Author: Nalchajian Markos

KARABAKH : ANALYSE DU CONFLIT PAR UN EXPERT RUSSE

Nouvelles d’Arméni
vendredi26 septembre 2008
France

KARABAGH

Extrait de l’interview accordée a Day.Az par Alexei Vlasov,
politologue russe et directeur général du centre d’information
et d’analytique des processus sociopolitiques dans l’espace
postsoviétique.

Q- Comment la politique du Kremlin influe-t-elle sur le Caucase,
et plus particulièrement sur le règlement du conflit du Karabakh ?

R- Il est tôt pour parler de la formation d’un nouveau "vecteur
Caucase" dans la politique de Moscou. En fait, Moscou doit maintenant
intensifier ses efforts de maintien de la paix dans le Haut-Karabakh,
démontrant ainsi sa capacité a tenir "la diplomatie des mots",
et pas seulement par la force. Mais où est le plan susceptible de
conduire a un accord sur cette question extrêmement douloureuse
? Erevan n’a pas indiqué qu’il était prêt a des compromis afin de
persuader son allié dans l’OTSC, la Russie a besoin de temps.

En outre, quelle perspective pour la participation de la Russie dans le
processus de maintien de la paix sur le Karabakh, sans la participation
et le soutien des autres pays ? Les relations avec l’Occident,
peuvent même obliger Erevan et Bakou a assumer la médiation.

Un compromis sur la Transnistrie est possible, par l’intermédiaire
de la Russie, mais cela n’est guère possible pour le Karabakh.

Par conséquent, les choses ne devraient pas bouger, et resteront en
l’état, congelées.

Q- Moscou a officiellement déclaré que la situation en Ossétie du
Sud ne constituera pas un précédent pour le Haut-Karabakh. Est-ce a
dire que la Russie appuie la résolution du conflit du Karabakh dans
le cadre de l’intégrité territoriale de l’Azerbaïdjan ?

R- Certainement, la Russie soutient le principe de l’intégrité
territoriale de l’Azerbaïdjan. Certes, nous avons besoin de relations
amicales avec Bakou dans tous les domaines. Mais, rappelez-vous les
paroles d’Ilham Aliev : "Nous voulons la fin de l’affrontement. La
Géorgie et la Russie sont les amis de l’Azerbaïdjan. Nous voulons
que ces amis deviennent amis entre eux. Les récents événements ont
prouvé de nouveau que la stabilité dans la région est une question
très délicate".

Et maintenant mettez l’Arménie et l’Azerbaïdjan en lieu et place de
la Russie et de la Géorgie, et imaginez ce que seraient les paroles
de Dmitri Medvedev. En tout cas, c’est une phrase magnifique. Mais
pouvons-nous espérer voir la réalisation de ce souhait dans l’avenir
? Ca sera difficile …

Q- Est-ce que la crise dans les relations américano-russe peut influer
sur le conflit du Karabakh, en tenant compte du fait que les Itats-Unis
et la Russie sont des médiateurs dans la résolution de ce conflit ?

R- En fait, les efforts de médiation de la Russie et desItats-Unis,
jouent la plupart du temps un rôle décisif dans la résolution des
conflits dans l’espace postsoviétique. Mais la différence entre
Moscou et Washington est très grande, et l’espoir qu’ils joignent
leurs efforts est très faible.

Je suis pessimiste, en particulier si les Républicains gagnent
les élections présidentielles auItats-Unis. La politique de
"l’affacturage de la Russie" continuera, ce qui signifie qu’aucune
médiation efficace ne sera possible.

Malheureusement, le problème du Haut-Karabakh a été tellement
négligé, que de nombreuses années d’efforts conjoints seront
nécessaires pour surmonter cette impasse, mais l’intention de
l’Occident de tout régler par le biais de "modèles", ne sera
pas bonne.

–Boundary_(ID_qo3FpBhxkj5qhvnvdkG8dA)–

HAVERHILL IN A MINUTE

Eagle Tribune
September 25, 2008
MA

Church groundbreaking on Saturday

Saturday, members of the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe will gather
to break ground at their new home.

The ceremony starts at 2 p.m. at 1280 Boston Road (Route 125) on the
Haverhill/North Andover line. It includes a blessing of the property.

Guests are asked to meet at Osgood Landing, the former AT&T plant,
by 1:30 p.m., where a shuttle will take them to the building site.

Hye Pointe was established after the merger between St. Gregory
the Illuminator Church in Haverhill and Holy Cross Armenian Church
in Lawrence.

I’M SURPRISED AT THEIR BEING SURPRISED

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
23 Sep 2008
Armenia

Alvard Petrosyan is for political tolerance and she would like to
see the radical opposition invited in the events dedicated to the
17th anniversary of Armenia’s independence.

"I’m surprised that they are surprised at not being invited. When
they used to be in power not only did they not invite but also made
attempts to uproot opposition.

When whole year you shout "a state of chieftains", "Tatar-Mongols",
etc., you can’t demand from the ruling power to show tolerance and
bigheartedness. But God willing one day our state officials will be
in such a level to be able to invite one another to such events,"
Alvard Petrosyan expressed similar hope during her meeting with
the journalists.

IMPLEMENTATION OF DOUBLE STANDARDS IS A PREROGATIVE OF POWER-HOLDERS

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.09.2008 GMT+04:00

The term "precedent" strongly entered into the everyday life of
diplomats and politicians shortly after the recognition of Kosovo’s
independence.

Reproaching the West with the implementation of double standards,
at times we refuse them to Russia, the so-called strategic ally
of Armenia. In fact, any power-holder adheres to this principle
regarding small and weak countries. The latest statement of RF Foreign
Minister Sergey Lavrov can testify for it. "The recognition by Russia
of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia does not set a
precedent for other post-Soviet breakaway regions – Transnistria and
Nagorno-Karabakh," RF FM noted.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The term "precedent" strongly entered into
the everyday life of diplomats and politicians shortly after the
recognition of Kosovo’s independence and, to all appearances, it
will still be used both to the point and beside it. In this case, the
contrast between Nagorno-Karabakh and Transnistria, South Ossetia and
Abkhazia, and earlier also Kosovo is far-fetched. The reason is quite
banal – Russia can introduce its forces neither into Nagorno-Karabakh
nor into Transnistria for various reasons. A great role is played
here by the unwillingness of the people of NKR and PMR to be under
foreign protectorate, be it in the first case Armenia and in the
second – Moldova. However, Russia obviously enjoyed intervention
in world politics and came to a decision that she can dictate her
will. By the way she is not alone in this respect – the USA gives
an equal treatment too. The only point where the world powers share
similar views is their "refusal of precedent", which has existed at
all times, including the 21st century. One could say that the first
precedent after the World War II was the violation of Yalta decisions
on the immovability of the borders, which in 1991 in no way fitted
into the model of 1945. Delineated zonal influences and freaks of the
post-war Europe borders had nothing in common with the actual state
of affairs. They only fixed the victory over Germany. The same can be
said about the inner borders of the USSR; being fixed imperiously,
they caused many conflicts in the post-Soviet territory. And if so,
the statements of the RF Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of
State are nothing but a sly move and hypocrisy.

"Russia will actively promote a peaceful solution to all the
conflicts in the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States], respecting
International Law, UN Charter principles and existing agreements,
in search of harmony between conflicting states. We will pursue our
mediatory mission in peace talks, including over Transnistria and
Nagorno Karabakh. However, the South Ossetian crisis does not set a
precedent for them," declared Lavrov at the Council of Federation,
the upper chamber of the Russian parliament on Thursday.

Most likely Lavrov’s statements were dictated by the latest visit
of the Azerbaijani President to Moscow. And though Russia will
hardly make a curtsey to Baku, additional support should never be
refused, especially when Azerbaijan turns its problems into trumps
for trade. According to Russian analysts Baku gives Americans a cold
reception to make them understand that the price for Baku’s benevolence
has sharply risen. It carefully follows the warming process between
Armenia and Turkey, and welcomes the attempt of Turkey to fill up
the futility that the OSCE Minsk Group has been trying to embody in
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict regulation. Besides, Baku knows very
well that its standpoint of assessing the situation is extremely
interesting to Moscow.

"Azerbaijan is one of the major factors of instability in the region,
and no one relies on more than the neutrality of Baku. At the same
time everyone, and first of Baku, knows that it can conduct a long-term
and successful trade through neutrality," gzt.ru reports.

Meanwhile, according to William J. Burns, US Undersecretary for
Political Affairs, the United States is committed to redoubling efforts
to ease tensions and resolve conflicts throughout the region. "The
U.S. Government will do all it can to encourage the parties to show
greater flexibility and creativity in their negotiations. We will do
everything possible to promote a just and lasting settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict," noted the US Undersecretary, the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations informs.

The only positive side in current proceedings is the fact that
Nagorno-Karabakh people, as we have repeatedly mentioned, are in no
need of "fair" regulation.

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES SERZH SARGSYAN ON ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY

ARMENPRESS
Sep 19, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: President of the Russian Federation
Dmitry Medvedev sent a congratulatory message to Serzh Sargsyan on the
occasion of Independence Day of Armenia. The message particularly says,
"Dear Serzh Azati, I congratulate You and all the citizens of friendly
Armenia on the National holiday – Day of Independence.

During the recent years Armenia has reached serious success
in consolidating statehood, developing economy, it essentially
consolidated its authority in the international arena.

Russia highly underscores the traditional friendly relations between
the two countries. I am sure that the trust, dynamic political
dialogue and effective practical cooperation will continue serving to
the expansion of Russian-Armenian ties. It fully corresponds to the
interests of our country, to ensuring peace, stability and security
in the South Caucasus.

Dear Serzh Azati, I wish You good health and success and wish people
of Armenia welfare and prosperity."

ONE NEEDS BRAINS TO HOLD VICTORY IN WAR
Lilit Poghosyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
18 Sep 2008
Armenia

Physical strength and the quantity of arms do not matter

"Tigran Mets" hall of "Armenia-Marriott" hotel was unusually crowded
yesterday. A number of representatives of the native political elite
and intelligentsia – pro-government and pro-opposition figures,
political scientists, diplomats, representatives of culture and
science and veterans of war had come here to mark the presentation
of the book entitled "Victories – the Way They Were: Call Sign". The
book is dedicated to Samvel Babayan, one of the heroes who helped
shape the victory in the war of Artsakh.

At the end of the presentation, SAMVEL BABAYAN answered to the
questions of the journalists.

"Azerbaijan continues to multiply its military expenses and is
assiduously arming itself. Do you think the Armenian side will
be able to resist the Azerbaijani aggression in case there is a
confrontation? "

"It is clearly stated in the book that in 1992 Azerbaijan had more arms
and ammunition than it has now. Its ammunition reserves were envisaged
for the period of 6 months, according to the standards of the Soviet
Union. All that was used against us, but nothing came out of it. Hence,
the outcome of the war can never be determined by the quantity of
the arms. Neither can it b e determined it by physical strength.

This is what the book attempts to impart to the reader. If some
people believe that victory in war is achieved by spirit and physical
strength, the book proves the contrary. By waging a war, Azerbaijan
will commit a great blunder. Even if it turns out successful at some
stage, it doesn’t matter; that won’t last long.

Such was the case in 1992, and such will it be in future. Azerbaijan
should realize very well that in case of resorting to such adventurism,
it may lose very large territories."

"Is it possible for Azerbaijan to be bold enough to follow the
precedent of Georgia?"

"In my opinion, Azerbaijan should either recognize the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic or try to solve the problem through military operations;
it has no alternative. And neither do we have any. The Armenian side
should be ready for mutual concessions; of course, laying the stress
on security issues, first of all."

"Does Armenia make an equivalent response to Azerbaijan’s diplomatic
initiatives? I mean, don’t we suffer a defeat in the propaganda war?"

"I wouldn’t like to make such characterizations. Even though Azerbaijan
is active and conducts a little bit hysteric policy, I think it is also
a matter of time. Armenia should first of all develop its economy,
improve its social conditions and establish firm grounds for its20
foreign policy, not by serving some superpower but really trying
to relieve the tension in the region, and make efforts towards the
European integration.

As to the fact that Azerbaijan makes scenes of hysteria in different
international tribunals, this is not a way for solving problems. It
did the same in the past as well. Do you remember when father Aliev
came to power, it was making hysteria again? It was acting from the
positions of a victim, announcing that the Armenians had occupied 20
percent of their territory etc. But as you see, that didn’t help them
‘solve’ the Karabakh issue. Issues are solved through diplomatic
channels, i.e. around the table of negotiations.

If Azerbaijan again persists in using force and arms, I repeat it will
be deprived of a lot of things. So, when Azerbaijan realizes this, and
sees that it may lose its territories extending to the Caspian Sea,
it will sit around the table, without believing its supporters who
persist in their statements that everything will be all right. The
things will not be all right. In 1992, they were also sure that
everything would be ‘all right’, but that proved to be wrong."

"During the recent period, Mr. Aliev has been often speaking about
the possibility of settling the Karabakh conflict through diplomatic
channels, i.e. by holding peace talks. Should we consider this a
temporary retreat from the bla ckmail tactics or has Azerbaijan taken
a more realistic view of the things?"

"I believe, Azerbaijan’s posture is conditioned by the current
situation in the region. Azerbaijan has not yet found the right way,
and is now trying to clarify its relations with the West and Russia. It
will try to win time waiting for a proper moment, and then it will
become active again."

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 12 2008

Russia not Have Any Tools of Influence on Nagorno-Karabakh Problem,
which It Had in Georgia: Expert
13.09.08 01:02

Russia, Moscow, 12 September /corr. Trend News R.Agayev / Russia does
not have any tools of influence on the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, which
it had in Georgia through the unrecognized republics of Abkhazia and
South Ossetia. In this case, the situation is of other kind, the
Director of the Programs of the Center of Russia and CIS Countries,
coordinator of Forum EU-Russia, expert of German Council for Foreign
Policy, Alexander Rar, said answering the question of TrendNews
correspondent during press conference in Moscow dedicated to the
presentation of his book Ñ – Russia harvests to gas!Ñ – .

Within the framework of presentation, the author of the book, who is
also a permanent participant in the sessions of the discussion club Ñ
– ValdayÑ – , shared his impressions from the recent meetings with the
high-ranking Russian newsmakers, which took place within the session
of the club Ñ – ValdayÑ – 2008, including with the Russian Foreign
Minister Sergey Lavrov Primer Minister Vladimir Putin and President
Dmitriy Medvedev.

In the opinion of the political scientist, the significant country
such as Turkey plays entirely different, special role in the region of
the Armenian- Azerbaijani conflict. Alexander Rar considers that the
international mechanisms in the context of this conflict have
sufficiently strengthened and the attention of the international
community to this conflict is more than to the conflicts in
Georgia. Moreover, according to the expert, Russia does not have
direct border with Nagorno-Karabakh.

Rar noted that Vladimir Putin was asked the question of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict within the club ` Valday’ . According to
the expert, the Russian Prime Minister said that during Heydar
Aliyev’s presidential term, the Azerbaijani side was ready to solve
this question, but Aliyev did not have time.

ARMENPRESS

ARMENIAN FM MEETS WITH GEORGIAN PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTER

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS: The visit of the Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian to Georgia started September 12.
Armenian Foreign Ministry press service told Armenpress that
immediately after arriving in Tbilisi Nalbandian met with his Georgian
counterpart Eka Tkeshelashvili. The interlocutors discussed in details
the recent developments in the region and possibilities of getting out
of the created situation. In this respect Armenia’s foreign minister
expressed hope that the efforts of the international community
directed towards peaceful regulation of the existing issues, will
bring to exclusively peaceful regulation of the issues through
dialogue and negotiations.
E. Nalbandian thanked the Georgian authorities for the support in
secure transportation of the Armenian tourists who were having their
rest in Ajaria. With the request of his Georgian counterpart Edward
Nalbandian presented the recent developments over Nagorno Karabakh
conflict regulation as well as opportunities for regulation of
Armenian-Turkish relations.
The interlocutors also referred to the cooperation of Armenia and
Georgia in international organizations. Edward Nalbandian invited his
Georgian counterpart to visit Armenia. After the meeting the two
foreign ministers gave a joint press conference.
His next meeting Edward Nalbandian conducted with Georgian Prime
Minister Lado Gurgenidze. During the negotiations Armenian foreign
minister pointed out the importance of untroubled import of Armenian
products through the Georgian territory as well export from Armenia
through Georgia. The Armenian minister and Georgian prime minister
also discussed a wide range of issues on bilateral economic
cooperation. Nalbandian and Gurgenidze referred also to bilateral
economic cooperation, underscored the conduction of the
inter-governmental commission as well as the opportunity of the coming
visit of the two prime ministers.
On the same day Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili received
the Armenian minister. E. Nalbandian said that Armenia is for the
stability, security and peace in neighboring country and not only
because around 70 percent of Armenia’s trade turnover passes through
the Georgian territory but because the peoples of the two countries
are tied with an ancient-long friendship.
With the request of Mikhail Saakashvili Nalbandian presented the
current situation over the Karabakh conflict regulation and prospects
of development of Armenian-Turkish relations.
During the meeting the sides also discussed issues connected with
the coming official visit of Serzh Sargsyan to Georgia at the
invitation of Georgian president.
Today Edward Nalbandian met with the representatives of the
Georgian Armenian community, presented to them main directions of the
Armenian foreign policy.
Today Edward Nalbandian returned back.

Iran to conduct presidential polls in June 2009

15:13 | 07/ 09/ 2008

TEHRAN, September 7 (RIA Novosti) – Iran will hold its next
presidential election on June 12, 2009, the Fars news agency reported
on Sunday.

The Guardian Council, the Islamic Republic’s constitutional watchdog,
which reports directly to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,
has approved the date earlier proposed by the interior ministry.

It will be the 10th presidential election in Iran since the 1979
Islamic Revolution.

According to local observers, the main intrigue of the upcoming
election campaign will be whether the incumbent President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, known for his uncompromising approach on Iran’s nuclear
issue, would be re-elected for a second four-year term.

Ahmadinejad, 51, who has been criticized by the opposition in the
country for his failure to curb high inflation, estimated at about 27%
annually, has not yet announced his candidacy for the 2009 election.

Among his potential rivals are former parliament speaker Mehdi
Karroubi, who is the leader of the reformist National Confidence Party,
and Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, the 46-year-old mayor of Tehran, who
enjoys the support of moderate conservatives.

Ahmadinejad’s pro-reform opponents have called for more diplomacy in
relations with the West over Iran’s controversial uranium enrichment
program.

Western countries suspect Iran of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons
program, but the country says it needs nuclear power solely for
civilian purposes.

The Islamic Republic which holds the world’s third-largest proven oil
reserves, is already under three sets of UN sanctions over suspicions
it seeks to build nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian
program. It is facing more stringent punitive measures for its refusal
to halt uranium enrichment.

Nicaragua recognizes S.Ossetia, Abkhazia

12:07 | 06/ 09/ 2008

MOSCOW, September 6 (RIA Novosti) – Nicaragua has recognized the
independence of Georgia’s breakaway republics of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia, the Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry said.

Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia on August 26, two weeks
after it had concluded its operation "to force Georgia to peace." The
operation came in response to an attack by Georgian forces on breakaway
South Ossetia on August 8.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega announced on Tuesday during
ceremonies for the 29th anniversary of the founding of the Latin
American state’s army that "Nicaragua recognizes the independence of S.
Ossetia and Abkhazia and fully supports the Russian government’s
position."

Nicaragua has become the first country after Russia to recognize the
two republics as independent states. Both South Ossetia and Abkhazia
broke away from Tbilisi in the early 1990s after bloody conflicts with
Georgia. Russia later granted citizenship to the majority of residents
of the two pro-Russian regions.

Russia has now withdrawn its regular troops from Georgia, but insists
it can maintain checkpoints in security zones near the regions under
the ceasefire deal brokered by France. Moscow has also accused Tbilisi
of building up troops near South Ossetia.

Western nations have strongly criticized Russia for its
"disproportionate" response to Georgia’s attack and the recognition of
Georgia’s breakaway provinces. NATO-Russia cooperation has also been
frozen.

Ortega, who led a Soviet-backed government that battled U.S.-supported
Contra rebels in the late 1980s, sharply criticized the West for
attempting to surround Russia and investing millions of dollars through
NATO to "build a military fence against Russia."