Month: December 2008

AAA: AN IRREVERSIBLE TREND HAS COMMENCED IN TURKEY

armradio.am
18.12.2008 11:20

"An irreversible trend has commenced in Turkey," said Bryan Ardouny,
Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Executive Director. "Over
12,000 people in Turkey want history to be recorded truthfully,
having already signed the internet-based petition apologizing for
what they call the ‘Great Catastrophe’ that befell the Armenians of
Ottoman Turkey in 1915. This public apology is a first step in that
direction and will inevitably lead to Turkey coming to grips with
its genocidal past."

This movement arose in response to the January 2007 assassination
of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, a strong advocate of
Turkish-Armenian reconciliation, who publicly spoke in Turkey of the
"Great Catastrophe" that Ottoman Armenians suffered in 1915, as the
Armenian Genocide. Dink was prosecuted under Article 301 of Turkey’s
Penal Code for "insulting Turkishness" by raising the issue.

As a first step on the path toward affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide, these intellectuals have asked the public in Turkey to sign
a petition stating, "My conscience does not accept the insensitivity
showed to and the denial of the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman
Armenians were subjected to in 1915. I reject this injustice and
for my share, I empathize with the feelings and pain of my Armenian
brothers and sisters. I apologize to them."

News accounts report that Turkish President Abdullah Gul has not
opposed the campaign, while Turkey’s Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip
Erdogan has stated that he will not join the group of Turkish
intellectuals who issued the apology, adding "if there is a crime,
then those who committed it can offer an apology. My nation, my
country has no such issue."

However, momentum is building and support continues to increase
dramatically. Within a few hours of the apology’s release, over 2,500
people added their signatures and made encouraging comments. Cengiz
Aktar, professor at Istanbul’s Bahcesehir University said that it is
"our aim to empathize with the grief of our Armenian brothers," calling
on all Turks to "think and talk openly about how, and why, the Armenian
people disappeared from a land they inhabited for 4,000 years."

This process was encouraged in 2003 by the International Center
for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), which concluded that "the Events
[of 1915], viewed collectively, can thus be said to include all of
the elements of the crime of genocide as defined in the Convention,
and legal scholars as well as historians, politicians, journalists
and other people would be justified in continuing to so describe them."

Noting the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice
President-elect Joseph Biden next month and Obama’s statement from
October which read, "Joe Biden and I believe that the Armenian Genocide
is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but
rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body
of historical evidence," Ardouny said, "They are both on record as
supporting Turkey’s reconciliation with its past, and affirmation
of the Armenian Genocide. Coupled with Obama’s recent selection
of Senator Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, the Obama-Biden
Administration has an opportunity to clearly affirm the Armenian
Genocide and, at the same time, help Turkey reverse its policy of
denial. It will also send a message that the U.S. will no longer
shelter Turkey from criticism if it continues to persecute leading
intellectuals by invoking Article 301 of its Penal Code."

ARMENIA’S REACTION TO PARIS DISCUSSIONS

armradio.am
18.12.2008 11:33

Session of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe (PACE) took place in Paris during which the
draft report on the implementation of PACE Resolutions 1609 and 1620
resolutions by Armenia was presented by co-rapporteurs John Prescott
and Georges Colombier.

In its draft resolution, adopted yesterday in Paris, the Monitoring
Committee welcomed the Armenian President’s creation of a fact-finding
group of experts to look into the March events as an important
step towards meeting the Assembly’s demands, but cautioned that
its credibility would depend on how it conducts its work. They also
expressed satisfaction at efforts to initiate reforms in the media,
electoral legislation and the judiciary.

However, the parliamentarians said that "notwithstanding positive
developments in some areas" the limited progress with regard to the
release of the above mentioned persons meant the Armenian delegation
should be deprived of its vote, if no further progress is reached in
this request before the January 2009 PACE plenary session.

The Assembly is due to decide on the matter on Thursday 29 January
during its forthcoming Winter plenary Session (26 – 30 January 2009).

The Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian told a short press
conference that some unfavorable suggestions on Armenia comprise part
of a working process.

"Only 15 of 80 members of the Committee where present 10 of which
voted for the voiced suggestions. The very issue on Armenia will
be put for voting at the January session of the PACE I think there
will be such developments in January that will give an opportunity
to review today’s suggestion and confirm that Armenia has implemented
most part of the 1609 and 1620 resolutions. Our position and approach
is that we must continue the process of reforms as it corresponds to
the interests of our people. This is our choice and not the advice
of anyone. Of course, we respect all those establishments which we
are member to and the commitments we have assumed.

We implement them and will continue doing it," Edward Nalbandian said.

GEORGIA’S CLAIMS TO CHURCHES IN ARMENIA
Alisa Gevorgyan

"Radiolur"
18.12.2008 14:03

The recent rally in front of the Armenian Embassy in Tbilisi and the
demand of the protesters to return a number of Georgian monasteries
to the Georgian Orthodox Church was am immediate counteraction to
calm down or stop the noise raised by the Armenian side around the
Armenian Church of Norashen.

Nevertheless, some reason was necessary for posing such a demand,
even a most subjective one, historian Alexander Kananyan says. "The
question, of course, refers to temporary authority. Those churches
have been under the jurisdiction of the Georgian Church only for a
short while, from the end of the 12 to the start of the 13th century."

Moreover, according to the historian, all priests of the churches
were Armenian, spoke Armenian, but sang Masses in Georgian because
of diplomatic principles.

According to the historian, the Tashir-Agarak Diocese the Georgian
Church established in Armenia in 2005 was a political provocation,
which creates bases for exerting pressure on the Armenian side. In
general, the Georgian Church lays claims to Khuchap, Akhtala
monastries, Hnevank and Kobayr. There are some smaller churches in
the list.

GARNIK MARGARYAN: DOMESTIC PROBLEMS SHOULD BE SOLVED INSIDE THE COUNTRY
Lena Badeyan

"Radiolur"
18.12.2008 14:58

One of the coordinators of the Armenian National Congress, leader
of the "Motherland and Honor" party Garnik Margaryan told a press
conference today that the opposition will get more active in
January-February 2009. It is connected with several reasons, both
the internal political developments and the consequences of the
financial-economic crisis.

Garnik Margaryan considers that yesterday’s discussions at the
Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe and the Assembly session expected in January re dangerous
for Armenia.

The politician stands against application of sanctions against
Armenia. He insists that domestic problems should be solved inside
the country.

CONGRESSMAN KIRK NAMED CO-CHAIR OF THE ARMENIAN CAUCUS

armradio.am
18.12.2008 15:45

Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL) was elected incoming Co-Chair of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. Congressman Kirk succeeds
Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), who will be retiring at the end of
the 110th Congress.

"After 20 years of working with the Armenian-American community
to advance U.S.-Armenia issues, I am honored and excited to serve
alongside Congressman Pallone as co-chair of the Caucus on Armenia
Issues," Kirk said. "The Caucus on Armenian Issues is well-known for
its work to strengthen the U.S.-Armenia relationship and recognize
the Armenian Genocide. I look forward to working with Congressman
Pallone and all members of the Caucus to advance the U.S.-Armenia
relationship in the 111th Congress."

First elected to the House of Representatives in 2000, Congressman
Kirk succeeded John Porter (R-IL), who served as the first Republican
Co-Chair of the Caucus. Rep. Kirk represents the 10th district of
Illinois, which is located north of Chicago, along Lake Michigan
and is home to St. George Armenian Apostolic Church. Congressman
Kirk serves on the Appropriations Committee and sits on the State,
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, responsible
for determining crucial funding to Armenia, and Financial Services.

During his tenure in Congress, Rep. Kirk has co-sponsored numerous
Armenian Genocide resolutions and made several statements in support
of reaffirmation. In addition, he has supported resolutions calling
for Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Armenia, and was a cosponsor
of H.Res.

3361, which prevented tax-payer funding of a rail bypass of Armenia.

Jim Keledjian, ARAMAC Illinois State Chair said, "We are extremely
happy to have Rep. Kirk Co-Chair the Armenian Caucus. He has been a
strong advocate of Armenian interests throughout his tenure in the
House of Representatives and even prior as staff of former Caucus
Co-chair, Rep. Porter."

"The Assembly congratulates Congressman Kirk on this new role
and extends its sincere appreciation to outgoing Caucus Co-Chair
Knollenberg," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "Nearly
90 percent of the Caucus is returning in the 111th Congress and we look
forward to working with Representative Kirk and the entire Caucus. The
Assembly’s 2009 Advocacy Conference and Banquet in Washington, DC
next March will help ensure continued success in the 111th Congress."

An Illinois native, Representative Kirk attended the Universidad
Nacional Autonoma de Mexico before graduating cum laude in History
from Cornell. He holds a Masters Degree from the London School of
Economics and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown.

EDWARD NALBANDYAN: THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE DURING TODAY’S MEETING OF THE PACE MONITORING COMMITTEE ARE UNFAVORABLE FOR ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2008-12-17 21:06:00

The recommendations made during today’s meeting of the PACE monitoring
committee are unfavorable for Armenia, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan said during a press-conference today.

He pointed out that it was part of working process. 15 of 80
delegations were present at the meeting. Of them 10 voted for the
adoption of such recommendations but the final decision will be made
during the PACE winter session in Jan 2009. The co-rapporteurs of
the committee John Prescott and Georges Colombier will visit Armenia
before the session.

Nalbandyan hopes that till Jan 2009 the situation will change. Armenia
has implemented most of PACE’s requirements, particularly,
resolutions 1609 and 1620. Nalbandyan said that the Armenian
authorities would continue the reforms – not because somebody had
told them to but because the reforms met the interests of the Armenian
people. Of course, Armenia respects the decisions of the international
organizations it is member to and respects the commitments it undertook
when entering them. "I think that we are meeting these commitments
and will continue to meet them in the future," Nalbandyan said.

The Minister did not specify what the recommendations were about and
left the room right after finishing his statement.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

POWER OF ARMENIAN DELEGATION TO PACE MAY BE SUSPENDED

ArmInfo
2008-12-17 21:19:00

ArmInfo. The power of the Armenian delegation to PACE may be
suspended. The document adopted at the Dec 17 sitting of the PACE
Monitoring Committee in Paris is direct evidence of this.

The most disputable article in the document is the 9th article
envisaging suspension of the power of the Armenian delegation to
PACE. But this article may remain on the paper if PACE Co-Rapporteurs
for Armenia John Prescott and Georges Colombier register progress
during their visit to Armenia before the winter session of PACE in
January 2009.

As the Public Television of Armenia reported, the Monitoring Committee
is mainly discontent with the so- called "case of the seven". To
recall, these persons are accused of the takeover attempt and mass
disorders. According to the co-rapporteurs, either this case should
have been stopped or these persons should be granted pardon. Before the
start of the meeting in Paris, the participants were familiarized with
the 60-page explanation of the Office of Prosecutor General of Armenia.

Meanwhile, the member of the Armenian delgeation Armen Rustamyan
said that the question was not about showing political will but about
speeding up the trial. The head of the delegation David Haroutyunyan
said that the trial was underway and one had no right to exert pressure
on it.

After the speeches of Armenian delegates, the committee decided to
send the co-rapporteurs to Armenia for examining the situation. After
the visit the report may undergo revision. In an interview to Public
Television of Armenia Georges Colombier said that Armenia had shown
significant progress in implementing resolutions 1609 and 1620 and
urged the Armenian authorities to take further steps to alleviate
tensions and to restore democracy.

LEADER OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY: ONE MORE REASON WHY THE ARMENIAN SOCIETY IS DISINTEGRATED IS THAT THE ARMENIAN OPPOSITION IS LED BY THE FIRST PRESIDENT LEVON TER-PETROSSYAN

ArmInfo
2008-12-17 13:13:00

One more reason why the Armenian society is disintegrated is that the
Armenian opposition is led by the first president of Armenia Levon
Ter-Petrossyan, the leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia Aram
Sargsyan said during a press-conference today.

Sargsyan said that, when today the entourage of Ter-Petrossyan is
complaining of repressions, he is experiencing a kind of deja vu. In
1995 and 1996 the Armenian National Movement led by Ter-Petrossyan
rigged parliamentary and presidential elections and, when the
opposition tried to protest, applied tough repressions. It was ANM
who gave start to this vicious system of terror, electoral fraud and
violence and now it has boomeranged on its own self. If the present
opposition was led by another person, the Armenian society would be
much more integrated.

The member of the ANM, ex chairman of the standing parliamentary
commission on foreign relations Hovhannes Igityan does not agree with
Sargsyan’s position.

In 1996, when the raging crowd stormed the parliament building and beat
the speaker of the parliament Babken Ararktsyan and the vice speaker
Ara Sahakyan, the authorities arrested just 6 people, including several
MPs. A few days later the MPs were set free and none of the detainees
was prosecuted. "What is going on today looks like revenge: almost
70 political prisoners are in jail just because 12 and 13 years ago
there were not very fair elections in Armenia," Igityan said.

Sargsyan said that the Mar 1 events in Yerevan happened because of
the first and the second presidents of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrossyan
and Robert Kocharyan. "All the others are just the executors of their
will. Until they are punished, there will be no unity in society,"
Sargsyan said.

As regards the Jan 2009 PACE session, Sargsyan said that, if Armenia
is deprived of the voting right, it will be a big blow for the
country. "What will we do then? Congratulate each other? We must get
together so as to jointly avoid this shame," Sargsyan said.

Igityan said that PACE’s tough assessments were enough and Armenia
must not be deprived of its voting right.

ARMENTEL AND BRITISH COUNCIL NAME WINNERS OF CONTEST OF STUDENTS’ BUSINESS PROJECTS

ArmInfo
2008-12-17 21:17:00

ArmenTel and British Council have named the winners of the contest of
students’ business projects. The winner is a group of students from
Gyumri, who have designed a micro-scheme for monitoring the health
condition of a person and measuring his temperature, blood pressure
and glucose level.

The winners have won the right to take part in the international
contest of business projects to take place in Bulgaria in Mar 2009.

To recall, two qualifying national contests were held in Yerevan and
Gyumri on November 11 and 27. A total of 180 students of secondary
special educational establishments divided into 36 teams took part
in the contests.

The best 4 teams selected by the jury, participated in the national
final.

The jury included Director General of ArmenTel Neicho Velichkov,
Armenian MP Lilit Galstyan, Head of the Secondary Special Education
Department of the Armenian Ministry of Education and Science Artak
Aghbalyan, Director of the British Council Office in Armenia Arevik
Saribekyan.

KHACH CHURCH, A 4TH CENTURY BUILDING, WILL BE FULLY HEATED USING 21ST CENTURY TOOLS OF TECHNOLOGY

ArmInfo
2008-12-17 21:14:00 St.

VivaCell-MTS, a subsidiary of Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (NYSE: MBT)
announced the completion of construction works of installing a heating
system in the building of St. Khach Church, Aragatzotn marz (region),
thanks to AMD 12 mln of social investment.

St. Khach, which is known as Kasakh basilica among local population,
is a 4th century basilica building. A shard of the Crown of Thorns
is placed on the altar.. In 2001, when the building underwent major
restoration, the church revitalized it mission of uniting people and
became a place where people could come, find guidance and belief,
and receive spiritual education. But the church temporary ceases
its activities during frozy winters of Aragatzotn marz (region). And
since the building of the church is unique, the installation of the
heating needed to be carried out in a way as to avoid damage to this
precious ancient structure.

"The Armenian Apostolic Church for centuries was carrying out
its mission of uniting the Armenian people all over the world and
preserving the Armenian identity. Being corporate citizen we must
preserve this spiritual and cultural heritage, to ensure uninterrupted
experience of future generations with the culture", – VivaCell-MTS
General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.