Author: Babajanian Karo

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

JULY 8-14, 2011

HIGHLIGHTS:

“E-CLUB” CYCLE: INTERNET AND EDUCATION

“YERKRAGUND” ON THE ROLE OF IRAN IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS

TURKISH JOURNALIST AWARDED FOR COVERING ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

RESULTS OF THE ARMENIAN MEDIA MARKET RESEARCH ARE RELEASED

“A1+” AGAINST NCTR: FOUNDER OF “ARMNEWS” DENIES TO BE THIRD PARTY, WHILE THE
PLAINTIFF SUBMITS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE SUIT

PRELIMINARY HEARINGS ON THE CASE OF “GLENDALE HILLS” VERSUS “ZHAMANAK” DAILY
FINISHED

“E-CLUB” CYCLE: INTERNET AND EDUCATION

On July 12 another program from “E-Club” weekly cycle went on the online
broadcast of “A1+” TV company (). The “E-Club” is produced by
Yerevan Press Club in cooperation with “A1+” TV company under “Alternative
Resources in Media” project, supported by USAID.

The information and education blocs, particularly, compared the advantages
and disadvantages of Facebook and Google+ social networks, the online
broadcast of Armenian radio stations was presented on the example of
Rockline.am. One of the plots dealt with results of Internet voting
regarding the need of foreign language schools in Armenia. The theme was
further considered by the guests of the discussion part of “E-Club” –
partisan of the initiative Tigran Kocharian, Editor of , and
Edgar Arakelian, producer of news portal, member of the civil
initiative group “We are against foreign language schools”.

The next “E-Club” will be aired on “A1+” on July 19.

“YERKRAGUND” ON THE ROLE OF IRAN IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS

On July 12 the twelfth show of “Yerkragund” (“Globe”) cycle went on the
evening air of “Yerkir Media” TV company. The current show was produced by
Yerevan Press Club with support of Open Society Foundations-Armenia.

The guests of the program host, YPC Expert Gegham Baghdasarian, were iranist
Artin Arakelian, politologist Ruben Mehrabian, Armenian Center for Political
and International Studies, Anna Gevorgian, Research Assistant at the Center
for Civilization and Cultural Studies of Yerevan State University, and Gohar
Iskandarian, Research Assistant of Iran Department at the Oriental Studies
Institute of RA National Academy of Sciences. The discussion focused on the
role of Iran in the South Caucasus region.

The next “Yerkragund” show will be aired on “Yerkir Media” on Tuesday, July
19 at 19.15 (rerun – on Thursday, July 21 at 14.15).

TURKISH JOURNALIST AWARDED FOR COVERING ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

On July 7 at the Consulate General of Belgium in Istanbul the award ceremony
intended to encourage Armenian and Turkish journalists, who write about the
neighbor country, Armenian-Turkish relations. The event was organized by
Global Political Trends Center of Istanbul Culture University, Yerevan Press
Club and Eurasia Partnership Foundation in frames of “Support to
Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement” project, assisted by USAID. The jury listed:
Ruben Safrastian, Director of Oriental Studies Institute of RA National
Academy of Sciences, Satik Seyranian, Chief Editor of “168 Zham” newspaper,
Gegham Manukian, Director of the News and Current Affairs Programs of
“Yerkir Media” TV company, Mensur Akgun, Director of Global Political Trends
Center of Istanbul Culture University, Sevda Alankus, Dean of the
Communication Faculty of Izmir Economics University, and Ferhat Boratov,
Representative of CNN-Turk TV Channel Administration.

>From the Turkish journalists the award was granted to Kadri Gursel, the
Foreign Affairs Editor of “Milliyet” daily – for articles supporting
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.

Earlier, on May 18 in Yerevan the Armenian journalist, Eduard Mkhitarian,
Film Director of “GALA” TV company of Gyumri, was awarded (see details in
YPC Weekly Newsletter, May 13-19, 2011).

RESULTS OF THE ARMENIAN MEDIA MARKET RESEARCH ARE RELEASED

On July 12 and 14 at “Congress” hotel in Yerevan the presentation of the
Armenian media market research was held. The study was implemented in 2011
by Caucasus Research Resource Centers (CRRC), Yerevan Press Club and Eurasia
Partnership Foundation under “Alternative Resources in Media” project,
supported by USAID.

The research covered a wide range of questions regarding the preferences of
the audience, the conformity of the social demand and media offer, the level
of population credibility towards media, its attitude towards new media
resources, their accessibility, etc. The work was carried out in four
directions: nationwide poll on public opinion (January-February, 2011,
between 1,420 respondents); 8 focus group discussions (March 2011); 33
in-depth interviews with representatives of media industry (April-May, 2011)
and monitoring of thematic profiles of 12 Armenian media (February 1 – March
15, 2011). The monitoring was administered by Yerevan Press Club and covered
seven TV channels (First Channel of Public Television of Armenia,
“Shoghakat”, “Armenia”, Second Armenian TV Channel, “Yerkir Media”,
“Kentron”, “Shant”), 2 newspapers (“Aravot”, “Golos Armenii”) and three
online publications (1in.am, Lragir.am, Panorama.am). The study aimed at
determining the level of the diversity in media, particularly focusing on
their thematic directions, as well as providing data for the comparative
analysis with the undertaken population poll defining how the thematic
coverage and the media interest towards thematic profiles reflect their real
public significance and correspond to the audience demands.

The presentations were organized for media representatives on July 12, and
NGOs, social activists and citizen journalists – on July 14. On July 18 the
research result will be introduced to representatives of state structures
and business circles, while on July 25 – to international organizations and
diplomatic corps.

The Armenian media market research is fully presented in Armenian and
English on the The study, as well as the very media monitoring
will soon be placed on in “Studies” Section.

“A1+” AGAINST NCTR: FOUNDER OF “ARMNEWS” DENIES TO BE THIRD PARTY, WHILE THE
PLAINTIFF SUBMITS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE SUIT

On July 8 at RA Administrative Court another session on the suit of “Meltex”
LLC, founder of “A1+” TV company, versus National Commission on Television
and Radio was held. As it has been reported, on February 21 “Meltex”
contested the results of digital broadcast licensing competition No.11. The
founders of “A1+” and “ArmNews” TV companies were opponents in this
competition (the latter became the winner). The NCTR December 16, 2010
decision on competition No.11 noted that the financial means, claimed by
“Meltex” LLC, “cannot be sufficient, given that the significant part of the
supporting documents on the financial assistance (…) is forged and
unjustified”. Namely, this fact rendered impossible for “A1+” to implement a
complete broadcast in the digital network in Yerevan, assured the NCTR.
Assessing this justification as forced and biased, “Meltex” addressed the
court demanding to restore its violated rights and nullify the NCTR decision
on competition No.11. At the hearings, started on May 11, 2011, the Court
secured the plaintiff’s motion on impleading “ArmNews” CJSC, founder of
“ArmNews” TV channel, as a third party in the case. Meanwhile at the session
of June 10 the representatives of “ArmNews” did not appear before the court
(see YPC Weekly Newsletter, June 10-16, 2011).

At the session of July 8 a letter in which founder of “ArmNews” denies to
participate in the court proceedings was read out. The “A1+” founder, in its
turn, presented a supplement to its suit. The 7 pages’ document lists in
detail the inconformities of the “ArmNews” licensing application that were
neglected by NCTR while determining the winner of competition No.11. The
Court granted the respondent with time for reviewing the supplement to the
suit.

PRELIMINARY HEARINGS ON THE CASE OF “GLENDALE HILLS” VERSUS “ZHAMANAK” DAILY
FINISHED

On July 8 at court of general jurisdiction of Kentron and Nork-Marash
administrative districts of Yerevan finished the preliminary hearings on the
suit of the construction company “Glendale Hills” versus founder and
publisher of “Zhamanak” daily, “Dareskizb Media Kentron” LLC. The reason of
the suit was the piece “‘Glendale Hills’ Offered 1000 Dollars for Silence”,
published in “Zhamanak” on August 26, 2010. The article informed that in
August 2010 there were collapses in a newly built house in Gyumri, and the
building contractor, “Glendale Hills”, offered the tenants a financial
compensation, promised to restore the damages, if only the media did not
know about the incident. The suit was submitted to consideration on
September 24, 2010; the preliminary sessions started since November 26,
2010. “Glendale Hills” demanded from “Zhamanak” founder to refute the
information as contained in the piece that discredit its business
reputation, compensate the damage caused by defamation of 2 million AMD
(about $ 5400) and cover the court expenses of 500,000 AMD.

At the session of July 8 the advocate of the respondent, Nikolay
Baghdasarian, proposed to take the question to arbitration or consider it in
a non-judicial procedure. Nikolay Baghdasarian also informed YPC that during
the preliminary hearings he had made a petition to suspend court proceedings
– in order to give the “Zhamanak” founder a possibility of addressing the RA
Constitutional Court on the issue of constitutionality of some provisions of
Article 1087.1 (“Order and Conditions of Compensation of Damage to the
Honor, Dignity or Business Reputation”) of RA Civil Code. However the court
put off the consideration of the petition.

The core hearings are appointed on September 5.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

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Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
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UN ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 14, 2011 – 19:12 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On July 14, Kori Udovicki, UN Assistant
Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and UNDP Regional
Director for Europe and CIS will arrive on a 2-day official visit
to Yerevan.

On the sidelines of her visit, Ms. Udovicki will meet Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

Discussion of Armenia’s development-related as well as international
issues will be on meeting agenda.
Content-Type: MESSAGE/RFC822; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Content-Description:

MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
From: Mihran Keheyian
Subject: UN Assistant Secretary-General to arrive in Armenia

UN Assistant Secretary-General to arrive in Armenia

July 14, 2011 – 19:12 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On July 14, Kori Udovicki, UN Assistant
Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and UNDP Regional
Director for Europe and CIS will arrive on a 2-day official visit to
Yerevan.

On the sidelines of her visit, Ms. Udovicki will meet Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

Discussion of Armenia’s development-related as well as international
issues will be on meeting agenda.

ARMENIAN SURB BARDUGHIMEOS CHURCH TO BE RESTORED IN TURKEY (PHOTO)

news.am
July 14 2011
Armenia

Governor of Turkey’s Van province said that Surb Bardughimeos Armenian
church will be restored and opened for spiritual tourism.

Governor Munir Karaoglu visited the church abandoned since 1915,
Turizmhaberleri website reports. Karaoglu drew attention to the fact
that wall decorations have been preserved.

The official gave instructions to launch works to restore the church.

Interestingly, Turkish media outlets which published the news did not
mention the church was Armenian.

OBAMA THANKED LAVROV FOR HIS EFFORTS REGARDING NAGORNO-KARABAKH ISSUE

Panorama
July 14 2011
Armenia

US President Barack Obama met with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov
and discussed a range of bilateral and international issues, “White
House” website informs.

The President thanked the Foreign Minister for his efforts to complete
a new bilateral agreement on visa liberalization as well as a new
agreement on adoptions, both of which will touch many lives in Russia
and the United States.

President Obama thanked Foreign Minister Lavrov for his efforts
regarding Nagorno-Karabakh and underscored the U.S. commitment to
achieve a framework agreement. President Obama and Foreign Minister
Lavrov also discussed the opportunities for cooperation on missile
defense in Europe.

YOUNG EUROPEANS FROM 15 STATES TO PRESENT THEIR CULTURE IN ARMENIA

news.am
July 14 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Armenian Youth Foundation will hold European cultural
evening on Friday in Yerevan. More than twenty young people from
fifteen countries will participate in the event to present their
culture, cuisine, song and dance.

The event’s objective is to raise awareness of Armenian young people
about European culture and promote intercultural contacts, foundation
informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The event is organized by Armenian Youth Foundation and Yerevan office
of European Students Forum (AEGEE) NGO. It is implemented within the
framework of Summer University Project.

HOW THE NAMES OF PLACES HAVE BEEN CHANGED IN TURKEY

Today’s Zaman

July 14 2011
Turkey

On Wednesday I quoted from Sevan Niþanyan’s latest report on the
changed names of places in the republican era in Turkey (Hayali
Coðrafyalar: Cumhuriyet Döneminde Türkiye de Deðiþtirilen Yeradlarý)
that indicates more than 15,000 names that were Armenian, Greek,
Jewish, Kurdish, Arabic and so on have been changed.

I also wrote that everything began in 1916 with the decree issued by
Enver Paþa immediately after the massacres of non-Muslims took place.

Let’s read the rest of the story from the report:

“A radical transformation began in the second half of the 1950s. As
of this date, the making of things into Turkish was practically
espoused as though it was a ‘state policy,’ which superseded the
political powers. In 1957 the Changing of Foreign Names Commission
was established … to determin the non-Turkish names of places and
suggest new names.

“Efforts bore their first fruits immediately in the aftermath of the
May 27, 1960 coup. During the four months that followed the coup,
approximately 10,000 new village names were made official. Prior to
1965, almost one-third of all places in Turkey were changed. Roughly
12,000 villages, some of which had thousands of years of history,
and 4,000 towns and districts, thousands of rivers, mountains and
geographical structures met their new Turkish names as a project of
the bureaucratic mindset.

“In an effort to erase the old names completely, very harsh policies
were implemented. The printing of the former names, even in brackets,
on maps, their entry into the country and their distribution was
banned. The Maps General Command was established for the purpose of
functioning as a map censorship committee under the auspices of the
General Staff. All printing and sales of maps relied on permission from
this committee. Publications that presented old names on a local scale
were confiscated, with sometimes even simple plans being considered
as maps.

“Simultaneous with the banning of old names were efforts to erase
traces on Turkish land that was not Turkish or Muslim. Many Greek and
Armenian churches that had been abandoned, in addition to cemeteries,
were destroyed by certain military and civil commissions, whose
natures are still not clear. The special status granted to Greeks on
Ýmroz and Bozcaada islands through the Treaty of Lausanne was lifted,
and the Greek population was moved. A good deal of the Ýstanbulite
Greeks were deported in 1964. The Armenian population that remained
in the country was forced into internal exile in Ýstanbul or abroad
following increased pressure after 1955 and 1956.

“The period of location name changing, which entered a lull after
completing its active phase around 1965, showed signs of revival in
the years that followed another coup — that of Sept. 12, 1980. Old
names that were used, however seldom, in formal transactions until
1980 were removed from circulation entirely following the military
administration’s determined interventions.”

A counteractive movement

Voices that rejected the changing of location names in line with
“national” politics were quite limited in the 1980s and the 1990s;
however, in the 2000s, these voices began to influence the public
agenda.

The first important signals indicating that the official policies
vis-à-vis the changing of location names began in 2009. President
Abdullah Gül, while addressing the people of the town of Güloymak on
Aug. 8, 2009, used the Kurdish name of the town, “Norsin.” Immediately
afterwards, on Aug. 12, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan used the
term, “Potamya’lýyýz ezelden” (We are from Potamya since eternity),
in reference to Rize’s Güneysu town, his place of birth. These
moves, which created a public buzz, brought to the public agenda
the possibility of abandoning this taboo, which had been protected
with great sensitivity for years, at the highest levels of political
authority.

Around the end of the 1990s, many villages in Artvin were given highway
signs that contained both their old and new names. And as of 2004,
newly populated Syriac villages in Midyat and Nusaybin were granted
signs in two languages.

It is known that the mindset that changed the names of old locations
and erased their traces is also the same mindset that destroyed
churches, memorials, graves, inscriptions, graveyards, houses and
neighborhoods. These were conducted at the same time and most probably
by the same groups.

The destruction of churches, etc., which was until recent years,
considered a “national duty,” or at least excused as such, is now
accepted as a crime and in accordance with Law Number 2863 Clause
65/a, is punishable by two to five years in prison. Fifty years ago,
historic monasteries and churches around Lake Van were destroyed
systematically, with the church on Akdamar island escaping this
destruction only by way of coincidence. Today, the church is being
repaired with significant funding by the government.

A lack of reflection of this mental evolution that we are witnessing,
where historic monuments are concerned vis-à-vis old location names,
is saddening.

Quantitative results

“In the frame of changing location names in 20th century Turkey,
15,585 changes have been noted … The regions in which there have
been the largest number of location name changes are the East Black
Sea region coastal strip and the provinces of the Southeast, which
have a predominantly Kurdish population.

“It is known that the first of these two regions that most strongly
experienced cultural and identity transformation, has better conformed
to the process of “Turkification,” — perhaps due to having started
the race earlier — while the latter has been unable to conform.”

DO YOU ADMIT THAT 1.5 MILLION ARMENIANS WERE KILLED IN 1915? HEFFERN PASSES THE ROUND OF QUESTIONING

Panorama
July 14 2011
Armenia

Mr. John Heffern, the Administration’s nominee to serve as Ambassador
of the United States of America to the Republic of Armenia faced
a series of questions on a range of issues during Senate Foreign
Relations Committee hearing chaired by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH),
reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

Presiding over the hearing, Foreign Relations Subcommittee Chair
on European Affairs, Senator Shaheen began the round of questioning
and touched on the Protocols between Armenia and Turkey, the current
status of the Nagorno Karabakh talks and prospects for peace, as well
as the importance of democracy and free and fair elections, especially
in the context of the upcoming national elections in Armenia in 2012
and 2013. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) emphasized the importance of
democratization and queried Mr. Heffern about the steps he would take
to assist Armenia’s development.

In response to Senator Shaheen’s questions, Mr. Heffern indicated
that the United States strongly supported the Protocols signed
between Armenia and Turkey in October of 2009, and indicated that
the Administration remains “committed to doing whatever we can to
encourage the two parties to get the protocols back on track.” Mr.

Heffern also stated that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “has
made it clear” that “the ball is in Turkey’s court.” With respect to
the Nagorno Karabakh peace process, Mr. Heffern noted that President
Barack Obama and Secretary Clinton have been “deeply involved” and
“remain committed” to the OSCE Minsk Group process to find “a lasting,
peaceful and just solution to this conflict.”

On the democracy front, Mr. Heffern noted a series of positive
steps that the Armenian government has taken in the last six months
and indicated that if confirmed he would continue to build on this
progress and the work of former Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.

The Armenian Assembly has consistently supported the presence of
a U.S. Ambassador in Armenia to build on the positive and growing
bilateral relationship. In Mr. Heffern’s opening testimony, he
indicated that “the Obama Administration has strengthened U.S.

relations with Armenia” and noted that last April the Presidents “of
our two countries held their first bilateral meeting in 10 years and,
when Secretary Clinton visited Yerevan last year, it was the first
visit by a Secretary of State to Armenia in 19 years.”

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) welcomed Mr. Heffern’s opening statement
which reiterated President Obama’s position on the Armenian Genocide:
“President Obama has recognized and deplored the horrific events that
took place in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire. He has publicly
called the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians at this time one of the
worst atrocities of the 20th century. The President has urged Turkey
and Armenia to work through their painful history to achieve a full,
frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts. If confirmed, I will
do my best to fulfill the President’s vision.”

Senator Menendez outlined the facts and discussed several historical
documents pertaining to the Armenian Genocide, including various cables
from U.S. officials serving at the time of the Genocide as well as
Article II of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Menendez asked Mr. Heffern if
he disputed any of the facts presented, of which Mr. Heffern did not.

Senator Menendez also asked if Mr. Heffern believed that the facts
presented, including those in Mr. Heffern’s opening statement fit the
definition of Article II of the Genocide Convention. Heffern responded
in the affirmative, but indicated that the characterization of the
events was a policy decision as reflected in the President’s April
24th statement.

In closing, Senator Menendez expressed his continued frustration with
Administration policy by stating that this is “an inartful dance that
we do. We have a State Department whose history full of dispatches
cites the atrocities committed during this period of time. We have
a Convention from which we signed on to as a signatory that clearly
defines these acts as genocide. We have a historical knowledge of
the facts which we accept that would amount to genocide, but we are
unwilling to reference it as genocide. And if we cannot accept the
past we cannot move forward, and so I find it very difficult to be
sending diplomats of the United States to a country in which they will
go, and I hope you will go, as some of your predecessors have, to a
Genocide commemoration and yet never be able to use the word genocide.

It is much more than a question of a word. It is everything that
signifies our commitment to saying ‘Never Again’ and yet we cannot
even acknowledge this fact and we put diplomats in a position that
I think is totally untenable.”

“The Armenian Assembly welcomes the continued efforts of Senator
Menendez to ensure that the facts of the Armenian Genocide are brought
to the forefront and not denied. We concur with the Senator that the
Administration’s current policy is untenable.” The Assembly strongly
believes that America’s long-term interests would be better served
by speaking the truth and squarely affirming the Armenian Genocide,”
said Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

2011 Interns with Vartuhi Asaturian, Minister Counselor at the Embassy
of Armenia, outside of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Room

Also attending today’s hearing were the Assembly Terjenian-Thomas
2011 Interns, including Evelina Beknazaryan and Aram Bagrazyan. “I
appreciate the U.S. government’s assistance in promoting democracy
and human rights in Armenia,” stated Beknazaryan. “Also creating a
positive economic environment for international investments as well
as U.S. efforts directed towards a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict are important,” she added.

Aram Bagrazyan commented that “the hearing provided insight into
the workings of America’s foreign policy. I learned more about the
American political perspective with respect to U.S.-Armenian relations,
as well as with other countries.”

The next step in the confirmation process is to allow Senators to
submit questions in writing to the nominee. After the Senators have
an opportunity to review the nominees’ responses, the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee will hold a business committee meeting to vote
on Heffren’s candidacy.

SURGING OIL PRICES CAUSE FREEZING OF IRAN-ARMENIA PIPELINE PROJECT

Interfax
July 13 2011
Russia

Armenia and Iran have put a temporary hold on the construction of
an oil-product pipeline from Tebriz in Iran to Yeraskh in Armenia
because of spiking world oil prices, Armenia’s Energy and Natural
Resources Minister Armen Movsisyan told reporters on Wednesday.

“Prices are unpredictable, and this does not allow us and our Iranian
colleagues to implement the project,” Movsisyan said. Discussion of the
project can only be resumed “only after world oil prices stabilize,”
he said.

Movsisyan had said earlier that pipeline construction might begin
this year. Armenia intends to import Persian Gulf oil products both
transiting and originating in Iran.

Preliminary figures indicate the construction in Armenia will cost
around $100 million, and the entire pipeline from $250 million to
$260 million. It will be technically possible to move 750,000 tonnes
of gasoline and a like amount of diesel fuel through the pipeline.

Domestic fuel consumption in Armenia runs to around 450,000-500,000
tonnes annually.

AZERBAIJAN WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE DEFENSE SPENDING – PRESIDENT ALIYEV

Interfax
July 13 2011
Russia

The government of Azerbaijan will continue to increase its military
spending, President Ilham Aliyev said at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday,
which focused on the country’s socio-economic results for the first
half of 2011.

“Attention to military building is at the highest level ever. The
parade held in June [on June 26, 2011] showed our strength, the
might of the Azerbaijani Army. The armed forces are being reinforced,
significant funding is being allocated for these purposes,” Aliyev
said.

Overall, the country’s military spending is $3.3 billion. “This is 50%
more than Armenia’s whole budget,” he said.

“$3.3 billion is a lot of money. On the one hand, it is a lot; on the
other, it is little. A lot, because it is a big sum, and a little,
because we must pay more attention to this matter. I believe that
before the end of 2011 we must find means to increase our military
spending even more, and today I am issuing this instruction to the
Cabinet of Ministers,” Aliyev said.

AZERBAIJANI DIASPORA IN GERMANY PROTESTS AGAINST SALE OF KARABAKH COINS BY ARMENIA

State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
July 12, 2011 Tuesday

The Central Council of Azerbaijani Diaspora in Germany has sent a
letter of protest to Ebay, Emuenzen and Pfalzmuenzen companies
operating in Germany demanding to stop the sale of the Armenia-issued
coins on Nagorno-Karabakh.

The fact of the sale has recently been revealed by the president of
the Central Council on the websites of Ebay, Emuenzen and
Pfalzmuenzen.

The coins with a denomination of 1 and 5 drams and 50 luma read:
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in the English, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in
the Armenian and Nagornz Karabach in the German language.

The websites also showed Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Armenia.

In its letter, the Central Council of Azerbaijani Diaspora said the
actions of Armenians and their attempts to deceive German people and
numismatists would simply increase tensions between the two countries.

The Central Council demanded the companies to stop the sale of the
coins and remove the false information about Nagorno-Karabakh from
their websites.