NATO Week to kick off in Armenia on November 10
ArmRadio, 7 November 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/
The 8th NATO Week will be held in Armenia from November 12 to 14 under the Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan.
Within this framework a spacebridge between Armenian peacekeepers on mission in Kosovo and Afghanistan and their families will be organized. A visit to the peacekeeping brigade of the Armenian Ministry of Defense is also planned.
On November 12 the Ambassadors of a number of NATO member states to Armenia will hold a meeting with the faculty and students of the Yerevan State University.
The “Cooperation platform” initiative and a roundtable discussion on UN Resolution on “Women, Peace and Security” will also be held during the week.
General News on Armenia
Armenian Leader Returns From Moscow, No Meeting With Putin Reported
Azatutyun, 7 November 2014,https://www.azatutyun.am/
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian returned to Yerevan late on Thursday after paying a one-day working visit to Moscow that apparently did not include a meeting with his Russian counterpart.
Despite media expectations that Sarkisian would also meet with Vladimir Putin while visiting the Russian capital, no information about any such meeting was released by either the Armenian president’s office or the Kremlin administration as of Friday morning.
Sarkisian’s administration did not say anything about a possible meeting of the two leaders ahead of the Armenian president’s trip. According to its latest report, while in Moscow, Sarkisian, who also heads Armenia’s chess federation, only attended a chess tournament held in memory of Soviet-Armenian grandmaster Tigran Petrosian, the ninth world chess champion.
Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh conduct military drills
Tert, 7 November 2014, https://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/11/07/armenia-lghh/
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have launched joint military trainings as part of a 2014 military cooperation program.
The drills are conducted under the leadership of Bako Sahakyan, the president of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and the commander-in-chief of the country's Armed Forces, says a press release by the Nagorno-Karabakh Ministry of Defense.
The exercises of Armenia's servicemen are coordinated by Colonel Yuri Khachaturov, the chief of the Armed Forces’ General Headquarters.
Artak Apitonyan appointed ambassador to Finland
Aysor.am, 6 November 2014, https://www.aysor.am/en/news/
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree, relieving Ara Aivazyan of his position as Armenian Ambassador to Finland, according to the presidential press service.
By another presidential decree, Armenian Ambassador to Sweden Artak Apitonyan has been appointed to serve also as Armenia’s Ambassador to Finland, with his diplomatic residence in Stockholm.
PM speaks about selective abortions
Mediamax, 6 November 2014, https://www.mediamax.am/en/
At the governmental session today, Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan spoke about selective abortions.
“Presently, Armenia ranks the last in a number of its reproductive performance indicators among countries in the world. Today I would like to especially touch upon the birth gender ratio. As a citizen, PM and a proud father of two daughters I am strongly concerned about the social environment because of which we lose thousands of future mothers. I assign the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs as well as the Minister of Health to come up with a comprehensive program to rectify the situation, and to submit it by March, 2015”, said the PM.
Fresh Armenian Budget Allocations to Russian Military Spark Debate
Azatutyun, 7 November 2014, https://www.azatutyun.am/
The latest decision by the Armenian government to pay for more expenses of a local Russian military base has fueled the ongoing debate about whether the host country should make such payments.
On Thursday the Cabinet approved a fresh allocation of 20.5 million drams (about $50,000) to the National Security Service (NSS) that would spend the money to cover expenses of the Russian military base stationed in Armenia’s second largest city of Gyumri.
Such allocations from the Armenian state budget are made quarterly. NSS head Gorik Hakobian said that in the second quarter of 2014 about the same amount of money was provided to the Russian border troops in Armenia to cover their military transportation expenses.
Samsung Opens Learning Center at Yerevan State University
Asbarez, 6 November 2014 https://asbarez.com/128641/
A Samsung educational center has been opened at the Yerevan State University, where students will take tablet programming courses. The specially equipped auditorium is intended for professional program courses and laboratory work.
“The IT field today provides broad opportunities for creating a modern educational environment. This laboratory will make education more interesting and efficient,” Armenian Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan said, after cutting the opening ceremony ribbon together with Samsung’s Director for the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The minister said they plan to open a scientific research and development center that will work in cooperation and with the support of Samsung.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Yerevan State University and the Samsung Electronics Rus Company, which envisages development of education, science, innovations, as well as organization of additional courses in the field of IT and programming.
‘We don’t run’: An Interview with Archbishop Shahan Sarkisian, Prelate of Aleppo
Armenian Weekly, 6 November 2014, https://armenianweekly.com/
In late October, Archbishop Shahan Sarkisian, the prelate of Aleppo, granted an interview to the Armenian Weekly. The Archbishop was in Boston to meet with community organizations and to personally thank the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) for its efforts in providing assistance to the Syrian-Armenian community. During the hour-long interview—conducted in Armenian—Archbishop Sarkisian gave an overview of the Syrian crisis, and spoke about the challenges facing the community today. He was direct in criticizing the worldwide Armenian community for failing to respond to the crisis in a united and comprehensive manner. He said that there is a difference between being concerned and interested—and argued that what he was witnessing was interest and not concern. To be concerned, he added, means to take on responsibility, and that has been missing in the relief efforts.
General News on Karabakh
France reconfirms its position on Karabakh conflict peaceful resolution
Armenpress, 7 November 2014, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/783045/france-reconfirms-its-position-on-karabakh-conflict-peaceful-resolution.html
France evaluates positively the meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev, in Paris. Armenpress reports, citing the Azerbaijani Haqqin.az that the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Azerbaijan Pascal Monnier told about it.
The French Ambassador reconfirmed the idea that France will continue assisting the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in the peaceful resolution process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict issue. “We hope that our efforts will give positive results in the Karabakh conflict regulation process”, - said Pascal Monnier.
Peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict would be transformative for the South Caucasus: UK Minister
ArmRadio, 6 November 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/2014/11/06/peaceful-resolution-of-the-karabakh-conflict-would-be-transformative-for-the-south-caucasus-uk-minister/
Speaking at the Baku ADA University, UK Minister of State for Europe David Lidington stressed the need to “end the terrible tragedy that is Nagorno Karabakh.”
“It is a matter of deep regret that on the twentieth anniversary of the 1994 ceasefire we still seem to be a long way from an agreed sustainable and agreed political settlement. In fact, there have been more deaths this year than in any other since 1994. This is a conflict that has caused 20 years of lost opportunity. 20 years of continued hostility, hatred and suffering,” Mr. Lidington said.
“Every year both Azerbaijanis and Armenians die on the line of contact as a result of this ongoing conflict,” he said.
“Every year the divisions and differences between the two countries and two peoples seem grow; and the opportunities for contact, for the exchange of views, for building of links across national lines seems to diminish further. Every year the possibilities to build a brighter future for the region seem to become more distant,” the Minister added.
Azerbaijanis try to cause provocation at London tourism fair (PHOTOS)
News.am, 7 November 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
The World Travel Market Excel London 2014 international tourism fair wrapped up Thursday in the British capital city.
A delegation from the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR; Artsakh) also participated at the event.
The Azerbaijanis, however, did not refrain from provocations this time as well, informed the Information and Public Relations Department of the NKR Government Staff.
On the second and the final days of the fair, a group of Azerbaijani youth surrounded Artsakh’s booth with Azerbaijani flags and attempted to disrupt the activities of the NKR delegation.
It is noteworthy that the Azerbaijan Embassy staff also was among these “demonstrators.”
Owing to the efforts by the delegations from Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, however, it became possible to stop the provocation.
Shortly thereafter, the security officers removed the troublemaking Azerbaijani youth from the fair.
News from International Sources
Azerbaijan Prevents Counsel from Defending Jailed Human Rights Activist
Freedom House, 6 November 2014, https://freedomhouse.org/
In response to Azerbaijan prohibiting a series of defense lawyers from representing Leyla Yunus, a human rights activist now jailed on spurious charges of treason, Freedom House issued the following statement:
“The government of Azerbaijan's blatant disrespect for rule of law when human rights activists are charged with serious crimes demonstrates the government's fear of independent civil society,” said David J. Kramer, president of Freedom House. “The government is not only making a mockery of its judicial system by bringing dubious charges against Yunus and other political prisoners, jailing the defendants for lengthy periods of pre-trial detention, and now denying Yunus the right to legal counsel of her choice. It also shows that it fears its own citizens.
"Freedom House calls on the government to drop criminal charges against Yunus and other political prisoners and ensure the full restoration of their rights."
Azerbaijan is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2014 , Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2014, Partly Free in Freedom on the Net 2013, and receives a democracy score of 6.68 on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 as the worst possible score, in Nations in Transit 2014.
Armenia: could demonstrations prevent reforms?
Vestnik Kavkaza, 7 November 2014, https://vestnikkavkaza.
The process of constitutional changes directed at transformation of Armenia from a presidential-parliamentary republic into a parliamentary republic began more than a year ago. The authorities explain their initiative is due to a necessity for change. Representatives of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia state that the goal of the reform is providing Armenia with a more democratic, parliamentary regime, as the current system doesn’t guarantee overcoming of political autocracy and excessive personalization of state power.
The opposition standing for radical changes in the country doesn’t agree to making changes to the Constitution. It considers the changes to be a new instrument of reproducing the power of Serge Sargsyan, whose second term comes to an end in 2018.
A special presidential commission for constitutional reforms proposed a project of constitutional change, but the head of state decided to postpone the process. The press secretary of the President, Arman Sagatelyan, stated that the final position of the head of state on constitutional reforms would be clear in February-March 2015, as additional political consultations and broader political consolidation were needed.
Euronews about Armenia’s tourism opportunities
Armradio, 6 November 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/
At the World Travel Market 2014 in London, the leading event for the global travel industry, Euronews spoke to Arman Khachaturyan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia about the diverse tourism offer his country showcased in London.
“We are known for our culture, for our heritage, for our history. And our tourism products are inherently embedded in the experience and in the history that we have. One of the major influxes that we have into the country are from Russia and from Western Europe. For example, the Germans come for eco-tourism. The Italians come for our heritage and history. The Russians come for leisure tourism. And we are trying to cater to all the needs by creating very specific products.”
News on Turkey
Turkey will never recognize Armenian Genocide – MFA
News.am, 6 November 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has stated that it is impossible for his country to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Speaking at the Turkish parliament, Cavusoglu provided information on the developments in some topics, Gercekgundem website of Turkey reported.
He reflected on the European Court of Human Rights hearing on the case: Dogu Perincek vs. Switzerland, and stressed that they are closely monitoring the respective developments.
And with respect to the events that occurred in 1915, Mevlut Cavusoglu claimed that it is impossible for Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide, which is attributed to their forebears and the Turkish nation. “We stress this every time,” Turkey’s FM stated.
Armenian cemetery on slopes of Ararat demolished by treasure hunters
PanArmenian, 6 November 2014, https://www.panarmenian.net/
Armenian cemetery in the village of Akhori, situated near the city of Igdir on the slopes of Mount Ararat, has been demolished at the hands of Turkish treasure hunters.
Left untended, the cemetery has been looted, with the bones of those buried scattered in the area, Tert.am reported citing Turkish Dicle news agency.
“The residents of the mostly Kurdish-populated village urge the government to address the issue and promote preservation of the history of the area,” Dicle said.
The village of Akhori was almost completely demolished in the 19th century earthquake, with only the cemetery left untouched. Historic data reveals that before the quake and the landslide that destroyed the village, the latter was home to a 7th century St. Hakob Church. Later, a new settlement renamed into Yeni Dogan was formed in the area.
Charles Aznavour says offended by Turkish manipulation
ArmRadio, 6 November 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/
Charles Aznavour has said he’s offended by the falsifications of the Turkish press.
“I’ve not given any interview to the Turkish “Posta” daily. I’m deeply offended by this nasty manipulation,” Aznavour wrote in a Facebook post.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia had also refuted the news.
Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tigran Balayan said earlier today that the “Golden Maple” Aznavour received was just a memorial gift, a symbol of his mother’s native city, while the Turkish journalist who handed the gift tried to present it as an award.
ICT is a good platform for settlement of Armenian-Turkish relations: John Heffern
Armenpress, 6 November 2014, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/
The information and communication technologies sector is a well chosen platform for the settlement of the Armenian-Turkish relations. It is important to show that the nations of these two countries have more similarities than differences. Armenpress reports that on November 6 the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Armenia John Heffern stated about it at the launch of the project “Entrepreneurs’ visits”, fostering the cooperation between the Armenian and Turkish entrepreneurs, programmers, start-ups and producers of the ICT sector.
According to the US diplomat, this initiative may become a good opportunity for the two countries to begin partner relations.
Turkey’s opening air bases for anti-ISIL coalition would be beneficial: US commander
Hurriyet Daily News, 7 November 2014, https://www.hurriyetdailynews.
The U.S.-led coalition fighting against Islamic jihadists in Iraq and Syria would benefit from Turkey’s permission to use its airbases, a U.S. commander has said.
“When and if the Turks decide to be more forthcoming in helping the coalition, it will clearly be value-added,” Gen. Lloyd Austin, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East and South Asia, said when asked to what extent the coalition’s efforts had been interrupted by Turkey’s reluctance to allow the usage of its İncirlik base.
“The more access to basing and overflight rights, the better,” he further said at an event organized by the Atlantic Council think tank on Nov. 6.
News from Azerbaijani Sources
Elections Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center (EMDSC): In Azerbaijan there are no conditions for democratic elections
Contact.az (oppositional), 6 November 2014, https://www.contact.az/docs/
The EMDSC made a statement in connection with the upcoming December 23 municipal elections in Azerbaijan. The current socio-political situation, problems with human rights and freedoms, particularly with the implementation, do not allow to hold in the country free and fair elections, the document says.
The EMDSC recalls that after the presidential elections in October 2013 in the country intensified suppression of political freedoms, repression, was limited to the activities of NGOs and the media.
In 2014, the number of political prisoners in the country reached 100, and the last pardon decree of 17 October, has not solved the problem.
During the presidency of Azerbaijan in the CoE Committee of Ministers (May-November 2014) were convicted and followed by new arrests prominent human rights defenders:
Heads and Deputy of EMDSC Anar Mammadov and Bashir Suleymanli, human rights activists and Leyla Yunus, Intigam Aliyev, Rasul Jafarov, journalist Seymour Hazy, the young activists of the party "Musavat" Kerimli Faraj, etc. Bank accounts of approximately 30 NGO s were frozen.