Author: Maghakian Mike

THE LESSON FROM TURKEY & ARMENIA
Hassan Masiky

MoroccoBoard.com
April 30 2009

Let’s hope politicians in Morocco and Algeria were following the news
coming out of Ankara and Yerevan: Muslim Turkey and Christian Armenia
have agreed to normalize their bilateral ties, putting decades of
animosity behind them. It is a historical moment for both countries
and a message to other nations involved in conflicts to overcome
differences for the benefits of the advancement of their citizens. The
significant of this event is magnified by the seriousness of the
Armenian charge of "Genocide" against Turkey in the mass killings of
thousands of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915.

While Armenia and its neighbor Turkey were working out a "road map"
to normalize their relationship, Algeria and its neighbor Morocco were
locked, again, in a war of words over the Western Sahara conflict. The
"newly elected" President Bouteflika of Algeria used his "inaugural
Speech" to compare the Moroccan presence in the Western Sahara to
the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories belittling the
Palestinian cause and showing a great intransigence toward the United
Nations efforts to resolve the Sahara conflict. Such "Brezhnev era’s
Soviet Union" like statements from the Algerian President reinforce
the existence sentiment that the so-called western Sahara conflict
is an Algerian-Moroccan dispute that can only be resolved in direct
bi-lateral negotiation between Rabat and Algiers.

Historically, Morocco under the late King Hassan II approached
the conflict over the Sahara as an argument with the late Algerian
President Boumedienne. However, as the disastrous Moroccan diplomacy
of the seventies and eighties stumbled and the Algerian position in
support of the Algeria created Polisario separatist movement gained
momentum, Morocco was compelled to deal with the Polisario in equal
terms as an adversary. Presently, this argument does not stand. Both
Morocco and Algeria are going through different historical stages
that are bound to affect their policies in dealing with the Sahara
Conflict. Whereas the Moroccan diplomacy, with all its lapses,
has joined the twenty first century, the Algerian Foreign Ministry
is stuck in the twilight zone, and will stay that way for few years
to come with the return of Bouteflika for a third term. On the issue
of the Western Sahara, Morocco’s position has evolved with Rabat’s
local autonomy for the population of the Sahara while Algeria’s
stagnated. Accordingly, it is time to repaint this conflict with its
true color: a border dispute between Morocco and Algeria.

As long as the Western Sahara conflict is not framed as a grouping of
the Moroccan-Algerian disputes over the Sahara, Tindouf and Beshar,
all attempts by the United Nations to resolve the conflict will
flounder. Actually, Algerian officials are first to admit that the
bitter memory of the 1963 Sands War with Morocco is the driving force
behind their government rigid anti-Morocco position disputing the
legitimacy of Rabat presence in the Western Sahara. Consequently,
resolving all and any leftover issues from this war hold the key to
resolving the current crisis, as long as the resolution is through
direct negotiations between the two Belligerents.

The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
(MINURSO) has been waist of money. Similarly, the missions of
successive UN envoys to the region were complete failure as most
of the UN diplomats persisted in including the Polisario movement
as an independent entity outside the influence of Algerian Military
influence. It is naïve and unrealistic to believe that the Polisario
leadership make independent decisions without direction from Algiers.

It is becoming ever evident that the only way to resolve this long
simmering conflict is to remove the Polisario element out of the
equation, demark the Moroccan Algerian borders once for all, and
address Algeria’s geographical concerns in terms of access to the
Atlantic Ocean.

Rabat, unheeded, appeals to improve relations with Algiers are
the first step to resolve all outstanding problems between the two
countries. Algerians and Moroccans do not have to open borders but
must settle the dispute over the Sahara and their borders as did
Armenia and Turkey. With its obstinacy to address the underlining
sources of its dispute with Morocco, the Algerian diplomacy will be
eventually be tired by the international community as an out-of-date
institution poorly adapted to the new realities in the region and
overly influenced by bunch of political dinosaurs.

King Mohamed VI has a vision for prosperous Morocco and Algeria
where economy is more important than who controls which oasis in
a desalt corner of the Sahara. With 35% unemployment, the Algerian
government should be drafting plans to bring out their country out
of the economical abyss instead of redirecting domestic opinion wrath
against neighboring countries.

The Armenian and Turkish leaders are visionaries who recognize the
importance of prosperity versus demagogy and historical events that
can be settled in time. I hope the leadership in Al-Moradia wakes up
from its deep sleep and comes to terms with the demands of today’s
political realities. As Turks and Armenians dream of joining the
European Union, Moroccans and Algerians continue to live a "Kafkasian"
nightmare exasperated with a Bouteflika part III act.

PARLIAMENT ASKS ARF TO CONTINUE CHAIRING COMMITTEES ON DEFENSE, FOREIGN AFFAIRS

945_4/29/2009_1
Wednesday, April 29, 2009

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–Armenia’s leadership offered the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation on Wednesday an opportunity to continue to
serve in two major posts in parliament despite its departure from
the governing coalition.

ARF leaders strongly hinted at their likely acceptance of the offer,
which was publicly voiced by parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamian.

In accordance with its March 2008 power-sharing agreement with
President Serzh Sarkisian, the party was given three ministerial and
several vice-ministerial portfolios in the government. ARF leaders
also continued to occupy one of the two posts of deputy speaker and
to chair two standing committees of the National Assembly.

The ARF pulled out of the four-party coalition on Monday in protest
against Sarkisian’s diplomatic overtures to Turkey. All of its members
holding positions in the executive and legislative branches tendered
their resignations as a result.

Speaking on behalf of the Sarkisian administration, Abrahamian urged
the ARF to allow Armen Rustamian and Artur Aghabekian to continue to
serve as chairmen of the parliament committees on foreign affairs and
defense respectively. He cited a 2008 legal amendment that entitles
opposition lawmakers to head some of the National Assembly panels.

"True, this change will apply to the next parliament," Abrahamian
said during a parliament session.

"Nevertheless, the political coalition is urging the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation faction to withdraw, while being in
opposition, Armen Rustamian’s and Artur Aghabekian’s resignations."

Vahan Hovannisian, the ARF’s parliamentary leader, thanked the ruling
coalition for the offer. "We will discuss the proposal and present
our response to the National Assembly chairman," he said.

The ARF’s governing Supreme Body in Armenia was expected to meet
and discuss the matter later on Wednesday. Rustamian, who is the
chairman of the body, indicated that he is in favor of accepting the
government offer.

"It would be good if we laid the foundation for a new
[government-opposition] relationship," he said.

Artashes Shahbazian, another ARF lawmaker, took a similar view, citing
the need to "form a new political culture" in the country. "It was
not a wrong proposal, especially given that we wished the coalition
success in our statement," he told RFE/RL.

NKR DISAGREES WITH SOME POINTS OF THE MADRID PROPOSALS
Lusine Avanesyan

"Radiolur"
29.04.2009 18:25
Stepanakert

The recurrent sitting of the National Assembly of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic turned into a political discussion today. All the questions of
the Deputies were addressed to Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan. The
concerns of the Artsakhi Deputies were connected with the possible
non-beneficial solutions of the Karabakh issue in the context of the
road map of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

Here will be no non-beneficial solution to the Karabakh conflict,
NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan declared.

People in Artsakh think it’s time for the details of the
Armenian-Turkish talks to be made public. Commenting on the possibility
of reaching an agreement during the forthcoming meeting between the
Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan on May 7 without taking into
account the opinion of Nagorno Karabakh, Georgy Petrosyan said they
demand the format of negotiations to be full.

"In case the negotiations are held in full format, we will have an
opportunity to present our approaches, our proposals and demands,"
the Foreign Minister stated.

Georgy Petrosyan underlined that otherwise they will accept no document
countering their interests.

"The Karabakhi side sharply disagrees with some basic points of the
Madrid Proposals. I can state that the position of Nagorno K arabakh
has not changed, because free development, our independent status and
security are the principles that should be defended by any authorities.

I can say that we will possibly stiffen our position and," the Foreign
Minister of Nagorno Karabakh declared.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN RECEIVES OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 28, 2009
YEREVAN

President Serzh Sargsyan received April 27 the co-chairs of the
OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza (USA), Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia),
Bernard Fassier (France), and the Personal representative of the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzey Kasperzyk. Armenian Foreign Affairs
Minister Edward Nalbandian was also present at the meeting.

Presidential press service told Armenpress that during the meeting
the parties discussed the current stage of the NK peace process and
issues pertaining to a probable meeting between the Presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The President of Armenia stressed once again that Armenia views the
resolution of the NK conflict exclusively in the framework of the
OSCE Minsk Group, through peaceful negotiations, and in accordance
with all fundamental principles of international law.

About – News & Issues
April 25 2009

Obama Breaks His Promise on the Armenian Genocide Saturday April 25,
2009

It’s official. As expected, President Obama has broken his promise on
the Armenian genocide.

While campaigning for the presidency, when every vote mattered, Obama,
was unequivocal:

I also share with Armenian Americans ` so many of whom are descended
from genocide survivors – a principled commitment to commemorating and
ending genocide. That starts with acknowledging the tragic instances
of genocide in world history. As a U.S. Senator, I have stood with the
Armenian American community in calling for Turkey’s acknowledgement of
the Armenian Genocide. Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of
State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after
he properly used the term "genocide" to describe Turkey’s slaughter of
thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. I shared with Secretary Rice
my firmly held conviction that the Armenian Genocide is not an
allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a
widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical
evidence. The facts are undeniable.
So much for those facts.
On the very same day that he recognized, eloquently and powerfully,
the holocaust in which Nazi Germany murdered 6 million Jews, Obama
issued a statement in remembrance of the 1.5 million Armenians
murdered by Ottoman Turks–and refused to use the word "genocide."

He acknowledged the 1.5 million Armenians, he said they were
"massacred or marched to their death." He referred to it as "one of
the great atrocities of the 20th century." He even referred to the
Meds Yeghern. "In Armenian, Meds Yeghern means genocide, but only in
Armenian. Better than nothing, of course, but still not quite the G
word," blogger Unzipped wrote, noting perceptively: "Effectively he
recognised the Armenian Genocide for Armenians only (who understand
the meaning of "Meds Yeghern") but not to the outside world."

"It’s like talking about the Holocaust without using the word
Holocaust, lest you offend the Germans," Armenian blogger Sevana,
wrote. "As if it’s the German’s feelings that are important in that
case."

In fairness to Obama, he also did not use the word "genocide" in his
Holocaust address, using the word "atrocity" or its derivatives three
times in various contexts, which enabled him, in a circuitous way, to
link the Holocaust to other genocides, recognize them as such, but
still not use the word: "The Holocaust was driven by many of the same
forces that have fueled atrocities throughout history"; Eisenhower
understood that "if no one knew what had happened, that would be yet
another atrocity" (though it can be argued that textual tap-dancing
around the word genocide is itself a lethal silencer); we must do
"everything we can to prevent and end atrocities like those that took
place in Rwanda, those taking place in Darfur."

Clever. But is it enough? It’s clear what Obama is up to with
Armenians. He’s subordinating them to American relations with
Turkey–Turkey, which has turned bullying of western powers over the
Armenian and other issues into a black art. Obama is also mindful of
relations between Turkey and Armenia, which are being normalized after
years of enmity: what this means to the United States isn’t just a
happy hand-holding moment, but the potential for a safer route for oil
from the Caucasus through Armenia and Turkey (a route now made
unappetizing by Iranian and Central Asian instability).

Those are all valid geopolitical reasons–if your moral compass swings
between the bony poles of Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew
Brzezinski. They’re not valid reasons morally or historically.

04/25/obama-breaks-his-promise-on-the-armenian-gen ocide.htm

JAVIER SOLANA: "EU ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO CLEAR COMMITMENT OF TURKEY TO GOOD NEIGHBORLY RELATIONS"

ArmenPress
April 22 2009
Armenia

"The EU attaches great importance to the clear commitment of Turkey, as
a candidate country, to good neighbourly relations, a principle which
is fundamental for us," EU High Representative for the Common Foreign
and Security Policy Javier Solana said in an interview to Armenpress.

According to him, the European Union has always encouraged
the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia as an
important factor of stability and prosperity in the region. The EU
warmly welcomed the visit of President G?l to Armenia in September
2008 as a very significant step in the rapprochement between the two
countries. "It is in everybody’s interest to resolve this problem so
that a new climate emerges in the South Caucasus. We strongly encourage
both sides to continue along this path; progress in this area will
have a positive impact on the region’s stability and prosperity,"
J. Solana pointed out.

Referring to the question on acceptability of forwarding Nagorno
Karabakh issue as a pre-condition for opening of the Armenian-Turkish
border by the Turkish side, Solana said that in the framework of
the establishment of good neighbourly relations between Turkey and
Armenia, the EU has consistently encouraged the two countries towards
the opening of the border without preconditions. This is important
for both the stability and the prosperity of this region. "A positive
decision on one issue will create a positive dynamic that will help
also on other issues," EU High Representative for the Common Foreign
and Security Policy concluded.

TURKEY-ARMENIA ROADMAP SETS TIMETABLE FOR TIES

Reuters
April 23 2009
UK

YEREVAN, April 23 (Reuters) – A roadmap agreed between Turkey and
Armenia commits the neighbours to establishing diplomatic relations
and opening their border gradually over "weeks or months", a senior
Western diplomat said on Thursday.

The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the deal had
not yet been signed but that the two sides had agreed on diplomatic
ties, opening the border, and establishing commissions to tackle
historical disputes.

"All the documents have been agreed in principle but it’s from the
signing that the clock starts ticking," the diplomat told Reuters. "It
is a finite period that is not very long. We are talking about weeks
or months." (Reporting by Matt Robinson; Editing by Charles Dick)

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS RECEIVES PARTICIPANTS OF ARMENIAN ARCHITECTURE AND THE 21ST CENTURY ALL ARMENIAN CONFERENCE OF ARCHITECTS

NOYAN TAPAN
APRIL 23, 2009
ETCHMIADZIN

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II received over 80 participants of
the Armenian Architecture and the 21st Century All Armenian Conference
of Architects led by RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobian on
April 23 in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Noyan Tapan was
informed about it by the Information Services of the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin.

Conveying his blessing and good wishes to those present, His Holiness
the Patriarch expressed gratitude to the Minister for the steps taken
to establish close contacts between the Diaspora and Armenia wishing
good results for the sake of homeland’s well-being and prosperity of
the Armenian nation spread all over the world. Karekin II wished the
architects to be the bearers of Armenian architectural traditions
and to contribute to its development wherever they live and act.

Touching upon the importance of the conference, Karekin II expressed
confidence that it will be a new occasion for talented architects
to join their abilities and experience with the architectural
traditions formed in the homeland and to further strengthen the
Armenian architectural culture.

ARPI VARTANYAN: ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY EXPECTS OBAMA TO SAY "GENOCIDE"
Siranush Muradyan

"Radiolur"
23.04.2009 16:06

The Armenian Assembly of America expects Barack Obama to use the word
"genocide" in his April 24th address, Armenian Assembly of America
Country Director for Armenia and Karabakh Arpi Vartanian told a press
conference today.

"As a Senator Barack Obama has said that the Armenian Genocide
should be recognized. Besides, he noted during hit trip to Turkey
earlier this month that his position had not changed," Arpi Vartanian
noted. According to her, this statement made in Turkey is a historic
fact that makes us believe that the US President will utter the word
"genocide."

"Earlier or later the world will recognize the events of 1915. The
fact of the Genocide cannot be questioned. It is a reality, and we
want the US to recognize it," she noted.

Arpi Vartanian supports the normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations.

According to her, the Genocide and the Nagorno Karabakh are different
issues and should not be merged. Moreover, Azerbaijan should not
interfere with the relations between Armenia and Turkey on every
occasion.

"What does it mean having closed borders in the 21st century? It’s
nonsense. The two countries should normalize their relations without
preconditions, since it will have a positive influence on both
Armenian20 and Turkish economies," Arpi Vartanian said.

According to her, the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border will
primarily benefit the frontier villages, the commodity turnover
between the two countries will grow and new investments will follow.

RUSSIA IS THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT MEDIATES THE KARABAKH RESOLUTION ON THE LEVEL OF PRESIDENTS

Today.Az
tics/51699.html
April 22 2009
Azerbaijan

Russia is the only country that mediates the Karabakh resolution
on the level of presidents, said Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan
Vladimir Dorokhin, according to Interfax-Azerbaijan.

"Russia is the only country that mediates in the peaceful resolution
of the conflict on the highest level – on the level of presidents. And
we are ready to play a role of a guarantor anytime when Azerbaijan
appeals to us", said Dorokhin.

The ambassador stated Russia’s readiness to support any decisions to
which Azerbaijan and Armenia will come.

The diplomat said that the Karabakh problem will be discussed at
the upcoming talks of the heads of Russia and Armenia in Moscow
soon. Dorokhin reminded that earlier this problem had been discussed
at the meeting of presidents Dmitri Medvedev and Ilham Aliyev.