Month: November 2009

MOSCOW READY TO ACT AS GUARANTOR OF GARABAGH SETTLEMENT

AssA-Irada
November 4, 2009 Wednesday
Azerbaijan

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigori Karasin has said Moscow is
ready to back a solution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict that
would suit all sides involved and act as a guarantor of a settlement
if a compromise is reached. A solution of the problem that will allow
bringing back stability and tranquility in the trans-Caucasia region
will be viable, Karasin told Respublika Armenia newspaper. Such a
solution should help to maintain the historically-shaped geo-political
balance of forces in the region in the post-conflict period, without
simultaneously turning this region into a stage of international
political and military rivalry, said Karasin.

The deputy minister reminded that Russia has been actively involved
in brokering a settlement to the Garabagh conflict since peace
talks began. Currently, Russia is fulfilling these duties on a
multilateral basis, acting, along with the U.S. and France, as a
co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the main international forum for
seeking a political solution to the Garabagh settlement, Karasin said,
adding that Moscows mediating efforts are also being made through
bilateral discussions in Baku and Yerevan. He said that it is not
by mere chance that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, hosting
his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian in Moscow on October 12,
regarded Russias involvement in the process of Garabagh settlement
as a very important dimension of our relations. We see our role in
assisting the process of settling the Upper Garabagh conflict, the
sides seeking mutually acceptable upshots on key issues, but [doing so]
without imposing any external recipes on the parties to the conflict,
Karasin said, adding that the brunt of responsibility for making
a final choice rests with Azeris and Armenians proper. According
to Karasin, the parties have achieved certain progress in agreeing
upon the basic principles of the conflict settlement, and Moscow is
ready to continue doing everything in its power to move this process
forward. Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended
with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues
to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in
defiance of international law. Peace talks have not yet resulted
in resolving the conflict. Touching upon Turkey-Armenia relations,
the Russian deputy minister said no aspect of the recently-reached
bilateral agreement could be interpreted as hurting the interests of
a third party. He noted that Ankara and Yerevans signing protocols
on mending ties last month indicates the two countries decisiveness
to establish good neighborliness ties. Karasin added that Moscow was
ready to support the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement by implementing
economic projects in the future, in particular, those in the energy
and transport sectors. Turkey, Azerbaijans ally, and Armenia signed
protocols to establish diplomatic relations and reopen their borders
in Zurich on October 10, after decades of hostility. The move has
raised concerns in Azerbaijan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

"ORANGE ARMENIA" MOBILE COMMUNICATION COMPANY ANNOUNCED TODAY THE LAUNCH OF ITS ACTIVITY IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
Nov 4, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS: "Orange Armenia" mobile communication
company announced today the launch of its activity in Armenia. About
500 towns and villages of Armenia are involved in the network of
services of "Orange", will make use of its mobile phone communication,
2G, 3G and 3G+ services. From Thirteen shops of "Orange", 3000
sale-points and 30 shops of franchising companies will open and
function from today.

Seventy thousand numbers have been registered via web site of the
company and may be activated from the next week in a month period.

Director of the Armenian company of "Orange" Bruno Dutua said today
at a press conference that Armenia becomes the 31st country in the
family of "Orange". The 300 new jobs created in Armenia add to the
183,000 jobs created by the company in the whole world. "Orange
Armenia" company has made 100 million euros’ investment in the
country and according to the director each investment is directed
toward establishment of a value not only for investor but for the
country where it will operate.

"We are becoming new role-maker in Armenia with our values, created
jobs. We are aimed at transiting the telecommunication market and
becoming the most preferred operator and brand. Armenia and France
are united by special relations. With our entrance we will also serve
to the big Armenian community of France," the director said.

The top five main principles of the activity of "Orange" in Armenia
he considered the ensuring of extra-quick Internet, suggestion of
innovative products and services, best tariffs, providing very good
services and apply of extra-quick mobile internet.

The company considers "Beeline" and "VivaCell" as serious competitors
and respects their work. Bruno Dutua also expressed gratitude to the
Armenian authorities for support.

The marketing director of the company Aram Lazarian presented the
services of "Orange Armenia".

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN CONDUCTED CONSULTATION OVER ISSUES ON SEVAN LAKE

ARMENPRESS
Nov 5, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
was today in the Armenian province of Gegharkunik on a working visit.

The first stop of the president was in "Sevan" national park where
he got acquainted with the activity of the park, then conducted
consultation with the participation of the members of the commission
dealing with the issues of Lake Sevan. Vice prime minister, Territorial
Administration Minister Armen Gevorgyan, Transport and Communication
Minister Gurgen Sargsyan also participated in the consultation.

Presidential press service told Armenpress that Nature Protection
Minister Arman Harutyunyan and chairman of the commission dealing with
the issues of Lake Sevan Vladimir Movsisyan presented the works and
results of studies made in the "Sevan" national park. The participants
discussed the works which must be carried out in parallel with the
increase of the level of the lake.

Highlighting the issue of the increase of the level of Lake Sevan
the president pointed out that a great attention must be paid to the
purity of the water so that bogs will not created.

The president assigned that the voiced suggestions be sent to
the government so that working programs be approved. "But these
programs must be realistic, must be agreed with all the ministries
and correspond to our gradual opportunities," the leader of the
country said.

Afterwards Serzh Sargsyan visited the sector of Sevan-Martuni-Getap
highway which is being reconstructed. The works started from May 2009
and will be finished in 2010.

In the village of Litchk, the president visited the newly-built private
"B-B-G" medical center. In Tsovasar village the president visited newly
built ambulatory built with the order of the Armenian Health Ministry.

DEADLINE OF ACCEPTING THE DOCUMENTS FOR PARTICIPATING IN DIPLOMATIC SCHOOL’S CLASS PROLONGED TILL NOVEMBER 16

ARMENPRESS
Nov 5, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS: Taking into consideration the big
number of applications submitted for participation in the Armenian
Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic School’s "International Relations
and Diplomacy" class, the ministry decided to prolong the deadline
of accepting the documents till November 16, Media and Information
Department of the Foreign Ministry reported.

1909 ADANA MASSACRES REMEMBERED: SOMBER REFLECTIONS ON PAIN, SUFFERING AND LOSS
By Nora Vosbigian

AZG DAILY
06-11-2009

Diaspora

A centennial commemoration of the Adana massacres was held at Glendale
Public Library on 11 October 2009. It was a somber and moving event
that held a full house audience for three hours. Present were many
descendants of Armenians from Adana, as well as intellectuals and
academics. The event was sponsored by Abril Books, Gomidas Institute
and Glendale Public Library. The master of ceremonies was Arno
Yeretzian.

Garo Moumjian and Ara Sarafian were the main speakers. The audience
included other academics, such as Drs. J. Michael Hagopian, Kay
Muradian, and Richard Hovannisian and Levon Marashlian.

Both of the main speakers spoke about the horrors of 1909 and the
culpability of Ottoman authorities in the killings. The number of
Armenian victims was estimated between 20,000-40,000 people, as well
as the huge loss of property that was either looted or burnt down.

Garo Moumjian’s talk included some details of a recent conference
he attended in Ankara on the Adana 1909 events. It was organised by
the Turkish Historical Society. In his talk Moumjian discussed the
untenable position of Turkish official historiography denying the
facts of the 1909 massacres. According to Moumjian, official Turkish
historians are weak in their assessment of basic sources related
to the 1909 events. They still blame Armenians for the outbreak
of the massacres. According to Moumjian, the Turkish position will
have to change. Moumjian captivated his audience with his powerful
presentation.

Ara Sarafian discussed the nature of Armenian sources on the
1909 events, with a synopsis and readings from the recent abridged
translation of Hagop Terzian’s "Giligio Aghedu" (under the new title
"Cilicia 1909: the Massacre of Armenians"). Sarafian gave chilling
excerpts for eyewitness accounts. He also mentioned the significance
of the Adana events in evaluating Turkish historiography: these
massacres took place in peacetime, in the full gaze of the world. The
British, French, Germans, Americans, Greeks and other states had full
diplomatic ties to the Ottoman Empire, as well as representatives
in Adana. Sarafian stressed the significance of western archives on
these events, as well as Armenian records.

"I am an advocate of collecting and publishing such records as a
matter of course. The work involved is modest, but the benefits are
huge. By publishing such information, we can make sure discussions
remain focused on real issues." (Sarafian has published such materials
on the Armenian Genocide).

Sarafian also discussed the Adana 1909 conference in Istanbul on
November 6-7. The Istanbul event is organised by the International
Hrand Dink Foundation, the Gomidas Institute and Bilgi, Sabanji and
Bogazici Universities. Sarafian stressed that such meetings in Turkey
are fruitful, especially as there are some very good Turkish scholars
working on Armenian issues. It is important to make a distinction
between these scholars, and those who simply follow the official
Turkish theses on Armenian issues.

Father Barrett Yeretzian gave a sensitive memorial prayer and blessed
the memory of those killed in the massacres.

The commemoration featured a powerful multimedia presentation based on
the works of Siamanto and Zabel Yesayan, with video, theater, poetry,
and music. Members of the Element Band performed an amazing rendition
of the famous Adana song, "Godoradz Angoum". The event finished
with the release of Hagop Terzian’s "Cilicia 1909: the Massacre of
Armenians" (Gomidas Institute, 2009) and the opening of a special
month-long photographic exhibition on Adana 1909 from the Ernst Jackh
collection, Columbia University Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Abril Books, Gomidas Institute and Glendale Public Library should be
congratulated for such a powerful educational commemorative event.

For more information, please contact [email protected]

DAYS OF ARMENIAN CULTURE "GERMANY AND THE ARMENIANS" TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 6 – 27 IN COLOGNE

AZG DAILY
06-11-2009

Culture

Days of Armenian Culture "Germany and the Armenians" will be held
November 6 – 27 in Cologne (Germany) "Germany and the Armenians"
the sixth year, PanArmenian.net reported.

This year Days of Armenian Culture will be timed to 140th anniversary
of Komitas. The leader of the Armenian Church in Germany Garegin
Begjanian will take part in the opening ceremony, the Komitas Choir
will perform.

Dogan Akanli, writer from Cologne will read a report on the events of
1915 and 1945 telling about parallels between the Armenian Genocide
and the Holocaust. Days of Armenian Culture will be finalized with a
literary evening, during which a new book about the Armenian writer
Charents will be presented.

40 000 Armenians now live in Germany. The largest Armenian community
is located in, the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church is located
in Cologne as well.

ARMENIA, NATO DEVELOPING COOPERATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.11.2009 11:50 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia-NATO cooperation is successfully developing.

New events in the framework of the Individual Partnership Action Plan,
said Robert Simmons, NATO special representative for Caucasus and
Central Asia.

"We are continuing cooperation with the Armenian Defense Ministry.

NATO assists implementation of reforms and development of strategically
important documents," he told a news conference in Yerevan.

Mr. Simmons said the Alliance is thankful to Armenia for participation
in peacekeeping missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan.

He also informed that NATO is negotiating establishment of anti-crisis
reaction center with the RA Ministry of Emergency Situations.

OSCE MG ARRIVED IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.11.2009 11:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ November 6, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian met with OSCE MG co-chairs on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard Fassier (France) and Robert Bradtke
(U.S.) arrived in Yerevan on a regional visit.

The meeting was also attended by a personal representative of OSCE,
Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk.

The meeting discussed the negotiation process over the Nagorno Karabakh
problem settlement.

The mediators presented the RA FM with the outcome of meetings in Baku,
press service of the RA Foreign Ministry reports.

"ITALY-ARMENIA" FRIENDSHIP GROUP ESTABLISHED IN ITALIAN PARLIAMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.11.2009 12:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Ambassador to Italy Ruben Karapetyan met
with the members of the new "Italy – Armenia" parliamentary friendship
group. A group of friends of Armenia in the Italian parliament is
expanding and now it has 22 MPs.

Ambassador Ruben Karapetyan proposed to strengthen inter-parliamentary
ties, and invited the Italian parliamentarians to visit Armenia to
discuss issues related to the further expansion of cooperation.

According to the Italian MPs, Armenia is a friend of Italy, and
they are ready to strengthen and develop friendship between Armenia
and Italy.

During the meeting an agreement was reached to organize exhibitions
on history, culture and politics at the Italian Parliament, press
service of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia reports.

NATO TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ARMENIA ON ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN BORDER

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.11.2009 12:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ NATO is actively cooperating with the Armenian
National Security Service in ensuring border security, the special
representative of NATO Secretary General in Caucasus and Central Asia
Robert Simmons told a press conference in Yerevan today.

The Armenian leadership turned to the Alliance to provide technical
assistance at the Armenian-Georgian border. "It is about providing
only technical assistance to Armenia, which will help the country
fight against smuggling and terror. NATO offers such support to many
countries," a senior NATO official said.