French President Nicolas Sarkozy embraces President Serge Sarkisian

YEREVAN (RFE/RL), March 11–French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged more intensive efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and a quick implementation of the Turkish-Armenian normalization agreements during talks with his visiting Armenian counterpart, Serge Sarkisian, on Wednesday.

The two leaders met in Paris on the second day of Sarkisian’s official visit to France. None of them made any public statements after the meeting. Their joint news briefing scheduled beforehand was cancelled for unknown reasons.

Official Armenian and French sources said the talks touched upon bilateral relations, the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations.

A spokesman for Sarkozy said the French leader called for “developing the dynamic” of the ongoing work on the “basic principles” of a Karabakh settlement put forward by the U.S., Russian and French mediators co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group.

The mediators hope that Armenia and Azerbaijan will iron out their remaining differences over the proposed framework agreement in the course of this year. Armenian leaders have indicated, however, that a breakthrough in the peace talks is still not on the horizon.

Sarkozy, according to his spokesman, urged the conflicting parties to reinvigorate their search for a mutually acceptable deal. “One should take the necessary steps that will lead to a lasting peace and would be beneficial not only for the two countries but the whole region,” he was cited as telling Sarkisian.

Sarkozy was also reported to say that Armenia and Turkey should have “the courage to move forward and use this historic opportunity” to normalize their relations. The spokesman said he specifically stressed that a speedy ratification of their fence-mending “protocols” is expected not only by France but the broader international community.

Sarkisian’s office gave no details of the two presidents’ discussions on Karabakh and Turkey, in a written statement issued later in the day. It said only that Sarkozy praised the Armenian leader’s “efforts aimed at establishing peace and stability in the region.”

“Nicolas Sarkozy reaffirmed his country’s intention to develop relations with the Republic of Armenia in all directions and stressed that France has been and remains Armenia’s friend, always standing by its side,” read the statement. He also spoke of a “sincere sympathy towards Armenia and the Armenian people” existing France, it said.

Sarkisian, for his part, described France as his country’s “reliable partner and ally on the international stage. “President Sarkisian noted with satisfaction that French-Armenian relations are dynamically developing in all areas,” his office said.

The Elysee Palace spokesman said the two men discussed ways of boosting bilateral economic ties and welcomed in that regard the French telecom giant Orange’s recent entry into Armenia. He said France is not satisfied with the current volume of French-Armenian commercial contacts and hopes that they will increase in the near future.

Copyright (c) 2010. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Photo credit: EPA

Nevertheless, he believes that, despite the ongoing negotiating process, the conflict parties continue to maintain their former rigid positions. Regardless of the changes made from time to time in the document under discussion, they always return to the same circle.

In the case of conflicts in the Caucasus, de Waal is strongly against the use of the term “frozen.” According to him, the term “frozen” may be applied to the Cyprus issue. According to him, in the Caucasus there are “slumbering” conflicts, which remain a threat to renew hostilities at any time.

“Of course, I’m not saying that a war will begin soon in Karabakh. However, as it was the case with South Ossetia, the threat of renewal of a war exists,” he said.

To establish a stable and lasting peace in Karabakh, in de Waal’s opinion, it is necessary that the “chair” of settlement stands on four, rather than two “legs,” which is what is happening now. According to him, the two current “legs” are the negotiations between the presidents of the conflicting parties and the voluntary compliance with the ceasefire around the contact line of the conflict zone.

“However, this is not enough. There should be parallel with post-conflict planning, as was the case during the Balkan conflict,” de Waal said.

And, in the end, according to the expert, the fourth “leg” or element is the direct communication between people on the level of civil societies of the conflicting parties.

In this regard, de Waal, who was most recently in Baku, suggested that: “Official Baku has always had a very strong position. It also had a great suspicion in the communication between Armenians and Azerbaijanis at the societal level, believing that this way the existing status quo will become more strengthened,” he said.

“Meanwhile, during my last visit to Azerbaijan in this sense, I noticed some progress,” he said. He added that the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry today speaks more often of the need for communication between the two peoples.

According to de Waal, today it is necessary  that the parties, in particular Azerbaijan, finally, stop the military rhetoric and try to talk about common interests.

“The most positive message that I received from the visit to Baku is the fact that Baku is now more serious about the inter-societal relations,” de Waal said.

In response to the question of how the societies can begin a dialog in which each of them do not trust their own governments, de Waal mentioned that, in this sense, there are two prevalent opinions. Many argue that until the two societies do not succeed in developing democratic institutions, the conflict will not be settled. According to another point of view, democracy cannot develop until the conflict is resolved. Perhaps the process of integration into the EU to some extent, could be useful in the settlement. But it seems that the EU so far, “does not want to be fully involved in this conflicting region,” he said.

According to de Waal, the processes of settlement of the Karabakh conflict and that of Armenian-Turkish relations substantially differ from each other. The question of the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, being itself complex, is nevertheless much easier. Turkey is a much more democratic country than Azerbaijan. In addition, there is no threat of renewal of a war, as in the case of Karabakh.

According to de Waal, it is also essential that Turkey has a particular interest in settling the issues with Armenia.

Copyright (c) 2010. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Translated from Russian by Yerevan Report

Photo caption: Thomas de Waal

Foreign Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu recently had a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to the US Namik Tan, who was recalled to Ankara following the endorsement of the resolution.

According to the Turkish Stargazete, Davutoglu and Tan discussed Ankara’s additional steps based on whether US President Barack Obama uses the word “genocide” in his April 24 address to Armenian-Americans.

According to the report, Ankara will freeze a $1.2 billion deal on the F-35 fighter program and cancel the purchase 14 CH-47 Chinook helicopters as well as Patriot missiles. Ankara will also limit its support to the US over Iran and Afghanistan.

Davutoglu reportedly thanked the Turkish opposition for its support in the fight against the US congressional resolution on the Armenian Genocide adopted on March 4 by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

At a meeting with Turkish parliamentary delegation members, who had gone to Washington with the aim of thwarting the adoption of the resolution, Davutoglu expressed his gratitude for the fight carried out jointly by the Turkish authorities and the opposition, according to Turkish daily Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.

“It’s very important that our parliament acted unanimously for an issue essential to our nation. Our authorities and opposition put up a joint fight for which I am grateful. I wish our unity will continue for the further process, too,” said Davutoglu.

Photo caption: Foreign Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu

Currently under way, the project was announced by Brazilian-affiliate chairman Ochin Leon Mosditchian in October 2009, during his working visit to Yerevan with a Brazilian-Armenian delegation.

“This is not the first time when a benefactor finances several additional projects following the realization of an initial undertaking,” said Ara Vardanyan, executive director of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, commenting on the Brazilian-Armenian community’s consistent support of Nork-Marash Hospital.

“Commitment of this level ensures that issues faced by a given beneficiary are solved in a comprehensive manner,” Vardanyan added. “The continued support of sponsors such as the Armenian-Brazilian community is a testament to the effectiveness of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund as well as the confidence it inspires among donors.”

Since 2005, the fund has implemented a string of extensive projects at Nork-Marash Hospital. They include the reconstruction of the Intensive Care Unit, Intestinal Infections Department, and Infectious Diseases Department, the installation of a new roof on one of the hospital’s two main wings, the installation of a heating system, and the construction of a boiler room.

“Without a doubt, these major renovations and upgrades have significantly improved the general quality of our medical services as well as our patients’ sense of well-being,” said Dr. Ara Asoyan, chief physician at Nork-Marash Hospital. “Today our vastly enhanced facility enables us to provide top-notch care and makes us far better prepared to deal with epidemics.”

According to Dr. Asoyan, close to 7,200 patients (including 2,350 outpatients) have received care at the hospital’s renovated departments during 2009.

According to the report, the violations of the ceasefire were reported in some sections of the contact line between the armed forces of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan, from March 6 to 9.

“The enemy opened fire with small-caliber firearms and the sniper rifles on the front lines of the Karabakh forces in the direction of Goradiz, Kuropatkino, Karmiravan, Levonarkh, Seysulan, Djraberd and other areas,” said the report.

The press service noted that as a result of the retaliatory actions launched by the Karabakh Defense Army, the enemy ceased fire.

Translated from Russian by Yerevan Report

The Armenian Ambassador to Italy, Ruben Karapetian, stressed the importance of Antonia Arslan’s contribution in strengthening Armenian-Italian relations, mentioning her long-term productive creative work and her unlimited devotion to the Armenian people.

Arslan mentioned that as the winner of many awards (Premio Campiello, Premio Stresa Di Narrativa, Premio P.E.N., Premio Manzoni and so on), she was given an award by the Armenian government for the first time.

The event was attended by many writers, art critics, teachers and representatives of the Armenian community in Italy.

Antonia Arslan is known to the Armenian public as the author of the book “Skylark Farm,” which tells about the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The book, published in 2004, has since been translated into many languages.

Translated from Russian by Yerevan Report

Vic Darchinyan (34-2-1. 27 KOs) looked solid against his younger challenger from Mexico Rodrigo Guerrero (13-2-1, 9 KO) throughout the 12-round bout at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California, especially towards the end when the southpaw gave the 22-year-old “Gatito” a series of slashing lefts and uppercuts leading to a commanding unanimous decision.

The 34-year-old “Raging Bull” from Sydney, Australia, by way of Vanadzor, Armenia, thus staged his third successful defense since he unified the title in 2008.

After the fight, Darchinyan gave credit to his young opponent who was a rare survivor in a Darchinyan match-up as the Armenian is known for his attitude to end his fights with knockouts. This was only the second 12-rounder in the 14 title fights in Darchinyan’s professional boxing career.

“This kid took big punches,” Darchinyan reportedly said after the fight. “I respect him. He’s a good kid. He took big punches and he went twelve rounds. I thought I was going to finish him, but I just couldn’t.”

The veteran prizefighter appears to have saved his knockouts for a re-match that he has sought since a shocking defeat at the hands of challenger Nonito Donaire in 2007. Darchinyan suffered his first professional loss in that fight and believes that the Filipino was simply lucky to have gotten a slim chance of a finishing left hook and to have landed it.

Darchinyan staged more fights to win back his titles and take more as he toppled three world champions — Dmitry Kirilov, Cristian Mijares and Jorge Arce – with impressive knockouts one by one. Darchinyan then unsuccessfully attempted a move to bantamweight (118-pound division) before returning to 115 pounds and defending his titles against another Mexican challenger Tomas Rojas last December.

Before his latest fight Darchinyan again voiced his strong intention to seek a Donaire rematch. He’s been trying hard to get another chance to prove his point, but Donaire hasn’t yet answered the Darchinyan challenge.

“He never wanted to fight me anymore. He knows what’s going to happen to him. I made him who he is now, and when I fight him, I’m going to break him – he is going to be nothing,” said Darchinyan in one of his recent media interviews.

Darchinyan warned after his March 6 title defense that it was the last chance for Donaire to respond.

Citizens of Russia and Georgia will be able to cross the state frontier only by visas received in the embassies of Switzerland in Moscow and Tbilisi, respectively. For citizens of the former Soviet republics that form the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including Armenia, it is enough to have a passport for foreign travels. This circumstance led many to speculate that the opening of the border crossing was more favorable for Armenia than for Georgia.

The opening of the land border point was welcomed both in Moscow and Tbilisi, as well as in the West. On March 3, Miguel Angel Moratinos, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain, the country that currently holds the European Union’s rotating presidency, visited Upper Lars and described the opening of the border crossing as a “positive phenomenon.” And credit was given to Armenia as a mediator in the process, which brought the country political dividends.

Negotiations between Georgia and Russia were conducted in the presence of the Swiss side. However, the opening of the Upper Lars crossing within a short period of time was done at the request of the Armenian authorities, acknowledged Georgia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze on March 1. The opening of the border crossing testifies to yet another achievement of Armenia’s pro-active foreign policy, writes Miacum.ru. One can state that the Russian-Georgian agreement became possible due to the personal contribution and efforts of Armenian President Serge Sarkisian, the newspaper adds. The president paid a two-day private visit to Georgia on the eve of the crossing’s opening.

“Armenia, of course, has learned to do without the Upper Lars crossing. But, no doubt, the opening of this border crossing will make cargo shipments less expensive,” political analyst Alexander Iskandaryan said.

Chairman of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA) Arsen Ghazaryan underlined the importance of speedy transit, in particular when perishables such as agricultural produce are concerned. Exports of Armenia’s agricultural sector will start in late spring and will include vegetables and fruits, including such perishables as apricots, peaches and grapes.

“These types of goods are transported in special refrigerators and the sooner they get to the place of destination the better their quality will be preserved,” he explained.

According to Ghazaryan, the opening of the border crossing will lead to the reduction of tariffs for cargo shipment by 20-25 percent.

“While so far a vehicle could make one trip to Russia during a month because part of the distance was a ferry line, a vehicle will now reach Russia within two weeks [using the land border],” said the UMBA chairman.

The Armenian Minister of Finance Tigran Davtyan and head of EBRD Yerevan office Valeriu Razlog will sign a loan agreement on March 10, 2010.

To increase the effectiveness of the reconstruction program, contracts on program support with Yerevan City Hall and a program agreement with Yerevan Underground Railway CJSC are also envisioned.

The EBRD, owned by 61 countries and two intergovernmental institutions, is supporting the development of market economies and democracies in countries from Central Europe to Central Asia.

(Eurasianet.org), March 9–Turkey watchers in Washington must have been feeling a sense of déjà vu after the March 4 passage by a congressional committee of a resolution recognizing the mass killing of Armenians during World War I as genocide.

The same House Foreign Affairs Committee adopted a similar resolution in 2007, leading Turkey to recall its ambassador to Washington and warn of a serious rupture in relations with the United States. A last-minute intervention by the Bush administration kept the resolution from coming up for a vote in the full House of Representatives.

Post-vote developments this time around are playing out in much the same way as in 2007. Ankara has again recalled its ambassador and has said its ties with Washington could be severely damaged, if the resolution continues on its way to a full vote.

“[For] a whole year Washington and Ankara are getting along very well, but come March storm clouds start forming,” political analyst Mehmet Ali Birand wrote in his March 5 column in the English-language Hurriyet Daily News. “We are watching the same movie over and over again. The only difference is that with each passing year the intensity increases.”

This year, the saga supposedly had a different plotline. The historic reconciliation framework that Turkey and Armenia signed last October was widely thought to take the legs out from under any effort to tar Turkey with the genocide label.

But analysts say a stalled reconciliation process, along with Turkey’s deep emotional reaction to the genocide issue, have, once again, created a potentially damaging situation for Turkish-US relations.

“We would not have been here, if the protocols had gone forward,” says Hugh Pope, Turkey analyst with the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based policy and advocacy group. “Turkey’s insisting on the conditionality, which was not part of the protocols, has led us to where we are today.” Pope was referring to a government demand that Turkish ratification of the reconciliation accords was contingent on movement on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenian forces.

The signing of the accords was initially hailed in Turkey as an important breakthrough. But Ankara seemed to put the brakes on the process after the protocols whipped up strong domestic opposition, as well as criticism from Azerbaijan, a traditional Turkish ally that is also a key component in Ankara’s energy policy. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

“Obviously there was an attempt by the Turkish authorities to try something else [other] than what they were doing for the last 95 years, and it failed,” says Cengiz Aktar, director of the European Studies Department at Istanbul’s Bahcesehir University.

Now faced with another genocide resolution in Washington, Turkey appears to have returned to the same strategy that it relied on in previous years, one informed by a mix of deep emotional responses and political concerns. “It’s emotional because Turks are very much enraged to be portrayed as grandsons of people who committed genocide, especially when it happened during a time when tumultuous things were happing all over,” says Sinan Ulgen, Chairman of the Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM), an Istanbul think tank.

“The second aspect [of the Turkish reaction] is the political and legal question; namely if such a bill is adopted in congress, that might lead to a situation where Turkey might find itself as a defendant in a number of legal cases in the United States, which is something Turkey doesn’t want to find itself in,” Ulgen added.

One of the important questions now is how far is Ankara willing to take things if the resolution goes to the House for a full vote — something that Speaker Nancy Pelosi has yet to decide on.

Brad Sherman, a Democrat from California, called Turkey a “paper tiger” and noted that, although France passed a resolution recognizing the genocide in 2001, trade between those two countries has since flourished.

Bahcesehir’s Aktar says he also believes Turkey’s threats are a “bluff.” But Ulgen predicted that “all bets are off” if Congress actually adopts the resolution, noting that the genocide issue is “an area where identity and emotion are in a sense superseding pure interests.”

“Turkey will certainly feel impelled to take retaliatory action against the United States,” Ulgen said. He went on to suggest that retaliation could “take the form of non-cooperation in terms of Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and possibly leading to restrictions on the use of strategic assets, like the Incirlik air base – areas where there is important cooperation.”

Another important question is just what happens to the stalled Turkey-Armenia reconciliation process?

“We are determined to press ahead with normalization of relations with Armenia,” Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on March 5 during a news conference in Ankara.

But analysts believe the fragile protocols may become a victim of political maneuvering in Washington over the genocide issue. “[Passing the resolution is] a bad idea. Even if it’s done with best intentions by the congressmen, what it will do is hand the process back to the nationalists on both the Turkish and Armenian sides,” says the ICG’s Pope.

Added Aktar: “Yesterday’s vote is the last nail in the coffin of these protocols, at least for the time being. I can’t imagine a Turkish government ratifying the protocols right now, even if the Armenian government unilaterally ratifies them.”

Copyright (c) 2010 Open Society Institute. Reprinted with the permission of the Open Society Institute, 400 West 59th Street, New York, NY 10019 USA, wwwEurasiaNet.org. or www.soros.org.

Photo credit: Tomas Maltby