Month: May 2008

ICRC REPRESENTATIVES MEET ARMENIANS DETAINED IN NAKHCHIVAN

Azeri Press Agency
May 26 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Mahbuba Gasimbayli-APA. Representatives of ICRC Office in
Azerbaijan have met Armenians Vanik Zmboian, Artyom Zohrabian, Karen
Torosian and Agasi Enokian detained in Nakhchivan, Press Service of
ICRC Office in Azerbaijan told APA.

Their detention condition has been monitored during the
meeting. Armenians wrote letters to their relatives. It is the first
time that ICRC representatives have met them.

Armenian citizens have been arrested in Nakhchivan direction of contact
line of Azerbaijan-Armenia. Azerbaijani Defense Ministry provided
information that they tried to commit diversion in the territory of
Azerbaijan. The case is under investigation.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH ISSUE NOT REGIONAL BUT WORLD

DeFacto Agency
May 26 2008
Armenia

STEPANAKERT, 26.05.08. DE FACTO. In the course of a meeting with
the participants of the international conference entitled "Karabakh
Movement: Realities and Perspectives" held in Stepanakert the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic /NKR/ President Bako Sahakian stated,
"the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is not regional but world".

The NKR President underscored that Azerbaijan pursued aggressive
policy at highest level stirring up hatred for Armenian nation in
Azerbaijani society. According to Bako Sahakian, the issue is common
to all mankind, and the international community should stop Azerbaijan
in avoidance of dangerous development of events.

"Becoming a subject of international law Azerbaijan pledged some
engagements referring, in part, to the Karabakh conflict’s peaceful
resolution, however, it openly ignores the engagements", Bako
Sahakian noted.

Touching in this connection on Azeri party’s militaristic statements
the NKR President underscored, "if Baku again incites a war, then to
ensure the Nagorno-Karabakh’s security we’ll have to shift hostilities
to the depth of Azerbaijan’s territory".

CLOSE COOPERATION WITH DIASPORA NECESSARY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH TECH IN KARABAKH

DeFacto Agency
May 26 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 26.05.08. DE FACTO. The issues referring to the current
situation and perspectives of development of Nagorno-Karabakh’s
informational sphere were discussed on May 24 in the course of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakian’s meeting with a
group of Armenian experts.

The Armenian experts arrived in Stepanakert within the frames of the
international conference entitled "The 20th Anniversary of Karabakh
Movement: Realities and Perspectives" held in Stepanakert on May
23-24, the Central Department of Information under the NKR President
reports. In the course of the meeting the parties underscored the
necessity of close cooperation between Artsakh and Diaspora in the
sphere of High Tech.

Besides, the interlocutors discussed a number of issues referring to
Artsakh’s internal and foreign policy.

The NKR FM Georgy Petrosian and other officials participated in
the meeting.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE HELD IN STEPANAKERT FINISHED ITS WORK

DeFacto Agency
May 26 2008
Armenia

STEPANAKERT, 26.05.08. DE FACTO. The international conference entitled
"Karabakh Movement: Realities and Perspectives" held in Stepanakert
on May 23-24 finished its work.

It was devoted to the 20th anniversary of the Karabakh movement.

Such conferences were held before. However, the peculiarity of this
one is that it sums up the results of the twenty-year-long way to
independence.

On May 22, talking to DE FACTO correspondent, the Chair of the NKR
National Assembly Ashot Gulian noted since such a measure had not been
held in Nagorno-Karabakh for a long time there had emerged a necessity
of serious analysis of the Karabakh process. The Parliament’s Speaker
expressed hope that in the course of the discussions it would become
possible to find new resources for the Karabakh settlement process’s
activation.

Actually, the conference met the expectations. Active discussions were
held in all three sections. The participants considered a wide spectrum
of urgent issues: from historical-legal grounds of Nagorno-Karabakh’s
independence to the peculiarities of international perception of the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue in the context of geopolitical processes.

Summing up the Stepanakert conference’s results, the Karabakh
Parliament’s Speaker especially mentioned the fact that quite a
great amount of useful material necessary for further analytical work
had been gathered in the course of the conference. "The conference’s
materials will be systematized and published in a separate collection",
Ashot Gulian said.

"There has always been a necessity to hold such conferences", Ashot
Gulian underscored. He added, "Naturally, Karabakh will be glad to
receive invitations to participate in a conference on the Karabakh
issue outside the NKR". However, according to the Speaker, it is more
reasonable to conduct such measures in Karabakh, as "it will enable
to immediately learn the sentiments and opinions of the Republic’s
citizens and authorities".

Addressing the conference’s participants, the Parliaments’ Speaker
expressed hope that the proposals put forward at the conference
would help Karabakh in its just struggle for the international
recognition. "Our nation has chosen the way to independence long ago –
it is a way determined by the Karabakh movement, and our current task
is to achieve the goal with minimal losses, without serious shocks
and with great success", Ashot Gulian said.

"ARMENIANS AND PROGRESSIVE POLITICS" CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN NEW YORK CITY

DeFacto Agency
May 26 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 26.05.08. DE FACTO. Writers, scholars, and activists from
around the world will join their East Coast colleagues in examining
Armenian issues from a progressive viewpoint as a part of the May
30-31 "Armenians and Progressive Politics" conference in New York
City, the Armenian National Committee of America, Eastern Region
(ANC ER) reports.

Seven panels on Saturday, May 31, will discuss issues
relating to Armenia, Armenian identity, gender, genocide, and
coalition-building. Notable panelists include international lawyer and
human rights activist Armineh Arakelian; journalist Florence Avakian;
poet Nancy Agabian, author and Professor Nubar Hovsepian, and others.

Armenians and Progressive Politics (formerly Armenians and the Left)
is an initiative of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Eastern
USA. The conference is co-sponsored by the Armenian National Committees
of New York and New Jersey, The Nation Institute, and CUNY’s Center
for Place, Culture, and Politics. Previous participants include Noam
Chomsky and Robert Fisk.

To note, a West Coast "Armenians and Progressive Politics" conference
will be held on June 6-7 in Glendale, California.

For more information on both conferences, visit the conference website
at:

AMBASSADOR ALI NAGIYEV: "ELIMINATION OF CRISIS IN AZERBAIJAN-ARMENIA RELATIONS DEPENDS ON RUSSIA"

Azeri Press Agency
May 26 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Tamara Grigoryeva-APA. "Crisis in Azerbaijan and Armenia
relations first of all meets the interests of Russia", Azerbaijani
Ambassador to Belarus Ali Nagiyev told the press conference in Minsk,
APA reports quoting Belarus media. He said that the elimination of
crisis in Azerbaijan-Armenia relations depended on Russia.

"Russia’s interest in the crisis in the relations between Azerbaijan
and Armenia is obviously seen. This crisis will eliminate only when
Russia wants it. I am responsible for my words", he said.

The Ambassador said Azerbaijan would not compromise even an inch of
its territory.

REPRESENTATIVES OF ANC ER HONORED MEMORY OF VICTIMS OF PONTIAN GENOCIDE COMMITTED IN TURKEY

DeFacto Agency
May 26 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 26.05.08. DE FACTO. On May 19, 2008, Armenian National
Committee of America Eastern Region (ANCA ER) Executive Director
Karine Birazian took part in commemorating the 89th Anniversary of
the Pontian Genocide.

Organizing the event was the Federation of Hellenic Societies
of Greater New York and the Pan-Pontian Federation of USA and
Canada. Dimitris Molohides, Secretary of the Pan-Pontian Federation
of USA and Canada, addressed the crowd in attendance and urged for
decisive action for recognition of the Pontian Genocide.

Speaking on behalf of the ANCA, Birazian addressed the crowd. In
her statement she remarked: "the tragic sufferings of Armenians,
Assyrians, and Greeks will never be forgotten. The Turkish Government
tries to silence us, but we will not be silenced, and together we will
in fact end Turkey’s "Gag Rule" and seek recognition of this great
crime. Nine decades ago they tried to silence the innocent victims
that fell under the Turkish sword, and today we are still here. Nine
decades from now we will still be here for we will never forget and
work to seek justice".

Also present at the event included the Cypriot Action Network
of America (CANA), the presidents and members of the two local
associations "Komninoi" of New York and "Pontos" of Norwalk Connecticut
and from the "Holy Institution Panagia Soumela."

To note, the Pontian Genocide has been formally acknowledged by Greece
and Cyprus and, within the United States, by the states of New York,
New Jersey, Florida, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and
Illinois, among others. Most recently, the International Association
of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) released a statement commenting: "BE IT
RESOLVED that it is the conviction of the International Association
of Genocide Scholars that the Ottoman campaign against Christian
minorities of the Empire between 1914 and 1923 constituted genocide
against Armenians, Assyrians, and Pontian and Anatolian Greeks.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Association calls upon the government
of Turkey to acknowledge the genocides against these populations,
to issue a formal apology, and to take prompt and meaningful steps
toward restitution."

TURKISH STATE MINISTER: "BORDERS WITH ARMENIA WILL NOT OPEN UNTIL YEREVAN SETTLES ITS PROBLEMS WITH ANKARA AND ITS REGIONAL ALLY AZERBAIJAN"

Today.Az
s/politics/45233.html
May 26 2008
Azerbaijan

"Borders with Armenia will not open until Yerevan settles its problems
with Ankara and its regional ally Azerbaijan".

The due announcement was made by Turkey’s State Minister of Economy
Mehmet Shimshek.

According to Turkish Zaman newspaper, the state economic minister,
taking part in the session on regional development in eastern province
of Ighdir, located near the border with Armenia, announced that Turkey,
which has a wide purchasing capacity in the amount of $950 bln,
does not need economic ties with Armenia.

The State Minister noted that this is Armenia that should undertake
measures to normalize ties with Turjey.

"We do not need them, they need us. Turkey wants good economic ties
with its neighbors. If Armenians recognize this fact and make a step
towards us, we will make a step towards them", said Shimshek.

The state minister added that borders with Armenia will not open
until Yerevan settles its problems with Ankara and its regional
ally Azerbaijan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONDITIONS CREATED TO CONTINUE PEACE TALKS ON ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

Trend News Agency
May 26 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 26 May / corr. TrendNews S. Agayeva/ The conditions
have been created to continue the peace talks on settlement of the
Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict, Khazar Ibrahim, the spokesperson of
the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan, said to media while commenting
on the upcoming meeting of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia
in St Petersburg on 6 June.

" Azerbaijan expects a constructive position from the new Armenian
government on the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict,"
Ibrahim said.

According to Ibrahim, Armenia should demonstrate a will, understand
realities, and should take steps for the solution of the conflict. "The
new conditions to continue the peace talks can contribute to the
solution of the conflict," said Ibrahim.

The Resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh passed by the UN General Assembly
has created favorable conditions to continue talks between Azerbaijan
and Armenia, Ibrahim stated.

The UN General Assembly supported Resolution on Situation in the
Occupied Territory of Azerbaijan introduced by Azerbaijan. The
Resolution demanded the immediate, full and unconditional withdrawal
of all the Armenian armed forces from all the occupied territory of the
Republic of Azerbaijan. The Resolution confirms ‘the indefeasible right
of the population driven out the occupied territory of Azerbaijan,
to return to their homeland and demands to create appropriate
conditions for their return including comprehensive rehabilitation
of the territory damaged by the conflict’.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began
in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since
1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts. In
1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which
time the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group ( Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful
negotiations.

CERCA SERIES: NINA KATCHADOURIAN AT MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO

Art Daily
amp;int_new=24424
May 26 2008

SAN DIEGO, CA.- Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents Cerca
Series: Nina Katchadourian, on view through July 6, 2008. For more
than 15 years, New York artist Nina Katchadourian has investigated
codes of expression, language, and translation, creating a body of
work that emphasizes equally successful communicative exchanges as
miscommunication, misreadings, and illegibility. Born in California to
her Finnish-Swedish mother and Armenian-Turkish father, Katchadourian’s
work often links language and signage to heritage and lineage.

Cerca Series: Nina Katchadourian will present the six-channel video
piece Accent Elimination (2005), a work that explores cultural
assimilation and speech as heirloom. Inspired by posters advertising
"accent elimination" courses, the artist worked with her parents and
a professional speech improvement coach for several weeks in order
to "neutralize" her parents’ accents and then learn each of their
distinct accents herself. The multi-channel piece documents the
process of unlearning and relearning the three of them underwent,
revealing their struggle to hear and imitate something so familiar
yet so difficult to reproduce.

The other work in the exhibition, entitled Zoo (2007), consists of
footage shot in eight different zoos over the past six years. It is
presented at MCASD Downtown as a 19-channel projection and monitor
installation that will occupy the entire Royston Gallery at 1001
Kettner. Footage of various animals and zoo settings throughout the
world is edited to recreate an artificial animal environment marked
by visual as well as acoustic recordings that play concurrently to
create a sense of disorientation and disjunction.

Cerca Series: Nina Katchadourian is made possible by a grant from the
LLWW Foundation and gifts to MCASD’s Annual Fund. Programs at MCASD
Downtown are made possible, in part, by grants from The James Irvine
Foundation, the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture,
and the County of San Diego.