Author: Nahapetian Boris

THE HISTORIC SURROUNDING OF MONUMENT IS DISRUPTED

Aysor
Sept 8 2009
Armenia

In violation the 21st article of Ancient Monuments Act, according to
which ancient monuments can be transferred only on special cases and
only by government permission, an ancient khachqar, of 13th century,
(cross-stone) has been moved to Ijevan’s village Tsaghkavan.

Khachqar is declared a cultural monument of national significance
and among other monuments of village Acharqut of Tamarq region is
included in the list of monuments never get transported.

Members of the Protection of Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve and
the Historic environment detected the shifting, appropriate measures
are taken, and police is informed.

Ministry of culture demanded to bring the stone back to its original
location under experts supervision.

The stone was installed in 1273 in memory of marrieds Amizat and
Mahnan. Khachqar is an interesting example of decoration, and the
sign is interesting from the point of view of medieval Armenian names.

The press office of Armenia’s Ministry of Culture contributed to
this report.

THE TELEGRAPH: TURKEY AND ARMENIA ARE TO END ALMOST A CENTURY OF HOSTILITY BY OPENING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS, A MOVE THAT WILL HELP SMOOTH THE WAY FOR ANKARA’S MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN UNION.

ArmInfo
2009-09-07 14:43:00

ArmInfo. Turkey and Armenia are to end almost a century of hostility by
opening diplomatic relations, a move that will help smooth the way for
Ankara’s membership of the European Union. The neighbouring countries
announced the historic thaw with a joint statement setting a six-week
deadline to put diplomatic protocols into place for the first time
in the history of both countries, The Telegraph wrote on September 1.

:In a major concession by Turkey, the agreement states that both
countries will "implement dialogue on the historical dimension with
the aim to restore mutual confidence".

:European officials and diplomats yesterday hailed the deal, brokered
by Switzerland, as an important breakthrough, both for Turkey’s
troubled EU membership bid and as a sign of hope for stability in
the turbulent South Caucasus region.

"I commend the courage and vision of both sides to move forward
with this historic process," said Javier Solana, the EU’s foreign
policy chief.

"This is a crucial step towards normalisation of bilateral relations,
which would greatly contribute to peace, security and stability
throughout an important region of Europe."

Olli Rehn, the European enlargement commissioner, who oversees Turkey’s
EU membership application, welcomed the deal as a step forward,.

"The European Commission attaches high importance to a rapid and steady
implementation of the protocols on the establishment of diplomatic
relations," he said.

"This agreement should contribute to peace and stability in the
South Caucasus."

EU officials and diplomats have emphasised the importance of Turkish
and Armenian diplomatic relations for thawing frozen conflicts
across the Caucasus region an area which also borders Iran, Russia
and Georgia.

"Turkey is showing that it is reliable international partner and a
force for stability in one of the most dangerous conflict regions on
Europe," said an EU diplomat.

Last week, Turkey also pleased the EU by signalling the opening of
new talks with its Kurdish minority, a conflict that has killed over
40,000 people.

The Turkish government has been discussing easing restrictions, with
plans for an end to draconian laws that prohibit free expression of
political beliefs and suppress Kurdish culture.

TURKEY AND EUROPE SET TO WORK ON "PEACE ROAD"

Yerkir
07.09.2009 14:57
Yerevan

Yerevan (Yerkir) – Europe and Turkey are working on a "peace road"
that would connect Azerbaijan and Armenia with Europe. Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said the road would pass through the
Lachin corridor to Armenia, Nakhichevan and then Turkey and Europe,
the Turkish daily Sabah reported. Davutoglu said it would be "the first
global project with participation of Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan."

"Turkey aims to entirely change geopolitical and economic situation
in the Caucasus," Sabah quoted Davutoglu as saying.

DEVELOPMENT TENDENCY REGISTERED IN IT SPHERE IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 7, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS: Development tendency is being
noted in the Armenia’s IT sphere, director of "Enterprise Incubator
Foundation" Bagrat Yengibarian said today at the meeting with
the reporters. He said the global economic crisis did not have a
serious impact on Armenia’s IT sphere and no great losses have been
registered. Those who have suffered losses and closed formed new
organizations which are developing in different IT directions.

B. Yengibaryan said that about the 90 percent of people dismissed as
a result of the crisis found jobs. IT companies are coming forth with
new services and new software solutions.

"As connected with incomes in 2009 they might be a decline but this
year is singled out with the increase of the number of newly created
organizations. This year the wish of entering IT sphere and the
inspiration is very big," Yengibaryan said.

"There are many issues but they are clearly defined and the steps are
specified. In such conditions the existence of developed organizations
is very important as by their events and programs they support the
others, and the newly created ones," Yengibaryan said.

Le Figaro, France
Mercredi 2 Septembre 2009

Début de réconciliation turco-arménienne

TURQUIE En froid depuis des décennies, Ankara et Erevan prévoient de
normaliser leurs relations diplomatiques et frontalières.

par Marchand, Laure

UNE ÉTAPE de plus a été franchie sur la voie escarpée de la
réconciliation turco-arménienne. Ankara et Erevan sont convenus
d’établir des relations diplomatiques et de développer leurs liens
bilatéraux. L’accord, annoncé par les deux ministères des Affaires
étrangères, prévoit la normalisation des rapports entre la Turquie et
l’Arménie « dans un délai raisonnable », selon le communiqué publié
lundi soir.

Dans un premier temps, les deux capitales se sont engagées à conduire
dans leur pays respectif des consultations sur le processus de
rapprochement prévu dans les deux protocoles élaborés avec la
médiation de la Suisse. Les Parlements turc et arménien devront les
ratifier à partir de la mi-octobre. L’épineuse question des massacres
d’Arméniens en 1915, dont Ankara nie le caractère génocidaire, ne fait
pas partie des accords. Mais la mise en place d’une commission chargée
de favoriser « un dialogue sur la dimension historique, avec pour
objectif de rétablir la confiance mutuelle entre les deux nations » a
été décidée.
Quant à l’étape la plus significative, la réouverture de leur
frontière commune, elle pourrait, « si les mesures réciproques sont
prises », intervenir « aux environs du Nouvel An », a déclaré Ahmet
Davutoglu, le ministre turc des Affaires étrangères. Tout en
avertissant qu’elle ne constituait « pas une priorité ». La Turquie
avait fermé la frontière en 1993 pour protester contre l’occupation
par l’Arménie de la province du Haut-Karabakh, à majorité arménienne,
en Azerbaïdjan.

La diplomatie du football
C’est déjà la colère de Bakou, le frère turcophone d’Ankara, qui a
fait marquer le pas à l’application de la feuille de route pour la
normalisation des relations turco-arméniennes, dévoilée en avril et
soutenue par Barack Obama au cours de sa visite en Turquie. Ilham
Aliev, le président azerbaïdjanais, avait mis dans la balance les
atouts énergétiques de son pays et demandé à Ankara que son
rapprochement avec Erevan soit lié à la résolution du conflit au
Karabakh. Ahmet Davutoglu a donc précisé qu’aucune démarche « qui
blesserait les intérêts de l’Azerbaïdjan » ne serait entreprise. Outre
la nécessité de prendre en compte les attentes de son allié, le
gouvernement turc risque aussi d’être confronté, sur le plan
intérieur, à l’opposition des partis nationalistes, qui ont jusqu’à
présent refusé toute démarche de réconciliation .
Le calendrier établi pour la signature des accords coïncide avec la
visite du président arménien en Turquie. Serge Sarkissian y est
attendu le 14 octobre pour assister à un match de football entre les
deux équipes nationales. Il avait récemment menacé de ne pas accepter
cette invitation si la frontière n’était pas ouverte ou si aucun
progrès significatif n’était enregistré d’ici là.

CSTO ESTABLISHES CSTO INSTITUTE – AUTONOMOUS NON-COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.09.2009 15:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
established CSTO Institute – autonomous non-commercial organization,
CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha said during Yerevan-Moscow TV
space bridge today. "The Institute will collect and process information
on situation in CSTO member states’ territories, analyze situation and
international processes in post- soviet space and develop corresponding
solutions," Nikolay Bordyuzha noted.

In his turn, CSTO Institute Director General Alexander Vorobyov
stated that Institute bureaus will also be opened in CSTO member
states. "The Institute will be in charge of CSTO promotion, and not
military issues," he said.

"SUMMER INSPIRATION" – IN SHIRAK REGION

Aysor
Sept 3 2009
Armenia

On September, 3, VivaCell-MTS in the framework of the "Summer
Inspiration" project visited the Shirak region. This project implements
the exhibition of culture houses and arts and crafts schools of
Armenia, – the press office reported.

The "Summer Inspiration" project reached Shirak where children
revealed their talented artworks. It aims at revealing and promoting
the creativity of talented children in the regions of Armenia.

The original children’s imagination makes the focus of the
competition. The children’s artwork is judged on originality, clear
expression, and reflections of cultural traditions in the work of
art. Art is presented in a variety of works including folk-dance,
singing, painting, needlework, drama acting, craft and photography. The
artworks must contain VivaCell-MTS brand logo or have any associations
with the Company.

"If we want them to become true citizens of our nation and secure
their well-being in the future, we should take responsibility in
education of these children. That is why we need to spare no effort
to help them choose a proper way in life and unfold as much talents in
them as possible" – VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.

The "Summer Inspiration" project started on August, 19, in Lori, it has
already been held in Aragatsotn, Armavir, Ararat, Vayots Dzor, Syunik,
Kotayk, Gegharkunik and Shirak regions, and it will end in Tavush.

ARMENIAN DIASPORA REFLECTS BOTH ANGER AND BALANCED ATTITUDE

Today’s Zaman
Sept 4 2009
Turkey

The tone of the reactions of two leading US-based Armenian diaspora
organizations to the news of Armenia and Turkey’s agreement to
establish diplomatic relations and open their joint border differ
considerably from each other, with one of them urging Washington
to swiftly recognize the killings of Anatolian Armenians during the
World War I as genocide while the other cautiously welcomed the news.

Armenia and Turkey announced late on Monday that they have agreed
to begin internal political consultations on the two protocols — a
protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations and a protocol
on the development of bilateral relations — which have been initiated
through the course of efforts under Swiss-facilitated mediation.

Only a day after the announcement, on Tuesday, the Washington-based
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) sent a memo to offices
at both the US Senate and the House of Representatives, sharing with
members of Congress the reservations members of the Armenian-American
community have regarding the protocols.

"ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian alerted these offices to the
undue pressure applied to Armenia to accept dangerous concessions
and informed legislators on both sides of Capitol Hill about Turkey’s
rapid backtracking from even the minor commitments it had undertaken
in these agreements," ANCA announced.

"Among [ANCA’s] primary concerns is that Armenia, blockaded by Turkey
and under intense economic and diplomatic pressure, was forced
into accepting terms that threaten her interests, rights, safety,
and future — very notably in the form of a proposed ‘historical
commission.’ This provision, a tactic long pursued by Ankara to cast
doubt on the historical record of the Armenian Genocide, is intended
to serve Turkey’s drive to roll back the growing tide of international
recognition of this crime against humanity. There can be no enduring
relationship between Armenia and Turkey that is not built upon the
foundation of Turkey’s acceptance of a true and just resolution of
this crime," Hamparian said.

Hamparian was apparently referring to the protocol on the development
of relations between Armenia and Turkey which says that the two
countries have agreed to "implement a dialogue on the historical
dimension with the aim to restore mutual confidence between the two
nations, including an impartial scientific examination of historical
records and archives to define existing problems and formulate
recommendations."

Another Washington-based diaspora organization, the Armenian Assembly
of America (AAA), meanwhile, stated that the announcement by Armenia
and Turkey is consistent with the US position that normalization of
relations between Armenia and Turkey proceed without preconditions.

"Armenian authorities have also made it clear that no preconditions
means just that — no linkage to progress on the Nagorno-Karabakh
peace talks and no conditions on affirmation of the Armenian Genocide,
or debating whether a genocide occurred through a commission-style
process," AAA said in a statement released Wednesday.

"The Armenian Assembly supports normalization of relations between
Armenia and Turkey without preconditions. The United States has spoken
clearly about the need for Turkey to lift its blockade and establish
diplomatic relations with Armenia. Turkey’s lifting of its blockade
against Armenia and opening the border is not only long overdue but
obligated under international treaties. For this long-awaited effort
to succeed, it is incumbent that the United States require Turkey to
adhere to its commitments with respect to Armenia," AAA said. Yet it
also noted that it "recalls Turkey’s ample track record of unfulfilled
promises."

"Moreover, it is of particular concern that on the same day as
the joint statement released by the Armenian and Turkish foreign
ministries regarding the start of consultations to establish diplomatic
relations that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu sent mixed
signals. Foreign Minister Davutoglu not only indicated that the opening
of the border would be ‘a long process,’ but also stated that Turkey
would guard Azerbaijan’s interests," AAA noted.

Armenian nationalists protest Turkey ties In Yerevan, meanwhile,
around 1,000 Armenian nationalists protested on Wednesday against the
historic thaw in relations with neighboring Turkey, underscoring the
risks involved in the rapprochement.

Nationalists in Armenia say there can be no thaw unless
Turkey recognizes the World War I killings and deportations as
genocide. Ankara rejects the term, saying many people died on both
sides of the conflict.

Police estimated some 1,000 supporters of the nationalist Armenian
Revolutionary Federation, known as Dashnaktsutyun, protested outside
the Foreign Ministry, holding the flags of Armenia and the breakaway
mountain region of Nagorno-Karabakh. "This document puts into doubt
the Armenian genocide, the question of compensation and the right to
our historical homeland," said Dashnaktsutyun official Gegham Manukyan.

BUSINESS WORLD HOPEFUL ABOUT ARMENIAN RAPPROCHEMENT

Today’s Zaman
Sept 3 2009
Turkey

The establishment of "diplomatic relations" between Turkey and Armenia
and protocols between the two nations aiming to develop bilateral
relations are sources of hope for businesspeople in the two countries.

Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council (TABDC) Co-President
Kaan Soyak says the Turkish and Armenian governments know what work
there is to be done to develop relations and that he is not concerned
about their making progress in that regard. The two protocols in
question must be approved in the parliaments of both nations and
seven intergovernmental sub-commissions will be established once the
protocols are approved. One of these is to work toward the development
of "commercial, tourism and economic cooperation." That sub-commission
is expected to have its first meeting three to four months after the
protocols’ approval.

Soyak, evaluating the midnight announcements on Aug. 31 in an interview
with Today’s Zaman, said: "Of course we found [the developments]
positive. The concerns and problems of both sides were put to paper
in the protocols. Everyone knows well what they must do." He also
said he had positive expectations regarding a solution to the issue
of Nagorno-Karabakh and said that when it came to internal political
discussions, he was more concerned about the Armenian side than the
Turkish side.

Soyak emphasized that because the Turkish government is controlled
by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), he was not concerned
about the Turkish side during the rapprochement period.

Soyak expects that when the border between Turkey and Armenia is
opened, the Kars-Yerevan train line will carry people and freight
between the countries. According to Soyak, this would make it
easier for Turkish products to reach Central Asia, traveling through
Armenia. "With this route, Turkey will be able to reach both Central
Asia and Russia much faster and will also be able to be reached much
more quickly. It will also bring down prices of raw materials," he
said. Soyak also recalled that because the border between Turkey and
Armenia is closed, trade between the two countries takes place through
Georgia, and according to United States and European Union data in 2008
such trade amounted to $200 million. This figure could rise to as much
as $400-500 million if the border were opened, he said. In addition,
the Turkish tourism sector would receive a boost with an influx of
Armenians from Armenia as well as diaspora Armenians coming to visit
Turkey’s East, which hosts many sites of interest to them, Soyak said.

NO KING IS ABLE
ANUSH SEDRAKYAN

omments&pid=15048
14:38:57 – 02/09/2009

We love the word "king" very much. We often say that there is nothing
better than to be a king because you may always eat, drink and have
fun. Our people who forgot the government of king tries to make a
model of its perception of king or maybe its melancholy for failed
kingdom. But the fascination of monarchy is not understandable for
our people because the functions of a king are not perceptional both
for the people and the kings. Historical parallels hint that being a
king is not that easy because each king has a clear system of vantages.

1. The fist vantage is the centralization of power. In Armenia, a
centralization of power seems to be taking place, but it is not true
because the main aim of centralization of power is to set up a powerful
country. The centralization of power supposes also for responsibility
for the results. The European experience hints that a failed monarch
is being decapitated, exiled, or poisoned and a monarch, as a rule,
fails in defense of state interests, lack of centralization of power
and procurement of social minimum for their people. In other words, if
the power is centralized, but those three components are not ensured,
this means that the power has been centralized in vain and here the
precedent of Marie Stuart comes.

2. The main function of a king is to defend the state borders as well
as their broadening. One of the main successful Russian monarchs Peter
the Great used to construct ships with his own hands to open a window
towards Europe. Alongside with construction of ships and fabrics he
led wars too, in other words, he defended the state interests with
the help of constructive and war methods because according to kings’
perception it is a necessary part of their function. Being a powerful
king means to be a governor inside the country and a competitor out
of it.

3. The next function of the king is to establish ideology. For example,
in France, the monarchy built the country with the aim to destroy
church’s supreme role. All the struggles for throne in England were
based on people’s well-being (perhaps here starts democracy). It is
impossible to build a state or monarchy without ideology.

4. The king supervises the code of the behavior of the leadership. A
kingly etiquette is created. The leadership has an obligatory
level of education and a huge system of limitations. For example,
in the family of king Nikolay, the members wore jewelry only
on holidays. The law on elimination of serfdom forced them to
treat villagers well. Self-limitation becomes a part of the kingly
leadership. The reason is clear: it is easier to change aristocrats
rather than ordinary people.

To affirm that there is monarchy in Armenia is absolutely
impossible. We have (unfortunately) turned the monarchy page, because
state starts from monarchy. We may say, "state is me" on condition
that there is a state. And what would an Armenian monarch say if
appeared such one?