Sunday 29 May 2016

Armenian News... A Topalian... Armenian-Azerbaijani border


TASS, Russia
May 28 2016
Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border remains calm

- Armenian Defense Ministry 
"Overnight to May 28, sporadic chaotic shillings from firearms of 
different caliber by Azerbaijani side at border positions of the 
Armenian army were registered," the defense ministry said

YEREVAN, May 28. The situation on the state border between 
Armenia and Azerbaijan remained calm last night, the Armenian 
Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"Overnight to May 28, sporadic chaotic shillings from firearms 
of different caliber by Azerbaijani side at border positions of the 
Armenian army were registered," the defense ministry said.

On Saturday, April 2, the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh rapidly 
deteriorated when the parties to the Karabakh conflict accused 
each other of violating truce along the front line. The claims came 
from defense authorities of Armenia and of Azerbaijan.

On April 5 Azerbaijan’s Chief of Staff Col. Gen. Nadjmeddin 
Sadykov and his Armenian counterpart Col. Gen. Yury Khachaturov 
in Moscow with Russia’s mediation. At the talks the sides reached 
an agreement on cessation of hostilities at the contact line between 
Azerbaijani and Armenian forces. On the same day, the defence 
ministries of the two countries announced that the ceasefire in 
Nagorno-Karabakh would start at 12am local time.

Though the ceasefire largely holds, both sides continue to report 
occasional violations of ceasefire on the contact line in 
Nagorno-Karabakh.


tert.am
May 28: Armenia celebrates First Republic Day
28.05.16

May 28 marks one of the brightest chapters in the history of 
Armenians.

This day in 1918 culminated in the landmark victories in heroic
battles, symbolizing a glorious beginning in the nation’s history.

The First Republic of Armenia owes its birth to the battles of
Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan and Gharakilisa. But the independent 
statehood was short-lived, as the starvation, migrant flow and 
blockade in the wake of the Young Turks’ genocidal policies, as 
well as the Kemalists Turkey’s invasion (1920), and the Soviet 
Russian government’s expansionist policies would not allow its 
leaders to lay solid foundations for the republic.

The First Republic survived until December 2, 1920, the day
proclaiming the Soviet rule in Armenia. But its role proved invaluable
in future state-building efforts.

The victories against the Turkish Army in the battles of Sardarapat,
Bash Aparan and Garakilisa helped preserve that last remaining pieces
of lands of Eastern Armenia, and the Armenians residing there. Eastern
Armenia thus escaped the tragic fate of many western compatriots.

Hundreds and thousands will head today to Sardarapat (Armavir region)
to visit the memorial complex eternalizing the heroes whose feat saved
the nation from total extermination.  The monument bears witness to
the Armenian nation’s heroic spirit and willingness to fight, live on
and be reborn, as well as its ability to consolidate invincibly at
fatal moments. 


news.am 
UK Ambassador: Restoration of independence is very important 
for Armenians
28.05.2016


YEREVAN. – UK Ambassador to Armenia Judith Farnworth extended her
warmest greetings to the Armenian nation on First Republic Day.

The restoration of independence is very important for proud Armenian
nation who despite centuries of lost sovereignty has not lost its
self-determination and  has not forgotten its heritage, the Ambassador
said.

Mrs. Farnworth said she wishes Armenian people health, happiness and
prosperity for the centuries.


RFE/RL Report
Yerevan Rejects Karabakh General's Criticism
May2016.
Tatev Danielian ## Artak Hambardzumian
27.05.2016


Armenia's government has denied claims by Samvel Babayan,
Nagorno-Karabakh's former top military commander, that it did not
sufficiently reinforce the Armenian military in the years leading up
to last month's heavy fighting with Azerbaijani troops.

Babayan, who headed the Karabakh Armenian army from 1993-1999, said on
Thursday that the government had grown complacent about Azerbaijan's
massive military build-up since 2011. "Unfortunately, unlike in
Azerbaijan, the issue of security was not high on the agenda of
Armenia's political elite until the fierce hostilities in April,"
claimed the controversial general.

Armenia's Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian dismissed the criticism on
Friday. "I don't pay attention to various personal views," he told
reporters. "I think that during all these years we have done serious
work on strengthening and modernizing our army."

Like Babayan, Ohanian is a native of Karabakh who commanded Karabakh
Armenian army units during the 1991-1994 war with Azerbaijan. Ohanian
succeeded Babayan as the army's commander in 1999.

The spokesman for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), Eduard
Sharmazanov, also brushed aside Babayan's claims late on Thursday. He
argued that the Azerbaijani army failed to make major territorial
gains and suffered many casualties during the April 2-5 hostilities
along the Karabakh "line of contact."

"With all due respect for the distinguished gentleman's views and his
right to express them, I think that the reality is different," said
Sharmazanov.

Babayan made the comments shortly after returning to Armenian from
self-imposed exile in Russia. He said he will proceed to Karabakh in
the coming days but did not specify whether he will stay there to
resume his political activities or military service.

"Mr. Babayan has not asked the [Karabakh] Defense Army to readmit
him," Sharmazanov told a news conference.

Ohanian, for his part, would not be drawn on the possibility of
Babayan's reappointment to key military positions. "It's not up to me
to decide," the minister said. "As far as military service is
concerned, I can't tell you anything because all of our positions are
filled now and the military personnel and generals properly accomplish
their tasks." 


arminfo.am 
Die Welt on Armenian Genocide resolution: Bundestag will 
finally call a spade a spade next week
by Alexey Sarumyan
Saturday, May 28, 15:42


German Bundestag will discuss the resolution on Armenian Genocide next
week and finally will call a spade a spade, Claudia Kade writes in her
article published in German Die Welt.

"Bundestag was delaying it for a long time for a number of reasons.
But already next week mass massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman
Empire in 1915-1916 will be called what they should be called-a
genocide.  Negotiations on adopting the resolution have been held in
Bundestag for already a year. It could be adopted in April of last
year but every time it was postponed because of Turkey we had to be
more diplomatic and respect for important ally in fighting against
terrorists of Islamic State or demonstrate polite restraint for the EU
and Turkey refugee agreement", the author writes.

At the same time the authors expressed hope that after all on June 2
Bundestag will find right words and will demonstrate unity: Christian
Democratic Union, Green Party and Social Democratic Party of Germany
will condemn mass extermination of Armenians happened 100 years ago in
the Ottoman Empire calling it genocide.
The author of the article notes that the word "genocide" is mentioned
in the resolution four times: one time in the title and three times in
the text. "The matter concerns forced deportation and massacres of 1.5
mln of Armenians, Arameans, Assyrians and Pontic Greeks in the Ottoman
Empire. Turkey as legal successor of the Ottoman Empire condemned
these crimes but continues disputing the fact of genocide. Erdogan and
his followers consider such formulation as an attack on modern
Turkey", the article mentions.

At the same time it is noted that adoption of resolution will cause
Ankara's dissatisfaction, which probably will lead to deterioration of
German-Turkish relations. The resolution draft also stressed that
German Empire is partly responsible for these events.

Being the main ally of the Ottoman Empire the German Empire despite
the information received from German diplomats about the organized
forced deportations and killings of the Armenian nation did not try to
stop these crimes against humanity", Claudia Kade writes.

To recall, on April 24, 2015, the German Bundestag held debates on the
resolution on recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Chairman of the
Alliance '90/The Greens Party Cem Ozdemir prepared the draft
resolution.  Two-hour debates resulted in a decision to put off the
adoption till April 30.  This date has already been postponed for
several times.
In early May 2016, German lawmaker Thomas Oppermann (Social Democratic
Party) said that on June 2 Bundestag will clearly qualify the mass
killings and deportation of Armenians during WWI as genocide.  The
given statement caused the negative response of Turkey, which warned
Germany against adopting the resolution.


standard.co.uk
May 25, 2016 Wednesday 1:27 PM GMT
Arsenal transfer odds: Henrikh Mkhitaryan and N'Golo Kante 
favourites to follow Xhaka to Emirates
by  James Benge


Henrikh Mkhitaryan and N'Golo Kante are among the favourites to follow
Granit Xhaka to the Emirates after Arsenal announced the first major
signing of the summer.

The swift arrival of Xhaka for an estimated £33.8million may herald a
new, more proactive approach to transfer dealings at the Emirates,
with the Gunners already beginning to monitor potential attacking
reinforcements.

Alvaro Morata is among the leading contenders in that position, with
Arsenal even considering breaking their transfer record of £42.4m to
bring the Juventus striker to the Emirates.

It would almost certainly be a complex deal, sufficiently complex that
some bookmakers are not offering odds on it,as Real Madrid are likely
to activate a (EURO)30m buyback clause for their former forward at the
start of next month before then starting a bidding war.

Should the Morata deal not be a success Arsenal have also monitored
the likes of Vincent Jannsen, Gonzalo Higuain and Mauro Icardi.
However bookmakers Bet Victor believe a more viable target could be
Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Arsenal transfer odds (Bet Victor)

Henrikh Mkhitaryan -6/4

N'Golo Kante -5/2

William Carvalho -5/2

Michael Carrick -3/1

Victor Wanyama -7/2

Riyad Mahrez -4/1

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang -6/1

They price the Borussia Dortmund forward at 6/4 to be an Arsenal
player by the end of the summer. Were he to arrive he would certainly
give Arsene Wenger a thrilling trident in attacking midfield, with
Mkhitaryan presumably slotting in alongside Mesut Ozil and Alexis
Sanchez to play off a central striker.

Mkhitaryan's future has been the subject of extensive debate in the
German press over recent weeks, with the Armenian international's
current deal set to expire in the summer of 2017.

Dortmund are in negotations with Mkhitaryan over a new deal but until
any agreement is reached he is likely to remain closely linked with
Arsenal.

Riyad Mahrez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are also priced at 6/1 or
lower as Arsenal monitor attacking reinforcements but it appears
bookmakers are not convinced that the arrival of Xhaka marks an end to
Arsenal's midfield purchases.

Arsenal home kit 2016/17:Ozil, Bellerin and Oxlade-Chamberlain launch new strip

They price both N'Golo Kante and William Carvalho at 5/2, with Victor
Wanyama and Michael Carrick also possible reinforcements on Bet
Victor's list. 


Cihan News Agency, Turkey
May 28 2016
President Aliyev: To change status-quo means to end Armenian 
occupation
The main issue of Azerbaijan's foreign policy, and not only foreign,
but also its policy as a whole, is the resolution of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, said Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev.

He made the remarks addressing an official reception held on the
occasion of Azerbaijan's national holiday, the Republic Day.

"I have repeatedly expressed my thoughts on this issue. Azerbaijan's
stance has not undergone any changes, and the people support and
endorse this stance," he said.

The president noted that the conflict should be resolved within the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

"There is no other way," he added. "The four resolutions of the UN
Security Council, which demand the immediate and unconditional
withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from our lands, should be
fulfilled, and the status-quo should be changed."

He also expressed happiness with the fact that the heads and foreign
ministers of the Minsk Group co-chairing countries and other
representatives are already unanimously stating that the status-quo is
unacceptable and should be changed.

"Changing the status-quo means ending the occupation, as the
status-quo suits Armenia, and they don't want peace," added Ilham
Aliyev. "They want the status-quo to remain forever. They want the
negotiations to be endless, that is, the negotiations to be held for
sake of appearance and imitation. We have repeatedly said that it
can't be like this."

"We have already been waiting for more than 20 years. The mediators
always tell us to wait, to settle peacefully. Recently, they have
repeated that often. We also want a peaceful resolution. Who would
want the start of a war?!" said the president.

He said Azerbaijan wants the conflict to be resolved, and that is the
exact difference between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The president went on to add that Armenia wants a peaceful settlement
to the conflict, but hampers its settlement and creates artificial
obstacles.

"Armenia beforehand puts unacceptable terms, so that we don't accept
them and thus the negotiations continue for decades. Meanwhile, our
stance is constructive, and the mediators know that. They do not state
that officially, but acknowledge that," said Ilham Aliyev.

"We are demonstrating a constructive stance so that the issue gets
resolved, our lands get freed from occupation and the displaced
Azerbaijanis return to the lands of their ancestors. Our stance has
not changed," said the president.

He added that the people and government of Azerbaijan will not allow
the creation of a second Armenian state in Azerbaijan's historical
lands.

"We will never allow that," the president stressed.

"As for the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh, let them live there
as they are living," said President Aliyev. "The Armenian leadership
always distortedly presents our stance to its people. But I reiterate:
our position is that all should live where they have lived."
Ilham Aliyev added that Azerbaijan is a model country in terms of
multiculturalism, religious and national tolerance on a global scale.

"Armenia's political leadership, the nationalist groups and people who
show a constant hatred towards Azerbaijan, want to disrupt those
positive tendencies and cross them out," he said.

"Our territorial integrity is not a subject of talks and I believe
that the Vienna meeting was successful," he added. "We expect that
serious, as the mediators call it, substantive talks, that is to say,
meaningful talks will start soon, without wasting time."

"Aside from that, in the future we should certainly increase our
military power, and we are increasing it. The army building process
has been successfully going on for many years," said President Aliyev.
"The fighting efficiency and the logistical support of our army stand
at a high level."

He also said the most modern weapons and equipment are delivered to
Azerbaijan and are manufactured inside the country.

"Over 1,000 types of military products are manufactured in
Azerbaijan," said Ilham Aliyev. "Currently, the Azerbaijani army is
among the leading armies in the world. I have repeatedly said that."

President Aliyev also pointed out that the provocation staged by
Armenia in April and the counter-attack operation carried out by the
Azerbaijani army showed to Armenia and the whole world that the
Azerbaijani army is among the strong armies.

"In the future, we will take additional measures in this regard and
relevant instructions have already been given. I don't want to
disclose them," said the president. "Necessary measures are underway
in terms of logistical support and for obtaining modern equipment."

Ilham Aliyev also noted that the Azerbaijani people should be
confident that this issue is constantly in the limelight.

"We know our capacity, we do not use it, we have simply given, are
giving and if necessary, will give an adequate response to the
provocations and will try to ensure the speedy settlement of this
issue through peaceful means," said the president.

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