Author: Nargizian David

BARGAVACH HAYASTAN CONSIDERS INADMISSIBLE THAT ARMENIAN-TURKISH INITIATED PROTOCOLS LACK ANY MENTION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

Noyan Tapan
September 7, 2009
Yerevan

The Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia) party in the issue of
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations is guided by the approach
stipulated by its program principles, according to which, the extent
and guidelines of RA’s participation in the issue of international
recognition of Armenian Genocide should be conditioned by national,
state realistic interests. Meanwhile, according to a September 5
statement of party’s Political Board, the international recognition
and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide has no alternative.

The statement mentioned that on February 12, 2009, at the BH 4th
congress, Bargavach Hayastan party Chairman Gagik Tsarukian reaffirmed
party’s approaches in the direction of normalizing the Armenian-Turkish
relations without preconditions.

Bargavach Hayastan considers that the draft Armenian-Turkish
protocols publicized on August 31 in general reflect BH’s approaches
to normalize Armenian-Turkish relations withot preconditions, which
are also the basis of RA foreign policy. According to the statement,
Armenian-Turkish dialogue without preconditions can be also a stimulus
for the process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide
and in the issue of change of the public consciousness among Turkish
society.

Meanwhile Bargavach Hayastan considers it inadmissible that the
initiated protocols lack any mention of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
which the Turkish side had repeatedly presented as a precondition
for establishment of diplomatic relations with Armenia.

ALL ACTIONS OF TURKEY RECONCILED WITH AZERBAIJAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.09.2009 15:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "All reports in the press indicate dissatisfaction
of Azerbaijan with Turkey," Vladimir Zakharov , deputy director of
the Center for Caucasian Studies at the Moscow State Institute of
International Relations told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. According to
him, Azerbaijan is working not towards the settlement of the Karabakh
conflict, but rather its intensification. "If Baku is interested in
peace, it would not destroy the Armenian cemeteries in Nakhichevan. In
Karabakh all Muslim graves are intact, none of them touched. How can
we talk about peace, if the memory of the dead is not respected,"
Vladimir Zakharov said.

The Russian expert added that Turkey wish no longer be dependent on
Azerbaijan, but on the other hand it does not want to break relations
with Baku.

Roads of the world project, presented by Turkey, is false, Vladimir
Zakharov said, emphasizing that all actions of Turkey are reconciled
with Azerbaijan. "Nothing is known about private agreements between
them," the expert said.

Europe and Turkey are working on the "Roads of the world" century
project. The road will link Armenia and Azerbaijan to Europe. According
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu, this
road will pass through the Lachin corridor to Armenia, Nakhichevan,
then to Turkey and Europe.

Armenia
0 – 2

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Saturday 5 September 2009
Match report by Khachik Chakhoyan from Yerevan

A goal in each half kept Bosnia-Herzegovina firmly in the hunt for a
play-off place at least as they defeated Armenia 2-0 in FIFA World Cup
qualifying to tighten their grip on second place in Group 5.

Key win
Senijad IbriÄ=8DiÄ=87 struck after six minutes and Zlatan
MuslimoviÄ=87 completed the scoring with 17 minutes remaining in
Yerevan to keep Miroslav BlaževiÄ=87’s side well clear of
third-placed Turkey and in with a chance of catching leaders Spain,
who they meet in Zenica next month.

IbriÄ=8DiÄ=87 opener
The visiting side wasted no time taking the lead in Yerevan.
IbriÄ=8DiÄ=87 headed Admir VladaviÄ=8D’s cross from the right against
the post before reacting quickest to knock in the rebound.
Bosnia-Herzegovina might have put the result beyond doubt by half-time
had Gevorg Kasparov not brilliantly pushed Edin Džeko’s 16th-minute
effort on to the post. The VfL Wolfsburg forward was further cursing
his luck when he missed a penalty eleven minutes before the break.

MuslimoviÄ=87 strikes
Armenia also had their chances with Henrik Mkhitaryan and Arman
Karamyan both going close, but it was the visiting side who struck
next, Džeko making up for his earlier miss when he crossed for
MuslimoviÄ=87 to tap in on 73 minutes. Defeat leaves Armenia bottom of
the section on one point. They next meet Belgium on Wednesday while
Bosnia-Herzegovina host Turkey in a crucial game in Zenica.

THE ARMENIAN AGENDA

`Aravot’
September 5, 2009
Yerevan

1. The Patrimony is one and indivisible.

2. The sovereign Nation-State declared in one corner of the ancestral
homeland recognizes republican Turkey and its integrity subject to
Woodrow Wilson’s arbitral award as issued under U.S. presidential seal
in November 1920. A full and final regulation of all bilateral matters
deriving therefrom is a material precondition to an equitable and
enduring resolution in the case of Artsakh and Armenian-Azerbaijani
relations in general. There is no statute on limitations on the crime
of Genocide, however and whenever defined.

3. The nation-state recognizes republican Azerbaijan and its integrity
subject to its own recognition of the Republic of Mountainous
Karabagh, as constitutionally constituted, as well as release from
occupation of the historic heartlands of Shahumian, Getashen, and
Nakhichevan. No other territorial adjustment shall be considered or
executed until the foregoing takes complete effect.

4. The nation-state recognizes republican Georgia and its integrity
subject to its own acknowledgment that Javakhk is part and parcel of
the patrimony and of their common security. The character of the
reciprocal relationship, moreover, will turn on the efficacy of
measures undertaken to demonstrate this understanding as well as to
ensure fundamental freedoms for the Georgian-Armenian community and
its institutions.

5. The nation-state respects the partnership of Iran, Russia, China,
the European Union and the United States, and expects their respect
for its absolute sovereignty and the rightful integrity of its
heritage.

6. The nation-state, at Ararat and in dispersion, further recognizes
that the bedrock of the points above and below is its own immediate
and comprehensive transformation into a modern democratic Republic
where the law rules, rights are revered, and citizen is crown. Justice
in the world entails justice at home.

7. In direct consequence and for the sake of generations to come, the
nation-state notes with gratitude the services rendered by all of its
presidents, civil and military officials, and rank-and-file patriots,
and at once requires each of them to stand equally before the rule of
law. The territories, properties, enterprises, opportunities, and
human lives heretofore privatized, expropriated, or sacrificed by
their abuse of power must be accounted for to the fullest extent of
the very same law.

8. For the first time in their long history, Armenia and its people
must urgently conduct true elections for their presidency, legislature
and, by extension, judiciary. Failing this, there is no national
agenda, nor a manifest destiny, and so their birthright has already
been squandered for good.

9. The nation-state, its every citizen, and no one else are
responsible, without excuse or exception, for the burdens and
blessings of their collective future.

Citizen H
2 September 2009
Erevan

Phone conversation between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia, Iran

armradio.am
05.09.2009 12:55

The Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, had a phone
conversation with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki.

Minister Nalbandian congratulated Manouchehr Mottaki on being reelected
to the post of Foreign Minister by the Parliament of the Islamic
Republic of Iran.

During the conversation the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Iran
reconfirmed the reciprocal willingness to continue the efforts towards
development and reinforcement of bilateral relations.

The Monitor (McAllen, Texas)
September 4, 2009 Friday

Armenian song strikes sour note in Azerbaijan

By Elshan Mammadaliy, The Institute for War & Peace Reporting
BAKU, Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan _ This country takes the Eurovision Song Contest, an
"American Idol"-like competition, very seriously. In fact, the
government now admits that it may have taken the competition a little
too seriously when it dispatched members of its security services to
interrogate people who voted for the entry from the country’s longtime
enemy, Armenia.

Officials now say that it was "a mistake by one official."
Commentators said the probe humiliated the whole country.

"When I was called to the Ministry of National Security, I thought
they were arresting me for the strong criticism of President Ilham
Aliyev I’d written on Facebook," said Rovshan Nasirli. "I had even
forgotten that I’d voted for Armenia. When they started to interrogate
me about this, I almost burst out laughing." In all, 43 people who
sent text messages voting for the Armenian entry were called to appear
before the security service.

Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan have been tense for
years. The two countries have never signed a peace treaty to end their
1991 war over Nagorno-Karabakh, although a ceasefire was signed 15
years ago. Armenian troops still occupy portions of western
Azerbaijan.

Nasirli described his interrogation as practically Kafkaesque.

"After they kept me for two hours in an empty room, two men came to
me, saying they worked for the main department of the security
service. One had a list in his hand of all the people who voted for
the Armenian entry, and their addresses. They said that people like me
should be sent to prison. They said, ‘Today you vote for an Armenian,
tomorrow you will go to blow up the metro for them,’" Nasirli said.

The security service has refused to comment on the roundup.

But Novruz Mamedov, head of the international department at the
presidential administration, said the affair was being blown out of
proportion.

"Nothing special happened," he said. "There was no pressure applied to
them. You just have to bear in mind that Azerbaijan is still a very
young state. We have only been independent for 18 years, and not all
our officials have the required experience." Nasirli said he is still
outraged by the incident, "The security service should occupy itself
with more serious issues," he said. "I liked the song, so I sent a
text message. This is not betraying my homeland." But that’s just what
some Azeris accuse him of doing.

"This is immoral," said Akif Nagi, chairman of the organization for
the liberation of Karabak. "There is no place for tolerance in this
question. The position of the security service was correct." But
instead of calling the 43 in for questioning, Nagi said the security
service would have been better off putting them under secret
surveillance.

___

ABOUT THE WRITER

Elshan Mammadaliyev is a reporter in Azerbaijan who writes for The
Institute for War & Peace Reporting, a nonprofit organization that
trains journalists in areas of conflict. Readers may write to the
author at the Institute for War & Peace Reporting, 48 Grays Inn Road,
London WC1X 8LT, U.K.; Web site: For information about
IWPR’s funding, please go to
l.

This essay is available to McClatchy-Tribune News Service
subscribers. McClatchy-Tribune did not subsidize the writing of this
column; the opinions are those of the writer and do not necessarily
represent the views of McClatchy-Tribune or its editors.

ARMENIAN FINANCE MINISTER PLEDGES FISCAL STRENGTHENING FOR 2010

World Markets Research Centre
Global Insight
September 2, 2009

Armenia’s Minister of Finance Tigran Daytyan has outlined plans
for fiscal consolidation after the initial budget deterioration
necessitated by the current economic weakness. According to ARKA
News, Daytyan has pledged that the state budget for 2010 would prove
"realistic and relatively modest". Without mentioning spending and
revenue estimates, he projected that, in an annual moderation of at
least 1 percentage point, the state budget deficit as a percentage
of the estimated GDP will moderate to 5-5.5% by the end of next
year. The budget will be based on an expectation of economic growth
at 1-1.5% in 2010. Armenia’s aim in the medium term is to push the
budget deficit to under 3% of GDP, but the current dramatic economic
contraction has necessitated fiscal support measures at the same
time as revenue inflows have markedly suffered. Consequently, in
a decision approved by the parliament in June, the upper limit for
the state budget deficit to GDP ratio has temporarily been lifted
from 5% to 7.5%, to be covered mainly by lending from international
financial institutions (seeArmenia: 7 July 2009:andArmenia: 24 June
2009:). However, the Finance Ministry expects government external
debt as a ratio of GDP not to exceed the agreed limit of 50%. Next
year’s budget is currently considered by the Finance Ministry, to be
subsequently presented to the rest of the minister cabinet and later
to be put forward to the National Assembly.

Significance:The global downturn has led to a marked deterioration in
investment and remittance inflows to Armenia, on which the country
remains critically dependent, and this has contributed to a severe
contraction of the economy. Consequently, the budget position is also
sharply deteriorating. Budget support in concessionary lending terms
is thus critically important for Armenia. It helps in protecting the
most vulnerable groups from the adverse impact of the current economic
crisis by securing maintenance of essential social services. In order
to secure fiscal sustainability going forward, it would be important
to further strengthen tax administration, while seeking to widen the
tax base.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA STATEMENT ON THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS

armradio.am
03.09.2009 11:52

On August 31, 2009, the foreign ministries of Armenia, Turkey and
Switzerland announced protocols to be signed within six weeks to
establish diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and
the Republic of Turkey and to open the border.

Normalization of relations without preconditions

This announcement is consistent with the U.S. 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. The incontestable fact of the Armenian
Genocide is internationally recognized, and Turks and Armenians have
previously commissioned in 2003 an independent analysis through the
International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), which concluded
that the events of 1915 constituted genocide.

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.

Unequivocal affirmation of the Armenian Genocide

While the August 31st announcement represents an important step,
experience has shown that reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey
requires Turkey to come to terms with its past. President Barack Obama,
Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
have all spoken eloquently on the need to recognize the Armenian
Genocide. We could not agree more and urge President Obama and the
U.S. Congress to unequivocally affirm the Armenian Genocide. In so
doing, the United States will honor a proud chapter in U.S. history in
helping to save the survivors of the first genocide of the twentieth
century.

Turkey’s track record of broken promises

The Armenian Assembly views as encouraging the commitments made
by the government of Turkey to normalize relations with Armenia
without preconditions. However, we recall Turkey’s ample track record
of unfulfilled promises. As such, many remain skeptical as prior
governments of Armenia had also offered to normalize relations with
Turkey without preconditions only to be rebuffed.

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.

These pronouncements by Turkey’s Foreign Minister not only breach
the spirit of framework just announced, but also directly contradict
U.S. policy "that normalization should take place without preconditions
and within a reasonable timeframe."

Normalization of relations within a reasonable timeframe

The U.S. government has urged "Armenia and Turkey to proceed
expeditiously, according to the agreed framework…" The protocols
set specific time limits and the international community expects
Turkey to fulfill its commitments through measurable results and in
good faith to normalize relations with the Republic of Armenia. The
protocols also call for consultations and parliamentary debate, which
we expect, will be vigorous and emotional, while also conducted with
respect and dignity.

DAVUTOGHLU IS NOT THE OWNER OF THE SITUATION

Aysor
Sept 1 2009
Armenia

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoghlu, pointing at the aid of
the third countries, confessed that he does not have any influence
over the process of the settlement of the relations between Turkey
and Armenia and is not the owner of the situation.

The "Hyuriet Daily news" publication informs that the head of the
Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that he had had a phone talk with the
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. "It was vast discussion about
the Near East, Caucasus and Balkans. We decided to keep in touch in
these few days", – he said.

At the same time the diplomatic recourses inform that during the
conversation the main issue discussed during the 35 minutes was the
settlement of Armenian – Turkish relations.

Turkey expects that the USA will use its influence in Yerevan-Ankara
relations settlement.

In the article of the above mentioned publication is also mentioned
that without NKR conflict solution any step undertaken for the conflict
solution makes Azerbaijan nervous. For this reason recently the deputy
of the Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Shirinoglu visited Baku where
he has reported about the negotiation with Armenia.

ARMENIANS CONDUCT NIGHT EXERCISES IN OCCUPIED AZERBAIJANI TERRITORIES

APA
Aug 27 2009
Azerbaijan

Aghdam. Teymur Zahidoghlu – APA. Armenian Armed Forces conduct night
exercises in the occupied territories of Aghdam. APA’s Karabakh bureau
reports that only infantry units of the enemy forces participate in
the exercises.

After the sunset Armenian servicemen began to use light rockets in
the direction of former Gulchuluk sovkhoz. Following this, fire from
small arms was observed. The light rockets lighten even unoccupied
frontline villages of the region.