Armenian border, or the renunciation
of its policy of having its genocide claims recognized worldwide,
and ending its occupation of Karabakh. He expressed concern that
the protocols offered no safeguards against the possibility that
after Turkey opens the border, Armenia might later renege on its
promises. Therefore, he demanded that the government must refuse to
sign the protocols. Baykal also speculated that the government would
sign the protocols with Armenia on October 13 (Hurriyet, September 16).

Both the Turkish and Armenian governments have to tackle domestic
opposition, in addition to the dilemmas of overcoming differences
of opinion and building trust in the bilateral talks. Indeed, the
Turkish-Armenian declarations recognize the challenges of obtaining
broad-based social and political support, and give the parties six
weeks to engage in domestic discussions before the protocols are
forwarded to parliaments for final ratification.

Given the strength of nationalistic sentiments in Turkey, one challenge
for the AKP government has been to present the Armenian opening as a
"national" policy, rather than a parochial agenda promoted by the AKP,
or a project externally imposed upon Turkey. The six-week deadline
has provided an impetus for each government to stimulate debate on
the issue, but as the Turkish case suggests this deadline is too
unrealistic to facilitate any meaningful and genuine democratic
deliberation on a dispute mired in historical memories and current
geopolitical conflicts. Davutoglu’s meetings further show that a new
conflict is looming over the AKP’s foreign policy when the Armenian
opening comes before parliament.

ARMENIA ORDERS NEW TRAINS, READY FOR OPEN BORDER

AZG DAILY
16-09-2009

International

The Armenian administration has ordered three trains from a Polish
train factory which are reportedly planned to be used when the railway
between Turkey and Armenia resumes operations, upon the opening of
the border between the two estranged neighbors, Polish Radio Merkury
has reported.

The Armenian Ambassador in Warsaw, Ashot Galoyan, visited the factory
and signed an agreement with the managers for the new trains, which
clearly indicated Armenian hopes for the opening of the borders,
the daily reported. Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza also argued that
the recent orders from Armenia would help the company to overcome the
negative effects of the global economic crisis. Although the company
had decided to dismiss many workers, the order for three trains will
protect the workers’ jobs.

Yerevan wants the railway between Kars and Gyumri reopened
after the necessary restoration and repairs are done. In previous
months, Alexander Kuznestov, the general director of Russian South
Caucasus Railways (SCR), stated that they are ready to provide rail
transportation between Kars and Gyumri. In his statements in the
Armenian press, he said that if Yerevan and Ankara would approve the
project (opening of the railway), they would offer rail transportation
between the two countries through the Ahurian-2 rail station. He also
stated that with that project, passenger and cargo transportation
would be possible with these countries.

On Aug. 31, Ankara and Yerevan announced that after talks that have
been continuing under Swiss mediation they have decided to launch
an internal consultation process on both sides before signing two
protocols aiming to normalize relations by opening the closed border
between the two countries and re-establishing diplomatic ties after
16 years, Turkish Zaman reports.

STATEMENT OF THE AGBU CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON THE OCCASION OF THE RELEASE OF THE RECENT DRAFT OF PROTOCOLS TO BE CONSIDERED BY ARMENIA AND TURKEY

AZG DAILY
15-09-2009

Armenia-Turkey

Armenian General Benevolent Union Central Board of Directors September
10, 2009

On August 31, 2009 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic
of Armenia, together with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign
Affairs and the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, jointly produced
two documents of protocol concerning the establishment of diplomatic
relations between Armenia and Turkey and the development of bilateral
relations. These documents provide details on the initial steps
to be taken for the normalization of relations, the establishment
of consular representation, and the opening of the current border
between the two countries.

This marks a significant moment in the history of relations between
the Armenian and Turkish peoples. It presents major ramifications
for both the government of the newly independent Republic of Armenia
and the Armenian nation worldwide. The Armenian people in both the
homeland and the Diaspora have followed these negotiations with great
interest and concern.

We recognize the great geopolitical challenges faced by Armenia
— its concern for its national security, the need to improve
its accessibility and communication links vital to its economic
development, the desire to participate in regional programs of
political and economic cooperation. All of these objectives motivate
the Armenian government to be positive and sincere in its approach
to these negotiations and to adopt a pragmatic policy with regard
to Turkey. However, as practical as such a policy may be, it should
not be implemented at the expense of the fundamental and historic
rights of the Armenian people. We believe the official governmental
authorities in Armenia are both the administrators of the state and the
guardians of its future. Therefore, they must be guided by pan-natio
aspirations in making these difficult and far-reaching decisions.

The documents establishing diplomatic relations between Armenia and
Turkey touch directly or indirectly upon the enduring issues of the
Armenian Genocide and our territorial demands. We understand the
importance for the Republic of Armenia to have normal diplomatic
relations with neighboring states, including Turkey. We also believe
that justice for the sacred Armenian Case and the international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide should transcend and not be
sacrificed for any immediate diplomatic consideration.

The start of negotiations between Armenia and Turkey has been favorably
encouraged by the international community. The sole opponent to
this dialogue between Armenia and Turkey has been the country of
Azerbaijan. For almost two decades, Turkey has joined with Azerbaijan
in the blockade of Armenia due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

In the past, Turkey has used the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
as justification for its refusal to pursue a separate rapprochement
with Armenia. This current effort to normalize relations between
Armenia and Turkey should not be pre-conditioned by any terms of
concession involving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The people of
Nagorno-Karabakh have already clearly expressed their will to live
freely through their exercise of the sacred right of peoples for
self-determination.

This is a rare moment of opportunity for Turkey. It must show that
it is ready to move forward in earnest. If it falters, hesitates or
withdraws, it will expose itself to the reproach of the international
major powers and those regional nations which are fostering this
rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey.

As this bold diplomatic initiative moves toward normalized relations
between the two countries, Turkey will find itself subjected to
even greater international scrutiny. To justify its membership in
the European Union, Turkey will be under pressure to fulfill its
international commitments. It will become more exposed and ion. It
will be forced to adhere to principles of human rights and democratic
rule and to cooperate with its neighboring countries.

We know the authorities in Armenia face a difficult path as
they endeavor to build new relations with Turkey without imposed
preconditions. We also believe the government of Armenia shares our
serious concerns about the sincerity of Turkey, given its historic
anti-Armenian policy that has continued to the present time. We commend
their initiative and lend our support in their efforts to find a just
and fair outcome in the building of good neighborly relations between
Armenia and Turkey, while safeguarding the historic claims and rights
of the Armenian People.

The Armenian General Benevolent Union has been steadfast in serving the
Armenian people for more than a century. It has been a leading voice
for the desires and aspirations of the Diaspora. AGBU unwaveringly
adheres to its time-honored policy of supporting the homeland,
safeguarding the rights of the Armenian nation, and promoting the
historic and cultural legacy of our people.

On this occasion, we appeal to all Armenians to face the challenges
of this historical moment, in collaboration with the government of
the Republic of Armenia, with wisdom, national unity and the spirit
of cooperation among our people.

THE ARF SUGGESTS CHANGES

Aysor
Sept 14 2009
Armenia

"The Armenian Revolutionary Federation will realize activities not
only tomorrow, but also in the next 4-5 weeks which are dedicated to
the inner political discussions, and are connected with the Armenian –
Turkish documents", – announced the president of the ARF party Vahan
Hovhannisyan.

V. Hovhannisyan during his meeting with the journalists mentioned
that they do not see any serious discussions over the protocols of
Armenian and Turkish MFAs. According to him "The political parties and
politicians of Armenia express their points of view but no discussion
takes place unlike Turkey."

"There are no processes taking place in our area, the reason of which
are probably the representatives of the authorities who realize how
weak are their facts in this discussion", – said V. Hovhannisyan.

The head of the ARF party informed that they suggest implementing
parliamentary audiences with the participation of experts. By his
words only "Heritage" party has responded to the suggestion who is
"for the discussions".

V. Hovahnnisyan informed also that today or tomorrow they are going
to release a document where are distinctly underlined which are
the changes suggested and demanded by ARF in the protocol. To the
question of the journalists, whether it is possible to make changes
in the protocol V. Hovhannisyan answered, – "If the document that
is given should be signed without any changes so what for are the
parliamentary discussions and the 6 weeks given?"

According to the leader "the document can’t be stiffen there should be
an opportunity to change it, it is another question whether those who
must sign the document will they be able to listen to the suggestions
concerning the changes."

Trend, Azerbaijan
Sept 13 2009

Azerbaijan judoka won the gold medal in Yerevan

13.09.2009 17:18
Azerbaijan, Baku, 13 September / Trend News /

Azerbaijan judoka Elmar Gasimov won the gold medal in the final of the
European Youth Championship in Yerevan, defeating Czech Lukas
Krpaleka.

Elmar Gasimov reached the final of Euro 2009, having combats
consistently with Frenchman Clement Dervaux – in 1 / 16 finals,
Austrian Gabor Geyer – to 1 / 8, Belorussian Anton Matselevichem – in
1 / 4, and finally the Pole Tomasz Domanski in the semifinals.

FORMAT’ BECAME HAZY BUT IT EXISTS
11/09/2009

ments15139.html
JAMES HAKOBYAN

Splits in parties are not a new phenomenon for the Republic of Armenia
and are connected with the non-realization of the political field of
Armenia. In civilized countries, parties are never split at least
because of accusations of a part of the party to the other for
fulfilling the orders of the government or a rival party.

But this of course does not concern Armenia and here party scandals
are always determined by such kind of problems and there are always
those who leave and those who are dismissed. AZhM, Communistic Party,
HZhK, HRAK, Republic. There may be people who will remember other
names of parties which the Heritage joined now.

Logically, all this arouses much interest among the TV channels which
cover the Armenian political life with details. The Heritage is an
oppositional party which has problems: the sides accuse each other of
fulfilling the HAK’s or the government’s orders. This material is the
best for the Armenian television because two tasks are solves at the
same time: both Heritage and the Armenian National Congress are
defamed or at least attempted to be defamed.

The main conclusion from all this is perhaps that `the format
died’. In other words, the format of cooperation of
Heritage-Dashnaktsutyun-Armenian National Congress, the possibility of
which has been recently much spoken about and which had grounds after
the release of the Armenian-Turkish protocols because the Heritage
seemed to try to justify its internal problems with the help of
transparent hints and accusations directed to the HAK.

It is another question whether they are just or not. The fact is that
none of the three forces presented any sincere wish to
cooperate. Besides, the fact that the `format’ became hazy should not
be rendered a tragedy and one should not think that everything is
finished and nothing maybe done. After all, if success encourages,
failure makes think and pay attention to things which as a rule you do
not notice when successful. In politics, non-existing things sometimes
serve the society more that those existing.

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am, Armenia
Sept 12 2009

Heritage addressed Baghdasaryan

19:28 / 09/12/2009Heritage Party and faction officially claimed RA
National Security Council on the discussion of Armenian-Turkish
relations and the released Protocols.

`September 3, Heritage Party made a statement on the Protocols
released by Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Armenian and
Turkish Foreign Ministries August 31, 2009,’ the letter of Armen
Martirosyan and Styopa Safaryan addressed to Arthur Baghdasaryan, the
RA National Security Council Secretary, reads. Heritage Party calls to
convene a session with the presence of RA President and RA National
Security Council members.

The party also informed that the official letter is a document and
requires written answer in 10 days under the legislation of the RA
National Assembly.

BUSINESS LEADER LOOKS FORWARD TO OPEN BORDER WITH TURKEY
Lilit Harutiunian

Armenialiberty.org
Sept 11 2009

Armenia — Arsen Ghazarian, co-chairman of the Turkish-Armenian
Business Council.

The possible opening of the Turkish border would significantly
benefit the Armenian economy and have little adverse impact on local
manufacturers, the chairman of Armenia’s largest business association
insisted on Friday.

Arsen Ghazarian, who heads the Union of Industrialists and
Entrepreneurs, predicted that cross-border commerce would quickly
spur economic activity and create many jobs in Armenian regions
bordering Turkey.

"We would also be able to implement serious joint projects in the
energy sphere," he said. "Our two cement plans, which I’m sure are not
operating at their full capacity, would be able to meet the Turkish
industry’s demand and to make decent profits.

"We would have quite serious projects in the textile sector. I am
talking about quite serious turnovers."

Ghazarian has for years voiced such views in his separate capacity
as the Armenian co-chairman of the Turkish-Armenian Business Council
(TABC), a private group uniting businessmen from the two neighboring
countries. The reopening of the Turkish-Armenian border, a key aim of
the TABC, became a real possibility after Ankara and Yerevan unveiled
draft agreements on the normalization of bilateral relations.

The prospect of an open border with Turkey has long caused unease
among some Armenian politicians, businessmen and economists. They
fear that an influx of cheap Turkish imports could wreak havoc on the
country’s fledgling manufacturing and farming sectors. Some have gone
as far as to declare that the Turkish economic blockade has been a
blessing in disguise for Armenia.

Ghazarian brushed aside these concerns at a news conference in
Yerevan. "Let’s face it, in our society there is not much enthusiasm
for Turkish consumer goods to begin with," he said.

"Besides, many of our enterprises in the food-processing and plastic
items sectors bring in a considerable part of their raw materials from
Turkey because it’s close and cheap. In that case [of border opening,]
it will be even closer and cheaper," he added.

Ghazarian further argued that an open border with Turkey will
become all the more important in the event of the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and restoration of commercial links between
Armenia and Azerbaijan. That, he said, would turn Armenia into a
regional transit country linking Turkey to Azerbaijan and Central Asia.

VLADIMIR KAZIMIROV: SUBSTITUTION OF THE AMERICAN CO-CHAIR OF THE OSCE MG WILL NOT BRING SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE KARABAKH NEGOTIATING PROCESS

ArmInfo
2009-09-11 13:31:00

ArmInfo. ‘I don’t think that rotation of the OSCE MG co-chair demands
deep commentary. Substitution of the diplomatic staff is a routine
practice’, – Vladimir Kazimirov said to ArmInfo correspondent when
commenting on appointment of Robert Bardtke to the post of the new
American co-chair of the OSCE MG.

He also added that such substitutions may affect the political line
least of all, especially that the OSCE MG co-chairs are limited
by the double frameworks: the policy of their governments and the
necessity to cooperate with their two counterparts. He thinks that
in this case one cannot speak not so much about the role of a person
in the diplomatic history.

TIGRAN DAVTYAN: ARMENIA’S BUDGET OF 2010 EXPECTED TO BE MODEST AND STABILIZING

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.09.2009 13:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s budget of 2010 will be modest and
stabilizing, Tigran Davtyan , Finance Minister of Armenia told a
government meeting on Thursday. According to him, the finance ministry
has already completed preparing the draft budget of 2010.

"Budget of 2010 will be modest, intense and stabilizing, in particular,
the budget deficit is expected to reach 5.5 per cent in 2010," the
finance minister said. He informed that external and internal funds
will be attracted to finance the budget deficit. "In coming years we
will try to consistently reduce the size of the deficit in order to
return to the level which we had in the past, which implies reduction
of some costs, compared to the 2009 budget, " he said.