Author: Nalchajian Markos

Merinews, India
Sept 7 2008

Armenia-Turkey relationship improves after decades

The Turkish president Abdullah Gul met his Armenian counterpart, Serzh
Sarkisian over a football match between the two nations. Amid protests
they decided to end the enmity over the killings of Armenians by the
Ottomans during the First World War..

DESPITE VEHEMENT protests by the Armenian citizens, the Turkish
president, Abdullah Gul and his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sarkisian
decided to overcome decades of enmity and disagreement over the
massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman forces during the First World
War. This decision was taken by the leaders of both states after the
Turkish head came to Yerevan to enjoy a football match between Turkey
and Armenia at Hrazdan stadium on Saturday (September 6). Both agreed
to forget the past rivalries that existed between them for decades and
attempted to build an amicable relationship now. After returning to
Ankara, the capital of Turkey, Gul told the media that his visit to
Yerevan was successful from every aspect. A friendly relationship is
essential for the overall development of the two neighbouring states.

Gul is also the first Turkish president who has visited Armenia after
the First World War. His Armenian counterpart, Sarkisian also stated
before the media on Sunday (September 7) that only a positive
political will would block all negative impressions from being passed
to the next generation.

Though the two state heads are trying their best to mitigate all kinds
of political tension between them, the Armenian people showed vehement
protest against such an attempt. Several hundred angry protesters
queued at the route of Gul’s motorcade, holding aloft the Armenian
flag and nationalist emblems.

Meanwhile, the football match was conducted amid an impregnable
security with a Turkey beating Armenia 2-0. To avert any kind of
violence, Gul had to watch the match from behind a special
bullet-proof cover.

Turkey and Armenia had no diplomatic relations after the First World
War as 1.5 million Armenians were brutally killed between 1915 and
1917 in orchestrated massacres by the Ottoman Turks, which was
referred by the Armenians as ‘genocide’. But, Turkey rejected the
label of ‘genocide’ and argued that at least 3,00,000 to 5,00,000
Armenians and Turks died in civil strife when Armenians declared
independence in eastern Anatolia and sided with the invading Russian
troops, thereby favouring the bullets.

Turkey’s Gul sees hope beyond Armenia soccer match
Reuters,
Saturday September 6 2008
By Paul de Bendern

ANKARA, Sept 6 (Reuters) – Turkish President Abdullah Gul expressed
hope on Saturday that a landmark soccer match between Turkey and
Armenia would aid a "rapprochement" of neighbouring nations at odds for
nearly 100 years.
Gul spoke on departure for Yerevan, where he will attend Saturday
evening’s World Cup qualifier at the Hrazdan stadium and become the
first Turkish leader to step foot in Armenia.
"This match is important beyond being the first match between the
Turkish and Armenian national teams," he told a news conference. "It
has a significance that will present important opportunities."
Ankara and Yerevan have no diplomatic ties but a relationship haunted
by the killings of hundreds of thousands of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey
during World War One. Armenians describe the events as genocide, but
Turkey argues Turks and Armenians alike were killed in partisan warfare.
"I hope today’s match will contribute to removing barriers to the
rapprochement of two peoples with a common history, and contribute to
regional peace and stability," said Gul.
Turkey has never opened an embassy in Armenia and in 1993 Ankara closed
their land border in a show of solidarity with Azerbaijan, a
Turkic-speaking ally which was fighting Armenian-backed separatists
over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
But Russia’s decision last month to send its forces into Georgia, an
ex-Soviet state which borders both Armenia and Turkey, has convinced
many that it is time for Ankara and Yerevan to put their differences
aside.
SOCCER SYMBOLISM
"We saw a month ago how unresolved issues in the Caucasus threaten
peace in the region," Gul said. "Making this trip at such a time makes
it especially important."
The Turkish leader said talks with Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan
would include issues of bilateral relations and Nagorno-Karabakh.
In Yerevan, police said "strengthened security measures" would be in
place, with streets around the stadium and the presidential office
closed to traffic.
The nationalist Dashnaktsutyun party says it will protest Gul’s visit,
demanding Turkey recognise the World War One killings as genocide.
Activists will light candles at a memorial to the killings that lies on
a hillside above the stadium.
Armenia says 1.5 million ethnic Armenians died at the hands of Ottoman
Turks. Turkey denies there was genocide and says the deaths were the
result of inter-ethnic conflict that also killed many Muslim Turks.
If they can move beyond the soccer symbolism to re-establish normal
relations, that could have huge significance for Turkey’s role as a
regional power, for energy flows from the Caspian Sea and for Western
influence in the South Caucasus.
landlocked Armenia, a Soviet republic until 1991, could also derive
enormous benefits from the opening of the frontier with its large
neighbour and the restoration of a key rail link.
Western-backed pipelines shipping oil and gas from the Caspian Sea to
Turkey’s Mediterranean coast bypass Armenia and bend north instead to
go through Georgia.
With that route looking vulnerable after the Russian intervention,
Armenia could be an attractive alternative route.
For a blog, click on:
h-armenian-soccer-diplomacy/

RIA Novosti, Russia
Sept 5 2008

Regional security council to consider developments in Georgia
10:36 | 05/ 09/ 2008

MOSCOW, September 5 (RIA Novosti) – Members of the CSTO Security
Council will meet in Moscow on Friday to discuss developments in
Georgia and South Ossetia and adopt a declaration, a Kremlin source
said.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is a security
grouping comprising Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Today’s meeting plans to "discuss the military and political
developments, in the light of the situation in South Ossetia, and
measures to reduce emerging threats to our collective security," the
source said.

CSTO security council heads met on Wednesday in Yerevan, Armenia,
where they backed a Russian proposal to impose an arms embargo on
Georgia.

The CSTO also held a foreign ministerial meeting on Thursday to urge
strict implementation of a French-brokered peace plan signed by all
sides in the dispute "to prevent new attempts to use force in settling
the conflict and securing peace and stability in the region."

South Ossetia was attacked by Georgian forces on August 8. The
majority of residents of South Ossetia are Russian passport holders,
and Moscow launched a massive operation to expel Georgian troops from
the region and to reinforce its peacekeepers.

On August 26, Russia recognized South Ossetia and another Georgian
breakaway republic, Abkhazia, as independent states.

Xinhua, China
Sept 5 2008

Medvedev says Moscow backed by CSTO over Russian-Georgian conflict

2008-09-06 03:18:39

MOSCOW, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) — Leaders of the members of the
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) condemned Georgia over
its actions in South Ossetia and backed Moscow’s role in the recent
conflict, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Friday.

"Our partners in the organization have made an unequivocally
negative assessment of Georgia’s actions, Georgia’s aggression in
South Ossetia, and supported Russia’s active role, highlighting the
need to ensure lasting security in South Ossetia and Abkhazia,"
Medvedev said at a press conference after the CSTO summit in Moscow.

The CSTO member states "are deeply concerned by Georgia’s attempt
to resolve the conflict in South Ossetia through the use of force,"
which led to "numerous casualties among noncombatants and
peacekeepers," he was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency assaying.

On the recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,
the Russian president said the CSTO countries will make their own
decisions in line with the basis of international law, but they will
also be guided by national interests.

Georgia sent in troops to reclaim its breakaway region of South
Ossetia on Aug. 8, triggering a military counter-offensive by
Russia. The conflict ended with a ceasefire agreement between Tbilisi
and Moscow brokered by France.

Russia’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the other
breakaway region of Georgia, as independent states last week further
strained its relations with the former Soviet republic.

The CSTO is a security grouping comprising Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The next
CSTO summit will be held in Moscow in the second quarter of 2009. ã

TURKEY MUST STOP SPEAKING WITH PRE-CONDITIONS
Naira Khachatryan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
05 Sep 2008
Armenia

The Responsible Representative of the Office of Armenian Cause and
Political Issues of ARFD Bureau Kiro Manoyan was the guest of "Urbat"
club yesterday.

After the independence of the Republic of Armenia, by making
pre-conditions, Turkey has refused to establish diplomatic relations
with our country. Kiro Manoyan says in case Turkey doesn’t change
that stance, the visit of the Turkish president to Armenia won’t
change anything. "The visits aimed at advocacy will never change the
atmosphere. There should be a political will, and Turkey is the one
to display that political will. They should change their policy of
the previous 17 years towards Armenia."

"Why did Gyul accept the visit made by Armenian President? Do you think
by this visit the Turkish President will come out with new proposals?"

"In my view Turkey’s interest derives from the notion that their
policy adopted beginning from 1993 (blockade, refusing to establish
diplomatic relations) actually failed. And this fact makes them take
certain steps.

We shouldn’t overlook the fact that the war somehow made the processes
taking place in the region swifter. But I don’t think the Turkish
President will ever cede. The only change will be their refusing
pre-conditions, and their20posture to speak with ultimatums, though
I wouldn’t like to hurry in my optimism," Kiro Manoyan said.

As regards the protest function organized by Dashnaktsutyun party:
"If in our country it is allowed to hold protests against the President
then we can definitely hold a demonstration against the person invited
by the President, especially if it is within the politically accepted
norms.

We shouldn’t also forget that it is the first visit of the Turkish
President to Armenia and we must remind him that this visit doesn’t
imply anything, in case we manage to solve the problems existing
between the two countries. We will express our political posture in
a normal accepted form. In my view our President will understand this
and I’m sure our people will participate."

Touching upon the pre-conditions the speaker said: "If we start
speaking with pre-conditions, then we have both political, legal and
moral grounds to make pre-conditions. But we never do that. And they
also don’t have the right to speak with pre-conditions.

The issue of the Genocide is one of their pre-conditions, which is
firstly a matter of security for Armenia. If we start establishing
relations with a country that has committed a crime against us,
against humanity and they don’t want to accept it, to shoulder
the responsibility, how can we be in normal relations with that
state? Artsakh=2 0issue is Turkey’s next pre-condition. They say:
"Either you will do what Azerbaijan wants or we will close the
border." But we are against it. They also dictate us to refuse our
rights, to recognize Kars agreement, which is an illegal document and
has been many times breached by Turkey, itself. These are the issues
that must be discussed."

According to the speaker the opening of the boundary can become an
indicator of changing the stance: "After all Turkey must do that,
if they want to change their hostile attitude towards Armenia. The
blockade that Turkey has started against Armenia is a form of war,
according to the international law. If they want to have normal
relations with Armenia they must at least lift the blockade. But the
opening of the border won’t solve all the issues. We also need a regime
regulating the border, which is possible only after the establishment
of diplomatic relations. Thus Turkey has lots of things to do. But
the opening of the border can be completed very swiftly."

Armenia must be prepared for the opening of the border. "Should we
not be prepared for the opening of the border it can have very bad
consequences.

For example last week Turkey announced that the government would
pay credits without percentage to the exporters. It will give an
opportunity for invasion, which will harm our economy, in case we
are not well prepared f or that."

TURKISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM IN ARMENIA

Hurriyet
Sept 5 2008
Turkey

The Turkish national football team arrived on Friday in Armenia for
their first match in the 2010 World Cup qualifying group.

Turkey and Armenia will compete in group five together with Spain,
Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Estonia.

Turkish Football Federation Chairman Mahmut Ozgener said Turkey would
face challenging matches against Armenia.

"But we want to get six points in these two games," Ozgener was quoted
as saying by the Anatolian Agency.

RUSSIA ALLIES FAIL TO BACK MOSCOW ON ENCLAVES

Hurriyet
Sept 4 2008
Turkey

A group of Moscow’s ex-Soviet allies on Thursday stopped short of
following Russia’s recognition of two breakaway regions in Georgia.

While their statement criticized Georgia’s aggression it made no
reference to Russia’s recognition last month of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia as independent states. To date, only Nicaragua has followed
Russia’s lead.

Russia sent troops deep into the Caucasus state last month to prevent
Georgian rebels from being crushed by Tbilisi.

But the defense ministers of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (ODKB) did not follow Russia’s lead and recognize South
Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, leaving Moscow in almost
complete international isolation.

"The ministers are deeply concerned about Georgia’s military activities
in South Ossetia, which led to multiple civilian casualties … and
a major humanitarian catastrophe," they said in a final statement
following their meeting in Moscow.

The Russia-led ODKB also includes Belarus, Armenia and the Asian
ex-Soviet states of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The West has condemned Russia for the intervention in which its troops
took under control both separatist provinces and seized a large chunk
of Georgian territory outside them.

Russia says it has withdrawn most of its forces from the conflict zone
under a ceasefire deal mediated by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

But it has said it will keep a limited number of peacekeepers in
"buffer zones" on Georgian territory proper until an effective security
mechanism involving international monitors is in place.

"The events around South Ossetia showed the danger of double standards
in international relations," the statement said in a clear sign of
support for Russian claims of Western bias in assessing the Georgian
crisis.

The ministerial meeting of ODKB took place ahead of the group’s summit
in Moscow on Friday, at which Russia intends to press for full support
for its actions in Georgia.

Russia’s initial attempt last week to win backing from another friendly
alliance — the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) grouping
Russia, China and the four ex-Soviet Asian republics — failed.

China and most ex-Soviet states, some of whom have separatist problems
of their own, declined to back Russia too strongly to avoid irking
the West with which they are trying to build ties.

The ODKB statement, which also acknowledged Russia’s active role as
a security guarantor in the Caucasus, appeared to offer Moscow firmer
support than the SCO document.

But it did not contain any sign that the allies planned to recognize
South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as sought by Moscow.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, however, that Moscow
was generally happy with the document.

"It lays the stress in the right place and includes all the right
remarks, including the unacceptable nature of Georgia’s actions
against South Ossetia … the unacceptable nature of double standards,"
he told a news briefing.

ARSEN MELIK-SHAHNAZAROV: KOSOVO NOT UNIQUE

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.09.2008 14:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There is nothing unique in case with Kosovo,
Arsen Melik-Shahnazarov, advisor to NKR Foreign Minister, said in an
interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

"It’s as unique as abjunction of Sudet region from Czechoslovakia
in 1938. Moreover, no referendum on self-determination was held in
Kosovo. NATO forces acted like Turk Bolsheviks in Nakhichevan in
1920-21. Unlike Nagorno Karabakh, no settlement process goes between
Serbia and Kosovo. There is nothing but diktat from outside, which
conflicts with the UN Security Council Resolution 1244. The Kosovo
model is not unique. Meanwhile, one-sided recognition of independence
will inevitably affect the Azeri-Karabakh conflict," he said.

DICK CHENEY TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT IN BAKU

AZG Armenian Daily
03/09/2008

Karabakh issue

According to the statement of White House, US Vice President
Dick Cheney during his coming visit to Baku will discuss issues of
peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict, US assistance for efforts in
strengthening of democracy and supremacy of law in Azerbaijan. The
statement mentioned that the main issue to be discussed in Baku
during the visit will be energetics, and that the US want to help
Azerbaijan to develop its energy resources and market it safely. "It
is driven by the interest of both the USA and European countries",
is mentioned in the statement.

The visit of the US Vice President will take place September 3 in
the framework of his visit to South-Caucasian region.

RUSSIA TO MODERNIZE CIS MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM

Asia Pulse
August 28, 2008 Thursday 12:50 PM EST

Russia will allocate over 20 million rubles ($827US,500) for the
modernization of the combined CIS missile defense system in 2008,
Sergei Bulkin, a representative of the secretariat of the CIS
Council of Ministers, said at a meeting of the Council of Ministers
coordination committee on anti-ballistic missile issues in Dushanbe
last week.

Every year, Tajikistan and other CIS countries receive funds for the
modernization of their ABM systems. This year, Tajikistan has received
4 million rubles for this purpose, said Bulkin.

An estimated 21.5 million rubles will be allocated for the development
of the CIS ABM system this year, not taking into account Russia,
Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan.

Belarus will receive 4.3 million rubles for the repair and
modernization of its air defense missile systems, Armenia will
receive 3.5 million rubles for modernization of its radar stations,
and Kazakhstan will get 3.1 million rubles to buy parts for its C-200
air defense missile systems.

The coordination committee is also considering the possibility of
supplying Kazakhstan with equipment for a regional command point
and the headquarters of the combined CIS missile defense system in
central Asia.

In addition, Uzbekistan will probably receive 6.6 million rubles to
buy parts for its missile defense systems.