TWENTY-FIVE ANTI-HAIL STATIONS TO BE INSTALLED

YEREVAN, October 22, /ARKA/. The government of Armenia has decided today to increase its spending for 2009 by 250 million Drams, which will be spent on installment of 25 anti-hail stations in eight provinces of the country.

Agricultural minister Gerasim Alaveridan said the country's agriculture sustains each year $13-$20 million damages caused by different calamities, half of which by hails. The minister said the monitoring of the situation and information from provinces show that virtually all regions of the country suffer from hails.

The minister also said the government of Japan for its part will provide 250 million Drams for installment of 25 anti-hail stations in Armavir and Ararat regions which will help protect a total of 3000 hectares of crops. The stations will be assembled in 2010 spring. ($1 - 387.18 Drams).


####

During the war with Azerbaijan in 1993 when we took Aghdam, we captured a brand new, never used, portable anti-hail station that was assembled in a trailer with instruction manuals. The trailer was brought to Martuni where the commander of the region who is now the Minister of Defence in Artsakh, instructed a friend of mine who is an electrical engineer to gut the trailer as he wanted to use it as a bath-house for the army. He tried to convince the commander that we keep it as we don't have one in our region to no avail. The trailer was gutted and worked as a bath-house for about a month before it was decommissioned and take the village of Jardar, where it served the commander for his personal use. To this day we don't have a single anti-hail station in Artsakh and of as the article above states, crop damage from hail represents more than 50% of the damage we sustain each year. That same commander was the one whose brother Arayig had a private milk farm that consisted of cows that were loaned to the army from common people for the sake of providing milk to the army, but later on the cows were decommissioned and privatized by the brother and presumably the commander. I know a few people who are still wondering when they will get their cows back.

America cashing in their chips

Today the Sarkissyan government has caved in to pressure from the United States Government and signed into what can be called nothing less than a bad deal that will provide little to no benefit to Armenia and her citizens. This has been a long time coming and though it is not yet ratified by Armenia’s mafia dominated Parliament, I would say that it’s a done deal if we don’t see some very extreme changes soon.

I will not get into the details of the deal that was cooked up to open the boarder between Armenia and Turkey (you can read the more important parts of it in the post bellow)so the “President” can go to Turkey to watch a soccer match, but will say that the pressure from the citizens of Armenia and Diaspora was not as powerful as the pressure that the West has been able to exert on the Armenian President who was elected under questionable circumstances that was then followed by some of the worst human rights offenses Armenia has ever seen on March 1, 2008.

Why is the Presidential election and events of March 1st so significant? Well, it’s all very harmful dirt that can effect the Armenian government and their ability to retain power. All the West needs to do is have a change in their stance on the issues, which they intentionally turned a blind eye to and deem then as to what they are, extreme human rights violations, which could allow America for one to cut off aid that the corrupt Armenian government depends on for their own personal wealth and power.

The next calling in our their chips by America will be around the Artsakh issue and us being told to had back strategic lands that we have liberated. This is what the promise America made to Turkey was around the signing of increasing their efforts to resolve the issue.

So what do we have facing us today? We have a very weak government that will jump as high as those governments that can blackmail the Armenian government with the dirt they hold, which can be used to topple them if they don’t do as they are told by the West.

What should be done? The present day government should resign so this very unbalanced deal will not face a vote in front of a Parliament that is as corrupt as the President himself. If this does not happen, then I hate to say this, but we are going find ourselves in a few years up the creak without a paddle.

WAKE UP EVERYONE!!! Our ship is sinking and too many are waiting for a life preserver that is not going to save us in the end since it will probably be made in Turkey.

Preconditions, Protocols and Joint Statement of Five Armenian Organizations

From: Harout Bronozian

To: AGBU Generation Next info@agbugennext.org; AGBU Press Office 2 agbupressoffice2@agbu.org; agbuny agbuny@agbu.org; agbuwb agbuwb@agbu.org; bsetrakian@agbu.org; Western Diocese info@armenianchurchwd.com; ARAMAC-CA ykeshishian@aaainc.org; aramac aramac@aaainc.org; Armenian Assembly of America info@aaainc.org; avaktbrabed@knightsofvartan.org

My article below, written one week ago, indicates how treacherous these five "Armenian" organizations are, especially now that the Armenia-Turkey protocols are signed. Please read it and boycott ALL activities of these organizations and demand the immediate resignations of their top leadership. Specifically Louise Simone, Berj Setrakian, Mihran Aghbabian, Sinan Sinanian, Hovnanians, Hovnan Derderian, Knights of Vartan hidden leadership and others acting behind the scenes. The same boycott should be applied to ALL those who supported these protocols in Armenia and the diaspora. It is about time. Shame on ALL of them.

And please feel free to circulate this e-mail and publish it in your newspaper or respond directly to these five organizations or Armenian Government.

Also view Gevorg Yazedjian's views on the AGBU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udJ3NzvgYck



This is in response to the October 1, 2009 Joint Statement of the Western and Eastern Dioceses of the Armenian Church, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Knights of Vartan, and the Armenian Assembly of America welcoming President Serzh Sargsyan to the United States.

It is apparent that these organizations either did not read these protocols as well as hundreds of responses and analyses of these protocols published in the Armenian media for the past five weeks; or are not familiar with the past and present anti-Armenian and Genocidal policies and intentions of Turkey; or they have a blind eye on the undemocratic and "abazgain" policies of the present regime in Armenia. It says: "Turkey has now publicly committed to establish normal relations without preconditions". The words "without preconditions" is repeated four times in this Joint Statement.

Let us start with the protocols and see what the facts are.

I. Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Armenia and Republic of Turkey

Paragraph 2 of this protocol. (Precondition 1)


“Reconfirming their commitment, in their bilateral and international relations, to respect and ensure respect for the principles of equality, sovereignty, non intervention in the internal affairs of other states, territorial integrity and inviolability of frontiers.”

This paragraph, true indirectly, in fact fixes the unshakeable nature of Azerbaijan's frontiers ("...nonintervention in internal affairs of other states, territorial integrity and inviolability of frontiers"). That is, Yerevan de facto and de jure should agree that solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is only possible within the framework of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

On the other hand the Joint Statement falsely says: "This means that Turkey has for the first time formally dropped its long-held preconditions regarding the Nagorno Karabakh peace process ..."


Paragraph 4 of this protocol. (Precondition 2)

“Confirming the mutual recognition of the existing border between the two countries as defined by the relevant treaties of international law,”

This paragraph meets Ankara's precondition and finally buries all claims of Armenians and Armenia concerning Western Armenia. It also, for the first time ever in the post-Soviet era, Armenia has agreed to recognize the joint border with Turkey as was defined in the Kars treaty, though there is no reference in the protocols to the Kars treaty. Such recognition by Armenia is no less than declaring it has no territorial claims from Turkey or it has turned a cold shoulder to diaspora’s land claims from Turkey.

II. Protocol on the Development of Relations Between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey

6th point: (Precondition 3)

(…) Reiterating their commitment to refrain from pursuing any policy incompatible with the spirit of good neighborly relations.” (…)

This point is a direct intention, and Turkey’s aim, to definitively block international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Furthermore, this point would be used against any claim or issue Armenia should make concerning the destiny of Armenian cultural and architectural patrimony in Turkey, bilaterally or under international law. Although indirectly, this point could be used against Armenia’s role in the Karabakh conflict, given the close ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Also, (Precondition 4)

“Reiterating their commitment to the peaceful settlement of regional and international disputes and conflicts on the basis of the norms and principles of international law,”

Clear reference is made to the Karabakh conflict, and implies that the Republic of Armenia is no longer entitled to support, help, or contribute to the defense of the Republic of Karabakh.

Among the sub-commissions mentioned, (Precondition 5)

“Implement a dialogue on the historical dimension with the aim to restore mutual confidence between the two nations, including an impartial and scientific examination of the historical records and archives to define existing problems and formulate recommendations, in which Armenian, Turkish as well as Swiss and other international experts shall take part."

This reinforces the fact that Armenia has accepted for the first time ever the creation of a historical commission that might feature historians or politicians from interested third parties in examining the genocide claims. That is, without saying so, the Serzh Sargsyan administration has conceded from the “Genocide is a fact, there is no need to verify it through scientific research or to discuss it” position. The conclusions by a Sub-Commission on the “historical dimension” will not be a binding resolution for Turkey; only recommendations are foreseen. Given Turkey’s track record, it would be highly unlikely that the Republic of Turkey will take any responsibility for the Armenian Genocide based on simple recommendations. Armenia thus is renouncing the process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide committed in the Ottoman Turkey in the years of World War I. On the other hand the Joint Statement falsely says: "This means that Turkey has for the first time formally dropped its long-held preconditions regarding............. its demands on Armenia with respect to affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

The complete and detailed analyses of the above was produced by the Swiss-Armenia Association in a position paper on Sept. 8 in Berne and were published in the Armenian media and various web sites such as http://www.armenian.ch/index.php?id=1 or http://stoptheprotocols.com/?s=swiss+armenia+association&x=50&y=6 or http://www.armeniadiaspora.com/news/latest/646-switzerland-armenia-association-opposes-protocols--issues-position-paper.html It seems that the signatories of this Joint statement are simply puppets of the present regime in Armenia.

If ratified by the respective Parliaments of the two Republics, these Protocols will have the value of an international treaty; they will be legally valid under international law, and the parties will assume obligations among themselves. It will not be possible to object to these obligations unless a new treaty, with different content is ratified.

The question is: why is this Joint Statement falsifying these facts? Are the above "emotional debates", or "ongoing mischaracterizations" or "advance other agendas" or does it indicate "the best intentions of the President of the Republic of Armenia", as indicated in this Joint Statement? How can the above preconditions make these five organizations "stand firmly with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic to ensure its freedom and security as well as with all those working for universal affirmation of the Armenian Genocide". Of course "the United States of America and the Obama Administration, as well as France, Russia, and the European Union" would like the reduction of tensions in the South Caucasus each for their own political and economic interests. The same applies for Armenia as well, but that should have been done without endangering Armenia's national security and national interests. Remember that President Serzh Sargsyan's administration did not hold consultations with the leaders and experts of the Armenian Diaspora and Armenia prior the August 31, 2009 protocols. It was kept secret and included concessions as indicated in the above preconditions.

The policies of the signatories of this Joint Statement, since the independence of Armenia from the Soviet Union and before, have always been pro-Western. The leadership of these five organizations have one thing in common. They are all elitist groups and are controlled by the so called Knights of Vartan, a pseudo-masonic organization that agrees with US/Israeli/Turkish policies in the Middle East and the Caucasus. And the above indicated points and paragraphs of the protocols meet the interests of these countries but not Armenia. The Genocidal policies of the Ottoman and Young Turk regime and all those that supported them, is being continued today by Turkey by denying the Armenian Genocide, rewriting its history, spending millions of dollars, and dividing the diaspora from Armenia, a diaspora that Turkey has created.

The present regime in Armenia has approached these protocols very lightly and unprofessionally to say the least, and has not thoroughly evaluated every word and nuances of these protocols. How can a true Armenian of an independent Armenia sign any document with Turkey, for the first time, with such superficial approach, and with such terms is not imaginable. When anyone signs any contract, he or she is bound by the written terms and not by their opinions and wishes not indicated in a contract. These protocols indicate the fact that the present regime do not understand the national and historical aspirations and strategic interests of the Armenian people in Armenia and the Diaspora, and are controlled by unqualified and self interest people. And now President Sarkisyan tours the disapora to consult with their representatives after the fact, when changes can not be applied to these protocols. Whose agenda are these protocols serving and how can the "President of Armenia deserve our support" as indicated in this Joint Statement.

Thousands of Armenians have demonstrated against these protocols all over the world to express their opposition. Why is it that no such demonstrations occurred in Turkey? The answer is simple. Because these protocols are in favor of Turkey and not Armenia. And these five organizations are trying to falsify and cover up simple realities and truths. And it includes two "religious" organizations on top of it!

To conclude, no one is against normal diplomatic relations with Turkey. However the above terms are simply unacceptable for Armenians wherever they are. The position of the signatories of this Joint Statement by the representatives of the AGBU, the Armenian Assembly, Knights of Vartan and the Dioceses is not surprising for me knowing who and what they are.

Harout Bronozian
Tujunga, California

Below is the JOINT STATEMENT OF MAJOR ARMENIAN-AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS WELCOMING THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA.

The protocols initialed by Armenia and Turkey present new opportunities and pose new challenges to generations-old issues. We welcome the initiative of the President of the Republic of Armenia in taking a positive approach to the process of normalizing relations with Armenia’s neighbor, the Republic of Turkey. Successive Armenian governments previously offered to normalize relations and reopen the border without preconditions only to be rebuffed by Turkey, which has insisted on Armenians forfeiting Nagorno Karabakh and renouncing the Armenian Genocide, among other conditions. Thus, the protocols announced on August 31st represent a marked change from the past. Turkey has now publicly committed to establish normal relations without preconditions, and the process has yielded remarkable progress.

At the same time, it is also true that this public commitment has been met with widespread skepticism. Conflicting remarks often proffered by Turkish officials contradict Turkey’s formal commitment. Despite such counterproductive comments, it does not change the fact that Turkey's commitment to normalize relations without preconditions has not only been brokered and verified by the Swiss government (a government that is on record affirming the Armenian Genocide), but has also been reinforced by the United States of America and the Obama Administration, as well as France, Russia, and the European Union. This means that Turkey has for the first time formally dropped its long-held preconditions regarding the Nagorno Karabakh peace process and its demands on Armenia with respect to affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

The explicit fact that Turkey has publicly agreed to normalize relations without preconditions is an important step forward and has seemingly been overlooked during the emotional debate that has followed since the August announcement. We support the public discourse and welcome a vigorous debate regarding this historic development within the parliaments of Armenia and Turkey, as well as throughout the Diaspora. We believe, however, that ongoing mischaracterizations of the general principles and guidelines of the protocols as potential concessions, and then attacking the protocols and the best intentions of the President of the Republic of Armenia based on these mischaracterizations, misguides public opinion and does not serve the best interests of the Armenian people.

The path ahead will not be easy and will undoubtedly involve new twists and turns along the way. That makes it all the more important to understand that this is not the time to advance other agendas at the expense of Armenia's future. At this critical moment, we believe that the President of Armenia deserves our support. We, therefore, welcome President Serzh Sargsyan’s upcoming visit to the United States and other communities in the Diaspora to address the concerns and aspirations for the future that we all share and care about so deeply. We pray for success, wisdom and courage for the participants in this crucial endeavor.

As this process unfolds, there should be no question that we also continue to stand firmly with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic to ensure its freedom and security as well as with all those working for universal affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. At this point in our history, it is time to give the promise of a new approach our support, and we commend those courageous enough to deal directly with Turkey.

Armenian General Benevolent Union •55 East 59th Street • New York, NY 10022, USA. Tel (212) 319 6383; www.agbu.org
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) • 630 Second Ave • New York, NY 10016, USA •Tel (212) 686 0710. www.armenianchurch.org
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Western) •3325 N Glenoaks Blvd • Burbank, CA 91504, USA • Tel (818) 558 7474. www.armenianchurchwd.com
Knights of Vartan •11 Crestview Rd• Belmont, MA 02478, USA • Tel (617) 314 6367. www.kofv.org
Armenian Assembly of America • 1334 G Street, Suite 200 • Washington, DC 20005, USA. Tel (202)393 3434; www.aaainc.org


__________________________________________________________

Other News:



TURKEY-SWITZERLAND MARKS 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

http://www.hri.org/news/turkey/trkpr/2008/08-11-12.trkpr.html#01

Oct 6, 2009

President Abdullah Gul and his visiting Swiss counterpart Pascal Couchepin yesterday attended a ceremony at a historical museum in Ankara along with other high level Turkish and foreign officials as part of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Turkish-Swiss diplomatic relations. Speaking at the ceremony, Couchepin said that Switzerland considered Turkey a strategic partner, and expressed his hope that the cooperation between the two countries would
continue. Pointing to his gladness about signing the Treaty of Lausanne that the boundaries of modern Turkey were recognized through, Couchepin underlined that symbols are also important for ties between the two countries. Couchepin said that he brought the table, on which the Treaty of Lausanne was signed, from his country to give as a gift to Turkey. For his part, Gul characterized the table morally "important", and said that this table will be displayed the best way.

_____________________________________________

For Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Turkey see site below.

http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/eur/vtur/biltur.html

Alex Yenikomshyan : Armenia and Turkey Aren’t Ready for Relations

www.hetq.am
[ 2009/10/05 18:06 ]

Member of the “Miatsum” National Initiative Responds to Hetq Questions Re: Protocols

My evaluation of recent developments in Armenian-Turkish relations is negative for a few very clear reasons. It has been stressed that in the protocols, that really have the content of a treaty, there exists al the preconditions that Turkey has sought over the years regarding normalization of relations with Armenia or the opening of borders. There are three such preconditions: issue of the Genocide, recognition of current borders and Artsakh. It appears that Armenia must make major concessions for all three.

Exactly what points in the protocols do you see such preconditions?

Where it talks about the opening of the border it clearly states that the two countries recognize their mutual borders, based on bilateral and international agreements. Here, everything is clear.

Of course, regarding the Genocide, the actual term “genocide” is not noted. But the main focus of the historical sub-committee will be the Genocide. It is not important that the word “genocide” is not stated.

Just the fact that this point exists signifies that the two parties, voluntarily or involuntarily, agree that the Genocide is a topic of debate. This is rejected as a matter of principle by Armenians. When the Armenian side accepts this, it is a slap in the face to the Armenian people.

This will put a halt to all those processes that have taken place all these years internationally for the recognition of the genocide. Such lobbying overseas is essential given that, in the end, it might pressure Turkey in recognizing the Genocide.

The most crucial is the Artsakh matter. Is the matter of Artsakh raised in the so-called protocols or not? The point in the document which states that the two countries agree to recognize the territorial integrity of other nations clearly refers to Artsakh and Azerbaijan.

In addition, if the party representing Armenia believes that it can come to an agreement with Turkey without raising the issue of Artsakh, it is sadly mistaken.

Turkey, which has entered this process, and the international powers that be (which are not only sponsoring but directing this process); see little strategic importance in the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border if it isn’t linked to the Armenia-Azerbaijan stalemate. Thus, whether or not it is literally written in the protocols or not, it essentially exists.

Let us for a moment assume that the borders have opened, that the protocols are put into practice, but that the Artsakh conflict isn’t yet resolved as a result of Armenia-Azerbaijan diplomatic relations.

In that case, we will be faced with a reality where, as a result of the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, the influence of Turkey in the region, especially in Armenia, will be greatly expanded.

And we will wind up in a process where negotiations with Azerbaijan will continue but Armenia will find itself in a new set of circumstances.

In other words, up until the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border we had negotiations with Azerbaijan in one set of conditions and later, we will be in another situation where the influence of Turkey, Azerbaijan’s ally, will grow with all the consequences of that growth. Thus, it’s totally ludicrous to state that the Artsakh issue and relations with Turkey are not linked together.

Naturally, given these conditions, a nation that has been subjected to genocide and lost its homeland cannot foster normal relations with the government that represents the nation that perpetuated that crime and still refuses to accept what it has done.

In the set of relations between those two peoples, Armenians will always be in an inferior situation psychologically. And a people belittled cannot come out victorious in future relations.

Furthermore, as long as Turkey refuses to recognize the Genocide it means that it is always able to repeat what it has done. Given such conditions, the crafting of relations poses dangers for Armenia.

After the publication of the protocols many political forces expressed their opposition and some are continuing to organize public actions against their possible signing. President Sargsyan also called a meeting of the country’s political leaders and forces. Do you believe that any of this will have an impact on the authorities in terms of their signing the document or not?

Everything shows that all this has not and will not have an impact on the decision of the authorities. This doesn’t mean however that such actions aren’t warranted.

On the contrary, such protest actions must be continuous. The protocols will be signed around October 10-11. But later there’s the issue of parliamentary ratification.

Given today’s situation, we can have no illusions but that the Armenian parliament will ratify the protocols. Here we come back to the Artsakh issue since for Turkey and the West the issue of Artsakh is directly linked.

They openly state that their parliament will not ratify and that the protocols will not be enacted until Armenian forces pull out of the liberated territories.

Here lies the crux of the matter. If we are able to put a halt to the defeatist and concessionary solution of the Karabakh Issue that is being forced on Armenia, then I believe that the two projects will fail simultaneously. That is to say that if they don’t get the solution to the Artsakh conflict that they demand then the protocols will not be enacted either.

If this is the case, then naturally Turkey will not reopen the border. And many believe that an open border is in our favor.

It is my opinion that Armenia and Turkey aren’t ready for relations today; and it is not only because of the existence of those preconditions.

Even if those preconditions didn’t exist, it is not in Armenia’s best interests to foster relations with Turkey today.

Regardless of the preconditions, Armenia today is sadly in an unfavorable situation in all sectors – economic, social, morally, demographically, etc.

In every sense of the word, Armenia finds itself in a weakened position and there’s a huge difference in the populations of Armenia and Turkey.

One is a huge nation; the other quite tiny. And if we enter into relations with Turkey today, we do so from a position of defeat from the outset.

The case would be different if Armenia was in a healthy position for relations with Turkey.

Given today’s situation we are destined to experience setback and defeat; even without the preconditions. Thus, I believe that when they expect economic growth as a result of the opening of the border this isn’t merely an illusion but outright fraud.

They were saying that for the past six years we have witnessed double-digit economic growth. And this took place with closed borders. What economic calamity are they now referring to when they claim that we can’t experience growth without open borders with Turkey?

If we were able to in the past we can do the same now. Of course we realize that the double-digit growth of the past didn’t go to improving the welfare of the common people but merely lined the pockets of a narrow class at the top.

Now, these same oligarchs wish to expand their financial possibilities via the opening of the border. Thus, the border opening will change little for the country and the bulk of its populace.

There will be changes for that narrow class at the top and they will certainly gain from any border opening. Their imports will grow cheaper but the prices paid by the people will remain the same.

E.J. Nick Music Video

International Pop Star In The Making

For those of you who have been following MOB since 2005, you may remember a young and very talented musician I discovered studying at the Gomidas Music Conservatory.

As we followed Nick’s rise to stardom over the years here, here, here and here, the latest installment is in the form of a concert he will be performing at in London on October 1, 2009.

The concert which is sponsored by the Armenian Youth Forum UK will feature the biggest names in Armenian Pop, including Hayk Kasparov, Der Hova, Hasmik Karabedyan, Andre and our very own Nick!

For those of you in the UK, here is your chance to see perform live.

Proposed Armenia/Turkey agreement must not be signed by ROA leadership

CIRCULAR No. 45
SEPTEMBER 1. 2009
TO: ARF BODIES, UNGERS
AND MEDIA DIRECTORS

Sireli ungerner,

Through the news media, you have already been informed about the joint announcement made by the foreign ministers of Armenia, Turkey and Switzerland, along with the “Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations” and the “Protocol on the development of bilateral relations, made public by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. According to the framework of the roadmap, the “internal political consultations” on the two protocols will be completed within the next six weeks, after which “the two Protocols will be signed and submitted to the respective Parliaments for ratification by both sides”.

We are opposed to Armenia’s concurrence to these Protocols without any changes. The Protocols include two out of three preconditions Turkey imposes on Armenia since the first day of Armenia’s independence, as sine qua non for any protocol establishing diplomatic ties. The two preconditions are as follows: a) Giving up any territorial irredentism, and b) suspending the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Turkey keeps presenting through the media its third precondition of resolving the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh based on Azerbaijan’s terms, even after the release of the Protocols, announcing that it will not sign an agreement establishing diplomatic ties and opening the frontiers unless the Nagorno Karabagh issue is resolved. By completing these preconditions, the leadership of the Republic of Armenia is acting against set political strategies for Armenia’s national security. According to that strategy, Armenia should not develop ties with Turkey based on Turkish preconditions.

We have entered an era, as a nation, where the leadership of Armenia is endangering national and state interests due to a misguided policy. It is vital to consider this moment’s gravity and pool our efforts to confront this threat. At this moment, our goal is to change the declared Protocols and -- in a worst case scenario -- stop the leadership of Armenia from signing them.

Until ARF Bureau’s further actions, it is necessary to focus our propaganda on the following points:

a) The Armenian Revolutionary Federation is convinced, that Armenia and Turkey can establish good diplomatic relations only with the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey and by the restoration of the rights of the Armenian nation. The establishment of diplomatic ties and the opening of the frontiers without any preconditions can be a starting point towards constructive neighborly relations.

b) Thus far, there has not been any positive overture by Turkey since the summer of 2008, when a diplomatic dialogue started with the initiative of the President of the Republic of Armenia. On the contrary, the leadership of Armenia has compromised by allowing Turkey not to abide by previous agreements, while keeping the stance of honest negotiator.

c) The ARF finds the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations absolutely unacceptable if it is going to work against our country’s welfare and the national rights of future generations.

d) The “Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations” satisfies two of Turkey’s three preconditions. First, the paragraph on “Confirming the mutual recognition of the existing border between the two countries, as defined by relevant treaties of international law” shows that the Republic of Armenia is giving up its right to restore its territorial integrity, which is unacceptable to us, and therefore vehemently rejected. In the same Protocol, the paragraph stating “Reconfirming their commitment, in their bilateral and international relations, to respect and ensure respect for the principles equality, sovereignty, non intervention in internal affairs of other states, territorial integrity and inviolability of frontiers.”

e) This sentence must be corrected by omitting the first two words “bilateral and”, leaving just the word “international”. Armenia and Turkey have not signed a bilateral protocol, therefore they have no bilateral obligations as the protocol suggests. Armenia and Turkey have assumed the obligation of respecting the principles mentioned in the sentence by their participation in international structures, therefore, those obligations are international in nature. The injection of the word “bilateral” in this sentence is a veiled allusion to such treaties, as that of Alexandropole (1920) or that of Kars (1921).

f) The following sentence of the “Protocol on Development of Relations Between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey”, which says,”“””Implement a dialogue on the historical dimension with the aim to restore mutual confidence between the two nations, including an impartial and scientific examination of the historical records and archives to define existing problems and formulate recommendations.””” -- with the pro forma participation of Armenian, Turkish, Swiss and international experts -- “””is equally “unacceptable

It is clear, that this sub-commission will be utilized by Turkey as a basic stumbling block in the efforts exerted for the recognition of the Genocide of the Armenians by the international community. If Turkey’s intention is really a scientific, impartial study, she must first create the required legislative, political and social conditions in the country, and implement that study through the participation of unbiased international experts. A dialogue leading to mutual trust between the Armenians and the Turks can be fruitful only when Tulkey accepts her own history. Otherwise, that ”“””dialogue”“”” reduced to the study of historical documents and archives, will give Turkey the opportunity – with the consent of Armenia -- to put the fact of the Genocide of the Armenians under a shadow of doubt, discrediting Armenia and the Armenian people and making them scuttle the issue of the recognition of the Genocide by their own hands.

There are disturbing points also in the August 31, 2009 press releases of the Department of the Swiss Federation, and the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Turkey. It is stated there« that ”“””The internal political discussions will conclude withing six weeks, after which, the two Protocols will be signed and presented to the respective parliaments for ratification.”“”” Turkish law stipulates, that documents establishing diplomatic relations, or lifting of blockades must have the approval of parliament before becoming law. In the case of Armenia, National Assembly’s confirmation is not a requirement for the activation of diplomatic relations. In this case, the approval by the National Assembly of any protocol grants it the power of law, making things even more hazardous. Therefore, these protocols must not be introduced in the National Assembly for endorsement.

That same press release does not specify the time when the sides will endorse the Protocols after they apply their signatures. There is a good possibility, that Turkey may postpone the ratification process in parliament and actually stop the process again in its tracks, to suit the conduct of her policies. Likewise, one cannot rule out the possibility« that the Turkish Parliament, after a while, may refuse to endorse the Protocols reducing the entire time and effort of the process to naught.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation calls upon all Armenians, the political circles of both the Homeland and the Diaspora, to assess correctly the process of the Armeno-Turkish relations and the obvious negative results, and in utmost unity, prevent the possibility of irretreavable losses.

Sireli ungerner,

All ungers, bodies and party media must follow must follow these political-promotional guidelines. At this moment, until further notice, while questioning President Serge Sarkisian’s authority to confront the entire nation with such unilateral concessions, we are demanding a reevaluation of this dangerous political course.

Once more, we affirm the concluding thoughts of our Circular No. 34. To confront effectively this and all following challenges, it is imperative to renew our resolve, to maximize our potential, to be better organized and disciplines as we tackle the tasks ahead. Our bodies and ungers must be vigilant not to allow our struggle against the erroneous policies of the Armenian Government to lead to a weakening of the psychological and ideological ties between the Homeland and the Diaspora, or our criticism against them, particularly in the Diaspora, must not be made in a manner that may diminish the concept and love of Fatherland. Our country and our national interests are above all other stances.

We wish you success in your endeavors.

Ungeragan Parevnerov,

ARF Bureau

Bodyguards of Officials, Oligarchs Participated in March 1st Clashes

www.hetq.am
[ 2009/08/27 | 13:51 ]
society
Arman Gharibyan

Andranik Kocharyan and Seda Safaryan, two former members of the March 1 Fact Finding Committee, today claimed that bodyguards of influential officials and moneyed individuals were given uniforms and participated in the bloody events of March 1, 2008. The list has been forwarded to the National Assembly’s March 1 Ad-Hoc Committee.

The names had been supplied to them bu the Armenian National Congress (HAK). The list includes Gagik Tsarukyan, Hovik Abrahamyan, Gagik Beglaryan, Mher Sedrakyan, Levon Sargsyan, Surik Khachatryan, Samvel Aleksanyan, Vachik Ghazaryan ans Arakel Movsesyan.

‘We visited the storage depot at defense ministry to make a spot check but were turned away due to some previously arranged restrictions. We then went to the military command where the uniforms were most likely registered but were turned away as well,” stated Andranik Kocharyan.

The list of names is included in the addendum to the fourth report filed by the two opposition members of the Fact Finding Committee that was dissolved on August 24. The report has been sent to the Samvel Nikoyan who heads the National Assembly’s March 1 Ad-Hoc Committee.

www.hetq.am
[ 2009/08/24 | 16:21 ]
Feature Stories
Ararat Davtyan


Laura Azaryan left for Turkey alone in 2001. There she married a Turkish man Oumit Ramazan Poujlu. In 2008, she telephoned her brother, Gagik Karapetyan and told him that they owned a casino in Turkey. She made a proposal to her brother; that he locate young, attractive girls in Armenia and send them to the casino to “wait on tables”.

Gagik, comprehending what his sister and her husband had in mind, the nefarious exploitation of the girls once they arrived, nevertheless gave his verbal consent to the plan.
This is part of the descriptive file in the criminal case that has been launched against Laura and Gagik. The case is now being heard in the Aragatzotn Regional Court, Judge Souren Mnoyan presiding.

Gagik Karapetyan, in his preliminary testimony, noted that after many years of living in Ukraine he moved back to Armenia in February, 2008. Two months later his sister in Turkey made the proposal to round up girls in Armenia. He says that he told his sister that he didn’t know where to look. His sister was persistent and Gagik, feeling ashamed, sought the assistance of Armineh, a family in-law.

“It was May of last year. One day Gagik came to our house and said that his brother Roubo had opened a restaurant in the Ukraine. Gagik said that if he could find 4-5 good workers he’d turn the place into an Armenian restaurant and it would be a success. I told him it was great news and that I’d go as well,” 51 year-old Armineh stated in court. It was through Armineh that Gagik met with 49 year-old Rima, who was supposed to work as a cleaner.

“A day later Gagik said that we have to leave for Turkey; that his sister had a house and casino there where we could work. I was supposed to work in the bar as a cashier for $500 a month. Rima would be a dishwasher. This Gagik was a relation I trusted him. We left for Turkey,” Armineh continues.

Gagik paid for all the expenses. On May 31, 2008, he, along with Armineh and Rima, boarded a bus for Trabzon. From there they would travel to Antalya.

“Laura and her Turkish husband were there to greet us when we arrived. They were very nice and hospitable. They took us to the sea-side and showed us around the town. Ten days later however, I had to return to Armenia to take care of some matters. Before I left I had asked Laura several times what bar would we be working at and why they hadn’t shown us the place. Laura told me that the casino was quite far from where we were staying; that we’d start to work after I returned from Armenia,” recounts Armineh.

In her court testimony, Laura claims that she made no such proposal to her brother and she was quite surprised when he arrived in Turkey, let alone accompanied by two women.

“Armineh is a relation but Rima was a total stranger. Armineh told me that Rima owed her $200 and asked if she could work a bit and make some money to pay off the debt. I told Armineh that Rima was sickly and that she couldn’t work in the bar. Armineh persisted however and being a relation, I couldn’t refuse. I told Armineh that Rima could stay and work sorting fruit in a factory we’d be opening in September. She could work and pay off the debt,” Laura said.

All the while, Rima told the court that after Armineh had left for Armenia, Laura had suggested that she work in their house for $300 a month. “I did the laundry, the dishes and cleaned the house. I did it all. I worked there for six months but never got paid,” says Rima.

According to the criminal case file, when Laura found out that Rima’s sister had two young, attractive daughters, she, along with her brother Gagik and husband Oumit, traveled to Armenia in June 2008 to recruit the girls and that it was through Armineh that they got acquainted with 20 year-old Irina and 18 year-old Nvard.

“Laura was trying to convince me and my sister to go to Turkey. She would always point out the poor living conditions here in Armenia. She’d always say how pretty I was; trying to butter me up. I had just graduated from high school and still didn’t have a passport. Laura told me not to fret; that she’d wait for as long as possible. I turned her down but my sister was naïve. She trusted Laura and left,” Nvard told the court examiner.

“We really had a hard time back then. We had a $1,200 debt to pay off. I was studying in one of the colleges in Yerevan. It was the summer vacation, so I decided to go to Turkey for two months,” says Irina, “Laura said we’d get paid $500 a month waiting tables in the bar, handing out tea. She even promised that I could return the next day if things didn’t work out. Laura told my mom that she’d take care of me like her own child.”

Irina also tended to believe in Laura since she got a phone call from her Aunt Rima in Turkey, saying that everything was OK and that there was nothing to worry about.

During questioning in court, Rima claimed that every time she made a phone call Gagik was watching over her like a hawk and that she couldn’t utter a word about what was really happening. Rima also claimed that Gagik would slip her some pills, allegedly headache medicine, that would leave her in a “drunken stupor”.

Nuneh, born in 1985, also believed Laura’s promises of easy money and a better life in Turkey. Nuneh, along with Irina, left for Antalya in the company of Oumit Poujlu on August 8, 2008. Laura, on the other hand, remained in Armenia. On her return to Armenia, the Turkish border guards noticed that her visa had expired so they deported her. In order that she could once again enter Turkey she entered into a sham marriage with a man named Azaryan and officially had her last name changed.

Irina recounts, “Laura and Oumit took care of the visas and travel expenses. After arriving in Antalya they treated us well for the first four days; they showed us the sites, the sea. Later they invited us out to a casino-bar, which was really a night club. We were seated around a large table in the presence of some scantily clad older Turkish women. They were there to entertain the customers. Oumit and Gagik told us right there that we’d be doing the same thing.”

The criminal case file reads, “…threatening that they would leave them alone, hungry and without passports in a foreign land, depriving them of freedom of movement and any possibility to return to Armenia, Oumit Poujlu and Gagik Karapetyan, in prior agreement with Laura Azaryan, forced the girls to perform belly dances and perform the wishes of clients; to sit on their laps, allow them to be kissed and to place their hands on intimate body parts. This took place in the “Melody” and “Kartila” night casino-bars in Antalya. These establishments belonged to others.”

“…There was no other alternative. We were forced to work in these bars and entertain the clients, however disgusting the work. We get the clients to drink up. The daily minimum we’d make off the drinks was about $200. It all went to Oumit and Gagik. We never got paid a dime. They’d even get angry when the daily take was low.”

Nuneh testified in court that, “We’d eat once a day and sleep on the floor. They generally wouldn’t let us leave the house, fearing that we’d get picked up by the police and give them away. They’d lock us inside the house and take us to the bar by car.”

“You can’t imagine the state I was in. I held back my tears and put on a fake smile for the customers; so that they wouldn’t complain. The bar owners weren’t satisfied with how Rima was working. Gagik then began to threaten me and even slapped me around a few times, saying I wasn’t pulling my weight and wouldn’t get anything to eat. We showered with cold water. Gagik said heating the water used up too much electricity.

Irina remembers that, “From day one Gagik tried to butter me up, saying that he was in love with me. He even proposed that we live together and said that if I didn’t agree to marry him he’d throw me from the 10th floor…They had taken my passport and only handed it back when I went to work. They said it was just in case authorities from Istanbul came. If only just one policeman had shown up. But no one ever came.”

During court interrogation Gagik stated, “I’m a 40 year-old man and never in my life would I allow myself to do such things. Irina didn’t get along with me because I would make comments about her cleaning.” He added that he proposed marriage as a joke. Laura, Gagik’s sister, testified that she was in Armenia and knew nothing about what was going on.

“I telephoned my husband and asked if the girls had adapted and if they were all-right. He said they were OK. They travelled around there for more than a week. I gave them a place to stay. I’m not the person that usually does that. I’m also upset that my husband took the girls to the sea-side. I asked my husband on the phone whether he wasn’t embarrassed of what the neighbors would say; that he left our building with these girls in tow and drove off to the beach? I told him to send them back to Armenia immediately,” Laura testified, arguing her innocence in the matter and denying any involvement in any sexual exploitation of the girls.

“About 10-15 days after the girls left, Irina secretly called me from Turkey and said that Laura had tricked them and that they were engaged in some pretty ‘inappropriate’ work, recounts Armineh, who is included in the case as a witness. “I immediately went to see Laura who said nothing of the kind was taking place and that it was all a pack of lies. She phoned her husband Oumit and conversed in Turkish with him, but I could make out that she was angry with him for giving the girls phone access. I directly went to the police and informed them about the entire matter.”

According to the time frame presented by Armineh, the police had been informed about Laura and her Turkish operation no later than August 25, 2008. However, on September 3, 2008, she was able to cross the Armenian border at Bagratashen and make her way to Batum. Her Turkish husband Oumit was waiting for her there and for the “cargo” she was bringing – Lilit, born in 1979, and her 8 year-old daughter.

(To be continued)

P.S. Names in the above article have been changed to protect the anonymity of those involved

TOTAL AMOUNT OF TRANSFERS TO INDIVIDUALS THROUGH ARMENIA'S BANKING SYSTEM 74BLN AMD IN Q2 2009

ARKA
Aug 14, 2009

YEREVAN, August 14. /ARKA/. The total amount of private non-commercial transfers to individuals through Armenia's commercial banks amounted to 74bln AMD in the second quarter of 2009,the press-service of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) reported.

According to the statistics, the indicator increased sharply by 68% or 30bln AMD against the first quarter of 2009.

At the same time it decreased by 25% or 24bln AMD against the second quarter of previous year.

A total of 83.8bln AMD was transferred to Armenia by commercial banks through international systems of fast money transfers without opening an account in the Q2 2009, 8.6 times more against transfers from Armenia. The number of transfers to Armenia was 383,725.

In the period under review the average amount of one transfer totaled 218,000 AMD, an increase of 30,000 AMD against the first quarter.

Aggregate money transfers to Armenia through correspondent accounts of banks (through SWIFT, Telex, fax) amounted 525bln AMD in Q2 while their number totaled 43,850. Average transfer increased by 44% and amounted to 12mln AMD.

In the second quarter of this year payment organizations rendering money transfer services paid 1.1bln to their clients and transferred 0.1bln AMD abroad. The average transfer through these organizations amounted to 87,000 AMD.

Individuals=2 0of Armenia received a total of 125.3bln AMD through commercial banks and money transfer organizations, an annual increase of 28.7% (increase of 45% against Q1). Money transfers to other countries decreased by 48% to 47.86bln AMD (an increase of 9.6% against Q1.

Money is transferred to Armenia through commercial banks in Armenia and money transfer organizations licensed by the Central Bank. According to the CBA, in the second quarter of this year the commercial banks of Armenia are members of 19 international payment systems (Unistream, Anelik, Contact, Migom, Money Gram, etc). ($1 - 370.75AMD).