Author: admin

ARPI VARDANIAN: TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION OBAMA’S ELECTION TURKEY TO ACTIVATE ITS EFFORTS TO PREVENT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’S RECOGNITION

De Facto
Nov 7, 2008

YEREVAN, 07.11.08. DE FACTO. Arpi Vardanian, Armenian Assembly of
America (AAA) Regional Director for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh,
is convinced that the U. S. President-elect Barack Obama will fulfill
his pre-election promise and recognize Armenian Genocide.

"Armenian Genocide should be recognized, however, so far none of
previous presidents have kept his promise. However, in the course of
his pre-election campaign Senator, already the U. S. President-elect
Barack Obama have repeatedly stated that the Armenian Genocide is
a fact that cannot be denied", Arpi Vardanian stated at a press
conference held at the Urbat Press Club on November 6.

According to DE FACTO correspondent, Regional Director for Armenia
and Nagorno-Karabakh noted that the cornerstone of Obama’s program
had been alternations to be made in the United States’ policy. "So,
I believe we will not be disappointed", Arpi Vardanian said. The fact
that the atmosphere in the U. S. has been recently changed also spoke
in favor of recognition. "Americans are more and more inclined to the
recognition of any genocide, including Armenian Genocide", she said.

However, in her words, it does not imply that Armenians should cease
work targeted at the Genocide’s recognition. According to Vardanian,
after the elections Turkey will become more active and do its best
to prevent from the Genocide’s recognition in the U. S.

NKR LEADER CONGRATULATED OBAMA ON ELECTION AS U.S. PRESIDENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.11.2008 17:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On 6 November, President of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic Bako Sahakyan sent a congratulatory address to President-elect
of the United States of America Barack Obama.

The message reads as follows:

"On behalf of the people and authorities of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic I cordially congratulate You on the occasion of being elected
as the 44th President of the United States of America. Your victory
is an epoch-making event both in American history and world democracy.

Artsakh rates highly the role of the United States in peaceful
settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict and the annual
financial assistance provided by the U.S. to the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic.

I am confident that with Your interest and support in solving issues
the Armenian people face, under the new Administration the ties
between our countries will become much stronger and more diversified.

I congratulate You once again and wish peace, happiness, robust health
and prosperity to You and all your relatives and friends."

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA CONGRATULATES BARACK OBAMA ON ELECTION TO POST OF U.S. PRESIDENT

ArmInfo
2008-11-05 15:37:00

ArmInfo. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan congratulated Barack Obama
on election to the post of U.S. President. The press-service of the
Armenian President reports the congratulation message in particular
says: ‘Dear Mr.

Obama! I congratulate you on election to the post of the 44th president
of the USA. I am sure during your presidency the Armenian-American
relations will get new quality and the economic and political
cooperation for the welfare of our nations will strengthen. The
influential structures of Armenian community in the USA have repeatedly
informed me of the promises you gave to the American people. I highly
appreciate your awareness and approaches to the settlement of the
problems of the Armenian community. I believe the Armenians residing
in the USA will become a reliable link connecting our states. The
Armenian people are grateful to the USA for versatile contribution
since Armenia’s independence. We will further exert combined efforts
to direct this contribution to development of democracy and economic
growth in Armenia. The USA as a Co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group plays
an important role in the peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict. I
congratulate you on election once more and wish you health, fruitful
work for the welfare of the USA and the American people’.

FOUR PLAYERS THE GALAXY SHOULD BE CHASING

Los Angeles Times
Nov 5 2008
CA

If Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena shows up at the Home Depot Center on
Saturday night to watch Chivas USA in its must-win playoff game
against Real Salt Lake, he might want to take along his notebook. Or
his checkbook.

Real Salt Lake has exactly what the woeful Galaxy lacked in 2008 —
a spine.

If Arena could persuade these four players to trade Utah for
California, it would give the Galaxy strength from back to front and
make it a vastly improved team next season:

Goalkeeper: Chris Seitz, 21, is the backup to starter Nick Rimando,
but the former University of Maryland player from San Luis Obispo has
all the tools. He has represented the U.S. at the under-18, under-20
and under-23 levels, was the backup to starter Brad Guzan at the
Beijing Olympics, and, at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, is an imposing
presence in the nets.

Central defender: Jamison Olave, 27, has been a revelation for
Real Salt Lake this season and is a major reason why the team is in
the playoffs. From Medellin, Colombia, Olave has seven years of pro
experience and won a Colombian league championship with Deportivo Cali
in 2005. Physically powerful and with good mobility and positional
sense, Olave has everything the Galaxy needs. Better still, he is
only on loan to Real, making him perhaps more easily available.

Midfielder: Kyle Beckerman, 26, is as underrated a player as there
is in Major League Soccer, given his talents. He has made three
appearances for the U.S. national team, two of them at last year’s
Copa America in Venezuela, but he should have far more caps. The
dreadlocked Beckerman is a feisty competitor with a keen soccer brain,
and is a tireless worker. Originally from Denver, he is in his ninth
MLS season and is the type of hustling, ball-winning midfielder the
Galaxy sorely lacks.

Forward: Yura Movsisyan, 21, has shot to prominence in recent weeks
by scoring back-to-back, 90th-minute goals, the first of which earned
Real Salt Lake its playoff spot in the final regular-season game and
the second of which defeated Chivas USA in the playoff opener. But
the former Pasadena High and Pasadena City College standout is about
more than that. He has size, he has speed, he can play centrally or
out wide, and he has a natural goal-scoring instinct. His Armenian
heritage won’t hurt in the stands either. The Galaxy has not had a
good Armenian player since the days of Harut Karapetyan in the 1990s.

To get any or all of four players, the Galaxy would have to give up
something, and Arena doesn’t really have much to offer. A 12-for-4
trade?

Whatever it takes, the Galaxy has to make major moves, and these four
players would be an excellent start. What do you think?

TURKEY SUPPORTS AZERBAIJAN-ARMENIA TALKS INITIATED IN RUSSIA

Nov 5 2008
Turkey

Gul said that Turkey supports the dialog process that Azerbaijan and
Armenian signed a joint document in Russia recently.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Wednesday that "we are dealing
with the problems of Caucasia in a brave manner altogether."

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart
Ilham Aliyev in Ankara, Gul said that "Caucasian leaders display
the will to resolve problems in various platforms. This is a very
positive development."

Congratulating Aliyev for having been recently re-elected, Gul said
that "the Turkish people have been honored to welcome Aliyev in his
first foreign trip after getting re-elected."

"The presidential election in Azerbaijan was a good model for the whole
region. At a time when the Caucasus is going through an important
phase, we had a chance to discuss the regional problems extensively
with Aliyev on Wednesday," Gul said.

"It is in the interest of all in the Caucasus to develop
cooperation. Within this framework, Turkey proposed the Caucasus
Cooperation and Stability Platform. A climate of understanding via
dialog will help resolve problems in the Caucasus. I can state that
a new process began to solve the Karabagh problem," Gul stressed.

Reminding that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian
President Serzh Sargsian signed a joint document in Russia recently,
Gul said that Turkey supports the dialog process that began in Moscow.

Gul said that Aliyev and he also discussed energy matters, including
the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum
natural gas pipeline.

"These great projects are open to the whole region and will bring
peace and stability," Gul said.

"Bilateral relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan continue at the
highest level possible," Gul also said.

OFFICIAL BAKU CONSIDERS SIGNING OF MOSCOW STATEMENT NEW STAGE IN CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

Trend News Agency
Nov 3 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 03 November / TrendNews, corr. I.Alizade / Official
Baku considers that signing joint statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict settlement between the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and
Russia in Moscow will accelerate the process of the conflict solution.

"Signing the statement is an historical event for the conflict
settlement and is the beginning of a new process," Novruz Mammadov,
Head of Azerbaijan Presidential Administration’s Foreign Relations
Department, told TrendNews on 3 November.

On 2 November at Mayn Dorf Palace in Moscow, the Presidents of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Armenia Serj Sarkisyan and Russia Dmitry
Medvedev passed a statement as a result of their meeting. The statement
highlights solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance
with the international law.

During his visit to Armenia last month, the President of Russia
suggested the heads of the two states to meet in Moscow.

"If the Armenian side thinks that the conflict solution is very
necessary for its people, state and there is not other way of
conflict settlement, undoubtedly the joint statement signed in Moscow
must accelerate the process. If to take into consideration that the
Russian side, as a guarantee, signed the document, then there is no
doubt that the statement will accelerate the conflict settlement,"
official of the Presidential Administration said.

He said that the document signed in Moscow is the result of 14
years difficult talks with regards to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
settlement. Mammadov stated that this is the first document being
signed between the Presidents regarding the settlement of this
conflict. The official of the Presidential Administration said that
up to now, difficult moments have always existed and it was impossible
to reach a mutual understanding. "Now signing such a document at least
is an unique event in the process of the conflict settlement," he said.

He thinks that the document makes clear many moments with the conflict
settlement and determines and concretizes certain duties facing the
Presidents, the sides.

"The document shows that the conflict exists between the two
countries and must be solved based on the principles and norms of
the international law, in a step-by-step manner. In addition, the
document says that the OSCE Minsk Group must actively work in the
settlement of the conflict and the co-chairmen should strengthen their
mediation. The statement may be compass in the conflict settlement. The
document reflects the base principles and the OSCE Minsk Group member
countries support this," Mammadov said.

Mammadov said that the Presidents of the three countries have not
discussed the placement of peaceful forces in the region after the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement.

"If this issue would be discussed, this would be reflected in the
document. There is such an opinion that there will be no need to place
peaceful forces in the region after the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
settlement. I consider that we have passed the most difficult years,
stage. The signed document may reduce the tension. If there was not
need for peaceful forces in the difficult situation which existed up
to now, we ourselves have ensured peace, is it necessary to bring
peaceful forces under the condition where reduction is observed in
tension? Maybe for this reason, the agenda does not include the issue
of peaceful forces and maybe will not include," the official of the
Presidential Administration said.

He said that already the USA has also approved the document signed in
Moscow. "The USA also considers that the document was established based
on the base principles and the work must be continued in this regard
and the document will accelerate the settlement process," he said.

The conflict between the two countries of South Caucasus began in 1988
due to territorial claims by Armenia against Azerbaijan. Armenia has
occupied 20% of the Azerbaijani land including the Nagorno-Karabakh
region and its seven surrounding Districts. Since 1992, these
territories have been under the occupation of the Armenian Forces. In
1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time
the active hostilities ended. The Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group
(Russia, France and USA) are currently holding peaceful negotiations.

PRESS RELEASE
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Buiding 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel: +(3741) 56 01 06 ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

4 November, 2008

Some $30 Million Pledged During the Hayastan All Armenian Fund’s Fundraising
Dinner in Yerevan

Yerevan, November 3, 2008 – Some $30 million dollars were pledged at the
fundraising dinner held in Yerevan on November 1 in support of Hayastan Fund
Telethon 2008; the event took place under the auspices of Armenia’s
President Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. The
dinner was a most impressive demonstration of combined potential and
commitment of some 120 businessmen from Armenia and Russia.

The contributions will be used primarily for the comprehensive development
of rural areas in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh as well as a number of
special projects.

The Hayastan Fund Board of Trustees was represented at the event by the
Presidents of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, Catholicos of All Armenians,
Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairman of the Central
Bank of Armenia and Board member- ministers, Chairman of the Union of
Manufacturers and Businessmen, as well as Hranush Hakobyan heading the newly
established Ministry of Diaspora.

The message of blessing and welcome of Catholicos of All Armenians
instigated the dinner. This was followed by the President Sargsyan’s speech:
"Everybody knows about the important mission of the Hayastan All Armenian
Fund, as well as the large-scale activity it has been carrying out. The
annual fundraising is a great opportunity for our people to take part in
rehabilitation and prosperity of our Homeland irrespective of their age and
social belonging. This is a chance for each and every Armenian to feel part
of the whole, realize that national unity is not merely an abstract and
sublime concept; it is a real power that accomplishes the impossible.
Families both from Armenia and Diaspora have the opportunity to take part in
solution of national problems. And finally, this is a good occasion for the
benefactors and businessmen to bring their input in nation-building
initiatives. I call you to actively participate in this fundraising event
and be generous, faithful to the tradition set by our well-off benefactors.
Thanks to those traditions we have preserved our culture and education,
churches and orphanages; we have protected our country and people despite
lack of statehood. These traditions we must reestablish and develop further",
pointed out the President.

Hrant Tokhatyan, the master of ceremony, was announcing the pledges. Samvel
Karapetyan, Sergey Hambardzumyan, Gagik Tsarukyan, Seiran Karapetyan, Genadi
Stepanyan, Ashot Khachaturyan, Mikhail Baghdasarov, Samvel Alexanyan,
Barsegh Beglaryan, Tigran Arzakantsyan, Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine,
"Mikael Vardanyan" Foundation, "Eduardo Eurnekian" Group, ArmRusGasProm,
Karabakh Telecom were among the major donors of the event. Names and amounts
of the donors will be also announced at the Telethon and published in media.

"We are grateful to all those, who have not been indifferent to life of
Artsakh people and taken part in all our accomplishments. Our compatriots
have not only shared our success, they supported us in overcoming our
problems. I am thankful to the President of Armenia for this initiative, the
idea of which is unity of our people", said President of Nagorno-Karabakh
Bako Sahakyan. In his appeal the Catholicos of All Armenians encouraged
those present to bring their contribution to the Hayastan Fund’s projects.

"On behalf of Hayastan All Armenian Fund I would like to thank all those who
contributed to the Fund’s projects today. I ensure that each cent donated
will be used to solve crucial problems in our country", said Hayastan Fund’s
Acting Executive Director Ara Vardanyan in his Thank-you speech.

Telethon will be broadcast from Los Angeles on November 27. Major sponsor of
Telethon 2008 is Vivacell-MTS. Ardshininvestbank, ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank
and Haypost CJSC also sponsor the telethon.

###

Hayastan All Armenian Fund

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT LEAVES FOR FRANCE

ARMENPRESS
Nov 3, 2008

MOSCOW, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: Delegation headed by the Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan is leaving today from Moscow to France
where he is expected to meet with the President of France Nicolas
Sarkozy, Prime Minister Francois Fiouyon and Chairman of the Senate
Gerar Larchen.

In Paris President Sargsyan will also meet with world famous Armenian
singer Charles Aznavour.

NEW DOCUMENT ON THE TURKISH ANTI-ARMENIAN POLICY IN 1934

armradio.am
04.11.2008 16:17

The US Department of State recently discovered a document proving
that over 1934 the Turkish government continued its genocide policy
towards the Armenian population.

In a letter sent from the US Embassy in Ankara, Ambassador Robert
P. Skinner summarizes the way in which the Turkish government
constrained the remaining Armenians living in Anatolia, to give up
their properties before being exiled from their hearths, independent
correspondent Jean Eckian informed.

Robert P. Skinner indicates that: "It is probable, that their expulsion
is quite simply a step moreover of the Turkish government in its
policy stated to make of Anatolia a space purely inhabited by Turks."

Moreover, the dating of this letter shows that the crime committed
against the Armenians is not something which can simply be relegated
to the Ottoman time.

The full text of Ambassador Robert P. Skinner’s letter, dated March 2,
1934, is presented below:

"I have the honor to bring to the Department’s attention such details
as have reached the Embassy from several sources concerning the recent
deportations of Armenians from the interior of Anatolia to Istanbul.

The deportees began to arrive at Istanbul some six weeks ago and
they are quartered by the Armenian Church and its auxiliary relief
organizations in Churches, school houses and abandoned buildings in
the villages of Oteköy and Yeniköy. About 600 Armenians are now being
taken care of. They are from various towns and villages of Anatolia.

It is assumed by most of the deportees that their expulsion from
their homes in Anatolia is a part of the Government’s program of
making Anatolia a pure Turkish district.

They relate that the Turkish police, in towns and villages where
Armenians lived, attempted to instigate local Moslem people to drive
the Armenians away. These efforts failed completely. The authorities
then brought in Turks from Rumeli and intimated to them that they
could take over the Armenian possessions. This new element, however,
instead of taking a hostile attitude toward the Armenians became
most congenial with them. These two means failing, the Armenians
were told that they had to leave at once for Istanbul. They sold
their possessions receiving for them ruinous price. I have been told
that cattle worth several hundred liras a head had been sold for as
little as five liras a head. My informant stated that the Armenians
were permitted to sell their property in order that no one of them
could say that they were forced to abandon it. However, the sale
under these conditions amounted to a practical abandonment.

The Armenians were obliged to walk from their villages to the
railways and then they were shipped by train to Istanbul. Local relief
organizations are doing their best to attempt to find employment is
found. However, the size of the task is staggering. Local sympathetic
people have been canvassed to contribute money for their relief.

The real reasons for the deportations are unknown. A few Armenians
believe that it is due to their superior business methods which
arouses jealousy among certain Turkish elements. The Armenians are
know for their energy and thoroughness in business and many of them
believe that they suffering now for these qualities. It is likely,
though, that their removal is simply one step in the government’s
avowed policy of making Anatolia purely Turkish."

–Boundary_(ID_ZvBRFbdCzqCcyRnPVc2 dHQ)–

GEGHAM GHARIBJANIAN TO TAKE PART IN 32nd SESSION OF BSEC PA TO TAKE PLACE IN KISHNEV

Noyan Tapan

Nov 3, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham
Gharibjanian left for Kishnev on November 3, where he will take part
in the work of the 32rd session of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
(BSEC) Parliamentary Assembly to be held on November 4.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Department, G. Gharibjanian will make a speech during
the session.