Author: Jagharian Tania

From: CRRC-Armenia <[email protected]>
Subject: CRRC-Armenia/AIPRG Round table discussion on`Armenian-Turkish Relns

PRESS RELEASE
CRRC Armenia
Contact: Heghine Manasyan, CRRC-Armenia Director
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (+374 10) 58-13-30

Vahram Ghushchyan, AIPRG Yerevan office Research Director;
[email protected] (+374 10) 52-87-23

December 9, 2006

CRRC-Armenia and AIPRG Round table discussion on`Armenian-Turkish
Relations: Challenges and Perspectives’

On Saturday, December 9, 2006, the Caucasus Research Resource Centers –
Armenia (CRRC-Armenia), in cooperation with the Yerevan office of the
Armenian International Policy Research Group (AIPRG), organized a roundtable
discussion on `Armenian-Turkish Relations: Challenges and Perspectives’,
which was moderated by political analyst Richard Giragosian. The round table
was initiated by an independent Turkish think-tank TESEV (Turkish Economic
and Social Studies Foundation) that is implementing a project entitled, `The
Normalization of Turkish-Armenian Relations’. This TESEV project seeks to
address the problems between the two countries and to come up with policy
proposals for decision makers on both sides, with an overall objective of
proving that the normalization of relations constitutes a win-win situation.

The event was held at CRRC-Armenia premises and attended by a number of
participants (27), including representatives from leading Armenian academic,
scientific and public institutions, NGOs, and some journalists. Opening the
meeting, Heghine Manasyan, CRRC-Armenia director and AIPRG fellow, presented
a brief overview of the CRRC and AIPRG, explaining their activities and
upcoming events. In particular, she cited the CRRC Data Initiative and
Training programs and the AIPRG’s ongoing research on the possible
consequences of the Armenian-Turkish border opening, including a subsequent
AIPRG conference on the issue to be held in Yerevan in January 2007.

Following the opening of the meeting, Mr. Mensur Akgun, TESEV Foreign Policy
Program Director, and Mr. Richard Giragosian, international analyst and
AIPRG Fellow, introduced the framework of issues of Armenian-Turkish
relations that were to be discussed during the meeting. The meeting focused
on three specific areas of Armenian-Turkish relations, beginning with the
key question of what should be understood from `the normalization of
relations’?

Second, the meeting then addressed several `problem areas’ in
Turkish-Armenian relations, including the border, and its recognition, the
economic consequences of its closure, and the possible outcomes of reopening
the border for both sides; the effects of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on
bilateral and multilateral relations; the current situation in the region;
the latest developments in negotiations over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict;
and the effects of the Armenian genocide issue on Armenian-Turkish
relations, looking at both mutual perceptions and the Diaspora factor.

The third issue addressed in the meeting was an analysis of Armenia’s
Euro-Atlantic integration process and its possible effects on bilateral
relations and regional stability (Armenian policy regarding NATO, Armenia’s
place in ENP). Much of the focus on these broader issues also included an
interesting look at the scale of change within Turkey as well.

The discussion was held in a friendly and professional atmosphere and raised
substantial interest among the participants and sparked a number of
questions, observations and suggestions, including the fact that Turkish
policy toward Armenia had largely become `hostage’ to Azerbaijan, with
Turkish foreign policy options for its possible `normalized’ relationship
with Armenia having become subject to considerations of Turkey’s relations
with Azerbaijan in general, and over the Nagorno-Karabakh issue in
particular. The discussion also emphasized the importance of dialogue and
exchange between independent experts from both Armenia and Turkey and the
need for future collaboration, and studies on possible scenarios for the
future course of Armenia-Turkey relations within a broader perspective of
the next 15-20 years.

The Turkish participants noted that the economic and commercial
opportunities may present the most feasible start to a `normalization’ of
relations, with the economic incentives serving as dynamic catalysts for
beginning a fresh approach to the complexities of Armenian-Turkish
relations.

While the meeting was an important step forward in terms of a deepening of
dialogue and exchange, the participants agreed that it was merely a first
step toward an effort to break down misperceptions and misunderstandings on
both sides of the issue. And perhaps most notably, while the Turkish
participants never questioned the historical legitimacy of the Armenian
genocide issue, there was a stress on the need to focus on educating and
engaging Turkish society on the issue, rather than continuing with an
international diplomatic recognition effort alone.

The meeting, one of several scheduled during the Turkish group’s visit to
Yerevan, offers a sense of hopeful enthusiasm that the level of engagement
can continue, to both overcome the intransigence of some Turkish officials
and to exploit the Armenian government’s positive offer of establishing
relations with no preconditions.

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CRRC are a network of resource and training centers established in 2003, in
the capital cities of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia with the goal of
strengthening social science research and public policy analysis in the
South Caucasus. A partnership between the Carnegie Corporation of New York,
the Eurasia Foundation and local universities, the CRRC network offers
scholars and practitioners stable opportunities for integrated research,
training and collaboration in the region. For more information on CRRC
activities, and a complete list of our independent advisory committee
members, please contact:

CRRC Armenia: 52 Abovyan Street, 3rd Floor, Yerevan, Armenia 375025;
Tel/Fax: +374 (10) 58-13-30, 58-14-50; [email protected];
To find out more about our activities in Georgia and Azerbaijan, please go
to

The Armenian International Policy Research Group (AIPRG) is a nonpartisan,
nonpolitical association that researches and encourages the discussion of
public policy issues in Armenia and the Diaspora. AIPRG aims to consolidate
the existing Armenia-related expertise by bringing together accomplished
researchers and practitioners who specialize in economics, political
science, law, and government affairs.

AIPRG: 50 Nalbandyan Str, Suite 16, Yerevan 0010, Armenia, Phone/Fax: (+374
10) 528 723; [email protected]
To find out more about AIPRG, please go to

WORKING VISIT OF FIRST LADY OF AZERBAIJAN TO USA ENDS

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Dec 9 2006

In the frame of her visit to the United States, First Lady of
Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has met Mr. Karen Hughes, the Under
Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy. Mehriban Khanum updated
on the projects being realized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation she
leads, in the humanitarian sphere, emphasizing that by the coming
of oil profits, the country develops the fields of education, health
and culture. Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, she noted that the Foundation she supervises persistently
takes care of the children deprived of parents as a result of this
conflict.

Mr. Karen Hughes, highly estimating the work done by the Heydar Aliyev
Foundation, underlined that this work is of vast importance for future
of Azerbaijan. The USA Undersecretary of State said Azerbaijan is
an example country from the point of view of respect for religious
minorities. She took interest in the conference on the subject of the
"Role of mass media in propaganda of tolerance" to be organized by
the Organization of Islamic Conference in Baku in 2007.

Noting the importance of this Conference for the country, Mrs. Mehriban
Aliyeva invited Karen Hughes to take part at this event.

Mehriban Aliyeva also met the Under Secretary of State for Global
Affairs Paul Dobrianski. In meeting, discussed were the issues of
cooperation between two countries, aimed at counter-action against
common threats, in particular, prevention of "bird flu". Paul
Dobrianski expressed readiness of his country to render to Azerbaijan
all-round assistance in this cause. Noting that there are joint
US-Azerbaijan working groups on economic issues and the question of
security, Paul Dobrianski stressed necessity of conducting discussions
also on the questions of democracy and human rights. At his words,
Azerbaijan as a modern secular state could play the role of bridge
between the West and Islamic world.

Noting existence of full religious and ethnic tolerance in Azerbaijan,
Mehriban Aliyeva said that she, as a UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill
Ambassador, is open to all suggestions in this field.

In meeting, the First Lady of Azerbaijan spoke of the processes ongoing
for further improvement of democratic institutions in the country.

Mehriban Aliyeva’s visit to the United States ended.

ASHOT ABOVIAN RELIEVED OF POST OF RA DEPUTY MINISTER OF JUSTICE

Noyan Tapan
Dec 07 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. By RA Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian’s decision, Ashot Abovian was relieved of the post of
RA Deputy Minister of Justice. As Noyan Tapan was informed from
RA government Information and Public Relations Department, he was
appointed as Deputy Head of RA Judicial Department.

REFERENDUM ON NKR CONSTITUTION – IMPORTANT STAGE OF INDEPENDENT STATEHOOD’S FORMATION

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Dec 7 2006

"The referendum on the adoption of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s
Draft Constitution is a current important stage of the formation of
our independent statehood and the further development of democracy
in the country", the NKR Central Election Commission’s appeal to the
Republic’s citizens runs. The appeal was adopted in connection with
the referendum on the NKR Draft Constitution to be held December 10.

The Commission urged all the citizens eligible to vote "to display
civil maturity, high level of orderliness, to come to the voting
districts and, fulfilling their civil and patriotic duty, to
participate in the Constitution’s adoption".

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 8, 2006

Application Deadlines Fast Approaching for 2007 AGBU New York and
Paris Summer Intern Programs

The AGBU New York and Paris Summer Intern Programs (NYSIP and PSIP)
are currently accepting applications for the 2007 summer sessions,
having concluded another successful year in 2006 with 34 interns from
seven countries.

Now in their 20th and 4th seasons respectively, NYSIP and PSIP
provide interns with unique and valuable opportunities to work with
some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Past
internship placements in New York have included the United Nations,
Columbia University Medical Center, Merrill Lynch and Sports
Illustrated. Internships in Paris have included the Louvre Museum,
Saint Ann Hospital, and Universal Music Mobile.

The New York and Paris Summer Intern Programs consist not only of
professional experience in the workplace, but also cultural and life
lessons for the up-and-coming Armenian youth. Participants take part
in seminars on résumé-writing, interviewing, and job networking tips,
as well as tourist activities in order to take advantage of all that
each city has to offer. The internship programs simultaneously
include community service and other activities that emphasize the
importance of giving back to the Armenian community.

NYSIP was launched in 1987, and was conceptualized by Vartkess and
Rita Balian out of the AGBU Central Office in New York. The Paris
Summer Intern Program was initiated in 2003 by the AGBU France
District Committee. The programs strive to give interns a solid
foundation for returning to their local communities with both
enhanced strength in their Armenian identity and increased direction
for their future careers. NYSIP and PSIP hope participants will
benefit from a closer connection to their cultural identity and
become successful professionals and future leaders in their
communities

Application deadlines are fast approaching; submissions are due
December 14, 2006 for NYSIP and January 12, 2007 for PSIP. Students
interested in receiving information or downloading applications can
contact NYSIP at [email protected] and PSIP at [email protected].

For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please
visit

–Boundary_(ID_8LFYC8Ph1m4ObvGHJKy VVQ)–

NICOLAS BURNS: WE HAVE ELABORATED A FUNDAMENTAL APPROACH, WHICH WILL HELP RESOLVE THE CONFLICT

ArmRadio.am
05.12.2006 13:05

"A fundamental approach has been elaborated with Armenian and
Azerbaijani leaders, which promises to settle the conflict," US Under
Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicolas Burns declared during
the OSCE Ministerial meeting in Brussels, Mediamax agency reports.

The American diplomat said that "the OSCE must urge the leaders of
Armenia and Azerbaijan to turn these ideas into a n agreement."

Nicolas Burns noted that the unsettled Karabakh conflict "hinders
the return of hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced persons.

"This conflict keeps Armenia and Azerbaijan in a "no war no peace
situation, " their borders remain closed, the alienation between
ever friendly populationsgrows," the US Under Secretary of State for
Political Affairs declared.

OSCE SAYS NAGORNO-KARABAKH TO BE RESOLVED WITHIN A YEAR

Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Dec 5 2006

Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht who currently chairs the
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said Monday
that a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is "in reach within
one year."

"We have made really substantial progress if not a breakthrough with
respect to Nagorno-Karabakh," de Gucht told a press conference in
Brussels Monday night following the end of the first day of the 2-day
OSCE ministerial meeting.

The Belgian foreign minister said he has held several meetings with
the Presidents of both Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"The trust between the two countries has grown considerably," he noted.

On other "frozen conflicts" in former Soviet states such as Abkhazia
and South Ossetia regions in Georgia, in Moldova , de Gucth said no
text was possible because of Russian opposition.

"There is a clear refusal on the Russian side even to discuss it.

No text possible," he said.

Foreign ministers from the 56 OSCE member states are holding their
annual Ministerial Council in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday.

The OSCE is a western security organisation founded in 1973, which
is concerned with conflict prevention, election observing and the
rehabilitation of post-conflict areas.

SERGEY LAVROV ON KARABAKH: EXCESSIVE PUBLICITY HARDLY WILL HELP THE JOB

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.12.2006 13:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "To sweeten the bitter pill of OSCE FA Ministers’
futile session as current chairmen of OSCE the Belgian tried to
declare about progress at Nagorno Karabakh talks " says the Russian
newspaper "Vremya Novostey". "Confidence between Azerbaijan and
Armenia has essentially grown, and it is very important since you
will see the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict next year",
declared the current president of OSCE Karel de Gukht . During the
session was coordinated a statement on Nagorno Karabakh, "which
is acceptable for Armenia and for Azerbaijan", Russian FA Minister
S. Lavrov said. But obviously this statement Moscow accepts without
particular enthusiasm. Sergey Lavrov approved it as a political signal
for supporting the negotiation process, pointing out, " Any excessive
publicity, any promises to reach an agreement during a certain period
of time hardly will help the job", the newspaper writes.

NATO REP.: ARMENIA ACTIVE PARTICIPANT OF NATO PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE PROGRAM

Yerevan, December 4. ArmInfo. The Individual Partnership Action Plan
(IPAP) of Armenia with NATO is mainly aimed at security sector, NATO
expert Evert Somer told journalists in Yerevan, Monday. E. Somer is
in Armenia to participate in a seminar devoted to crisis management
that has got underway today, on December 4.

He said IPAP consists of numerous components, including the
cooperation with the Rescue Service of Armenia and the role of crisis
management. NATO expert said that Armenia is an active participant
of the EuroAtlantic Partnership Council and NATO PfP program. It
takes an active part in the events organized. That is why, he and
his colleagues from the USA and the Netherlands are in Armenia and
hope for a successful meeting, the expert said.

BAKU WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE RESULTS OF THE REFERENDUM IN NKR

ArmRadio.am
04.12.2006 13:49

"Azerbaijan will not recognize the results of the Constitutional
Referendum in Nagorno Karabakh," says the statement of the Azeri MFA
disseminated in Baku.

"Any constitutional document on the autonomy of the population of
Nagorno Karabakh region can be applied only through a thoroughly
elaborated legal, democratic and peace process, in which both the
Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of the region will have equal
legal rights to participate," the statement notes.