Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

AZERBAIJANI HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS INVITED TO ARMENIA

news.az
Feb 11 2010
Azerbaijan

The International Human Rights Federation has invited the
representatives of the Human Rights Center of Azerbaijan for
participation in the forum.

The forum of human rights to be held in Armenia on April 6-8 of this
year, according to coordinator of the women programs of the center
Zalikha Tagirova.

She said it is unclear whether the human rights activists of the
center will participate in the forum. The plans will be defined only
in mid March.

The forum is expected to be attended by delegates from 30 countries,
as well as members of the international and European structures. The
forum will be organized within the framework of the 37th international
conference of the organization.

The Institute of Civil Society is the member of the international
federation from Armenia.
Content-Type: MESSAGE/RFC822; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Content-Description:

MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
From: Katia Peltekian <[email protected]>
Subject: BAKU: Azerbaijani human rights activists invited to Armenia

news.az, Azerbaijan
Feb 11 2010

Azerbaijani human rights activists invited to Armenia
Thu 11 February 2010 | 12:33 GMT Text size:

The International Human Rights Federation has invited the
representatives of the Human Rights Center of Azerbaijan for
participation in the forum.

The forum of human rights to be held in Armenia on April 6-8 of this
year, according to coordinator of the women programs of the center
Zalikha Tagirova.

She said it is unclear whether the human rights activists of the
center will participate in the forum. The plans will be defined only
in mid March.

The forum is expected to be attended by delegates from 30 countries,
as well as members of the international and European structures. The
forum will be organized within the framework of the 37th international
conference of the organization.

The Institute of Civil Society is the member of the international
federation from Armenia.

1 news.az

TURKISH PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS MAY DEBATE PROTOCOLS IN APRIL

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.02.2010 13:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Experiencing a large number of domestic problems,
Turkey is still trying to gain regional influence, said Gagik
Harutyunyan, head of Noravank foundation.

"As to Armenia, it has made two brilliant moves recently: former
President Robert Kocharian’s visit to Iran and the ruling of the
Constitutional Court," he told a joint news conference with director
of RA NAS Institute of Oriental Studies, prof. Ruben Safrastyan.

Commenting on the Armenian-Turkish process, he described it as
"stagnant but not in deadlock".

Echoing the opinion, prof. Safrastyan added that "Turkey is just
trying to gain time. "The Turkish parliamentary committee on foreign
affairs is likely to debate Protocols in April," he said.

The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of
the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet
Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks
held through Swiss mediation.

On January 12, 2010, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of
Armenia found the protocols conformable to the country’s Organic Law.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Sisters Academy
440 Upper Gulph Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Contact: Susan Pogharian
Tel: 610-757-7090
Fax: 610-687-2450
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

ARMENIAN SISTERS ACADEMY, RADNOR, PA, HOSTS SUCCESSFUL FAMILY NIGHT
DINNER

Teamwork is an asset not only in sports, but also in throwing the
Armenian Sisters Academy’s annual Family Night dinner. Chaired this
year by Academy parents Christine and Dikran Asdourian, the event was
hugely successful due to an entire team of volunteers – over 50 parents
as well as 16 eighth grade students. The `Phillly Spectacular’ theme
drew one of the largest crowds in recent memory – nearly 250 students,
alumni, parents and grandparents enjoyed each others’ company on
January 23, 2010 at the Academy’s Hovsepian Activity Center.

It didn’t get much better than standard Philadelphia fare of
cheesesteaks, Philly franks, soft pretzels, water ice and local Tasty
Kakes. Eighth graders took requests for made-to-order cheesesteaks and
ran them back to the cafeteria where stations of fathers transformed
into short order cooks. Alumnus Serop Buldukyan was the evening’s DJ
and kept the dance floor hopping with American and Armenian favorites.
Students, many of whom were outfitted in their favorite team’s jersey,
earned prizes answering sports trivia questions. Parents had the
opportunity to win one of several sports-related raffle prizes. A face
painter transformed students into fairies, butterflies, and sports fans,
naturally! Even the tables’ centerpieces reflected the theme with
paper maché footballs, basketballs, hockey and baseball forms.

In a special surprise, alumnus Avedis Keshgegian thanked everyone for
attending and especially thanked Mr. & Mrs. Asdourian for starting the
after school basketball program at the Academy and running it to this
day. He spoke for all students when he thanked them for their support
and dedication, and to all the coaches who have mentored players at the
Academy. The Asdourian’s son Armen, an eighth grader, thanked his
parents for creating the basketball program and giving him the
opportunity to play with his friends. Lastly, eighth grader Christopher
Selverian presented the Asdourians with a poster designed and signed by
all current basketball players. He also thanked art instructor Armen
Yepoyan for his help designing the poster, and the parents who created
the centerpieces and raffle baskets.

In keeping with tradition, Principal Sister V. Louisa Kassarjian’s
birthday was celebrated by all, and miraculously, she turned 29, again!
Another delightful part of the evening was Sister Louisa’s
announcement that Sister Hovanna Aroyan has joined the Academy faculty.
What a warm welcome she received!

Sixth grader Stepan Cannuscio found the night `really entertaining,
while his classmate Anto Keshgegian credited the `great food’.
Second grader Sophia Mangasarian’s favorite part was the Tasty Kakes,
while her classmate Rebecca Selverian liked being with her friends.
Parent Adam Selverian summed it up well: `I loved the fantastic Philly
theme, the jerseys, the huge crowd and fantastic food – what a great
night!’

Susan A. Pogharian
Director, Admissions and Communications
610-757-7090

Armenian Sisters Academy
440 Upper Gulph Road
Radnor, PA 19087

610-687-4100 (phone)
610-687-2430 (fax)

[email protected]

Eurasia Daily Monitor

Tuesday, February 2, 2010-Volume 7, Issue 22

NABUCCO PROJECT STAKEHOLDES LOOK FOR LEADERSHIP IN BRUSSELS

by Vladimir Socor

Stakeholders and other interested parties in the Nabucco project
are expressing concern over the project’s apparent stagnation,
and calling for urgent consultations to revitalize it. Nabucco is simply
marking time in the absence of a coordinating mechanism between
producer, transit, and consumer countries, and without hands-on
leadership from the European Union during the transition from one
Commission to another in Brussels. The transition and distractions in
Washington have also limited the ability of an otherwise supportive
United States to help deal with the logjam on Nabucco.

Political problems have recently added new complications to the
Nabucco project. One such problem, clearly recognized by project
stakeholders and other European observers, but underestimated in
Washington, is Azerbaijan’s political alienation, resulting from
recent US policies on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Those policies,
in their result if not intent, came close to de-aligning Turkey from
Azerbaijan, while strengthening Russia’s and Armenia’s
hands in the negotiations on the Karabakh conflict. At perceived risk of
isolation, and lacking an outlet to Europe for its growing gas surplus,
Azerbaijan is open to Russian and Iranian offers to commit its gas for
export in those directions.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reminded international media
during the Economic Forum in Davos that Gazprom has offered to buy all
gas volumes available for export in Azerbaijan (`as much as
Azerbaijan can sell’) at European-level prices. `If
Nabucco continues to be delayed, we will indeed sell more gas to
Gazprom,’ in line with Azerbaijan’s export
diversification policy. Meanwhile, the $20 billion investment decision
for Phase Two of Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz gas field (the source
for Nabucco’s first stage) is held up, due to persistent
uncertainty about the Nabucco pipeline, Aliyev observed. `So far
we do not know which leader would move the process forward. Who will
engage in negotiations with gas producers and transit countries? Who
will do the marketing for this gas? What will be the pricing? These are
a lot of questions that remain unanswered for quite a long
time,’ he asserted. Aliyev also noted Turkey’s
obstruction of pricing and transit agreements for Azerbaijani gas:
`how can we move ahead [with Nabucco] in such
circumstances?’ (ANS, Bloomberg, January 27; , Wall
Street Journal, January 28; Hurriyet, January 29).

Baku remains willing and indeed eager to see the Nabucco project
move forward and looks to the EU for leadership in that regard. Aliyev
made this clear to executives of the German RWE Company (a stakeholder
in the Nabucco project) in elaborating on his remarks in Davos
(Bloomberg, January 29).

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Bulgarian
counterpart Boiko Borissov are also urging the EU to play a more active
role in advancing the Nabucco project. Borissov has most recently
expressed concern over the slow pace of Nabucco’s development
and pledged Bulgarian support to advance the project. At their joint
news conference, Erdogan asked Borissov to ensure that EU member
Bulgaria advocates the Nabucco project with the European Commission in
Brussels (BTA, January 29; Hurriyet, January 30). Erdogan’s
remarks implicitly offer Brussels an opportunity to facilitate the
negotiations between Ankara and Baku.

On January 18, Romanian President Traian Basescu urged more active
EU support for Nabucco when meeting with the European Council’s
new President, Herman van Rompuy, in Brussels (Agerpres, January 18).
The Hungarian government and the private MOL Company (stakeholder in the
Nabucco consortium) also look forward to a proactive role by the
European Commissioner.

The EU’s outgoing Energy Commissioner, Latvia’s Andris
Piebalgs, a committed supporter of Nabucco and the Southern Corridor,
had little backing from Western Europe’s large and influential
countries. In one of his last acts in that post on January 18, Piebalgs
signed a memorandum of understanding on energy partnership between the
EU and the central government of Iraq. Piebalgs termed Iraq an important
element in the EU’s energy supply diversification strategy. The
EU Commission is mainly interested in Iraqi gas from the
Kurdish-administered area for the Nabucco and Southern Corridor
projects. Nabucco stakeholders expect ultimately 5 to 10 billion cubic
meters (bcm) of gas per year from Iraq’s north, via Turkey to Europe.

Some in the energy business have tended to imply that gas from
Iraq could somehow reduce the vital importance of Azerbaijani gas for
Nabucco. This view may reflect frustration with the Ankara-Baku impasse
and some indifference about Turkey’s responsibility. However, difficult
pre-conditions need to be fulfilled before any gas can flow from
northern Iraq (presuming a satisfactory security situation). As listed
by the Kurdish administration and the central government in Baghdad, the
pre-conditions include: meeting local demand for gas, contributing to
Iraq’s overall gas supply, and negotiating revenue-sharing
between Kurdish and Baghdad central authorities, under a
yet-to-be-adopted oil and gas law for Iraq. All this involves political
complexities and time-consuming negotiations. Thus, Azerbaijani gas
remains the existential issue for Nabucco at least in the first stage;
and Turkmen gas via Azerbaijan, just as vital for Nabucco’s
second stage and the overall Southern Corridor.

–Vladimir Socor

ARMENIAN CONSULATE IN GEORGIA HAS RECEIVED NO OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION ON DETENTION OF ARMENIAN CITIZEN GRETA SUKIASYAN

ArmInfo
2010-02-08 19:12:00

ArmInfo. The Georgian party has not yet officially informed about
detention of Armenian citizen Greta Sukiasyan.

The Armenian Consulate in Georgia told ArmInfo correspondent that no
relevant official notification has been received from the Georgian
party.

To note, referring to the Georgian Finance Ministry, the Georgian mass
media reported about detention of Armenian citizen Greta Sukiasyan
at Sadakhlo customs point, who was allegedly trying to carry over
values and jewelry worth 40 thsd Laris. Preliminary investigation
is underway under Article 214 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which
stipulates 5-7-year imprisonment.

HEAD OF TURKISH CENTER OF STRATEGIC STUDIES TO ARRIVE IN BAKU

news.az
Feb 8 2010
Azerbaijan

International Center of Strategic Studies Head of the Turkish
International Center of Strategic Studies Jelal Jem Oghuz to arrive
in Baku.

Jelal Jem Oghuz is to arrive in Azerbaijan at the invitation of
the Center of Strategic Studies under the country’s president on
February 8-11.

According to the news service for the Center of Strategic Studies under
Azerbaijani President, the visit envisions meetings with officials,
scientists, experts in the sphere of international relations.

Jem Oghuz is an influential expert in the sphere of Eurasian and
Russian studies and Turkish foreign policy. In 1997-2001 he was the
consultant and coordinator of the project of the Center of Strategic
Studies under the Turkish Foreign Ministry, it held studies on the
history of the so-called "Armenian genocide" in the archives of several
foreign countries, dealt with the projects of the Turkish-Armenian ties
and "Statements about the so-called genocide" in the Foreign Ministry
and Turkish National Security Council. He took part in several UN
and OSCE projects. He is the author of a number of scientific works
and articles, as well as art works.

Bulgarian Parliamentary Committee Votes Against Armenian Genocide Recognition

Tert.am
13:12 – 06.02.10

Bulgaria’s parliamentary committee once again denied ATAKA party’s
proposal to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

According to Turkish news source Today’s Zaman, ATAKA had presented
three proposals to the parliamentary committee, including considering
the events of 1915 under Osmanyan imperial rule as genocide. During
the committee vote, all three proposals were denied and thus won’t be
included in the parliamentary session.

PRESS RELEASE
United Nations Development Programme / Armenia
14 Petros Adamyan St., Yerevan 0010
Contact: Mr. Hovhannes Sarajyan, Communications Associate
Tel: +37410 566 073
E-mail: [email protected]<mailto:hovhannes.sa [email protected]>
Web site:

The draft Second National Communication of Armenia to the UNFCCC was
discussed with national stakeholders

Yerevan, 5 February 2010 – Today the RoA Ministry of Nature Protection
and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia presented Armenia’s
draft Second National Communication to the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) to national stakeholders. The Communication
was developed by the RoA Ministry of Nature Protection with support of
UNDP in the framework of "Enabling activities for the preparation of
Armenia’s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC" UNDP/GEF
project. The document was prepared with the goal to assist Armenia in
meeting her commitments under the UNFCCC.

Parties to the Convention on Climate Change, taking into account their
"common, but differentiated" responsibilities and their specific
national and regional development priorities, committed to
periodically elaborate national communications and submit them to the
Conference of Parties. Armenia prepared her First Communication and
submitted it to the Conference of Parties in 1998.

Welcome speeches at the event were delivered by Mr. Aram Harutyunyan,
the RoA Minister of Nature Protection, Ms. Dafina Gercheva, UN
Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia, and
Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

Addressing the participants of the discussion, the Minister noted that
the Government of Armenia recognized the serious threat of climate
change and envisages certain measures in national strategic programs
and policy documents, such as "Sustainable Development Program" (2008)
and "Second National Environmental Action Program" (2008) to tackle
the matter. Mr. Harutyunyan underlined that due to multi-sectoral
impact of climate change in Armenia, the active participation of
national stakeholders in today’s discussion of the results of Second
National Communication on Climate Change is of high importance.

In her welcome speech Ms. Dafina Gercheva said, "Global climate change
is one of the serious contemporary challenges faced by the mankind. It
is not anymore an environmental, but also a development issue that can
potentially affect all aspects of human activity. In recent years, it
has been considered as one of the biggest challenges to development,
and can further seriously threaten international peace and security."
She further noted that adverse impacts of climate change are felt
globally, however, developing countries, including Armenia, which is a
landlocked country with vulnerable mountainous ecosystems, are the
most vulnerable, since they have limited financial, technological and
human resources to address the negative impacts of climate change.

The main policy recommendations of the Communication are in line with
the current developments under Convention and Copenhagen conference
outcomes. The Communication has been developed based on national data
provided by the RoA Ministries and the RoA National Statistical
Service. Analytical assessments were conducted by more than 40
national experts, as well as by the "Scientific Research Institute of
Energy" CJSC and "Armenian State Hydro-meteorological and Monitoring
Service" state non-commercial organization.

In the framework of the Second National Communication Preparation
Project, the database for national inventory of greenhouse gases (GHG)
was improved and expanded; emission trends of 1990-2006 were
identified and GHG emission reduction potential in various sectors of
economy was assessed. According to assessments done within the Second
National Communication on Climate Change, total GHG emissions amounted
to 6,600 ton of CO2 equivalent in Armenia in 2000 with CO2 as the main
GHG (71%) and with "Energy" and "Land use, land-use change and
forestry" as main sources (53% and 23% respectively). "Land use,
land-use change and forestry" sector, a GHG removal in 1990, turned
into a GHG source. This was caused by increase in forest cuts and
decrease in the quality of arable lands and meadows that resulted in
emission of the accumulated carbon into atmosphere.

GHG emissions in Armenia were projected till 2020 and relevant
estimates were obtained. According to these estimates, total GHG
emissions are projected to reach 23,000 ton of CO2 equivalent by 2020
in "business-as-usual" scenario and 15,000 ton – in case of
implementation of mitigation measures. In both cases, "Energy" sector
is the main source of emissions.

Applying models of inter-governmental Panel for Climate Change,
experts of Armenian State Hydro-meteorological Service projected
trends for temperature and precipitation in Armenia till 2030, 2070
and 2100. According to these projections, temperatures may increase by
5.70C and precipitations fall by 27%, and hydro-meteorological
extremes may become more frequent and severe, if no effort is
undertaken to reduce GHG emissions globally.

According to these climate change scenarios, vulnerability of
Armenia’s ecosystems and climate-dependent economy sectors was
assessed. As a result ofthese changes, extremely dangerous impacts are
expected in the country that would affect agriculture (food security),
water resources, biodiversity and ecosystems, human health,
settlements and infrastructures. E.g., shift of vertical climatic
zoning upwards will cause change in agro-climatic conditions,
reduction in the area and productivity of sub-alpine and alpine
pastures, due to decrease in precipitations and intensification of
evaporation, and demand for irrigation water will increase.

The Second National Communication identifies adaptation needs, which
should be addressed to ensure sustainable socio-economic development
of the country, and recommends measures for each sector. E.g., it is
necessary to introduce new and water saving technologies along with
expansion and renovation of the existing irrigation networks, to
introduce dry- and drought-resistant species, to account for climate
change factor in land use and infrastructure planning, to introduce an
insurance system, to improve efficiency of early warning and quick
response to weather extremes.

Armenia, as a non-Annex I Party to the Convention on Climate Change,
does not have quantified commitments for reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions. However, in order to assist the achievement of the ultimate
goal of the Convention, Armenia implements and will continue
implementing measures to reduce GHG emissions from the atmosphere.

The draft of the document is available on
;; web-site.

AZERBAIJANI MP: THE MILITARY SOLUTION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT IS QUITE POSSIBLE

Today
60964.html
Feb 5 2010
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani MP Zahid Oruj stated that the military solution of Karabakh
conflict is quite possible. This statement was the answer to recent
warning of the head of US National Intelligence Dennis Blair, on the
possibility of escalation of tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"Looking back to history it becomes apparent that in first half of
1990-s Azerbaijan became victim of Armenia’s aggressive policy in
international arena and subject to constant threats of Yerevan. After
the conclusion of oil treaties with western companies we began to use
energy issues for the solution of Karabakh problem, and the situation
got better.

Today Azerbaijan uses the income from economic sector, as well as for
empowerment of military forces. For the last several years Azerbaijan
managed to enlarge its military potential, with assistance of Turkey
get the equipment of our army fit to NATO standards, and make its
military industry tougher. As a result much more experts nowadays
find Azerbaijan stronger than Armenia several times" stated the deputy.

"Many people know about Russian military base in Armenia, and by
these means oppose Moscow to Azerbaijan. But first of all, in case
of restoration of military actions Azerbaijan will demand only its
territories occupied by Armenia, and secondly, warm and friendly
relations set up between Moscow and Baku help us to believe in Russia
being neutral in case of war in Karabakh.

Official Baku has already stated about the possibility of escalation
of military actions. This message was heard and commented in the
region. All this oppose the words of the majority about impossibility
of restoration of military actions in Nagorno Karabakh. Everything
depends on commander-in-chief of Azerbaijan. If the war is declared
all offices and population of our country must get back to arms.

Resuming all above-mentioned I want to say that the statement of
D.Blair fits the situation quite right. Such development of the
situation is real if the world community does not influence Yerevan.

Otherwise Armenia hopes that change of generation in Azerbaijan will
help to forget about the occupation of territories and prolong the
solution of the conflict for hundred years" noted Z.Oruj.

ROADMAP FOR PACE

Lragir.am
05/02/10

Interview with the member of the Armenian delegation to PACE, the
head of the NA commission on Euro integration issues Naira Zohrabyan

The co-reporters for Armenia at the PACE Monitoring commission John
Prescott and George Colombier issued a statement noting that the
Armenian government has to immediately fulfill the proposals of the
NA temporary commission to study March 1 events. They addressed a
letter to Hovik Abrahamyan in this connection. What would you say?

I am assuring you that nothing weird happened. The National Assembly
decided that the NA commission on state and legal issues will carry
out the monitoring of the fulfillment of the proposals of the NA
temporary commission on March 1. The NA commission on state and legal
issues has already convened two sessions. Samvel Nikoyan and I also
participated in the first session and presented some proposals. Any
parliamentary member can take part in the monitoring. The BHK will
focus its attention on the questions which we raised in the report of
the temporary commission on which the co-reporters also dwelt. They
consider urgent reforms in the justice and police spheres. The
coalition has to do everything possible to reach serious results
by March.

Will they manage to undertake serious steps by that time?

During two months, for example, serious reforms can be carried out
in the sphere of justice. But we need at least a roadmap to know the
direction we are going to take. We also need to make reforms to the
electoral code too but even if we have an excellent electoral code,
it will be very difficult to fight with the phenomenon of disservice.

Is it possible to make electoral breaches without the permission of
"top"?

Yes it is. Such kind of people considers their holy duty to remain
in their ampoule. But it is doubtless that our electoral system and
electoral code need serious reforms.

Why are those guilty not punished?

I think time is needed for everything. After the last election at the
Constituency No. 10 several criminal cases were brought, elections
at several polling stations were declared invalid. Something is done,
but the question is whether that something is sufficient. I think it
is not.

Soon the second anniversary of March 1 events will mark. The
circumstances of deaths of ten victims have not been revealed yet.

What hinders the power to reveal March 1?

The March 1 case is at the Criminal Investigation. We would like the
deaths to be revealed and those responsible to be punished.

If the demands of the co-reporters are not fulfilled within the terms
they set will the question on Armenia’s punishment be brought up?

I am sure the National Assembly will carry out serious work in the
context of the reforms of the electoral code. As to the other issues
which the co-reporters raised such as reforms in the sphere of police
and justice, I would not dwell on them.

Anyway, is the style of the statement of the co-reporters not strange?

At all. They have just registered which of the PACE demands Armenia
fulfilled and which it did not.

Interview by ARMAN GALOYAN