Author: Taslakhchian Andranik

ISTANBUL TO HOST METING OF TURKISH, ARMENIAN FMS

BSANNA NEWS
Nov 18 2008
Ukraine

BAKU, November 18 /AZERTAG/. According to AZERTAG own correspondent,
within the upcoming session of BSEC (Organization of the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation) on November 24 in Istanbul, a meeting of Turkish
and Armenian foreign ministers Ali Babajan and Edward Nalbandyan will
be held.

The meeting participants are supposed to dwell upon the visit of the
Armenian president to Ankara on the invitation of Turkish President
Abdullah Gul as well as bilateral relations and settlements of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

It was noted that after this meeting, where Armenia will receive BSEC
presidency, a press-conference of the Armenian minister will be held
as well as an official reception.

Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babajan claimed the session
does not envisage a trilateral meeting of the Azerbaijani, Turkish
and Armenian foreign ministers.

BAKU AGAIN TRIES TO LAY ITS OWN FAULT AT SOMEBODY ELSE’S DOOR

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2008-11-18 16:34
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

Commentary to IA REGNUM by Chairman of the NKR National Assembly
Standing Committee on the issues of defense, security and law order
Janna Galstyan

Baku continues to delude the international community and its own
people.

Simultaneously with the uninterrupted information or rather
misinformation attack on the alleged daily violations of the ceasefire
regime by the Armenian side, the Azerbaijani side again and again makes
suicidal attempts to penetrate into the territory of Nagorno Karabakh.

Not having licked their wounds yet, which were received as a result
of their own provocation near the village of Levonarkh, Baku has
plunged into regular adventure.

This time the Azeri side’s impudence has exceeded all bounds – they
violated the ceasefire regime immediately after the declaration
signed by Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents and namely
during the OSCE MG Co-chairmen’s visit to Stepanakert.

No wonder that coming to military and political grief once again,
Baku has tried to lay its own fault at somebody else’s door.

Trying to demonstrate the death of their soldier as the death of a
hero, the Azeri agencies APA, Day.Az write that after "firing from the
Armenian side" the Azerbaijani "Rembo" "continuing firing moved t o the
enemy side" and managed to kill two Armenian soldiers. Quite another
version disproving the first one was published by the information
agency Trend News alleging that the Azerbaijani soldier, who deserted
the army, tried to go across to the enemy, however was killed.

One should not be surprised – this is the mentality of the Azeri
leadership. They have already got accustomed to "save their face" using
lie and deception as a cover. However, the Azerbaijani leadership
should comprehend that similar policy first of all damages the
Azerbaijani people, as by injecting the dose of hatred towards
Armenians, the prospect of reconciliation with their neighbors
moves away.

Let’s see what the OSCE MG Co-chairs will tell this time; and
namely Ambassador Kasprzyk, who expects guarantees of security
for the monitoring group from Azerbaijan instead of conducting a
crisis-monitoring.

VAHAN HOVHANNISIAN: TURKISH LOBBY TO ATTEMPT TO HAMPER REALIZATION OF U. S. PRESIDENT’S PROGRAMS

DE FACTO
Nov 12, 2008

YEREVAN, 12.11.08. DE FACTO. Unless Armenia undertakes relevant
measures, the Turkish lobby in the U. S. will find the way to hamper
realization of programs of U. S. President-elect Barack Obama connected
with promises given to Armenian voters, Vahan Hovhannisian, Chairman
of ARF Dashnaktsutyun faction, told ArmInfo.

In his words, Turkish president Abdullah Gul’s congratulation message
to Barack Obama was a direct threat, an open blackmail. "No president
in the world, especially a U. S. President, has ever received such a
congratulation", he underscored "Evidently, Turks intend to make Obama
avoid the given promises", Hovhannisian said. "Armenia must not idle
and wait for turn of events. I mean not only Diaspora and lobbying
organizations, but also Armenian diplomacy", he said. According to
Hovhannisian, during his campaign Obama proved that he was a fair
man, however, he should create favorable atmosphere to display his
fairness by specific deeds. "ARFD has already launched specific
process on the given issue, however, I cannot go into details yet",
the parliamentarian said.

SERZH SARGSYAN: ARMENIA JOINING NATO IS "NOT ON THE AGENDA"

armradio.am
11.11.2008 11:40

The President of Armenia, Mr. Serzh Sargsyan gave an interview to
the Euronews. The full text of the interview is presented below:

Euronews: President Sargsyan, what were and what are the consequences
for Armenia of the Georgian crisis?

Serzh Sargsyan: First of all, the Armenian economy has suffered greatly
because of this crisis, because 70 per cent of Armenia’s trade passes
through Georgia. We have been neighbours with Georgia for thousands
of years, and with that comes certain responsibility. Personally,
I am happy that the crisis has not damaged our relations. Certainly,
we are also strategic partners with Russia, and that brings other
responsibilities and duties. Responsibilities between neighbours are
not the same as those as between strategic partners, and then you
have to take into account the national interest.

Euronews: According to you, should NATO play a role in the Caucasus?

Sargsyan: Yes, and that is why we in Armenia have a programme of
co-operation with NATO. That is why Armenia takes part in NATO
manoeuvres and other activities. We believe co-operation with NATO
is integral to our real security.

Euronews: But will one day Armenia apply to join, and not only
cooperate with NATO?

Sargsyan: At the moment, that issue is not on the agenda. There are
lots of countries, including members of the European Union, which
are not members of NATO.

Euronews: What should be the future of the relations between Armenia
and the European Union?

Sargsyan: Armenians are Europeans. Even if Europeans do not consider
Armenia to be a European country, Armenians themselves feel profoundly
European. We are active in the development of European Neighbourhood
Policy. Actually, we are trying to get more flexible conditions for
contact – by freeing up visa rules so people can meet each other
more easily and to bring about the best conditions for trade and
commerce. We want to establish good relations with our neighbours,
and to that end we are also hoping for help from the EU and European
countries.

Euronews: About the relations between Turkey and Armenia: talks have
started to establish diplomatic relations. But what are the next steps?

Sargsyan: The establishing of diplomatic relations, the opening of
borders and co-operation between neighbours – like many countries
do. Of course, we have a difficult history with Turkey, of course
there was the genocide (in 1915). But we do not think Turkey has to
recognise that genocide before we can establish diplomatic relations.

Euronews : And in this rapprochement, which is the driving force:
Turkey or Armenia, or both?

Sargsyan: I think establishing relations is as much in Armenia’s
interest as Turkey’s, so it is not really important to say which side
took the initiative. The essential thing is to be able to establish
relations without pre-conditions.

Euronews: At a personal level, what are the next meetings planned
between (the Turkish) President Gul and yourself?

Sargsyan: The only thing decided at the moment is the return football
match between Armenia and Turkey in Istanbul next October – in a
year. But I do not think we will let that year pass without meeting
because negotiations underway at the moment raise the hope of an
earlier encounter. It is highly probable that between now and then
we will reach a mutual decision.

Euronews: The Nagorno-Karabakh is a long standing bone of contention
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. What makes now possible a solution
in this frozen conflict?

Sargsyan: I would not talk about it in those terms
because Nagorno-Karabakh itself has expressed its wish for
self-determination. The people of Nagorno-Karabakh have expressed
their wish, maybe to be re-attached to Armenia, maybe to become an
independent country outside Azerbaijan. I think the declaration
signed a few days ago with Presidents Medvedev and Aliyev really
paves the way for a resolution to this problem. This declaration,
even though it is just a declaration and not an accord, outlines a
purely political solution, and rules out a military path.

Euronews: In your relations with Azerbaijan, do you intend to use
the diplomatic tool of football as well as for Turkey?

Sargsyan: Football is a great game, and the diplomacy of football
could well prove fruitful. But we have already been negotiating with
Azerbaijan for 14 or 15 years – and I think with the help of the
Minsk group, presided over by Russia, the United States and France,
these talks will deliver results such that we will not have to resort
to these diplomatic methods.

COMMENTARY: KARABAKH PEACE AGREEMENT IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT US INVOLVEMENT
Harry Tamrazian

EurasiaNet
Nov 8 2008
NY

Meeting in Moscow on November 2, the presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan,
and Russia signed a document pledging their continued commitment
to resolving the Karabakh conflict peacefully. It was the first
time that officials from Armenia and Azerbaijan had signed such a
joint document since Russia mediated a cease-fire agreement in 1994,
putting an end to one of the deadliest wars in the former USSR.

The so-called Moscow Declaration of Intent on Nagorno-Karabakh was an
important diplomatic event in the 15-year long negotiating process. But
it was much more important for Moscow, which thus reminded everyone
that it holds the key to a solution to this conflict. The joint
declaration was co-signed only by Russia, despite the fact that
other two Minsk Group co-chairs, the United States and France, were
also present.

A closer look at the declaration leaves no doubt that much of what was
discussed during the closed-door talks was not reflected on paper. The
declaration is just another expression of intent by the two leaders
that they are serious about seeking a peaceful solution and that
the military option can no longer be considered an alternative to
peaceful diplomacy.

In short, both sides agreed on paper to tone down harsh military
rhetoric and expedite the peace process. However, taking the text at
face value would be overly optimistic.

Questions Arise

Every time Russia steps up its mediation efforts, questions arise
about its motives for doing so. The simple answer in this case would
probably be that it wants at least to preserve the level of influence
that it had in Armenia, and more importantly in Azerbaijan, which
has long been suspicious about its real intentions in the region.

Now that Georgia is out of the Russian sphere of influence, at least
for the foreseeable future, Moscow will do all in its power to keep
the two remaining South Caucasus countries, Armenia and Azerbaijan,
under its control.

The only way to do that is to act as an honest broker to bring
about a settlement of the frozen, and potentially deadly, Karabakh
conflict. Moscow’s mediation could also be seen as an attempt to
restore its credibility in the region following the war with Georgia,
which further eroded its relations with the United States.

Depending on who wins the U.S. presidential election, Moscow
will try to showcase its good behavior to the new leadership in
Washington. There is one important line in the joint declaration, which
shows that Moscow will not mediate the potential peace deal alone,
bypassing its American and French partners in the OSCE Minsk Group. The
declaration clearly states that the peace process will proceed within
the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group based on the "Madrid Principles"
endorsed by the OSCE Ministerial Council, which envisage the return
of occupied Azerbaijani territories and the possibility of holding
a referendum on the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh.

High Expectations

It is hard to imagine that a Karabakh peace deal could be achieved
without the United States, one of the major players in the OSCE Minsk
Group. Azerbaijan and Armenia will not easily bow to Moscow’s pressure
without the approval of the new administration in Washington. It
would therefore be premature to expect a breakthrough in the talks
before January 2009, when the next U.S. president is sworn in.

Armenians have high expectations for Democratic Senator Barack Obama,
hoping that, if he is elected president, he will support their cause.

"I will promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish
and Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting and durable
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that is agreeable
to all parties," Obama said in one of his campaign promises to
Armenian-Americans.

The Armenian government will seek help from the United States if it
is pressured to give up Azerbaijani territories without obtaining
guarantees that the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be able to hold
a referendum on their future status.

Some experts in Azerbaijan and Armenia believe that Russia might try
to secure a substantial military presence in the conflict zone as
part of the future peacekeeping force that is to be deployed once a
peace agreement is signed. Azerbaijan will most probably seek support
from the United States in ensuring that Russian troops do not return
to Azerbaijan.

The Georgian experience has demonstrated that once they come, they
are unlikely to leave peacefully.

Harry Tamrazian is director of RFE/RL’s Armenian Service. The
views expressed in this commentary are the author’s own, and do not
necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL.

JERUSALEM: BRAWLING "CHRISTIAN" MONKS

UN Observer
Nov 10 2008

2008-11-10 | "Christ opened his arms on the Cross to embrace the
whole World, because Golgotha stood at the centre of the World" –
(St. Cyril of Jerusalem)

This weekend’s disgraceful behaviour of Armenian and Greek Orthodox
monks brawling in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcre in Jerusalem
and Israeli police having to separate them points out the inherent
inconsistency in organised Religion – particularly Christianity.

Ever since its foundation, Christianity has been marred by internal
disputes that have led to persecutions of anyone who disagrees with
whatever "official" position is announced. Now, there are even groups
of fanatics, also calling themselves "Christian", but who focus almost
exclusively on "Armageddon", which they believe to be a terrible war
in the Middle East that will signal the end of the world and their
exclusive "salvation".

One wonders if Christians have ever read the Teachings of Christ.

DARCHINYAN AIMING FOR WORLD TITLES IN UP TO FIVE DIVISIONS

The Gold Coast Bulletin
November 6, 2008 Thursday
Australia

AUSTRALIA’S new, undisputed super flyweight world boxing champion Vic
Darchinyan believes he can win world titles in up to five divisions.

Darchinyan returned to Sydney yesterday after adding the WBA and
WBC titles of Mexican Cristian Mijares to the IBF championship he
already held.

The Sydney boxer expects to receive his WBA and WBC belts within
the next 10 days following his spectacular ninth-round knockout of
Mijares in California last weekend.

After struggling for press and public recognition in his adopted
country, Darchinyan was delighted to see a large media turnout at
Sydney Airport upon his arrival.

The cluster of cameras and journalists was in stark contrast to the
one or two diehard boxing scribes who welcomed him home after his
previous seven world title fights overseas.

The Armenian-born boxer is a star in his native country and has also
earned a multitude of Mexican, American and Filipino fight fans for
his exploits off shore.

His manager Elias Nassar said a fight with another Mexican superstar,
Jorge Arce, in the United States in March was 75 per cent locked in.

Darchinyan said he would knock out Arce even faster than Mijares.

The fight with Arce would be at super flyweight, but Darchinyan
said his wanted more title belts and to continue rising through
the divisions.

He needs to win in one more division to equal Jeff Fenech, the only
Australian to win world title belts in three divisions.

ARMENIAN MINISTER UPBEAT ON MOSCOW TALKS ON KARABAKH

Armenia TV
Nov 4 2008
Armenia

Armenian Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandyan has voiced hope that "the
intensification of the [Karabakh] negotiations" after the Armenian
and Azerbaijani presidents met in Moscow on 2 November "will open a
door to the settlement" of the conflict over the disputed territory,
Armenia TV reported on 4 November.

Nalbandyan told the channel that "the meeting in Moscow was
constructive. The meeting was efficient in the sense that a document
has been signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan for the first time in
14 years; and the document was signed at the level of presidents".

However, the Armenian foreign minister added that "a declaration is not
a treaty, but it is also important in the sense that this declaration
mentions the significance of a peaceful, political settlement of the
Karabakh issue, as well as of continuation of the mediator efforts
of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group".

Nalbandyan noted that the declaration attached importance to
"international guarantees that should accompany that settlement
process". The minister said that Russia had initiated the meeting
in view of its co-chairing of the Minsk Group and added that Russia
"always played a constructive role in the peace process… This
initiative was extremely important for opening a new stage in terms
of boosting the negotiations".

Armenia TV quoted Nalbandyan as saying that Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan will discuss the Karabakh settlement with French President
Nicholas Sarkozy as part of his visit to France on 4 November.

ARMENIAN FM MOSCOW MEETING TO OPEN A DOOR FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION

AssA-Irada
November 4, 2008 Tuesday
Azerbaijan

Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian has said Sundays talks
among the Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian presidents in Moscow will
open a door for settling the nearly two-decade-long Upper (Nagorno)
Garabagh conflict. Nalbandian told reporters in Paris that the meeting
was very important in terms of launching a new stage of intensified
peace talks.

In particular, a political settlement of the conflict based on
international law, as mentioned in a joint declaration signed by the
three leaders in conclusion of the Russia-brokered talks, will create
favorable conditions for multi-lateral development of the region, he
said. The declaration envisions further OSCE-brokered dialog between
the conflicting sides. It calls for facilitating the improvement of
the situation in the South Caucasus and establishment of stability
in the region through a political settlement of the conflict based
on the principles and norms of international law and the documents
adopted in this framework. These efforts will give an impetus to
economic and multi-lateral cooperation in the region, the paper
said. Nalbandian emphasized that after the declaration was inked,
co-chairmen of the mediating OSCE Minsk Group (MG) met and continued
discussions. The intermediaries plan to visit the region soon in
an effort to step up the peace process. The conflict between the
two South Caucasus republics reared up in the late 1980s due to
Armenias territorial claims. Armenia has been occupying over 20%
of Azerbaijans internationally-recognized territory since the early
1990s, in defiance of international law. The ceasefire accord was
signed in 1994, but peace talks have been fruitless so far.

US AMBASSADOR: MOSCOW DECLARATION WAS A STEP FORWARD

armradio.am
05.11.2008 15:03

US Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch considers that the declaration signed
by the Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia on November 2
was a step forward in the settlement of the conflict.

The Ambassador noted that positive developments are visible in the
settlement. According to him, it’s important to achieve progress
through negotiations within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.

"The Minsk Group Co-Chairs remain committed to their mediating
format and help the parties reach an agreement. We hope that the
agreement on the Karabakh issue will be reached in the near future,"
the Ambassador said.