Author: Nahapetian Samvel

PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
31 Moscovian Street
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 53.69.13
Fax: (+374 – 10) 53.26.97
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:

5 September 2008

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN’S UNPUBLISHED INTERVIEW WITH TURKISH NEWS MAGAZINE

Yerevan–On August 21, Armenia’s first foreign minister and Heritage Party
founder Raffi K. Hovannisian received a request for an interview from the
"Yeni Aktuel" magazine of Turkey. A few days later he delivered, and the
magazine thankfully received, his responses to its questions. For reasons
yet unknown, the interview has not to date been published.

For the record, the unmodified original transcript of questions and answers
follows:

"Q- President Sarkisyan has invited Turkish President Abdullah Gul to visit
Armenia on September 6 to watch the World Cup qualifying match between
Armenia and Turkey. How do you think about that? According your opinion,
what must do Turkish President? What do you prefer as an Armenian citizen?

A- We know well that the opportunities for and challenges of Armenia’s and
Turkey’s ultimate reconciliation cannot be solved in a 90-minute football
match. Only an honest and brave dialogue–its format flexible, its
allegiance to truth unshakeable–can bring our nations the peace and
friendship we desire.

Q- Can this be a good opportunity for Turkish and Armenian relationship if
we considere that Turkey and Armenia have no diplomatic links since 1990’s
and the border between Turkey and Armenia is closed.

A- There is never a bad time to begin good relations. The absence of
diplomatic ties and open frontiers has been Ankara’s unilateral policy of
choice.

Q- Actually, what are the expectations of Armenian people from Turkey? What
must do Turkey to re-create relations between two countries?

A- The Armenian people expect good faith and integrity: good faith in
process and integrity of substance. In respect of the latter, it is crucial
to most citizens of Armenia that Turkey face the exclusionist legacy of the
Great Armenian Dispossession–beginning with recognizing the genocidal past,
teaching it, and atoning for it through, inter alia, a joint celebration of
the Armenian civilization from Mount Ararat and Ani to all the other
capitals, towns, villages, fortresses, schools, academies, churches, and
monasteries of the ancestral homeland; the conduct of a full
inventorization, restoration, and operationalization of the Armenian
cultural heritage within its jurisdiction; the realization of a guaranteed
right of secure voluntary return for the progeny and descendants of the
dispossessed; and an end to its long-standing blockade of Armenia, which
constitutes an act of enmity and a material breach of the very
Soviet-Turkish treaties on which Ankara relies to assert its eastern
frontier. Only through a landmark demonstration of fortitude, good will, and
sincerity can the sovereign Republics of Turkey and Armenia come to their
first-ever bilateral agreement in all of history.

Q- On your opinion, what is the Turkish image for an Armenian? What do
Armenians feel about Turkey and Turks?

A- I appreciate the distinction you make, because in reality governments and
peoples are different–and, unfortunately in the Armenian case,
conflicting–concepts. I cannot speak for Armenia’s government. But it seems
to me that the majority of Armenians bear no inherent hostility toward the
people of Turkey and, quite the contrary, are ready and happy to begin a
conciliation process, so long as it is founded on respect–for each other
and for the truth. My grandmother, a Genocide survivor from Ordu, was saved
as a little girl by a Turkish family of good conscience whom she blessed
until her dying day.

Q- On your opinion, how these two countries can solve commun problems?

A- How do two neighbors solve problems? They talk. They talk politely and
respectfully. They talk honestly. Most importantly, they talk bravely. If
either side lacks any of these commitments–if the aim, in other words, is
to achieve not peace but a momentary detente–then all of these discussions
are ephemeral and fruitless.

Q- What is your opinion about Turkish prime minister Erdogan’s proposal
about a "Caucasian Cooperation Platform."

A- Cooperation is key to conflict resolution, but we must define the goals
for which we cooperate. If the objective is to forge a lasting peace between
Armenia and Turkey based on a fundamental acceptance of history and a
courageously-negotiated program to overcome all outstanding matters of
division, then I applaud the letter and spirit of that cooperation. But if
the mission is to engineer a geopolitical lockdown or to contractualize a
revision of Turkey’s past, there is neither purpose nor morality to it. The
relevant scenarios are there for the choosing; it remains for us to break
out of the box and shift the strategic paradigm in resolution to a future
where both nations become partners in a common neighborhood of liberty,
human rights, democratic values, and shared security."

LAKE SEVAN PROBLEM: WHAT WILL WE DRINK TOMORROW?

Panorama.am
18:28 03/09/2008

Lake Sevan is a regional strategic reserve of fresh water. "We must
take into consideration the fact that the whole world is facing the
problem of lack of fresh water. Therefore, we should maintain our
own reserves with great common sense," chief lecturer of the Chair
of Ecology and Ethnocultural Tourism of Armenian Russian (Slavonic)
University and the co-author of the main plan of Sevan National Park
Gagik Sukhudyan said at the press-conference.

According to Sukhudyan, the impediment of the heightening of lake’s
water level is threatening its ecological system first. "The oil,
that black liquid has blinded everybody. The fresh water is a real
value, and we had enough of it for the country, but it suddenly
turned out that the water level of Sevan was to be decreased," the
specialist added.

According to G.Sukhudyan, on account of water level decrease people
save territories and cities and even develop the industry. The
specialist claims artificial decrease of Sevan’s water level will
spoil the whole reserve of fresh water.

"In many Eastern the countries fresh water is more expensive than
petrol or diesel. We are facing the problem of lack of fresh water,
but we can avoid it, in case we improve our mistakes," Sukhudyan added.

Note that according to Sughudyan, National Assembly’s decision
on doubling of Sevan’s water level decrease has no scientific
investigation grounds.

PAATA DAVITAYA: "ARMENIA HAS LARGELY INTENSIFIED ITS ACTIONS FOR RECOGNITION OF INDEPENDENCE OF NAGORNO KARABAKH"

Today.Az
politics/47374.html
Sept 3 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan should realize that great shocks are expected in the whole
South Caucasus region, said chairman of the Mi sami political movement
Paata Davitaya.

He said we have already witnessed that Russia stimulated separatist
moods in our region, recognizing independence of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia.

"We see, however, the first signs of how Russian leadership’s mistakes
get back to Russia – owner of opposition website Ingushetiya.ru Magomed
Evloyev was killed in Ingushetiya, which created a criticism towards
Russia by US Department of State, sharply worsened the situation
in Ingushetia, whose public has already declared the intention to
separate from Russia".

According to Davitaya, the Armenian leadership has intensified its
actions on recognition of Nagorno Karabakh’s independence.

"Though the leadership of Azerbaijan conducts correct and balanced
external policy, there is no guarantee that Russia, which chose the
way of support of separatism in our region, will not treat Azerbaijan
the same way it did with Georgia.

TURKISH PRESIDENT TO VISIT ARMENIA

RTT News
Sept 3 2008
NY

(RTTNews) – Turkish President Abdullah Gul is to travel to Armenia
to watch a weekend soccer match between the national teams of the
two countries, said a statement issued by his office on Wednesday.

According to the statement, President Gul will attended the World Cup
qualifier match between the football teams of the two countries in the
Armenian capital of Yerevan on Saturday, along with his counterpart
Serge Sarkisian.

The statement also expressed hope that Gul’s visit to Armenia would
improve the relations between the two neighboring countries by
promoting better understanding and friendship.

This announcement marks a historic move as both countries have cut
off official ties and closed their mutual border to each other after
the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a Turkish ally, in the 1990s.

Moreover, the Turks had rejected an Armenian demand to classify the
killings of some 1.5m of its citizens by Ottoman Turks between 1915
and 1917 as genocide, sparking the diplomatic tussle.

Turkey acknowledges that that many Armenians were killed by Turks
between 1915 and 1917, but maintains that the deaths were a part of
World War I.

GEORGIA CONFLICT AFFECTS RUSSIA-ARMENIA TRADE – MEDVEDEV

Interfax
Sept 2 2008
Russia

A senior Kremlin aide cited Russian President Dmitry Medvedev as
saying Georgia’s recent "reckless aggression actions" had affected
"the continuity of transportation" between Russia and Armenia and
their mutual "trade and economic ties" as a significant proportion
of goods traveling between Russia and Armenia pass through Georgia.

Medvedev, who was speaking during talks with Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan, proposed an in-depth study of transportation facilities
linking Russia and Armenia, the aide, Sergei Prikhodko, told reporters.

The two leaders discussed proposals for new transportation routes
between their countries.

"Armenia has no grievances against Russia as regards natural gas
supplies," Prikhodko said.

Medvedev and Sargsyan did not raise the issues of nuclear energy and
uranium mining, the aide said.

In addition to raising bilateral issues, the two presidents had
detailed discussions on matters to be put on the agenda for the Council
of Heads of State of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and
brought up the issues of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Prikhodko said.

TURKISH MINISTER SAYS NO DECISION YET ABOUT PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO ARMENIA

Anatolia news agency
Sept 1 2008
Turkey

Ankara, 1 September: Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on
Monday [1 September] that no decision was made regarding President
Abdullah Gul’s visiting Yerevan.

"If President Gul pays a visit to Yerevan, this will be a reflection
of Turkey’s constructive efforts to contribute to peace and stability
in its region and international area, not because of external pressures
and impositions," Babacan told Anatolia.

He said that they had not made a decision for Gul’s visiting Yerevan
for the soccer game to be played between Turkey and Armenia.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan recently invited President Gul to
Armenia to watch together the 2010 World Cup qualifying-round game
between the two countries on 6 September.

MANY MEMBERS OF TURKISH PARLIAMENT EXPRESSED A WISH TO WATCH THE FOOTBALL MATCH IN YEREVAN

AZG Armenian Daily
03/09/2008

Armenia-Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Rejep Tayib Erdoghan while speaking with the
journalists said that the President of the country Abdullah Gul will
leave for the Republic of Armenia on the invitation of the Armenian
President to watch the football match of the national teams of Armenia
and Turkey on September 6.

After confirmation of the information, many deputies of the Turkish
parliamentary leading party "Justice and development" applied to
their leader of faction asking permission to leave for Yerevan.

According to "Anatolu" agency, the decision on permission would be
made at the meeting of the Central Administrative Council of the
party in the evening of September 1, "Armenpress" reported.

NKR INDEPENDENCE IS SACRAMENTAL AND UNQUESTIONABLE

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.09.2008 13:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the
people of Nagorno Karabakh on the 17th anniversary of proclamation
of independence, the RA leader’s press office reported.

"The past 17 years proved that the decision of Artsakh people was the
only right way to choose. This is a sacramental and unquestionable
choice…

Passed through the ordeal of war, you are now working for the glory
of their state. I am confident that with support of Armenia and the
entire Armenianhood, you will respond to future challenges. I wish
you peace and progress," President Sargsyan said.

RUSSIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN TURKEY FOR CRISIS TALKS

AP
09/02/2008 08:17

Turkey has threatened to retaliate against new Russian import controls
that are seen as an attempt to punish Turkey for allowing U.S. warships
carrying aid to Georgia to pass through the Turkish straits, that
connect the Mediterranean to the Black Sea.

The extra import checks for Turkish goods have resulted in hundreds
of Turkish trucks being held up at Russian border posts.

Turkey’s trade minister has said Turkey would impose more stringent
trade restrictions on Russian goods, but Cemil Cicek, the deputy
prime minister, told reporters Monday that Turkey favored resolving
the issue through dialogue. Russia is Turkey’s top trading partner
and supplier of two-thirds of its natural gas.

Lavrov and Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ali Babacan were also to discuss
a Turkish plan for a regional group to stabilize the Caucasus region
following the war between Russia and Georgia.

Turkey tried to mediate a peaceful solution to the Russia-Georgia
conflict, but the proposal did not receive immediate backing from
Georgia. Georgian Foreign Minister Eka Tkeshelashvili said last week
Georgia would consider joining such a group only after Russian forces
leave her country.

The Turkish-proposed group would include Turkey and four nearby
Caucasus nations: Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Hours before Lavrov’s arrival in Istanbul, another U.S. naval
ship passed through the Turkish straits to reach the Black Sea,
the private Dogan news agency reported. There was no information on
its destination.

Last month, two U.S. ships laden with humanitarian aid for Georgia
passed through the Turkish straits. One of them, the guided-missile
destroyer USS McFaul, sailed back through the straits toward the
Mediterranean late Monday, the Anatolia news agency reported.

On Monday, Russia suggested that U.S. ships that took humanitarian
aid to Georgia’s Black Sea coast could also have delivered weapons.

Turkey, a NATO member and close US ally, has helped train and equip
Georgia’s military, which lost a brief war with Russia last month
over the separatist region of South Ossetia.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
DISAPPEARANCE
OF IMAM MOUSA SADR

An event marking the 30th anniversary of the disappearance of Imam Mousa
Sadr was organized in Beirut on August 30 under the auspices of the Shiite
community’s Spiritual Leader, Sheikh Abdul Amir Kabalan.

The Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian,
represented His Holiness Aram I, who was invited to participate in the event
and address the attendants. Bishop Khatcherian also read the Armenian
Pontiff’s speech. Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian and Dr. Jean Salmanian were
also present.

In his speech, His Holiness recounted his meeting with Imam Mousa Sadr
thirty years ago and the values he had seen in the Shiite religious leader.
The Pontiff stressed the importance of dialogue, portraying Sadr as a
supporter of dialogue and Lebanon as a country of dialogue.

On August 31 the same delegation appointed by His Holiness attended the
event organized by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Nabatiyeh also
dedicated to the anniversary of Imam Mousa Sadr’s disappearance.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.