Author: nina hovnanian

AZERBAIJANIS LOSE APPETITE BECAUSE OF A SONG – NEWSPAPER

news.am
Oct 21 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Session of the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent
States (CIS) Interior Ministers’ Council was held in the Armenian
capital Yerevan, and, as it is known, Azerbaijani Minister of Internal
Affairs Ramil Usubov was among the officials who had arrived in
Yerevan, Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun daily writes.

“A fairly interesting incident occurred during the informal part
of that gathering. Armenia’s Police Chief Alik Sargsyan invited the
CIS interior ministers to a restaurant for a sumptuous dinner. [And]
In order to secure the fun with song and dance, the Police Force also
invited several representatives from Armenian show business. And one
of them, Vardan Badalyan, who is born in Karabakh, began singing a song
from his album, and the song was dedicated to Karabakh. The Azerbaijani
delegation suddenly lost appetite from the [song’s] chorus line,
where the word Karabakh continuously repeated. They simply put down
[their] knives and forks, and with an apparent discontent began loudly
complaining about what has happened. Armenia’s Police Chief and his
entourage fell in an awkward situation and were compelled to reassure
that there is no political insinuation, and that the singer simply
chose that song from his repertoire,” Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun writes.

AZERBAIJAN WILL HARDLY GET A PLACE AT UN SECURITY COUNCIL

arminfo
Friday, October 21, 18:10

Decision on Azerbaijan’s application for temporary membership of
the UN Security Council will be studied considering the fact of the
unresolved Karabakh conflict in the region, Ms. Dafina Gercheva UN
Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia told
media in Yerevan, Friday.

She said that the possible negative influence of Azerbaijan’s
membership of the UN Security Council on the peace process will be
taken into account as well. Ms. Gercheva recalled that the UN has no
mandate in the Karabakh peace process. Nevertheless, the UN supports
the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group in the peaceful resolution of
the conflict.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan
urged the UN members to support Azerbaijan’s application for
non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

DELEGATION OF THE ITALIAN SENATE IS IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 21, 2011
YEREVAN

Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian received today the
delegation of the Italian Senate comprising of members of the Senate’s
EU Policy Affairs Committee Rossana Boldi, Cristiano De Eccher and
chairperson of the Armenia-Italy parliamentary friendship group
Albertina Soliani.

Welcoming the guests Minister Nalbandian noted that Armenian-Italian
friendly relations have deep traditions, and Armenia is interested in
developing cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral formats. The
minister stressed the importance of the parliamentary format for the
development of inter-state cooperation.

The Italian parliamentarians noted that they have arrived in Armenia to
promote development of partnership with Armenia’s National Assembly,
discuss the current state and prospects of Armenia-EU relations,
get acquainted with the reforms underway in Armenia. They convinced
that they will continue contributing to the development of friendly
relations between Armenia and Italy.

During the meeting the interlocutors touched upon reinforcement
of Armenian-Italian relations, Armenia-EU cooperation, solution of
regional issues.

NUMBER OF TOURISTS GROWS BY 18% IN ARMENIA

Tert.am
21.10.11

Expert analyses reveal that tourism in January-September grew by 18%
compared to the same period of last year, the deputy minister of
economy has said.

Ara Petrosyan told a news conference on Friday that Armenia had
580,000 tourists in the past nine months.

He said the country is expected to have more than 800,000 visitors this
year, against the 684,000 in 2010. Petrosyan added that the tourists
‘number in the first six months of 2011 had increased by 16.8% in
comparison with the same period of last year.

He noted further that the number increased twice in hotels, rising
from 28,520 in January-June 2010 to 52,450 in the first six months of
this year. According to the deputy minister, the number of tourists
from Great Britain has increased 3.5 times and those from Germany –
twice. As for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), he said
tourists from those countries have increased more than twice in number.

Further he said that 10 new hotel complexes have been built in Yerevan
and the regions in the past two years.

TURKEY, IRAN DISCUSS COOPERATION AGAINST KURDISH REBELS

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 21, 2011 – 12:58 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Turkey on Friday, October 21, sought Iran’s support
for its fight against Kurdish rebels, as thousands of troops pressed
ahead with an air and ground offensive against militants in northern
Iraq for a third day.

According to AP, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met Iranian Foreign
Minister Ali Akbar Salehi in Ankara to discuss closer cooperation
against the rebels, who also have fought Iran.

Turkey and Iran have in the past staged coordinated attacks against
the main rebel base on Qandil Mountain, which sits on the Iraqi-Iranian
border.

About 10,000 Turkish troops were pursuing Kurdish rebels in
southeastern Turkey and across the border in Iraq since Wednesday
after 24 soldiers were killed by the rebels in the deadliest one-day
attacks against the military since the mid-1990s.

It was the nation’s largest attack on the insurgents in more than three
years. The Turkish military said Friday that the offensive largely
concentrated against targets within Turkey but that a few targets
were under fire from the ground and air across the Iraqi border.

On Friday, warplanes flew several bombing sorties out of a military
base in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir, the state-run
TRT television said. The airstrikes were targeting rebel camps in
Zap and Hakurk areas as well as Qandil, it said.

Iraq on Thursday promised to stop the rebels from using Iraqi territory
for future attacks against Turkey. It was not clear if Iraqi Kurdish
forces in the north of the country will again assist Turkish troops
against the Turkish Kurdish rebels as they did in the early 1990s.

The Kurdish rebel attack has fueled nationalist sentiment in Turkey.

Tens of thousands of people, including high school students, took to
the streets in protest Thursday, calling for tougher action against
the rebels.

Turkey’s conflict with the Kurdish rebels has killed tens of thousands
of people since the insurgents took up arms to fight for autonomy in
the country’s Kurdish-dominated southeast in 1984.

ARMENIA AS “SHIELD” AGAINST ISLAMIC INVASION?
Karine Ter-Sahakyan

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 18, 2011

In connection with the “Arab spring” that seems endless, Turkey’s
recent behavior has been considerably worrying the Western
civilization, which now faces the threat of Muslim expansion.

Following French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to the region, U.S.
Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, as expected, started an
official visit, too. If we also add to this the upcoming visit of
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to Moscow, it turns out that the
U.S., EU and Russia have started preparations not only for their own
elections, but also for the regional ones.

PanARMENIAN.Net – Intensification of diplomatic ties seems justified in
this case and primarily proceeds from the interests of major players in
the region. Both the U.S. and Europe are concerned about who will come
to power in Armenia. Things are clear with Azerbaijan: Ilham Aliyev
will remain in power for long, but hardly will he be happy; Georgia
is fairly predictable too, whereas things are a bit complicated with
Armenia. It’s not about the unpredictability of Armenian home policy,
which, in fact, is quite transparent and predictable. It’s about the
outside world. It’s so happened that Armenian-Turkish relations,
recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the politically weighty
Armenian Diaspora can be a challenge greater than construction of
pipelines. After all, gas and pipe route can be negotiated, while it’s
much harder to come to terms with the Armenian Diaspora, not only
in the issue of Armenian Genocide recognition and Armenian-Turkish
relations. Actually the problem rests upon the economic isolation of
Armenia, which seems to have no end. As for Russia, she, as always,
has her own view of things, expressing it rather roughly, though to the
point: “There is no getting away from us”. There is a grain of truth in
these words: purely geographically, Russia borders the South Caucasus
and in case of unfavorable development can immediately introduce her
“peacekeepers” into the country, while neither the U.S. nor Europe can
do the same. This is, of course, good for Armenia on the one hand, but
on the other – not really, because all the by-products and illnesses of
the Russian state directly affect the RA, unfortunately. And in order
to reduce these by-products to a minimum, senior U.S. and European
officials, not to mention the president of France, visit Yerevan from
time to time.

As mentioned above, among the issues discussed in Yerevan there
can be singled out one that has become a trouble for the EU and the
U.S.. It is the Armenian-Turkish relations, or rather the absence
thereof. In connection with the “Arab spring” that seems endless,
Turkey’s recent behavior has been considerably worrying the Western
civilization, which now faces the threat of Muslim expansion. So,
quite understandable is the tough stance of France and Germany
in preventing Turkey’s EU membership. Armenia, by that logic, can
somewhat reduce Turkey’s chances of EU membership, so long as Ankara
is unlikely to fully restore diplomatic relations. Parenthetically,
this also true about Yerevan. Nevertheless, one should remember that
not everyone in Europe has realized the danger of Islamic penetration,
and Sweden, Britain, Spain, Italy and Finland are still supporting
the Turkish government, despite the fact that the number of Muslims
in these countries is growing exponentially and the likelihood of
terrorist attacks becomes greater.

Turkish daily Vatan reports that at one time there was drawn
up a secret action plan on Turkey’s accession to the EU, before
the presidency of Cyprus, which now threatens to veto Turkey’s
membership issue. Turkey also does not leave this move of Cyrus
unanswered and threatens to break off relations with the EU, should
Cyprus take presidency in 2012. What the EU leaders will arrive at
is difficult to say: decisions are made by consensus. The rotation
principle cannot be changed as there is the Charter, but to quarrel
with Turkey is unprofitable, too. Nevertheless, we believe that
common sense prevails in the EU, and all the “politically correct”
statements of Foreign Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt and EU Commissioner
for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Mr. Å tefan Fule
will not seriously affect the attitude of France and Germany. These
countries are concerned about saving the euro and the European Union in
general as a single economic space, which, however, does not prevent
them from shielding themselves against Islamic expansion.

Under these circumstances Armenia may receive some benefits, but to
serve as a Christian shield against Islam is not so beneficial: this
position of a “shield” will lead to no good. And Christian countries
are “renowned” for leaving their loyal friends as unnecessary.

REP. CHU JOINS ANCA-WR FOR OCTOBER MEET & GREET

asbarez
Thursday, October 20th, 2011

Rep. Judy Chu

PASADENA-The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
announced that Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32-D-El Monte) will be
the featured guest at its October Meet and Greet Series event. The
reception is being hosted by long-time ANCA-WR supporters Levon and
Silva Kirakosian at their Pasadena home on Sunday, October 30th at
1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Congresswoman Chu, elected to the U.S House of Representatives in the
2009 special election to replace Hilda Solis who had been appointed
U.S. Secretary of Labor by President Barack Obama. Prior to serving
in Congress, Chu was serving her first term on the California Board of
Equalization after completing three terms as a member of the California
State Assembly. A strong supporter of Armenian American issues and an
original co-sponsor of both House Resolution 304, the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, as well as House Resolution 306, the Religious Freedoms and
Return of Church Properties Resolution in the current, 112th Congress.

The event is part of the ongoing ANCA-WR Meet & Greet Series,
where elected officials have the opportunity to discuss issues
of significance to the Armenian American community and their
constituents. The Meet & Greet series highlights the significant
civic engagement of the Armenian American community throughout the
Western Region and the United States, in all aspects of local, state
and national politics.

The ANCA-WR has hosted several successful Meet and Greet events in
2011, most recently with Assemblymembers Anthony Portantino and Katcho
Achadjian as well as Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel. Scores
of community activists and leaders have supported the events, which
underscore the integral relationship between constituents and their
representatives.

Those interested in learning more about the ANCA-WR Meet and Greet
Series, or hosting an event, should email [email protected].

AYF LENDS SUPPORT TO OCCUPY WALL STREET MOVEMENT

asbarez
Thursday, October 20th, 2011

AYF members with Occupy LA participants

LOS ANGELES-On the heels of last Thursday’s national day of student
solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement, members of the AYF-WR
paid a visit to the Los Angeles branch of the campaign to show their
support.

The campaign, which began in New York’s financial district on September
17, has grown dramatically over the last month, challenging the
role of Wall Street behind the economic collapse and the corrosive
influence of money in politics.

“We don’t see this as something partisan,” said AYF member Caspar
Jivalagian. “It is a growing popular movement against corporate
unaccountability and economic injustice. We stand principally in
support of democratic-based efforts to put people over profit.”

Members delivered a letter of solidarity on behalf of the AYF on
Friday, as well as a package of water and food to the protestors
camped out in front of Los Angeles City Hall.

“The Occupy Wall Street movement has gone viral and spread throughout
the world,” added Jivalagian. “We would hope our people would be
inspired by such movements and become vocal about the even sharper
social inequalities and economic injustice in Armenia.”

Meanwhile, Babken DerGrigorian, an AYF member currently studying in
London, was quoted widely in the media on Saturday for his part in
organizing a demonstration in London in support of the movement.

“Occupy Wall Street, media-wise, started out with really bad coverage,”
DerGrigorian was quoted as saying to ABC. “We don’t want anyone
to miss the point of what this is about. Our governments have been
hijacked by corporate interests, and the solutions won’t come from
our politicians.”

Below is the full text of the AYF-WR letter to the Occupy LA
demonstrators.

Dear Occupy LA Protestors, On behalf of the Armenian Youth Federation
we would like to express our solidarity with your peaceful, lively
and democratic movement to awaken social change.

Like many, we share your dismay over the rising inequality and
financial hardship being brought to bear on ordinary people throughout
the country.

Particularly concerning for us, as students, are the skyrocketing
costs of education and mounting student debts. Last year, student
loan obligations reached the $1 trillion mark, surpassing even the
amount owed on credit card debt. Rather than education leading to a
brighter future, young people are finding themselves in a financial
abyss, with few promising job prospects after graduation.

The major financial institutions behind this debt machine and the
economic meltdown continue to reap exorbitant benefits while most
people are seeing their wages stagnate and their taxes spent on
bailouts for Wall Street. While the top 1% enjoys record profits,
the rest of the public faces foreclosures, budget cuts, layoffs,
and financial insecurity.

It is our responsibility as youth to speak out and demand what is
fair. We stand in support of a truly bottom-up, decentralized, and
democratic movement to challenge institutions perpetuating social,
economic, and political injustice.

We view the Occupy Los Angeles protest as a positive, grassroots
effort to address such critical issues. We salute your determination
and stand in support of your initiative.

In Solidarity,

Armenian Youth Federation

DR. KEVORKIAN’S SUICIDE MACHINE AMONGST ITEMS ON AUCTION IN NYC

Gothamist

Oct 20 2011

Next Friday, the late Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s personal effects will be
on the auction block right here in New York City. 140 of his items,
including paintings he created with his own blood and the machine he
used in more than 100 assisted suicides, will be on the block at the
New York Institute of Technology. As comedian Todd Barry tweeted last
night, this is a great date idea if you’re in the NYC area!

There are some last minute hitches, however-with the AP reporting
that The Armenian Library and Museum of America in Massachusetts “is
refusing to surrender 17 paintings and other artwork by Kevorkian,
saying he donated them to it and his estate has no right to claim them
nearly 12 years after it put them on display.” The estate claims the
paintings could be worth around $3.5 million.

As of now, there will still be nearly 140 items on the block next
week, and nothing says Halloween like a disturbing painting titled
“Genocide” created in Dr. Death’s very own blood. Get there by 6 p.m.
for the good stuff!

TURKISH-AZERI RELATIONS AND THE PROTOCOLS

news.az
Oct 20 2011
Azerbaijan

by Cem Oguz, head of the Turkish Center for Strategic and International
Studies.

There is no doubt that the Turkish-Azeri relations have made a great
progress during the last couple of years. Next week, for instance,
the Turkish city of Ä°zmir will be hosting a joint session for Turkish
and Azeri ministers under the chairmanship of Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azeri President Ä°lham Aliyev. Both leaders
will also be attending the ceremony of a new Ä°zmir refinery built as
part of a joint initiative of Azeri State Oil Company and its Turkish
partner, Turcas.

In contrast, however, it has become highly customary in the Western
capitals to question the nature of Turkish-Azeri relations. The Western
world, the U.S. in particular, has been keen to express criticism
of Turkey concerning the current deadlock in the normalization of
relations between Ankara and Yerevan. More importantly, an increasing
number of Western diplomats has come to assert that Turkey has been
taken hostage by Azerbaijan.

Those who criticize Turkey’s “love affair” with Azerbaijan,
nonetheless, seem to have underestimated key factors in the
relationship between these two countries. Actually, an enlightening
comparison can be made between Turkish ties with Azerbaijan and those
of the U.S. and Israel. I have encountered many U.S. authorities
who lamented their country’s unquestioned attachment to Israel which
sometimes, in their words, acquires an “irrational or self-detrimental”
character. Given the complex nature of their relations with Israel
(and also the Jewish people), I wonder if they might envisage it being
easy to change this state of affairs. Thus, they must understand that
the same is valid for Turks as far as Azerbaijan is concerned.

The reasons that Turkey cannot ratify the protocols are very simple:
First, for the sake of regional stability the Karabakh issue should
without hesitation be bound to the normalization of relations between
Yerevan and Ankara. If Turkey were to open its border with Armenia
unilaterally the Azeri authorities, as they keep reminding their
Turkish counterparts, would have no option left other than resorting
to force.

Secondly, the infamous protocols, especially under current
circumstances, cannot pass ratification in the Turkish Parliament.

This is a bitter reality which has been underlined by Erdogan on
a couple occasions in the recent past as well. Since the Armenian
Constitutional Court’s decision of January 2010, voices expressing
skepticism among members of the Turkish Parliament have grown louder
than ever. Everyone questions whether the Armenian side is indeed
sincere to keep its obligations with regard to the commission of
historians envisaged in the protocols.

It is precisely for these reasons that the Western capitals need to
demonstrate a more decisive attitude and must pressure Armenia. The
lack of experience regarding the nature of the Azeri-Armenian conflict,
as well as the indifference shown by Western democracies in the region
have been the reason all the international undertakings, including
that of the OSCE, have gone for naught. Until the present, there has
always been calls to continue negotiations. Nevertheless, these weak,
reluctant enterprises have not produced any positive results. They
unfortunately confirm Baku’s belief that there is only one way to
restore justice, i.e. resorting to force. They strengthen, in turn,
Yerevan’s non-conciliatory approach to both the issue of occupation and
much-speculated normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia.

In particular, at this stage, some major commitments fall on the
shoulders of France, Russia and the U.S., which are co-chairs of the
OSCE Minsk Group.

C. Cem Oguz [email protected]

News.Az