Month: May 2008

EurasiaNet, NY
May 2 2008

ARMENIA: TIME FOR A CHANGE ON KARABAKH?
Gayane Abrahamyan 5/02/08

Amid calls from President Serzh Sarkisian for a more "pro-active"
policy, Armenia’s parliament has adopted a statement that some
observers say toughens the country’s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

The statement, adopted on April 29, calls for Armenian President Serzh
Sarkisian and Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian to create policies
that will enable Yerevan to assume the initiative in "settling the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem," and to provide the legal basis for Armenia
to act as the official guarantor of the breakaway region’s
security. Negotiations with Azerbaijan on Karabakh’s status are termed
the only acceptable way to resolve the territorial conflict.

In recent months, the two countries have experienced a rise in
rhetorical jostling over everything from the format of negotiations to
alleged cease-fire violations and Azerbaijan’s $2 billion military
build-up. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. At the
same time, several instances of intensive fighting along the contact
line separating Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have occurred in
recent weeks. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Within the context of rising tension, the parliamentary statement
appeared designed to send Baku a signal that Yerevan won’t be bullied,
and it won’t remain inactive in the face of expanding lobbying efforts
by Azerbaijan. During a speech to parliament, the statement’s author,
Parliamentary Speaker Tigran Torosian, declared that "[t]he Armenian
side has for a long time overlooked the fact that full and truthful
information about the origin and development of the conflict must be
presented to the international community."

"It seems to Azerbaijan that it can solve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem
by means of war," continued Torosian. "Azerbaijan even began to
blackmail different international organizations, as well as against
the Minsk Group co-chairmen [who oversee negotiations] and,
unfortunately, we have to admit that it has had its certain
influence."

Foreign Minister Nalbandian will hold his first meeting with
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in Strasbourg on May
6. The encounter has been billed merely as a get-acquainted session,
although Nalbandian has told Armenian media that he hopes that the
meeting could lead to a resumption of talks between the two countries.

For now, Azerbaijan has dismissed the Nagorno-Karabakh statement as
nothing new. "We call on Armenia to be constructive," Azerbaijani
foreign ministry spokesperson Khazar Ibrahim was quoted as saying by
the APA news agency. "Such types of statements have not influenced the
negotiation process positively."

In recent months, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and other top
Azeri official have tweaked Armenian leaders and experts with a series
of provocative statements, such as advancing a claim that Yerevan is
"an old Azerbaijani town" that needs to be returned to Azerbaijan. On
occasion, the claim has extended to all of the Republic of Armenia.

"We react to [the claim] ironically, but it may have serious
consequences," commented independent analyst Levon
Melik-Shahnazarian. He termed Armenia’s April 29 statement on Karabakh
"the first step" towards responding to these allegations.

One influential political force in Yerevan criticized the statement
for not going far enough. MPs belonging to the Heritage Party, the
only opposition force in parliament, voted against adopting the
statement. Party leader Raffi Hovannisian, who supports recognition of
Karabakh’s independence, called the document "toothless" and
"unprincipled." His preference is for government recognition of
Karabakh’s independence.

Editor’s Note: Gayane Abrahamyan is a writer for the ArmeniaNow.com
weekly in Yerevan.

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
May 2 2008

Levon Ter-Petrosyan: "Azerbaijan should not even try to infringe on
the security of Nagorno Karabakh"

02 May 2008 [18:59] – Today.Az

"Azerbaijan should be indifferent to the situation established in
Azerbaijan and should not try to infringe on security of Nagorno
Karabakh".

The due announcement was made by former minister of Armenia Levon
Ter-Petrosyan at the second congress of the all-national movement on
May 2.

"On behalf of the congress, I would like to address the US government
and Millennium Challenges corporation with a demand to abstain from
reducing aid to Armenia, as this will affect not the authorities but
the people.

I would like to tell Azerbaijan not even try to make a use of the
situation in Armenia. They should be indifferent to what is going in
Armenia and should not even try to infringe on the security of Nagorno
Karabakh", said Ter-Petrosyan.

He noted that any aggression of Azerbaijan will face resistance of a
single Armenian people, with those who are not arrested for their
political views, ahead.

"Me personally, will call on all the participants of the congress to
join the army if any insignificant threat of military actions
emerges", said he and demanded from the authorities to start real not
imitation process on the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

/Regnum/

URL:

Sherman Oaks Sun, CA
May 2 2008

Community gathers to remember Armenian Genocide at Encino service

BY TIFFANY CARTER

Hundreds of locals packed Encino’s Holy Martyrs Armenian Elementary
and Ferrahian School’s gymnasium on April 20, in one of many
commemorations held throughout the San Fernando Valley to mark the
93rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The genocide is also known as the Armenian Holocaust, in which nearly
two million Armenians were systematically massacred and driven out of
Turkey, during and immediately after World War I. Under the Muslim
Turks’ rule, Armenians living within the Ottoman Empire carried out a
policy to eliminate the area’s Christian population. Armenians around
the world recognize this period every year on April 24.

At Holy Martyrs, young and old joined together to recall this dark
moment in their history, while making sure to look toward the future.

`We carry on their memory and celebrate their survival,’ said Mico
Melkonian, who attended the event, of those who lived during that
time. `We have to teach our kids the ugly side of humanity and how you
can rise from the ashes. That’s why this day is so important.’

While much of the event was conducted in Armenian, some shared their
messages for the future in English.

Speaker Harout Keosian, Esq. said that although Turkey still refuses
to acknowledge the displacement and deaths of its Christian citizens
between 1915 and 1918, `there must be consequences¦If this
continues to go unpunished, [future genocides] will be repeated, as
we’ve seen in Cambodia and Rwanda.’

This belief was echoed by others in attendance. Steve Dadeian is a
local member of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), an
advocacy group that promotes genocide awareness in America through
education and politics. As a member, Dadeian said, `Armenians want
justice and for America to pressure Turkish officials to acknowledge
this happened to us.’

While the program’s theme was somber, there were some lighter
contributions from the school’s arm dance and music groups.

Few survivors are alive today to give first-person accounts of what
they endured, but for their descendants, the stories will live on
through oral and written history.

City Councilmember Dennis Zine, who has been on the Los Angeles City
Council for seven years, said he is proud to be the `first of Middle
Eastern decent to hold this position in 200 years.’

`My parents came here from Beirut, Lebanon, so I am very sensitive to
the concern of the community, and I know how important it is for me to
show my support,’ Zine added.

Event organizer Vic Melkonian’s grandfather survived the Armenian
holocaust. He said he remembers his grandfather telling him how the
Armenian women, even under such horrific persecution, `would bake
bread and make crosses in the dough to represent the sign of
Christianity.’

Melkonian’s greatest hope is that the younger generations `don’t
forget.’

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 2 2008

Afrand Dashdamirov: `We should not entirely rely on mediators in the
solution of Nagorno Karabakh problem’

[ 02 May 2008 17:09 ]

Baku. Lachin Sultanova `APA. `Superpowers have an important role in
the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh problem.

They can assist the conflict solution or to tackle it’, Afrand
Dashdamirov, Vice-President of All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress,
Professor of Russian Public Service Academy under the Russian
President and member of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, told
APA. He called UN resolution on the occupied lands of Azerbaijan an
important document. `Adoption of such resolution approved the public
opinion about the fair position of Azerbaijan. It is important
spiritual victory not depending on supporters or opponents, but it is
not enough to achieve results and to settle the conflict
completely. It is very difficult to achieve results in the political
negotiations through the spiritual and even legal funds. It needs to
put forward successive and appropriate policy to settle the
conflict. Only those, who know all details of current situation, know
which policy should be made in this issue. OSCE co-chairing countries
`mediators in the settlement process` try to reconcile the sides. At
the same time each of them has its own interests in our regions and
different special relations with the conflict parties. Equal close
relations with both Azerbaijan and Armenia can be ideal for Russia. It
is important for Russia to keep close relations with Azerbaijan, the
biggest country of South Caucasus, but at the same time Moscow doesn’t
intend to lose Armenia. Russia has a limit in its opportunities of
influence. Everybody knows that France’s position is under the
influence of Armenian-origin citizens of the country. The United
States has own accounts and games in the region. Each of them partly
supports both Azerbaijan and Armenia. They don’t deviate to say `Let
them reach agreement between themselves and we will support their
agreement’. It is shameful and disagreeable for Azerbaijan to make
concessions while its lands are under the occupation. But reality is
so. We shouldn’t rely on mediators and we should have own will. It
means we don’t have to expect for proposals and have to go to the
direct dialogue’. Dashdamirov thinks first of all civil society
institutions can start the dialogue. `We need to start direct
negotiations considering the factor of forever neighborhood of
Azerbaijan and Armenia. Episodic visits cannot help the process. I
have no doubt that Armenian side suffers from the current situation
and makes economic losses. But we also don’t live in vacuum. Georgia
continues its relations with this country despite we like it or not
and we also know the role of Russia and Iran in Armenian economy’.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 2 2008

NKR REPRESENTATIVE TO USA: NAGORNO-KARABAKH PROBLEM DIRECT RESULT OF
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

YEREVAN, 02.05.08. DE FACTO. NKR Representative to the United States
Vardan Barseghian spoke at the annual Armenian Genocide Observance on
Capitol Hill that also featured U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
(D-CA), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Senator Bob Menendez
(D-NJ) and other members of Congress, the Press Office of the NKR
office in the USA reports.
To note, the event was organized by the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues, co-chaired by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI), in cooperation with the Armenian Embassy in
Washington and leading Armenian-American organizations. Armenian
Ambassador Tatoul Markarian, Prelate Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, and Dr. Gregory Stanton, President of the
International Association of Genocide Scholars also spoke to the
audience that included Armenian Genocide survivors, human rights
activists, and members of the Armenian community.
In his remarks, Representative Barseghian called upon the United
States to recognize the Armenian Genocide saying that it would "send a
powerful warning signal to those who plan new ethnic cleansing
campaigns that the truth will prevail, that criminal actions will be
named for what they are and that the perpetrators will be condemned
and will bear responsibility."
Tying past crimes against humanity to today’s situation, Barseghian
said that the Nagorno Karabakh problem was a direct result of the
Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923.
"Weakened by mass killings, deportations and widespread devastation
inflicted by the Ottoman Turks, Armenia was not able to hold on to its
historic province of Artsakh and eventually gave in to the Soviet
pressure to include it within administrative borders of Soviet
Azerbaijan. And the consequences of the Armenian Genocide, including
that particular decision by the Bolsheviks, continue affecting our
lives today, over 90 years later", the Artsakh representative said.
Stressing that the risk of genocide still exists, Barseghian said that
"Azerbaijan continues to threaten Nagorno Karabakh with a new war
because we insist on our right to live in freedom."
"Nagorno Karabakh will continue reinforcing its defense capabilities
to be up to the task, but we would like to see our friends on Capitol
Hill and those who want to see a stable and peaceful South Caucasus to
send a clear signal to Azerbaijan that a new war would not be
tolerated," he said.
On behalf of the NKR Government, Barseghian thanked Representatives
Pallone and Knollenberg and other congressional leaders for their
steadfast support on issues related to Artsakh’s security, freedom,
and economic development. He urged greater U.S. political and economic
support.
"We hope that the U.S. Congress will continue its leading role in
charting a new format for relations with Nagorno Karabakh that looks
beyond conflict resolution to collaboration on issues of security,
democracy and economic development."
Concluding his remarks Barseghian said that leaders on Capitol Hill
acknowledged that in "parallel to our common efforts to make this
world genocide-free, we also need to deal with consequences of past
crimes and to support those who still struggle for freedom and
justice."

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 2 2008

RYDE CITY MARKS 93rd ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

YEREVAN, 02.05.08. DE FACTO. On Sunday 27th, April 2008, Ryde City
joined with Armenian-Australians, in commemorating the 93rd
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1922.
The commemoration was held at Meadowbank War Memorial Park in front of
the Armenian Genocide Memorial. The Armenian Genocide wreath laying
ceremony was organized by the Ryde City Council in conjunction with
the Armenian Community. The ceremony, held since 2005, was organized
by Ryde City Council with active participation by the Armenian
Genocide Commemorative Committee, Australian National Committee,
Deniston East Homentmen Ararat Scouts, Ryde Multicultural Centre and
the extended Armenian Community of Ryde.
The Master of Ceremony, Councillor Sarkis Yedelian, Deputy Mayor of
the City, first acknowledged and paid respect to many clans of the
Eora nation on whose traditional land the memorial has been erected
and the ceremony took place. Among the many participants were
Clr. Ivan Petch Mayor of Ryde, descendents of Genocide Survivors, His
Eminence Arch. Aghan Baliozian Primate of Armenian Apostolic Church of
Australia and New Zealand, Rev Khachik Khachikian, Reverend Fathers,
Mr. & Mrs. Varoujan and Sylvia Iskenderian Permanent representative of
Nagorno Karabakh Republic, members of Armenian National Committee and
Representatives of various community organizations, as well as the
Homentmen Ararat scouts.
To remind, on April 12, 2005, through the initiative of Clr. Yedelian,
City of Ryde unanimously passed a resolution. Ryde Council made
history by becoming first City Council in Australia to adopt the
resolution condemning the Armenian Genocide.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 2 2008

MAY 3 RA DEFENSE MINISTER TO VISIT ARMY UNITS SITUATED NEAR BORDER

YEREVAN, 02.05.08. DE FACTO. On May 3 the RA Defense Minister Seyran
Ohanian will visit a number of army units situated in the Republic’s
north-east border, in part, in Tavoush region.
According to the Press Office of the RA Ministry of Defense, the
Minister will familiarize himself with social-housing conditions on
the spot and the problems of servicemen on duty.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 2 2008

SYMPOSIUM ON SUBJECT `’20TH ANNIVERSARY OF KARABAKH MOVEMENT:
REALITIES AND PERSPECTIVES” TO BE HELD IN KARABAKH LATE MAY

YEREVAN, 02.05.08. DE FACTO. International Symposium on the subject
`’20th Anniversary of Karabakh Movement: Realities and Perspectives”
will be held in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in last decade of
current May.
A current sitting of the working group for the preparation of
symposium presided over by the Co-Chair of the State Committee for
organization and coordination of festivities devoted to the 20th
anniversary of the Karabakh movement, NKR Parliament Speaker Ashot
Gulian was held today.
The sitting’s participants discussed the course of preparatory works
and agenda of the symposium, fixed the number of its participants and
verified a number of organizational issues referring, in part, to
holding plenary and subject sittings.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 2 2008

PILGRIMAGE TO ARTSAKH

YEREVAN, 02.05.08. DE FACTO. An All-Armenian action under the slogan
`’Forward Armenia, Forward to God” started in Holy Echmiadzin on May
1. A pilgrimage to the Nagorno-Karabakh processed within the frames of
the above-mentioned action. In part, 500 pilgrims visited the town of
Shoushi on the initiative of the International All-Armenian Youth
Center and Spiritual-Cultural Revival Foundation.
The pilgrims were welcomed with bread and salt on the Artsakh
land. Archbishop Pargev Martirosian, spiritual leader of the Artsakh
Eparchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, welcomed and blessed them in
Surb Khazanchetsots Church in Shoushi. The Archbishop noted Shoushi
was a place of pilgrimage for all Armenians. `’One nation, one
culture, one faith ` that is the slogan under which we have liberated
Shoushi, and we must continue our national struggle in such mood and
under this slogan”, the Archbishop underscored. The leader of the
Artsakh Eparchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church noted much depended
on the nation’s unity. `’In nineties we proved that when we united we
could overcome unbelievable problems”, he said. Archbishop wished the
pilgrims well and blessing to complete their pilgrimage to the
Nagorno-Karabakh.
A lot of young participants of the actions remarked that for each of
them `’it is a pilgrimage to ourselves, an opportunity to look in our
soul”. The Artsakh war’s veterans also participated in the
measure. `’I missed Artsakh, that’s why I am here. I have come to
breathe this air again, to visit again this land, which we liberated
from captivity. I can’t say anything more”, a participant of the
Artsakh war Norajr Lazarian said being in agitation.
Then the pilgrims headed for V. Sargsian Square, where they put
flowers at the monument to the National Hero.
To note, according to the schedule, the action’s participants are to
meet with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakian in
Stepanakert on May 2. On the same day the guests will visit the
Stepanakert Memorial Complex, after which they will return to Yerevan.

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
May 2 2008

Armenians in Azerbaijan Do Not Face Religious & Ethnic Intolerance `
Parliament’s First Vice-Speaker
02.05.08 15:21

Azerbaijan, Baku, 2 May /Trend News corr I. Alizade/ Currently 50,000
Armenians live in Azerbaijan and they do not face religious or ethnic
intolerance. `No one can blame us in this connection,’ Ziyafat
Askarov, First Vice-Speaker of Azerbaijani Parliament, said at the
meeting with the Bavarian parliamentary delegation on 2 May.

According to Askarov, Armenia committed ethnic cleansing and 250,000
Azerbaijanis living in that country were evicted from their
homes. `The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which arose from Armenia’s
aggressive policy towards Azerbaijan impedes the development of the
country. Aggression is still commonplace,’ he said.

The Bavarian parliamentary delegation headed by Manfred Ach arrived in
Azerbaijan on 1 May. Bavarian MPs will hold a range of meetings at the
Parliament, Foreign Ministry and Economic Development Ministry of
Azerbaijan.