Author: Kafian Jirair

HEADS OF DELEGATIONS MAKE A JOINT STATEMENT ON KARABAKH

Aysor
Dec 2 2009
Armenia

Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan, Azerbaijan’s Foreign
Minister Elmar Mamedyarov, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov,
France’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Bernard Kouchner, and U.S.

Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg have made a joint statement
on Karabakh conflict in Athens.

"Chiefs of the delegations of the OSCE Minsk Group member states,
Sergey Lavrov (Russia), Bernard Kouchner (France), Deputy Secretary
of State James Steinberg (U.S.) met with Armenia’s Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandyan and Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov
on December 1 2009, in Athens," said in statement.

"The five officials applied to obligations signed in the Moscow
Declaration of 2008 and the Helsinki OSCE Ministerial Statement. The
five officials stressed this year’s positive trends of the six meetings
between Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents. The five officials believe
the growing number of meetings between the parties contributed to
moving forward the basic principles of peaceful settlement of the
Karabakh conflict which were proposed on November 29 2007 in Madrid.

"Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, France’s Minister for Foreign
Affairs Bernard Kouchner, and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James
Steinberg said the chairing countries are ready to support Armenian
and Azerbaijani leaders to finish the process of normalisation and
coordination of the fundamental principles. These officials call on
the negotiating sides to complete the works as soon as possible in
accordance with the three-president-made statement on Karabakh at G8
Summit in AkvilÄ-, on July 10.

"These officials stress that the agreement on the fundamental
principles will became a basis for the framework of the establishing
peace, stability and well-being in the region.

"Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan, Azerbaijan’s Foreign
Minister Elmar Mamedyarov said had reached progress in talks on
the common approaches around the settlements of the fundamental
principles. These officials said are ready to complete the works on
the fundamental principles in conformity with three-president-made
statement on Karabakh at G8 Summit in AkvilÄ-.

"Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan, Azerbaijan’s Foreign
Minister Elmar Mamedyarov confirmed the two counties are ready to
work hard at unsolved issues, to reach an agreement, particularly
in relation with the signed in the Helsinki Final Act principles of
sovereign equality, respect for the rights inherent in sovereignty,
territorial integrity of States, and refraining from the threat or
use of force."

HEIFER PROJECTS AIMED AT STRENGTHENING RURAL COMMUNITIES IN ARMENIA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
02.12.2009 20:14 GMT+04:00

"Heifer helps to implement programs in various spheres ranging from
development of agriculture to gender equality in Armenian regions. Our
programs are designed to foster responsibility in people, as well
as communication and mutual support in the community," director of
Heifer in Armenia Anahit Ghazanchyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

Heifer’s projects are aimed at helping rural families to ensure food
and income by providing them with animals. The conference will continue
to December 3.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT VISITS HOUSE-MUSEUM OF OUTSTANDING ARMENIAN POET AVETIK ISAHAKYAN

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 2, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
visited today house-museum of outstanding Armenian poet Avetik
Isahakyan which operates from 1963. The poet lived in that mansion the
last 10 years of his life. During the last two years reconstruction
works have been implemented in the museum with the state means and
today it again opens its doors to the art loving society.

President Sargsyan got acquainted with the reconstruction works and
watched the newly exhibited samples.

Director of the museum Hasmik Melkonyan said that the fund of the
museum has 13,000 things the majority of which is exhibited. The study,
bedroom, living room of the poet is presented just as they were during
his lifetime. "The building of the museum was constructed in 1940s
that is why there was an issue of preservation of the building,"
Melkonyan said.

Grandson of Isahakyan, Avik Isahakyan, noted that the museum, operating
quite actively, continues living. "The master loved this house very
much, he hosted a number of world famous poets here.

Contacting with people was his inner demand," the grandson said.

RPA political council members won’t be elected during congress any more
28.11.2009 14:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The spokesman for the Republican Party of Armenia¸
Eduard Shamrazanov informed Saturday that the party charter will
undergo some changes.

According to the amendments, RPA political council members won’t be
elected during the party’s congresses any more.

`Party members being high up in the civil service will henceforth form
the RPA political council,’ Sharmazanov said, adding that PM Tigran
Sargsyan and Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglaryan will undoubtedly be elected
to the council.

He is also in the firm belief that President Serzh Sargsyan will be
re-elected as the party’s chairman.

ALEXANDER MANASYAN ADVISES TO IGNORE ALIYEV’S STATEMENTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.11.2009 14:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijani President’s statements should be ignored,
political scientist Alexander Manasyan said when commenting on Ilham
Aliyev’s threats of war.

"The Azerbaijani President’s statements are addressed not to Armenia
or OSCE MG Co-Chairs but to his own people," Dr. Manasyan said.

Museum coming up for 17th century Surat ship
Yagnesh Mehta, TNN 24 November 2009, 10:14pm IST

SURAT: The city has been a leading ship-making centre since the 17th
century. The ship Quedagh Merchant’ was also built here. The remains
of this ship will be kept at a museum at Dominican Republic. The
museum is being jointly set up by UK, US, France, Holland, Portugal,
Spain and India.

The Quedagh Merchant’, an Armenian trade vessel, was hijacked by
notorious Captain Kidd, according to sea trade history. This incident
changed the future of global trade through sea in the 17th century,
revealed Pavel and Isabella Galoumian, an Armenian research couple who
were in the city to collect manufacturing details pertaining to the
vessel.

"We are working on the topic since 2007. We have collected lots of
details about Quedagh Merchant’, which was one of its kind of
vessels. It was hijacked by Captain Kidd on January 30, 1698," says
Pavel, a physicist in European Organisation for Nuclear Research,
Geneva.

The Galoumian couple says the vessel was built in the city around 1645
by a Wadia family. It was initially owned by Indian traders and then
rented to Armenian traders.

The documented history states the vessel was hired by Armenian traders
to take goods to Europe. British Captain Kidd, who was working for his
masters in England, hijacked the ship in the Arabian Sea off
Cochin. "After hijacking the vessel loaded with goods worth Rs
2,00,000, Captain Kidd returned to England and was arrested. He was
hanged after a few years of trial, but he had sent the ship towards US
with his trusted men aboard," says Isabella, a translator.

The arrest and execution of Captain Kidd helped to check the menace of
piracy and enhanced England’s reputation.

"The remains of the vessel were found in 2007 from the island of
Dominican Republic where it was burnt by Captain Kidd’s men in
1698. It was later confirmed that it was the Quedagh Merchant’ as it
was made of Indian teak wood. The glue, iron and wooden nails used in
the ship too were of India," says Isabella.

[email protected]

http://ti mesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Museum-coming -up-for-17th-century-Surat-ship-/articleshow/52652 35.cms

US CONGRESSMAN MICHAEL E. MCMAHON: BOTH USA AND RUSSIA ARE INTERESTED IN ADJUSTING THE CONFLICT IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH

APA
Nov 24 2009
Azerbaijan

Washington. Isabel Levine – APA. APA’s Washington correspondent’s
interview with US congressman Michael E. McMahon

– How would you estimate the current development in the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and the Armenia-Turkey normalization?

– The basic truth of a question, nevertheless, is that Turkey supports
close relations with Azerbaijan, and within many decades a problem
of communications between Turkey and Armenia has been adhered to the
conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. It would be naïve to think that the
signing of the protocols in October would eliminate this historical
context.

A timeline still has to be set for the protocols to be ratified by
Turkish or Armenian governments. But by this I don’t mean, however,
that the signing in Switzerland was not a huge step forward for
both countries.

Ultimately, Turkey and Armenia have been working together on this
issue, and I believe that the opening of the border would do wonders
for Armenia’s economy and political outlook. Turkey, which has asked
for nothing in return, is a critical US ally. And if the protocol
documents can bring Armenia closer to the West and at the same time
closer to a political solution to resolving Nagorno-Karabakh, I would
support that.

– There are beliefs in the region that the "key" countries play
an important role in conflicts adjustment. Barak Obama and Dmitri
Medvedev have met again, discussing numerous issues, including frozen
conflicts and security. How do you see the cooperation between US
and Russia on these issues?

– It is critical that the United States and Russia maintain an open
dialogue and work together to prevent nuclear dangers throughout the
world. For example, global nonproliferation efforts cannot succeed
without a new START treaty by the December deadline. Both the United
States and Russia, due to their roles throughout the later twentieth
century as global energy suppliers and leaders in arms sales, hold an
incredible amount of stock in this fight. Their coordinated efforts
to monitor the actions of other parties are not only beneficial,
but necessary for global security.

Global nonproliferation, however, is not the only mutual area of
interest for these two countries. They also share an interest in the
Caucuses, as well, and I am fully supportive of the protocols being
signed between Turkey and Armenia. As this process moves forward,
Azerbaijan will play a role as well. In Ankara, Philip Gordon mentioned
that it is unlikely that progress between Armenia and Turkey will occur
without progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Both USA and Russia
are interested in adjusting the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Again,
cooperation between the United States and Russia will pave the road
to peace in this region and greater energy security that reaches far
beyond the Caucuses.

– It has been more than one year after the Georgia war, do you think
there are still risks for new tensions present in the region?

– The conflict in Georgia has unfortunately alienated many of
our Eastern European allies and increased instability in not just
that country, but in the Ukraine and in many other former Soviet
satellites. I whole-heartedly believe that these nations are autonomous
and must be treated as such. There have been several reports in the
past few days indicating that tensions are growing in this region. The
Georgian people are incredibly divided over their allegiances and
there seems to be no sign of an ease in this tension.

What I find to be the most unfortunate aspect of this conflict is
that both sides acted brashly and have widened an already existing gap.

This fact, of course, also leaves the United States in a difficult
position, as well.

I feel that the United States can play a constructive role in this
conflict through greater cooperation with Russia. I would stress that
the situation in Georgia is incredibly fragile, so such talks with
Russia should be conducted away from the public eye in order to avoid
alienating any of the parties and increasing tensions further. I do
feel, however, that the United States, Russia and Georgia should work
together to address the conflict and the future of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia. As it stands, the heightened tensions are only creating
an incredible strain on the international community and the Georgian
people.

I’M NOT SURE ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER WILL OPEN SOON: U.S. EXPERT

Today
747.html
Nov 24 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with expert at the U.S.-based Council on Foreign
Relations Jeffrey Mankoff.

Day.Az: May a possible improvement in the U.S.-Russian relations have
an impact on the policies of these two countries in the Caucasus,
specifically, resolution of conflicts in the region?

Jeffrey Mankoff: Improved U.S.-Russian relations are likely to have an
impact on their ability to achieve progress in resolving conflicts in
the Caucasus. The U.S. and Russia diplomats played an important role
in signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols. The main factor in this
agreement is Turkish interests in solving regional disputes in order
to promote Turkey’s role as a regional political "broker". However,
the signing of the "deal" would not have been possible without the
U.S.-Russia cooperation which in turn appeared only in past year or
without Moscow’s and Washington’s attempts to improve the overall
climate of bilateral relations.

Q: Do you expect speedy progress in resolving ethnic conflicts such
as Nagorno-Karabakh?

A: Not really. The only way Turkey and Armenia could achieve even a
limited deal is to put aside the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh. Given the
pressure on the Armenian government, Armenia will unlikely be able to
make any concessions on Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkey also needs to retain
some leverage with Azerbaijan which was very upset by agreement between
Turkey and Armenia. It will take time to analyze these protocols and
consider them in the Turkish and Armenian parliaments.

Moving forward in a more complex Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may take
more time.

Q: Armenia is the only one of three South Caucasian states where
there is a strong Russian influence. Do you think the United States
is studying opportunities to strengthen its influence there in order
to weaken Russia’s influence?

A: I think that the U.S. is trying to avoid considering its relations
with the Caucasus countries as an alternative to Russia’s influence.

In fact, the U.S. wants Armenia to agree to take part in the pipeline
project from the Caspian Sea to Europe which Russia opposes.

Q: Azerbaijan has signed a deal with Russia to supply gas to this
country starting from 2010. It is argued that Baku made this move
being disappointed at the slow of implementation of projects such
as Nabucco which is aimed at ensuring European energy security. What
are your views?

A: I think that there are several factors in Azerbaijan’s decision.

First, following the August events in Georgia, it seemed that the
regional balance in the Caucasus has changed. Secondly, there are
difficulties by Turkmenistan in the Nabucco issue and the lack
of funding.

Q: Do you expect the Armenian-Turkish border to open soon, or at least,
before there is progress in the Karabakh settlement?

A: I’m not sure about the "soon", but the border is likely to open
before the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia has a financial
interest in opening of the border. For the Armenian diaspora, which has
not directly confronted the consequences of political and economic
isolation of Armenia, it is easy to criticize this arrangement,
which does not address the issue of Karabakh. Armenian citizens
will certainly benefit from it. In turn, opening of the border would
increase the regional weight of Ankara including in its negotiations
with the European Union.

YEREVAN AND BAKU TALK ABOUT POSITIONS AND PROGRESS

Tert
Nov 24 2009
Armenia

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev conducted deeper and more detailed discussions on unsolved
issues, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Elkhan Polukhov
told Azeri Press Agency (APA) when commenting on the recent meeting
of the two heads of state in Munich.

According to him, the meeting lasted for more than 4 hours, which
clearly demonstrates the importance of the meeting.

The diplomat also emphasized that there was progress in the positions
of the parties in some issues. "Moreover, the presidents of both
countries assigned the foreign ministers with the task of continuing
the negotiations. The next meeting of the foreign ministers of the
two countries is planned to take place in Athens in early December,"
the Azerbaijani spokesperson stated.

Yesterday, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian spoke about
"certain progress in some issues."

ARMENIA ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO REGIONAL COOPERATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.11.2009 11:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Multilateral cooperation and interparliamentary
diplomacy are gaining importance, according to Armenian National
Assembly Speaker.

"The BSEC Parliamentary Assembly expands activities year by year,
ensuring political and economic stability throughout the region. As a
BSEC member, Armenia will work for development of economic and trade
cooperation, for resolution of domestic and regional problems," Hovik
Abrahamyan said when addressing the PABSEC plenary session in Moscow
on Monday.

Attaching importance to transport communication, he emphasized that
integration of transport system will become more efficient if all
12 BSEC member countries are involved in the process. "Transport
corridors and energy security are essential for even development of
BSEC member states," he said.