Author: Kharatian Ani

ISNA – Iranian Students News Agency
Feb 20 2010

Larijani: Iran to withhold no assistance to Karabakh dispute settlement

ISNA – Tehran

TEHRAN (ISNA)-Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said the country
will withhold no assistance to settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.

"Expansion of peace and security in the region is one of Islamic
Republic of Iran’s strategic policies and Iran will withhold no
assistance to settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh dispute," he said in a
meeting with Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Ogtay Asadov in Tehran on
Saturday.

Fast settlement of the crisis is beneficial to all regional countries,
Larijani said adding, "regional countries can take an important step
towards settlement of the issue through cooperation."

He also called for expansion of cooperation on energy, economic and
industrial fields.

Ogtay Asadov on his part said, "policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan
has always been based on expansion of brotherly relations with Iran."

He also said major powers’ ploy was cause of Nagorno-Karabakh crisis
and added that his country seeks to resolve the issue peacefully under
the framework of its territorial integrity.

Also in another meeting with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council
Secretary Saeed Jalili on Saturday, Jalili said settlement of regional
problems is closely related to deep regional cooperation.

Jalili then added foreign countries’ interference in the region seeks
obtaining interests but not creating security and resolving crises.

He also said Iran is ready to employ its potentials to boost security
cooperation with neighboring countries.

Asadov on his part said boosting regional peace is beneficial to all
regional states.

End Item

ARMENIA MAY RATIFY PROTOCOLS WITHOUT TURKISH RATIFICATION – ARMENIAN EXPERT
Kamala Mammadova

news.az
Feb 19 2010
Azerbaijan

Manvel Sargsyan News.Az interviews Manvel Sargsyan, an expert at the
Armenian Centre of Strategic and National Studies.

How would you describe Armenian-Turkish relations today?

The initial inclination of Turkey and Armenia to use different
prerequisites and preconditions has created a complex situation in the
normalization of relations between these countries. In particular,
Turkey underestimated the interest of the superpowers in the rapid
normalization of relations with Armenia. By binding this process
to progress in the resolution of the Karabakh conflict, Turkey has,
in fact, intensified the process of international recognition of the
genocide by Western countries, in particular, the United States. In
addition, it has faced demands from the EU to withdraw its troops
from Northern Cyprus.

In fact, the claims set before the world community on Nagorno-Karabakh
caused claims to be made in response on Turkey. As a result, Turkey
is facing a difficult choice: either to continue setting prerequisites
to Armenia and facing pressure from the superpowers in response or to
give up on its prerequisites. Turkey seems not to have taken a final
decision yet. Armenia has no special problems with the conditions.

Parliament has started ratification of the protocols and it will
probably ratify them without their ratification by the Turkish
parliament.

Do you think the Armenian-Turkish border will open this year? May
Turkey improve ties with Armenia, ignoring Azerbaijan’s interests?

The development of Armenian-Turkish relations is becoming more
dependent on the logic of the overall development of political
processes in the region and the world. Turkey’s choice will be dictated
more by the influence of Turkish relations with the superpowers
than the impact of Azerbaijan’s problems. If problems that outweigh
the problems of Turkish-Azerbaijani relations emerge inside and
around Turkey, Turkey will be obliged to take decisions that bypass
Azerbaijan’s interest. We should take into account the fact that US
policy on Iran is leading to an extreme situation in the Middle East.

Certainly, all the countries of the region will have to voice their
attitude to this situation and take a stance. These positions will
affect Armenian-Turkish relations. In the end, the open border
between Turkey and Armenia is not just a reflection of the interests
of the two neighbouring countries. Its geopolitical meaning is also
transparent. Therefore, the opening of this border can be expected any
minute because the narrow interests of Armenia and Turkey do not play
the most decisive role here. The interests and predominant processes
in the region have changed too much, causing changes in the room for
freedom of manoeuvre of each country in the region.

Do you expect any progress in the Karabakh settlement in the near
future?

The state of diplomacy on the Karabakh conflict settlement is currently
unclear. Azerbaijan and Armenia have treated the proposals made by
Russia at the recent presidential meeting in Sochi differently. It
was suggested that the conflict parties present within two weeks their
proposals on issues of difference. Against this background, instead of
presenting its proposals the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has reported
that it agrees with the updated Madrid principles. Therefore, Russia’s
proposal to introduce new paragraphs to the text has been rejected.

As opposed to this, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported that it
would make its proposals and the negotiations would continue when
Azerbaijan proposed its position on the points of difference under the
Sochi agreements. It means that Armenia has supported Russia’s new
initiatives. The threat of a split has emerged as a result of these
different approaches to the diplomatic process. It is clear that it
will be difficult to overcome the situation. The mediators’ decision
seems to be crucial in overcoming the emerging difficulties. Yet,
there are no signs that the mediators have already expressed their
attitude to the situation. This means that another stage of stagnation
in negotiations is possible.

Do you think it realistic that Azerbaijanis and Armenians can live
together, if the conflict is settled?

Historically, there have been numerous conflicts between Armenians
and Azerbaijanis.

Peaceful life together has been restored only when mechanisms to curb
mutual claims have appeared. Anyway, both peoples should come to a
single scale for the assessment of justice. Every people understands
the concept of a "fair solution" differently. It is time to review the
current state of affairs and recognize each other’s rights. Peaceful
life together is impossible or possible when peoples are suppressed
by third powers.

A similar situation existed in the Soviet period. This situation
does not ensure lasting peace. The conflicting people should learn
to conduct direct negotiations without any prerequisites, as it might
improve the climate of relations.

NKR IS ENTITLED TO INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.02.2010 18:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ NKR, as a state, is no different from other countries
of the world and has to be acknowledged by the international community,
Heritage parliamentary group secretary Larisa Alaverdyan said.

As she told a news conference in Yerevan, the meeting between
NKR President Bako Sahakyan and OSCE Chairman is a step forward to
Artsakh’s involvement in negotiations, but also a return to the start
of the talks, with Karabakh among negotiating parties.

Larisa Alaverdyan characterized NKR President – OSCE Chairman meeting
as an attempt at dragging out negotiation process.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out in
1988, as result of the ethnic cleansing the latter launched in the
final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from
1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994
(when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most
of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions is
now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are
holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.

Founded in 2002, Heritage , a National Liberal Party, is national by
its roots, liberal in its economic principle, and an advocate of the
democratic system of governance and due process for its citizens. The
party’s objective is the development of Armenia as a democratic,
lawful, and rights-based country that anchors its domestic and foreign
policies in the nation’s sovereign interest. During the party’s Third
Congress on May 30, 2005, Raffi K. Hovannisian was elected chairman.

The other eight members of the party board were elected by secret vote.

AZERBAIJANI FOOTBALLER DROPPED FOR ARMENIAN MATCH
Elmir Aliyev

news.az
Feb 18 2010
Azerbaijan

Mahir Shukurov Mahir Shukurov was not selected for Russian team
Anzhi’s friendly against Armenia’s Banants in Turkey yesterday.

Full-back Shukurov, who signed for Anzhi in January, was not even on
the bench for the Banants game.

The coaches may well have decided it was best not to play Shukurov,
because of the complicated relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The friendly ended in a 2:2 draw.

MUBARIZ AHMADOGLU: "WHILE ARMENIA IS NOT SHOWING CONSTRUCTIVE POSITION, THE OPTION OF WAR IS ON AGENDA"

APA
Feb 18 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku. Elnur Mammadli – APA. Chairman of Political Innovation and
Technologies Center Mubariz Ahmadoglu said Kazakhstan’s chairmanship
in OSCE would have positive impact on the solution of Nagorno Karabakh
problem, APA reports. He said Kazakhstan’s foreign policy based on
scientific and modern technologies and Armenia also needed in support
of Kazakhstan. "If Armenia says "no" to fair proposal of Kazakhstan,
it can lose its support. Armenia relies on the Collective Security
Treaty Organization and if it rejects Kazakhstan’s proposals, it will
face serious problems within this organization".

The analyst said while Armenia was not showing constructive position,
the option of war would be on agenda. "Armenia should make stop
on one of the options. Otherwise Azerbaijan can not be interested
in the solution to conflict via negotiations. Azerbaijan can refuse
"blitz-war plan" and defeat Armenia in long-term war, which will solve
not only the Nagorno Karabakh problem, but "Armenian issue" in whole.

POLICE FOIL FAKE BRANDY PRODUCTION IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Feb 15, 2010

YEREVAN, February 15. /ARKA/. The Armenian police have found a mill
producing fake brandy, the press office of Armenian Police Department
reported on Monday.

It has become known in the course of investigation that a 60-year-old
man produced fake brandy in leased premises in Yerevan.

A partner of the entrepreneur was grilled by the police.

The wrongdoer told the police that he embarked on this illegal activity
in 2005 and has sold some 10,000 liters of fake brandy since then.

He also said that he bough forged excise stamps, labels and holographic
marks from a 50-year-old man for AMD 170,000 ($445) in December and
gained about $3,000 from this illegal deal.

Five bottles with brandy were found in his car and 108 bottles marked
with fake excise stamps in the mill.

Some 120 empty bottles, labels, a barrel with fake brandy and 1,500
fake excise stamps were found there as well.

Besides, the owner of the mill gave the police the 11 bottles of
brandy.

SURPRISINGLY, BAKU HURRIES

os16836.html
17:52:31 – 15/02/2010

Elmar Mamedyarov stated suddenly that Azerbaijan considers the
proposals of the OSCE Co-Chairs in connection with the updated
principles of Madrid acceptable. Moreover, the Azerbaijani minister
stated that "Azerbaijan is waiting for the confirmation of the
principles of Madrid which will pave the way for starting a large
comprehensive peace agreement". In fact, the official Baku has
confirmed its consent to the updated version of the principles. Now
Baku hurries Yerevan and already speaks about the "great agreement".

Does this mean that the sides reached a fundamental agreement
about the Karabakh issue? How Serge Sargsyan’s statement in London
appears against this background who said that the principle on the
territorial integrity is not as unbreakable as it may seem. Or maybe,
as the co-chairs have repeatedly stated, Baku and Yerevan have agreed
on the principle of "former NKAR+1 or 2 regions to the Armenians,
the rest to Azerbaijan".

The feeling is that the two-week term given to the sides to express
their opinion in connection with the updated principles of Madrid has
been prolonged and a new term was set. Azerbaijan, in fact, agreed,
Armenia is left which, judging by the London speech, is running out
of time.

PANARMENIAN CONTEST

AZG DAILY
16-02-2010

RA MINISTRY OF DIASPORA, WORLD ARMENIAN CONGRESS

"Best Armenian school" nomination

The RA Ministry of Diaspora and the World Armenian Congress announce
annual pan-Armenian contest "For notable contribution to preservation
of Armenian identity".

The aim of the contest is to encourage Diaspora organizations’,
various groups’, individuals’ contribution to preservation and
development of Armenian national identity, properly appreciate and
value relevant activities of Armenian communities.

The 2010 "Best Armenian school" contest is open to Diaspora Armenian
schools ( everyday school, one day school/Sunday school/, college )
, which meet the following criteria:

– It is an accredited school/college/ or it operates as a specialized
educational institution close to local Armenian organization or
to church.

– It operates at least five years.

At least the following Armenian study subjects are taught in the
school: Armenian language (Western Armenian and/or Eastern Armenian),
Armenian history and/or Armenian church and culture history.

The schools desiring to participate in the contest should fill out
and submit application to the contest committee to the following
addresses or send it via e-mail:

RA Ministry of Diaspora

Vazgen Sargsyan 26/1, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia

e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected];

web site: ;

Tel: (+37410) 58 56 01 (1-17)

Responsible: Sirvard Hambaryan

World Armenian Congress

4th floor, Teryan 69, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia

e-mail: [email protected]

web site:

Tel: (+37410) 51 04 49

Responsible: Serob Antinyan

The schools can also send their applications through the relevant
community/pan-Armenian/ organization of the given country/ district,
region/ or through the diocesan council of the church by getting
its recommendation.

Application forms are available at the web sites of the RA Ministry
of Diaspora and the World Armenian Congress and also on the "Armenian
Educational Portal" web page:

The deadline for submitting applications is March 30, 2010.

Admittance process of applications will start since contest
announcement day and will continue until March 30. For the applications
sent by post the post stamp date will be taken into consideration.

For the nomination "The best Armenian school" the following prizes
are determined:

– The best everyday school – 3 main prizes, encouraging prizes,

– The best one day/Sunday/ school – 3 main prizes, encouraging prizes.

Contest Organization and Conduction

The contest will be held according to the regulation for organization
and conduction of the Contest. For each nomination a contest committee
will be formed which will evaluate submitted applications and will
choose the contest winner.

After the primary evaluation of applications the contest committee
can refer to the chosen applicant for the following materials:
printed materials which elucidate the applicant’s activity, books,
publications, brochures, videos, photos and other materials.

Prizes and Award Ceremony

Winners will receive their awards during the award ceremony to be
held in October 2010.

Contest for "Notable contribution to the preservation of the Armenian
identity"

"Best Armenian media outlet" category

RA Ministry of Diaspora and the World Armenian Congress announce the
annual contest entitled "Notable contribution for the preservation
of the Armenian identity" for Diaspora Armenian media. The contest
is open to any media outlets that have at least three years of work
experience and focus on preservation of the Armenian identity,
the Armenia-Diaspora partnership, Armenian national, cultural
and educational issues, publish or provide articles, background
information, programs and series of programs relating to the mentioned
topics. Materials published in 2009 are presented during the contest.

There are 4 categories:

– Priest Harutyun Shmavonyan Award for the Best Print Media

– Hovhannes Adamyan Award for the Best Television Program/Station

– Hakob Meghapart Award for the Best Radio Program/Station

– Hrant Dink Award for the Best Online Media

Those wishing to participate in the contest, must send the following
to the contest committee by March 30, 2010:

– Application form for participation (Appendix 1)

– Summary of activities for preservation of Armenian identity
(Appendix 2)

For more information, please call or send an e-mail to the following
addresses:

RA Ministry of Diaspora

26/1 Str. V. Sargsyan, Yerevan, 0010

E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone: +(37410) 58 56 01-109, +(1 818) 480 6740

The terms and conditions for participation can be found on the
following websites:

RA Ministry of Diaspora:

World Armenian Congress:

"Hayern Aysor" electronic newspaper:

TURKISH ARMY CAN CONQUER ARMENIA IN 6 HOURS: TIGRAN KARAPETYAN

Tert.am
09:10 ~U 15.02.10

Turkey will not ratify the Armenia-Turkey Protocols until April 24
or it will ratify them with reservations, leader of People’s Party,
Tigran Karapetyan, said at a press conference Saturday.

"Turkey is not ratifying [the Protocols] because it wants to connect
the issue with the Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] conflict. Turkey
wants Azerbaijan to be content with [the process], and that is
impossible until the Artsakh conflict is included in the process,"
said Karapetyan.

According to him, Armenia should rely upon its own abilities not on
guarantees given by other countries.

"If we want to have achievements, please, let’s have them, but let’s
not have losses. In terms of politics, any step can be a loss. We
must avoid it," said Karapetyan.

In his words, the opening of borders is beneficial for Russia. It is
also beneficial for Russia that Azerbaijan remains discontent with
the process which will bring Azerbaijan closer to Russia. Instead,
the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border is not beneficial for
Armenia as "one day Turkey will ask to remove the border guard,
and today Turkey’s army is so much sophisticated and powerful that
it can conquer Armenia within 6 hours."

In Karapetyan’s opinion, Armenia can fight a war against Azerbaijan,
but not against Turkey. The party leader also stated that in Sargsyan’s
London speech, there was a resoluteness that Armenia is not preparing
to give up Artsakh.

"In terms of patriotism, this is very positive. And as for the rest,
what will happen and those policies that are being conducted in secret,
concerns us," said he.

ianyan magazine
Feb 13 2010

Armenia at the 2010 Winter Olympics

By Liana Aghajanian on February 13th, 2010

While other countries debuted at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver
with hundreds of participants, Armenia strutted down the opening
ceremonies with four athletes and became known as the country that’s
slightly smaller than Maryland. With a population of only 2.9 million
according to the CIA Factbook, Armenia is a true underdog in a
competition with behemoths like the United States, Germany and Russia.

The athletes include Kristine Khachatryan (Cross-Country Skiing),
Sergey Mikayelyan (Cross-Country Skiing), flag-carrier Arsen Nersisyan
(Alpine Skiing) and Ani-Matilda Serebrakian (Alpine Skiing), who was
born in the United States.

Serebrakian, a sophomore at the University of San Francisco, will
represent Armenia in the giant slalom and slalom on Feb. 24 and Feb.
26, according to the San Jose Mercury News. She has been skiing since
she was 2-years-old and has also excelled in tennis.

Although she and her brother did well as juniors in the United States,
they decided to switch allegiances in the 2007-08 season. `As
Armenians it would be more meaningful for us to represent our
country,’ said Serebrakian, whose father, an ear, nose and throat
specialist, immigrated to the United States from Iran in 1979.

Armenia’s participation in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy
included five athletes in similar categories, with one exception:
Anastasia Grebenkina and Vazgen Azrojan represented the country in the
Figure Skating.

Although Armenia has never won a medal in a Winter Olympics
competition, hopes are high for victory this year, at least a
sympathetic one.

`I reckon it’s a history thing, but I would love to see Armenia win a
medal,’ tweeted Joel L. Watts

`When they announce a country like Armenia hasn’t won a winter
olympics medal ever, I just want to give them one, at least an
honorary one,’ wrote another Twitter user.

Other Tweeters took the a more comical approach as Armenia walked in
the opening ceremony.

`Why doesn’t anyone from Armenia in the opening ceremony look like a
Kardashian,’ wrote adelphinewis.

`Armenia has an unfair advantage in the Winter Olympics because the
unibrows keep them warm,’ tweeted jensenclan88, who reassured readers
to not worry because he was half Armenian.

Although Armenia first participated as an independent nation in the
games since 1994, there has been a history of Armenian athletes in
the Olympics dating back to the 1950s, according the website of the
National Olympic Committee of Armenia.

In the 1952 Olympic games in Helsinki, Finland, Hrant Shahinyan took
home a Gold medal for gymnastics as did Albert Azaryan for the same
sport in 1960 in Rome.

In total, Armenia has won nine medals in wrestling, weightlifting and
boxing, which includes six medals won in Beijing Olympics in 2008.