Author: Andres-Papazian

BOOK AIMS TO START DIALOGUE BETWEEN TURKS, ARMENIANS

Iran Book News Agency

Dec 29 2010
Iran

Turkish and Armenian civil society have slowly but surely been
building a constructive future despite “official” concerns about
whether resolutions concerning Armenians being passed by countries’
parliaments or the “genocide” being recognized by countries around
the world.

IBNA: According to news, one recent example of such an effort came
to the fore with the new book, “Speaking to One Another: Personal
Memories of the Past in Armenia and Turkey.” The first part, “Wish
they hadn’t left,” was written by Professor Leyla Neyzi from Sabancı
University in Ä°stanbul, while the second part, “Whom to forgive? What
to forgive?” was written by Professor Hranush Kharatyan-Araqelyan from
the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology of the Armenian National
Academy of Sciences in Yerevan.

The book has been published in English, Turkish and Armenian.

Alin Ozinian, an Ä°stanbul-based Turcologist who translated the book
from Armenian to Turkish, said oral history work is an impressive
way of preserving history.

“Oral history is maybe the most romantic way of preserving history.

Those stories are very impressive,” she said, adding that the book
will help people tell more of their stories, which are usually hidden.

The book underlines that there is now an opportunity for Armenians to
visit Turkey. “People go and find the villages of their ancestors,
sometimes also the house they lived in, important places their
grandfathers told them about: the cemetery, church, sacred places,
trees, forests.”

From: A. Papazian

2011 STAGNANT YEAR FOR ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

news.am
Dec 29 2010
Armenia

2011 will be stagnant year for the Armenian-Turkish relations,
Turkish studies expert Artak Shakaryan told the journalists today.

Any developments related to the Armenian-Turkish dialogue depend on
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s will, he added.

Next year will bring disappointment to Armenians, as incumbent
Turkish authorities are likely to leave their posts after the
elections, Shakaryan said, noting that present Turkish government is
more capable of continuing Armenian-Turkish talks. “I do not think
that after elections Erdogan will easily step back from the Karabakh
precondition. It has already become a psychological problem for Turks
and it will not be easy to recede,” the expert stressed. According to
him, the step back has been already done: previously Erodgan spoke of
Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territories, presently he mentions
only the territories. However, such precondition is unacceptable to
Armenia, as we are not going to make any concessions.

Artak Shakaryan also noted that the Armenian issue is not that
important for Turkey and it is forgotten after each April 24.

From: A. Papazian

EXPERT PREDICTS 2011 WILL BE PASSIVE YEAR FOR ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

Panorama
Dec 29 2010
Armenia

Expert on Turkish affairs Artak Shakaryan says he thinks 2011 will
not be so active year for the Armenian-Turkish relations.

“2011 will be full of hopes for Turkish elections, but a disappointing
year for Armenians. Armenian cause isn’t of so great significance for
Turks. 24th of April passes and they forget everything,” expert said
in a meeting with the journalists.

A. Shakaryan says Armenians should hope that the same ruling
authorities of Turkey get the majority of votes against after the
elections, which is more likely to continue the process.

Expert said that some nationalist mood growth occurs from the both
sides.

From: A. Papazian

KOBE BRYANT EXCITED TO BE FACE OF TURKEY

Asbarez
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

LOS ANGELES-Lakers guard Kobe Bryant begun appearing this week in
Turkish Airlines (THY) commercials as the national carrier’s “global
brand ambassador,” despite overwhelming opposition to the deal from
an Armenian-American community outraged with Bryant for representing
a country guilty of genocide and human rights violations.

“I just want to say how proud I am to be Global Ambassador for Turkish
Airlines,” Bryant said in his first televised THY commercial. “All
of us here in LA are excited because we get an opportunity to now
enjoy the beauty and rich cultural history of Turkey.”

The TV-spot is the first of many in a two-year deal that will involve
Bryant starring in promotional commercials and films that will be
aired on international television channels and in movie theaters in
more than 80 countries next year to promote direct flights from Los
Angeles to Istanbul via Turkish Airlines.

The commercials with Bryant will be shown globally, but the focus of
the campaign will be on the US market and in the Far East and Middle
East, where the player has a large global fan-base. Bryant also posted
a video of the first commercial on his Facebook page.

Kobe’s decision to endorse Turkish Airlines has caused an uproar within
the Armenian-American community in the United States and especially
within Southern California, which boasts the largest population of
Armenians outside of Armenia, ranging between 600,000 to 750,000.

“Bryant’s silence on the issue continually fuels the Armenian
communities discontent,” said Caspar Jivalagian of the Armenian Youth
Federation. “His decision to launch the campaign while knowing he has
so many upset fans goes to show once again that he has chosen money
over morality.”

Armenians are angered that Bryant would sign a contract with a country
that not only denies that the Ottoman Turkish government committed
genocide against 1.5 million Armenians in 1915, but also actively
works to defend modern day perpetrators of the crime.

The AYF has urged Kobe Bryant to stay true to his loyal fan base and
rescind his contract with Turkish Airlines, to put out an official
statement affirming his commitment to ending human rights abuses,
and voicing his support for House Resolution 252, calling on the
United States Congress to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.

From: A. Papazian

WHAT THE U.S. GOT FROM TURKEY
NAIRA HAYRUMYAN

Lragir.am
23 dec 2010

The resolution on the Armenian genocide has again not been included
in the agenda of the U.S. Congress. But the interesting part was how
suddenly it appeared in the arena: no one expected that the Congress,
which is completing its office, will include in its agenda a bill that
can arouse serious scandal. And suddenly a resolution appears as well
as a decision of the Californian Court that Armenians can present
claims to Turkey in connection with their property lost in 1015. In
addition, at once, documents proving that a Turkish territory where
the American base Incirlik is situated, just like the current residence
of the Turkish president, once belonged to Armenians are “discovered”.

Who needed a regular wave against Turkey? What is it bowed at
this time? In fact, after each wave of discussion of the Armenian
resolution in Congress, the U.S. has demanded from Turkey necessary
steps, for example, to participate in operations in Afghanistan,
or communication projects. What this time the U.S. got from Turkey,
not allowing the discussion of the resolution in Congress?

Perhaps it is connected with Iran. The Americans papers write that
Turkey, by a U.S. order, is holding talks with the Iranian leadership.

To make Turkey convince Iran in what the U.S. needs, they use the
genocide resolution. It is not ruled out that the point was about a
new NATO Anti-rocket defense system, to which Turkey gave its content,
but only with restrictions connected with Iran.

The deal seems to have succeeded and the Americans got what they
wanted. It is evident that each time it becomes harder for the
U.S. to “persuade” Turkey and each time the U.S. looks for new
arguments. This time documents on Incirlik land’s belonging to
Armenians were “discovered”. Next time they will have to present
court decisions about the transfer to Armenians of some buildings
or areas. “The Armenian resolution is hanging over Turkey like the
sword of Damocles”, said the Foreign Minister of this country. In
fact, over it hangs the threat of dismemberment, and because of this
threat, Turkey is ready to give the U.S. everything it asks, waving
the “Armenians word”.

From: A. Papazian

ZAVEN KHLGATYAN: ALL THE BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED AFTER SPITAK EARTHQUAKE CORRESPOND TO ANTI-SEISMIC NORMS

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 29, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS: After Spitak earthquake the plans
of the buildings constructed in the territory of Armenia have been
reconsidered according to seismic safety, and all the buildings
constructed after that disastrous earthquake correspond to minimal
requirements of safety.

Head of the Centre of Seismic Stability of Structures of NSSP Zaven
Khlghatyan told Armenpress that the accepted norms have been regulated
after this disaster for the new buildings, taking into consideration
the factor of the seismically instable region.

“All today’s newly-constructed buildings correspond to the required
norms,” Mr. Khlghatyan pointed out. Commenting on the process
of constructions in the disaster zone, he assured that all the
newly-constructed buildings correspond to the accepted norms, and
the majority of the complaints may concern the cosmetic furnishing,
and never to seismic resistance,” Zaven Khlghatyan said.

From: A. Papazian

BAKO SAHAKYAN PARTAKES IN THE MEETING OF THE DEFENSE ARMY’S MILITARY COUNCIL

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 29, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS: On 29 December President of the
Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan partook in the meeting of the Defense
Army’s Military Council convoked to sum up the activities of the
army in 2010. In his speech the President touched upon the process
of army building, noted the achievements and issues present in the
armed forces and gave concrete instructions to the defense minister
and supreme command staff of the army.

From: A. Papazian

DELEGATION OF IRANIAN HIGHER EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY MINISTRY IS IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 29, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS: The delegation of the Iranian
Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry has paid a working
visit to Armenia under the head of Iranian Deputy Minster of Higher
Education and Science on student issues Mahmoud Mollabash. Today in
the morning the delegation met with Armenian Education and Science
Minister Armen Ashotyan.

During the meeting a number of issues were discussed, among them –
what kinds of steps the Iranian party must undertake in the direction
of recognition of diplomas of some higher educational establishments
of Armenia. Within the framework of the visit the delegation will
meet with Iranian citizen students getting education in RA educational
establishments. A visit to Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex is intended
as well.

To remind, October 25-26, a practical program was signed between the
Armenian and Iranian governments on cooperation in the spheres of
education, science and technologies by Armenian Education and Science
Minister Armen Ashotyan and Iranian Minister of Science, Research
and Technology Kamran Daneshjoo. According to the 19th article of
the practical program, the parties agreed to send the delegation
of the Iranian Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry to
business trip to Armenia in near future to study the scientific level
of Armenian higher educational establsihemnts.

From: A. Papazian

ENGINEERING PROVIDED TO A NUMBER OF MUSEUMS OF ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 29, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS: Hayastan All-Armenian Foundation and
its American branch have donated computer engineering to “Association
of Employees and Friends of Museums” NGO and ICOM for technical
equipment of the museums, for facilitation of their work through
modern technologies and making it more efficient. According to the
organizers, this action will be continuous.

“It is not the first time that Hayastan All-Armenian Foundation
supports us in implementation of initiatives contributing to
development of museum activity,” director of “Association of Employees
and Friends of Museums” NGO Marine Haroyan said, noting that the
publication of the first and second issues of “Museum” magazine would
be impossible without the monetary and moral support of the foundation.

The second issue of the magazine will be released soon; it will be a
pleasant gift for the employees of the museum and people interested
in their activity.

From: A. Papazian

‘EREBUNI’ HISTORICAL-ARCHEOLOGICAL RESERVE-MUSEUM HAS ITS WEBSITE

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 29, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS: The ‘Erebuni’
historical-archeological reserve-museum of Yerevan has its
website – For numerous visitors and professionals
of archeological heritage the website will become an informational
means of studying, preserving, using and publicizing the historical
sights of Erebuni, Shengavit and Karmir Blur.

An official from the information and PR department of the RA Culture
Ministry told Armenpress that the up-to-date technology will help the
museum present its cultural heritage to the society online. The website
is aimed at improving the museum-visitor, historical sight-visitor
contacts.

On the other hand, the issue of providing valid and reliable
information will be solved as well. Thirdly, it is aimed at publicizing
the museum collection of historical findings of Erebuni, Teishebaini
and Shengavit historical sights. The website is trilingual; however it
will be accessible for Russian-speaking and English-speaking visitors
in the first quarter of 2011.

From: A. Papazian