TRILATERAL MEETING IN CHISINAU
hos15445.html
16:16:36 – 07/10/2009
During the CIS summit in Chisinau, a trilateral meeting between
the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian presidents is expected. No
essential event in relation to the Karabakh issue is scheduled during
the meeting.
Recall, the Minsk group Co-Chairs who visited the region on these
days stated that no document has been proposed to the sides.
AZERBAIJAN IS CONFIDENT OF SERIOUSNESS OF TURKISH GOVERNMENT’S STATEMENTS: AMBASSADOR
Today.Az
07 October 2009 [16:15]
Azerbaijani people and the government are confident of seriousness
of the statements of the Turkish president, prime minister, foreign
minister and speaker of the parliament on impossibility to open
the border with Armenia without settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Turkey Zakir Hashimov said.
Hasimov made this statement at a meeting with Head of the Turkish
Grand Unity Party Yalcın Topcu, in response to Topcu’s statements
on non-observance of Azerbaijani interests in the Armenia-Turkey
protocols.
"The cause of these statements [by Yalcın Topcu] is that the protocols
do not include Karabakh issue," Hashimov said.
Earlier Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an
exclusive interview that Turkey and Armenia will sign a deal to
establish diplomatic ties on Oct. 10.
The foreign ministers will come together on Oct. 10, or Oct. 11 and
sign the draft document.
Foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Eduard Nalbandian will ink
two protocols, the texts of which had been agreed earlier and
internationally hailed as a major breakthrough,the prime minister said.
"Our efforts are not against our brother Azerbaijan. We will not agree
on anything what is against the interest of Azerbaijan. We can approach
the agreement but it definitely depends on the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict settlement," Erdogan added.
ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS WILL BE SIGNED REGARDLESS, SAYS DIPLOMAT
Tert.am
11:57 07.10.09
Despite silence from official sources in Switzerland on whether
the Armenian-Turkish Protocols will be signed or not, they will be
signed, says a representative of Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
reports Turkish news source Hurriyet Daily News.
"The statement could be released or not. It is up to the host country,"
said a senior Turkish diplomat. "No matter whether it is released
or not, I assure you that the protocols will be signed," he said,
without elaborating.
Earlier Turkish news reports claimed that Switzerland could not
disclose details of the signing ceremony over fears of the Armenian
diaspora’s reactions.
Asked if there would be any participants other than the foreign
ministers of Turkey, Armenia and Switzerland, the Turkish diplomat
said, "There could be. There are a lot of countries that will be
pleased by the normalization of ties between Turkey and Armenia."
Grigoryan Brothers: Strumming classical notes in age of funk rock
-º Retweet
by Madhusree Chatterjee on October 7, 2009
New Delhi, Oct 7(IANS) Australia’s leading classical guitarists, the
Grigoryan Brothers, swear by classical music in an age when the guitar
is either associated with contemporary western sounds or earthy folk
from the colourful mosaic of ethnic musical genres across the globe.
`The essence of our music is essentially Renaissance. It dates back to
the time when Alonso Mudarra of Spain composed the earliest notation
melodies in his book titled `Tres Libros de Musica’ in 1546 for the
Vihuela, the oldest recorded ancestor of the regular six-string
guitar. The vihuela morphed in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries to
suit the chords of the modern-day guitar. Our music is almost 500
years old,’ the brothers, Slava and Leonard Grigoryan, who played at
the Kamani Auditorium as part of the Delhi International Arts
Festival, told IANS in an interview.
Vihuela, which evolved towards the end of the 15th century, was a
cross between a guitar and a viola. It was played with six-double
strings strung with thin slabs of wood- and at times animal gut, the
brothers explained.
The brothers, who are of Russian-Armenian stock, released their new
album `Distance’ a couple of months ago.
`It is a compilation of classical guitar music by various composers
like Ralph Towner, William Lovelady and Nigel Westlake. We have
improvised a bit,’ the brothers said.
Their first duet album was released in 2003.
`It was a classical album with a few jazz riffs,’ the guitarists said.
Slava, the older sibling, however, recorded his first album at 16.
`I had a contract with Sony Music. The album came out when I was
18. Titled, `The Spirit of Spain’, it captured the soul of the
instrument and its origin in Spain first in classical music and then
in gypsy Flamenco music,’ Slava said.
On Tuesday, the duo played a few tracks from their new album, a couple
of compositions by the impressionist French composer of the early 20th
century, Claude Debussy, and some Latino music.
`We have composed original scores from South American music, mostly
from Brazil. The compositions are a fusion of traditional folk from
south America, jazz and classical music,’ the brothers said.
The brothers are also familiar with Indian music.
`When I moved to the UK, I met the Indian musician Trilok Gurtu in the
1990s. I liked his music and later played with him at the Womad (World
Music and Dance) Festival in Australia. I want to collaborate with him
some day. We have also performed with Australia’s most popular Indian
tabla player Bobby Singh,’ he said.
The siblings, who have trained under their parents – both musicians –
say their canvas is open to Indian fusion.
Leonard, the baby of the Grigoryan duo, plays a 12-string guitar and
`is a John Mclaughlin fan’.
`We usually listen to Pink Floyd, Ralph Towner and McLaughlin. But we
think Stevie Ray Vaughn was one of the greatest electric guitarist of
all times. Recently, we heard another young guitarist and song-writer
– Derek Trucks- play in Adelaide. He, like Ray Vaughn, has spent
several years in India. He was discovered by Eric Clapton and the
Allman Brothers,’ the siblings said.
The brothers, who have performed all over the world and at several
state orchestras in Australia said, `Guitar bridges divides of class,
creed, colour, countries and religion. It is the most popular string
instrument in the world- one that is portable and can be played by
anybody.’
rs-strumming-classical-notes-in-age-of-funk-rock/1 1242/
THE FRENCH-ARMENIANS ARE ANGRY BUT WILL NOT REVOLT
Aysor.am
Wednesday, October 07
Yesterday at the evening the Armenians living in Paris had to witness
how the Eiffel Tower, the symbol of France, is being illuminated with
colors of Turkish flag.
The reason of such a coloring is the celebration of Turkish days in
France which will last till October 11.
The Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF)
wanted to organize a protest but as the French journalist Jan
Ekian informs CCAF has nullified the protest. The thing is that the
anti-Islamite organizations and right-extremist movements revolted
against the coloring of the Eiffel Tower.
CCAF doesn’t want to equalize the protest of the French-Armenians
with the revolt of the above mentioned revolt, as their protests
is not anti-Islamite but against the chauvinism and its ruining
consequences for the human race. However the Coordinating Council of
Armenian Organizations of France convicts the fact of illuminating
the Eiffel Tower with the colors of Turkish flag, which, according to
the Council is an offence for the victims of the Turkish nationalists.
ARMENIANS SHUT STORES IN BURJ HAMMOUD TO PROTEST VISIT OF SARGSYAN
2009/1 0/06 | 17:08
Diaspora
Armenia’s President Serzh Sarkisian was to face a largely hostile
reception later on Tuesday from members of Lebanon’s Armenian community
up in arms over Yerevan’s plans to establish ties with Ankara.
Sarkisian’s brief stop in Beirut is part of a week-long international
trip aimed at calming concerns among members of the Armenian diaspora
over Turkish-Armenian efforts to normalise relations.
But such plans have angered many in Lebanon’s 140,000-strong Armenian
community, mostly made up of the descendants of survivors of massacres
in eastern Anatolia under Ottoman rule almost a century ago.
"After nearly 100 years of fighting for our cause, how can our enemy
become our friend in the blink of an eye?" said a visibly angry
Koko Marashlian, a store owner in Beirut’s Armenian neighbourhood of
Burj Hammud.
Hagop Pakradounian, one of six Armenian deputies in Lebanon’s
parliament, said the community was all for improved ties between
Armenia and Turkey but not at any price.
"This issue concerns Armenians worldwide and not just those in
Armenia," Pakradounian told AFP.
"We are not talking about a simple economic accord between two
countries but a historic one that concerns each Armenian family,
whatever its nationality," he said.
Community members have drawn up a petition condemning the agreements
set to be signed later this month between Turkey and Armenia on
establishing diplomatic ties.
Stores in Burj Hammoud were to shut down on Tuesday afternoon in
protest, while a demonstration was also planned.
"We remember, we demand, we refuse," read placards put up throughout
the neighbourhood, where Armenian patriotic music blared.
"These agreements will sound the death knell of our cause," store-owner
Marashlian said. "As descendants of those exiled, we are the main
victims of these agreements."
Kevorg Abajian, 55, who runs a coffeeshop, said he was ready to take
up arms to prevent the normalisation of ties.
"I will shut down my shop to go fight so that our martyrs are not
forgotten," he said. "We want to recover our land. My ancestors owned
huge plots of land in Urfa," in southeast Turkey.
Some members of the younger generation, however, appeared to adopt
a more conciliatory tone, saying it was time to move on.
"The state of Armenia has made a decision and who am I to decide what
is best for its people?" said Haig Asmarian, 34, a jeweller. "My
grandfather still has the titles to his property but it’s time to
turn the page.
"And who knows, maybe this will benefit Armenia economically."
COULD THERE BE A STATE NOT STANDING FOR ITS SIGNATURE?
Cuneyt Ulsever
Hurriyet Daily News
Tuesday, October 06 2009 14:55 GMT+2
I found the news story in daily Hurriyet on Sunday odd. "Cannot be
without Karabakh," was titled and penned down by Ugur Ergan in Ankara.
It was about a quartet summit between President Abdullah Gul and his
Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev as well as the foreign ministers of
the two countries.
The main theme was the assurance Turkey provided to
Azerbaijan. "Without finding a solution in the Armenian-occupied
Karabakh, protocol to be signed with Armenia cannot be sent to
Turkish Parliament," it read. Azerbaijan’s reaction in the story was
"we were relieved."
***
I was attracted to the following paragraph in the article.
Turkish officials said:
"The formation of a joint history commission and re-opening the border
are included in the document. However, they can be put into effect only
after a solution is found to the Karabakh issue. Without a solution
to the Karabakh conflict, this protocol cannot be transferred to
Parliament. Even then, Parliament does not adopt it. So, relax. Turkey
signed a protocol with the European Union on the Cyprus issue. What
happened? Did Turkey open its ports to South Cyprus vehicles for the
last four years?"
What the Turkish side tells Azeris can be interpreted as:
"Don’t worry about our protocol with Armenia. Yes, a protocol will
be signed but don’t take this seriously. Take our word."
In order to help Azeris to feel at ease, a tangible example is given
in the story:
"We promised the EU to open Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot vehicles
because it was necessary. But see, we did not keep our promise."
***
In short, the Turkish Foreign Ministry means: "Please, don’t take
our signature seriously; don’t worry about it!"
***
I do not discuss the accuracy of the protocol here.
The point I discuss is if it is possible for a state to deny a
signature and to accept it as long as it serves t doesn’t claim
its signature?
I wrote a few times that "multi-dimensional foreign policy" sauced with
"zero problem with neighbors" on top may turn into a simple game of
pleasing everyone.
***
Here is a solid example:
1) We promised to re-open the Armenian border in order to prevent
U.S. President Barack Obama from signing the genocide bill on the
eve of April 24.
2) As Azeris are offended by our word, Turkey’s prime minister said,
"The border cannot be opened before the Karabakh issue is resolved,"
immediately after we circumvented the April 24 crisis.
3) But contacts with Armenia continue, so we have learned. This time,
we faced the protocol pending for signature on Oct. 10. The Karabakh
issue is not included inside the document. The Armenian side clearly
said the protocol has nothing to do with the Karabakh conflict. And
I thought it was left to Russia to resolve this problem.
4) But according to the news article that was not denied by the
Foreign Ministry, we are to sign this protocol "just for fun"!
As we did to the EU with the Cyprus issue!
RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN RECEIVED ARMANDE DE DECKER, THE SPEAKER OF THE SENATE OF THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM
Frid ay, 2 October 2009
Greeting the guest, the head of the Armenian government said to
be pleased with the high level of Armenia-Belgium relationship and
added that meetings like this are a hood opportunity to speak about
bilateral ties and EU-Armenia cooperation.
The Prime Minister touched upon the possibilities for achieving
enhanced trade turnover between the two countries and furthering
cooperation in the diamond-processing sector.
The parties also looked at economic interaction development prospects,
including collaboration in the fields of high-technologies, tourism,
culture and telecommunications. In this context, highlighted were
the signing of an EU-Armenia agreement on free trade regime and the
implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy. The meeting agenda
likewise featured discussion of regional problems.
At the request of Armande de Becker, Tigran Sargsyan briefed him on the
impact of the global crisis on Armenia’s economy and his government’s
anti-crisis action.
RPA: TURKISH PARLIAMENT WILL VERY PROBABLY BE THE FIRST TO RATIFY PROTOCOLS
PanARMENIAN.Net
05.10.2009 17:30 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Initial Protocols are not subject to change. Should
Armenia make such proposal, process will be delayed for 2 more years,
forcing us to start everything from scratch," RPA Vice Chair Razmik
Zohrabyan told a news conference in Yerevan.
After Armenian and Turkish Foreign Ministers sign Protocols
on October 10, documents will be pending ratification by both
countries’ parliaments, he finds. "Armenia’s ruling coalition has
already expressed support for current Armenian-Turkish process and
if consequences deriving thereof harm country’s interests, coalition
will be responsible for that," speaker stressed.
Hence, " Parties will probably reach a confidential oral agreement for
Protocols to be first ratified by Turkish Parliament," Mr. Zohrabyan
told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.
"ARMENIA-BULGARIA: MUSICAL BRIDGES" CONCERT TO BE HELD IN RETURN FEST FRAMEWORK
PanARMENIAN.Net
05.10.2009 17:41 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Armenia-Bulgaria: musical bridges" concert will be
held in the framework Return Fest in Chamber Music House on October
6. Modern Bulgarian music will be performed.
In all, 6 concerts will be played.
Return Fest is held by Art Gallery Cultural Foundation under the
patronage of first lady Rita Sargsyan and with financial assistance
of VivaCell-MTS.