Author: Karapetian Hovik

CEASE-FIRE VIOLATIONS REGISTERED

armradio.am
23.11.2009 18:38

Violations of cease-fire regime in different directions have been
registered on November 21 and 22, reports the Press Service of the
NKR Ministry of Defense.

The rival opened fire on the Karabakhi positions located in the
directions of Horadiz, Chakhrl, Ashagh Abdurahmanli, Lyala-Ilagli,
Shkhlar, Bash Karvend, Leonaris, Talish and Tap-Karakoyunlu.

"As usual, the Azerbaijani propaganda machine has disseminated
information today that the Armenian snipers shot an Azerbaijani citizen
near the village of Tap-Karakoyunlu. It is the recurrent misinformation
invented by the official propaganda of Baku, which does not correspond
to reality," the NKR Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

SARKISSIAN: THE PITFALLS OF A HISTORICAL COMMISSION
By K.M. Greg Sarkissian

20/sarkissian-the-pitfalls-of-a-historical-commiss ion/

When reviewing the recently signed Protocols regarding diplomatic
relations between Armenia and Turkey, given that settling the border
is a sovereign right, that Armenia’s elected leaders have never stated
they have territorial claims on Turkey, and that the Karabagh conflict
is not explicitly part of the Protocols, what remains for debate is
the "sub-commission on the historical dimension."

In the words of the Protocols, the purpose of the sub-commission on
the historical dimension is "to restore mutual confidence between
the two nations, including an impartial scientific examination of
the historical records and archives to define existing problems and
formulate recommendations."

It is precisely this mutual confidence that is in question. The
purpose and meaning of this sub-commission continues to generate
heated and divisive debate within both those countries and their
respective diasporas.

There are several reasons for this debate, but one crucial aspect
is the fact that since the announcement of the Protocols at the end
of August 2009, the presidents of the two countries have expressed
diametrically opposing views on the meaning of this sub-commission.

On October 3, in New York, Armenian President Serge Sargsyan explained
to the assembled representatives of the Armenian Diaspora organizations
that the commission is not to judge whether or not genocide took place,
but rather "to discuss the issues of Armenian heritage in Turkey,
issues of restoring and preserving that heritage, issues of heirs of
victims of Genocide."(1)

However, Turkish President Abdullah Gul defines the sub-commission’s
objective as one which will provide a historical judgement. On October
6, in Istanbul, he stated, "There are all sorts of allegations about
what happened a century ago. It is clear that people who do not
know what happened where or how are not able to take decisions on
this matter. What we hope is that historians, archive specialists
study this matter and we are ready to accept the conclusions of
this commission. To show that we are sincere, we even said that if a
third country is interested in this matter, if French historians, for
example, want to take part in this commission, they are welcome."(2)

Given these contradicting interpretations, what would be the outcome,
if a commission were to proceed at this time?

There would be a direct and indirect chilling effect on third party
governments and independent scholars, in addition to added obstructions
to Armenian Diaspora organizations in their work for international
recognition of the Genocide. Some well intentioned parties will
genuinely believe in the guise of progress being made and become
unwitting bystanders to denial. Countries that would prefer not to
get entangled in the genocide issue would have the perfect excuse to
say that recognition efforts are not necessary, as Armenia and Turkey
are in negotiation.

In fact, we already have indications of this trend. Two Swedish
newspapers, Metro and Svenska Dagbladet no longer use the term
"Armenian Genocide." Metro’s Editor-in-chief refuses to place any
article in the newspaper about the so-called "Armenian Genocide,"
because he is "no longer sure if there was genocide or not."(3) During
a visit by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Spain pledged
its support for Turkey’s accession to the European Union. "We are
watching Turkey and its foreign policy with admiration, especially
in relations with its neighbors," sources quoted Spanish Foreign
Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos as saying.(4)

Many observers believe that Turkey is using this commission as a
ploy, to dissuade third parties, such as the US and UK governments,
from considering resolutions to recognize the Genocide. The logic
of this ploy was explicitly admitted by a Turkish member of the
Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission in 2001.(5)

The reason for Turkey’s unshakeable denialist position is well
explained by Taner Akcam. The foundation myths of the Turkish Republic
are a deep and integral part of Turkish national identity; revealing
the Armenian Genocide as a fundamental part of the formation of the
Republic would have devastating effects on the national psyche, as well
as on the ability of the "Deep State" to maintain its power.(6) Turkish
Prime Minister Erdogan has been quoted as saying, "During its history,
Turkey has never degraded itself to the vile cruelty of committing
genocide. It’s out of the question for us to accept this."(7)

Some have argued in favour of the sub-commission on the grounds that
since the Protocols state Armenian, Turkish, as well as Swiss and other
international experts will take part in it, and since Switzerland has
already officially recognized the Genocide, therefore the conclusion
of the commission will be favourable to the Armenians.

That argument fails to take into consideration that Turkey has ignored
resolutions by 20 countries affirming the Genocide and successfully
manages to keep other countries from adopting them. The whole point
of these recognitions and affirmations was to show Turkey that
it stood alone and was out of step with the facts in denying the
Armenian Genocide.

Turkey is a powerful country politically and militarily and has
recently also become powerful economically, ranking 17th in the world.

It uses these leverages skillfully in getting what it wants from
other countries. When Israel, the UK and the US avoid recognizing the
Genocide, they do so not because of uncertainty about the historical
facts- there is no serious dispute among scholars that what happened
to the Armenians in 1915 was genocide-they do so for political,
military and economic considerations, in short, Realpolitik.

It seems that Armenia is now also willing to play this game. By putting
the Genocide on the table via a historical commission, in order to
have political and economic relations with Turkey and to enhance its
security, Armenia has sacrificed its only leverage-the incontestable
truth. Now all countries will feel at still greater liberty to play
the game of Realpolitik regarding the Genocide in whatever way they
choose, because even Armenia does it.

In the short term, the Armenian Government’s handling of the
Protocols has exacerbated political divisions within the Armenian
community-especially within the Diaspora, and between Armenia and
parts of the Diaspora. During the Soviet era, the relations of Diaspora
institutions with each other and with Armenia were conditioned along
rivaling partisan lines, not even ideological lines.

This situation continued in the early years of independence, but
eventually more inclusive policies were developed to involve the
Diaspora in Armenia and integrate its relations on a pan-Armenian
basis. It now seems that the Protocols are once again polarizing the
Diaspora and its relations with Armenia. People are no longer debating
the issues, but rather "whose side are you on?"

In the long term, Armenia has compromised the incontestability of
the Armenian Genocide. Even if, for whatever reason, the Armenian
Parliament does not ratify the Protocols, the fact that the Armenian
Government agreed at one point to allow the Armenian Genocide to be
open to debate can be used to further Turkey’s denial.

_________________________________________ ______________________ (1)
"An Interview with Serge Sargsian," Armenian Reporter, October 3,
2009, p. 4.

(2) "Gul Invites Historians to
‘Study’ Genocide," Asbarez, October 6, 2009,
s-historians-to-study-genocide/,
accessed November 18, 2009.

(3) "Swedish newspapers call so-called ‘Armenian
genocide’ into question," Today.Az, October 23, 2009,
, accessed November
18, 2009.

(4) "Spain pledges support for
Turkey’s EU bid," Today’s Zaman, November 16, 2009,
0-102-spain-pledges-support-for-turkeys-eu-bid.htm l,
accessed November 18, 2009.

(5) California Courier Online November 15, 2001, referencing
Azeri newspaper 525-Gazet, July 19, 2001, quoted Turkish-Armenian
Reconciliation Commission member Ozdem Sanberk: "The main goal
of our commission is to impede Armenian Genocide recognition
initiatives put forth every year in the US Congress and parliaments
of Western countries for the ‘genocide issue’ and aimed at weakening
Turkey…. The significant matter for us is that the ‘genocide issue’
is not discussed by the American Congress any more. Because, as long
as we continue the dialogue, the issue will not be brought to the
Congress agenda. If it is not discussed in the Congress, we, being
Turkey, will gain from that. The US Congress will see that there is
a channel of dialogue between Turks and Armenians and decide that
‘there is no necessity for the Congress to take such [a] decision
while such a channel exists.’" (6) See Taner Akcam, "The Armenian
Genocide and the Silence of the Turks," in Taner Akcam, Dialogue Across
an International Divide: Essays towards a Turkish-Armenian Dialogue
(Cambridge, MA and Toronto: Zoryan Institute, 2001), pp. 75-101.

DOES THE LOW SALARY DISTURB THE YOUNG LITERARY CRITICS?

Aysor
Nov 20 2009
Armenia

On November 19-20 by the support of the literature institute after
Manuk Abeghyan and the Union of the Armenian Writers took place
a republican scientific session dedicated to the modern Armenian
issues. This time the session was dedicated to the young literary
critics.

As one of the organizers of the session Arqmenik Nikoghosyan told in
the phone conversation with Aysor.am during the Soviet times republican
conferences of young literary critics were being held. Now they wish
to reestablish the tradition again.

According to A. Nikoghosyan on this conference applied 24 young
literary critics whose age is not above 30.

"The primary aim of our conference is to see what the young literary
critic is doing today, which are the issues of his study, which are
his problems, and the most important thing how deep is he in his
researches", – stressed Arqemnik Nikoghosyan.

He also informed that in the sphere of the literary criticism there
are very talented young people who can’t dedicate themselves to the
literary criticism completely as most of them working in M. Abeghyan’s
literature institute get 30.000 drams of salary and do parallel works
which disturbs the scientific work of the young scientists.

The Republican scientific session of young critical scientists was
organized by Arqemnik Nikoghosyan, Hrachya Saribekyan, and Gevorg
Emin-Teryan.

ARMENIAN FOOTBALL TEAM 99TH IN FIFA RANKING

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
20.11.2009 19:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Football Team was announced 99th in
November 20 FIFA ranking. Armenian team went up 1 point with 323
points on its score.

Currently, Armenia is ranked before Azerbaijani and Georgian teams
(116th and 125th places accordingly).

Spanish, Brazilian and Holland teams are graded first to third,
followed by Italy.

CSTO TO PREVENT ILLEGAL CIRCULATION OF LIGHT INFANTRY AND PORTABLE ZENITH MISSILE COMPLEXES

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
19.11.2009 19:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On November 20, Moscow will host consultations on
coordinating CSTO member-states’ positions on issues concerning light
infantry and portable zenith missile complexes."Consultations aim at
enabling participants to exchange experience in the sphere of light
infantry and portable zenith missile complexes," said CSTO Deputy
General Secretary General Ara Badalyan, stressing the importance of
preventing the illegal circulation of above-mentioned weapons.

Event is organized in accordance with CSTO member states’ 2009-10
consultation plans on foreign policy, security and defense.

Discussions will bring together experts from CSTO member states’
Foreign Ministries and other interested state agencies, CSTO press
service reports.

ON THRESHOLD OF PROVISION OF EBRD LOAN WORTH 25 MLN USD TO DENO GOLD MINING COMPANY ARMENIAN ECOLOGISTS ENGAGE IN BATTLE AGAIN

ArmInfo
2009-11-19 18:25:00

ArmInfo. On the threshold of provision of EBRD loan worth 25 mln USD to
Deno Gold Mining company, Armenian ecologists engage in battle again.

"Probably, EBRD has no information on the real situation in Kapan,
Syunik region of Armenia, that has been caused by the activities
of Deno Gold Mining. According to ecologists’ assessment, three
communities – Geghanush, Syunik and Shahumyan are on the brink
of ecological and social disaster",- Head of the EcoLur public
organization Inga Zarafyan said to ArmInfo correspondent. She recalled
that as a result of emergency releases in 2006-2007, land and garden
plots were contaminated in the village of Syunik, the cattle died,
children displayed strong allergic reactions to the extent that
their skin sloughed off their hands. At the same time, the State
Environmental Inspection responded to this situation only after the
racket in mass media.

Shahumyan gold-polymetallic deposit being developed by DGM is situated
in the territory of Shahumyan community. "This is a highly dangerous
zone: the residents’ houses break down of explosions. The developers
have not practically left the upper layer above the drifts despite to
the exploitation rules, and the land is caving in and making craters",-
Zarafyan stressed. She added that the main waste flow was closed
after construction of Geghanush tailing dump on the common lands on
Geghanush community. However, there is practically no buffer zone here,
and those having land plots near the tailing dump have been deprived
of the opportunity to receive incomes. Besides 19 ha private plots,
the hazel-wood growing on the slopes of the gorge filled with waste
ceased bearing fruit. "Furthermore, there are still "tails" left open
by the company. The river Norashenik flows nearby, and its banks are
fortified with the "tails",- Zarafyan said.

Thus, as it was pointed out, the activity of Deno Gold Mining fails
to meet the ecological and social policy announced by the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development as it violates the Armenian
legislation and human rights, as well as the rights to life and
health. "We think that there are all grounds for EBRD monitoring,
particularly, in the light of the loan provision negotiations between
the bank and the company. This may make the company be more attentive
to implementation of its commitments and observance of laws of the
country where it operates",- Zarafyan said.

According to her, the EBRD decision on provision of the 25 USD
mln mid-term loan should be open for the public. "Suppression of
documents concerning the loan for Deno Gold Mining from the EBRD
website does not contribute to transparency of the company’s activity
under the loan agreement and does not contribute to transparency
of EBRD activity either",- Zarafyan said. She pointed out that on
November 24 she will participate in an international conference in
London and raise there all the issues concerning DGM activity. "The
company violates the environmental legislation, including the Land
Code, Water Code, Forestry Code, and Natural Resources Code. For their
part, the supervising bodies, including Inspection of the Armenian
Nature protection Ministry and Sanitary Inspection of Health Ministry
lay down no necessary demands on legislation observance before the
company",- Zarafyan said.

RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA: ARMENIAN-TURKISH DIALOGUE DOES NOT CROSS NAGORNYY KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

ArmInfo
2009-11-19 14:38:00

ArmInfo. ‘Because of some agiotage appeared in connection of Andrey
Nesterenko’s statement, I would like to say that Russia’s position was
and remains unchangeable: the Armenian-Turkish dialogue does not cross
Nagornyy Karabakh settlement’, – Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Ambassador of Russia to Armenia Vaycheslav Kovalenko said to Arminfo
correspondent.

To recall, representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Andrey
Nesterenko said: ‘As for as I know, in the Yerevan-Ankara negotiating
process they also touched on the problems of Nagornyy Karabakh.’

Kovalenko said that Russia considers the process on normalization of
the Armenian-Turkish relations and the Karabakh conflict settlement
process – the two quite different processes, with their own logic.

They do not come across each other. He also added this position of
the Russian party was voiced at the top level, including on the level
of Foreign Ministry of Russia.

The ambassador said that the Russian party welcomes signing of
the Armenian-Turkish Protocols, which lead to normalization of the
bilateral relations. ‘Ratification of the Protocols, we would like
them to be ratified as soon as possible, in general, will promote
resolving of all the problems of the region’, – Kovalenko said.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Assembly of America
November 19, 2009
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434 

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL COUNCIL HOSTS INAUGURAL
EVENT

Oakland, CA – The Northern California Regional Council (Council),
comprised of community activists under the Armenian Assembly
(Assembly) umbrella, hosted its inaugural event since its recent
formation in September.  Members of the Armenian professional
community from the Bay Area attended and discussed current issues at
the home of Council member and host Alison Ekizian.  In addition to
Ekizian, Council members include Kim Bardakian, Julie Kulhanjian
Strauch, Valina Agbabian, David Ojakian and Peter Kalagian-Federico.

Assembly Western Region Director Yeghig Keshishian briefed the Council
about Armenia-Turkey rapprochement and the Protocols signed last month
in Switzerland. In addition to making it clear that the Protocols and
the Nagorno Karabakh (NKR) negotiations are two separate processes,
Keshishian discussed the Assembly’s and community’s concerns regarding
attempts by Turkey to link the NKR peace process to the Protocols or
as a way to avoid U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

"Rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey is an issue separate from
U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide," stated Keshishian. "As
this process continues, our focus will continue to be educating
Members of Congress on current developments and the continued need to
combat genocide denial through passage of H.Res. 252," Keshishian
continued.

"It was helpful to hear from Keshishian on the steps the Assembly is
taking to combat Turkey’s aggressive lobbying attempts in this
country," stated Ekizian.  "The Council shares Keshishian’s sentiments
that Turkey needs to act in good faith and come to terms with its
past. The Protocols offer an opportunity to apply pressure on Turkey
as it seeks to balance its eastward orientation towards the Muslim
world and its westward desires toward joining the European family. The
Northern California Regional Council will continue to play a direct
role in raising awareness of important issues affecting U.S.-Armenia
relations by hosting an assortment of social networking and
professional events to support the Assembly in its outreach efforts in
the Bay Area," added Ekizian. 

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

TURKEY WANTS TO CHANGE KARABAKH STATUS QUO

news.az
Nov 18 2009
Azerbaijan

Ahmet Davutoglu Turkey will do its utmost to resolve the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Foreign Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu has said.

He was talking to MPs about a wide range of foreign policy issues at
a budget and appropriations committee meeting in the Grand National
Assembly on Tuesday, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported.

Davutoglu told the committee, "Turkey will never be reconciled with
the occupation of Azerbaijani lands and will spare no effort to
resolve the conflict."

Turkey signed the protocols with Armenia because it wants to normalize
relations and settle the Karabakh problem, Davutoglu said. By signing
the protocols "Yerevan has recognized the present borders of Turkey
and does not have any territorial claims on us".

On the Karabakh conflict, Davutoglu said, "The status quo has remained
unchanged for 17 years… Babies who were one year old in Karabakh
and Lachin in 1993 are now turning 18. How long will these poor people
live far from their native lands?

"Turkey cannot be reconciled with this situation and is seeking changes
in the status quo on the Karabakh issue. Turkey could have kept Armenia
in isolation for many years. What would we have achieved by doing
so? Today, international attention is focused on this problem. The
OSCE’s Minsk Group would have calmly carried on as they were, visiting
the regional countries, but the problem would have remained unsettled,
but now we are demanding that they resolve the Karabakh issue. The
Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents have had seven meetings this year."

EU HAILS NEGOTIATIONS ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT: SPECIAL ENVOY

Trend
Nov 16 2009
Azerbaijan

"The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Armenian-Turkish relations,
as well as energy issues, are the main topics we discussed at our
meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister
Elmar Mamedyarov," EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus
Peter Semneby said in Baku.

He did not comment specifically on his talks with the Azerbaijani
leadership.

Semneby said the frequent meetings between the Armenian and Azerbaijani
foreign ministers to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is a
positive factor in settling the conflict.

"There have been a great deal of meeting and these cannot result in
a loss," he added.

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.

According to Semneby, the EU see the opening of the Turkish-Armenian
border as a positive sign, "as it is in line with our vision of a
region where all borders will be open in the future, where people
can safely travel and trade flows."

He said the situation in the South Caucasus is complex. Three
important borders are closed, including the Turkish-Armenian,
Azerbaijanii-Armenian and Georgian-Russian.

It is necessary to start somewhere, Semneby said.

"We hope and insist on serious progress on this issue," the EU special
representative said.