Author: Khoyetsian Rose

KIRO MANOYAN: MINSK GROUP CONSIDERS NK CANNOT BE UNDER AZERBAIJANI JURISDICTION

armradio.am
16.09.2008 17:10

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries have come to the conclusion
that Nagorno Karabakh cannot be under the jurisdiction of Azerbaijan,
Head of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau’s Hay Dat
and Political Affairs Office Kiro Manoyan told a press conference
today, noting that it forces Azerbaijan and Turkey say that the Minsk
Group format has exhausted itself. According to his assessment,
the adoption of the fact by the co-chair countries is a result of
ten years of negotiations.

The three countries have in some way confirmed the right for
self-determination. Two of them – the United States and France – have
recognized the independence of Kosovo. Russia has recognized the right
for self-determination of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. "Actually, the
three co-char countries have confirmed that the principle is respected
in international law. If Armenia sees that the negotiations produce
no result, it should recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh,"
Kiro Manoyan said.

He noted also that despite the strained US-Russia relations, there
is no shift in the positions of those countries on the Karabakh
issue. Karabakh is the issue on which both the West and Russia are
ready to cooperate.

According to him, the mediators will constantly stress the necessity
of solving the Karabakh issue in a peaceful manner.

Speaking about the breakthrough in the Armenian-Turkish relations, Kiro
Manoyan said Turkey can take very rapid steps (e.g. open the border),
which will demonstrate that its policy towards Armenia is changing.

Kiro Manoyan considers there can be progress in the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide by the US if Democrat candidate Barack Obama
wins in the polls. With all his positive attitude towards Armenia,
Republican candidate McCain is very sensitive towards Turkey, and it
will be hard to anticipate progress sin case he is elected.

NEW IMF PROGRAM ENVISAGES REDUCTION OF ARMENIA’S FINANCING

Noyan Tapan

Se p 16, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Based on the progress made in the
socioeconomic sphere so far, less financing will be provided to Armenia
by a new program of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as compared
with the previous programs, the head of the IMF mission to Armenia
Marta Castello-Branco announced at the September 16 press conference.

In her words, under the previous three-year program of IMF that
finished in May 2008, Armenia achieved a two-digit economic growth,
a one-digit inflation and considerable poverty reduction. She said
that the new IMF program envisages providing assistance to Armenia
for improving administration and implementing tax policy reforms. The
purpose of the program is to make the fiscal policy a most efficient
instrument of demand management, strengthening the coordination of
work of the bodies dealing with fiscal and monetary-credit policies.

M. Castello-Branco announced the results of IMF studies on Armenia,
based on which Armenia ensured a stable GDP growth but inflation
pressures remain considerable. It was mentioned that so far the
conflict between Georgia and Russia has not had a negative impact
on the prospect of Armenia’s economic growth, and if the tension
is reduced, it will be possible to ensure 10% real growth. It is
expected that by late 2008 inflation will make 7.5% due to tightened
monetary-credit and fiscal policies, and the recent decline in
international food and fuel prices. According to IMF studies, the
sustainable economic growth will continue, while inflation will be
within the 4% target of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) within the
next few years.

OPPOSITION MEETING STARTS WITH INCIDENT

Noyan Tapan

Se p 15, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The first sanctioned all-republican
meeting of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) on September 15 started
with an incident. A group of policemen beat several young men and girls
of "Hima" youth initiative, complaining that these young people were
chanting "Serzhik, Go Away". Then, a few minutes before the start of
the meeting policemen approached the first Armenian president Levon
Ter-Petrosian and warned him that no march was to be held after the
meeting, otherwise "further responsibility will be on the meeting
organizers".

The member of "Republic" party’s political board Suren Sureniants
who conducted the meeting stated that the authorities permitted the
meeting thanks to the struggle and will-power of the people.

The first speech was made by the member of "Union of Armenian
Volunteers" initiative Samvel Harutyunian who declared that the
initiative has taken a decision to joint the ANC. In his words, having
re-interpreted the past, L. Ter-Petrosian has gained the right to be
president again.

The head of the National Assembly "Heritage" faction Armen Martirosian
in his turn spoke about the law on television that the National
Assembly passed recently. He expressed confidence that any politician
with a state thinking "would have opened A1+ and Noyan Tapan television
channels beforehand because this is the only way to get the country
out of the current shameful situation".

The chairman of "New Times" party Aram Karapetain said that no one
doubts the people’s victory. He thanked for the incessant struggle,
saying that the spirit of that struggle reaches the political prisoners
and inspires them.

ARMEN SARGSIAN APPOINTED ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO CHINA

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. On September 12 Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on appointing Armen Sargsian as
Armenia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to China
(residence in Beijing), NT was informed by the RA presidential press
service.

ARFD: NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR STATE’S INDEPENDENCE AND VIABILITY INADMISSIBLE

DeFacto Agency
Sept 11 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 11.09.08. DE FACTO. An extraordinary plenary sitting of the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun – Bureau was held
in Yerevan on September 9-10. The main topics of the discussion are
a complicated military and political situation created in our region
and Armenian-Turkish relations.

According to the ARFD Press Office, "discussing inner and outer
challenges Armenia has faced ARFD Bureau plenary sitting has considered
it necessary to call the public’s attention to ARFD’s some principal
approaches in the issue referring to interstate Armenian-Turkish
relations: a) As neighboring states, Armenia and Turkey should make
efforts to normalize interrelation. However, we are convinced that
good-neighborly relations can be established only with Turkey’s
recognition of Armenian Genocide and the restoration of Armenian
nation’s rights. Liquidation of a blockade without preconditions and
establishment of diplomatic relations can become just first steps on
the way.

b) Initiative undertaken by President of the Republic of Armenia,
meetings of Presidents and FMs should be followed by certain positive
steps on Turkey’s part. ARF Dashnaktsutyun will actively see to it
that official meetings do not represent purely propaganda possibilities
for Turkey.

c) ARFD considers normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations at the
expense of our state’s independence and viability and generations’
national and state rights quite inadmissible.

d) Turkey can claim regional initiative if it crucially changes its
policy regarding Armenia. It should not be partial in Artsakh issue
and should not speak with Armenia on the language of preconditions,
as well as should deny policy of deepening separating lines, blockade
and isolation in South Caucasus.

e) Since 1998 Armenia has been pursuing foreign policy basing on the
national and state ideology, one of strategic directions of which is
general (in part, from Turkey’s side) recognition and condemnation of
Armenian Genocide. Armenia does not consider it from the viewpoint
of historical justice’s recognition only, but also in the context
of improving atmosphere of mutual trust in the region and prevention
from such crimes in the future.

TURQUIE-ARMENIE – BALLON D’ESSAI

L’Express
11 Septembre 2008
France

Football et diplomatie : un match entre les deux pays a servi de
pretexte a une visite historique du president turc a Erevan. L’Express,
qui a suivi ce voyage, decrypte messages et attentes de part et
d’autre.

Dans l’avion presidentiel turc qui amorce sa descente vers l’aeroport
d’Erevan, la capitale armenienne, règne, ce 6 septembre, un etrange
melange d’inquietude et d’excitation. C’est la première visite
en Armenie pour la plupart des 30 Turcs, diplomates, conseillers
et journalistes, qui accompagnent le president Abdullah Gul, venu
assister au match des eliminatoires de la Coupe du monde de football
de 2010. Des hublots, on apercoit la silhouette grise de la ville,
mais la delegation cherche surtout a distinguer la figure imposante du
mont Ararat, volcan assoupi situe en territoire turc mais symbole de
l’Armenie. A l’avant de l’avion, le president de la Republique a recu
les quelques journalistes etrangers dans son petit carre prive. Il
semblait, lui, parfaitement detendu. " Les hasards des calendriers
sportifs font naître d’importantes opportunites. Nous avons pense que
nous pourrions tirer pretexte de ce match pour engager le dialogue et
nous avons entrepris cette demarche commune ", dit-il. " Savez-vous
qu’aujourd’hui il y a egalement le premier match de football entre
les Etats-Unis et Cuba depuis 1947 ? " ajoute-t-il avec l’expression
cabotine qu’il affecte parfois.

Le deplacement est pourtant a haut risque. L’important dispositif de
securite mis en place dans la capitale armenienne le rappelle. Protege
par des tireurs d’elite tout le long de son parcours, le chef de l’Etat
turc suivra le match en compagnie de son homologue armenien derrière
une epaisse vitre blindee. C’est la première visite d’un chef d’Etat
turc en Armenie et, bien que la Turquie fût une des premières nations
a reconnaître la jeune republique independante en 1991, les frontières
terrestres entre ces deux voisins sont fermees et un froid glacial
règne entre les diplomaties des deux pays depuis l’occupation, en
1993, du Haut-Karabakh, province d’Azerbaïdjan a majorite armenienne,
par les armees d’Erevan.

Mais, plus que l’invasion du Karabakh, c’est bien le spectre de 1915
qui plane sur ce deplacement. Entre l’aeroport et le centre-ville,
la presence de milliers de personnes massees silencieusement sur les
bords de la route est intimidante. Ils brandissent des pancartes,
la plupart en anglais, parfois en turc ou en armenien : " Je suis de
Mus ", " Je suis d’Adana ". Les ecriteaux egrènent les noms de ces
villes de Turquie dont parents ou grands-parents ont ete arraches
il y a moins d’un siècle. Fehmi Koru, principal editorialiste du
quotidien turc Yeni Safak, dit qu’il est heureux de voir que ces
gens puissent aujourd’hui revendiquer leur appartenance avec tant de
maturite. Il pense que la Turquie aussi a fait beaucoup de chemin ces
dernières annees. Le tabou est desormais depasse. Voici venu le temps
de la confrontation avec l’Histoire. " On peut parler ouvertement de
la question armenienne, alors que, dans ma jeunesse, c’etait tout
bonnement impensable ", rappelle-t-il. A l’image de Hasan Cemal,
editorialiste au quotidien Milliyet, plusieurs journalistes turcs
sont alles visiter le Mausolee du genocide et ont rendu compte de
leurs impressions a leurs lecteurs. " Dans le silence vierge du matin,
j’ai compris encore une fois l’inanite de la negation de l’Histoire,
mais egalement les risques qu’il y avait a devenir prisonnier de ses
douleurs ", ecrit Cemal.

Avec l’arrivee d’Abdullah Gul a la fonction supreme, la diplomatie
turque a gagne une nouvelle dynamique. Le president a effectue 22
deplacements a l’etranger en un peu plus d’un an. Ce voyage a Erevan
est la consequence logique de la ligne engagee depuis cinq ans. "
S’ils ne sont pas traites, les problèmes deviennent chroniques. Nous
ne voulons pas laisser [le problème armenien] aux generations futures
", a dit Gul a la sortie de ses entretiens avec son homologue armenien.

Pourtant, cette visite n’est pas sans perils. Les partis d’opposition
turcs ont crie a la trahison. De nombreux analystes et anciens
diplomates brandissaient encore, quelques jours avant le match, le
danger qu’il y a a se fâcher avec les " frères " azeris, assis sur de
consequentes reserves de petrole. La sensibilite dans l’opinion etait
tellement exacerbee que, le jour meme du match, un site d’information
turc annoncait qu’un ancien membre de l’Asala – l’ex-organisation
terroriste armenienne – Varoujan Garbidjian, l’un des responsables de
l’attentat d’Orly (8 morts et 63 blesses en 1983) devait etre present
dans la tribune protocolaire. Cette fausse nouvelle s’est repandue
comme une traînee de poudre. Pour mettre fin a toute polemique,
la police armenienne a emmene Garbidjian hors de la ville.

Afin de limiter les risques, le Parti de la justice et du
developpement, au pouvoir a Ankara, a interdit a ses deputes de se
rendre au match. Le seul membre du Parlement a faire le voyage fut
le depute independant Ufuk Uras, venu celebrer a Erevan la memoire du
journaliste armenien de Turquie Hrant Dink, assassine il y a dix-neuf
mois, qui militait pour le dialogue. Peuples proches, voisins lointains
est le titre du livre de Dink publie a titre posthume cette annee
par la Fondation internationale Dink. Un leitmotiv retransmis par
les equipes de television turques qui ont fait le deplacement et qui
s’extasient a longueur de reportages sur les ressemblances culturelles
entre les deux pays.

Des vols directs entre la Turquie et l’Armenie existent depuis
quatre ans et le commerce indirect entre les deux pays atteint 500
millions dollars. De nombreux Armeniens travaillent clandestinement
a Istanbul. Mais c’est l’arrivee de Serge Sarkissian au pouvoir a
Erevan qui a servi de declic. Abdullah Gul lui a adresse un message
de felicitations particulièrement chaleureux, insistant sur l’espoir
de dialogue qu’il fondait. Sarkissian a repondu sur le meme ton. "
Nous ne faisons pas de la reconnaissance du genocide une condition
prealable au developpement de nos relations ", a declare le president
armenien au journaliste turc Murat Yetkin dans un reportage remarque,
publie fin août.

Il est vrai qu’avec l’embrasement de la situation en Georgie, l’Armenie
a besoin plus que jamais pour se desenclaver d’une normalisation des
relations avec la Turquie et surtout de l’ouverture de sa frontière
terrestre. D’où son interet pour la " Plate-forme de stabilite et
cooperation pour le Caucase " lancee par Ankara, qui a pour objectif
de rassembler dans un grand forum toutes les nations de la region et
la Russie. La Turquie ira peut-etre moins vite que ne le voudrait
Sarkissian, attendant pour lever les barrières frontalières une
acceleration des discussions discrètes qui durent depuis six mois
entre les deux pays en Suisse, mais egalement des elements concrets
de la bonne volonte de l’Armenie pour resoudre la situation au
Haut-Karabakh. Gul a annonce qu’il se rendrait très prochainement
en Azerbaïdjan.

Quant au match, ce ne fut pas un grand moment de football. L’hymne
national turc fut siffle, comme parfois lors des matchs avec la
Grèce. La selection turque, se reveillant au cours de la seconde
mi-temps, finit par inscrire deux buts. Bilan presque nul au
niveau sportif, mais une etape importante pour les relations
internationales. En fin de compte, tout le monde aura gagne.

–Boundary_(ID_5I+mUDUfHwjwCkKxY3PgHg)–

THOMAS HAMMARBERG TO PRESENT REPORT ON ARMENIA AT THE SESSION OF PACE MONITORING COMMISSION

ARMENPRESS
Sep 11, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: The session of the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly’s (PACE) Monitoring Commission will take place
today in Paris where Council of Europe Human Rights High Commissioner
Thomas Hammarberg will present a report on the implementation of PACE
Resolutions 1609 and 1620 by Armenia.

The head of the NA’s delegation to PACE David Harutyunian, members
of the Monitoring Commission Armen Rustamian and Avet Adonts are in
Paris to participate in the session of the commission.

WE SUPPORT SECURITY AND COOPERATION PLATFORM IN CAUCASUS: ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Trend News Agency
Sept 11 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 11 September/TrendNews/ Foreign Minister of
Azerbaijan Edward Nalbandyan has stated he approves improvement of
bilateral relations between Armenia and Turkey.

Nalbandyan said in his interview with CNN that Armenia supports
security and cooperation platform in Caucasus.

Touching upon talks with Turkish foreign minister Ali Babacan in
Yerevan, Nalbandyan said such meetings will have a positive impact
on improving bilateral relations. He also mentioned visit of Turkish
president to Armenia. "I believe in sincere intentions of Abdullah
Gul and positively assess this step. Armenia has also set a task to
improve relations".

ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE
September 11, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Email: [email protected]

PALLONE CALLS ON TURKEY TO FOLLOW SOCCER
DIPLOMACY WITH REAL STEPS TOWARD PEACE

— Urges Ankara to End Genocide Denial,
Remove Article 301, and End Blockade

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) welcomed Armenia’s diplomatic outreach to Turkey and
called on Turkey to reciprocate this gesture of good will with
concrete steps toward an enduring peace based on truth and justice,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The New Jersey legislator’s House floor statement comes in the wake
of the recent Armenia-Turkey World Cup soccer qualifying match in
Yerevan that Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul attended at the
invitation of his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan. In his
remarks, the Congressman specifically calls upon Turkey to end its
denial of the Armenian Genocide, to remove Article 301 and other
free speech restrictions on the discussion of this crime, and to
lift its illegal 15-year old blockade of Armenia.

In the days prior to the soccer match, the ANCA circulated a letter
explaining to every Member of Congress that, "for this initiative
to succeed, Turkey’s leaders need to view this as a true
opportunity for enduring peace, not simply as a photo opportunity
to help alleviate the growing international pressure it is under to
recognize the Armenian Genocide."

The full text of Congressman Pallone’s remarks is provided below.

#####

PALLONE CONGRATULATES ARMENIA ON
HISTORIC SOCCER MATCH WITH TURKEY

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Armenia and its
president, Serge Sargisian, on the historic soccer match between
Armenia and Turkey this past weekend.

On July 9th, President Sargisian, in the Wall Street Journal Europe
Addition, took a surprising and historic step, by inviting
President Abdullah Gul of Turkey to sit with him and watch the two
nations play a World Cup qualifier match in Yerevan, the capital of
Armenia.

In an effort to warm relations between the two countries, President
Sargisian wrote, ‘…just as the people of China and the United
States shared enthusiasm for ping pong before their governments
fully normalized relations, the people of Armenia and Turkey are
united in their love for football.’

President Gul accepted the offer, and on Saturday, September 6th,
he became the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia.

Armenia initiated soccer diplomacy with Turkey despite nearly a
century of Turkish genocide denial and 15 years of an economic
blockade. For years, Armenia has been ready to establish
relations with Turkey without preconditions and President
Sargisian’s recent efforts reinforced this commitment. President
Gul must also be commended for his efforts to see past the
opposition of some in his country to attend the match.

With the recent violence between Russia and Georgia, further steps
to promote stability in the Caucasus must be taken. Strengthening
Armenian and Turkish relations is essential to these efforts.

Turkey can strengthen its relationship with Armenia by ending its
policy of genocide denial; policy that is imposed both globally and
domestically. The Turkish government lobbies heavily against the
international community’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Domestically, Turkey should lift all restrictions imposed by
Section 301 of the Turkish penal code on individuals who study,
discuss, or recognize the Armenian Genocide. Silencing academics
and writers limits freedom of speech and makes any serious
discussion of the Armenian Genocide within Turkey taboo.

To improve relations, Turkey must also lift its stifling economic
blockade on Armenia. The State Department estimates that the
blockade inflates Armenia by 30 to 35 percent. Removing the
blockade will enable the development of needed infrastructure
projects and regional communications, energy, and transportation in
the Caucasus. The removal of the blockade would also do much to
catalyze global investment in Turkey and Armenia.

With the recent conflict between Russia and Georgia, Armenia proved
itself to be a constructive partner to Georgia. The Armenian
government provided safe transit for U.S and international
officials and thousands of Georgian nationals, and non-governmental
organization representatives.

But Armenia experienced significant economic distress due to the
conflict. The country lost an estimated 650 million dollars and
shortages in fuel and wheat were rampant. With renewed volatility
in the Caucasus, Armenia can no longer afford to suffer from duel
blockades.

President Sargisian’s initiation of soccer diplomacy and President
Gul’s reciprocal invitation to watch a game next year in Turkey is
a positive breakthrough in a region of historic violence and tense
emotions.

As President Sargisian wrote, ‘A more prosperous, mutually
beneficial future for Armenia and Turkey, and the opening up of a
historic East-West corridor for Europe, the Caspian region and the
rest of the world, are goals that we can and must achieve.’ As a
Congress, we must do all we can to support these efforts. Thank
you.

_____________________________________
Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Communications Director
Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

THE TURKISH ILLUSION
by R. Manafli

Ekho
Sept 10 2008
Azerbaijan

This is how they in Azerbaijan view the statement by Turkish Foreign
Minister Ali Babacan on the use of Armenian territory as an alternative
route to Georgia to transport Caspian energy resources

The stand of Baku is that any cooperation between Azerbaijan and
Armenia may be possible only after the settlement of the protracted
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict within the framework of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. Against this background the statement by Turkish
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan on the use of Armenian territory as an
alternative route to Georgia to transport Caspian energy resources
is nothing more than an illusion and populism, renowned national
experts a political analyst and the head of the Centre for Political
Innovations, Mubariz Ahmadoglu, and economist Oqtay Haqverdiyev,
told Ekho. [Passage omitted: background of Ali Babacan’s statement
and his remarks on cooperation with Armenia]

In the meantime, Azerbaijan is seriously concerned over such statements
by Turkish officials, which became frequent before, during and after
the visit of the Turkish leader to Yerevan. However, they are trying
not to take those statements seriously and are calling them "Turkish
illusions" and populist statements. In any case, Mubariz Ahmadoglu
told Ekho that in Turkey they have recently been cultivating too many
illusions on cooperation with Armenia.

By the way, the political analyst recalled that such an issue emerged
in the times of late Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev. "At first,
Armenia itself refused to join regional energy projects. Then, the
Armenian Diaspora in the USA started to send appeals to the US Congress
that Azerbaijan is isolating Armenia from regional projects. Even
the USA could not do it [have Armenia in regional projects] then,"
Ahmadoglu hinted.

At the same time, he stressed that Armenia longs for a chance to be
involved in regional energy projects of international significance
without the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. "Azerbaijan’s
position is known to all, according to which any cooperation between
Azerbaijan and Armenia may be possible only after the settlement of
the protracted Nagornyy Karabakh conflict within the framework of
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity," Ahmadoglu said.

He added that Azerbaijan has enough power to counter such
initiatives. "We can stand for a long time, while in Turkey a lot of
such illusions on cooperation with Armenia have been created recently,"
the head of the Center for Political Innovations concluded.

In his turn, renowned economist Oqtay Haqverdiyev said that the
statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan on the use of
Armenian territory as an alternative route to Georgia to transport
Caspian energy resources is populism. According to him, this is only
a political move, which Turkey uses to try to achieve some of its
targets and satisfy its state interests.

In reality, the economist says that it is unreal. "Even if we
hypothetically imagine the developments in the region in this way,
how much time will we need for this to happen? During this time the
situation in the region will change ten more times and it is not
known if this will be needed," Haqverdiyev said.

According to him, such statements do not need to be taken seriously
since they smell populism.

It should be noted that Ekho failed to contact the press secretary
of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Xazar Ibrahim, yesterday
[9 September]. However, Baku’s official position remains unchanged
cooperation with Armenia can never be in question until the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict is resolved within the framework of the territorial
integrity of our country.