Month: August 2008

A STORY ENTITLED "D.C. MAKES A STATEMENT ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE" WAS POSTED IN AN AMERICAN QUARTERLY

Noyan Tapan
Aug 25, 2008

WASHINGTON, AUGUST 25, ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian Genocide
Museum of America would like to call our attention to a story
entitled "D.C. Makes a Statement on Armenian Genocide" posted on
Congressional Quarterly. The Museum notes that theQuarterly is a
non-partisan authoritative source of information. Below we present
the above-mentioned story.

"Late last year, lawmakers balked under pressure from the Turkish
government, which warned against the United States officially declaring
a century-old massacre of Armenians as genocide. Apparently, the
District of Columbia Board of Zoning Adjustment doesn’t scare that
easily.

The city agency has given its stamp of approval to convert the former
Federal-American National Bank into the Armenian Genocide Museum of
America, according to public records.

"Visitors to the museum will come to understand the Armenian Genocide
as the prototype for modern crimes against humanity, including the
Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda and Darfur," a Web site for the museum
says.

The debate over whether to declare the deaths of 1.5 million
Armenians in the former Ottoman Empire nearly a century ago heated
up in Congress when Bush administration officials warned that such
a move would threaten U.S. relations with Turkey. The resolution
(H Res 106) was approved in the House Foreign Affairs Committee,
but was never sent to the floor."

ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS DETERMINED TO CONTINUE STRUGGLE UNTIL ACHIEVING ITS FINAL OBJECTIVES

Noyan Tapan

Au g 25, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. At about 10:30 am on August 25, a
group of nearly 100 men, some of whom wore police uniform, while others
were in civilian clothes, broke into Northern Avenue and took away
all the stands and posters put up in the avenue, breaking and tearing
them. NT was informed by the head office of the Armenian National
Congress (ANC) that their actions were accompanied by bad language.

"Being in internal squabbles and crisis, the regime is terrified
by the authority and efficiency of the sit-down strike in Northern
Avenue. Keeping 76 political prisoners as hostages, the authorities
have cowardly engaged in a fight with their pictures and the true
information that is presented to the public," is said in a statement
of the ANC.

It is stated that prior to the September 5 rally, a large-scale action
of joining the Armenian National Congress and the signature collection
with the aim of taking Robert Kocharian before the Hague international
court is under way in Northern Avenue. According to the statement, the
authorities understand that the activation of the society, failure of
the political trials, the worsening economic crisis in the country,
and the unprecedented terror against business make a mighty nature
of the ANC’s September 5 rally inevitable so the authorities have to
resort to desperate violence and illegalities.

Appealing to everyone for restraint and patience, the ANC states
that these unbalanced steps of the regime cannot break the will
of the ANC and hundreds of thousands of citizens who support ANC,
who are determined to continue the struggle until reaching the final
objectives and getting rid of this anti-popular regime.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SERZH SARGSYAN: ATTEMPTS TO RESIST WITH ARMED FORCES IN A STRUGGLE FOR RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION ARE FRAUGHT WITH SERIOUS MILITARY AND GEOPOLITICAL CONSEQUENCES

Noyan Tapan

Au g 25, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. An interview of Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan was published in the August 23 issue of Der Standard
daily. Below is the full text of the interview.

Question: "Be a friend with Russia and do not become a close friend
with the West," wasn’t it a lesson that Moscow taught the South
Caucasian countries by invading Georgia?

Answer: If we look at Armenia’s history, we will see that friendship
with Russia has never been a compulsory measure for Armenia. Needless
to say that one never makes friends, let alone – keeps friends by
force. I wouldn’t like to speak for other countries, but at least
Armenia is extremely open, sincere and consistent in its relations with
Russia. Moreover, I can tell you that our strategic partnership with
Russia has never prevented us from establishing normal and efficient
cooperation with other countries in the region and outside it and
with international organizations. This is evident from out joint
programs with the EU and NATO and dynamically developing relations
with European countries, the U.S. and Iran.

Q: It is not for the first time that Armenia perceives a serious
impact of a Russian-Georgian crisis. What would you advise your
Georgian partners concerning their relations with Russia?

A: To give advice is an ungrateful task. In recent years the pivot
of our policy has been that in our extremely sensitive region, small
states must do their best in order to reduce rather than strain the
possible contradictions between superpowers. It is quite easy to
derive short-term benefits from contradictions that regularly arise
in each region between great powers. It is much more difficult but
also much more useful to try to cooperate sincerely in a field of
common interests. Taking into account all the challenges we have to
face, it is senseless to create new dividing lines and artificial
ideological camps.

Q: An important Russian miliary base is stationed in Armenia. Does
Armenia benefit from Russia’s hegemony in the South Caucasus?

A: Like any other state, Armenia benefits from sovereignty. In our era,
this sovereignty also includes participation in efficient international
and regional systems of security. In this respect Armenia has made
a decision to join the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The
fundamental document of this organization envisages that an attack
on one of the member states means an attack on all of them. I think
that today military bases are a symbol of efficient cooperation rather
than hegemony.

Q: What conclusions can be made from the invasion of Georgia – for
another "frozen conflict", the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

A: The tragic events in South Ossetia showed that in the South
Caucasus, attemps to resist with armed forces in a struggle for the
right of self-determination are fraught with serious military and
geopolitical consequences. The recent developments clearly demonstrated
the real danger of an arms race, unfounded increases in the military
budget and bellicose statements in the South Caucasus. At the same time
these developments proved that a free will of the people struggling
for its self-determination should form the basis of settlement of such
conflicts and the solutions should be based on such a will because
the opposite approaches will inevitably result in ethnic cleansing
and violation of international humanitarian law. These events once
again releaved the importance of efficient operation of the regional
infrastructures, highways, transport nodes and pipelines, as well
as ensuring their altrenativeness and formation of most extensive
networks.

Q: In fact, Turkey has never responded to Armenia’s proposal to
establish diplomatic relations without preconditions. Now you even
invite the Turkish president to Armenia. What makes you assume that
the leadership of Turkey is more open for dialog?

A: Today we are ready to establish relations with Turkey without
preconditions. In general, Armenia has always been faithful to the
political course it announced. Today there is a situation in our
relations, from which no one benefits, quite the opposite, many
suffer. I am sure that there is no sense in and necessity for being
constant adversaries, it is evident that the problem of regulating our
relations has matured and this step will be mutually beneficial both
for the Armenian and Turkish societies. If you remember, Turkish Prime
Minister Erdogan said months ago that in this period the doors are open
for a new dialog. I am sure that if there is a desire, we can have such
a dialog, and a visit of President Gul to Armenia will strengthen these
positive tendencies. A few days ago my Turkish counterpart stated that
Turkey has no enemies in the region. I am convinced that a practical
stipulation of this statement will be tangible steps on regulation
of the relations and these steps may give real results. We may have
various problems but we will not be able to solve them if we do not
speak to each other at a level appropriate for civilized states and
if there are no proper political relations between our countries.

LEVON TER-PETROSIAN AND PETER SEMNEBY DISCUSS REGIONAL SITUATION AND INTERNAL POLITICAL SITUATION IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan

Au g 25, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The first Armenian president Levon
Ter-Petrosian had a meeting with the EU Special Commissioner in the
South Caucasus Peter Semneby in Yerevan on August 24. The charge
d’affaires of the European Commission Delegation to Armenia Raul de
Luzenberger and political advisor Andrey Didenko also took part in
the meeting.

NT was informed by the head office of the Armenian National Congress
that during the meeting the sides exchanged opinions on the situation
in Georgia, its impact on Armenia, and the possile solutions of the
frozen conflicts.

The internal political situation in Armenia, as well as the problems
related to the political prisoners and their trials were also
discussed.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SIGNS LAW ON CHANGE IN WATER DISCHARGE FROM LAKE SEVAN

Noyan Tapan

Au g 25, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on
August 22 signed a law on making amendments to the RA Law on Approval
of the Annual nad Complex Programs of Measures on Restoration,
Preservation, Reproduction and Use of the Ecosystem of Lake Sevan,
NT was informed by the RA president’s press service.

STATE COMMISSION CREATED FOR PREPARATION FOR 500th ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDATION OF ARMENIAN PRINTING

Noyan Tapan

Au g 25, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on
August 22 signed an order on the creation of a state commission for
the preparation of measures on the 500th anniversary of foundation
of Armenian printing. The state commission will be headed by the
Armenian president.

According to a press release of the RA president’s press service,
the Commission is composed of the following persons:

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II (by consent),

Armenian prime minister Tigran Sargsian,

deputy prime minister of the RA, minister of territorial administration
Armen Gevorgian,

chief of the RA presidential staff Hovik Abrahamian,

foreign minister of the RA Edward Nalbandian,

minister of culture of the RA Hasmik Poghosian,

minister of finance of the RA Tigran Davtian,

minister of education and science of the RA Spartak Seyranian,

mayor of Yerevan Yervand Zakharian,

assistant to the president of the RA (the Commission’s
secretary-coordinator of measures) Vigen Sargsian,

chairman of the Council of the Public Television and Radio Company
of Armenia Alexan Harutyunian (by consent),

president of the RA National Academy of Sciences Radik Martirosian,

deputy of the RA National Assembly Victor Dallakian (by consent),

deputy of the RA National Assembly Armen Ashotian (by consent),

director of the National Library of Armenia Davit Sargsian (by
consent),

director of the M. Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts Harchia
Tamrazian (by consent),

rector of Yerevan State University Aram Simonian (by consent),

director of the National Archive of Armenia Amatuni Virabian (by
consent),

chairman of the Union of Writers of Armenia Levon Ananian (by consent).

HOVIK ABRAHAMIAN ELECTED DEPUTY OF RA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Noyan Tapan

Au g 25, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. By preliminary results of the
by-election of a deputy of the RA National Assembly by the majoritarian
electoral system held in electoral district No 17 (Ararat marz)
on August 24, 33,322 electors voted for, 155 – against the only
candidate – the chief of the RA presidential staff, member of the
ruling body of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Hovik Abrahamian.

NT correspondent was informed by spokesperson for the RA Central
Electoral Commission Tatev Ohanian that out of the total number of
electors (58,757) in the indicated electoral district that includes
the city of Artashat and 24 adjacent rural communities, 33,881 electors
or 57.5% participated in the voting. 332 voting papers were recognized
as invalid, the number of inaccuracies made 28.

To recap, the four parties of the coalition: RPA, ARF, "Prosperous
Armenia" party and "Orinats Yerkir" party endorsed the candidacy of
H. Abrahamian nominated by a decision of the RPA ruling body. Hovik
Abrahamian will act as a deputy of the NA instead of his brother Henrik
Abrahamian whose powers as a deputy were terminated ahead of time.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CBA BANS ARMENIAN BANKS FROM PARTICIPATING IN "WESTERN UNION"

Noyan Tapan

Au g 25, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. At the August 22 sitting conducted
by the CBA chairman Arthur Javadian, the Central Bank of Armenia
(CBA) Board made a decision to ban the Armenia-based banks from
participating in the Western Union (WU) money transfer system.

According to the CBA PR service, the banks were instructed to cancel
their agreements with WU in the order envisaged by these agreements.

The decision was made with the aim of reducing the riskiness of the
banks as there have been cases of ungrounded violation of provisions
of the agreements that WU had signed with Armenian banks. For example,
provision of services was discontinued in branches of some banks, which
may disrupt the normal operation of banks, affect their financial state
and create unforeseeable situations in the money transfer system,
as well as to affect the economic, financial and real sectors of
the country.

WESTERN UNION’S ACTIVITY IN ARMENIA BANNED AS WESTERN UNION STOPS MONEY TRANSFERS TO NAGORNO- KARABAKH

arminfo
2008-08-25 20:26:00

ArmInfo. The ban on Armenian commercial banks’ participation in
the Western Union international payment system is conditioned by
the fact that this system has ceased implementing money transfers
to Nagorno-Karabakh, this running counter to the agreements signed
between the banks and the payment system, one of the Armenian bankers,
who wished to remain anonymous, commented the Aug 22 decision of the
Central Bank of Armenia for ArmInfo correspondent.

To recall, by the Aug 22 decision, the CBA Council forbade the
country’s commercial banks to participate in the Western Union
international payment system and in this connection obliged the banks
to cancel their agreements with this system.

According to ArmInfo analysts, Armenian commercial banks will not
suffer much from Western Union’s withdrawal from the market of money
transfers, as they work under 16 more systems, most actively – under
UNIStream and Anelik.

The other systems are Contact, Migom, Money Gram, InterExpress,
Lider, PrivateMoney, UTS, Blizko, etc. ArmInfo analysts think that
the temporary reduction of the total volume of transfers because
of Western Union’s withdrawal will not exceed 10% as the share of
transfers under this system in the total volume of transfers ranges
between 10% and 11%. The other systems with similar geography of
presence in various countries are most likely to benefit, all the more
so most of Armenian banks are simultaneously working with several
money transfer systems. Moreover, the case with Western Union will
consolidate the Armenian banks’ tactics not to focus on one or two
money transfer systems, due to which they minimize their risks.

As Russian sources reported earlier, on July 30 the National Bank of
Azebaijan instructed the Azeri commercial banks to stop transferring
money via Western Union and Money Gram because the latter continued
carrying out transactions in Nagorno-Karabakh despite the NBA’s
demands to stop such activities.

To note, Western Union started cooperation with Armenian banks in
1995. In 1996 it was officially registered in Armenia. Most of the
commercial banks of Armenia are members of this system: Ameriabank,
Areximbank, Armeconombank, Bank VTB Armenia, Armbusinessbank,
INECOBANK, Artsakhbank, Unibank, Converse Bank, ACBA-Credit Agricole
Bank.

The Central Bank of Armenia reports that in Jan-Mar 2008 Western
Union was the third on the money transfer market: a total of 8.3bln
AMD was transferred during the period with 88.7% (7.4bln AMD) into
Armenia. The leaders of Armenia’s money transfer market are UNIStream
(39.3bln AMD in Jan-Mar 2008) and Anelik (8.7bln AMD). A total of 79bln
AMD was transferred via 17 international payment systems operating
in Armenia in Jan-Mar 2008.

THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN YEREVAN WILL FLY THE OLYMPIC HANDOVER FLAG FOR SEVEN DAYS

arminfo
2008-08-25 19:55:00

ArmInfo. On Sunday August 24, London received the Olympic flag,
signalling the start of its reign as Olympic Host City.

The British Embassy in Yerevan report that the Olympic Handover Flag
was raised on 24th August across the UK and in its Overseas Missions
from Vancouver to Tokyo in an unprecedented gesture to celebrate the
moment when London becomes the next Summer Olympic Host City.

The British Embassy in Yerevan will fly the Olympic Handover Flag
for seven days. HMA Charles Lonsdale said:

"We congratulate the Armenian team on their achievements in winning
six medals in Beijing. This has been a fantastically successful
Olympics for British sport too. We look forward to welcoming Armenian
athletes in four years time, and wish them even more success in the
London Games."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson was symbolically handed the Olympic
flag by International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge in
front of a worldwide audience estimated to be around 1.6 billion
at the closing ceremony of the Games in Beijing. Footballer David
Beckham, singer Leona Lewis and rock legend Jimmy Page led London’s
eight-minute performance during the closing ceremony.

In London, 40,000 people attended a celebration concert outside the
Queen’s residence, Buckingham Palace where giant screens beamed the
closing ceremony.

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said:
"Athens was returning to the roots, to the country that invented the
Olympic Games.

China was the most populous country in the world. London is the
capital city of the country that has invented modern sport, that has
invented the rules of the sports, and the values of fair play. It is
a cosmopolitan, multi-ethnic and multi-religious city".

London will become the first city to stage the Olympics for a third
time.

The capital staged the Games in 1908 after Rome pulled out of hosting
the Olympics following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. In 1948, London
staged what became known as the Austerity Games following World War II.