Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

RA FOREIGN MINISTER TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO CHINA

NOYAN TAPAN
SEPTEMBER 10
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward
Nalbandian is leaving for Beijing today at the invitation of Foreign
Minister of China Yang Jiechi.

According to the Press and Information Department of the RA Foreign
Ministry, during his visit E. Nalbandian will meet the state and
party leadership of China, will make a speech at the International
Research Institute of China and will give interviews to the Sinhua
Chinese agency and the CCTV State Central Television.

E. Nalbandian will also visit Shanghai, where he will meet with the
municipal authorities and the organizing committee of the Shanghai
Expo 2010 World Exhibition. With the latter he will discuss issues
of Armenia’s participation in the exhibition.

RA Foreign Minister will return to Yerevan on September 14.

Georgian Foreign Minister visiting Yerevan
04.09.2009 22:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Visiting Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze
met Friday with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian.

`Armenia welcomes contacts which underlie further development of
mutually beneficial relations,’ Minister Nalbandian said.

The two men discussed Gyumri-Akhalthikhe-Bavra-Batumi highway
construction, process of delimitation of the Armenian-Georgian border
and energy cooperation. They also signed a memorandum on exchange of
land for the diplomatic outposts.

Tomorrow, Mr. Vashadze will meet with President Serzh Sargsyan, the RA
MFA press office said.

At that, Interfax news agency reported that Georgia is ready to
discuss any ideas and proposals with Armenia, including giving to the
Armenian language a status of `regional language’.

`We are willing to discuss any idea with our Armenian
counterparts. Armenians living in our country are a part of our
history and culture. The rights of Georgian citizens of Armenian
descent will be protected,’ the agency quoted the Georgian FM as
saying.

Institute for War and Peace Reporting IWPR, UK
Sept 3 2009

ARMENIAN BORDER DOUBTS

Armenian border villagers distrust moves to open up to Turkey.

By Davit Muradian in Bagaran

Armenians living along their country’s border with Turkey are deeply
distrustful of moves by politicians to build ties with the
neighbouring state, saying they fear a repeat of the massacres of
1915.

The founders of the village Bagaran were refugees from an Armenian
village of the same name in what is now Turkey, who were driven from
their homes by the campaign against them during World War One. The
Turkish government denies that the killings were genocide, and the
villagers see that as a sign that the Turks are still not to be
trusted.

`I have the writings of my grandfather, who came from western
Armenia,’ said Maria Mkrtchian, a 55-year-old resident of Bagaran,
referring to the region in what is now Turkey where Armenians once
lived.

`They lived through an unbearable nightmare. When they heard the
soldiers were coming to their village, they built a bridge in just
three days and crossed over the river Akhuryan, which had burst its
banks. When I read about this, the thought of that nation makes me
feel terror and fear, and no matter how much the politicians talk
about there being no danger, I am still scared,’ said Mkrtchian, a
teacher of Armenian language and literature in the local school.

Bagaran sits on the banks of the Akhuryan river, which forms the
border here.

The Turkish-Armenian border has been closed since 1993 when Turkey
decided to support its allies in Azerbaijan in their war with Armenia,
when Armenians seized control of the region of Nagorny-Karabakh. The
villagers would like to see a relaxation of the current tough border
controls, which are here enforced by Russian border guards sent by
under a Russian-Armenian pact, but are suspicious of any move to open
the border itself.

`The only thing that concerns me is economic aggression. They will
fill the Armenian market with the same goods, just at lower prices. We
will be ruined, we will have to sell our property and even our
land. If there is no way of earning, that’s what will happen,’ said
Sanasar Harutinian, the 52-year-old head of the village
administration, in a viewpoint that is widely held here.

`It would be better if they left things as they are. Some people say
that opening the border will benefit us; that trade will start
developing. But all the same, there are Turkish goods in our market
anyway, so what is the sense in formally opening or closing the
border?’ asked 37-year-old science teacher Arshak Melqonian.

`Whatever happens, it is the peasants who guard the border, and who
therefore receive the first blow. The state should be more concerned
about the population of the border villages.’

But it is not a universal opinion. Davit Danielian, a 58-year-old
accountant in the local administration, said that opening the border
would help develop the economy and keep young people in the
village. He said the border regime had relaxed since Soviet times,
when there was even a case of a woman in labour not being allowed to
leave the village because her papers were not in order, and it was
time to move ahead in other ways too.

`Relations will be built with the neighbouring Turkish village,
movement between us will start, and mutually beneficial trade too,’ he
said.

`The people have changed, times are not what they were. Maybe they
were ignorant in 1915, when all this happened, but what can happen
now?’

Davit Muradian is a reporter from the Ar television company in
Yerevan.

Goal.com
Sept 5 2009

Armenia 0-2 Bosnia-Herzegovina: Muslimovic The Hero As BiH Prevail

The visitors solidify their second place with yet another win…
Sep 5, 2009 1:36:04 PM

Photo GalleryZoomBosnia HerzegovinaArmenia 0-2 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Lineups/Stats

European World Cup Qualification Results, Fixtures

Bosnia took another massive step towards World Cup 2010 qualification
with a hard-fought but deserved win over Armenia in Yerevan.

Senijad Ibricic of Hajduk Split made it three goals in ten
international appearances after just six minutes, getting a second
header attempt past Gevorg Kasparov after Admir Vladavic’s cross.

Vedad Ibisevic was in bullish mood, too, but the first half ended
without further goals despite the Hoffenheim man’s best efforts.

The Armenians came out strongly for the second period, Nemanja Supic
being compelled to save well from an Arman Karamyan strike, as Bosnia
felt the pressure.

But their World Cup qualification hopes came that one step closer to
reality a quarter-hour from the end as Zlatan Muslimovic continued his
exemplary goalscoring record with a neat finish after a superb piece
of unselfish play from Edin Dzeko.

Prior to Turkey’s match at home to Estonia, the Zmajevi sit seven
points clear of the Turks on 15, three short of a Spain side who meet
Belgium on Saturday evening.

GEORGIA MAY LOSE ROLE OF TRANSIT COUNTRY FROM ARMENIA-TURKEY NORMALIZATION: GEORGIAN EXPERT:

Today.Az
Sept 4 2009
Azerbaijan

Armenia-Turkey border opening contributes to the maintenance of peace,
meanwhile weakens Georgia’s position in the region, Georgian expert
on Caucasian issues Mamuka Areshidze said.

He said transit of first-necessity goods supply via Georgia that
gives much importance to the country.

"Georgia has a chance to use its privileged position and succeed. Now
the situation has changed and Georgia’s function is weakened. It is
not good for us," Areshidze said.

In the meantime, he did not rule out that border opening will favor
the peace process, including the Karabakh problem settlement.

ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS NOT LINKED TO THE KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
Lusine Vasilyan

‘Radiolur’
03.09.2009 11:44

On August 31 the Armenian-Turkish relations reached an important
phase. The year started with a new stage of relations. Despite
difficulties, Yerevan and Ankara managed to demonstrate political
will to move forward, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told a
press conference in Yerevan. "The world approves the Armenia-Turkey
rapprochement. Superpowers urge Turkey and Armenia to move on and
fulfill agreements entered within shortest terms. I hope, we’ll make
progress, as the rapprochement is supported by the whole world,"
Minister Nalbandian noted.

Edward Nalbandian also noted that though Yerevan and Ankara reached
an important phase, the process requires serious efforts. "Armenia
wants to normalize ties with Turkey. We’re ready to fulfill agreements
entered.

Time will show if both parties are able to fulfill them," the Foreign
Minister stated.

Armenian government repeatedly stated that in case agreements are
reached between Armenia and Turkey, the agreements will be submitted
to public discussion. "Armenian people understand that eternal enmity
with Turkey is against our interests," he emphasized.

Joint statement of RA and Turkey as well as protocols on establishment
of diplomatic relations clearly state that the parties respect
international norms and principles. There9s no mention of Kars
agreement in Armenian-Turkish rapprochement protocols, and there’s
no need to look for something the documents simply don’t contain,
Minister Nalbandian stated.

"As we repeatedly stated, intergovernmental committee to be
created will discuss all issues on Armenian-Turkish relations. The
committee will include several subcommittees, one of them in charge
of restoration of trust between the two countries,"Edward Nalbandian
noted. According to him, negotiations with Ankara did not include
discussions on Armenian Genocide, neither was the issue mentioned in
the protocols.

As for the Karabakh issue, the Foreign Ministre said it’s not linked
to the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement.

"There were attempts to link the two processes, but as you might see
upon protocols’ publication, there’s no connection between them.

Both Armenia and MG OSCE Co-chairs repeatedly stated the fact,"
Edward Nalbandian emphasized. According to the Foreign Minister,
Ankara’s attempts to link the two processes are illogical.

INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE HOUSES IN ARMENIA TO BE BUILT ON STANDARD ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

ArmInfo
2009-09-03 14:46:00

ArmInfo. Individual private houses in Armenia will be built on standard
architectural design, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said
in the government on Thursday. Private houses in the country are
mostly eclectic.

Everyone builds his house depending on his budget and imagination
without any project, he said. In rural areas residents often build
houses without projects and face bureaucratic acrimony, legalization
procedures or elementary requirements of security. In this context,
the government intends to create a state catalogue of standard
architectural designs of housing construction. A tender will be
announced for approval of 10 and more standard designs. The designs
will be provided to the citizens free of charge and available in
the Internet.

"DO NOT GET OFFENDED"

09/2/dashnaks
08:30 pm | September 02, 2009

Politics

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun held a rally at
Yerevan’s Charles Aznavour Square at 6:30 September 2.

"Don’t get offended. Our divergence is not connected with persons
signing the Protocols. We would raise a similar wave of protest if
the Protocols were signed by Armenia’s first and second presidents,"
ARF Leader Vahan Hovhannisyan announced during today’s rally.

Despite the heavy rain, people gathered at the square to voice protest
against August 31 Protocols between Armenia and Turkey.

They were carrying posters, "Artsakh is a part of Armenia," "Armenian
spirit will not surrender," "No concessions to Turkey!"

In his addressing speech, ARF member Gegham Manukyan congratulated
the ralliers on Karabakh’s independence.

Leader of the ARF parliamentary faction Vahan Hovhannisyan read out
the Protocols and criticized Armenia’s foreign policy.

Mr. Hovhannisyan thinks Armenia has diverted from security norms.

He also thanked the presentees for confiding in the Party and ralling
at Aznavour Square.

The meeting ended at 8:00.

EDITORIAL: GOING ON THE OFFENSIVE

02/editorial-going-on-the-offensive/
September 2, 2009

The signing of protocols on the establishment and development of
relations between Turkey and Armenia on Aug. 31 was yet another
adventure the Armenian authorities embarked upon without a sober
analysis and calculation of the grave damages it might inflict on
the Armenian cause.

And, it seems, the signals from the Turkish side that they have no
serious commitment to good neighborly relations, opening the border
without preconditions, or facing their past, were not picked up
(or were conveniently ignored) by the Armenian authorities.

Analysts will have a lot to say about this most recent
development. They will discuss potential outcomes, possible reactions
in Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and beyond. Many others will take
the noncommittal wait-and-see position.

But a closer look at what has transpired since "soccer diplomacy"
was launched last year will show that the wait-and-see approach is in
fact a stance with detrimental consequences that will only encourage
further capitulations.

Armenians in the diaspora and in Armenia who are outraged-an
understatement, perhaps-with the policies of the Armenian authorities
should take the initiative and aggressively pursue an agenda that
struggles to secure the rights of Armenians.

The time has come to take the initiative and move beyond condemning
what the Armenian government is doing. In fact, that time was
yesterday.

SARKISIAN SAYS HISTORICAL JUSTICE MUST BE RESTORED

Asbarez
1/sarkisian-says-historical-justice-must-be-restor ed/
Aug 31, 2009

YEREVAN-In an interview published Monday, President Serzh Sarkisian
emphasized the importance of restoring historical justice and told
the BBC what he envisions to be the course of Armenia-Turkey relations.

This interview was conducted prior to Monday’s announcement of
protocols governing the establishment and development of Armenia-Turkey
relations, which was publicized via a joint statement by the Armenian,
Turkish and Swiss foreign ministers.

The announcement stated that political consultations around the
protocols will be completed within six weeks, following which the two
countries will sign the protocols and present it to their respective
parliaments for ratification.

Below is the translated text of Sarkisian’s interview.

BBC: President Sarkisian will you attend the return match in Turkey?

Serzh Sarkisian: The question has two answers. The fist answer is as
follows. It’s not important whether I’ll visit Turkey or not. I’d
like to say that my visit to Turley should not be linked to the
relations between the two countries. There are two scenarios. Let’s
assume that Armenia freezes the negotiation process with Turkey and I
leave for that country to watch the soccer match. The second option
is that the two countries continue negotiating, but I don’t attend
the match. Which is more important? This is my answer if you ask the
question in the context of our talks with Turkey.

BBC: What signals is Armenia expecting from Turkey in order to resume
the talks?

S.S.: I have already announced and will say once again that I will
leave for Turkey only in case of opening of the border or at the
threshold of the event. We have an agreement with Turkey. I think it’s
the right thing for the parties to stick to the agreement reached
earlier. Unfortunately, so far I have not seen a great desire and
aspiration to implement those agreements. Our wish remains the same –
to establish relations without preconditions

BBC: Is Armenia ready to make concessions in regard to the events of
1915 and do you believe Turkey will call the events genocide?

S.S: Of course, it’s very important for our people, for Turkey and the
entire world. It’s important that historical justice be restored. It’s
important for our nations to be able to establish normal relations. At
last, it’s important that it never reoccurs in the future. But we
do not see the recognition of genocide as a precondition for the
establishment of relations.

BBC: Do you mean to say that there is an opportunity of compromise?

S.S.: It is not the case when one can talk about a compromise. We say
– yes, there was genocide, and no matter whether Turkey today admits
that or not, this is a fact that is recognized by all specialists
on genocides in the world; it is recognized by many countries of the
world. But in current conditions, we do not view it as a precondition
for establishing relations with the Turks

BBC: Anyway, that problem is an obstacle to regulate ties with
Turkey. A man, with whom I spoke earlier in Yerevan, recommended
another solution: when you drive you should look into the rear view
mirror to be mindful of what’s going on in the back, but the important
aspect is what’s in front of you. How well does this example describe
the current situation?

S.S.: Right, I can see quite well what the man wanted to say. He wants
to say that we should look toward the future, but we do not have the
right to forget the past.