Author: Maghakian Mike

JAPAN TO AID ARMENIA IN CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

AzerNews Weekly
Nov 26 2009
Azerbaijan

Japan is ready to expand its political and economic cooperation with
Armenia and assist Yerevan in resolving the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh
conflict and in further normalization of its strained relations with
Turkey, the two governments announced after talks on Wednesday.

"The sides highlighted the importance of expanding political dialog
and economic relations between Japan and Armenia by supporting
mutually beneficial initiatives in different areas of cooperation,"
Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and his Armenian counterpart
Edward Nalbandian said in a joint statement seen by Russian state
news agency ITAR-TASS.

The Japanese government pledged to facilitate a peaceful Garabagh
settlement "based on the principles and norms of international law."

Tokyo also welcomed the process of reconciliation between Turkey
and Armenia, which began with the signing in Zurich on October 10 of
protocols on forging diplomatic ties and reopening their borders.

Turkish officials have repeatedly said Ankara could mend ties with
Yerevan and open the border only after the Garabagh conflict has been
fairly resolved.

STEPANAKERT HAS ITS BASIC PRINCIPLES
Leonid Martirosyan

Azat Artsakh NKR
November 17, 2009

The last visit of the cochairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group in early
November in the region ended with a joint statement, which was about
that the Heads of Armenia and Azerbaijan would accepted the proposal
of the mediators about conducting another meeting with the Heads of
the States at the end of December. Strictly speaking, there is no
need to be surprised, because another thing could not be happened.
Indeed, the meetings have recently started to be regular, another
thing, which is their efficiency. According to press reports, the
notorious Madrid principles are still at the negotiation table, which
evidently do not satisfy either one or another part. Not to speaking
about Nagorno Karabakh itself, which has its own distinct position,
voiced more than once on a particular occasion. It consists in the
fact that NKR is an independent state and its borders are determined
by its Constitution. Indeed, in this situation lances of diplomatic
missions of Armenia and Azerbaijan are mainly broken.

If we believe to the statements of the official and semi-official
persons of Azerbaijan and Turkey, then the absence of the habitual
statements of cochairmen testifies about the increased (?!) interest of
mediators to the process of settlement. This paradox of Azeri-Turkish
estimation is caused by the activity of Turkey in the context of the
signing of known protocols. Recently in Azerbaijan, the opinion exists
that Turkey will soon become co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group,
with which, of course, rosy expectations is linked. The calculation
is made of the fact that in this case, Azerbaijan will get five
regions in the initial stage and later – two regions of Nagorno
Karabakh. As to the so-called interim status of Nagorno Karabakh, to
which official Yerevan and Baku are supposedly agree, then according
to Azerbaijan this status can be interpreted "only in the composition
of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan". Let us leave the national
special features of Azerbaijani vocabulary and stylistics aside, as
there essence is clear and forms a basic principle of Bakish concept of
the settlement. In other words, the idea of a return to the situation
in 1988 is strongly pushed, unacceptability of which was repeatedly
emphasized by the authorities of the NKR. Moreover, this was said,
first of all, to the international mediators. I must say, that the
international mediators, as well as structures who are interested in a
just settlement of the conflict, adequately perceive the position of
Nagorno Karabakh. It is not accidentally that recently, precisely by
them is recognized the right of people of the NKR for the independent
determination of its future – political, economic, social… In this,
it is necessary to say that in fact the very essence of justice, to
which Azerbaijan likes to appeal in place or out of place. By the way,
the notion "justice" as such in politics is an ephemeral thing. But in
the understanding of Azerbaijan it clearly defines contours outlined
by them, in which the doctrine of pan-Turkism is very visibly entered,
now it is nonobjective as if partially forgotten by the chief world
political players. The theme, I confess, is a separate, but to
bypass its attention even in the context of the Karabakh settlement
is impossible, because Artsakh is an original bone in the throat of
the apologists of pan-Turkism in Ankara and Baku. Acting in the tandem
of "kind" and "evil" inspector, both these capitals are persistently
trying to realize their Pan-Turkish goals behind the screen of "fair"
settlement, from which they are not going to refuse. At the same time,
they do not choose the means, through habit resorting to the method
of blackmail. So this time, Azerbaijan and Turkey, each in its own
way, put forward charges against the co-chairs of the Minsk Group
in pro-Armenian position, in the ineffectiveness of its actions. So,
according to the Turkish President Gul, the mediators do not desire
to recognize "the fact of the occupation of territories of Armenia,
and according to Baku nonobjectivity of cochairmen consists in the
fact that they "have not recognized Armenia as an aggressive country
until now". It is not difficult to note that neither Azerbaijan nor
Turkey are intended to dismount from their dear horse. This means that
the solution of the problem will not be foreseen in the near future,
not to say – never.

The only positive point in all this "settlement" process consists
in the fact that Nagorno Karabakh was and remains with its opinion,
which it consecutively defends on the basis of its own interests,
not going into contradiction with the generally accepted norms
of international development. In other words, the solution of
Azerbaijan- Karabakh conflict is sufficiently simple – Azerbaijan
with its artificial territorial integrity in itself, Nagorno-Karabakh
with its historically based territorial integrity in itself. These
principles, as basic, should form the basis of the peace process
as for Washington, Paris and Moscow and so for Yerevan and Baku.
By analogy with the conventional political terminology, let’s call
them the Stepanakert. With all the attendant circumstances.

US MEDIATOR IMPRESSED WITH KARABAKH TALKS

news.az
Nov 23 2009
Azerbaijan

Robert Bradtke The US co-chairman of the Minsk Group, the OSCE
mediators on the Karabakh conflict, was impressed by Sunday’s talks
between the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders.

He was commenting after the talks in Munich between Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev.

"I think today what was impressive was the way the two presidents
worked with us, the depths of their discussion, the seriousness of
the discussion, their willingness to discuss points that are quite
difficult and controversial," Bradtke told reporters.

CITY’S 19TH CENTURY HISTORY IN PRINT
Yagnesh Mehta

Times of India
Nov 23 2009

SURAT: For the first time, city’s 19th century history has been
documented in a book by well-known historian Mohan Meghani. The
book titled Surat in the Nineteenth Century’ will be released in a
week’s time.

So far, Meghani has documented citi’s history for the earlier three
centuries. During his academic career at MTB Arts College, Meghani
started working on the book Surat in the Sixteenth Century’ followed
by a book on Surat in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century’.

"The new book on 19th century has 150 pages, which is comparatively
smaller than the earlier books, as I have not touched all the details
known to majority of the people. I attempted to cover only those
details which are lesser known and important for academic purpose,"
says Meghani, former head of history department at MTB Arts College.

The book has been published by Chinilal Gandhi Vidhyabhavan, managed
by Sarvajanik Education Society (SES), and is being sponsored by
history department of MTB Arts College.

The book describes details of the British rule in the city, along
with the contribution of Armenians to its economy and culture. The
book also has information on the municipal corporation in the city
and how the European culture influenced that of Surat is also a part
of the narrative.

A comparison of Surat of the 18th century and 19th century has been
done, which reflects the changing culture and infrastructure of
the city.

GREAT PART OF TURKISH SOCIETY AGAINST OPENING OF TURKISH-ARMENIAN BORDER: AZERBAIJANI MP

Today
Azerbaijan
Nov 23 2009

Day.Az: Do you believe the Turkish and Armenian parliaments will
ratify the protocols signed between the countries?

Anar Mammadkhanov: I think that the Armenian parliament will ratify
the Turkish-Armenian protocols and will require a similar step
from the Turkish side. But the Turkish parliament, which is really
democratic and dependent on views of country’s people, will ratify
the Turkish-Armenian protocols until liberation of Azerbaijan’s
Armenian-occupied territories.

Q: What will happen next once the scenario you suggest is realized?

A: It will be followed by a mutual accusations which will give a rise
to more actively involvement in a regular process of reconciliation
efforts by leading world powers. But an attempt to exert pressure on
Turkey, for example, from the U.S. and the EU is doomed to failure
like an attempt by Madame Gritsatsuyeva to regain Ostap Bender, who,
incidentally, was presented as a son of Turkish official. Indeed, in
response to them, the U.S. and the EU, but not Madame Gritsatsuyeva
will hear absolutely reasonable and truthful statement of the Turkish
leadership that it is unable to influence decisions by its own members
of parliament.

After this scenario happens, I do not rule out that the Armenian side
will experience equally unpleasant emotions, such as those experienced
by archivist Korobeinikov who issued a free warrant indicating location
of the chairs searched by "great schemer". It is possible that the
Armenians will all together sing "the old song about the main thing"
in chorus claiming that Turkish-Armenian protocols make no mention
of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

But no one will listen these chants. Armenia is a country which over
a dozen years ignored the fact that Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
is recognized all over the world and numerous UN resolutions and other
influential international organizations call for the liberation of
all occupied Azerbaijani territories.

Secondly, we live in a world of real politics. The realities imply that
vast majority of representatives of Turkish society are against opening
of Turkish-Armenian border without the return of Armenian-occupied
Azerbaijani territories. Therefore, people engaged in real politics
need to understand that the Turkish government delays ratification
of the Turkish-Armenian protocols.

In addition, Turkish authorities have reiterated on many occasions
that these are two parallel processes and Azerbaijan enjoys larger
geopolitical and geo-economic importance in the world.

Q: Former Armenian Foreign Minister Alexander Arzoumanian said that
the protocols will be ratified after a breakthrough in resolving
the Karabakh issue. Recently, similar statements are made in Armenia
more frequently. Does this mean that the process of disillusion has
started in the Armenian society?

A: I believe it is a forced disillusion. There are different causes
for the forced disillusion. First, it is like a case when a man who
loves to drink runs out of money and no one lends it to him.

Secondly, it is similar to a case when a body no longer takes alcohol.

So, there is parallelization of the two causes of forced disillusion
in Armenia. Armenia faces a terrible economic situation that has led
to a loss of interest to Armenia by investors while the "the body" –
the mind of citizens of this country has refused to accept the idea of
living in seclusion, knowing that the only way to "cure" lies through
normalization of relations with all its neighbors which implies the
return of all Armenia-occupied territories of Azerbaijan. This is
understandable. After all, we still see only the first results of
the impact of global economic and financial crisis on Armenian economy.

Next will be even worse.

So, it is high time to sobber up. Otherwise, figuratively speaking,
it would be too late to drink mineral water owing to neglect of kidney
disease: a real war threatens the complete loss of Armenian statehood.

Q: Will the factors you cited lead to an adequate, fair position
by the Armenian government in the negotiations to settle the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

A: I am convinced that Armenia’s isolation caused by the occupation of
Azerbaijan’s territories was sooner or later bound to increase external
and internal problems of this country. After all, we are dealing with
a classic case of "boomerang effect", when evil launched to the sky
returns back in a form of very painful sensations. Years have passed
and growing number of citizens in Armenia begin to understand this. I
hope that leaders of this country will also understand it.

I would be appropriate to quote Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev who
said: "Personally, I have no doubt that the Azerbaijani lands will be
liberated from the invaders. The main question is whether by peaceful
or military ways." To be exact, Azerbaijan will never reconcile with
the loss of its land and is ready to return them in any way. Remember
the thesis by Winston Churchill’s, brilliant politician and diplomat
who brought the theory about what losses can a state afford during
a war without undermining foundations of its nationhood and gene pool.

Azerbaijan is ready to return Armenian-occupied territories through
military means without risking to undermine the foundations of
statehood and gene pool. Armenia, on backdrop of its current poor
economic and demographic status, is not ready for hostilities
and they could be the beginning of end of its statehood. This is
the most powerful argument for the Armenian leadership to take a
truly constructive stance in the negotiation process to settle the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Gevorg Davtyan: Armenian weightlifters stand good chance to win World
Championship in South Korea
21.11.2009 19:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian weightlifters will are participating at
World Weightlifting Championship which kicked off in Goyang, South
Korea, on November 17.

Gevorg Davtyan, one of Armenia’s best weightlifters (European champion
2006 and 2007, world championship 2007 silver medalist and Olympic
Games 2008 bronze medalist ) can’t compete due to an injury.

`All our weightlifters are well trained and they stand a good chance
to win the championship,’ he told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

Galust Sahakyan: Fight against oligopoly does not mean eradication of oligarchy
20.11.2009 21:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `Republican Party of Armenia fully supports Premier
Tigran Sargsyan’s statement on fighting economic oligopoly in
Armenia,’ leader of RPA parliamentary faction Galust Sahakyan told a
news conference in Yerevan.

According to him, Armenian Government and ruling party share unanimous
position on country’s economic monopolization which contributes to
regress.

However, when asked by a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter whether ruling party
was going to fight against their partisan friends who, as claimed
pro-opposition figures , are among outstanding representatives of
oligarchy, Sahakyan called on pro-opposition MPs to give specific
names. `There’s such an impression that opposition is the adherent of
Leninist principles, i.e. it proposes that macro-business be declared
bankrupt,’ RPA faction leader stressed.

ARMENIA-TURKEY RAPPROCHEMENT: RUSSIA’S FOREIGN MINISTRY RESPONDS TO "NOISE" OF ARMENIAN MEDIA

Tert
Nov 20 2009
Armenia

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Andrei Nesterenko,
in a recently issued statement, responded to concerns in Armenian
mass media on the subject of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement
process and establishment process of Armenia-Turkey relations.

The statement, in part, reads:

"In Moscow, they paid attention to the fact that some Armenian media
raised some noise over statements made by the Russian Federation
Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official representative on November 17.

They insist that they changed their position in Moscow and presently
are connecting Nagorno-Karabakh issue with the establishment of
Armenia-Turkey relations. Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey
Lavrov numerously commented on Russia’s position. It has remained
unchanged. They are two different processes.

"Our attitude towards the bilateral document between Armenia and
Turkey, which specify the parties’ further actions, is positive.

"We are confident that the establishment of good neighbourly
relations between Armenia and Turkey will promote further steps of
establishing an atmosphere of security and peace in the Transcaucasus
[South Caucasus]."

PRIME MINISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN RECURRENT GATHERING OF CIS HEADS OF GOVERNMENTS IN YALTA

/ARKA/
November 19, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, November 19, /ARKA/. On November 20 Armenian Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan will leave for Yalta, Ukraine, for participating in
a recurrent gathering of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS).

The government press office said the delegation headed by Tigran
Sargsyan comprises the Head of Staff of the Government of the Republic
of Armenia, David Sargsyan, Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan,
Armenian Ambassador to Belarus Oleg Yesayan, Armenian Ambassador to
Ukraine Armen Khachatryan, other officials.

RA FOREIGN MINISTER EDWARD NALBANDIAN RECEIVES OSCE/ODIHR DIRECTOR JANEZ LENARCIC

NOYAN TAPAN
NOVEMBER 19, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian, on November 19, met with OSCE/ODIHR Director Janez
Lenarcic who is in Yerevan on a working visit. Issues related to
Armenia-OSCE/ODIHR cooperation were discussed at the meeting.

Appreciating ODIHR’s role in the issue of pushing forward human rights
and democracy principles E. Nalbandian said that Yerevan attaches
importance to cooperation with the Office.

Janez Lenarcic, in his turn, expressed satisfaction with efficient
cooperation with the Armenian authorities.

According to the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
the interlocutors attached importance to the assistance of the Office
in improvement of electoral processes, as well as in implementation of
an observation mission as the discussion and work at their results and
conclusions make a contribution to recording progress in this sphere.

E. Nalbandian and J. Lenarcic also discussed the process of democratic
reforms in Armenia and steps undertaken in that sphere.

The RA Foreign Minister drew ODIHR Director’s attention to Azerbaijan’s
propaganda sowing anti-Armenian and national hostility mentioning
that it is an obvious violation of OSCE criteria.