STORM TO INVEST $300M IN ARMENIAN CASINO
ATE Online, UK
Sept 5 2007
Russian gaming firm Storm International will invest $300 million in
a casino and series of gaming halls in Armenia. A spokesperson for
the company said it will build a 15-hectare gambling complex called
Shangri-La-Yerevan in the country using additional investment from
unnamed US partners.
Armenia currently has about 50 casinos, which operate according to
a 2002 law forcing them 10 kilometres outside the capital center.
NKR MOD SPOKESMAN: AZERBAIJAN’S PROPAGANDA MACHINE UNDERTOOK " EXTRAORDINARILY AWKWARD" ACTIONS
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Sept 5 2007
According to Nagorno-Karabagh Republic MOD Spokesman Senor Asratian,
the actions undertaken by Azerbaijan’s propaganda machine are
"extraordinarily awkward".
Today, in an interview with DE FACTO Agency Senor Asratian
categorically refuted information disseminated by Azeri APA Agency
concerning the fact that Iran’s Armenian religious organizations
fraudulently sent Iranian citizens of Armenian descent to
Nagorno-Karabagh, where they were forced to serve in the ranks of
NKR Armed Forces.
Senor Asratian noted even in the hard periods of the war triggered
off by Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabagh had not employed mercenaries and
won unassisted.
"I would like to remind that it was Azeri leadership that used
thousands of Afghan mojaheds and international mercenaries, as well
as Turkish soldiers to fight against Nagorno-Karabagh. There are
numerous documentary evidences of the fact", NKR MOD Spokesman stated.
Senor Asratian underscored Nagorno-Karabagh Defense Army was able to
ensure the Republic’s security without outside assistance.
Poll
The Armenian genocide debate and the Jewish community
Is the Jewish community ready to move past the Armenian genocide
debate, or are there still issues — like the congressional resolution
— that need to be resolved?
A. Time to move forward
B. Issues remain
VOTE:
————— —–
Previous Votes
Jewish groups and the Armenian genocide
How should Jewish groups respond to the issue of a congressional
resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide?
Results
Actively lobby for it: 89.56%
Actively lobby against it: 2.75%
Stay neutral: 7.69%
Source: tive/polls/#previousvotes
NAGORNYY KARABAKH EXPERT CRITICIZES AZERI STATEMENT ON DISTRICT OCCUPATION ANNIVERSARY
Azartac news agency, Baku, in Azeri 1700 gmt 30 Aug 07
Arminfo news agency, Yerevan, in Russian 1000 gmt 31 Aug 07
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry issued a statement on 30 August in
connection with the 14th anniversary of the occupation of Azerbaijan’s
Qubadli District by Armenian forces, the Azerbaijani state news agency
AzarTAc has reported.
The statement said that the district was occupied by the Armenian
armed forces on 31 August 1993, as a result of which more than 31,000
residents of the district became refugees. The ministry said that the
Armenian side is ignoring the UN Security Council resolutions regarding
the immediate withdrawal from the occupied territories and added that
Azerbaijan will continue making every effort to restore the country’s
territorial integrity on the basis of international law, AzarTAc said.
In turn, an expert in Nagornyy Karabakh, David Babayan, described
the statement as another diplomatic step that confirms Azerbaijan’s
"nonconstructive position on the Nagornyy Karabakh settlement",
the Armenian news agency Arminfo reported on 31 August.
Babayan expressed his regret that Baku officials have not taken any
steps to settle the conflict, Arminfo reported. He denied that Armenian
forces occupied part of Azerbaijan, saying that they were forced to
neutralize Azerbaijani forces as they threatened Karabakh’s security.
Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Sept 1 2007
Turkey US Relations: What is Next?
Saturday , 01 September 2007
Turkey-US relations likely to be tested soon
Throughout the last decade foreign policy has always been a key part
of Turkey’s agenda; however only since the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AK Party) first came to power in November 2002 has
foreign policy become highly visible in the discussions of the man on
the street.
The European Union membership process and relations with neighboring
Iraq, where the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has found a
safe haven, occupied a great deal of space on this agenda. These two
particular issues have also been the focus of domestic debate between
the ruling and opposition parties.
Ali Babacan, appointed as new foreign minister in Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdoðan’s Cabinet after his predecessor Abdullah Gül
became the new resident of the presidential Çankaya Palace, on Friday
took office at his new post. In a brief speech he delivered as he was
welcomed by Foreign Ministry staff, Babacan highlighted the proactive
foreign policy stance assumed by Ankara, without elaborating on the
fact that this stance has been assumed only in recent years and
undertake Party rule.
On the same day, via a Prime Ministry circular published in the
Official Gazette, it became clear that Babacan will continue wearing
his former hat as Turkey’s chief EU negotiator in addition to his
post as the foreign minister. In the same circular, the
Secretariat-General for EU Affairs (ABGS) which was thus far working
as an attachment to the Prime Ministry was subordinated to the
Foreign Ministry.
President Gül’s inaugural speech to Parliament on Tuesday once again
outlined that the EU membership goal has been embraced by Turkey’s
leadership as a core piece of the Turkish Republic’s state policy.
Thus it is obvious that both Gül, who will surely be an active
president in terms of foreign policy, and his successor Babacan will
focus much time on the EU issue.
Nonetheless, Turkey’s foreign policy does not consist solely of the
EU issue. Looking at events of the last few months, it becomes
apparent that Turkey is still losing people in the fight between its
security forces and the PKK. Meanwhile US military officials
considering Iraq strategy options appear to be focusing on reducing
the US combat role in 2008 while increasing training of Iraqi forces.
Despite the fact that the military has not yet developed a plan for
substantial withdrawal of forces next year, officials are laying the
groundwork for possible overtures to Turkey and Jordan to use their
territory for moving some troops and equipment out of Iraq.
Meanwhile, Turkey, which aims at becoming the fourth energy artery
for the EU, seems determined to deepen its bilateral cooperation with
neighboring Iran in the energy field, despite strong objections from
the US.
In Washington, congressional democrats are pushing for two separate
resolutions. One involves urging the administration to recognize the
World War I-era Armenian killings as genocide. Turkey has warned that
passage of the resolutions in the US Congress would seriously harm
relations with Washington and impair cooperation in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
Returning to the Iraq issue, Iraqi Kurds are pushing for a referendum
on the fate of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk before the end of this
year, while Ankara believes that the planned referandum should not
take place without reaching a consensus among the ethnic groups of
Kirkuk — namely Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen.
Given all of these circumstances, retired Ambassador Özden Sanberk, a
former Foreign Ministry undersecretary, believes that Ankara will
have to focus on `urgent matters,’ drawing attention to the fact that
not all parameters could be set by Ankara concerning the issue of the
PKK presence in northern Iraq since this situation is one of the
consequences of the ongoing US-led invasion.
`Considering that and keeping in mind that the Kirkuk issue, which
can easily be likened to a `time bomb’, as well as the tension
between Turkey’s NATO ally the US and Iran, I believe that the number
one priority for the government will have to be relations with
Washington. Because the US is both a reason for the problems and a
part of the resolution to these problems,’ Sanberk said in a
telephone interview with Today’s Zaman on Friday.
`For Turkey to be able to concentrate on its EU membership goal, it
first has to minimize threats against its own security. Thus all
foreign policy needs to gravitate around these security concerns.
While outlining its policy accordingly, Ankara will also have to
thoroughly analyze the global and regional trends,’ the prominent
diplomat added, referring to the rising popularity of the concept of
`nation-state’ in a world where international bodies are becoming
less influential.
Agreeing in general with what Sanberk asserts, prominent Milliyet
columnist and foreign policy expert Semih Ýdiz says bilateral
relations between Ankara and Washington are likely to enter a period
of tension, terming future relations between the two capitals
`electrified.’ He added, `Instead of waiting and seeing what will
happen next in Iraq, Turkey will have to assume a proactive stance by
getting directly involved in easing the political turmoil in Iraq.’
Ýdiz concluded: `Having its relations with the US `electrified’,
Ankara will be more and more eager to grab hold of the EU anchor. My
personal concern is whether Babacan’s 24 hours will be sufficient for
dealing with all of these issues. The question over whether it is a
good idea to have Babacan wearing two hats is hanging heavily in my
thoughts.’
01.09.2007
EMÝNE KART ANKARA
RECOGNITION OF NKR BY ARMENIA SHOULD PROMOTE FINAL SOLUTION OF PROBLEM
Noyan Tapan
Aug 31, 2007
YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, NOYAN TAPAN. The recognition of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic by Armenia was and continues to be a pivotal problem
of the Armenian foreign policy. It should happen at a moment that
will have the maximum efficiency and promote the final solution of
the problem. This moment has not come yet." The RA MFA spokesman
Vladimir Karapetian stated this when responding to "The Armenian
Reporter" weekly’s question about the legislative initiative of the
"Zharangutyun" ("Heritage") party regarding recognition of Nagorno
Karabakh.
"ORINATS ERKIR" READY FOR ACTIVE POLITICAL STRUGGLE
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Aug 29 2007
YEREVAN, August 29. /ARKA/. "Orinats Erkir" Armenian opposition
party is prepared for active political struggle, Vice-Chairman of
the party Member of Armenian Parliament Mher Shahgeldian told a press
conference Wednesday.
"Today Orinats Erkir is the most fighting political force going ahead
together with its members and companions. Me are in a fighting spirit
and are more active than ever," Shahgeldian said.
He also pointed out that Orinats Erkir party submitted more than 40
initiatives for consideration of the Parliament. The party cleared
itself of the "redundant" members and this process is still going on.
Orinats Erkir party was founded in 1997. Currently the party has
about 100,000 members.
The party got 8 seats in the parliament after the parliamentary
elections of May 12.
DASHNAKTSUTYUN WILL RUN IN THE LOCAL ELECTIONS
KarabakhOpen
29-08-2007 15:03:09
"The ARF Dashnaktsutyun of Artsakh will run in the local elections
on October 14," said Arthur Mosiyan, head of the Central Committee
of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun of Artsakh.
Arthur Mosiyan said the candidates are not known yet. The list will
be discussed in mid-September by the Central Committee.
On October 14 local elections will be held in 161 communities of
Karabakh, including to the mayor of Stepanakert.
TIGRAN KEOSAYAN IS SUMMONED FOR QUESTIONING IN RESPECT WITH FOMENTATION OF DISCORD
arminfo
2007-08-28 16:53:00
The well-known film director Tigran Keosayan is called to
a Prosecutor’s office in Moscow to give evidence. As the film
director’s barrister Pavel Astakhov said, "the Prosecutor General Yuriy
Chayka received an application from the Duma Deputy Kuryanovich, who
required that criminal proceedings be initiated against T. Keosayan"
because of the film director’s statements he made on air during
his own programme. According to Astakhov, Keosayan spoke about his
childhood on air, remembering a case "when he was offended in the
yard- his nationality was mentioned and he was humiliated". "His
father Edmond Keosayan said "if he is taller and bigger than you,
take a stone and hit him on his head, the barrister noted. Tigran
also said that he never did so and will never do. The Deputy thought
that T. Keosayan fomented race hatred, called upon "to throw stones
on Russians". After tomorrow’s testimony "it will be decided whether
to initiate criminal proceedings or not", Astakhov said. He added
"the representatives of the TV Channel on the air of which Keosayan’s
broadcast is put and those of the producing company, which releases
the program, have already been questioned". "Echo Moscow" says.
Today’s Zaman
Columnists
BERIL DEDEOGLU
[email protected]
The power of NGOs
There were several reactions in Turkey after an influential Jewish NGO
in the United States declared that the events of 1915 under the
Ottoman Empire qualified as "genocide." The Turkish government was the
main actor responding, which is in fact absurd. Numerous NGOs,
associations and think tanks all over the world, including in the US,
conduct research, publish reports or make statements about foreign
countries and societies. These declarations are not necessarily
positive. After an ethnic or religious NGO’s declaration,
interrogating a state with the same ethnic and/or religious
affiliation as the NGO also is ridiculous. In other words, it is
meaningless to ask Israel "What’s going on?" simply because the Jewish
lobby in the United States makes a negative statement about Turkey.
NGO activities in Turkey are a relatively new phenomenon and that is
why society and the government’s experience with such work is limited.
The general feeling is that every NGO is supported by at least one
government and that those in the US don’t favor Turkey, anyway. This
feeling is related to Turkey’s own democratic traditions.
Nevertheless, there are some people who certainly know that an NGO
declaration will result in Turkey contacting the Israeli government.
They also know that when the "Armenian genocide" issue arises, the
Turkish government will absolutely respond. When one puts the genocide
issue and the Jewish NGO together, it is obvious that somebody wants
Turkey to analyze this issue as an interstate affair.
There are several facts prompting Turkey to consider the "genocide"
issue an interstate problem. As this subject is debated in the
parliaments of many countries and recognition laws are adopted, it
becomes easier to take this as a "state" problem. That’s why Turkey
has drawn away from the essence of the debate and has focused on
designating which country develops hostile policies toward Turkey with
genocide rhetoric. The people of Armenian origin living in different
countries have diverging external or domestic motivations and
sensibilities, but this "interstate" atmosphere completely avoids
those.
One can even think that the actual state of affairs, which has existed
for a very long time, is exactly what is needed by all parties. Maybe
the "irresolution" process of the issue is more beneficial than its
resolution process. Once before the US Congress, the genocide issue
will affect relations between the Democrats and Turkey at a moment
when everybody thinks the Democrats will accede to power after the
next presidential election. That’s why Turkey, not a good ally of the
Bush administration given the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) issue and
Iraq policy, will also have doubts about the next Democratic
administration. That’s why it would be reasonable for Turkey to trust
the current administration. But as the trust between Turkey and the US
influences directly Turkey’s relations with the Middle East and
Russia, Turkey will also have to approach other allies of the United
States. Thus we will have to stop avoiding Israel and establish new
dialogue.
The rapprochement between states or societies, especially between
Turkey and Israel, is appropriate. However, there is an irony in that
the Armenian diaspora pushes Turkey against the wall, making Armenia
more dependent on Russia, consolidating its isolation, and encourages
Turkey’s rapprochement with Israel and the United States. It’s obvious
that there are some people designing their policies through Turkey’s
reactions. That’s why the genocide issue is not used as a matter
encouraging societies to engage in a dialogue, but as a tool to orient
states’ foreign policies.
29.08.2007
Source: berno=120601