ARMENIA SUPPORTS UPPER LARS CHECK-POINT OPENING
PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 19:33 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s position on Upper Lars check-point opening
is well known, which we’ve repeatedly stated, RA MFA press secretary
Tigran Balayan noted, commenting on Russia’s and Georgia’s statements
regarding transportation restoring through Upper Lars check-point.
According to him, Armenia supports the initiative.
PRESS RELEASE
Gomidas Institute
42 Blythe Rd
London W14 0HA
Contact: Roland Mnatsakanyan
Email: [email protected]
Adana 1909 Focus of International Workshop in Istanbul
Gomidas Institute is proud to announce that it is co-sponsoring a
special workshop in Istanbul on "Adana 1909: History, Memory and
Identity from a Hundred Year Perspective." The workshop will take place
on Nov 6-7 on the premises of Sabanci University with participants from
Europe and North America. The other co-sponsors are Sabanci University,
Istanbul Bilgi University History Department, the International Hrant
Dink Foundation, and Bogazici University History Department.
"The Gomidas Institute originally organised such a meeting in London.
However, the London event was rescheduled for Istanbul, when Turkish
colleagues expressed interest in hosting a bigger meeting in Turkey,"
said Ara Sarafian, director of the Gomidas Institute. "In order to
attract new scholars, especially from Turkey, a fresh call for papers
was made in May 2009–in English, Turkish and Armenian languages. We had
a good response. The workshop now has some excellent presentations,
including papers by scholars using original Ottoman archival records."
Most of the papers have already been distributed amongst the
participants to promote fruitful discussion at the workshop. This
meeting also promises to promote lasting bridges amongst scholars of
different backgrounds who are interested in Ottoman history.
Earlier this month, Gomidas Institute co-sponsored a special multi-media
event, "Remembering Adana," in Glendale, California with a special
month-long photographic exhibition (from Colulmbia University Rare Book
and Manuscript Library) at Glendale Public Library. For more information
Armenia Solidarity/Nor Serount Cultural Association
PRESS RELEASE
c/o The Temple of Peace, Cathays Park, Cardiff
[email protected]
Tel: 07718982732
Proof of UK government deception on the Armenian Genocide over ten
years
Irrefutable evidence was given today at the launch of a Legal Opinion on
the Armenian Genocide in London of FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office)
deception on the Genocide extending over ten years. The Opinion was
comissioned by a small group of independent Armenians from Wales and
England called the Legal Initiative Group and produced by Geoffry
Robinson QC of Doughty Street Chambers. Mr Robinson served as first
President of a UN War Crimes Court and was appointed in 2008 by the UN
Secretary General, as one of the three distinguished jurist members of
the UN Justice Council.
The conclusions of the document are that the treatment of Armenians
in 1915 answers to the description of genocide,under the Law on
Genocide, (as described in the UN Genocide convention),
The catalogue of deceit was unveiled as Mr Robinson explained that
under the Freedom of Information Act, hitherto secret briefing documents
were made available. These were produced by the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office, and read out usually verbatim by Ministers when answering
questions on the Genocide in the House of Lords and the House of Commons
since 1999.
The evidence of these documents are damning for the government. Many
times ministers repeated the mantra that
"Neither this government nor previous governments have judged that the
evidence is sufficiently unequivocal to persuade us that these events
should be considered as genocide.."( the last time by Lord Malloch-Brown
in response to a question by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff in the House of
Lords at the request of Armenia Solidarity in February 2008 ,following
the desecration of the Genocide Monument in Cardiff on Holocaust Day
2008).
. When asked to state what was this "evidence which was not
sufficierntly unequivocal" the government failed to provide any,
conforming previous accusations which Armenia Solidarity made on the
12th May 2007:
"The Rt Hon. Geoff Hoon minister for Europe is also isolated when he
says that historians are divided on the issue, and when he implies that
the government has consulted historians. It is known that no genocide
experts (historians or otherwise) have ever been consulted by this or
past UK governments.Mr Hoon would be hard put to find any neutral
historian in the UK who agrees with his statement that the evidence for
the Armenian Genocide is "not sufficiently unequivocal" "Letter to the
Morning Star and sent to all Labour MPs.-(full text below)
Within four weeks the FCO policy had changed and references to
historians being divided on the issue were discarded
Successive ministers have parroted the FCO briefing documents
without question, deliberately misleading Parliament. Those implicated
are Baroness Ramsay (now Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord
Triesman, Geoff Hoon, and others.(Douglas Alexander,Dennis Macshane,
though not quoted in the Opinion).Though not mentioned, The Rt Hon Jack
Straw MP was Foreign Secretary for much of this time, and responsible as
Head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Jim Murphy is the only Europe Minister who made attempts to question
the official line. Following his request to meet us in 2007(through the
active and helpful MP Andrew George), we reiterated the point on
historians not being divided on the issue to him at the FCO on the 16th
October 2007. He subsequently asked the FCO Officials to provide the
evidence. The result was that in an amateurish way the officials looked
for the names of three historians on each side of the arguament, with no
mention of the conclusions of the International Association of
Genocide Scholars and the international enquiry by the UN ‘s Economic
and Social Council conducted by its special Raporteur on Genocide, Ben
Wittacker(a British barrister and former MP) The denialist historians
which they quoted included one obscure professor from an obscure
American University and aother Professor who had been shown to have
benifited from Turkish government finance. The third, Bernard Lewis
probably came to their attention wafter he was prosecuted for Genocide
Denial in Switzerland
These documents show that fear of antagonising Turkey was the main
concern of the government, with quotes such as " Turkey is neuralgic"(ie
mentallly unstable) about the Genoccide issue. They also admit in
diplomatic language that they have been disonest: "Her Majesty’s
Government is open to criticism in terms of the ethical dimension. But
given the importance of our relations … with Turkey, the current line
is the only feasable option"
The conclusion of the report states that the advice provided by the
FCO to the UK government, and reproduced by ministers in parliament when
answering questions,reflects neither the Law of Genocide nor the
demonstrable facts of the massacres in 1915-16, and has been calculated
to mislead parliament into believing that there has been an assessment
and an excercise of judgment on that evidence.
" HMG’s real and only policy has been to evade truthful answers to
questions about the Armenian Genocide, because the truth would
discomfort thje Turkish government"…. " Times change, … but the
universal crimes of genocide and torture have no statue oif limitations.
Judge Balthazar Garzon, in opening his investigation of the crimes of
the Franco era, declared that the perpetrators should have no posthumous
impunity.:the same may be said of the authors of the Armenian Genocide."
Copies of the Legal Opinion are available from Doughty Street Chambers
[email protected]
————- ————————————————– –
Letter to the Morning Star in May 2007
7 Nant Ffynnon,
Nant Peris
Gwynedd
LL55 4UG
12-05-07
[email protected]
Dear Comrades,
The election of a new Labour leader gives a new opportunity to
finally steer the government towards an ethical foreign policy.One of
the key elements in this should be the end of the government’s
continued denial of the Genocide of the Armenians(in which they persist
for fear of offending Turkey).
Britain is completely isolated in Europe on this issue. In every
other country where the issue has been raised, parliaments have passed
motions recognising the truth of this apalling crime against humanity
and civilization(actually these were the words of Britain’s government
in 1915).
The Rt Hon. Geoff Hoon minister for Europe is also isolated when he
says that historians are divided on the issue, and when he implies that
the government has consulted historians. It is known that no genocide
experts (historians or otherwise) have ever been consulted by this or
past UK governments.Mr Hoon would be hard put to find any neutral
historian in the UK who agrees with his statement that the evidence for
the Armenian Genocide is "not sufficiently unequivocal"
Both Lloyd George and Winston Churchill called what happened to the
Armenians as a "holocaust" and "holocausts" respectively. The
International Association of Genocide Scholars have issued a statement
recognising the truth of the genocide.
I urge Labour Members to consider this ethical issue when electing a
new leader. Of the prospective candidates for leadership, only John
Macdonnell has voiced his support for Armenian genocide recognition. The
silence of the other two,Messrs Brown and Meacher, speaks volumes on
what we could expect.. In Mr Brown’s case,as a qualified
historian,continuing the government’s denial of the Armenian Genocide
may leave him open to contempt and ridicule.
We hope that John Macdonnell will this week be given the
opportunity to challange for the leadership
yours sincerely,
Eilian Williams (for Armenia Solidarity)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Assembly of America
Western Regional Office:
50 North La Cienega Boulevard, Suite 202
Beverly Hills, California 90211
Tel: (310) 360-0091
Fax: (310) 360-0094
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Assembly Holds Youth Roundtable Discussion on Armenia-Turkey Protocols
Armenian-American Youth Voice Support for Normalization of Relations
Washington, DC – Last week, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly),
in collaboration with the Armenian American Action Committee of
Washington, DC, (ARAMAC-DC) organized "Protocols & Progress: A Youth
Roundtable Discussion on Armenia-Turkey Relations." The discussion took
place in the main hall of the future home of the Armenian Genocide
Museum of America in downtown Washington, DC. Over 25 members of the
community were in attendance, mostly from local student and youth
groups.
Six discussants from universities and community groups provided a youth
perspective on the Armenia-Turkey protocols. The signing of the
protocols on October 10, 2009 in Zurich, Switzerland came upon the heels
of Armenian President Serge Sargsyan’s meeting with Diaspora
communities, in which major Armenian-American organizations
participated.
Throughout the discussion many important issues were raised, touching
upon such topics as broader Armenia-Turkey relations and the opening of
the border, the Armenian community’s response and the importance of
dialogue, diplomacy and the Diaspora moving forward.
Reflecting on the Armenian community reaction and the economic
implications of lifting the Turkish blockade, Levon Bagramian stated,
"the outrage that has been displayed by the Diaspora in response to the
Armenian Government’s recent attempts at rapprochement with Turkey is
understandable, but ultimately misguided. Armenia needs to have a more
reliable trading partner than she currently has, Armenia needs less
reliance on "all things Russian", and Armenia needs to put a wedge
between Turkey and Azerbaijan – normal relations with Turkey will get us
closer to these goals than the status quo. One sure hopes that the
Diaspora will continue its renewed interest and sense of entitlement
towards Armenia, and speak out when she often veers off of her path
towards democracy and rule of law."
Commenting on the topic of dialogue, diplomacy and the Diaspora, Haik
Gugarats stated, "even if we are not comfortable with one or another
point in the protocols, it is important to keep in mind how rare is this
window of opportunity that made the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement
possible. All the major players in the region, Russia, the European
Union, and the United States are involved in and support this process.
Armenia was right to take advantage of this, and must engage these
countries fully to make sure this process is complete in the next 6
months or so."
While there was debate over the differing interpretations of the
protocol language, the general consensus from the discussion revealed a
positive sentiment from Armenian-American youth on the process of
normalizing relations between Armenia and Turkey without preconditions
and within a reasonable time frame.
Panel discussants included: Aram Baghdjian, George Washington University
Armenian Student Network; Levon Bagramian, founder and coordinator of
Advocates for Armenia; Nick Bazarian, ARAMAC State Chair for Northern
Virginia and intern alumnus; Vahan Callan, ANCA capital gateway alumnus;
Haik Gugarats, former public relations officer at U.S. Embassy in
Yerevan and Armenian Embassy in DC; and Saro Kalayjian, Diocesan
Delegate for St. Mary’s Armenian Church.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
OSCE Office Supports Discussion on Environmental Governance
TSAKHKADZOR, Armenia, 4 November 2009 -Armenian officials and
representatives of non-governmental organizations began a two-day
seminar in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia, today on environmental governance
challenges at the municipal level.
The event was organized by the Fridtjof Nansen Institute of Norway
with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, and in co-operation
with the Ministries of Nature Protection and Territorial
Administration of Armenia.
"Effective environmental protection includes transparent and
accountable management at all levels. Joint efforts by the authorities
and the public will help secure environmental rights locally and
nationally," said Christoph Opfermann, the Economic and Environmental
Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan.
Representatives of municipal authorities, regional environmental
organizations and non-governmental organizations took part in the
seminar, discussing ways to secure environmental rights at the
municipal level, international practices of environmental government,
and the implementation of the Aarhus Convention by Armenia.
The Aarhus Convention is an environmental agreement of the United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe; it covers access to
information, public participation in decision-making and access to
justice in environmental matters. Representatives of the OSCE-
supported public environmental information centres serving as a link
between environmental NGOs and governmental officials (Aarhus Centres)
took part in the seminar.
"Knowledge about international governance tools will be a valuable
contribution for the reform of self-government bodies in Armenia,"
said Peter Johan Schei, the Director of the Fridtjof Nansen Institute.
"The seminar participants outlined effective approaches to
environmental governance. The event contributed to more active
co-operation between the Aarhus Centres and local self-governmental
bodies in the country," said Ashot Giloyan, Head of the
Self-Government Department at the Ministry of Territorial
Administration of Armenia.
PRESIDENT SARGSYAN OFF TO KUWAIT
armradio.am
03.11.2009 11:45
President Serzh Sargsyan is leaving for the State of Kuwait for a
two-day state visit. This is the first visit of the Armenian President
to Kuwait ever since independence.
At the International Airport of Kuwait President Serzh Sargsyan will
be met by Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah, Crown Prince Sheikh
Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, other senior officials.
On the first day of the visit President Sargsyan will have meetings
with the Speaker of the Parliament of Kuwait, Jassem Mohammad
Al-Kharafi and Prime Minister Al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and the
Director of the Economy Development Fund, Abdulvahab Ahmad Al-Bader.
Later the President of Armenia and the Emir of Kuwait will have a
meeting followed by the signing of a number of cooperation agreements.
Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah will give an official dinner in
honor of the Armenian President.
On the second day of the visit Serzh Sargsyan will meet the Chairman
of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuwait, Ali Mohammad
Thunyan Al-Ghanim.
ARMENIA TO RECEIVE US$60 MILLION FROM IMF
armradio.am
03.11.2009 12:53
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has
completed the second review of Armenia’s economic performance under
a program supported by a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) and approved a
request for a waiver of nonobservance of end-September 2009 fiscal
balance performance criterion, modification of the quantitative
performance criteria for end-December 2009 to reflect the revised
macroeconomic framework and rephasing of purchases to make the amounts
scheduled to become available following the second and third review
available upon completion of the second review.
These decisions enable the immediate release of SDR 37.72 million
(about US$60 million), bringing the total disbursed to SDR 301.94
million (about US$479 million). The 28-month SBA was approved on
March 6, 2009 (see Press Release No. 09/68), with access augmented
on June 22, 2009 (see Press Release No. 09/228).
Following the Executive Board’s discussion on Armenia, Mr. Takatoshi
Kato, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, stated:
"The global crisis has continued to have a serious impact on the
Armenian economy. While output appears to be stabilizing, the fall
in remittances and the collapse in the construction sector have
caused a more severe economic contraction and lower fiscal revenue
than anticipated in the first review. The authorities have fully
implemented their economic program, which calls for the continuation
of fiscal and monetary easing and a flexible exchange rate.
"In light of continuing weak domestic demand, the authorities will
maintain fiscal easing this year, with external resources taking up
the revenue slack. Expenditure will focus on undertaking anti-crisis
measures, increasing capital spending, and protecting social spending.
The authorities are committed to starting fiscal consolidation in
2010, with a view to ensuring medium-term debt sustainability. The
program allows for additional spending should more donor financing
become available to smooth the withdrawal of fiscal stimulus.
"An accommodative monetary policy stance remains appropriate given
low inflation. The move to a more flexible exchange rate has served
Armenia well, helping the economy avoid significant overvaluation and
increasing the effectiveness of monetary policy. However, given the
remaining weaknesses in the monetary transmission mechanism, targeted
measures now being implemented to stimulate credit are crucial.
"The short-term outlook remains challenging. As external conditions
improve, growth is expected to resume gradually in 2010, although
risks remain, including a slower recovery of the global economy.
Continued reforms, particularly in the areas of tax policy and
tax reform administration, the financial sector, and the business
environment will be necessary to boost the medium-term growth potential
of the economy," Mr. Kato said
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
DISCUSSIONS ON THE STATE BUDGET CONTINUE
Lena Badeyan
"Radiolur"
03.11.2009 15:51
Discussions of the draft budget for Fiscal Year 2010 continue at
the Standing Committees of the National Assembly. The budgetary
allocations to the fields of education, science, culture, sport,
Diaspora, and youth affairs were presented during today’s sitting.
Expenditures have been cut in many fields as compared to this year.
However, it will not affect the salaries of the employees.
The field of science is among the few, where there have been no cuts.
Education and science will be considered a priority in 2010.
PM TIGRAN SARGSYAN TO ATTEND ARMTECH 2009 CONFERENCE IN SAN JOSE
armradio.am
03.11.2009 16:11
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan will visit San Jose (USA) to participate
in the ArmTech 2009 conference, Government’s Information and Public
Relation Department reported.
The delegation headed by Tigran Sargsyan will comprise the Head of
Staff of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, David Sargsyan,
Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan, members of staff of the
government and the ministries, other officials.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
ARMEN GRIGORYAN: FOREIGN INVESTMENTS-THE MAIN GUARANTEE OF IT DEVELOPMENT
Nelly Danielyan
"Radiolur"
03.11.2009 16:43
Armenia has no oil, but has a professional potential, which can
serve as an impetus for the development of the state. Secretary
of the Information Technologies Development Support Council Armen
Grigoryan considers that foreign investments are the guarantee of the
development of the shpere. For that purpose the Armenian Government
has initiated the third international IT congress, where Armenian
companies will have an opportunity to present their achievements,
while foreign partners are expected to suggest new ideas targeted at
the development of the country.
"This is already the third ArmTech conference which brings together
Armenian and foreign IT representatives for discussing the main trends
of the sphere," Armen Grigoryan told a press conference today.
"The conference, which will last 3 days, will be attended by
representatives from 40-50 Armenian companies. That’s a good chance
for them to introduce their services and attract investments to
Armenia. Sure, the results cannot be tangible within a day, but if
we manage to attract a couple of companies, that will already be a
success," Grigoryan stressed.