Author: nina hovnanian

THE HEAD OF ARF FACTION: WE WILL SEE THE BITTER RESULTS OF AZERBAIJAN’S NON-PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP TO THE UN SC

APA
Nov 1 2011
Azerbaijan

Baku-APA. “We will see the bitter results of Azerbaijan’s non-permanent
membership to the United Nation Security Council”, – ARF Dashnaktsutyun
Bureau member, Head of ARFD parliamentary faction Vahan Hovhannisyan
said, APA reports quoting lragir.am website.

He said that Armenia should actively promote his candidacy and should
not allow Azerbaijan to become a member of UN SC.

Hovhannisyan said that the policy that Armenia pursues will always
yield such results.

The head of ARF faction Vahan Hovhannisyan noted that although
Azerbaijan has no right of veto in the Security Council, has the right
to form the agenda. And Baku will not fail to take advantage of it.

ISRAEL GIVES PRIORITY TO AZERBAIJAN OVER ARMENIA

news.az
Nov 1 2011
Azerbaijan

News.Az interviews Israeli journalist and political activist Avigdor
Eskin.

The media report that a high ranking Armenian official is to visit
Israel to examine the potential for cooperation on strategic issues.

Does this seem likely and, if so, why are the details kept secret?

Israel and Armenia long since established diplomatic relations and
contacts between our countries are regular. Certainly, it is possible
to view any Israeli-Armenian contacts today in the light of Ankara’s
hostile attitude towards Jerusalem, but no definite steps are foreseen
by any party.

We can now say for sure that the agenda will include the tragedy of
1915. It should be noted that Israel has never denied that Turkey
allowed the massacres to happen. But the figures presented by the
Armenian side seem unrealistic. Moreover, the Armenians have recently
been accusing us of initiating the massacre and deportation of 1915.

It turned out via Wikileaks that it was the Armenian president that
was behind the anti-Semitic campaign. This all requires discussion.

I have to note that discussions of this issue, like everything else,
will not affect the interests of Baku. Our strategic cooperation will
continue further.

Are relations between Israel and Turkey so bad as to strengthen
relations with Armenia, which is allied with Iran?

Ankara is aggressive and hostile, but Armenia has almost nothing
to offer Israel in this context. There are no clear terms for talks
on strategic cooperation with Yerevan, especially because Israel is
committed to relations with Azerbaijan.

In the light of the media reports, I would like to ask you
a traditional question: may the Knesset recognize the “Armenian
genocide” in response to Turkey?

The Knesset will not recognize the Armenian version as it currently
stands.

Yerevan has already expressed its dissatisfaction that Azerbaijan
is the main CIS importer of Israeli arms. What are the prospects for
Armenian-Israeli cooperation in this sphere?

These talks were held long ago. It is possible to say that Israel
will not establish contacts with Armenia which may hamper deepening
cooperation with Azerbaijan.

The only significant results of talks could be an agreement that
the Israeli lobby will no longer hinder the promotion of Armenian
historical claims against Turkey. But this is not related to
Azerbaijan’s interests. It should be noted that no one is accusing
Azerbaijanis of that tragedy. Moreover, thousands of Azerbaijanis
became indirect victims of the events when they were subjected to
Armenian attacks in 1918-19.

In conclusion: can possible Armenian-Israeli cooperation in the
defence sector target Azerbaijan?

This is ruled out. But the reciprocity principle should be observed
in relations between the two countries. Therefore, if Azerbaijan
expects consistency from Israel on Karabakh, it should not hurry
to recognize the Palestinian state. This is what the principle of
reciprocity demands.

MAIN SITES THE PALESTINIANS WANT ON UN HERITAGE LIST

Agence France Presse
October 31, 2011 Monday 4:54 PM GMT

The Palestinians were on Monday admitted to UNESCO as a full member
in a move which will permit them to apply for historic monuments and
locations to be classified as World Heritage Sites.

There are 20 sites which the Palestinians want to have recognised by
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

Here is a list of the main ones:

BETHLEHEM & THE NATIVITY CHURCH

The main site the Palestinians want recognised as part of their
cultural heritage is the West Bank town of Bethlehem and its Church
of the Nativity, officials say.

Earlier this year, the Palestinians made a formal bid for Bethlehem,
birthplace of Jesus Christ, to be added to UNESCO’s list of World
Heritage sites.

Officials say UNESCO recognition of the Church of the Nativity,
which marks the biblical site where Jesus was born, is crucial for
preserving the fourth century basilica which was built by the Roman
Emperor Constantine.

And preserving the church, which tradition says is built over the
stable where Mary gave birth to Jesus after she and Joseph could not
find any room at the inn, is key to maintaining Bethlehem’s status
as the main Palestinian tourist attraction.

The bid to have Bethlehem and the Nativity Church recognised by the
UN cultural organisation was backed by the Greek Orthodox church as
well as the Catholics and Armenians, who are custodians of the shrine.

UNESCO’s committee on World Heritage sites will meet over the
nominations in July 2012.

HEBRON

The largest city in the West Bank, Hebron is next on the list for
nomination to the list of World Heritage sites for recognition as a
place of historical importance, Palestinians officials say. Known in
Arabic as Al-Khalil, Hebron is one of the oldest cities in the world,
and home to the Tomb of the Patriarchs, a cave believed to house
the burial place of the biblical patriarch Abraham and his family,
who is revered by both Jews and Muslims.

TEL AL-SULTAN, Jericho

Located in the oasis town of Jericho, Tel al-Sultan is an
archaeological site which dates back to the early Bronze Age (9000
BC) and is believed to be the location of the world’s earliest known
settlement. Jericho is also home to Hisham’s Palace, one of the richest
archaeological sites in the Palestinian territories and home of the
biggest mosaic in the Middle East. UNESCO officials say the site has
all the potential for becoming a World Heritage Site.

OTHER LOCATIONS

Other places listed as important natural and cultural heritage sites
by the Palestinian department of antiquities include:

– Mount Gerizim and the ancient Samaritan community

– Qumran caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered

– El-Bariyah wilderness (the Judean desert)

– Dead Sea

– Old City of Nablus

RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

MidEast Mirror
Oct 31 2011

Writing exclusively in the Hebrew edition of Haaretz, Yaakov Ahimeir
argues that Israel is morally compelled to officially acknowledge
the mass murder of Armenians despite the risk to ties with Turkey.

“With the opening of the Knesset’s winter session, one can expect
to once again behold the shame and ignominy with which our lawmakers
conduct themselves. We are accustomed to being embarrassed at their
behavior. But it is fair to say that another layer of disgrace will
be added once, as expected, a measure put forth by MK Aryeh Eldad of
the National Union is defeated by a significant majority.

This is what Eldad, who is unsure of which parliamentarians will
back his bill, predicts. Of one thing he is certain – Meretz will
be on his side. How often do these two strange bedfellows – Meretz
and the National Union – come to agreement on an issue? It is when
that issue involves the obvious, moral imperative in recognizing the
genocide that was perpetrated against the Armenian people.

‘We will fight like lions, but we will fall like flies,’ Eldad
predicts. During the previous Knesset session, as relations between
Israel and Turkey were in a free fall, the parliament, with the
enthusiastic support of speaker Reuven Rivlin, agreed to Meretz MK
Zehava Gal-On’s recommendation to hold a committee discussion on the
significance of the Armenian genocide.

This parliamentary torch was passed onto Gal-On by the previous Meretz
chairman, Haim Oron, who waged a heroic years-long battle on this
issue until his retirement from politics. Indeed, is there anything
more natural for the legislature of the Jewish state than to take a
few steps toward parliaments in the Western and democratic world and
recognize the genocide of the Armenian people?

What seems obvious, however, to some – that a nation that lost a third
of its people in the Holocaust would acknowledge the extermination of
a third of another people – doesn’t appear that way to the ministerial
committee on legislation. This panel ruled that the coalition should
remove Eldad’s proposal from the agenda.

The reason given is the ‘sensitivity’ of the matter. In other words,
the sensitivity of Israel’s relationship with Turkey is at stake. For
decades, Israeli governments and parliaments have bowed to Turkish
pressure and refrained from recognizing the Armenian genocide,
which was carried out by the Ottoman Empire during World War I. This
disgraceful capitulation was done for the sake of our ties with Turkey.

Strangely, however, this capitulation is being repeated at a time
when ties between Ankara and Jerusalem are frayed. Here is a naïve
question: Should the Armenian genocide be a subject that is dearer
to the hearts of Argentinean lawmakers who recognized this chapter in
history through legislation in 1985? And what about the over 40 U.S.
states who have officially acknowledged the genocide?

French President Nicolas Sarkozy recently called on Turkey to recognize
the mass murder of Armenians. He even went so far as to threaten that
denial of the Armenian genocide – like the denial of the Holocaust
– would constitute a criminal violation in France if the Turkish
government insisted on its refusal. It is very likely that Sarkozy is
attempting to solicit the political support of the sizeable Armenian
community (500,000 citizens) in France, which is preparing to hold a
presidential election. This issue, however, has already cost France
dearly in its relations with Turkey.

Things would look much differently if only a majority of MKs would
oppose the ministerial committee on legislation and support Eldad’s
bill. Argentina, yes; France, yes; dozens of other countries, yes.

Will Israel be the only country that votes no? No to the recognition
of genocide?”

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT EXPECTS 4.2% ECONOMY GROWTH IN 2012

Mediamax
Nov 1 2011
Armenia

Yerevan/Mediamax/. The Armenian government expects 4.2% economy growth
in 2012 against the 4.6% growth registered in 2011.

The Armenian Prime Minister said this presenting Armenia’s draft
state budget at the joint session of parliamentary commissions today.

“By planning a lower growth index, first of all we take into account
the external challenges and risks as well as assessments made
by international organizations. In particular, the world economy
deteriorated in 2011”, said the Prime Minister.

“Economic forecasts of the Russian Federation where the 4% growth
index was taken as basis as well are most important for us. Our
forecasts were based on the common environment in the first place.

Simultaneously, the decrease in the planned index of economic growth
makes the indices of our state budget more realistic. We should
accumulate resources to face the possible new challenges”, noted the
Prime Minister.

TARON MARGARYAN: “ALL THE STALLS IN ABOVYAN STREET ARE SURELY TO BE DISMANTLED”

AZG DAILY
02-11-2011

Acting Mayor Taron Margaryan during a working conference instructed
the heads of the administrative districts and the executives of
corresponding departments to set everyday control over the developers
regarding removing building waste to special places, ensuring building
arrangement by the established order and stressed that the developers
should always be careful in this issue, and in general, building
culture should gradually become a tradition.

With the aim of assessment of sanitary conditions at markets
and in underground crossings, the executive of the State Hygienic
Anti-Epidemic Inspection reported that inspections were going on in
the markets and in the underground crossings, in the result of which
a number of defects had been registered and certain term was limited
for their elimination. Those entities which broke their liabilities
were subjected to administrative penalties.

“I suggest making up a big working group and in teamwork with
the administrative districts carrying out inspections in the same
markets during this month. We should use all our leverages to make
the population be pleased with the level of servicing”, said Taron
Margaryan. The head of Nature Protection Department submitted the
financial assessment and the draft regarding landscaping, irrigation
system installation in slop areas of Yerevan streets, as well as
regarding repairing of the irrigation network of previously irrigated
areas provided for 2012. It was reported that according to demand,
with the purpose of landscaping 12 administrative districts were
given humus and grass seeds.

Taking into account the weather conditions, the final term for
finishing asphalting, crack filling and improvement activities in
some areas was set November 30. It was instructed to inventory once
again the areas where there is need for repairmen and set a special
control over asphalting companies to ensure the quality of work and
its finishing in the established terms. With the purpose of income
collection ensuring it was instructed to take all necessary measures
and focus on the collection process.

In the regard of illegal stalls as well as the stalls with expired
terms of leasing or building development rights Taron Margaryan
stressed that the process is continuous.

“We shall continue the negotiations with the owners and submit
acceptable proposals of the problem solution. All the stalls in
Abovyan street are surely to be dismantled”, noted Taron Margaryan.

Referring to the problem of winter preparations of kindergartens
and schools, the head of General Education Department reported
that the heating problem of pre-schooling institutions and schools
has mainly been solved. It was reported that the installation of
heating systems in 12 kindergartens is going on at the moment. Taron
Margaryan once again instructed to inventory all the problems existing
in educational establishments in the approach of the heating season
and provide complete finish of the activities within the determined
terms, Information and Public Relations Department of the City Hall
of Yerevan reports.

TANER AKCAM WINS FREE-SPEECH CASE IN EUROPEAN COURT
Taner Akcam

Published: Tuesday November 01, 2011

Worcester, Mass. – The European Court of Human Rights ruled on October
25 that a violation was committed against freedom of expression in
the case of Clark University Professor Taner Akcam.

Akcam, the first Turkish scholar to publicly express his conviction
that the 1915 Armenian genocide occurred under the Ottoman Empire (of
which Turkey is a successor state), brought his case to the European
court to tackle the constant fear of prosecution that caused him to
stop writing on the subject in 2007.

“There is no ‘Armenian’ side or ‘Turkish’ side to history,” Akcam said
in an October 27 interview with Today’s Zaman, an English-language
newspaper in Turkey. “To discuss what really happened in history is
to speak freely and openly about it, without legends or myths.”

Akcam holds the only endowed chair in the world dedicated to research
and teaching on the subject of the Armenian Genocide. The ruling
is the subject of intense discussion in Turkey where talk about the
Genocide has long been criminalized.

Akcam, who has published widely on the subject of the Armenian
Genocide, feared prosecution by the Turkish government under Article
301. The law makes it a crime to insult Turkishness and it has been
used to prosecute writers and intellectuals, like Noble prize-winning
author Orhan Pamuk. Although Turkey had not brought charges against
Akcam under Article 301, he was the subject of numerous legal
actions and the target of death threats and intimidation from Turkish
ultranationalists. The court agreed with his claim that he faced risk
of prosecution despite amendments having been made to the Turkish law.

In 2006, Professor Akcam wrote an editorial in the bilingual
Turkish-Armenian newspaper AGOS to support his friend Armenian
Journalist Hrant Dink, the late editor of AGOS, against the prosecution
for the crime of “denigrating Turkishness” under Article 301 of
the Turkish Criminal Code. He also requested, in an expression of
solidarity, to be prosecuted on the same ground for his opinions on
the Armenian issue Istanbul. Akcam’s article led to three complaints
being filed against him for allegedly denigrating Turkishness. Hrant
Dink was assassinated in January 2007 in Istanbul.

“Article 301 is a murderous law that killed Hrant Dink and it has
been killing the freedom of speech in Turkey,” Akcam said. “Without
acknowledging a historic wrongdoing there will be no democracy. Turkey
should learn that facing history and coming to terms with past
human rights abuses is not a crime but a prerequisite for peace and
reconciliation in the region.”

Despite not having “victim status,” the court recognized that criminal
complaints filed against Akcam for his views on the Armenians had
become a campaign of harassment. The court further found that while
the current government had made changes to the law, Akcam could
not be sure that, in the future, he would be safe should there be a
shift in political will or a change of policy by a new government,
and there has been an interference with the exercise of his right to
freedom of expression.

Akcam’s case, though granted this important initial victory, is still
open for three months to referral and review by the Grand Chamber of
the Court. If a referral request is made but refused then the judgment
will proceed in being executed by the Committee of Ministers of the
Council of Europe.

Akcam holds the Robert Aram and Marianne Kaloosdian and Stephen
and Marian Mugar Endowed Chair of Armenian Genocide Studies at
the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Clark
University.

Since its founding in 1887, Clark University in Worcester, Mass., has
a history of challenging convention. As an innovative liberal arts
college and research university, Clark’s world-class faculty leads
a community of creative thinkers and passionate doers and offers a
range of expertise. Clark is nationally recognized in the areas of
psychology, geography, management, urban education, Holocaust and
genocide studies, environmental studies, and international development
and social change. Clark’s students, faculty and alumni embody the
Clark motto: Challenge convention. Change our world.

PRIME MINISTER RECEIVES MEMBERS OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 1, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan received today the delegation members of the European
Parliament, headed by Co-Chairman of EU-Armenia Parliamentary
Cooperation Committee Milan Cabrnoch.

Governmental press service told Armenpress that welcoming the guests
the Prime Minister expressed confidence that suchlike meetings give
an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues of bilateral interest.

Milan Cabrnoch expressed gratitude for the warm reception and
introduced the delegation members.

Then an active exchange of thoughts followed, during which the members
of the European Parliament were interested in regional issues,
Armenia’s relations with neighboring countries, democratization
processes of our country, management issues and current political
situation.

Referring to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Prime Minister Sargsyan
pointed out the need for its peaceful regulation and attached
importance to the activity of OSCE Minsk Group in that direction.

Referring to EU-Armenia cooperation, the head of the government
expressed gratification on the negotiations process over EU-Armenia
Association Agreement.

Tigran Sargsyan positively assessed the activity of the EuroNest,
and noted that it creates a good opportunity for enhancement of
bilateral inter-parliamentary ties and experience exchange.

With the guests’ request the Prime Minister referred to Armenia’s
internal political events. Particularly, issues on the upcoming
parliamentary elections, leadership-opposition relations were
touched upon.

To mention, the delegation of the European Parliament has arrived in
Armenia to participate in the 12th meeting of EU-Armenia Parliamentary
Cooperation Committee, which will be held November 2-3 in Yerevan.

Committee’s co-chairperson from the Armenian party is NA member,
chairperson of the NA Standing Committee on European Integration
Naira Zohrabyan.

ARMENIAN FM NALBANDIAN RECEIVES INDIAN HIGH-RANKING DIPLOMAT

Tert.am
01.11.11

Armenia’s Foreign Minsiter Edward Nalbandian has met with India’s
Secretary of East Issues Sanjay Singh, according to a press release
by the Foreign Minsitry.

Nalbandian highly rated the recent activeness in Armenian-Indian
relations, adding that Armenia is interested in further deepening and
strengthening of traditionally warm bilateral and friendly relations.

Sanjay Singh stressed that India treats Armenia and the Armenian
people with special warmth and that the Indian authorities intend to
extend friendly partnership and cooperation with Armenia.

They also discussed the results of the session of the Intergovernmental
Commission of Economic Cooperation and the consultations between the
foreign ministries of the two countries.

Further, the Nalbandian and Singh spoke about programs aimed at
expanding cooperation in the sphere of politics, economy, education,
internet technologies, culture and health care, as well as further
steps to be taken for the implementation of those programs.

The two diplomats exchanged views on a series of regional and world
issues. Nalbandyan also briefed him on the issues in the South Caucasus
and Armenia’s stance on their settlement.

Nalbandian also thanked Singh for India’s balanced position over the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

ARMENIA ALLOCATES 150B DRAMS TO MILITARY SPENDING

Tert.am
01.11.11

Armenia’s 2012 budget allocates 150 billion Armenian drams for military
spending which is 5.6% more than it was in 2011.

The figures were unveiled on Tuesday before the National Assembly
discussed behind closed doors the issue of appropriations for the
military sector in 2012.

The new military budget makes 3.5% of the country’s gross domestic
product.

Speaking to reporters at the parliament Armenia’s Defense Minister
Seyran Ohanyan said the ministry is planning to spend the additional
funds first of all for structural changes and recruitment.

“The funds will also be used for the implementation of the arms and
military equipment program aimed at both modernization and recruitment
problems,” said Ohanyan.

He also said that third direction where those funds will be used is
the use and preservation of the newly-obtained systems and equipment.

“The added funds are to some extent also related to inflation,”
Ohanyan explained.

No pay rise is planned in the defense system, Seyran Ohanyan added.