Author: Tumanian Talar

SURRENDER OF ANY SECTION OF LIBERATED TERRITORIES OF ARMENIA IS A STATE CRIME, IS SAID IN "UNIFICATION" NATIONAL INITIATIVE’S STATEMEMT

Noyan Tapan

Nov 19, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. "Miatsum" ("Unification") national
initiative issued a statement on November 19, in which it calls on
the current authorities of Armenia to give up their state-ruining,
unrealizable and absurd infringements to surrender some part of
the native lands and henceforth to build the foreign diplomacy of
Armenia based on their constitutionally assumed duties to ensure
unconditionally the military and territorial security of Armenian
statehood and the population of Armenia.

"Unification" warns the Armenian authorities, all the pro-government
and opposition political forces and figures that full or partial
surrender of Armenia’s liberated territories will immediately result in
the complete and irreversible collapse of Armenia’s current security
system, which is the only guarantee of stability and peace, and in
destruction of the defensive capacity of the country.

"Therefore, the supposed surrender of any section of Armenia’s
liberated territory, while citing the vain international "guarantees",
is a grave state crime aimed at ruining the bases of Armenian statehood
and an intolerable encroachment upon lives of Armenian citizens,"
the statement reads.

ARMENIA PRESIDENT, US SECRETARY OF STATE HAD A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION

armradio.am
19.11.2008 10:25

President of the Republci of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan had a telephone
conversation with the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, who
initiated the call, Presidnet’s Press Office reported.

During the conversation the two sides discussed issues of mutual
interest.

TURKISH DEFENSE MINISTER UNWITTINGLY CONFESSES TURKEY’S GUILT IN THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
By Appo Jabarian

Novembe r 2008

Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul made a scandalous public
statement on Armenians and Greeks in Brussels on November 10. He said:
"If Greeks continued to live in the Aegean and Armenians continued
to live in many places in Turkey, I wonder whether there would be
today’s nation-state. …

I don’t know how to tell you about the importance of this exchange. But
if you look at the old balances, the importance of this would very
clearly arise."

Armenians and Greeks worldwide should thank the Turkish Defense
Minister for unwittingly confessing Turkey’s guilt in the Armenian
Genocide and the Genocide of the Constantinople, Pontus, and Smyrna
Greeks.

Turkey’s genocidal campaigns of 1915-23 against the Armenians in
Turkish-occupied Western Armenia and Cilicia, has made Armenians in
the Diaspora and Eastern Armenia more vigilant.

Recently the head of the Armenian National Security Service
Lieutenant General Gorik Hakobian told Jane’s Intelligence Digest:
"We are concerned with the possibility of a recurrence of the Armenian
genocide because of the intensive militarization of Azerbaijan and the
recurring official statements of our neighbours concerning their plans
to regain Nagorno-Karabakh by military fo rce, which legitimately
gained self-determination. The very recent attempt at militarily
opposing the self-determination of the people of South Ossetia proves
that there are no alternatives but peaceful and political ways to
resolve conflicts in the South Caucasus. And Azerbaijan’s threats to
start a new war over Karabakh are not helpful in this regard."

In the light of this most disturbing statement by the Turkish
Defense Minister, and the continuing Azeri intentions to militarily
"regain control" over Artsakh, one may ask, what is the remedy of
the Turkish-Azeri appetite for another genocide against the Armenians?

The implementation of the right to Self-Determination in Artsakh;
and the expanding of the role of the Armenians everywhere for the
dual purpose of 1) defending what is already in existence – Armenian
and Artsakh, and 2) what should be accomplished in terms of the
re-establishment of the Western Armenian homeland.

At the cost of repeating what many activists previously said, we
should move beyond the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. We should
actively endeavor for 1) The restoration of the Western Armenian
homeland and 2) The compensation by Turkey for the loss of real and
personal properties in Western Armenia and Cilicia.

Some members of the community may be skeptical. To those skeptics’
attention, I would like to bring the historic moment, when the Soviet
Union=2 0collapsed and the Artsakh Liberation War broke out. And at
the cost of heavy human and material losses, Armenians were able to
liberate the Armenian Territories of Artsakh, which were forcibly
carved out of the 1921 Soviet Armenia during Soviet dictator Stalin’s
rule. The process of "Stalinization" of the Armenian territories was
remedied by the reversal of that process by way of de-Stalinization.

At the height of the Soviet power from 1921 through 1991, how many of
us actually visualized the arrival of the day when the Soviet system
would collapse and Artsakh would be liberated?

Now, at the height of Turkish power how many of us can actually
visualize Turkey’s demise and further dismemberment?

Those of us who are very much aware of the impending political
implosion of Turkey have solid grounds for doing so.

Today’s Turkey is the last vestige of the Turkish Ottoman Empire which
underwent an incomplete disintegration process after World War I. The
process of the Ottoman Empire’s disintegration was artificially halted
by the neo-cons of that period.

Now, decades later, the incomplete process of disintegration is heating
up again. No matter what else Turkish officialdom says or does, the
inevitable is knocking on the door of the contemporary "Sublime Port"
in Ankara.

MOST POLITICAL TECHNOLOGIES USED IN ARMENIA ARE DECONSTRUCTIVE, DIRTY AND OF CRIMINAL NATURE, EXPERTS SAY

Noyan Tapan

Nov 14, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Among political technologies used
in totalitarian countries are the intimidation of people, keeping
them in an atmosphere of fear, banning rallies, the existence of
political prisoners.

Aram Manukian, member of the Armenian National Movement (ANM) party’s
board and the Armenian National Congress (ANC), made this statement at
the November 14 discussion at the National Press Club. According to
him, today Armenia corresponds to the above mentioned criteria. The
political technologies have become mixed with criminal methods which
is highly unacceptable to the opposition and society.

Political technologist Armen Badalian in his turn said that a
nomenclature system has formed in Armenia, as a result of which most
political technologies used are dirty. These technologies are electoral
bribe, taking people to police stations "for a talk", intimidation,
etc. It is becoming fashionable in the circles of young political
figures to flatter senior politicians and compare them to Churchill
and de Gaulle.

In the words of the deputy chairman of Armenia’s PR Association Arman
Saghatelian, deconstructive competitive political technologies now
prevail in Armenia’s political reality. "For example, if someone sees
that his rival is taller, instead of trying to grow up he hits the
rival in the head to make him shorter," A. Saghatelian said.

According to political scientist Andranik Tevanian, if such notions as
"idea" and "leader" are absent in the political field, any technologies
are powerless here.

GEORGIA’S CONSENT TO TRANSPORT MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO ARMENIA IS THOUGHTLESS STEP: POLITICAL SCIENTIST

TREND News Agency
Nov 13 2008
Azerbaijan

Georgia, Tbilisi, 13 November / Trend News, corr. N.Kirtskhalia /The
permission by Georgia to transport military equipment to Armenia from
Russia via its territory may complicate the situation in Tbilisi,
Ramaz Klimiashvili, Georgian political scientist, told Trend News.

Recently, Armenian Defence Minister Seiran Oganyan voiced a will at
the meeting with Georgian’s Defence Minister David Kezerashvili that
the transit of military equipment to Armenia via the territory of
Georgia like it happens with economic cargoes.

"This will be the next thoughtless step that Tbilisi will take and may
result in provocation," Klimiashvili said. The decision will cause a
discontent in Azerbaijan, which is considered the ‘strategic partner
of Georgia and at the same time provides the country with gas’.

The political scientists stated that the one way where Armenia may
receive military equipment is Russia with whom Georgia has strained
relations. "It is hard to imagine how Tbilisi will permit to transport
military equipment from the country which occupied its territories,"
Klimiashvilis said.

A number of press in Georgia released information about the agreement
that was achieved with respect to transport equipment. However,
the Georgian Defence Ministry denies the information.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE RED CROSS MEET WITH AZERBAIJANI SERVICEMAN, HELD IN ARMENIAN CAPTIVITY

Today.Az
ty/48969.html
Nov 13 2008
Azerbaijan

Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross held a
meeting with the family of a soldier Rafig Hasanov, held in Armenian
captivity, in the Barda region today, said spokesman for the Baku
office of the International Committee of the Red Cross Gulnaz Hasanova.

She said during the meeting with the soldier’s family ICRC
representatives informed that on November 7 officials of the Committee
of the Red Cross met with Azerbaijani soldier Rafig Hasanov, held in
Armenian captivity.

"This is already a third meeting. The ICRC representatives familiarized
with the detainment conditions of the captive", noted Guliyeva.

She said the family delivered them a letter for Rafig Hasanov.

Notably, soldier of N military unit of Azerbaijan Defense Ministry
Hasanov Rafig (1989) was captured by Armenians on the contact front
line in the direction of the Gazakh region on October 8.

MATTHEW BRYZA: "PRESIDENTS OF AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA MAINTAIN MUTUAL TRUST AND RESPECT"

Today.Az
olitics/48974.html
Nov 13 2008
Azerbaijan

"Russian troops can not act as peacekeeping forces in the Karabakh
conflict", said US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza
in Baku.

He explained that the co-chairs have always relied on principles,
according to which in case peacekeeping forces are dislocated in the
conflict area in the future, they must not be from the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairing countries and from the states, neighboring the region.

"I do not know who can fulfill a mission of a peacekeeping force,
but we should complete works on the basic principles", said Bryza.

The co-chair announced that he discussed the issues of the Karabakh
conflict settlement at the meeting with the President of Azerbaijan.

"I can not say that Presidents Aliyev and Sargsyan have found contact
points, but I agree that there is a level of trust and respect between
them", said Bryza.

As for possible return of a part of the occupied lands of Azerbaijan
by the end of this year, he said he can not say when it will happen.

"Basic principles of the co-chairs are balanced and we do hope that
the lands will be returned to Azerbaijan for the refugees to be able
to return. Perhaps, a corridor will be created, perhaps, peacekeeping
forces will be deployed, and, perhaps, voting will be held or not be
held in the future.

In this issue, it is important for the Presidents to find a contact
point", said he.

CYPRUS AND ARMENIA AGREE TO ENHANCE RELATIONS
By Nicos Markides (Yerevan CNA)

nd_World_News/12651
November 14, 2008

An agreement to further develop the relations of the Cyprus House of
Representatives and the National Assembly of Armenia, was reached
during the talks Cypriot Speaker Marios Garoyian held during his
two-day visit to Yerevan.

Garoyian and National Assembly of Armenia President Hovik Abrahamyan
held a joint press conference on Thursday at the end of Garoyian’s
official visit where they also announced that visits by parliamentary
delegations of the two countries and government officials would be
held, while Abrahamyan accepted an invitation by Garoyian to visit
Cyprus in the coming year.

They also pledged to work for opening an Armenian embassy in Nicosia
and a Cypriot embassy in Yerevan, hoping to achieve this within 2009
when President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias will
pay an official visit to the country.

In his opening remarks, Garoyian thanked his Armenian counterpart
for the invitation, to visit the land of his ancestors.

"My visit confirms the excellent relations between the two Parliaments
and at the same time underlines our will to widen and reinforce even
further our traditional and excellent relations", he said.

With President Abrahamyan, he added, "we agreed to implement as much
as possible the Coope ration Memorandum signed by our predecessors
two years ago and during the Speaker’s visit next year (to Cyprus),
we will sign a wider Cooperation Memorandum which will include many
other sectors not included in the existing one".

At the same time, he said, Cyprus, as a member of the EU is willing to
substantially contribute to implement programmes within the European
Partnership Programme that will serve the interests and plans of the
Armenian government and state as a whole.

Garoyian referred to the talks he held with the Armenian political
leadership and President Serzh Sargsyan noting the initiatives the
latter has undertaken in regards to his contacts with Turkey and
normalizing relations between Turkey and Armenia, we well as the
latest developments concerning Karabach.

"Armenia is following a policy of principles towards the Cyprus issue
and the Republic of Cyprus is following a policy of principles on
issues which Armenia considers of high interest", said Garoyian.

In his statements, National Assembly of Armenia President Abrahamyan
said he agrees with Garoyian’s remarks. Asked what Armenia wants
from Cyprus, an EU member, concerning Turkey, Abrahamyan said "we
expect justice from the EU, we want cooperation with the EU and our
country has adopted the policy which will bring it closer to European
structures and we are open to hear every proposal from the EU, which
is not agai nst the Armenian causes and cooperate with Cyprus as
closely as possible".

On Turkey’s relations with the EU, Abrahamyan urged all states and
Cyprus, to be aware of Turkey and its policies.

Garoyian said he had discussed this issue with the Armenian President
as well as Abrahamyan and pledged that Cyprus, "as a member of the
EU, has the ability to play a substantial role to enhance relations
between the EU and Armenia".

"Our effort is for Turkey to comply with the principles and values
of the EU", he said, adding "we supported the start of Turkey’s
negotiations with the EU on the basis of three preconditions: that
it will recognize the Republic of Cyprus, that it will normalize its
relations with the Republic of Cyprus and will implement the Ankara
Protocol, meaning it will open its ports and airports to Cypriot
ships and plans, substantially contributing to finding a viable,
fair and functional solution to the Cyprus issue".

So far, Turkey has not fulfilled any of these promises or
preconditions, he added.

Abrahamyan said Armenia supports the Cyprus positions for a bizonal,
bicommunal federation.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and
occupied the island’s northern third.

During his contacts, Garoyian also met Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan,
Minister of Foreign Affairs Edvard Nalbandyan and was received by His

Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of all Armenians.

Garoyian and his entourage return home Friday.

FRENCH-ARMENIAN OPPOSITION ACTIVIST DETAINED IN YEREVAN

Agence France Presse — English
November 10, 2008 Monday

A French-Armenian opposition activist has been detained for making
false accusations after he alleged there was a plot to kill Armenian
President Serzh Sarkisian, a security official told AFP Monday.

Sargis Hatspanian, a French citizen of Armenian descent who is a
supporter of opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian, was detained
Friday and was to be charged Monday, an official with Armenia’s
National Security Service told AFP.

His arrest came after Hatspanian’s claim in an interview with an
opposition newspaper that an attempt was being organised in Armenia
and abroad to kill Sarkisian, which led to the opening of a criminal
investigation.

"Hatspanian was brought in for questioning on Friday and then detained
on charges of making false accusations," said the official, who spoke
on condition of anonymity.

Critics have accused Armenian authorities of persecuting and jailing
political opponents.

Ten people died in post-election unrest last March, when police
violently dispersed Ter-Petrosian supporters rallying for the results
of a February presidential election won by Sarkisian to be overturned.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AND PATRIARCH SHENOUDA III MEET IN CAIRO

His Holiness Aram I departed for Cairo for a one-day trip on November 11 to
meet His Holiness Patriarch Shenouda III. The two spiritual leaders
discussed the cooperation between the two churches as well inter-faith and
inter-church issues at large.

The Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, Bishop Nareg
Alemezian and the Chairman of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church
also attended the meeting.

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View photo here:
tos/Photos327.htm#2
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.