Month: December 2008

ARMENIANS DISPLAY AMAZING NAIVETY BY CHERISHING HOPES ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION BY WASHINGTON
Karine Ter-Sahakyan

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.12.2008 GMT+04:00

Seemingly today’s Turkey isn’t going to repeat the massacre but there
exists Azerbaijan which has become the worthy successor of the Ottoman
Empire in the Armenian issue.

A group of Turkish intellectuals recently sent a petition letter
to Armenians, apologizing publicly for the Armenian Genocide in
the Ottoman Turkey in 1915. The fact itself is already unique
if taking into account Article 301 of Turkish Penal Code, which
"promises" to arrest those who will openly discuss the Armenian
Genocide. Nevertheless, professors BaskÑ~Mn Oran and Ahmet Эnsel,
journalists Ali BayramoÑ~@lu and Cengiz Aktar personally apologized
for the "great disaster Ottoman Armenians suffered in 1915".

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to Today’s Zaman, the intellectuals’ group
is calling on other people to sign the petition posted online, which
reads as follows: "I cannot conscientiously accept the indifference
to the great disaster that Ottoman Armenians suffered in 1915,
and its denial. I reject this injustice and, acting of my own will,
I share the feelings and pains of my Armenian brothers and sisters,
and I apologize to them."

"We are apologizing for not being able to discuss the "Great Calamity"
that the Armenian nation suffered in 1915, for not talking about
it openly for such a long time, nearly one hundred years," said
Turkish journalist Cengiz Aktar. Meanwhile, Turkish nationalists
and historians demand that the people "supporting Armenian claims of
Genocide be arrested."

In unison with this statement Armenian intellectuals sent an open
letter to Turkish President Abdullah Gul, suggesting once again
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The letter particularly states
that the issue baffled the collective awareness of the Armenian and
Turkish nations, and caused actions irrespective of various demands
of everyday policy.

"We all should accept that the Ottoman Empire is guilty of the massacre
of the Armenian people, and modern-day Turkey bears "hereditary
responsibility" for what they consider a "monumental crime against
humanity". Present-day Turkish diplomacy and propaganda machine
can’t cover this dark page of history. The historic memory of our
nations is deep and restless. Your generation of Turkish leaders must
accept the undeniable truth and recognize the fact of the Armenian
Genocide. Recognition of this indisputable fact is first of all
essential for the Turkish people. Relieving this burden of history,
they can turn this dark page and launch a sincere dialogue for true
reconciliation," Armenian intellectuals said in the letter.

Such addresses are, of course, necessary but they are made for
no political or time-serving reason; they are dictated by human
heart. However, the mournful experience should have long sobered up
that part of Armenian nation, who still, despite of the Genocide and
the Nagorno Karabakh war, consider that petitions or pleas are capable
of solving a problem. The European diplomats, who were witnesses
of massacre in 1915-1916, acted exactly the same way. They wrote
to Berlin, London, Washington and St. Petersburg, but it produced
no results. They proved to be unable to change anything, and there
miraculously remained only several hundred thousand Armenians in the
world. And though, most likely, today’s Turkey isn’t going to repeat
the massacre, there exists Azerbaijan which has become the worthy
successor of the Ottoman Empire in the Armenian issue. At least,
anti-Armenian articles in the Azeri press are much more than they are
in Turkish papers. And it suggests much. Moreover, Baku has begun
to speak of Turkey’s possible Â"betrayalÂ" against her brother and
her probable normalization of relations with Armenia, which in Azeri
politicians’ opinion goes against the strategic goals of Official Baku.

It is evident that present-day Turkey will never voluntarily recognize
the Armenian Genocide. It is also difficult to say what or who can
make her do it. Seemingly, the European Union would be unable to do
it, as to all appearances Erdogan’s Government is no more eager to
enter into the EU. It would be at least naive to stake on the Islamic
countries too. As for Russia, it would never press on Turkey in such
a complicated issue, since it is now essential for Russia to move
Turkey away from the USA and attract her to her side.

Not at all belittling the work done by the Office of Â"Hay DatÂ"
towards the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
we nevertheless consider that Armenians are amazingly naive in this
issue, especially towards the new US Administration. In case Barack
Obama officially recognizes the Armenian Genocide, he will have to
deal not with Turkey herself, but with the Jewish and Turkish lobby
that will immediately make it clear for the President that he hurried
with his decision. Thus, "Hay Dat" Office Director Kiro Manoyan’s
statement saying that "Recognition by the new U.S. Administration
seems quite possible now" is a bit premature.

–Boundary_(ID_mFHXssPraYAEbwpcpHDCWQ) —

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AN INTERNATIONAL THEATRICAL FESTIVAL OF CIS COUNTRIES TO BE HELD IN MOSCOW

ARMENPRESS
Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: An international theatrical festival
of CIS countries will be held in Moscow in spring, 2009, which will
be organized in collaboration with "Golden Mask" national theatrical
festival and the International fund of humanitarian cooperation of
CIS countries.

The national theatrical "Golden Mask" award has been set up by the
union of Russian theatrical figures as a professional award for the
best works in all the types of theatrical art.

The festival is inclined to become a serious representative theatrical
conference combining the most significant, bright and interesting
performances and stage lovers. It also aims to expand the geography of
theatrical performances of CIS countries and to develop the creative
and professional relations between theatrical groups and theatrical
figures.

An official from Armenian Culture Ministry told Armenpress that for
the selection of the presented performances an expert council of
Russian leading theatrical critics has been established.

The selection will be made as a result of 2006-2008 records of works
and watching held at the place. Theatres of all the CIS countries
may take part in the festival.

MOBILE INTERNET CENTER OPENS IN NATIONAL CENTER OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

ARMENPRESS
Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: Newly created mobile internet center
opened today in the National Center of Educational Technology. Armenian
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, Education and Science Minister Spartak
Seyranian, head of the World Bank "Education Quality and Relevance
Program" Juan Manuel Moreno were present at the event.

The mobile center has a classroom with computers connected to
Internet. It is intended for 6 pupils and one teacher. Director of
National Center of Educational Technology Areg Grigorian said that
the mobile center will give an opportunity to organize classes on
"Informatics" in Armenia’s remote areas which do not have enough
computers and are not connected to Internet. Training classes for
teachers on computer skills, Internet and electronic post are also
expected to be carried out.

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan congratulated on the establishment of
the center and expressed hope that it will serve for its purpose and
pupils and teachers in provinces will get necessary knowledge.

Education and Science Minister S. Seyranian noted that the mobile
center will serve to its purpose but the wish is that the day comes
when Internet and computer be available in the most remote villages.

The experimental operation of the center will kick off in two days in
Anipemza village of Shirak province. Next year the center is expected
to visit schools of remote areas.

THE FINAL ROUND OF "ARMROBOTICS" PAN ARMENIAN YOUTH COMPETITION – THE "OPEN CONTEST OF ARMENIAN ROBOTS" TO BE HELD DECEMBER 15

ARMENPRESS
Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: The final round of "ArmRobotics"
pan Armenian youth contest – "The open tournament of Armenian robots"
will be held December 15.

Program manager Mariam Nahapetian told Armenpress that robots of 15
teams are already ready for the contest: each robot must pass the
intended short way with minimal mistakes.

Four 4 young people are included in each team. They started the works
of robot construction from August 10, necessary equipments and means
have been provided with which robots have been constructed based on
their projects.

Members of the contest commission regularly followed the process of
works. 300,000 drams is intended for the first place, 200,000 – for
the second and 100,000 drams – for the third place. The five winning
teams will leave for Artsakh to compete with the local teams.

The contest is held with the initiative of "The union of IT
Enterprises". The contest aims at combining the young scientists
of Armenia and Artsakh, involving the scientific potential and
developing team way of thinking and working abilities among the youth
and promoting the entry of new technologies to Armenian scientific and
industrial centers. The final results will be summed up December 16.

A. BAGHDASARIAN SAYS THE DECISIONS OF SECRETARIES GENERAL OF CSTO SECURITY COUNCILS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE ORGANIZATION

ARMENPRESS
Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: The session of secretaries general
of security councils of member countries of CSTO took place today in
Gegharkunik province with the participation of Arthur Baghdasarian
(Armenia), Nikolay Patrushev (Russia), Yuri Zhadorin (Belarus), Nurlan
Abdirov (Kazakhstan), Amirkul Azimov (Tajikistan), Adahan Madumorov
(Kyrgyzstan) and Shukurlo Muhammadkulov (Uzbekistan).

After the session A. Baghdasarian told journalists that the session
passed efficiently, during which a number of decisions have been made
due to which the CSTO will continue to develop efficiently.

"The made decisions will contribute to the further consolidation of
the organization", – he said.

A joint center is planned to be established for fighting against
international terrorism, money-laundering, illegal migration,
trafficking, illegal circulation of drugs and other challenges
threatening to the member countries of the organization, where
corresponding anti-corruption forces will be trained.

According to N. Patrushev, during the session the organization has made
a decision to support the initiative of Russia to sign a new European
security agreement, which will give an opportunity to establish a
joint system of Euro Atlantic collective security.

"All the CSTO member countries greet the Russian-French initiative
of conduction of a pan European summit in OSCE territory with the
participation of CIS, CSTO and NATO to discuss the future security
system with equal participation of all Euro Atlantic countries and
international organizations", N. Patrushev stated.

According to A. Madumorov, everything possible has been done to
involve the CSTO youth in the works of the organization to promote
cooperation between them. An international youth center is planned
to be established in Kyrgyzstan, and gathering here each year the
young men of the mentioned countries will cooperate.

"Who knows, maybe the future presidents and heads will be among these
young men", he noted.

In response to the question of a journalist CSTO Secretary General
Nikolay Bordyuzha said that no issue of expansion of the organization
has been discussed. There is no application of joining the CSTO
at present.

"In spite of this the organization cooperates with numerous countries
including the other CIS member states".

"After the August events there is a necessity to consolidate the
organization even more and to solve all the issues we face", CSTO
Secretary General said.

A. Baghdasarian also added that the issue of joint position in the
international organizations has been discussed.

"Active negotiations have already started between CSTO member
countries. Today we clearly defended Russia’s initiative, which is
important for the joint position. We must also always conduct thought
exchange on issues we are concerned with. Today’s issues and made
decisions are a good basis for future development and strengthening
of CSTO. There are definite programs the presidents of our countries
have also greeted", A. Baghdasarian said.

Next year the CSTO chairmanship will pass from Armenia to Belarus.

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA STARTS HIS VISIT TO BULGARIA

ARMENPRESS
Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
started his official two-day visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of
President Georgi Purvanov on Wednesday. This is the third visit of
the Armenian state leader since 1995.

The Armenian President was welcomed in St Alexander Nevsky Square. The
two Heads of State reviewed the guard of honor and Sargsyan laid a
wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier. After the ceremony,
the two Presidents started a one-to-one meeting, and the official
delegations are holding plenary talks. The two presidents will attend
the signing of four agreements and a stamp cancellation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CATHOLICOS GAREGIN II TO ATTEND THE FUNERAL OF PATRIARCH ALEXY II

AZG Armenian Daily
10/12/2008

Armenia-Russia

Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II left for Moscow to attend the
funeral of Patriarch of All Russia Alexy II.

According to the press office of the Holy See, the Primate of the
Armenian diocese in Ukraine Archbishop Gregory Buniatian, Primate of
Artsakh diocese Archbishop Pargev Martirosian, the Holy See head of
inter-ecclesiastical relations department Archbishop Eznik Petrosian,
Primate of the Armenian diocese in New Nakhijevan and Russia Bishop
Ezras Nersisian, Primate of the Armenian diocese in the South
Russia Bishop Movses Movsisian and Monk Hovnan Hakobian accompany
the Catholicos.

"SYSTEM OF A DOWN" TO REPRESENT ARMENIA

AZG Armenian Daily
10/12/2008

Culture

The soloist of the well-known rock band "System of a down" Serj
Tangian announced that the rock band intends to represent Armenia
at Eurovision song contest 2009 on condition that the lyrics of his
song mention the Armenian Genocide. He said that the Eurovision is
a good opportunity to inform the world about the Armenian Genocide,
the French-Armenian independent journalist Jean Eckian reported.

Besides fighting against the denial of the Armenian Genocide, the
band’s repertoire embraces also some other urgent themes – drug abuse,
wars, religion, etc.

According to Eckian, similar songs generally have a success at
the Eurovision song contest; for example, the song of the Greek
singer "Panaki mu" in 1976 about the Cyprus war, the song of Bosnia
Hertsogovina in 1993 about the war in that region, or Great Britain’s
song "Just a little bit" that was a hidden message about the genocide.

WHY JHANGIRYAN WASN’T IN COURT?

A1+
[04:23 pm] 10 December, 2008

The court sitting on the case of ex Deputy Prosecutor General
Gagik Jhangiryan was adjourned today. Though the sides were in the
courtroom at the fixed time, Jhangiryan was seen nowhere. Advocate
Lusine Sahakyan didn’t know why her client wasn’t brought to court.

Spokesman of the Penitentiary Department of the Ministry of Justice
Arsen Babayan says they are unaware of Jhangiryan’s non-delivery. He
says that the police escort didn’t fetch Jhangiryan from the isolation
ward.

The next sitting is due at 1:00 December 15.

WILL THEY MAKE LAWS A REALITY?

A1+
[02:56 pm] 10 December, 2008

The Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Hovik Abrahamyan, issued a
congratulatory message on Human Rights Day. The message states:

"In 1948 the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and ever since 1950 December 10th has been celebrated
as Human Rights Days.

Both the world and people have changed over the past 60 years,
however, the human rights and freedoms formed in the times of Greek
philosophers, have mostly stayed unchanged. The notion formed in
France 219 years ago, in 1789, has acquired a new and more complete
meaning today, preserving the most essential, the idea that from the
very birth people are bestowed with basic rights, which should be
guaranteed by the state.

After gaining independence the Constitution of the Republic of
Armenia also consolidated the human rights and freedoms. After the
constitutional reforms the Institute of the Human Rights Defender was
established in Armenia, and in a short while the National Assembly
appointed a Human Rights Defender whose supreme duty is to defend
human rights and freedoms in Armenia.

After the constitutional reforms the Standing Committee on Defense
of Human Rights and Public Issues was established at the National
Assembly, having the task to provide support and information to
the citizens in the sphere of defense of human and citizens’ rights
and freedoms.

Offering my congratulations on Human Rights Day, I want to ensure
that the laws and agreements targeted at the defense of human rights
and freedoms will remain in the focus of attention of the National
Assembly. Special attention will be paid to their accomplishment,
since no matter how ideal the laws are, it’s possible to improve the
life with correct implementation of laws."