Month: March 2007

ARMENIA IN 96TH PLACE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES

Panorama.am
21:07 29/03/2007

"Armenia is in much better position than 96th place," Haik Khanjyan,
president of Be Line, told Panorama.am speaking about Information
Technologies World Competitiveness Report 2006-2007.

In his words, world famous IT companies operate in Armenia, which would
hardly be willing to work in a country which is in the 96th place.

The report pinpoints to monthly fee for Internet connection and number
of customers as relatively weak sides. "There are challenges to be
addressed," Khanjyan said also saying IT sector is "very promising"
in Armenia.

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS HOLD A REGULAR MEETING

Panorama.am
21:09 29/03/2007

OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, Yuri Merzlyakov, Matthew Bryza and
Bernard Fassier will meet in Vienna this week for a regular
discussion. Vladimir Karapetyan, Armenian foreign ministry press
secretary, told Regnum agency Matthew Bryza, who took part in the prime
minister’s funeral yesterday, said he will also go to the meeting.

Anjey Kasprchik, special representative of OSCE in South Caucasus,
will be present during the discussion.

The co-chairs will discuss the current pace of conflict regulation and
plan the meeting between Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign minister. The
meeting between Vartan Oskanyan and Elmar Mamediarov is expected
late April.

OPENING OF AKHTAMAR CHURCH – AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2007 13:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The renovation of the Holy Cross Church in Akhtamar
island undoubtedly is a positive phenomenon, since the matter concerns
one of the most famous Armenian medieval historical-cultural monuments,
which was in poor condition after 1915, RA MFA Acting Press Officer
Vladimir Karapetyan says in his statement. Particularly the statement
notes, "At the same it is worth mentioning that speaking about the
opening of the church, the Turkish authorities and media do not
mention her historical-cultural value.

Turkey’s announcements about the opening of this renovated church
do not include the word ‘Armenian’ anywhere, no mention is made of
its Armenian and Apostolic belonging. This fact is being used for
propaganda purposes, in order to prevent recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by the international community. The Turkish authorities
are trying to avoid of the responsibility not only to history and
memory, but to its own Armenian minority. Examining the issue from
historical viewpoint, one cannot mention that the Holy Cross Church
is one of a dozen other priceless examples of Armenian medieval
architecture on Turkish territory, which have been abandoned at best,
or more often, intentionally vandalized, simply because of their
Armenian identity. Armenia highly appreciates Turkey’s initiative
on renovation of the church hoping that it will not become a single
example. Renovation of the Holy Cross Church is important both for
us and the Turkish society. The denial of such a broad layer of
civilization, historical presence, culture of an entire nation today
is impossible for a nation and a country, which tries to become a
part of civilized system of values. Instead, constantly the political
implication is being underlined of this issue, it is being presented
as a "demonstration of good will" towards Armenia and the Armenian
nation."

A WORLD IN WHICH TURKEY HAS ABANDONED ITS DENIAL CAMPAIGN WILL BE SAFER FROM NEW GENOCIDES

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2007 15:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As a matter of domestic policy, clearly the
Armenian Genocide Resolution currently before the U.S. Congress is
an internal American issue, Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) Executive Director Aram Hamparian stated during an interview
to the PanARMENIAN.Net journalist. He said this legislation addresses
the long U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide, including America’s
protests and relief efforts during this crime against humanity.

"Its aim is to ensure that the U.S. government applies the lessons
of this tragedy to help prevent future genocides. As such, this is
an internal matter for the elected representatives of the American
people – not the diplomats of foreign states. As we saw in Rwanda and
are witnessing today in Darfur, preventing genocide represents a core
American value and a vital U.S. security interest. Condemning genocide
reinforces America’s moral leadership and international standing in
opposing all genocides. More broadly, however, Resolution 106 clearly
has an international dimension.

This resolution is part of a growing global movement against
genocide. Its adoption will help counter Turkey’s denials and will
strengthen the world’s resolve to reject the dangerous precedent that
Turkey has set of genocide committed with impunity. A world in which
Turkey has abandoned its genocide denial campaign will be a world
safer from the scourge of new genocides," Aram Hamparian said.

DIASPORA WELCOMES DUAL-CITIZENSHIP LAW OF RA

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2007 16:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "We understand that the granting of dual citizenship
– in particular the specific terms outlined in the law – was a
matter of considerable debate within the Armenian Parliament and
throughout civic society," Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) Executive Director Aram Hamparian stated during an interview to
the PanARMENIAN.Net journalist. "We respect this process and appreciate
the many strongly held views that were voiced during this debate. We
are gratified that the Parliament ultimately approved this provision
of law, and welcome this new opportunity for dual-citizenship as
a means toward strengthening ties between homeland and Diaspora,
advancing Armenian identity worldwide and fostering greater support
for the democratic and national aspirations of the Armenian nation,"
ANCA Executive Director stressed.

ANKARA CALLS ON YEREVAN TO CREATE A HISTORIAN COMMISSION WITH INCLUSION OF THIRD PARTIES

PanARMENIAN
29.03.2007 16:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey calls on Armenia to create a historian
commission with the inclusion of third parties, in order to examine
events in 1915. "I hereby extend an invitation to any third country,
including the United States, to contribute to this commission by
appointing scholars who will earnestly work to shed light on this
tragedy and open ways for us to come together," said Turkish Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul in his editorial for The Washington Times titled
"Politicizing the Armenian tragedy". Criticizing the Armenian lobby
for politicizing the past and imposing his view of history, Gul
said it is "truly regrettable that there is no mention of Turkish
or Muslim lives lost during the same period". "The only way to find
out what happened in 1915 is to ask scholars who have the ability
to evaluate the period objectively, working with the full range of
available primary sources. Turkey has no difficulties in facing its
past. We eagerly await a positive response from Armenia, agreeing
to establish this joint commission and declaring its readiness to
accept its conclusion," he said. The Turkish FM underlined that the
establishment of such a commission will also help shape an atmosphere
conducive to the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE BEST DEFENSE AGAINST ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIALS IS TO SIMPLY STATE THE TRUTH

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2007 16:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Turkish government’s aim is to use opening of
the Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar island- a sacred Armenian religious
site – as a public relations tactic to mislead international
public opinion," Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
Executive Director Aram Hamparian stated during an interview to the
PanARMENIAN.Net journalist. In particular he said it concerns genocide
denial campaign, ongoing destruction of Armenian cultural heritage,
blockade of Armenia, and other anti-Armenian policies. Answering the
question what ANCA does in opposing the Turkish-Jewish lobbying in
the United States, Aram Hamparian stated, "Our best defense against
any groups opposed to Armenian Genocide recognition is to simply
state the truth – the thoroughly documented and universally available
documentation of the Armenian Genocide."

At the same time he said now is exactly the right time to pass this
resolution on recognizing the Armenian Genocide. "The recent brutal
assassination in Istanbul of noted journalist Hrant Dink, who was
killed for simply speaking about the Armenian Genocide, underscores
the urgent need for the U.S. to take a principled stand against the
escalation of Turkey’s campaign of official denial and intolerance,"
Aram Hamparian stressed.

OPENING OF HOLY CROSS CHURCH HELD ON AKHTAMAR ISLAND

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2007 16:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The opening ceremony of the Holy Cross Church
was held on Akhtamar island. Head of Armenian delegation, Armenian
Deputy Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Gagik Gyurjian told the
PanARMENIAN.Net journalist that Turkish Tourism and Culture Minister
Atilla Koc, parliamentarians, the head of historical monuments
preservation department, as well as representatives of diplomatic
corps were present at the opening ceremony. "Constantinople Patriarch
Archbishop Mutafyan, representatives of Armenian communities of other
countries were also present at the opening of the church. Atilla
Koc told us that the issue of placing a cross atop the church is
not so complicated and most probably it will placed in near future,"
Gyurjian said.

The Armenian delegation will return Yerevan March 29 via Georgia.

IN STRUGGLE AGAINST GENOCIDE RECOGNITION TURKEY LIMITS HIMSELF ONLY TO HOLLOW THREATS

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2007 16:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The Turkish government is threatening to obstruct
U.S. operations in Iraq should the Congress recognize the Armenian
Genocide. But a careful look at this threat shows that it is hollow,"
ANCA (Armenian National Committee of America) Executive Director
Aram Hamparian stated during an interview to the PanARMENIAN.Net
journalist. He said, opponents of the Armenian Genocide Resolution
are crying wolf once again. "General Michael Moseley, Chief of Staff
of the U.S. Air Force, stated on February 21, 2007, that, "I wouldn’t
say we have to use Incirlik airbase to conduct operations in Iraq."

""Train wrecks" in U.S.-Turkey relations were loudly but falsely
predicted before President Reagan’s 1981 public affirmation of the
Armenian Genocide, the 1984 designation by the U.S. House of April
24th as a day for its remembrance, as well as before the amendments
passed by the House in 1996 and 2004 restricting U.S.

aid to Turkey based on its denial of this crime against
humanity. Despite threats of retribution, Turkey has taken only token
steps against the European Parliament, Canada, France, Germany, Italy,
Belgium, Argentina, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Sweden,
Switzerland, and other states and international bodies that have
recognized the Armenian Genocide. In fact, despite all its threats
in 2001 against France’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide, trade
between France and Turkey grew 22% the following year, and has grown
by 131% over the past five years," Hamparian stressed.

ARMENIANS OF FRANCE REFUSED FROM PARTICIPATING IN INAUGURATION OF HOLY CROSS

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2007 17:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations
of France (CCAF) refused to take part in inauguration of the Holy
Church on Akhtamar island.

French independent journalist Jean Eckian told the PanARMENIAN.Net
corespondent that in his letter addressed to Van governor Alexis
Govciyan stated that the Holy Cross Church, which is an Armenian
cultural heritage, must remain property of the Armenian Patriarchate
of Turkey and function as a temple. Also, A. Govciyan pointed out
the inadmissibility of transforing the church into a museum without
any reference of his belonging to the cultural Armenian heritage.