Stone Age Artifacts Show Technological Innovation 325,000 Years Ago
Nature World News, September 25, 2014,https://www.
Stone age artifacts discovered at a site in Armenia have shown how innovative humans were in terms of technology 325,000 years ago, according to a new study.
Published in the journal Science, researchers from the University of Connecticut examined thousands of stone artifacts retrieved from Nor Geghi 1, a unique site preserved between two lava flows dated from 200,000 to 400,000 years ago. The archaeological material was found in layers of floodplain sediments and ancient soil between the lava flows.
Analysis of the artifacts showed that human technological innovation occurred intermittently throughout the Old World, rather than spreading from a single origin.
The findings challenges the long held theory that human technology developed and spread as human populations moved. Experts thought more advanced technology was invented in Africa and spread to Eurasia, replacing older tools in the process.
General News on Armenia
Exclusive: EU condoles with Karen Petrosyan’s family, calls for transparent investigation
Panorama.am, September 26, 2014, https://www.panorama.am/en/
"The EU deeply regrets the continued tragic loss of life in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which ever more emphasizes the urgency of finding an early and just solution to the conflict. We offer our sincere condolences to the family of Karen Petrosyan and to other Armenian as well as Azerbaijani victims,” Peter Stano, spokesman of European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Štefan Füle, told Panorama.am.
“The EU underscores the obligations of both sides under international humanitarian law, in particular with regard to civilians and treatment of persons taken into custody during times of conflict, and calls for the full and transparent investigation of such incidents. We appeal to Azerbaijan and to Armenia to provide unimpeded access to the International Committee of the Red Cross and offer every assistance in resolving quickly and in accordance with the international humanitarian law the cases of persons perished or held in custody as a result of the conflict," said Peter Stano.
Through cooperation with NATO, Armenia makes its active contribution to the international security and stability
Mediamax.am, September 25, 2014,https://www.mediamax.am/
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said this addressing a lecture at Columbia University.
“Armenia has always built its foreign policy on combination of interests of involved parties in the region and various systems but not creation of dividing lines. Armenia and Russia are strategic partners and Armenia-Russia Cooperation Agreement alongside with Armenia’s membership to CSTO is one of the pillars of our security. At the same time, through cooperation with NATO, Armenia makes its active contribution to international security and stability both within Individual Partnership Action Plan and international peacekeeping missions”, said the Armenian President.
Serzh Sargsyan said that Armenia is going to join the agreement on establishment of Eurasian Economic Union this year which will “open new prospects for further development of our economy and opportunities for foreign investments”.
“At the same time, Armenia continues comprehensive cooperation with the European Union both in Eastern Partnership and bilateral formats. Owing to the EU and West’s support, our country has implemented serious reforms in democracy, human rights, supremacy of law, economy liberalization and many other key areas. I am convinced they will be ongoing. We are well aware that the reforms are not aimed at integration to a structure - we need them in the first place”, said the Armenian President.
Armenian Opposition Vows Anti-Government ‘Revolution’
Azatutyun.am, September 25, 2014, https://www.azatutyun.am/
Three leading opposition parties announced the launch of an anti-government “velvet revolution” in Armenia on Thursday as they began a joint campaign of nationwide rallies in Abovian, a town 15 kilometers north of Yerevan.
The Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), the Armenian National Congress (HAK) and the Zharangutyun (Heritage) party rallied about 2,000 supporters there as part of their preparations for a major demonstration that will take place in Yerevan on October 10.
“A liberation revolution in Armenia is starting today from this square,” the HAK’s Levon Zurabian told the crowd. “It has nothing to do with bloodshed or upheavals. We are talking about a velvet revolution that will take place under peaceful popular pressure.”
“Until Serzh Sarkisian’s regime leaves Armenia this country will have no chances of development,” he declared.
Armenians to stage demonstration outside French parliament
News.am, September 26, 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
On October 7, the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF) will hold a mass demonstration outside the country’s National Assembly building.
They will protest the recent destruction of the Holy Martyrs Armenian Church in Deir ez-Zor, Syria, by the Islamic State, reported the French-Armenian Nouvelles d’Arménie magazine.
“By blowing up Deir ez-Zor’s Armenian monument, the only one in those areas where the Armenian Genocide was carried out, the Jihadist forces operating in Syria have crossed the last limit of criminal madness.
“We need to put an end to this dizzy spiral of crime and the accompanying international hypocrisy,” the CCAF’s respective statement specifically reads.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Director Menno Snel
Armenpress.am, September 25, 2014, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/
Hovik Abrahamyan highly assessed the cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and noted that the joint projects are being carried out without any obstacle, Government’s Press Office informed Armenpress. Presenting the priorities of the government’s project, the Prime Minister said that the executive body should exert all the efforts towards improvement of the economic environment, creation of equal conditions, towards reduction of poverty and corruption. “Among the main guarantees of economic growth are the institutional reforms and we will express a political will to implement those reforms,” Hovik Abrahamyan stressed.
Expressing gratification on the level of cooperation with Armenia’s government, Menno Snel said that at IMF Executive Board Armenia has a high reputation in regard of implementation of its ambitious projects. The IMF official expressed readiness to assist Armenia in implementation of structural reforms.
The interlocutors discussed a range of issues concerning bilateral cooperation and regional developments.
General News on Karabakh
Azerbaijan Frees Armenian Captive
Azatutyun.am, September 25, 2014, https://www.azatutyun.am/
An Armenian civilian was released from Azerbaijani custody and sent back to Armenia on Thursday one month after crossing into Azerbaijan in unclear circumstances.
Sargis Ananian, a 53-year-old resident of Noyemberian, a town in northern Armenia close to the Azerbaijani border, was repatriated with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Zara Amatuni, an ICRC spokeswoman in Yerevan, said he re-entered his country from the Gazakh district in western Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced Ananian’s arrest on September 1, almost one week after his disappearance. A ministry statement claimed that Ananian deliberately entered Azerbaijan because of poor living conditions at home. Armenian officials and the captive’s relatives disputed that claim, suggesting that he crossed the Armenian-Azerbaijani border by accident.
Ananian, who made no public statements immediately after his repatriation, is the fourth Armenian civilian detained in Azerbaijan so far this year. Two of those captives were branded Armenian “saboteurs” by the authorities in Baku and died shortly afterwards.
OSCE: Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan plan to continue dialogue
News.am, September 26, 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group issued a statement as a result of their meetings with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov this week at the United Nations General Assembly. The Co-Chairs were joined by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk.
In a joint meeting, the Co-Chairs and the Foreign Ministers discussed preparations for the upcoming summit at the end of October in Paris.
At the summit, the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan plan to continue their dialogue on key elements of a settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Co-Chairs expressed their hope that the Presidents would hold productive discussions to make progress towards a lasting settlement. Ambassador Andrieu briefed participants on issues that could be included on the summit agenda. The Co-Chairs intend to travel to the region soon.
Nagorno-Karabakh MPs attend Abkhazian president’s inaugural event
Tert.am, September 26, 2014, https://www.tert.am/en/news/
A delegation of Nagorno-Karabakh parliamentarians on Thursday took part in the inauguration of Raul Khadjimba, the newly elected President of the Abkhazian Republic.
The ceremony, held at the country’s government, had brought together officials from different states. The delegation representing the second Armenian republic was led by Ashot Ghulyan, the speaker of the Nagorno-Karabakh National Assembly, who later met with President Khadjimba to discuss issues of bilateral interest.
According to a press release by the Nagorno-Karabakh parliament, the sides agreed to deepen and expand the mutually beneficial cooperation during talks.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Karabakh Felix Khachatryan, Vice speaker of the Abkhazian parliament Vagharshak Kosyan, and the parliament member Levon Galustyan were also present at the meeting.
Armenia-Turkey
Armenian President’s UN speech: Messages to Turkey and the international community
Armradio.am, September 25, 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/
The remarks on Nagorno Karabakh Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan made at the UN General Assembly were in some sense the continuation of the rhetoric questions raised in Sochi. This was some kind of response to Azerbaijan’s assertions that Armenia has failed to implement the UN Security Council Resolutions, President of the European Integration NGO Karen Bekaryan told reporters today.
The second important component of the President’s speech related to Nagorno Karabakh was that clear formulation of the Minsk Group role in the settlement process, the analyst said. According to him, once again Azerbaijan’s attempts to give a religious coloring to the Karabakh conflict came to naught.
As for Turkey and the Armenian Genocide, Karen Bekaryan first hailed the fact that the President expressed gratitude to all states that have recognized the Genocide. “The recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the elimination of its consequences are not just political issues. This is a matter of security not only for Armenia, and the international community was once again reminded of this,” Bekaryan said.
According to him, the President’s remarks on the Armenian-Turkish protocols and their ratification were a message not only to Turkey, but also the mediators directly or indirectly invved in the signing of the protocols.
“Mediators in the process included representatives from the US, France, Russia and EU, although Switzerland was formally named the main intermediary,” Bekaryan said.
West Coast ‘Armenians and Progressive Politics’ to Tackle Turkish-Armenian Relations
Asbarez.com, September 25, 2014, https://asbarez.com/127318/
“Armenian-Turkish Relations: The Road to Justice” Conference to take place on October 3-4, 2014 at Occidental College
GLENDALE—The Armenian Revolutionary Federation “Shant” Student Association will be hosting the upcoming Armenians and Progressive Politics conference titled “Armenian-Turkish Relations: The Road to Justice” on October 3-4, 2014 at Occidental College in Eagle Rock. This year’s conference will focus on domestic social movements in Turkey, reconciliation groups, reparations, and the possibilities for future developments in Armenian-Turkish relations.
The plenary session on Friday, October 3, 2014 will begin at 7:30 pm at the Choi Auditorium on the Occidental College campus featuring discussions with investigative journalist and Alternative Radio host David Barsamian, novelist Nancy Kricorian and outgoing Armenian Weekly Editor Khatchig Mouradian on the various aspects of international relations and their impact on the pursuit of justice for the Armenian Cause. While focusing on domestic political developments in Turkey, the panel will contrast Turkey’s influence in the Middle East with its human rights record.
The first of three panels on Saturday, October 4, 2014 (10:00 am) will highlight Turkish-Armenian exchanges and Turkish progressives. Panelists will cover the different aspects of Turkish civil society development and interactions between Armenians and Turks.
News from International Sources
Armenia Pressured to Choose between EU and Russia
Eurasianet.org, September 25, 2014, https://www.eurasianet.org/
There still might be room for a substantial partnership between the European Union and Armenia, says Brussels, but it will depend on how exclusive the Caucasus country’s relationship is going to be with the Eurasian Union, Russia’s planned alternative trade bloc.
But, ever the jealous lover, Russia wants exclusivity. If Armenia cold-shoulders the bloc, that could mean a Ukrainian-like upheaval, a Russian envoy warned this week.
In the year since it spurned the first EU's advances for those of the second EU, Armenia, putting its chess prowess into practice, has tried to keep its options still open. But things are getting confusing.
“For [a] broad and new definition or redefinition of our relations, we need to have a complete overview and idea from the Armenian side as to what they can do in the new circumstance created by Armenia’s membership in the Customs Union,” Peter Stano, spokesperson for the EU Enlargement Commissioner Štefan Füle, told RFE/RL on September 24.
Armenia itself would like to know these details. It is not yet a member of the Customs Union, the core of the planned Eurasian Union. The specifics of Armenia’s likely terms of engagement with the bloc remain unclear and a subject of dispute among the current Customs-Union members, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.
Armenia also has some hesitation. For one, about what the Customs-Union deal will mean for ethnic Armenian, breakaway Nagorno Karabakh, which depends on Armenia to keep it de-facto apart from Azerbaijan. There is also a dose of homegrown backlash among pro-Western circles against Armenia alienating the European Union.
Yerevan cancels ratification of Armenian-Turkish protocols
Vestnikkavkaza.net, September 26, 2014, https://vestnikkavkaza.net/
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said at the UN General Assembly that the parliament has cancelled plans for ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols signed in 2009. Alexander Markarov, the director of the Armenian branch of the Institute of CIS Countries, explained that it was part of political moves Armenia was making on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
The political analyst noted that the region still needed open borders, especially in the light of the swift-flowing world. He added that Armenia had found other infrastructure resources and transportation corridors to solve the problem.
Political analyst Kamer Kasim noted that the protocols remained frozen at the Armenian government, though they were not violating the Constitution. He said that Turkey had added formation of a joint commission of historians to study the events in 1915 as part of the protocols, but Armenia had refused to join it. The expert explained that Turkey wanted to normalize relations with Armenia by carrying out impartial science research. He added that cancelling ratification would not affect Turkey because the protocols had never been implemented.
Opening borders was not part of the agenda of Turkey, said the analyst. The borders were open until 1993 and were closed after the occupation of the Kalbajar District. Overall, Kasim concluded that restoration of ties and opening the borders with Armenia will never happen without the deoccupation of Azerbaijani territories.
News from Azerbaijani Sources
President Ilham Aliyev signs order on some security measures on contact line between Azerbaijani and Armenian armed forces
APA.az, September 24, 2014, https://en.apa.az/xeber_
President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on some security measures on the contact line between the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia.
Novruz Mammadov about Obama's comment on Azerbaijan
APA.az, September 24, 2014,https://en.apa.az/news/
Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Director of the Administration's Foreign Relations Department Novruz Mammadov has commented on U.S. President Barack Obama criticizing the situation of NGOs in Azerbaijan.
“Using President Barack Obama’s words, there are places without any opposition party or NGO where even mentioning democracy and human rights is forbidden. Yet, the very places are “strategic partners” of the West, and newspapers, TV channels, NGOs are silent about it… Interesting”, Novruz Mammadov wrote on his Twitter, APA reports.