Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

ARF TO LEAVE COALITION?

A1+
06:12 pm | April 23, 2009 | Politics

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation released the following statement:

"Normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations has been a key issue on
Armenia’s state-political agenda for the past months. The Armenian
Revolutionary Federation has stated several times that the two
countries may establish friendly ties after Turkey’s recognition of
the Armenian Genocide and the restoration of the Armenian people’s
rights. The eradication of the blockade and establishment of diplomatic
relations without preconditions may be the first steps to be taken. The
normalization of relations with Turkey at the price of our independent
statehood and the state and national rights of our future generations
is absolutely unacceptable for us.

Staying true to these principles, we condemn the signing of the joint
statement made by Turkey and the Armenian Foreign Affairs Ministry
on April 22 and consider it unacceptable.

We believe that the signing of the document, which comes a day
before the tragic events of April 24, causes a blow to Armenia
and the interests of the Armenian people and comes amid the
recent anti-Armenian statements made by Turkish against leaders,
the statements regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the
preconditions set forth by Turkey.

Recording the fact that this process assumes a negative shift in
the course of Armenia’s foreign policy, the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation will soon discuss the issue of whether it is appropriate
for the party to remain in the coalition or not," as stated in the
statement.

Feds downplay rift with Turkey
Published Wednesday April 22nd, 2009
Stephen Thorne, THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA – The federal government says Turkey’s decision to recall its
ambassador does not represent a diplomatic breakdown between the
countries.

Turkey pulled Ambassador Rafet Akgunay from Ottawa after it learned
that a cabinet minister attended an event this week commemorating the
genocide of Armenians by Turks during the First World War.

But a spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon
insisted Canada’s position on the issue is "not an indictment of
modern Turkey." "Turkey is a democracy, we have good relations with
Turkey – they are allies," said Catherine Loubier. "We welcome the
reconciliation efforts between Turkey and Armenia."

Akgunay was called home for "thorough evaluations and consultations,"
Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin said in Ankara.
However, another Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity,
said the ambassador was being withdrawn temporarily to protest the
Canadian government’s presence at the event on Parliament Hill.

Aris Babikian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee
of Canada, said Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and Liberal Leader
Michael Ignatieff attended the group’s event Tuesday.

The ceremony marked the fifth anniversary of Canada’s recognition of
the genocide.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper did not attend, but he sent a letter of
support saying Canada hopes "tolerance and openness … will guide
Armenia and Turkey in developing their relations."

"We remember the terrible loss of life during the demise of the
Ottoman Empire in 1915, and in particular the horrific suffering
endured by the Armenian people," Harper wrote in an annual message
officials said was virtually unchanged from his original comment in
2006.

Ignatieff said the memory of the "Great Calamity" is "a reminder of
the destructive power of animosity between nations."

"The memory of the victims of genocide must never be an incitement to
hatred," he added.

"On this day, we commemorate that condemnation of the Armenian
genocide of 1915 as a crime against humanity. In our own time, we
commit ourselves to the intolerance of hatred and the defence of our
shared humanity." Babikian contends the recall is not so much aimed
at Canada as it is at the United States, where legislators have
introduced a resolution recognizing the genocide.

U.S. President Barack Obama was expected to make a statement this week
marking the event’s 94th anniversary.

"I think the Turkish government is sending a message to Obama through
Canada that ‘if you recognize it, look what we will do,"’ Babikian
said.

"This whole stunt, this blackmail by the Turkish government, has a
much wider target than Canada itself."

More than 70 parliamentarians from all parties have confirmed their
attendance at a similar Armenian National Committee event on
Parliament Hill next Tuesday, Babikian added.

The group’s president, Jirair Basmadjian called the Turkish
government’s behaviour "an insult to Canada and to Canadians."

It’s the second time Turkey has recalled its ambassador to Canada over
the genocide dispute.

In 2006, Turkey criticized Harper and briefly withdrew its ambassador
over remarks the prime minister made in support of recognizing the
mass killings as genocide. It also withdrew from a military exercise
in Canada in protest.

Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by
Ottoman Turks – an event widely viewed by scholars as the first
genocide of the 20th century.

Turkey denies the deaths constituted genocide and contends the toll
has been inflated and the casualties were victims of civil war and
unrest.

Loubier noted that all federal parties supported the 2004 motion
acknowledging by a vote of 153-68 "the Armenian genocide of 1915" and
condemning it as a crime against humanity.

If passed, the U.S. resolution could undermine efforts by Obama’s
administration to win the help of Turkey, a NATO ally, on key
foreign-policy goals.

U.S. legislators almost passed a similar resolution two years ago, but
congressional leaders did not bring it up for a vote after intense
pressure from the Bush administration.

Obama avoided the term "genocide" when he addressed Turkish
legislators during his visit a month ago. But he said, in response to
a question, that he had not changed his views. As a presidential
candidate, Obama said the killings amounted to genocide.

STATE DUMA INDIGNANT AT PARTICIPATION OF AZERBAIJAN, MOLDOVA AND ARMENIA IN ‘ANTI-RUSSIAN’ EXERCISES OF NATO IN GEORGIA

ArmInfo
2009-04-22 13:22:00

The Russian State Duma is indignant at participation of Azerbaijan,
Moldova and Armenia in the "anti-Russian" exercises of the NATO to
be held in Georgia. Russian media reported that on the Wednesday
meeting of the State Duma Semyon Baghdasarov, a member of the State
Duma Committee for International Affairs (Spravedlivaya Rossiya (Fair
Russia) Party) said that NATO exercises scheduled for May are of
anti-Russian nature by the geography and participants. ‘In addition,
these exercises are against our allies in South Ossetia and Abhkazia’,
he said. S. Baghdasarov is surprised that among the participants in
these exercises are CIS member-states: Azerbaijan and Moldova. ‘We
have recently protected the leadership of Moldova from the intrigues of
the West. Despite this, that country participates in NATO exercises’,
he said.

He called it nonsense that Armenia, a member of CSTO, participates
in the NATO exercises. ‘The country that has been our evident ally
quite recently, participates in anti-Russian exercises’, Baghdasarov
said. The parliamentarian charged the State Duma Committee for CIS
and Relations with Compatriots to request the opinion of the Russian
Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry.

NATO exercises in Georgia to be held on May 6-June 1 will involve
nearly 1.3 thousand servicemen from 18 NATO member- and partner-
states.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

AGBU Central Board of Directors Meets in Paris

Paris – The AGBU Central Board’s quarterly meeting was held in Paris on
March 27-28, 2009. On the occasion of the global gathering, AGBU Europe
organized a special meeting on March 27 for visiting board members at
the local AGBU Alex Manoogian Cultural Center in order to better
familiarize them with the recent activities and accomplishments of AGBU
France and Europe.

In addition to members of the Central Board of Directors, guests
attending the AGBU Paris meeting included board members of AGBU Europe,
AGBU France and its regional chapters (Paris, Lyon, Valence, Marseille,
Nice), and committee members of various local activities, including the
AGBU Paris Saturday School, the youth group and YP Paris.

AGBU Paris Chairwoman Viviane Etjemesian spoke about Paris’ objective to
attract new members and non-Armenian visitors to the AGBU Alex Manoogian
Cultural Center so that they can discover and enjoy Armenian culture and
traditions. In this regard, AGBU Paris has been more active than ever,
and their success has been augmented by the increased activity of new
and established local committees.

After welcoming the Central Board members, AGBU Europe Chairman Alexis
Govciyan described the objectives of AGBU Europe as coordinating and
developing the Pan-European activities of AGBU and establishing a strong
presence in the various European institutions, where AGBU will advocate
for Armenian-related issues. "We have been surprised by the great
success we are enjoying as the wave of interest in all things Armenian
throughout Europe is unparalleled. One of these successes was the
conference on Armenian heritage and its protection in European
Parliament," Govciyan said.

AGBU President Berge Setrakian, who arrived after an official visit to
Armenia, outlined the greater purpose for establishing AGBU Europe:
"AGBU Europe helps to reorganize the Armenian communities scattered
throughout Europe to come together in order to preserve Armenian
identity." He concluded his speech, adding, "AGBU is not only a
charitable organization. We have a vocation of national policy without
being a political party, therefore we must have a national policy."

Central Board member Yervant Zorian, who has spearheaded the Armenian
Virtual College initiative from the beginning, introduced the online
AGBU project which will be launched in late spring. The program’s
objective, he said, is to teach through the latest Internet technology
the Armenian language, history and culture in six languages for those
not served by today’s Armenian schools as a result of geography or other
factors.

During the evening, Alexis Govciyan submitted, on behalf of the French
Minister of Culture, Christine Albanel, the medal of "Chevalier de
l’ordre des Arts et Lettres," to Raymond Kevorkian, historian and
curator of the AGBU Nubarian Library, for his significant contribution
to the enrichment of the arts and literature in France and worldwide.

Former AGBU Central Board Member and AGBU France Chairman Levon
Kebabdjian was awarded the title of AGBU Honorary Member by Berge
Setrakian.

The following day, the Central Board of Directors convened at the AGBU
Nubarian Library for their quarterly meeting, which was followed by a
private meeting with members of AGBU Europe.

A closing dinner was organized at the Hotel Intercontinental in the
presence of Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Devedjian, France’s Minister of Economic
Recovery Plan. A longtime supporter of AGBU’s mission to promote the
Armenian heritage around the world, Minister Devedjian remarked: "I’ve
always valued my identity, which is reflected in my political career. In
fact, we must always be aware of one’s roots and act accordingly."

Established in 1906, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the
world’s largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New
York City, AGBU () preserves and promotes the Armenian
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in 35 countries.

GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SEEKS TO EASE AZERBAIJANI CONCERNS OVER TALKS WITH ARMENIA

Anadolu Agency
April 20 2009
Turkey

A Turkish government spokesman has sought to give assurances to
Azerbaijan over Turkish-Armenian talks which have prompted an
expectation for re-establishing diplomatic ties between Ankara and
Yerevan.

"It is not possible for us to take any step which could hurt
Azerbaijan’s interests in our talks with Armenia or with any other
country," Cemil Cicek told reporters on Monday after a cabinet meeting.

High-level talks between Ankara and Yerevan began last year and
expectations have been rising of a deal that could include the opening
of the border gate.

Armenia said last Thursday it was close to establishing diplomatic
relations with Turkey as Azerbaijan has expressed opposition over
such a prospect.

"Turkey has never been in a behind-closed-doors move that would
disregard Azerbaijani interests, which should be acknowledged by
everyone," Cicek said.

Turkey cut all diplomatic ties with Yerevan and closed a border gate
with its northeastern neighbor in 1993 after Armenia occupied Upper
Karabakh.

Interfax, Russia
April 17 2009

Soldiers accused of contacts with Armenia’s special services go on
trial in Azerbaijan

BAKU April 17

Azerbaijan’s military tribunal has begun trying a group of Armed
Forces servicemen suspected of cooperation with Armenian special
services, a tribunal spokesman told Interfax on Friday.

"Today, the military tribunal for cases opened into grave crimes held
a preliminary session related to the case of four servicemen of
Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces who are accused of cooperation with
Armenia’s special services," the spokesman said.

Presiding Judge Rashida Guseinova ordered the court proceedings to
start on April 27.

The Azeri authorities accuse servicemen Orkhan Ismailov, Mushvig
Bagirov, Elchin Mamedov and Shamo Dashdemirov of high treason and
violations of military service rules.

Hürriyet, ANKARA
April 18 2009

No clue on what ‘model partnership’ means

ANKARA – Turkey is uncertain what the U.S. president referred to when
describing the relationship as a ‘model partnership.’ The Foreign
Ministry penned a wide-ranging memo on the outcomes of Obama’s visit
that stated ‘no information on the substance of a model partnership’

Turkey is still uncertain to what U.S. President Barack Obama
referred to when he described relations between Turkey and the United
States as a "model partnership."

The Foreign Ministry has just completed a broad memo on the outcomes
of Obama’s visit to Turkey on April 6 and 7, after analyzing the full
records of his meetings with President Abdullah Gül and Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an. One interesting point is that
Obama did not actually use "model partnership" during the talks but
mentioned it in the joint press conference with Gül. American
diplomats both in Ankara and Washington prefer to use the concept of
"strategic partnership," according to the memo. It also noted "there
was no information on the substance of a model partnership."

On the possibility of recognizing the 1915 Armenian killings as
"genocide" in the presidential statement expected to be issue on April
24, the ministry believes Obama will not risk losing Turkey and thus
will not categorize the killings as genocide. Obama’s emphasis on the
mutual efforts of Turkey and Armenia to normalize ties is evident to
this end, the ministry believes.

The ministry said it was not thinking that Obama’s much-criticized
description of the Kurdish minority was on purpose. On Iran, Obama
said the U.S. intention to talk to Tehran does not mean that
Washington would ignore current problems stemming from Iran’s
potential nuclear work.

Meanwhile, the U.S. top general Micheal Mullen is planned to visit
Turkey next month to discuss the fight against terrorism. The visit
would be coupled with that of Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, who
would raise Washington’s request to use Turkish territory during the
withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Obama assured Turkey that "the
intelligence sharing mechanism" will go along and that utmost
cooperation will be provided to Turkish military.

GEORGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DENIES THE STATEMENT ‘ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER WILL NOT BE OPENED’ ASCRIBED TO HIM

ArmInfo
2009-04-17 17:46:00

The Georgian Foreign Ministry has denied the statement
"Armenian-Turkish border will not be opened" ascribed to Georgian
Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze.

As the Armenian Foreign Ministry told ArmInfo, during a recent phone
conversation with Armenian Ambassador to Georgia Hrach Silvanyan,
Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia Alexander Nalbandov said on
behalf and by instruction of Minister Grigol Vashadze: "The statement
disseminated by some mass media that Grigol Vashadze allegedly said
the Armenian-Turkish border wouldn’t be opened is false. He only said
that the border is still closed".

The Georgian Foreign Ministry qualifies these statements as provocative
information.

EDWARD NALBANDIAN: AGREEMENT ON NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS WILL BE SIGNED SOON

NOYAN TAPAN
APRIL 16, 2009
YEREVAN

Today there is no intention to sign a document on normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations. Negotiations between Armenia and Turkey
continue, there is progress. "I think soon we will be able to come
to an agreement," RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated at
the April 16 press briefing in Yerevan held within the framework of
a regular meeting of Foreign Ministers of BSEC country-members.

In connection with various statements on the possibility of Turkey’s
influencing the Nagorno Karabakh settlement E. Nalbandian said:
"Negotiations are conducted within the framework of OSCE Minsk
Group. It is the very format of negotiations, and there is no other
format. Turkey is not a mediator in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement,"
E. Nalbandian stated.

Answering the same question, Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud
Mahmudkuliyev said: "We welcome efforts of any state aimed at
settlement of this conflict. Conflict’s continuation does not give
advantages to any of the sides," he stated. The Azeri Foreign Ministry
representative also noted that Turkey is a member of OSCE Minsk
Group and if Turkey has serious proposals on conflict settlement,
Azerbaijan is ready to consider them.

As to activation of contacts between Yerevan and Ankara
M. Mahmudkuliyev said that Azerbaijan considers these contacts as the
affairs of these two countries. At the same time he added: "However,
there are also issues here connected with the Armenian-Azeri relations,
and we attentively follow development of relations between Armenia
and Turkey. Restoration of contacts between these two countries can
be connected only with settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict."

In his words, the Armenian-Turkish relations were broken off because of
this conflict and the main reason of it was "Armenian side’s occupying
Azeri regions." Therefore Azerbaijan considers that normalization
of relations between Turkey and Armenia should be connected with the
Nagorno Karabakh settlement.

It should be mentioned that Turkish Foreign Minister Ali
Babacan takes part in the meeting of Foreign Ministers of BSEC
country-members. However, the latter refused to answer journalists’
questions.

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER DUE IN YEREVAN

498_4/16/2009_1
Wednesday, April 15, 2009

ANKARA (RFE/RL)–Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan was expected to
arrive in Yerevan to participate in Thursday’s high-level meeting of
the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) organization and possibly
hold fresh fence-mending talks with his Armenian counterpart.

The visit was still not officially confirmed by the Armenian and
Turkish governments as of Wednesday evening. "We don’t have any
information about that so far," a spokeswoman for the Turkish Foreign
Ministry told RFE/RL from Ankara.

Armenian officials seemed confident that Babacan will make what would
be his second trip to Armenia in eight months. "The likelihood of
his arrival is high," a diplomatic source in Yerevan told RFE/RL.

Babacan and Armenia’s Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian held a
group meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in Istanbul on April
7. Reports in Turkish and Western media had said that they might
announce an agreement on a gradual normalization of Turkish-Armenian
relations on the sidelines of the BSEC ministerial meeting in Yerevan.

However, Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has poured cold
water on the speculation, repeatedly stating this month that Ankara
will not establish diplomatic relations with Yerevan and reopen the
Turkish-Armenian border before a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict acceptable to Azerbaijan. Erdogan’s statements came amid an
uproar in Azerbaijan over the possible lifting of the 16-year Turkish
economic blockade of Armenia.

That a breakthrough in Turkish-Armenian relations is not on the cards
was reportedly echoed by Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze late
Tuesday. "The opening of the Turkish-Armenian border is not expected,"
the Azerbaijani APA news agency quoted Vashadze as saying after talks
with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington.

The BSEC meeting in Yerevan is also due to be attended by Azerbaijan’s
Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mamedguliev. Azerbaijan will assume
the organization’s rotating presidency from Armenia at the meeting.