ARTUR OSIKIAN APPOINTED DEPUTY HEAD OF RA POLICE
NOYAN TAPAN
SEPTEMBER 10
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. On September 10, RA President
Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on appointing Artur Osikian Deputy
Head of the RA Police attached to the RA government. Noyan Tapan was
informed about it by the RA President’s Press Office.
ARMENIA AND CROATIA TO FORM PARLIAMENT FRIENDSHIP GROUP
PanARMENIAN.NET
08.09.2009 21:41 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During his two-day official visit to Criatia,
President Serzh Sargsyan attended Armenian-Croatian businessmen’s
first conference devoted to Armenian leader’s visit. Within visit
frameworks, RA Trade and Industrial Chamber and Croatian Economic
Chamber signed a cooperation memorandum.
RA President visited Zagreb observatory and history museum.
While in Zagreb, RA President also met with Croatian Parliament
Speaker Luca Bebic. Parties attached importance to formation of
parliament friendship group and two countries’ cooperation within
international structures.
President Sargsyan introduced to Croatian Parliament Speaker to details
concerning Armenian-Turkish rapprochement and Karabakh peace process.
Delegation headed by Armenian President returned to Yerevan this
evening.
NEW OSCE MG CO-CHAIR APPOINTED
ArmInfo
2009-09-08 14:19:00
ArmInfo. Robert Bradtke has become a new OSCE MG Co-chair from U.S.
As the official website of the US Department of State reported,
ambassador Bradtke brings to this position more than thirty-six
years of Foreign Service experience and extensive expertise in
European security policy. In July of this year, he completed a three
year assignment as Chief of Mission at American Embassy Zagreb,
Croatia. Prior to that, he served from 2001 to 2004 as Deputy
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs,
with responsibility for NATO and the OSCE.
‘The United States understands the critical importance of achieving
a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We welcome
recent positive dialogues between President Sargsian of Armenia and
President Aliyev of Azerbaijan. Secretary Clinton has indicated to
the two presidents her strong interest in the Minsk Group’s ongoing
efforts to bring the process to a fruitful conclusion, and the Obama
Administration is committed to doing everything possible to support
this goal’, the statement of the US Department of State said.
EU: NEED TO RESTART TALKS WITH TURKEY, WISE MEN SAY
ANSAmed.info
E12.WAM10236.html
Sept 7 2009
Italy
(ANSAmed) – BRUSSELS – An appeal was launched today in Brussels by
the ‘wise men’ of the Independent Commission on Turkey to restart
negotiations on EU membership with Ankara, which have been caught in a
vicious circle for four years. The wise men – former Finnish President
and Nobel prizewinner for Peace Martti Ahtisaari; fomer EU Commissioner
Emma Bonino, Italy, and Hans van den Broek, Holland; former French
Premier Michel Rocard; former Spanish Foreign Minister Marcelino Oreja;
Austria’s former Secretary General for Foreign Affairs Albert Roahn –
presented their report ‘Turkey in Europe, breaking the vicious circle’,
taking the opportunity to make observations on the recent turbulent
years in relations between Ankara and the EU. It all started with
a ‘paradox’, said Rohan: "Since negotiations started in 2005, the
virtuous circle has turned into a vicious circle". There are several
reasons for this change of tack: the thorny issue of Cyprus, with the
failed 2004 referendum over the reunification of the island following
the ‘no’ vote by the Greek-Cypriots, the slowing-down of reforms by
Ankara, and also "the opposition to Turkey’s entry on the part of
several European leaders and public opinion in many countries". The
positions of the leaders, said Rohan, "are in stark contradiction to
the unanimous decision to open adhesion negotiations taken by heads of
State and government in December 2004. This attitude has given Turkey
the impression of not being wanted, of being treated differently from
other candidates. But this approach is contrary to European interests:
Turkey is a strategic country for energy routes, its presence in the
Caucasus, its economic strength in Central Asia, and its negotiating
weight in the Middle East". The result is that now more than half
of the 35 chapters of negotiations for adhesion are blocked, either
because of Cyprus’ veto, as a response to the lack of full application
of the Ankara Protocol on the part of Turkey, which regulates customs
relations with the 27 countries, or because of the block placed
informally by other chapters. France has blocked five chapters,
preferring to focus on partnership rather than integration. Austria,
Germany and Holland also have political positions or public opinion
overwhelmingly against Turkey’s inclusion in the EU. As for Italy,
Bonino said that "lately, for the first time, opposing positions have
been taken very very firmly by the Northern League". For this reason
the former EU commissioner has called on Berlusconi to "mediate"
inside the Government so as to define a clear position ahead on
the EU summit on December 9-10, during which the next steps for the
adhesion talks will be defined. Emma Bonino said that the question
"of identity is an alibi for not saying anything, for not saying that
they are Muslims, there are 80 million of them. I always feel like
saying, what is the European identity? For me, Europe is a State of
rights, division of power, democracy, open society; I do not believe
that Europe is a religious project or a geographic project". In this
negative context, there are only a few signs of a change in tendency,
for example the resumption of Turkish-Armenian dialogue. But the
‘wise men’ insist that "an effort is needed, we need good news from
Turkey, on its reform plans, and a greater sense of responsibility on
the part of the authorities and the European media". "Not just the
credibility of Europe towards Turkey, but the international role of
the EU are at stake", concluded Ahtisaari. (ANSAmed).
Serzh Sargsyan highly estimates the role of foreign Armenian
entrepreneurs
05.09.2009 14:50 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met with a group
of Armenian businessmen from Russia in Yerevan. According to Serzh
Sargsyan, despite the difficulties caused by the global financial and
economic crisis various programs have been carried out and fulfilled
since last year.
The president highly estimated the role of the foreign entrepreneurs
of Armenian origin in improving the image of Armenia and the Armenian
people, keeping the Armenian identity and strengthening ties between
Armenia and Diaspora. Serzh Sargsyan welcomed the commitment of
Armenian entrepreneurs to contribute to economic advancement and
development of Armenia through various investment programs, press
service of the RA president reports.
ARMENIAN LEADER SAYS KARABAKH CONFLICT HAS NO QUICK SOLUTION
Mediamax
Sept 1 2009
Armenia
Yerevan, 1 September. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan commented
today on the process of the Nagornyy-Karabakh conflict settlement.
Mediamax reports that speaking at the meeting with heads of Armenia’s
diplomatic missions [abroad] and the central staff of the Foreign
Ministry, Serzh Sargsyan noted that talks with Azerbaijan through
the mediation of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs "are going on within the
framework of apparent and clear logic".
The president reminded that within the past 18 months, six meetings had
been held with the Azerbaijani president, the Meiendorf Declaration had
been signed, the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries
had made a joint statement, and, consequently, the mediators had
published the basic outlines of the Madrid principles.
"The publication of these principles has showed that we have never
said lies and never misled our people concerning issues being discussed
at the negotiations", Serzh Sargsyan said.
The president added that he understood what was the root of the
concern voiced by some circles in Armenia and Artsakh [Nagornyy
Karabakh]. "The issue of Artsakh is the sacred issue, for which
thousands of our compatriots gave their lives and for the sake of
this issue we are experiencing difficulties. However, that is one of
the proud pages of our history," Serzh Sargsian said.
The president told heads of Armenia’s diplomatic missions to inform
officials of countries they are accredited to that "the settlement
of Karabakh conflict is not a matter of days, weeks, and months".
"Everyone should understand clearly that the sides are carrying out
talks only around some principles of settlement. Even if an agreement
is reached on these principles, many other principles remain open,
and then – the peace agreement itself. This is a process that requires
great work," Serzh Sargsian stated.
The president said that ensuring Nagornyy Karabakh’s security and
obtaining correct understanding on the part of the international
community were a priority task now.
"In this conflict, the Armenian people was a nation fighting for its
freedom and survival, and no-one has the right to describe Artsakh
that has won the right to exist as an ‘aggressor’. Our answer to this
should always be firm, confident, and convincing," Serzh Sargsian said.
ARMENIAN CITIZEN BRUTALLY MURDERED IN SAINT PETERSBURG
ARMENPRESS
Sep 3, 2009
ST. PETERSBURG, SEPTEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: 32-year-old constructer,
Armenian citizen Hamlet Harutyunian was killed August 31 on the
Vasilevski Island of St. Petersburg town. Unknown criminals stabbed
him to death.
The prosecutor’s office of the Vasilevski Island has evoked a criminal
case. Head of the Armenian community of Petersburg Karen Mkrtchian
told Armenpress that this is the murder of the second Armenian citizen
in August.
The first one was committed at the beginning of the month; unknown
murderers killed the driver of taxi and robbed the car. It is notable
that trace of skinheads in the mentioned crimes is absent.
Karen Mkrtchian also informed that the Union of Armenians of Petersburg
will officially apply to the prosecutor’s office of the town to ensure
the murders be discovered as soon as possible.
BELARUS TO COPE WITH CSTO CHAIRMANSHIP AS SUCCESSFULLY AS ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
03.09.2009 21:25 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Belarus will cope with CSTO chairmanship as
successfully as Armenia, RA Ambassador to Belarus Oleg Yesayan told
a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter in Stepanakert.
Touching upon Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF), Armenian
diplomat said that their mission was to avert conflicts within
CSTO area. "Rapid reaction forces may set to operation in conflict
situations. That factor is very important as far as our region is
concerned. But forces will be used depending on the degree and type
of conflict," Yestayan stated.
EDITORIAL: HOPEFUL SIGNS
Arab News
;section=0& ;article=126046&d=3&m=9&y=2009
Sept 3 2009
Saudi Arabia
THE surprise announcement Monday night that Turkey and Armenia have
agreed to open diplomatic relations and reopen a border between them
that has been closed since 1927, except for a brief period ending
in 1993, is to be welcomed, even though the finalization of the two
protocols will be fraught with difficulties.
However, if Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan can see this
agreement through, it will transform both Turkey’s international
standing and bring stability to the southern Caucasus. But the "if"
is a big one. The protocols require parliamentary ratification and
are opposed by nationalists in both Turkey and Armenia. Economically
Armenia has more to gain. Since independence was restored in 1991, it
has struggled in the face of Russian interference, financial ineptitude
and corruption. With a falling birth rate, its 3,250,000 inhabitants
have survived in no small measure on investment and remittances from
the eight million Armenians who live outside the country.
Armenia’s plight was worsened following the successful uprising
of majority ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave of
Azerbaijan. Turkey re-closed the border and landlocked Armenia
struggled, with a major part of its trade having to pass expensively
through its neighbor Georgia. Until Monday’s agreements Ankara had
insisted on the return of the enclave to Azeri rule before negotiations
could be concluded. Since Turkey expects to benefit substantially from
the planned Nabucco pipeline that will pass across it taking Azeri gas
to Europe, it seems unthinkable that the protocols with Armenia have
been made in isolation. Diplomatic sources indicated Wednesday night
that the Minsk Group established in 1992, and co-chaired by Russia, the
United States and France might be on the verge of a settlement to the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, possibly involving some level of autonomy for
the enclave in return for Armenian recognition of Azeri sovereignty.
It would, however, be surprising if the Kremlin is backing a deal
running counter to its own interests. Facilitating the Nabucco
project that will give Europe an alternative to Russian gas, Gazprom
is currently offering to pipe Azeri gas to Baku’s new European
customers via its own pipeline network. It may be, however, that
Russia is tempted by the longer view that a stable and prosperous
southern Caucasus will assist it as it grapples with growing Muslim
unrest in the north.
Whatever the outcome, providing its nationalist right-wing politicians
do not make an ugly spectacle of themselves, Erdogan’s government is
likely to emerge with considerable credit for grasping such a difficult
political nettle as Armenia. The UN, the EU, the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the United States all
want to see a normalization in Turco-Armenian relations. Starting
with President Abdullah Gul’s visit last year to Yerevan to watch
Turkey play Armenia in a World Cup qualifier, it is Ankara that has
been making the running — and taking the political risks. If only
past Turkish governments had demonstrated equal wisdom over the vexed
issue of Northern Cyprus. But maybe the Armenian talks now presage
new movement on Cyprus as well.
Japan’s new rulers
THE election upset in Japan is a potentially positive development,
said Los Angeles Times in an editorial on Tuesday. Excerpts:
How do you say, "throw the bums out" in Japanese? That’s what Japanese
voters did on Sunday, booting the Liberal Democratic Party that has
ruled almost continuously for more than half a century and leaves
now with the world’s second-largest economy in sorry shape. The newly
elected Democratic Party of Japan is an eclectic mix of leftists and
defectors from the ruling party. Its ability to run the country is
untested, and its leaders have yet to explain how to pay for their
populist campaign promises.
Nevertheless, the election upset is a potentially positive
development. A one-party state is bound to grow stale; competition
is as important in politics as it is in business.
The outgoing Liberal Democratic Party helped turn Japan from a
post-World War II wreck into a global powerhouse. In league with
industry and a powerful government bureaucracy, the ruling party
oversaw decades of growth that offered its citizens lifelong jobs
with housing and health care.
But that system has been unraveling since the Japanese economy
collapsed in the 1990s. Now, government scandals, recession,
unemployment and an aging population’s deep anxiety about the future
have prompted voters who normally value stability to reject the known
and embrace the promise of change.
Although the Democratic Party has never held power, key members come
from the political elite, starting with leader Yukio Hatoyama, who
is expected to be named prime minister. His grandfather is a founder
of the just-defeated Liberal Democratic Party, and Hatoyama himself
was a legislator.
Hatoyama has said that Japan must strengthen its economic and security
ties with East Asia. Americans should not be alarmed. China is Japan’s
largest trading partner, and the countries share a neighborhood. Such
integration can help Japan’s economic recovery without harming its
ties to the US. A healthy Japanese economy is in everyone’s interest.
The Times
September 2, 2009
Bronwen Maddox, Chief Foreign Commentator
Turkey and Armenia sidestep 94-year-old massacre for tentative peace
It’s taken only 94 years to make peace. It might have taken much longer.
The talks between Turkey and Armenia about whether they can manage something
like normal relations are probably more symbol than substance. But they
represent a gesture that might easily not have been made, particularly by
Turkey. They are an unexpected step towards calm from the tense borderlands
between Europe and Central Asia.
They will have an effect in the US, too, where the clash between Armenia and
Turkey has played to a nationwide, passionate audience, from Congress to the
singer Cher (who is Armenian). In Europe it might seem like a far-off
dispute; in the US it is intimate, eating up congressional debates and
national airtime.
Even in the European Union it will have an impact greater than this week’s
tentative moves suggest. It will ease Turkey’s relations with the EU after
several years of friction.
Yet the steps, so far, are small. On Monday the two said that they would
sign a pact within weeks to talk about resuming ties, although that hurdle
would need approval by both parliaments. If they get that far, it would end
nearly a century of animosity that stems from the killing of as many as 1.5
million Armenians under the Ottoman Empire in 1915, during the First World
War. Armenia calls it genocide and wants an admission and an apology. Turkey
maintains that many were killed on each side. There have not been diplomatic
ties, other than when Armenia was part of the Soviet Union. The border was
closed during the 1988-94 conflict over the Azerbaijani region of
Nagorno-Karabakh.
Now the border might open, possibly by the new year, officials on each side
suggest, although the greater impetus for a deal clearly comes from Armenia.
It is landlocked, and has an urgent need for trade. As its President, Serzh
Sargsyan, said yesterday: `Armenia initiated the possibility of normalising
relations’ – adding, grandly but justifiably, that he had done so `with
dignity as it is appropriate to the civilised world of the 21st century’.
The agreement, brokered by Swiss officials and taking shape since April,
baldly leaves aside history, genocide or the frozen Nagorno-Karabakh dispute
(although Turkey insists progress on this front needs to happen in
parallel). This is what you might call constructive evasion. We should hope
that they manage at least to open the border. Allowing everyday contact
would be an antidote to the understandable difficulty in forgetting who
slaughtered whom a century ago.
It would also take the sting out of the repeated eruptions in American
politics over the issue, powered by the US’s large Armenian community. Two
years ago, President Bush clashed with a Democrat-led House of
Representatives committee that denounced the 1915 deaths as genocide, even
though a phalanx of former secretaries of state warned about the impact on
relations with Turkey, a crucial ally. If Armenia and Turkey can be talked
down from the embrace of this old conflict, it is even possible that the US
Congress eventually can, too.