Author: Maghakian Mike

SECRET TALKS IN BERN

AZG Armenian Daily
23/07/2008

Armenia-Turkey

The Switzerland-Armenia Society (SAS) expresses its gladness about
Switzerland being chosen the place for Armenia-Turkey talks. The
rumors about the secret talks, which evidently started on July 8 in
Bern between Armenia and Turkey, were indirectly grounded by Foreign
Minister Ali Babacan. The Switzerland-Armenia Society (SAS) also
points out that with the positive atmosphere are shrouded the real
intentions of turkey, which is to argue the fact of the Armenian
Genocide and to hamper its worldwide recognition. It makes little
sense as Switzerland has adopted the fact of the Armenian Genocide
on the level of the Federal Court. The Switzerland-Armenia Society
(SAS) is sure that Armenia-Turkey dialogue will be effective only in
case the latter opens the border with Armenia, closed since 1993.

It has been already a month since the Armenian side is making some
signs of starting talks with Turkey. On June 26-27 Federal Councilor
Michelin Calmie-Rey during his visit to Armenia clearly hinted that
Switzerland is ready to become a mediator between Armenia and its
western neighbor.

Armenia and Turkish have not established regular diplomatic relations
since 1991. Because of Turkey’s strategic alliance with Azerbaijan
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993. Up to the present
day Turkey has been linking the disclosure of the border with
the withdrawal of the Armenian forces from Karabakh and with the
resignation of the "claims" about the 1915 Genocide. During the recent
years the Turkish side suggests establishing a joint commission with
Armenia to study the events of 1914-1917.

The SAS does not oppose the idea of an international authoritative
commission of scientists who would study the less known facts about
the Genocide and would publish its researches. The SAS is categorically
against any attempt to diminish the importance of the Armenian Genocide
or moreover to deny it completely.

It is not the first time when Switzerland has offered its
mediation. Already on July 9, 2001 the unofficial delegations from
Armenian and Turkey met in Geneva and the first session of the
Armenia-Turkey reconciliation committee started.. That time the
negotiations were halted because of serious controversies regarding
the international recognition of the Genocide. In 2002 the Turkish
delegation left because of the discussion whether the UN definition
of genocide is to be applied to the 1914-1917 events in the Ottoman
Empire. Turkey could not accept the fact of the 1914-17 events being
qualified as Genocide by the International Centre of Transition
Justice in 2004, so it finally broke up with the Armenia-Turkey
reconciliation committee.

Although the SAS is rather pessimistic about starting a really serious
dialogue with Turkey, a country where politicians and historians
are being killed for their political ideas, the organization is
sure that the fact of the Armenian Genocide cannot be subject to any
speculation. Tangible improvement of Armenia-Turkey relations will be
possible only after the authorities of the latter definitely recognize
the Armenian Genocide.

OSCE MINSK GROUP FOR CONTINUING PEACE TALKS

Trend News Agency
July 22 2008
Azerbaijan

OSCE Minsk Group is for continuing peace talks on the resolution of
the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict Nagorno-Karabakh on the basis of
major principles.

"The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs welcome constructive meeting of the
presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan held in St. Petersburg on 6
June and call on the sides to refuse from their maximal initiatives
during the talks, public statements and avoid all types of aggressive
rhetoric," said a statement issued by he OSCE Minsk Group mediators
from the United States (Mathew Bryza), France (Bernard Fassier)
and Russia (Yuriy Merzlyakov), placed in the OSCE’s website on 22 July.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began
in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since
1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts. In
1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which
time the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group ( Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful
negotiations.

"There is not armed solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,"
the co-chairs said.

Next meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia will
be held in Moscow on 1 August with the participation of co-chairs.

INFORMATION ON ATTEMPT OF ARMENIAN SABOTEURS TO PENETRATE INTO AZERBAIJAN MISINFORMATION

DeFacto Agency
July 21 2008
Armenia

Azeri mass media’s information concerning "an attempt of a group of
Armenian saboteurs to penetrate into the territory of Azerbaijan"
does not correspond to reality, RA Defense Minister’s Spokesman,
Col. Seyran Shahsuvaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net. In his words, such
information is a current propaganda step of Baku.

To note, the Azeri mass media with a reference to the Azerbaijani MoD
reported that "Armenian saboteurs tried to cross the Armenian-Azeri
border; however, Azeri servicemen stopped the attempt. One Armenian
saboteur was killed in a skirmish. His body and weapon were left on
the Azerbaijani side."

ARMENIA REFUSING TO ACCEPT BODY OF INTELLIGENCE OFFICER

Assa-Irada
July 21 2008
Azerbaijan

Armenia is refusing to accept the dead body of its intelligence
officer who was killed Saturday in an attempt by a group of the
arch-foe countrys spies to cross over to Azerbaijan through a village
in the frontline Tovuz district. The Armenian Defense Ministrys
spokesman Seyran Shahsuvarian claimed that the officer had crossed
over to Azerbaijan after losing his way and was allegedly shot dead by
Azerbaijani soldiers. The Azerbaijan Defense Ministry spokesman Eldar
Sabiroglu dismissed the statement as false, saying the Armenians were
attempting to enter the country for spying purposes. As for returning
the dead body to Armenia, Sabiroglu said the International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC) was dealing with the matter and work was under way
to arrange the transfer. A similar attempt by the Armenian intelligence
had been thwarted in the past months. Another group of spies was seized
by Azerbaijani law enforcers and is currently withheld in the country.

FIVE ARMENIAN WEIGHTLIFTERS TO TAKE PART IN EUROPEAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

NOYAN TAPAN

JU LY 21

European Weightlifting Youth Championship will be held on July 21-28
in the French city of Amien. Smbat Margarian (50 kg, Yerevan), Roman
Haroutiunian (62 kg, Kajaran), Gagik Grigorian (85 kg, Gyumri), Vardan
Karapetian (65 kg), and Alla Samvelian (58 kg, both from Baghramian)
will represent Armenia in the competition.

IN TORONTO A PUBLIC CELEBRATION TO BE ORGANIZED IN HONOUR OF 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARRIVAL IN CANADA OF ISRAEL SAFARIAN

NOYAN TAPAN

JU LY 17

The Safarian Family, the Armenian National Committee of Toronto and
the ARF will be organizing a public celebration on July 20th, 2008,
in honour of the 100th anniversary of the arrival in Canada of Israel
Safarian. The celebration will focus on the ARF, the early Armenians
in Canada. The celebration will be preceded by a memorial service
in honour of Israel Safarian at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church
in Toronto.

MINISTER NALBANDIAN’S MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON

armradio.am
17.07.2008 13:35

Within the framework of his working visit to Washington RA Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian met with US Assistant Secretary of State
on Europe and Eurasia Daniel Fried.

Issues of the Armenian-America cooperation agenda were
discussed. Reference was made to questions related to regional security
and stability and the ways of their resolution.

Minister Nalbandian and Assistant Secretary of State Fried exchanged
views on the reasons and consequences of the post-election developments
in Armenia, the steps taken by the Armenian authorities to eliminate
the consequences of those.

The interlocutors discussed the perspectives of normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations.

The same day Edward Nalbandian met with the US Co-Chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group Matthew Bryza. The interlocutors discussed the details
of the negotiation process son the Karabakh conflict settlement, the
results of the Co-Chairs’ last visit to the region, as well as
the opportunities of a new meeting between the Presidents of Armenia
and Azerbaijan.

Speaking about the prospects of continuing the talks, Minister
Nalbandian stressed that the bellicose statements of Azerbaijan do
not receive a deserved evaluation by the international community,
which considerably complicates the establishment of an atmosphere of
trust in the negotiation process.

Minister Nalabndin had meetings with the l eaders of the American
Armenian organizations – the Armenian National Committee of
America, the Armenian Assembly of America and the United States –
Armenian Political Action Committee. Minister Nalbandian presented RA
Government’s program of cooperation with the Diaspora, informed
about the future programs of the Committee on Diaspora Affairs and
the objectives and perspectives of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.

BUSH’S TOP SECURITY ADVISOR DUE IN TURKEY ON THURS IN A SURPRISE VISIT

Hurriyet
July 16 2008
Turkey

Turkey gives greenlight to step in for helping to ease Iran’s
nuclear row

The top security advisor of U.S. President George W. Bush
will pay a surprise visit to Turkey on Thursday, sources told
hurriyet.com.tr. Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs Stephen Hadley’s visit came a week after the gun attack on
the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul, which left six people dead. Turkish
foreign minister confirmed Hadley’s visit. (UPDATED)

Hadley would meet Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister
Tayyip Erdogan on his one day visit, sources added.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan confirmed Hadley’s visit and the
regional issues will be discussed in his meeting with the American
diplomat on Thursday morning.

The Washington administration condemned the consulate attack and
vowed to continue their joint efforts with Turkey in the struggle
with terrorism. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack,
however signs and initial evidence suggest the attack was carried by
al Qaeda, possibly with the help of a local group.

The struggle with terrorism is expected to be discussed during Hadley’s
visit. The visit is also expected to cover various issues from energy
security and the latest situation in the U.S. invasion in Iraq.

A Turkish official said the details of the visit would not be
disclosed. However some suggested one of the most important elements
of Hadley’s visit is likely to be the Iranian issue, the official
added. The controversy over Iran’s nuclear program heightened recently
as Tehran tested mid-rang missiles that could strike Israel.

Another issue that Hadley is likely to raise during his meetings is
the recent warming in the relations between Turkey and Armenia. He
is expected to deliver Washington’s call "to take further steps".

Armenian President Sarzh Sarkisian had invited Gul to watch the
football game between two country’s national teams on September 6
to mark "a new start in relation". Ankara has been evaluating this
invitation, as American officials expressed their expectation of
Gul’s acceptance.

STUDENT DANCER TAKES TOP SPOT ON ‘SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE’
Jaime Winston

The Daily Utah Chronicle
July 16 2008
UT

Gevorg Manoukian used to practice break dancing in his aunt’s garage in
Centerville. Now the U senior, majoring in business, has been bustin’
moves on national TV.

Manoukian became one of the top 10 contestants on Fox’s "So You Think
You Can Dance" on Thursday.

"We’re all in shock," said Amy Simkins, director of Expressions Dance,
where Manoukian is a hip-hop and break dancing instructor. "It doesn’t
seem real that someone we know is so successful and has gone so far."

Expressions Dance holds a "So You Think You Can Dance" viewing party
Wednesday nights and will do so as long as Manoukian is on the show,
bringing in 25 to 50 people each week to cheer for him.

"I think he’s the kind of guy who’s grateful to be exactly where he
is, and every step he gets to move up, he has his head on straight,"
Simkins said.

After trying out for the show two years ago and making the top 100,
Manoukian impressed the judges at the Salt Lake City auditions in
February. He later made it through the Las Vegas auditions, which
narrowed the dancers down to 20.

As one of the top 10 in Los Angeles, Manoukian will embark on a
nationwide dance tour and have a chance to win $250,000 as the
overall winner.

Manoukian, 21, was born in Kazakhstan and visited New York each summer
since he was 9 to spend time with his father, a three-time champion
ice skater in Armenia and a two-time champion in Kazakhstan.

Although he also enjoys the ice, Manoukian found his passion for
break dancing about five years ago.

"He learns almost everything by himself," his father, Akop Manoukian,
said. "I’m a coach myself, and a lot of the time I’m at a competition
saying, ‘Come on, do better.’ But I never realized how tense it is
for the parents."

Akop Manoukian knows his son will still get noticed, even if he isn’t
the overall winner.

"I think a lot of people will remember him," he said.

Gev Manoukian’s aunt, Anahit Manoukian, is proud of him for taking the
initiative to learn to dance on his own, without formal instruction.

"My heart is beating really heavy, especially when I see him do some
trick," she said.

She also gets nervous during the show’s elimination segments.

"But I know he can make it," she said.

Fellow dancer and instructor at Park City Dance Academy, Lucas Manning,
said he has followed the show carefully in support of Gev Manoukian.

"I’m not a huge fan of the show, but I’m there for Gev," Manning
said. "He puts himself out there almost too much for other people
and loves what he does, and he would never want to have any other
job than dancing."

The Creative Arts Academy in Bountiful, where Gev Manoukian teaches
children and teens to dance, had a party to watch him perform on the
July 9 show.

"He’s a fabulous teacher and great with the kids," said Jana Monson,
director of the academy.

Gev Manoukian said on the "So You Think You Can Dance" website that
he’d like to open his own dance studio one day and hopes the show
will help his career. He has also learned what it will take to achieve
his dreams.

"You need to know other styles of dance, you need to be entertaining
and most importantly, show who you really are," he said on the
site. "Don’t be fake."

Gev Ma noukian was also in the musical "Aida" at Hale Center Theatre
in 2007, "High School Musical 2" and has worked with Alex Boeye,
Wayne Brady and the Utah Blaze. He can be seen on "So You Think You
Can Dance" Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Thursday at 8 p.m. on Fox.

DOOMED TO FAILURE

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on July 15, 2008
Armenia

The Nagorno Karabakh Republic proclaimed its independence in strict
compliance with the norms of international law and the existing
legislation of the USSR, the Russian Federation being its legal
successor.

This statement was made by NKR Foreign Minister George Petrosyan
in response to the speculations over settling the Karabakh conflict
based on the principles of the territorial integrity and the immunity
of the borders of the states.

"The attempts of the Azerbaijani leadership to restore the
obsolete borders of the Stalin era create an additional tension
over the Karabakh issue and may only lead to the exacerbation of
the conflict. Such was the situation in the late-1980’s and the
early-1990’s when the international community recognized the results
of the independence ‘referendum’ held in Azerbaijan (without the
participation of the people of Karabakh) but refused to admit the
results of a similar referendum held in Karabakh before that.

In the estimation of the Minister, independence is an absolute value
for the people of Nagorno Karabakh, and they have no intention
to waive it. "We believe the responsible international community
perfectly realizes that.

Many a time have we announced that any attempt of returning Karabakh
and its people to the past and thus restricting their freedom is
not only ineffective but also doomed to failure," the NKR Foreign
Minister said.