Author: Vasilian Manouk

DASHNAKTSUTYUN CALLS ON ARMENIANS WORKING IN TURKEY TO LEAVE COUNTRY IMMEDIATELY

Tert.am
15:20 â~@¢ 19.03.10

Those who compare Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
statement on deporting Armenians living illegally in Turkey with
the deportation of Armenians in 1915 are not right, said Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (or Dashnaktsutyun, ARF-D) parliamentary
faction leader Vahan Hovhannisyan at a press conference today.

"In 1915, Turks were massacring Armenians living in Turkey. While
today, the talk is about Armenians who have gone to Turkey for
work," said Hovhannisyan, calling on all those Armenians in Turkey
to immediately leave Turkey and return to Armenia or go to other
countries.

Prosperous Armenia Party representatives Aram Safaryan did not share
Hovhannisyan’s view, saying that it was not due to a political urging
that those Armenians went to Turkey. Thus, in his words, it is not
for a political urging either that they should leave Turkey.

In turn, ruling Republican Party of Armenia parliamentary faction
leader Galust Sahakyan thinks that there is no need to instill a
"syndrome of fear" among Armenians in Turkey and to consistently say
that "the Turks may create an environment of blood for Armenians."

TURKEY SURPRISED AT STATEMENTS BY PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN

ArmInfo
2010-03-19 14:32:00

ArmInfo. The statements of Prime Minister Erdogan regarding possible
deportation of Armenians residing in Turkey have shocked Turkey,
Turkish media reported.

"No, dear prime minister, don’t touch the Armenians, protect them,"
"PM Erdogan’s Armenian hostages", "The Exodus – Part II?" , these
are just few of the numerous items in the Turkish media condemning
Erdogan’s statements.

Thus, Mehmet Ali Birand says: "I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard
the news. How could it be that Turkey’s prime minister could say such
a thing? Was it his own thought or did someone else think of it? Or
is there a misunderstanding? Or was he trying to say something else
but the wrong words came out of his mouth? No, the prime minister
clearly spoke these words on BBC. He openly underlined these words on
a TV channel watched throughout the world. He announced that citizens
of Armenia who came as tourists and started working illegally just
to earn a bit of money because they are so poor, would be deported
in case the initiative does not work. He might have intended to
intimidate Armenia."

For his part Semih Idiz writes: "Erdogan was referring to people who,
due to the hardships in their own country, have somehow made their
way to Turkey and are working here in order to be able to send their
meager earnings back home to sustain their families or loved ones.

This is not something that is alien to Turks, given that millions have
had to travel to Western countries over the past decades, leaving
home and hearth for the same reasons, many of them entering those
countries illegally as well."

The authors of the tiem "The Exodus – Part II?" says: "The killings
of Uighur Turks by the Chinese police during demonstrations constitute
genocide. I use this term intentionally." (Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, July 2009)

"I went to Darfur myself and saw no genocide there. Muslims don’t
commit genocide." (Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, November 2009)

"Politicians cannot decide on genocides. This is the duty of
historians." (Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, March 2010)

"This concise compilation of three statements on three different
dates within a span of eight months has been brought to the public’s
attention by Cem Toker, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, or
LDP. Put in chronological sequence, the three remarks unmistakably
summarize Mr. Erdogan’s mindset on genocide.

When combined, the three statements allow us to safely conclude,
on the prime minister’s behalf, that: 1) Politicians other than Mr.

Erdogan himself should not make judgments about genocide, a crime
Muslims don’t commit but others – non-Muslim Chinese, for instance –
do; 2) The deaths of hundreds of thousands of Armenians cannot amount
to genocide, but the deaths of less than a hundred Uighur Turks can;
and 3) Genocide is something visiting dignitaries can "see," and if
they don’t see it, a genocide did not take place," the author writes.

A number of leading mass media, organizations and experts condemned
Erdogan’s actually Fascist statements regarding possible deportation
of Armenians from Turkey comparing him with the Young Turks leaders
Enver pasha, Talaat Pasha and Cemal Pasha.

KARABAKH CONFLICT NOT TO AFFECT ARMENIA-TURKEY RECONCILIATION: PHILIP GORDON

news.am
March 18 2010
Armenia

U.S. does not intend to exert pressure on Turkey through the adoption
of Armenian Genocide Resolution or to use it as a vehicle for the
achievement of other goals, U.S. Assistant Secretary for European and
Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon stated at the conference in Brookings
Institution, Turkish Ilhassondakika website reports.

"The closed Armenia-Turkey border is an obstacle for the creation of
open energy corridor, which is in the interests of all the countries in
the region. Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, energy issue and Armenia-Turkey
reconciliation are three major problems in Caucasus.

Each affects the other, however, no need to link one conflict with the
other, otherwise they will be intermingled. For the issues to progress
it is necessary that all the parties step up efforts," Gordon said.

According to him, active efforts are made for Karabakh conflict
settlement. "The establishment of Armenia-Azerbaijan peaceful
and stable relations is in the interest of the region. However,
this process should not hinder the steps towards the solution of
other problems, particularly it should not affect Armenia-Turkey
normalization process. It is strange that for the ratification of the
Protocols Turkey is seeking to solve another conflict. Both Turkey and
Armenia will benefit from the ratification of the documents. It will
contribute to the solution of other problems as well," Gordon said.

GOVERNMENT REMOVES DRIVING BAN FOR DEAF PEOPLE

ARKA
March 18, 2010

YEREVAN, March 18, /ARKA/. The Armenian government has invalidated
its 2006 decision that banned people with impaired hearing to drive
vehicles.

Health minister Harutyun Kushkian said today a study of international
experience revealed that deaf people are permitted to drive cars
after installing special devices in their vehicles.’

He said people with hearing problems are allowed to drive cars actually
in all developed countries.

TURNS OUT NEW RULE OF LAW MINISTERS ARE FRIENDS OF PARTY LEADER ARTUR BAGHDASARYAN

Tert.am
14:21 ~U 16.03.10

Rule of Law Party leader Artur Baghdasaryan, responding to questions
on the decision to nominate Manuk Vardanyan and Armen Yeritsyan
as candidates for minister positions, said that he knows the two
candidates, in fact, they’re friends and have published a book
together.

"So there is friendship, with both me and our party’s executives. The
same can be said as well for Manuk Vardanyan," he said.

Confronted with a question that asked whether, in Armenia, positions
are awarded through friends and known ties, Baghdasaryan said,
"There are neither acquaintance nor friendship issues here. I am
[simply] saying that I know those individuals. Our political team
has walked together with them on the same path, has seen their work."

Baghdasaryan denied press reports that these were forced appointments,
noting that the candidates were agreed with the Armenian president.

The party leader added that the ceremony admitting Yeritsyan and
Vardanyan as party members took place yesterday evening.

ARMENIA’S MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE SAYS ISN’T GOING TO RESIGN

Aysor
March 16 2010
Armenia

"I’ve got a solid ground under my feet. Within the framework of my job
I work over programs, projects. The only sphere with 0.1% decline in
Armenia of 2009 was the one of agriculture, while others registered
the 15% decline," told journalists Armenia’s Minister of Agriculture
Gerasym Alaverdian, in relation to recent reprimand by Prime Minister.

"My party is pleased with results of my work," said Gerasym
Alaverdian. Commenting Prime Minister’s reprimand, he said that was
a workflow.

"There have been taken necessary steps," Minister Alaverdian said.

"Henceforth ministerial contests will be held at gunpoint of
journalists and video cameras," he added.

HOUSING PRICES IN ARMENIA ARE LOWER THAN THOSE IN 2008

ArmInfo
15.03.2010

ArmInfo. In January 2010 the housing prices in Yerevan fell lower than
the level of 2008, the reports of the State Committee of the Real
Estate Cadastre say. According to the source, the average price per
sq.m. in the apartment buildings in Yerevan amounted to 269.8 thsd AMD,
this index being by 5% lower than in Jan 2009, and by 0,6% lower than
in Jan 2008. The price decline affected the buying activity and by
the end of January 2010 the number of purchase and sale transactions
in Yerevan grew by 35% as compared with the same period of 2009.

Yerevan maintains its leading position by prices in Yerevan. The
highest prices are fixed in the central part of the capital,
particularly, in Kentron (Center) community, where the average pruce
per sq.m. is 473 thsd AMD. In Arabkir community prices are over 370
thsd AMD, in the rest of communities ~V over 200 thsd AMD, except
Nubarashen, where the average price per sq.m. is 142 thsd AMD.

In the regions of Armenia the highest prices of real estate are
in Tsaghkadzor, Abovyan, Vagharshapat, Ashtarak, Goris, Ijevan,
Nor Hachn, Masis, Armavir, Gyumri, Yeghvard, Jermuk, Yeghegnadzor,
and Byureghavan, where the average price ranges from 100 thsd AMD to
190 thsd AMD per sq.m. At the same time, according to the source,
the prices of flats in the regions fell by 3% as compared with the
same period of 2009.

As regards private houses, by the end of January 2010 in Yerevan
their average price made up 279 thsd AMD, which is lower than 13%,
and by 0,8% higher as compared with the end of December 2009, while
in the regions the annual decline made up almost 2%, and the monthly
growth – 0,7%. As a result, in Yerevan the following prices were
fixed in Yerevan: in Kentron and Arabkir communities – 481 thsd
AMD and 377 thas AMD; in Kanaker-Zeytun, Davidashen, Nork-Marash,
Ajapnyak, Malatia-Sebastia, Shengavit, Erebouni and Avan the average
price ranges from 230 to 290 thsd AMD. The lowest price of private
houses was fixed in Nubarashen – 146 thsd AMD per sq.m.

In the regions the highest prices of private houses was fixed in
Tsaghkaszor – 303 thsd AMD per sq.m., the lowest price ~V in Shamlukh –
7.4 thsd AMD.

WAS BERNARD FASSIER UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF MULBERRY VODKA?

Tert.am
22:58 ~U 15.03.10

A recent statement by French OSCE Minsk Group co-chair Bernard Fassier
on the courage of Armenian soldiers has raised some hysteria in Baku.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Elkhan Polukhov said that
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, as soon as possible, will speak
with Fassier about this statement.

"I personally know how brave the Armenian and Karabakh soldiers are,"
Fassier had said at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s 73rd Rose-Roth
seminar in Yerevan on March 11.

According to the Azerbaijani news source Trend News, Baku wants
to find out what Fassier meant by saying that Azerbaijan’s win was
impossible should a new war commence in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In an interview with Day.Az, Azerbaijani political analyst Vafa
Guluzade said that the French co-chair was not sober-minded while
making the statement.

"Two conclusions can be made from that statement. Fassier either lacks
diplomatic qualification or he was under the influenc of alcohol. But
I think it was the mullbery vodka that affected him," said Guluzade.

Bernard Fassier has not yet responded to Baku’s reactions.

president.am, Armenia
March 12 2010

President Serzh Sargsyan’s interview with Le Figaro
Why the Armenian-Turkish process of normalization entered a deadlock?

We have a history of thorny relations. For ninety-five years Turkey
has been denying the fact of the Genocide perpetrated against the
Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in 1915. When I invited the President
of Turkey to Armenia to watch the football game between our two
national teams, my point was to promote the establishment of relations
between our countries without preconditions. In 2009, before the
Protocols were signed, an agreement was reached that they should be
ratified in a reasonable timeframe and without preconditions. We
declared that Armenia would ratify the Protocols right after Turkey
has ratified them. However, Turkey continues to tie the ratification
to different preconditions, and the main of them is the issue Nagorno
Karabakh.

What can Armenia do to facilitate the resolution of the NK issue?

We are doing the utmost: Azerbaijan is trying to create an impression
that Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh are not interested in the resolution
of the conflict which is certainly not true. We have to put an end to
the blockade because it causes us losses. Azerbaijan is in a different
situation: they rely on their natural riches and oil money to buy arms
and settle the issue by force. They make no secret of their
intentions.

Are you afraid of war?

War is not welcome, ever, and one must always be afraid of war. At the
same time, we are not afraid to fight if it is absolutely necessary.
However our position is as follows: we believe that the problem must
be solved through peaceful means, based on mutual concessions.

How can the impasse with Turkey be resolved?

The issue should be resolved by the Turks. In the 21st closed borders
and language of preconditions are unacceptable. Our position is: Let’s
establish relations first and then discuss everything there is to
discuss. Both Armenia and Turkey strive to deepen their relations with
Europe and share common values, which precludes any hostile act
against each other. I believe, the international community should
clearly articulate its position on that issue.

Do you doubt a possibility of reconciliation with Turkey?

Many do. And not only in Armenia. My initiative aimed at the
normalization of the relations caused countless concerns among the
Armenians all over the world. Procrastination of the ratification
process wears out the number of the Protocols’ supporters.

Do you still believe that the normalization has a chance?

I do aspire the establishment of normal relations. However, recent
statements of the Turkish side make me believe that they will not
ratify the Protocols in the foreseeable future. We have warned that
the moment we see that Turkey makes use of the process for other
purposes, we would take corresponding steps; in such case we will
rescind our signature from the Protocols.

The U.S. Administration declared that it would block the adoption of
the resolution on the Armenian Genocide, which was earlier adopted by
the Commission on Foreign Affairs, in the House of Representatives.
Could you comment on that?

Undoubtedly, our greatest desire is to have not only the United States
but also Turkey and all the countries of the world recognize the
Armenian Genocide. However, I don’t think that Congress and the State
Department make their decisions based on our wishes or views.

Three Swedish MPs from Turkey Voted in Favour of Genocide Bill: Mehmet Kaplan

12:26 ¢ 13.03.10

Two Assyrians and one Kurd parliamentarian, all born in Turkey, voted
in favour of the Armenian Genocide Resolution in the Swedish
parliament (riksdag), said Swedish parliamentarian of Turkish descent
Mehmet Kaplan in an interview with Turkish daily Sabah.

According to Kaplan, Social Democratic Party members Ibrahim Baylan
and Yilmaz Kerimo, both of Assyrian ancestry, and Liberal People’s
Party member Gulan Avcı, of Kurdish descent, voted in favour of the
resolution.

Kaplan, who left the room when the resolution was being voted on in
parliament, explained his actions by saying that his party (the Green
Environmental Party) had decided to support the bill, and he couldn’t
go against that decision (whether he means he was unable to personally
or whether he didn’t have the right politically, though, is unclear).
Kaplan explained his actions to Turkish media by saying that he was
unable to vote `no’ on the passing of the Armenian Genocide bill.

Tert.am