Author: Nargizian David

ECONOMIC CRISIS WARMS TURKS TO OPENING OF ARMENIA BORDER
by Nicolas Cheviron

Agence France Presse
April 26, 2009 Sunday 3:32 AM GMT

Hit by a bruising economic crisis, residents of this city in eastern
Turkey are increasingly warming to the idea of opening the border with
Armenia, hoping that revived trade links would provide a lifeline to
the impoverished region.

The border’s closure in 1993 — ordered by Turkey to back Azerbaijan
in a territorial conflict with Armenia — has had heavy economic
consequences not only for Armenia but also this Turkish city of 80,000.

The border crossing, some 70 kilometres (43 miles) away, was once
massively used to export cattle — Kars’ main wealth — to the
Caucasus and Russia through the only railway linking Turkey to its
northern neighbours.

The halt of trade has cost the province of Kars nearly one-twelfth
of its population, which dropped from 356,000 to 326,000 between 1990
and 2000.

The prospect of re-opening the border, boosted by ongoing talks
between Ankara and Yerevan, has become even more important now that
the global economic turmoil is biting Turkey, sending unemployment
up and slowing down the economy.

quot;Of the 300 members of the chamber of commerce, 280 believe the
border should be opened immediately,quot; said Fuat Doganay, owner
of the largest restaurant in Kars.

quot;Business has gone down… I have to save my business and pay my
debts. The government has to understand that,quot; he said.

Many here believe Turkey’s embargo is hurting Kars more than Armenia
as Armenians can fly to Istanbul to work and shop, and Turkish products
end up in Armenia via Georgia.

Kaan Soyak, co-chairman of a Turkish-Armenian business group, said
the annual volume of bilateral trade — mostly via Georgia — stood
at around 100 million dollars.

— ‘We expect a happy ending soon’ —

With the expected re-opening of the border quot;we expect the exchanges
to immediately reach four to five billion dollars per year,quot;
Soyak said, buoyed by the announcement Wednesday that Ankara and
Yerevan had agreed a quot;roadmapquot; on normalising ties.

Kars businessman Alican Alibeyoglu complained that Turkish
entrepreneurs were worst affected by the entangled political problems
in the region.

quot;I have been to Georgia and Armenia many times. In both countries
I saw hundreds of joint businesses between Armenians and Azeris,
but when it comes to Turkey, it is not possible,quot; he grumbled,
adding that 50,000 people in Kars signed a petition in 2004 for the
re-opening of the border.

The sealed frontier however is not the only problem: Yerevan claims
that up to 1.5 million of Armenians were victims of quot;genocidequot;
at the hands of Ottoman Turks during World War I.

Ankara, which categorically rejects the accusation, has refused to
establish diplomatic ties with Yerevan until it drops its international
campaign to have the killings recognised as genocide.

During a visit to Turkey in early April, US President Barack Obama
encouraged the dialogue between the two neighbours and called for a
swift normalisation of ties.

Obama said Friday reckoning with the past was the best way for
the Turkish and Armenian people to work through their quot;painful
historyquot; in a quot;way that is honest, open and constructive.quot;

But such appeals fail to impress many in Kars, which is home to
several thousand Turks of Azeri origin.

quot;The Armenians have to solve the Nagorny-Karabakh problem,quot;
said Ali Guvensoy, head of the Kars chamber of commerce, referring
to the Armenian-majority enclave which broke away from Azerbaijan in
the early 1990s.

quot;They also have to stop putting allegations of genocide on
the table,quot; he added, summarising Ankara’s official line on
the dispute.

But Soyak, who has for years campaigned for Turkish-Armenian
reconciliation, was optimistic.

quot;We expect a happy ending soon… We expect a settlement within
three or four months,quot; he said.

The businessman stressed Azerbaijan’s inclusion into the fence-mending
process was a must quot;if we want a full economic developmentquot;
in the region.

quot;I think it is going to be step by step: first normalisation
of relations between Turkey and Armenia… The next step will be to
include Azerbaijan,quot; he said.

ARMENIA-TURKEY RAILWAY CONNECTION

The Messenger
April 30 2009
Turkey

The Russian-owned South Caucasus Railway, which is the former Armenian
Railways, is ready to reopen the Turkey-Armenia segment of railway
which was closed down at the beginning of the 90s. Deputy General
Director of South Caucasus Railways Marat Khakov has stated that the
company is ready to reopen the line.

Khakov confirmed that rehabilitation works have already been conducted
on the Armenian segment of the railway and as soon as political issues
are resolved traffic movement can be immediately restored.

ARMENIA TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL ATHLETICS DAY BY HOLDING TOURNAMENT IN ARTASHAT

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.04.2009 16:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On May 9 Artashat will host a track-and-field
tournament with the participation of athletes from all regions
of Armenia. The tournament will be held under the aegis of the
International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), the Armenian
Athletics Federation reported to PanARMENIAN.Net.

The Armenian team will also participate in European championship (3rd
league) to be held in Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 20-21. Garnik
Ghoukasyan (May 16-17) and Armenian Championship (May 30-31)
tournaments’ winners will qualify for the championship.

DELEGATION OF THE COE CONGRESS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES TO VISIT ARMENIA

armradio.am
30.04.2009 11:11

In view of the first elections for the City Council in Yerevan, which
will be held on 31 May 2009, a 3-member delegation of the Congress
of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will visit
the Armenian capital city.

These elections will be the first to be held since the amendments
to the Armenian Constitution of 2005. These amendments gave Yerevan
the status of a "community", providing for the election of the City
Council and – as a consequence – of the Mayor, who was previously
appointed by the Government.

Congress Vice-President Fabio Pellegrini (Italy, SOC), Michel Guégan
(France, NR) and Nigel Mermagen (UK, ILDG) will hold meetings with
candidates running for the election of mayor, representatives of
government, opposition and electoral bodies, the Armenian Congress
delegation, as well as with the media and NGOs.

PRESS RELEASE
Glendale Public Library
222 East Harvard Street
Glendale CA 91205
Tel: 818-548-2030
Web:

Glendale Public Library to Present

Mark Arax & Aris Janigian

On Monday, June 1, 2009 at 7:00 pm

Glendale Public Library Auditorium
222 East Harvard Street, Glendale
(818) 548-3288

Almost a century ago, in the aftermath of the Armenian genocide, Yervant
Janigian made his way from Turkey to the Great Central Valley, and soon
convinced his nephew, Aram Arax, to join him. Together they began
picking fruits and vegetables, and putting down roots.

Today, two generations later, their grandsons Mark Arax (West of the
West: Dreamers, Believers, Builders, and Killers in the Golden State)
and Aris Janigian (Riverbig: A Novel) offer probing reflections on the
West.

Award-winning author and journalist Mark Arax is a co-author of The King
of California and author of In My Father’s Name. He is a contributing
writer at Los Angeles magazine and a former senior writer at the Los
Angeles Times. He teaches nonfiction writing at Claremont McKenna
College.

Aris Janigian is a professor of humanities at the Southern California
Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles. In 2007, he received Columbia
University’s Anahid Literary Award. His first novel Bloodvine was a
finalist for the William Saroyan International Writing Prize. He is
currently working on a third book.

April 27, 2009

2009 Times Square Commemoration
By Taleen Babayan

For the 24th consecutive year, Armenians converged in Times Square to
commemorate the 94th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Under a
bright sky and record-breaking temperatures, the enthusiastic audience
listened attentively to an assemblage of prominent speakers urging
them to carry on the fight for Armenian Genocide recognition. As a
timid prospect of a rapprochement between Armenian and Turkey lingers
on the horizon, Armenians here pledge to observe and pay homage to the
victims of the first Genocide of the 20th Century. The gathering in
Times Square, on Sunday afternoon, April 26th, with an unprecedented
crowd, was a reconfirmation of that solemn commitment.

This unique event, held in the heart of Manhattan, serves an
appropriate public forum where American public leaders and high
ranking elected officials demand justice for the victims of the
Armenian Genocide in the hands of the Ottoman Turks. Thus, their
demand for justice resonates far beyond the wide avenues crisscrossing
Times Square.

As in years past, an array of high-profile elected officials were on
stage to protest Turkey’s denial of any responsibility for the
Armenian massacres and to express solidarity with the
Armenian-American community. "We will continue to light the torch of
truth until Turkey recognizes the Genocide," proclaimed the Democratic
senior senator from New York, Senator Chuck Schumer, a true friend and
a tireless champion of Armenian causes.

Another staunch supporter of Armenian causes in Congress, Congressman
Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), co-chairman of the Armenian Caucus, said
that it is important for everyone to be involved in Genocide
recognition and to do everything to bring the republics of Armenia and
Nagorno Karabagh closer to the United States. Although the resolution
passed in 1975 and 1984, Congressman Pallone said, "I apologize that
we have not passed the Genocide resolution so far this season. We will
get there!"

Some members of the Armenian-American community were bitterly
disappointed, while others were not, with President Obama for failing
to use the English word "genocide" in his message on April 24th. One
of the special guests of the commemorative event, well-known criminal
trial lawyer Mark Geragos, launched an unabashed criticism of
President Obama for not using the word "genocide" as he had
promised. His virulent criticism was well-received by the
audience. "Shame on you," said Geragos in reference to President
Obama. He said the politicians should be held accountable for the
promises they make. "The only way we will get what we want is if we do
it ourselves. The fundamental right of any victim is restitution. So
let them fight for restitution. Our fight is over reparations and yes
we will win that fight," said Geragos.

Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) stressed the importance of using the
word "genocide" in reference to the Armenian Genocide. "There is no
other word for what happened. It was a genocide, plain and simple,"
said Weiner. "We honor the tradition of this country. We promise we
won’t forget history. We will remember the Genocide," said Weiner.

Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) began his remarks with Adolf
Hitler’s famous words: "Who today speaks of the annihilation of the
Armenians?" McCotter said that history is happening now and the
Armenian Genocide should be acknowledged. "The survivor’s hearts
shouldn’t wait any longer for their governments to acknowledge that
the Genocide occurred. All the survivors should find peace," said
McCotter.

The commemoration began with an invocation by His Eminence Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern
United States, who said he was disheartened that President Obama did
not honor his promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide and the
necessity of acknowledging the Genocide. "To forget this atrocious act
would be another crime against humanity and a crime against the
victims," said Archbishop Choloyan.

Grand Commander of the Knights of Vartan Haig Deranian and Grand
Matron Anita Arslanian recognized the Knights and Daughters of Vartan
in their heartwarming addresses and reiterated the theme of the
commemoration: "we cannot forget and we will not forget." They thanked
the participating organizations of the Mid-Atlantic lodges, the chair
and co-chair of the event, Hirant Gulian and Sam Azadian as well as
Dr. Dennis Papazian as academic advisor.

Shakeh Kadehjian recognized the survivors of the Armenian Genocide who
were present at the commemoration including: Adrine Badjyan, birth
place Adapazar, 100 years old; Arshalouys Dadir, birthplace
Shabinkarahisar, 96 years old; Onorig Eminyan, birthplace Izmir, 97
years old; Peruz Kalustyan, birthplace Palu, 101 years old; Charlotte
Kechejian, birthplace Konya, 97 years old; Sirarpi Sirabian,
birthplace Adapazar, 97 years old.

Dr. Dennis Papazian, a prominent member of the Knights of Vartan
leadership opened his address underlying the fact that there is a
struggle for Turkey’s soul. "There is a change in Turkey, yet very
slow," said Papazian. Armed with two recent publications from Turkey,
one depicting the notes personally kept by Taalat Pasha one of the
principal architects of the Genocide, who kept meticulous notes of the
number of Armenians sent to their death marches. The other
publication, recently published in Turkey, is the complete trial
records of the leadership of Ottoman Turks who orchestrated the
Genocide.

Dr. Papazian reminded his audience that indeed there was a trial in
Turkey and the perpetrators of the Armenian massacres where found
guilty by the Turkish government. "Those books could not have been
published even a decade ago," declared Dr. Papazian, adding that times
are changing in Turkey. Dr. Papazian also noted that President Obama
did call the expulsion and murder of 1.5 million Armenian by the Young
Turk dictators, a genocide, except that he used the Armenian term.
"Use English, next time Mr. President," he challenged, "so as to make
your position crystal clear!"

Proclamations by New York Governor Paterson and by Mayor Bloomberg of
Armenian Genocide Day were announced. Clergy in attendance were also
recognized, including Very Rev. Haigazoun Najarian, Vicar General of
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), His Eminence
Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the
Eastern United States, and Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, also of the
Prelacy. Andrew Torigian was in attendance representing the Armenian
Missionary Association of America. Mr. David Krikorian, who is running
for congress in Ohio’s second district, was also presented.

City councilmen of Queens John Liu and Peter Vallone Jr. were also in
attendance to commemorate the 94th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. Vallone spoke about the importance of commemorating the
Genocide every year and of having elected officials who stand up for
Armenian causes. "We see survivors sitting here today who witnessed
the horrors that took place," said Liu, noting that the Turkish people
did not succeed in their plans to exterminate the Armenians. "This is
where we have gathered for many years and will continue to do so until
the truth is told."

In his remarks, Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian, Vicar General of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, said he did not want to
dwell on the past or to seek revenge. "I’m here today to ask for
justice, peace and co-existence," said Najarian. He spoke about the
contributions Armenians made to Ottoman culture and how Turks and
Armenians had once lived side by side. "We have a lot in common. Let
us build upon this common entity. Let Turkey, as a gesture, open the
doors to Armenians so we can understand each other," concluded
Najarian.

Representatives from co-sponsoring organizations offered greetings;
AGBU, Natalie Gabrelian; Armenian Assembly of America, Van Krikorian;
Antranig Kasbarian, of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation who spoke
for the Armenian National Committee of America; Hilda Haroutunian,
Armenian Democratic League and Dikran Nalbandian; Hunchagian Party.

Able Masters of Ceremonies were Dr. Mary Papazian, Senior
Vice-President and Provost at Lehman College, a part of City
University NY, and Armen McOmber, Esq., of NJ. Talar Aydian and
Markrete Krikorian sang the Armenian national anthem in English and
Armenian.

The program concluded with a benediction from Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, Vicar of the Armenian Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of America (Eastern United States) and the singing of God Bless
America by Ani Djirdjirian.

Live coverage of the event was broadcast by the Armenian Radio Hour of
New Jersey.

Winners of this year’s Knights of Vartan essay contest were present at
the commemoration and were recognized for their achievements. The
winners were Shannelle Russell, Carley Weinstein and Sarah
Torosyan. Aram Balian was awarded a Knights of Vartan silver medal for
a letter he had written to President Obama in regard to the Armenian
Genocide.

The 94th commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in Times Square was
organized by the Mid-Atlantic chapters of the Knights and Daughters of
Vartan and co-sponsored by Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian
Assembly of America, Armenian National Committee of America, Armenian
Democratic Liberal Party and Social Democratic Hunchagian Party.
Participating organizations included: Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), Prelacy of the Armenian Church, Armenian
Missionary Association of America, Armenian Presbyterian Church,
Armenian Evangelical Church, Armenian Catholic Eparchy for US and
Canada, and Armenian Youth Organizations.

YEREVAN TO HOST "TRADITIONAL AND MODERN MEDICINE INTEGRATION" INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2009 12:58 GMT+04:00

3rd "Traditional and Modern Medicine Integration" International
Conference will kick off in Yerevan on April 28. The two-day event was
initiated by Traditional Medicine University (TMU) will bring together
specialists from four countries – Iran, Georgia, Russia and Tajikistan.

Goal of the conference is to provide doctors and researchers with
information and experience exchange opportunity.

According to some reasons, preventing information dissemination on
traditional medicine is western or so called modern medicine. The main
reason is the wrong idea about traditional medicine that major doctors
have. "One of possible options to solve the problem is organization
of periodical forum even on international level, to let doctors
and researchers exchange information and experience," Head of TMU
International Relations Department Ali Namavar told PanARMENIAN.Net.

Relevance of traditional and modern medicine integration is stipulated:
first, technological achievements in modern medicine lets more
correctly diagnose diseases; second, with the help of traditional
medicine patients may be treated cheaper and without drug side effects.

"It is not at secret that in major cases traditional medicine can
totally substitute the western. So that is why sometimes traditional
medicine is called alternative medicine," said Ali Namavar.

American Armenian organizations disappointed with Obama speech

armradio.am
25.04.2009 14:22

With heightened expectations of normalized relations between Turkey and
Armenia, President Barack Obama had an opportunity to chart a new
course in his April 24th statement commemorating the Armenian Genocide,
but failed to deliver on the change he promised, reported the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly).

"Today’s statement does not reflect the change the President promised,"
stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "His failure to
affirm the proud chapter in U.S. history, the American response to the
first genocide of the 20th century, has needlessly delayed the cause of
genocide affirmation and diminishes U.S. credibility with regard to
genocide prevention," added Ardouny.

In January 2008, then-Senator Obama stated: "As President I will
recognize the Armenian Genocide." In October 2008, President Obama
reiterated his views, "I believe that the Armenian Genocide is not an
allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely
documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical
evidence."

"Empty promises are no change at all. Today, as we reflect on the
importance of genocide education, affirmation and prevention, we must
redouble our efforts to ensure that the words ‘never again’ have true
meaning – starting with the adoption of H. Res. 252 in the U.S. House
of Representatives," concluded A
rdouny.

Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of America Ken Hachikian
issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s April 24th
statement:

"I join with all Armenian Americans in voicing our sharp disappointment
with President Obama’s failure to honor his solemn pledge to recognize
the Armenian Genocide.

"In falling short of his repeated and crystal clear promises, which
reflected a thorough knowledge of the facts, the practical
implications, and the profound moral dimension of Armenian Genocide
recognition, the President chose, as a matter of policy, to allow our
nation’s stand against genocide to remain a hostage to Turkey’s
threats."

"The President’s statement today represents a retreat from his pledge
and a setback to the vital change he promised to bring about in how
America confronts the crime of genocide.

Genocide must be confronted unconditionally at the level of American
values and our common humanity. As Americans, we should never allow the
prevention or recognition of this crime to be reduced to a political
issue that can be traded away, retreated from under pressure, or used
to advance a political agenda, of any kind."

We urge the President to act quickly to correct his Administration’s
stand on the Armenian Genocide by properly condemning and commemorating
this crime, removing Turkey’s gag-rule on its recognition by the United
States, and working publicly toward the adoption of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution before Congress," concluded Hachikian

According to the Executive Director of the U.S.-Armenia Public Affairs
Committee, Ross Vartian, `President Obama’s April 24 statement is his
second lost opportunity to affirm the Armenian Genocide.

`On the first occasion, his visit to the Republic of Turkey, the
President stated that his view on the Armenian Genocide was well known
and remained unchanged, yet he chose not to utter the word `genocide’.
The President then urged the Turkish government and people to face this
history, just as America had done with African-Americans and Native
Americans.

On the second occasion, the solemn remembrance day of April 24,
President Obama failed to affirm his record as Senator and his repeated
pledges as candidate for the presidency to characterize this crime
against humanity by its proper name, the Armenian Genocide.

Instead, the President committed his administration to fully support
the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey `without
preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe’. While a laudable
objective, normal relations between these nations and an open
Armenian-Turkish border are not substitutes for the United States
affirming its own voluminous history on the Armenian Genocide and its
directly linked global responsibility to help end the scourge of
genocide.

President Obama knows very well and has eloquently acknowledged that as
long as genocide denial is tolerated that the act of genocide itself
continues, as it does for Armenians on this day of commemoration and
remembrance, April 24, 2009,’ Ross Vartian stated.

Agence France Presse
April 25 2009

Torrent of bitterness on the Turkey-Armenia border

HALIKISLAK, Turkey (AFP) ‘ There is more than the River Araxe
separating the villages of Halikislak in Turkey and Bagaran in Armenia
— a sealed border and a torrent of animosity divides their countries.

The 300 people in Halikislak and 700 in Bagaran are never allowed to
meet. But hopes of an end to the isolation have been raised on both
sides by an accord announced this week by the governments of Armenia
and Turkey to move to end their century of hostility.

Memories of the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Armenians under the
Ottoman Empire run deep between the countries even though the villages
either side of the river have much in common.

On both sides, the peasants cultivate tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines
and water melons. Their apricot and peach trees bloom at the same
time. In Halikislak there is a mosque minaret looking over the
river. The tall chimney of a Soviet-era communal house in Bagaran
casts its own shadow.

Border guards block any communication but there is no evident
hostility between the villages.

Once a month, leaders from Halikislak and Bagaran take a
manually-operated chair lift running over the river for talks.

"We discuss issues about water sharing and the maintenance of border
stones and then we eat and drink," said Kiyas Karadag, 56, the village
elder of Halikislak.

"They offer us vodka and we give them cigarettes and sugar. They are
very poor," he added.

On the opposite bank, Aslan Sahakian, an irrigation technician, said
their common problems dominate the monthly chat.

"We talk mostly about work, about how expensive life is and how badly
we are paid. We talk about the kids," he told an AFP reporter.

History rears its ugly head when villagers are asked about government
efforts to establish diplomatic relations, re-open the border and
settle a bitter dispute on whether the mass killings of Armenians by
Ottoman Turks during World War I was "genocide".

— We have no problem with the new generation of Turks —

The two governments are acting to heal the wounds.

Turkey and Armenia announced this week that they have agreed a
"roadmap" to normalising ties at reconciliation talks which Turkey
said have produced "concrete progress and mutual understanding".

Impetus has been building since President Abdullah Gul became the
first modern Turkish leader to visit Yerevan in September.

In the villages, neither side blames the other for the hostility.

"We don’t have a problem with the new generation of Turks. It was
Talat Pasha who did wrong," said Slavik Piloyan, 55, referring to the
Ottoman general who was in charge of the 1915-1917 deportations of
Armenians.

Armenians say 1.5 million people were killed during the turmoil. The
Turks say the deportations were ordered after Armenian militants
started fighting for independence in eastern Anatolia and backed
Russian troops invading the crumbling empire.

For the people of Bagaran, looking across the frontier means getting a
glimpse of their own roots.

"This is not the real Bagaran. The real one is four kilometers (2.5
miles) away, in Turkish territory," said Sahakian.

"In 1915, the people fled the genocide and resettled here. Except for
some women who came by marriage, all the inhabitants came from there,"
he explained. "I want to go there to see the old Bagaran. I even know
where my grandfather’s house is."

In Halikislak, different passions are stirred by the prospect of
re-opening the border shut by Turkey in 1993.

Turkey acted then in a show of solidarity with Azerbaijan over the
conflict in Nagorny-Karabakh, an Armenian-majority enclave inside
Azerbaijan that Armenia occupied two years earlier.

The hamlet’s inhabitants are all Azeri Turks, who moved to Turkey over
the years, and family ties still link many to the enclave.

"I want very much to go to Nagorny-Karabakh because my family lived
there. My grandfather came from there," said Karadag, the Halikislak
elderman. "Going to Armenia? That does not interest me at all."

STATEMENT BY ARMENIAN AND TURKISH MFAS STAB IN ARMENIA’S BACK

PanArmenian News
April 23 2009
Armenia

The joint statement issued by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs
of Armenia and Turkey said that Turkey and Armenia, together with
Switzerland as mediator, is a stab in the back of Armenian public,
according to an expert.

"Some high-ranking Armenian officials want to have the border
with Turkey opened so much that they are ready to make any
concession up to sinking the massacre of 1.5 million of Armenians
into oblivion," Eduard Abrahamyan, expert at Mitq analytical center,
told PanARMENIAN.Net. "These people wouldn’t scruple to undermine the
process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The
Armenian leadership as if does everything possible to make Azerbaijan’s
best ally – Turkey – a key actor in Karabakh conflict resolution. It’s
not only illogical but also traitorous."

"For Azerbaijan and Turkey, Nagorno Karabakh is an issue of
prestige. For Armenia, it’s national ideology," he stressed.

"Venal politicians should be stopped. Otherwise, the struggle for
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and recognition of
Nagorno Karabakh’s independence will be discredited," Abrahamyan said.