Author: Boshkezenian Garik

MOSCOW TO HOST A MEETING OF ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI MPS

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.10.2009 19:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At the initiative of Russia’s State Duma the meeting
of Azerbaijani and Armenian deputies will take place in Moscow. As
a source in Russia’s parliament told PanARMENIAN.Net, the settlement
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, situation in the region and other
issues will be discussed at the meeting.

According to the source, the event should confirm the fact that
Russia does not intend to leave the Caucasus region and intends to
continue its policy aimed at establishing regional stability and
conflict resolving.

The meeting will be attended by the ambassadors of Armenia and
Azerbaijan to Russia Armen Smbatyan and Polad Bul Bul oglu, as well
as the representative of the President of Russia on international
cultural cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoi.

RA DEFENCE MINISTER RECEIVES AMBASSADOR OF CHINA

Noyan Tapan
Oct 20, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Defence Minister Seyran Ohanian
received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s
Republic of China to RA Hun Tzu on October 20. S. Ohanian thanked
China’s political and military leadership for the humanitarian aid
provided to Armenia in September within the framework of fulfillment
of agreements signed in 2006-2008.

According to a report by the RA Defence Ministry Press Service,
S. Ohanian emphasized that cooperation between the two countries
based on high political dialogue continues developing in military,
public, economic and cultural spheres.

NEW EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX WILL BE CREATED IN SHOUSHI

NKR Government Information and Public Relations Department
October 16, 2009

Today, the NKR Prime Minister Ara Haroutynyan has met with
representatives of All Armenian Fund "Hayastan" and French benefactors
Haroutyun and Hermine Aydabiryan, Armenians by nature. A concerned
talk connected with the issue of reorganization of the Shoushi school
after Mouratsan took place. It is anticipated that on the basis of
this educational hearth an educational complex, which will cover the
main flows of the high and vocational schools will be founded. The
Prime Minister and the benefactors noted that the new establishment
must have all modern educational conveniences, provided with facilities
and specialists, a hostel and gymnasiums inclusive. By A.Haroutyunyan’s
words, the establishment will be of republican importance and will have
a priority in replenishing the economy of the NKR with handicraftsmen.

Financing of the project will be, for the most part, conducted by
Hermine Aydabiryan’s relative Eznik Mozlyan’s bequeathed means. It
is anticipated that the French branch of All Armenian Fund "Hayastan"
will assume financial patronage over the establishment.

The Minister of Education and Science V.Khachatryan gave his
clarifications on the issue discussed during the meeting.

HRAZDAN HPP 5TH UNIT TO BE PUT IN SERVICE

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Oct 20 2009
Armenia

Hrazdan HPP 5th power unit will be put into service in June 2010. It
is a unique station, as a new unit 480 MW is being built adjacent to
the old unfinished 300 MW power unit. We plan to exploit both power
generating units. Indeed, it is a novelty," ArmRosGazprom Company
Board Chairman Karen Karapetyan stated at the Oct. 20 interview with
the journalists.

According to him, this was never done before. There are many similar
power generating units of 300 MW around the globe, that need to be
updated. Shortly after the launching of the Hrazdan HPP fifth power
generating unit, ArmRosGazprom can initiate the exchange of experience.

The preparation steps of the reconstruction and updating program of the
Hrazdan HPP 5th power unit was completed in 2008. New effective and
competitive heat and power engineering capacities of 480 MW will be
available on the energy map of Armenia next year. ArmRosGazprom will
have an opportunity to be involved in the Armenian energy delivery
sector, Karapetyan said.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AND NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF GEORGIA DISCUSS COOPERATION ISSUES

ARMENPRESS
Oct 19, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 19, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandyan received today newly appointed ambassador of Georgia Gregori
Tabatadze on the occasion of handing the copies of his credentials.

Armenian Foreign Ministry press service told Armenpress that
congratulating the ambassador on the appointment, minister Nalbandyan
expressed hope that he will have an important contribution to the
consolidation and development of mutually beneficial Armenian-Georgian
cooperation.

The interlocutors, highlighting the implementation of achieved
arrangements, discussed a wide-range of issues on economic, political
and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Nalbandyan and the ambassador exchanged thoughts on expansion
of legal-agreement field and referred to regional issues.

Sunday’s Zaman , Turkey
Oct 18 2009

Armenian journalist Hakob Chaqrian: recent rapprochement between
Armenia and Turkey may disturb some circles

Hakob Chaqrian from the AZG, a daily published in Armenia, says the
protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia in Zurich bear serious
political risks for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an and Armenian
President Serzh Sarksyan. Chaqrian further said: `The move may disturb
some circles.

Both leaders may become targets of fanatic nationalist groups; they
have to be careful.’
Chaqrian, who came to Turkey to watch the soccer game between the
Turkish and Armenian teams in Bursa, spoke to Sunday’s Zaman. The
Armenian journalist stressed that the Armenian diaspora, eager to
prevent close ties between the two nations, actually put the future of
their native country in jeopardy.

Chaqrian, a former academic at the then-USSR Academy of Science, is a
renowned scholar on the Seljuks. Chaqrian, who returned to his
homeland after the collapse of Soviet Union, fights for normalization
between the two countries. Noting that the Armenian diaspora feels
uncomfortable with the recent moves, Chaqrian stresses that some
countries, including Russia, are uneasy about the developments.

How would you interpret the recent moves to maintain close ties
between the two nations?

We are witnessing pretty historic and delicate steps; both countries
are leaving the Cold War era behind. When it acquired its independence
in 1991, Armenia was aware that it had to establish good relations
with Turkey. It should be noted that the legendary leader of the
Turkish nationalists, Alparslan TürkeÅ?, established diplomatic
relations with Armenian back then. However, following the remarks by
President Turgut Ã-zal, who said after the occupation of
Nagorno-Karabakh that there would be nothing if a few bombs were
dropped on Armenian lands, Armenia felt it had to look for other
protectors, and Russia has become that protector. Turkey’s negative
attitude moved Armenia towards Russia.

How’s the Russian response to current developments?

I do not think Russia is pleased with them; even though they raise no
objections to the recent moves between Turkey and Armenia I do not
think they will allow Armenia to maintain close relations with Turkey
as they did in the case of Georgian-Turkish rapprochement. The current
delicate balance in Caucasus requires this.

Who else is bothered by this rapprochement?

The Armenian diaspora is disturbed by it because they will have no
material at hand, and they actually admit it. Georgia is also partly
uncomfortable. It is worried that it will no longer be an asset for
Turkey.

Do you think that nationalist and fanatic groups may rely on
provocative action in both countries?

Absolutely, they will; both Sarksyan and ErdoÄ?an have taken serious
risks. Both leaders may become the targets of radical groups. They
have to be careful. [But] both leaders will consolidate their
positions if this process goes smoothly. I think Sarksyan will face
some difficulties for a while, but in the end the peace lovers will
win. I hope the same happens in Turkey as well.

Nationalists in Nagorno-Karabakh attacked the Parliament in the past¦

It was a whole different incident. Turkish people thought Karabakh
nationalists did this but the incident had nothing to do with the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

Is it possible that the nations will achieve peace after these moves?

I believe that conciliation between the two nations will take quite
little time. If this process goes this way, the nations will achieve
peace and a common understanding after a 90-year-long disagreement.
The problems may be overcome in a decade. Both nations need time. We
have to be patient; we should not expect that the issues will be
resolved overnight.

Do you think both nations need to reset their minds and memories?

To me, this should not be an option; clearing the memories will do
nothing but freeze the issues. Some may reinvent or revisit these
issues some time later. For this reason, the issues have to be
discussed; there are many countries that have done this. They now have
good ties.

What was the primary incentive and motivation for such a sudden
consensus to take steps toward rapprochement?

I am an Armenian born in Turkey; Turkey is going through a rapid
transformation. The republic had four untouchables when it was
founded: Kurds, Armenians, [Mustafa Kemal] Atatürk and the activities
of the General Staff. It was impossible for the intellectuals and the
writers to disagree with the established and imposed facts and
arguments in respect to these issues. It was a crime to make reference
to the Kurdish issue; being critical of Atatürk was an offense. The
activities of the military were immune to investigation. You had to
call the genocide the so-called or alleged genocide. There are no
longer lawsuits against writers who do not do so.

So the current process is a result of this transformation?

No, I wish it was. This process is the result of work required by
international actors; both parties agreed to resolve their problems
after international pressure because the Caucasus is an extension of
the Middle East. The international system is concerned about chronic
problems in this region. I would rather see resolution of the
bilateral problems via deliberate and voluntary moves by the parties
instead of international pressure; but it did not happen. Yet,
regardless of who initiated the process, what has been done so far is
proper and right.

What are your views with respect to the genocide issue?

Some bad and embarrassing incidents took place on this soil in 1915;
it is not possible to achieve a resolution by denying this. Nobody
would benefit from reluctance to deal with this problem. Everybody has
to face their past. Armenians did not just evaporate in these lands.

Do you think the diaspora will cease its support for Armenia because
of the recent moves?

They already have. Armenia has been unable to receive support from the
diaspora in recent years. The financial and material support provided
by the diaspora has already been reduced by 80 percent because of the
financial crisis. Currently, Armenia relies on the support of the
diaspora in Moscow; others provide no support. Armenia has to survive
by a reliance on its own resources from now on.

Does Armenia’s survival depend on the opening of the border?

This issue is actually exaggerated. The diaspora does not want the
opening of the border; we are able to connect to the world via the
Georgian border, but this cannot go on this way.

It seems that the determination to keep the border closed has been
quite a cost and burden for Armenia?

I think both countries are losing because of the continuation of this
situation where the issues remain unresolved. Armenia is not the only
party that loses. If both parties were able to sustain the close ties
established in 1991, oil and natural gas pipelines would have been
installed appropriately and feasibly. There would have been no delays
in the construction of these lines.

18 October 2009, Sunday
ERCAN YAVUZ BURSA

LEADERS OF EX-SOVIET STATES INSPECT CENTRAL ASIAN MILITARY DRILLS

RIA Novosti
16:1916/10/2009

MATYBULAK FIRING RANGE (Kazakhstan), October 16 (RIA Novosti) – The
leaders of five ex-Soviet states attended on Friday the final stage
of a rapid reaction force exercise in Kazakhstan.

The Collective Rapid Reaction Force of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) began the two-week Interaction-2009 military
exercises at southern Kazakhstan’s Matybulak training grounds on
October 2, with more than 7,000 personnel from Armenia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan taking part.

"This is another step toward forming our response to modern threats
coming from troubled regions in Central Asia and other places,"
Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev told journalists.

Members of the military alliance of ex-Soviet states, often viewed
as a counterbalance to NATO, are committed to defending each other
in case of an attack.

Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan
and Uzbekistan agreed to establish a rapid reaction force in
February. However, Uzbekistan and Belarus have yet to sign up.

Major goals facing the CSTO rapid reaction force include efforts to
enhance member-countries’ security from the threats of terrorism,
extremism and drug trafficking, the prevention and cleanup of natural
and man-made disasters as well as involvement in international
peacekeeping and security operations.

The Russian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik and Armenian leaders inspecting
the drills sported new camouflage outfits designed by Russian fashion
guru Valentin Yudashkin.

"The uniform is a success. I for one feel comfortable in it," Russia’s
Medvedev said, expressing hope that "soldiers will not freeze in
it either."

FROM NOW ON EVERYTING GETS MORE DIFFICULT

Hurriyet Daily News
Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Some developments we don’t take seriously. The Armenian initiative
in this respect is a very typical example.

We want to leave a hostility of a century behind us. Despite
deep-rooted beliefs in people for a century we are seeking peace. This
is such an important step and requires such braveness that it should
not be underestimated. And when it turns out to be a success, Turkey
and Armenia will benefit.

Foremost, we need to applaud Sarkisyan and Gul. They started the
kick-off together and the ball keeps rolling.

Let’s take a look at what will happen next.

First, the approval of the protocols in the parliaments of the two
countries will cause problems. The Armenians will pressure Ankara
to approve as soon as possible and will say, "As long as you don’t
approve we can’t take it for approval on our part." Turkey will ask the
Armenians for further development regarding the Karabakh issue and say,
"If you do not reach consensus with the Azerbaijanis our Parliament
won’t approve this protocol." The Azerbaijani will interfere and hold
Turkey back trying to obtain more compromise from the Armenians. The
key is in hands of the Minsk Group headed by the U.S., Russia and
France. If this group could force both sides into a consensus the
solution would be much easier.

When might there be a solution?

To determine a time for this process and estimate when to obtain a
result is impossible. We are facing an intertwined function in which
one factor influences the other.

I believe that this process will be interrupted from time to time,
then resume again and continue with ups and downs like this. It will be
difficult but in the end maybe after years a result will be obtained.

Why would France entitle Uzan to asylum?

The situation has finally become clear. Cem Uzan, after escaping from
Turkey, went to France and with a plan prepared long before he asked
for political asylum.

And the French, lik y do in such cases, told Uzan that they would look
into his case and provided him with a temporary residence permit. From
now on they will examine Uzan’s application and see whether or not
his reasons are justified. This examination might be concluded in
five or six months or continue for years.

The right to political asylum is granted in case freedom is
eliminated and there is a threat against one’s life. Or else,
issues like commercial disputes do not provide for the right to
political asylum. As a matter of fact, such applications won’t even
be considered.

Cem Uzan’s application probably includes reasoning that as a leader
of a political party his freedom was eliminated and he that the
opposition threatened his life. The opposite is unthinkable.

France, taking this application serious shows that it views the AKP
administration as having a criminal record in respect to freedom. Paris
may reject this application after examination but its suspicion in
his view of Turkey will remain.

Minutes instead of camera?

Deniz Baykal will discuss the Kurdish initiative with the prime
minister in the week before us, but there is such a restriction that
one does not know how to overcome.

Baykal wants this discussion to be recorded on camera. Recalling the
Erdogan-Buyukanıt meeting in Dolmabahce, he says this is crucial
in order to avoid misunderstanding in the public later on. He says,
"Let’s film it so if there is any misunderstanding we can show it."

To tell the truth I am not quite satisfied. The prime minister with
great possibility may talk about top-secret information. To film this
will increase the appetite of some. And after a while there will be
pressure to have the film released.

Why don’t they go for special minutes instead?

Both sides would bring their own steno to take notes. And when the
meeting is over they’d compare to check their correctness. These
types of minutes are used for secret meetings everywhere in the world.

Wouldn’t that be a better solution?

Making history: old foes unite at football match
Turkish and Armenian leaders put on show of unity after restoring relations

By Alexandra Hudson in Bursa

The Independent
Thursday, 15 October 2009

GETTY IMAGES
Turkish fans holding flags of Turkey and Azerbaijan, shout slogans in
support of Turkish team hours before World Cup qualifying match against
Armenia

Ahead of a World Cup football match, the presidents of Turkey and Armenia
exchanged a warm handshake ­ a gesture unthinkable only a few years ago for
two peoples divided over a century by rancour rooted in the First World War
killings of Armenians.

The attendance of the Turkey’s Abdullah Gul and the Armenian leader, Serzh
Sarksyan, at the match was a show of unity that was meant to help defuse
opposition to a deal re-opening their border and restoring relations. "We
are not writing history. We are making history," Mr Gul said.

Armenians accuse the Turks of genocide. Turkey acknowledges that many
thousands of Armenians were killed but insists that Ottoman Turks also died
in large numbers in fierce fighting.

Mr Gul visited Mr Yerevan last year for the first leg of what has been
called "football diplomacy" and the countries signed a peace accord at the
weekend. The deal could help stabilise the south Caucasus with its energy
corridor and ease Armenia’s geographical isolation.

But it is resisted by nationalists in both countries and by Azerbaijan, a
Turkish ally and oil and gas producer. Both parliaments must approve it.
Sayat Tekir, an Armenian-born student in Turkey, said on the way to the
match: "Today is a really historic day and I really wanted to be here. There
has definitely been a new openness in Turkish-Armenian relations over the
last decade. We can also discuss history and 1915, which we couldn’t do
before."

Nationalists in Bursa protesting against the peace accord held a banner
reading: "the protocol of betrayal is unacceptable" and chanted "we did not
commit genocide, we defended the homeland" and "the people of Azerbaijan are
not alone".

The unprecedented security at the 18,600-capacity stadium underlined what
was at stake. Neither side wants to give ammunition to the opponents of
Armenian-Turkish normalisation. The game was by invite only. Many of the
spectators were police academy students. Play began after Turkish fans booed
as an announcer read out the Armenian line-up. Some fans released white
doves in a gesture of peace that drew applause. Earlier a bus taking
Armenian journalists to the stadium was pelted with stones by Turkish fans.

Turkey’s Halil Altintop scored with a header in the 16th minute and Servet
Cetin fired the ball into the Armenian net in the 28th minute to make it
2-0.

The game in Bursa will give the presidents a chance to discuss some of the
thornier issues and potential pitfalls surrounding the protocols, including
lands disputed by Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as popular opinion
polarised by genocide accusations.

Mr Sarksyan is under pressure from nationalists at home and, particularly,
from the powerful Armenian diaspora, to not deal with Turkey unless they
acknowledge the Armenian genocide.

Endorsing the agreement will ease Armenia’s economic plight and could
strengthen Turkey’s bid to join the EU. It may also help to achieve an
opening of Turkey’s eastern borders extending to Syria, Iran and Iraq.

ARTHUR ABRAHAM AND JERMAIN TAYLOR HELD PUBLIC WORKOUT

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.10.2009 20:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Dozens of reporters and camera teams attended October
13 public workout in the heart of Berlin as "King" Arthur Abraham and
Jermain Taylor gave a taste of their class. The two former champions
will open the hotly-anticipated Super Six World Boxing Classic in
front of what will be a sell-out crowd at the o2 World Arena here on
Saturday night .

Not just the German capital, but the international press and fans
around the world are buzzing with anticipation. Camera teams from
Russia, Denmark, Italy, Germany and America, amongst other nations,
were deployed to cover the training session.

King Arthur believes his opponent will be in for "an unpleasant
surprise". He said: "Taylor is good, he is a proven champion, but
he has never been in the ring with someone that punches as hard as
I do. He will find out on Saturday. I have a lot of respect for him,
but he will not beat me in my hometown. The Super Six is the biggest
challenge of my life and I want to be a star in America once the
tournament is over."

Taylor also took a lot of time to speak to the reporters. "I have a lot
of respect for Arthur as a fighter and I know he will be prepared,"
he said. "You can expect a lot of fireworks in the ring on Saturday
night. I had a good training camp in Houston and I’m well prepared. I’m
expecting to deliver a good performance which will lead to victory. I
know exactly how Arthur plans to fight me, it’s no secret. I will be
ready to counter anything that he presents," boxingscene.com reported.