Author: Kalashian Nyrie

news.am, Armenia
Nov 28 2009

Karabakh conflict settlement can be achieved: Mayilyan

15:54 / 11/28/2009`Ilham Aliyev’s warlike statements before the Munich
meeting are aimed at pressurizing Armenian side in some way and
blackmail international mediators on conflict settlement. Besides, the
meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents was the first after of
Armenia-Turkey Protocols’ signing in Zurich. It is evident, that
relations’ normalization between Yerevan and Ankara incurs displeasure
in Azerbaijan’, stated NKR Foreign and Security Policy Council
Chairman Masis Mayilyan.

According to him, the circumstances under which the warlike statements
were made should also be considered. `The statement was made to
Azerbaijani displaced people, who will be settled in North Artsakh,
occupied by Azerbaijan’, noted Mayilyan.

Armenia should carry on negotiations and insist on restoration of its
full format, that is NKR representatives’ participation, Mayilyan
reckons.

Breakthrough in Karabakh talks can be achieved through the efforts by
international mediators like in case of Balkan and South Caucasian
conflict settlements. Last year we witnessed new tendencies and think
that philosophy adopted in conflict resolution is revised. I hope that
we can settle Karabakh conflict accounting new tendencies in
international policy. Currently, we make an attempt to be back to
status quo of 1988, which is unrealistic, and should not expect any
major impetuses in settlement taking into account such approaches,"
Mayilyan noted.

Young director Ruben Antonyan debuts with `Gifted Samurai’ film
28.11.2009 16:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Young director Ruben Antonyan debuted with `Gifted
Samurai’ film, portraying the life of artist Boris Matinyan. The film
was shot in a small Yerevan apartment of the artist, who started
painting at 50.

`Gifted Samurai’ is a monologue of the artist, encompassed in a
colorful world of his own, told through his works.

EDWARD NALBANDIAN’S VISIT TO JAPAN ENDS

Noyan Tapan
Nov 27, 2009

TOKYO, NOVEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. During his official visit to Tokyo,
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian was received by Japan’s
Crown Prince Naruhito on November 26, the RA MFA Press and Information
Department reported.

E. Nalbandian informed Crown Prince Naruhito about Armenia’s approaches
to a number of regional and international problems, also about the
purposes of his visit to Tokyo, the results of the meetings held the
day before and the reached agreements on expanding and deepening the
cooperation between Armenia and Japan in various spheres.

In the second half of the day, E. Nalbandian delivered an extensive
speech on Armenia’s foreign policy at the Japan Institute of
International Affairs.

In response to the question about the constant threats of war made
by Azerbaijan, E. Nalbandian said: "Perhaps these threats are being
made in antcipation of applying pressure. Naturally this can impress
neither Armenia nor Karabakh. Such attempts make the international
community form an obviously negative impression of Azerbaijan".

E. Nalbandian went to the headquarters of Shimizu Corporation and
met with its management. The sides discussed the projects being
implemented by the corporation in Armenia and the opportunities of
their expansion. Shimizu representatives stated with satisfaction
that thanks to efficient cooperation with the Armenian government, new
environmentally friendly technologies have been introduced in Armenia.

CYPRUS WAS ALWAYS NEXT TO ARMENIA: CYPRUS PRESIDENT

news.am
Nov 24 2009
Armenia

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has underlined
that efforts to reunify Cyprus and its people will continue with
persistence and good will," the Cypriote Famagusta Gazette reports.

The statement of the President voiced by one of the officials at
the Armenian Church of Nicosia reads, "We remain committed to our
goals for the creation of a peaceful, united and prosperous homeland
for all its citizens, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites,
Armenians and Latins. These efforts to reunify Cyprus and its people
will continue with persistence and good will, asserting our rights
based on principles. We pursue a bizonal, bicommunal federation with
a single sovereignty, citizenship and international personality as
well as unified economic institutions.

Speaking about the Armenian Diaspora of Cyprus, President underlined
that "tight bonds of friendship and common struggles describe the
historic paths of Greek Cypriots and Armenians in our country. Cyprus
and its people have always been present to the important historic
times of the Armenian people."

The President also recalled that Cyprus was the first European state
that officially recognized Genocide in Ottoman Empire.

AIVAZYAN: AZERBAIJANIS HAVE RECEIVED AN ADEQUATE RESPONSE

Aysor
Nov 23 2009
Armenia

Armenian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly has met some
staff-related changes, as Karen Aivazyan announced today. Its members
are now deputy of the Republican Party Artak Zakaryan and head of
Heritage Party Stepan Safaryan.

Armenian delegation has participated in all NATO Parliamentary
Assemblies. Stepan Safarian spoke to Assembly when items of
cyber-security were discussed. In particular, he presented those
matters that Armenia met since the hacker attacks. "Azerbaijani
delegation responded by charges with ‘Armenian aggression’ and
‘occupied territories’ and met an adequate response," told Karen
Aivazyan. According to him, Lithuanian delegate spoke in favor
of Armenia.

Azerbaijan’s delegation was represented only by two members and didn’t
participate in Assembly, added Karen Aivazyan.

SPEAKER OF ARMENIAN, TURKISH PARLIAMENTS ESTABLISH CONTACTS

news.am
Nov 23 2009
Armenia

Speaker of the RA Parliament Hovik Abramyan held a meeting on Moscow
with his Turkish counterpart Mehmet Ali Å~^ahin. The meeting was held
within the framework of the 34th conference of the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation Organization (BSEC).

The press service of the RA Parliament told NEWS.am that the sides
exchanged views on the Armenia-Turkey normalization process without any
preconditions. Speaker Abramyan stressed the Armenia side considers
it necessary that the Armenian-Turkish protocols be signed within a
reasonable timeframe. Hovik Abramyan and Mehmet Ali Å~^ahin welcomed
the Armenian and Turkish Presidents’ resolution and joint work, which
has laid the foundations for natural relations between the two nations.

In this context the sides shared the opinion that direct human contacts
should first of all be promoted and that the two Parliaments have to
establish relations. The sides made a high appraisal of their meeting
and expressed hope for further ones.

TIGRAN BALAYAN SAYS IT IS EARLY TO SPEAK ABOUT THE BILATERAL MEETINGS OF THE ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN ATHENS

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 23, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS: "As of this moment we can only say
that Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan will participate in
the OSCE Ministerial Council in Athens," spokesman for the Armenian
foreign minister Tigran Balayan told Armenpress in a phone conversation
from Italy. The spokesman did not provide any information about the
bilateral meetings of the Armenian minister within the framework of
the gathering, noting that it is early to speak about them.

The statement of the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs about the results of
the Munich meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents says
that as a next step the meeting of the foreign ministers of the two
countries is expected to be organized in early December in Athens on
the eve of OSCE Ministerial Council.

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
Nov 20 2009

Russia does not link Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia-Turkey processes – spokesman

Russian MFA Spokesman Andrei Nesterenko Response to Media Query
Regarding "Association" between Processes of Nagorno Karabakh
Settlement and Normalization of Armenian-Turkish Relations
1751-19-11-2009

Moscow has taken note that some Armenian media have raised a fuss
about the remarks made by the Russian MFA Spokesman on November 17.
They allege that Moscow has changed its position and now links the
processes of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement and Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement. This is a misunderstanding. Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov has repeatedly clarified Russia’s point of view. It remains
unchanged. These are two different processes.

We have a positive attitude to the bilateral documents signed by
Armenia and Turkey, which determine their subsequent actions towards
comprehensive normalization of state relations.

We believe that the establishment of good neighbourly relations
between Armenia and Turkey should objectively contribute to further
steps to promote peace and security in Transcaucasia.

As to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, despite continuing disagreements,
the parties have managed to achieve some definite progress in agreeing
on the basic principles for its settlement.

We see our role in facilitating this process, the search by the
parties for mutually acceptable solutions to the key issues, but
without the imposition on the conflict participants of any recipes
from outside. At the same time we believe that the primary
responsibility for the final choice should lie with the Azerbaijanis
and Armenians themselves. Russia will be ready to support the solution
option which will suit all parties involved, and if a compromise
agreement is reached to act as guarantor of the settlement. Clearly, a
viable solution will be the one that will enable returning stability
and tranquillity in Transcaucasia and in the post-conflict period help
to maintain the historically established geopolitical balance of
forces there and is not likely to transform the region into an arena
of international political and military rivalry.

November 19, 2009

Today, Azerbaijan
Nov 21 2009

Armenian elite understands regional alignment of forces will not be in
favor of Armenia: Russian expert

21 November 2009 [13:44] – Today.Az

Day.Az interview with Russian political expert and Head of the
Political Forecasting Service of the Center for Post-Soviet Studies
Alexander Karavayev.

Day.Az: According to media reports, Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents will meet in Munich on Nov. 22. What are your expectations?
Can we expect progress?

Alexander Karavayev: It is hard to predict. It seems there are good
conditions for a breakthrough that could be beneficial for Armenia. At
present, Azerbaijan extends its hand to Armenia. In general, fairly
positive picture emerges out of the impasse. Support by global powers
and, of course, the Diaspora serves as an incentive to keep Karabakh
and surrounding areas. Actually, this support has always existed and
still exists. But support is rendered to Armenia as a state. It is not
policy of this state in respect of Karabakh.

The Armenian elite understands that the alignment of regional forces
in the foreseeable future will not be in favor of Armenia. But now
there are all chances to gradually get out of this impasse with
dignity, and to get benefits from it. If no progress is reached, a
window of opportunities will remain till the spring of 2010.

Q: What can be an alternative to the Minsk Group?

A: I have no idea. Any scheme in this respect is possible. If the CIS
bodies had retained the authority and power, this organization would
have every reason to become a sponsor of the peace process. But it did
not happen. Peacekeeping forces can hold any name. But only powers
that enjoy credibility and respect all over the world should act as
organizers. However, experience shows even this is not always enough.

Q: The Council of Europe Secretary General says his organization is
ready to offer assistance once Turkey and Armenia need it while
normalizing relations. What assistance can the Council of Europe
provide?

A: Probably, they could offer "to talk about it." No more. For
example, hold a conference, meeting of members of parliament and
public leaders. There can be no exceptional diplomatic involvement of
the Council of Europe.

Day.Az

URL:

NATIONAL POLICE OF TURKEY SUSPECTED IN PLANNING OF MURDER OF REPRESENTATIVES OF ARMENIAN INTELLECTUALS IN TURKEY

ArmInfo
2009-11-20 15:07:00

ArmInfo. The investigation into an alleged illegal network known as
Ergenekon has revealed that a civilian who was formerly employed by
the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) had collected detailed information on
Turkey’s ethnic Armenian population.

As Turkish Zaman says, Ergenekon investigators found that Fatma
Cengiz, who is currently a suspect in the case against Ergenekon,
collected various dossiers regarding the Armenian community in Turkey.

The file included a list of subscribers to the bilingual Armenian
weekly Agos.

In addition, there were lists of names and members of Armenian
foundations and churches, which were classified as "active" or not, as
well as the balance sheets of Agos. Cengiz had been in the limelight
before after claims that she gave information to Ibrahim Sahin,
a former deputy head of the National Police Department’s Special
Operations Unit, to establish "S-1 and S-2 teams" to assassinate
intellectual leaders in society.

According to sources, Cengiz also tracked the names of academics,
writers and journalists who participated a two-day academic conference
held on Sept. 24-25, 2005, at Istanbul Bilgi University titled "Ottoman
Armenians during the Decline of the Empire: Issues of Scientific
Responsibility and Democracy." The conference openly disputed the
official Turkish account of the Armenian massacres. In the files
allegedly belonging to Cengiz, who is also known as Asena Ozturk,
there are several famous names, with notes next to their names:
Halil Berktay, "professor, he had publicly said that Armenians were
massacred"; Kazm Aknc, "secret Armenian, he applied to a court to
change his religion after Dink [Turkish-Armenian editor Hrant Dink
who was assassinated by an ultranationalist teenager in 2007]";
Ece Temelkuran, "she said that if something happens to her the
prime minister is responsible for it, she is a graduate of the Ankara
faculty of law"; Herkul Milas, "he is not an Armenian"; Sevan Nisanyan,
"writer at Taraf, maybe from Agos, needed to be investigated"; Markar
Esayan, "Taraf writer, information regarding him will come together
with Etyen Mahcupyan"; Aytac Ilhan, "he might be a student in Igdr,
he should be investigated, he had applied to change his religion";
Baskn Oran, Adalet Agaoglu and Elif Safak.

Investigators have also found a PowerPoint presentation which was
allegedly prepared by Cengiz, who signed it as Asena Ozturk. In that
presentation, pictures of Sahin and Korkut Eken, a former officer of
the TSK Special Operations, are placed side by side. There is also a
photograph of former Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukant, in
addition to the expression "Everything is for the country," written
in blood on a background of weapons and the Turkish flag.