Author: Madatian Greg

ANKARA WILL COMPLETE ARMENIAN-TURKISH TALKS WITH "HAPPY ENDING"

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.10.2009 15:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said
Wednesday that Turkey was refreshing and changing its relations with
the world, adding that Turkey would continue talks with Armenia to
settle problems.

In his televised address to nation, Erdogan said recent protocol on
which Turkey and Armenia agreed was a signal to resolve problems.

"This protocol will take effect after the Turkish parliament ratifies
it," he said. "We will continue our talks to settle problems between
the two countries and bring our relations to a neighborly course."

Erdogan said that Turkish government would take care of Azerbaijan’s
interests in talks with Armenia.

"I believe that this process will end up with a happy ending for
Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia and this issue, which had become
gangrenous, will be removed from history," he said.

"To this end, we will preserve our priorities and indispensabilities,
and continue our peaceful and friendly steps," he added, reported
Anatolian News Agency.

MEN MUST RESIST

os15357.html
14:09:38 – 30/09/2009

In your opinion, what is the role of the opposition within the public
and what is opposition in general?

I think I am not ready to give such total answers because I do not have
much political experience though I have been engaged in politics with
the whole nation or better to say the politics has been engaged in us
since ’88. As a representative of that generation, I was formed as an
oppositional supporter. During soviet years, being oppositional meant
being anti-soviet, after we understood that the point is not about the
name of the regime but its content, economic, ideological and political
content. In those years, we thought we were dealing with socialism
but in reality, it was a military bureaucratic rough dictatorship. In
fact, the Communistic party was a group of careerists who made their
minds very quickly and entered in other parties. Chernomirdin once
noted that any party was formed it was a communistic one. He is a
famous philosopher and I think he is right because our governmental
parties are the pieces of former Communistic party. In other words,
they are not people having communistic ideas but they only care abut
their carrier under any regime.

I started from far to understand what opposition is in the end. Is
it just a strong wish to oppose to the government and to take their
place? For my generation, opposition is resistance. I will permit
myself to recall the philosophy we were led in the beginnings of
’80 before the start of the national liberating movement. I compare
this period to France in ’40 when it was occupied by German fascists
and any type of opposition seemed ridiculous and senseless. In those
years, the philosophy of existentialism appeared the meaning of which
was that a man even in the most hopeless situation had to struggle
to defend their dignity.

The demand of this moment is that we have to do anything and everything
to ruin those outrageous protocols which will irreparably harm the
image of our nation. Everyone independently from the camp has to
unite in this crucial moment.

Recently you have repeatedly noted that we have to re-form the
opposition. What opposition force do you mean?

I mean the idealistic opposition that has to defend people’s rights
in this as Ter-Petrosyan notes very well criminal-oligarchic regime. I
agree with Ter-Petrosyan’s formula but I want to recall that he wants
to replace an oligarch with another one. When they bring the example
of Khachatur Sukiasyan, I understand that they want to replace Petros
by Poghos. And there is no difference for people. The real opposition
today is the socialism.

Once you said we did not have opposition after March 1. Did we
have before?

After March 1, we not only did not have opposition but also a state. We
had possibilities before. But March 1 was the peak of a chain which
perhaps started when the first elections in 1996 were rigged, it was
continued by October 27 and was crowned by March 1. Every time new
election gives new possibilities. People make their choice, I do not
mean those thousands of people whose votes are rigged. I needed to
meet with our newly elected president with a group of people and we
made four concrete proposals because intellectuals do not have to only
shout and cry but also make proposals. We made concrete proposals
which could remove the country from the crisis. He did not accept
any of the proposals and made his choice. But only the just will
win. Injustice does not live for ever.

The Soviet Union lived for 70 years, the German Reich lived for 12
years, it is just a glance for the world history. Do we need to sell
our motherland for 20-30 years of profit from Nabuko gas pipeline with
a ridiculous name or to enrich a number of people? It is absurd. It
will never happen.

Do you agree with the opinion that the stronger the government is
the stronger the opposition is.

You know, strength is a comparative notion. We have to first understand
what strength is. Everyone knows what is good or bad. We know what
is just and unjust, in other words, the man who say the truth is
strong. If the government says the truth it will immediately become
stronger. If the opposition lies, count how many people it gathers.

Maybe it is honest to some extent.

Honesty cannot be counted. You are either honest or not. And the
official opposition tries to be a little honest and a little not. The
reason is that the number of its supporters deceased.

Mr. Khzmalyan, there is the opinion that Turkey will not recognize
the Armenian genocide. So why do we have to live isolated?

It will. If it is forced to.

Is this not false optimism?

No, the point is that it is a particular punishment measure. This
fact harms Turkey which is the reason why Turkey spends million of
dollars annually to shift the accusation of genocide. Now, with the
help of Serge Sargsyan it spares much.

When someone is hit in head, they become duller. The March 1 was a very
strong hit. And I feel that we have the question on awaking people.

Recently, one of the leaders of Singapore was invited to
Armenia. Singapore is one of the richest countries. He said that
there are three criteria: to get rid of monopolies and oligarchs, to
get rid of corruption and to invest in education. Our prime minister
said smiling Singapore has its aims we have our ones. Apparently,
our aims are not the above-mentioned.

I understand the Armenian president is under huge repressions from
abroad which make him organize pilgrimages to convince the Diaspora
it is right. I think the RA president has to be under one repression
the one of the people and we have to organize this repression.

And the opposition is not the people with ties who hold speeches but
those women who think how they will feed their children and those
men who leave their families and go to find work in Russia and those
children who do not have future here.

MULTITUDE OPINIONS, NUMEROUS PEOPLE: ARPI VARTANIAN

News.am
17:13 / 09/28/2009

"I welcome RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s initiative to hold
consultations on Armenia-Turkey Protocols with Diaspora representatives
since October 1, 2009. It is important for people to hear out the
President, ask questions and reveal the facts by means of discussions,"
Assembly Country Director for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh Arpi
Vartanian told NEWS.am on September 28.

Signifying the dialogue between the President and Diaspora, she
believes it is the only possible way to learn Diaspora approaches
and stances on Protocols.

Not being hasty in forecasting possible results of bilateral meetings,
Arpi Vartanian noted: "The President will hear multitude opinions and
meet numerous people. If the parties gain the ear for each other,
the discussions will be fruitful. Sometimes people are not able to
hear out, discuss and comprehend each other. The President is willing
to hear and meet them halfway," Vartanian concluded.

RA FOREIGN MINISTER GIVES SPEECH AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Noyan Tapan
Sep 29, 2009

NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian, on September 28, gave a speech at the 64th session of
the UN General Assembly touching upon a number of international and
regional problems and Armenia’s approaches on their solution. He also
presented the processes of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations,
Nagorno Karabakh settlement and Armenian side’s approaches.

He mentioned that Azerbaijan constantly misrepresents the essence of
the Nagorno Karabakh problem on the international arena trying to
slur over the ethnic cleansings to the Nagorno Karabakh people and
the policy of violence.

"Armenia is convinced that in order to create a possibility for
progress in the Nagorno Karabakh peaceful settlement process the
sides should commit themselves not to take steps that can hinder the
dialogue or impede the peaceful process," E. Nalbandian said.

The RA Foreign Minister gave assurance that there are serious bases
for Nagorno Karabakh settlement if the principles of the Declaration
signed between Armenian, Azeri and RF Presidents on 2008 November
2 in Moscow, statement made by the MG Co-chairs on 2008 December 4
in Helsinki and statement adopted by all 56 OSCE member states on
2008 December 5 in Helsinki are used. E. Nalbandian reminded that
according to the documents, the sides should assume a commitment to
achieve problem’s peaceful settlement through peaceful negotiations,
on the basis of the Madrid Principles introduced by the OSCE Minsk
Group Co-chairs.

"The basic principles, over which negotiations proceed at present are
based on the principles of international law, which are stipulated
by this organization’s Regulations, Helsinki final act and other
international documents. The international principles of non-use of
force or threat of force, peoples’ self-determination and territorial
integrity are equally applicable. Some for a long time tried to
belittle the importance of the idea of peoples’ self-determination
as a secondary principle in the system of international law, which is
less important than the principle of "territorial integrity." I have
to disappoint those agitating dual standards: self-determination is
an unreserved provision of international law, it regards freedom, any
people’s freedom is determining its future and fate, protecting its
collective rights when those rights and future are endangered. If the
self-determination right was subordinated to territorial integrity,
there would be only 52 member states in UN today instead of today’s
192," the RA Foreign Minister said.

Touching upon the problem of normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations, E. Nalbandian said:

"The normalization process of Armenian-Turkish relations launched by
President Serzh Sargsyan last September and named "football diplomacy"
promises to give results against all difficulties. Last year with the
help of Swiss mediators and other international partners we managed
to record progress in opening the last closed border in Europe and
normalization of relations without preconditions. We want to be hopeful
that, after all, proper political will will give a possibility to get
free of the way of thinking of the past, and wisdom and courage will
prevail for taking the last decisive steps. International community’s
support encouraged us. We realize well what fundamental and positive
influence the opening of borders will have in the respect of region’s
security and stability."

According to a report by the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information
Department, the same day E. Nalbandian met with U.S. Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton.

E. Nalbandian expressed satisfaction with Armenian-American high-level
regular contacts and emphasized that Armenia attaches importance to
further strengthening of relations with the U.S. During the discussion
of the Nagorno Karabakh problem E. Nalbandian attached importance to
the role of the U.S. as an OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing country in
the negotiations process aimed at the problem settlement.

The U.S. Secretary of State, in her turn, mentioned that the United
States is Armenia’s partner in the spheres of democratic reforms and
economic development. Speaking about Armenian-Turkish relations,
H. Clinton appreciated Armenia’s efforts in the direction of
normalizing the relations with Turkey.

EX-PRESIDENT TER-PETROSYAN LAMBASTS DIASPORA FOR REMAINING SILENT ON INJUSTICE
Arman Gharibyan

yan-3/
2009/09/26 | 13:49

At the Hnchak Social Democrat Party convention held today in Yerevan,
former RoA President Levon Ter-Petrosyan lambasted those organizations
in the diaspora that failed to raise their voices in protest after
the events of March 1, 2008.

"Had the diaspora correctly reacted to the fraudulent 2008 presidential
elections, the injustices of March 1 and not continually tolerated
the injustices within the nation, the Armenian authorities wouldn’t
be so irresponsible today. On the contrary, there were even groups
in the diaspora that defended and assisted the murderous authorities
in Armenia. And what have they gotten in return? They’ve gotten that
which they now protest," Mr. Ter-Petrosyan declared.

At the Hnchak Party convention, Mr. Ter-Petrosyan said that he wasn’t
calling on the diaspora to meddle in Armenia’s internal problems but
that he believed it should make its feelings known on vital issues
of concern in Armenia.

He said that if people do not understand that the absence of official
corruption and the application of the rule of law will allow Armenia to
meet the challenges of the time, then "we will remain a semi-developed
and immature society".

Mr. Ter-Petrosyan declared that the HAK (Armenian National Congress)
would continue to collaborate with the Hnchak Party until all its
objectives have been realized.

SERZH SARGSYAN CONGRATULATED ARMENIAN NATIONAL HERO NIKOLAY RIZHKOV ON HIS 80TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
28.09.2009 21:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President Serzh Sargsyan has addressed a
congratulatory message to RA national hero and RF Federal Council
member Nikolay Ryzhkov on the 80th anniversary of his birth, RA
President’s press service reports.

"Dear Mr. Ryzhkov," says the address,

"Accept my cordial greetings on the occasion of your birthday. I
sincerely wish you health, welfare and good luck.

As a highly experienced public figure, you demonstrated your
brilliant professional and human qualities of a flexible politician,
highly skilled professional, smart analyst, creative leader and
organizer. Thanks to these qualities you won respect and reputation
not only in Russian state and society but also abroad.

Clearly, you showed great attention to Armenia, accepted its
problems as yours and did a lot to help and support the country and
its people. And today, your activity is aimed at the comprehensive
development and strengthening of Russian-Armenian interstate relations,
to the benefit of our countries and their peoples.

Dear Mr. Ryzhkov, I wish you a long life and happiness. May fortune
always smile on you and spirit of mind be always on your way towards
serving the state, society and people".

Manjikian: Beads on Fire

njikian-beads-on-fire/
By Lalai Manjikian – on September 22, 2009

In my everyday life, I am an advocate for dialogue. In most cases, I
prefer addressing issues head on, as diplomatically as possible, of
course, although being fully aware that all hell can break loose. This
approach is likely to generate strong emotions, tension, conflict, and
pain, and may not even solve the problem at hand; instead, it may make
things worse. Communication is, after all, to quote John D. Peters, `a
matter of faith and risk.’ Loud silences tend to be unsettling, so
generally, some prefer taking the risk to vocalize what needs to be
said, even if it is deeply flawed or the outcome is highly
unpredictable.

Turkey and Armenia have seemingly opted for this route, or should I
say, for this so-called `roadmap.’ Recently, the two neighbouring
nations announced the initiation of protocols with the aim of
`normalizing’ their diplomatic relations, mediated by Switzerland. It
all sounds so noble on the surface. With the advent of these
protocols, Turkey has agreed to address the issue of the Armenian
Genocide, by shrewdly displaying its readiness and willingness to
engage in `dialogue’ with Armenia around contentious issues. Armenia’s
government has decided to jump in for the ride as well, with Turkey
sitting firmly at the wheel. However, for someone who is a fan of
dialogue, I, along with many other Armenians living in the diaspora
and in Armenia alike, are not about to embark on this ambiguous and
dehumanizing realpolitik joyride. This excuse of a rapprochement may
provide a diplomatic rush to the heads of certain leaders, but in
reality, it can severely compromise Armenia’s national security and
the Armenian Cause..

What I find to be particularly appalling is the degree of concessions
the government of Armenia seems willing to make, particularly found in
the protocol’s clause pertaining to `a dialogue on the historical
dimension.’ This `dialogue’ includes an `impartial and scientific
examination of the historical records and archives to define existing
problems and formulate recommendations.’ This clause, which relates
namely to the genocide, is misleading in more than one way: Such a
statement places an enormous and unwarranted question mark on an
indisputable historical fact. Furthermore, it shows utter disrespect
to those massacred, undermines all the activists who have dedicated
their lives to genocide awareness and recognition, and most absurdly,
completely dismisses the considerable existing body of research
dedicated to the genocide, conducted over decades by scholars from all
around the world, including from Turkey. It is also an insult to the
more than 20 countries that have formally recognized the Armenian
Genocide.

Although the Armenian-Turkish border is a historically and politically
complex issue, in many Armenians’ eyes, an open border could be the
answer to Armenia’s economic problems. As an Armenian living in
relative diasporic ease, I can empathize with the desire to open the
border for economic reasons. But if the border is opened under the
conditions as outlined by the protocols, this political faux pas will
come to reaffirm Turkey’s current borders, which are based on
dispossession and genocide. Another unsettling aspect about the
protocols is the non-mention of self-determination in any of the
clauses found in the protocols. What does this entail for the people
of Karabagh?

As non-transparent as these protocols are, a part of me sees the value
in two enemy countries attempting to communicate. I am, after all, a
staunch believer in non-hostile and constructive dialogue between
Armenians and Turks on less formal grounds, meaning on interpersonal
levels. But how do you engage in truthful dialogue when a government
whose ancestors are undisputedly guilty of genocide are once again
questioning it? How do you embark in a relationship, without
adequately confronting your past?

Although our everyday lives unfold throughout the diaspora, we are
misguided if we consider ourselves to be a marginal voice, having
directly assisted, supported, celebrated, mourned, and lived with
Armenia for decades. Today, more than ever, being passive about this
roadmap is not an option, nor can we accept to lose ground after all
the progress Armenia and the diaspora have marked together – in the
struggle from Armenia’s independence, to the nation’s development, to
the struggle for a liberated Karabagh, to the number of countries
worldwide who officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.

In the name of our ancestors who were massacred and displaced, and in
the name of humanity who has witnessed the cycle of genocide repeat
itself time and again, we cannot afford to settle for such a
dehumanizing faux pas masked as diplomacy.

The protocols undoubtedly ignited sparks all around the Armenian
world, setting many beads on fire. And the calls for mass mobilization
will continue to spread inextinguishable flames, until justice
prevails.
Note: John Durham Peters’ citation is from his book Speaking into the
Air: A History of the Idea of Communication (1999) from the chapter
`Introduction: The Problem of Communication.’

President of Armenia awards St.Mesrop Mashtots Order to Alla Pugacheva

2009-09-26 14:53:00

ArmInfo. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan received People’s Artist of
the USSR Alla Pugacheva, Saturday.

The Armenian presidential press-service told ArmInfo that during the
meeting with the singer Serzh Sargsyan said: "I am glad to see you in
Armenia. Hundreds of thousands of fans were waiting you here". The
president highly estimated Alla Pugacheva’s contribution to musical and
aesthetic upbringing of citizens of an entire generation, including in
Armenia. On September 24 Pugacheva was awarded St.Mesrop Mashtots Order
by the Armenian president’s decree.

For her part, Pugacheva pointed out that throughout her creative
activity she was guided by one truth – to serve her people and country.
"In this case your activity receives sense and you understand that you
don’t live in vain",- Pugacheva said. She also told the president about
her further plans.

To recall, Alla Pugacheva gave a concert at the sport and concert
complex after Karen Demirchyan on September 25. The concert was held
within the frames of the singer’s final tour.

NBC Miami

9/27: Sunday’s Finger Lickin’ Good

Juliette and her Licks, heaven for winos, and Epicure’s odd couple
By LOURDES REIGOSA

Updated 8:46 AM EDT, Sun, Sep 27, 2009

OLIVE JUICE: Everyone remembers Juliette Lewis’ character in "The
Other Sister." Well she’s back, kicking you-know-what, and taking
names with her band, Juliette and the Licks. They’ll perform hits from
their new album, "Terra Incognita," at the Culture Room. This is NOT
very Carla Tate of her, and we love it. 7:30 P.M.

WINE HEAVEN: Not feeling like being sober this weekend? The Miami
Beach Convention Center will be hosting the Miami International Wine
Festival, with wines from countries such as France, Italy, Spain,
Armenia, and Ukraine, as well the domestics from California and our
very own state. Tickets are $75, and the proceeds benefit Educate
Tomorrow. For more information please call 1.866.887.WINE or visit
their website. Winos from all over the world unite.

AN UNLIKELY PAIR: Jazz? Brunch? FOOTBALL? Who would’ve thought?
Epicure Market on Alton Road is hosting a day of the three necessary
F’s: food, fun, and football. The event features omelets, bananas
foster-stuffed French toast, blintzes, salads, soup, entrées,
desserts, shrimp cocktail, a kids’ menu, plus $2 beers and $4
mimosas. All of this can be done while watching NFL games on 60-inch
flat screen plasma TVs. Tickets are $25. 11 A.M.

First Published: Sep 25, 2009 11:00 AM EDT

No Politically quick solutions in Georgia and Nagorno-Karabakh
25.09.2009 20:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There is no politically quick solutions in Georgia
and Nagorno-Karabakh, Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger
said in New York, who on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, met
with the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkmenistan
Elmar Maharram oglu Mammadyarov, Grigol Vashadze and Rashid Maradov.

"We need a new pact for the Caucasus`, said Michael Spindelegger, who
met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Further
bilateral meetings are scheduled with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia
Edward Nabaldian, and Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev.
The topics to be discussed include on the one hand the continuation
and enhancement of the EU engagement in this region so important for
Europe, and, on the other, an increase in coordinated economic action.

"The conflicts in the Caucasus are a particular challenge especially
for the EU", reminded the Foreign Minister of the EU mission in the
Georgia conflict in 2008. "Today, the EU is the only international
organization present in Georgia with a monitoring mission, making a
significant contribution to stability and security in the entire
region. We must, however, remain realistic – there are no political
"quick fixes", neither in Georgia nor in Nagorno-Karabakh. For this
reason in particular, there is need for greater European
involvement. Europe must and will not turn its back on its immediate
neighbours", said Spindelegger. After all, the latest rapprochement
steps between Turkey and Armenia showed that movement is also possible
even in seemingly frozen conflicts.

At the same time, the region is regarded as one of the most promising
markets in Europe’s front yard. It houses rapidly growing markets and
raw material reserves that are indispensable for Europe. "The Caucasus
and Black Sea region is one of the most important and dynamic regions
in the European neighbourhood. The EU and Austria must not let the
opportunity to
bring it closer to EU pass by", Spindelegger continued. He added that
it is in the interest of the European Union to pay more attention to
this future market.

Austria has thus decided to open an embassy in Baku in the coming
year. "My objective is to intensify our contacts on all levels –
economic, political, cultural, and human. I am convinced that the
relations to the Black Sea region and to the Caucasus bear a great
potential which we can exploit together. There are diverse fields for
enhanced cooperation: economy, culture, science, security, and energy
supply. This is where we intend to dynamically develop our cooperation
step by step", Spindelegger concluded.