Author: Andres-Papazian

Non-Standard photo exhibition opens in Yerevan

November 27, 2010 – 18:31 AMT 14:31 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

On November 27, Armenia’s Council of the Art of Photography organized
Non-Standard photo exhibition, through which it calls to
professionalism in any field – art, handicraft, etc.

Hayk Senekerimyan’s exhibition features photos of the best
professionals in their fields: actor Sos Sargsyan, duduk player Djivan
Gasparyan, chess player Tigran Petrosian, anchorwoman Gohar Gasparyan,
Vitamin club, Dorians rock band, etc.

Armenia’s Council of the Art of Photography was established in 2010 by
a group of professionals, beginners and photography lovers. The
council aims to develop the art of photography in Armenia through
various events.

From: A. Papazian

Office of AEGEE-Yerevan opens in Yerevan

November 27, 2010 – 18:46 AMT 14:46 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

On November 27, the office of AEGEE-Yerevan youth public organization
was officially opened in Yerevan.

Coordinator of the European Commission’s Tempus program in Armenia
Lana Karlova expressed hope that AEGEE-Yerevan will become an
authoritative organization in Armenia in five years.

Due to the organization, the Armenian youth will be able to obtain
information on European educational programs, Karlova said.

AEGEE (French abbreviation of the European Forum of Students) is one
of the largest organizations of Europe, which currently has around
15,000 members in various countries.

During the 50th assembly of AEGEE in October 2010, an agreement was
signed between AEGEE-Europe and AEGEE-Yerevan, under which the
organization has obtained the right to officially operate in Yerevan.
Currently, AEGEE-Yerevan has 30 members. Besides, numerous
applications on membership have been received. Active young people
below 35 can become members of the organization.

From: A. Papazian

KARABAKH MEDIATORS TO RETURN TO BAKU AFTER MEETINGS IN YEREVAN

news.az
Nov 26 2010
Azerbaijan

Karabakh mediators The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs ended their visit
to Azerbaijan.

They met with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Minister
of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov on Thursday and left Baku for
Yerevan.

French co-chair Bernard Fassier told journalists at the Baku
International Airport that they will meet with President of Armenia
Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

He said the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Yuri Popov (Russian) and
Robert Bradtke (USA) are expected to return to Baku after the
meetings in Yerevan. Bernard Fassier will fly to Paris to inform
President of France Nicolas Sarkozy, Prime Minister Francois Fillon
and newly-appointed Foreign Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie about the
process of the settlement of Nagonro Karabakh conflict. Fassier said
all of three co-chairs would visit Astana on November 29.

Bernard Fassier spoke about the talks they held in Azerbaijan:

‘We met with the President and Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan
yesterday. It is difficult to say anything now because our visit has
not been ended yet. Perhaps something will be clear after the meeting
we will hold in Yerevan’.

Fassier said it is impossible to say what format the presidents will
use to meet in Astana.

‘It is impossible to plan the presidents’ meeting no sooner than a week
because we are ordinary mediators. Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev,
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton are expected to attend the OSCE Summit in Astana’.

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chair Yuri Popov (Russia) said during the
meetings in Baku they discussed the format of the meeting between
the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Astana. ‘This is a
confidential issue and therefore we can not publicize the essence of
the negotiations’.

From: A. Papazian

LEBANESE ARMENIANS RIOT IN BEIRUT OVER ERDOGAN VISIT

Ha’aretz

Nov 26 2010
Israel

Lebanon has 150,000 Armenians who harbor deep animosity toward the
Turks over the 1915 killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians.

Hundreds of Lebanese of Armenian descent clashed with army troops
during a protest Thursday over a visit to Beirut by the Turkish
prime minister.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was on a two day trip
during which he met with officials and visited the north and south
of the country. He was inaugurating a hospital in the southern port
city of Sidon on Thursday as hundreds of protesters gathered in the
capital’s Martyrs’ Square to denounce his visit.

Lebanon has 150,000 Armenians, or nearly 4 percent of its population,
whom harbor deep animosity toward the Turks over the 1915 killing of
up to 1.5 million Armenians.

When demonstrators tore up a large poster of Erdogan and pelted troops
with rocks, security responded by beating up a number of them.

There were no reports of major injuries.

Erdogan, who also attended a business conference Thursday, warned
Israel his country will not keep silent in case it attacks Lebanon
or Gaza again.

They invade Lebanon with the most modern warplanes and tanks, they
kill children and destroy schools and hospitals, and they expect us
to remain silent? he asked.

We will not keep silent and we will stand with all our capabilities
with what is right, he said.

Once close allies, ties between Israel and Turkey worsened in the
wake of the Gaza war and have practically broken down since Israel’s
deadly commando raid in May on a Turkish-led flotilla trying to breach
the blockade in Gaza. Nine Turks were killed in the raid.

During his visit to Lebanon, Erdogan repeatedly demanded an Israeli
apology for the incident.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN PROTEST AGAINST ERDOGAN VISIT TURNS VIOLENT

The Daily Star

Nov 26 2010
Lebanon

MP Pakradounian intervenes to calm situation, contacts Baroud to
negotiate with security forces

BEIRUT: Lebanese protesters of Armenian descent clashed with security
forces Thursday during a demonstration against the visit of Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Members of the Armenian community in Lebanon organized the protest
in Downtown Beirut to condemn Erdogan’s two-day visit, which started
Wednesday. Erdogan had met with Lebanon’s three top officials and
held visits to north and south Lebanon to inaugurate a school and
a hospital.

The peaceful protest turned violent when a number of demonstrators
tore up a large poster of Erdogan hanging opposite the landmark
Martyrs statue and hurled rocks and black oil toward the banner.

“Security forces countered the rioters by beating up some, but no
one was seriously hurt,” an eyewitness said.

However, a security source speaking to The Daily Star denied any rock
hurling had occurred and said the incident was limited to “fistfights.”

Takhnak Party MP Hagop Pakradounian intervened to calm the situation
and contacted Interior Minister Ziyad Baroud to negotiate with
security forces.

“Pakradounian insisted the demonstration remained calm because Erdogan
was on an official visit to Lebanon,” the source added.

However, the Turkish prime minister’s picture was removed “to
preserve the dignity of martyrs and to pay respect to their souls,”
Pakradounian said, noting that the poster insulted both the Lebanese
and Armenian people.

A similar protest was held by the Armenian community in Lebanon
Wednesday outside the airport, while a rival gathering of more than
100 Lebanese students welcomed Erdogan.

Lebanon counts about 150,000 Armenians, mostly made up of the
descendants of those who survived the massacres in eastern Anatolia
during the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

The Armenian community still harbors deep animosity toward Turkey
over the 1915 killings and says up to 1.5 million Armenians were slain.

However, Turkey rejects the label of the killings as genocide and
argues that 300,000-500,000 Armenians died in civil strife when
Armenians sided with invading Russian troops.

Armenian politician and Future Movement MP Serge Torsarkissian said
the stance of the Armenian community in Lebanon was “a shy one because
it was concerned with preserving Lebanon’s interests.” He then called
on all Lebanese to hang on to their identity, especially the Armenian
community.

Concerning the visit, Torsarkissian refused to describe it as
“supportive of a particular sect” and stressed that the Armenian
community would not stand in the face of Lebanon’s interests, whether
in terms of the country’s relations with Turkey or any other interest.

“The community is committed to its historic stance,” he added.

For his part, Armenian Orthodox Archbishop in Lebanon Kegham
Khatcherian warned Lebanon and the Arab world against surrendering
their leadership to foreign powers, saying “we are protesting in
Martyrs Square not against an official visit or against an agreement,
but to prove to this visitor [Erdogan] and to the entire world that
we will not keep quiet about our inherited right.”

Turkish and Armenian authorities took their first step in Zurich
last year toward ending decades of hostilities, but could not agree
on the labeling of the World War I killings.

Nonetheless, Turkish President Abdullah Gul confirmed Thursday his
country was firmly committed to pushing on with normalizing ties with
Armenia. His comments were made during a two-day visit to Switzerland.

“It is evident that these subjects are not easily resolved,” said Gul.

“But we maintain our firm commitment for the protocols, which aims
for the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relationship, to enter into
vigor,” he said. – The Daily Star, with agencies

From: A. Papazian

SEN. MENENDEZ QUESTIONS U.S. UNDER-SPENDING ON KARABAKH

Published: Friday November 26, 2010

Report: $25 mln in U.S. aid to Karabakh unspent

Washington – Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) is pressing the Obama
Administration to answer for a $25 million spending shortfall in U.S.
aid intended by Congress to be allocated for Nagorno Karabakh,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Senator Menendez raised this issue during the November 17 confirmation
hearing for a senior Administration official, Paige Eve Alexander,
who has been nominated by the White House to serve as the Assistant
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development.

During Alexander’s appearance before the Foreign Relations Committee,
Senator Menendez, noted that, “of the 60 million that Congress
intended for Nagorno-Karabakh over the course of the past 12 years,
USAID has only extended 35 million.” He then asked her, pointedly,
how she would, if approved, “respond to those realities.”

He followed up by explaining that the intent of Congress was “pretty
clear here,” and expressing his concern that, despite this being
“one of the areas where money has actually been authorized and
appropriated. . . it seems that the [State] Department, for some
reason, is not moving forward.”

“We join with Armenian Americans from throughout the Garden State and
across the country in thanking Senator Menendez for his leadership
in ensuring strict Congressional oversight of the U.S. aid program to
Nagorno Karabakh, and in expressing our appreciation for his long-time
friendship with our community and cause,” said Ani Tchaghlasian of
ANCA-New Jersey.

“We share the Senator’s concerns about the Administration’s pattern
of under-spending of desperately needed assistance to Artsakh, and
look forward to learning of the steps that Assistant Administrator
Alexander and her Administration colleagues will take to bring actual
spending in line with the clearly expressed will of our Congress.”

Alexander responded first by stressing her support for the U.S.
program for Nagorno Karabakh, noting: “Right. Absolutely, I think
that the continued work on the humanitarian assistance level,
everything from shelter repair to de-mining and water, are still
important elements.” Without directly addressing the question posed
by Senator Menendez regarding the pattern of under-spending on aid
to Nagorno Karabakh, she added that, if confirmed, she will “work
closely to make sure that those areas are still focused on and that
the assistance goes to where it was intended Congressionally.”

An ANCA review, released on August of this year, revealed that
successive U.S. Administrations – both Democratic and Republican –
have, since Fiscal Year 1998, expended $25 million less in aid to
Nagorno Karabakh than Congress intended. Approximately $12 million of
the $25 million shortfall in aid to Nagorno Karabakh is the result
of under-spending by the Obama Administration during its first two
years in office.

The ANCA’s report – Legislative History of U.S. Assistance
to Nagorno Karabakh – is available online at:
As
is the Menendez-Alexander exchange

From: A. Papazian

THE MESSAGE OF ERDOGAN’S VISIT

Daily Star

Nov 26 2010
Lebanon

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was feted this week in
Lebanon by the country’s leaders and officials during a visit that
was heavy in symbolism, and perhaps even heavier in impact.

Although Erdogan’s two-day trip was officially focused on bilateral
economic and business ties, he was naturally unable to avoid the state
of affairs in Lebanon, which has been suffering from crippling bouts
of political paralysis for much of the year.

Erdogan did pledge to help act as a fireman, stressing his country’s
support for serious efforts to quell possible strife. Perhaps Erdogan
can assist in extinguishing some of Lebanon’s smaller fires, but he
doesn’t represent a magic solution. He repeated Ankara’s well-known
goals of seeing peace, stability, prosperity and security in its
immediate vicinity, thereby emphasizing that his visit to Lebanon
was more strategic in nature.

Thankfully, Erdogan’s visit was one that covered nearly all of
Lebanon’s political spectrum. He met leaders from all sides, and
stayed on message, whether he was in the south, the north, or the
capital, stressing the same principles and not catering to narrow
partisan interests.

More importantly, Erdogan’s visit was about the inking of significant
bilateral agreements that are the fruit of more than five years of
negotiations and preparations. A free trade agreement, other forms
of liberalization and bilateral cooperation, such as the possible
creation of a regional version of the Schengen Zone, and the continued
presence of Turkish troops in the UNIFIL force in the south: all of
these were of central importance during Erdogan’s visit.

Were there protests during Erdogan’s visit? Certainly, Lebanon’s
Armenians had their say, and it should not be forgotten that Turkey’s
recent diplomatic tiffs with Israel have upped the pressure on Ankara
to follow through, to satisfy those for whom the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict is their highest priority.

In the end, Lebanese should walk away with an abiding message from
Erdogan’s visit: the value of healthy bilateral relations, when states
deal with states, on an equal footing.

There were no ulterior motives behind the visit, which focused
on matters of mutual interest. Erdogan pointed out that national
sovereignty is not something that should be linked to the size of a
given state, and that a sound economy flows from complete sovereignty,
not the other way around.

Fellow members of the international community of nations shouldn’t
act in patronizing fashion toward Lebanon, despite its small size;
the visit by Erdogan ought to remind the Lebanese of the value of
establishing bilateral ties based on joint interests, mutual respect,
and a sound vision for the future.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA AND EUROPEAN UNION HAVE SIGN MOU ON COMPREHENSIVE INSTITUTION BUILDING (CIB) PROGRAM

/ARKA/
November 26, 2010
YEREVAN

Armenia and the European Union have signed today in Yerevan a MoU
for Comprehensive Institution Building (CIB) Program, whereby the
European Union will provide Armenia with a 32 million Euro free
assistance for 2011-2013.

The Comprehensive Institution Building Program is part of the Eastern
Partnership (EP) program designed to help Armenia negotiate Association
Agreement and Agreement on Deep and Comprehensive Trade with EU.

The Agreement stemming from the EU’s Eastern Partnership program
for six former Soviet republics, including neighboring Azerbaijan
and Georgia, would entitle the country to a permanent free trade
regime with the EU and facilitate visa procedures for its citizens
traveling to Europe. It also envisages a harmonization of Armenian
laws, regulations and government policies with the EU standards.

After the signing ceremony Armenian economy minister Nerses Yeritsian
said the negotiations will cover political dialogue and cooperation
on foreign and security policy, Justice, Freedom and Security issues,
cooperation in specific sectors, people-to-people contacts and trade.

The Association Agreement is set to reflect also strong ties between
the sides and guidelines of close cooperation in foreign policy,
keeping security, democracy, economic integration, human rights,
energy spheres.

Three working groups were formed at Armenian President’s order to carry
out negotiations with EU over the Association Agreement. Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian coordinates team and working groups
activities.

According to Raul Luzenberger, head of European Commission’s Delegation
to Armenia, the signing of the MoU sets a new stage of work symbolizing
a step forward in Armenia’s partnership with EU. Based on it, we should
develop a plan of actions aimed at strengthening the capacities of
Armenian government agencies, involved in the Association Agreement.

The main document governing Armenia’s cooperation with the EU –
the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement entered into force July
1999 with 10 year term. According to the corresponding article of
the document, after the time expires the agreement is automatically
prolonged for one-year term. The Association Agreement will replace
the currently functioning Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

From: A. Papazian

MINISTRY OF FINANCE: ABOUT 200 THOUSAND CITIZENS OF ARMENIA CAN USE ACCUMULATED PENSION SYSTEM

/ARKA/
November 26, 2010
YEREVAN

About 180-200 thousand citizens of Armenia can use accumulative pension
system, said Head of Financial Market Development Department of the
Armenian Ministry of Finance Karen Tamazyan in the press-conference
on Friday.

Armenia moves to multi-level accumulative pension system. Accumulative
component will be introduced in 2011 on voluntary basis and since
2014 it will be mandatory which will allow the future pensioner to
personally form the size of the future pension.

“In June 2010, Armenian National Assembly adopted legislative package
of more than 50 laws in the first reading by which the accumulative
pension system will be introduced. A number of discussions took
place from June till now, including participation of journalists,
deputies, representatives of trade unions and employers. More than
200 proposals were introduced which were summarized. The draft law
will be introduced by second reading in the nest Parliament meeting
(December 6-9 – ARKA)”, said Tamazyan.

Mainly technical definitions were made in the draft law, in the result
of which clear mechanisms of functioning of volunteer and mandatory
components of accumulative system, the order of pension allocations
and order of pension allocations in cases when the citizen is working
in several places were defined.

Employees will pay 5% of their salary to accumulative account and
5% but not more than 25 thousand drams will pay the State. If the
citizens works in several places, they should pay the mentioned 5%
for only from one job place.

All the employees under 40, self-employed and farmers can use
accumulative pension system. Pensioners can choose a manager of
accumulated assets who will invest money in local and foreign
securities.

As of July 1, 2010 over 521.3 thousand pensioners live in Armenia.

Their average size of pension is 24 thousand 570 drams. ($1 – 360.3
drams).

From: A. Papazian

ERDOGAN’S VISIT TO LEBANON: SEEKING FOR A REGIONAL ROLE
By Gamze Coskun

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Nov 26 2010

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan began a two-day official visit to
Lebanon on November 24, 2010. Lebanese people greeted Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Beirut with Turkish flags and posters
of Erdogan, which said welcome in Turkish.

Erdogan attracted the attentions in Turkish media with his enthusiastic
speeches during his visit. The Turkish PM touched upon many serious
issues both in the country and the region.

Special Tribunal on Lebanon

Lebanon is at the edge of a crisis concerning the UN-backed inquiry
into the killing of Rafiq al-Hariri in 2005. The tribunal plans to
issue an indictment in December. Additionally, it was claimed by CBC
News, formerly by Der Spiegel, that the Lebanese Shiite organization
Hezbollah (Party of God) was behind murder of Hariri according to the
investigations by the tribunal. However, Hezbullah denies any sorts
of involvement into the assassination.

Commentators and Hezbollah state that any crisis or violent actions
may occur in case of an indictment against Hezbollah. There is anger
and suspicion against the work of the tribunal as it may accelerate
the hostilities between rival Shiite and Sunni Muslims in the country.

What is more, many believe that impartial conclusions cannot be
reached via this tribunal.

Additionally, Hezbollah argues that the tribunal is illegal as
Lebanon’s cabinet approved it in 2006 after the resignation of five
Shiite ministers. Accordingly, Hezbollah justifies its claim by
indicating that the Lebanese constitution requires that all sects
should be justly represented in the cabinet. However, Lebanese
government agreed to turn over case files on the murder to UN court
in the Hague on April 2009, which legitimizes the court according to
many scholars.

Hezbollah also denies any role in the killing by accusing the tribunal
of being an “Israeli project” aimed at undermining the resistance
movement and creating division in the country.

At this point, Erdoðan’s visit came on the eve of the release of
the tribunal’s findings. Concerning the outcomes of the findings,
Erdogan called for national unity to ward off the threat of sectarian
strife by emphasizing that all Lebanese parties should unite and find
solutions to overcome the crisis linked to the UN investigation on
assassination of Hariri. Furthermore, Erdogan indicated Turkey’s
willingness to work to preserve the unity of Lebanon as well as
stating that he was also coordinating with Syrian President Bashar
Assad over the situation in the country.

“Lebanon must be free of these pressures… we hope it finds
stability,” said the Turkish leader. Hariri, in the same way, said,
“No one will drag us to any strife; we are wise and this country will
continue,” Hariri said.

Pointing out the fractions’ not being able to find a common ground,
“Whenever the Lebanese take steps in the development field, there
is intervention to obstruct this development. We must not allow such
intervention,” he said.

Strengthening of the Turkish-Lebanese Relations

Erdogan also to Kwashra town and met with Turkmen residents. In
Kwashra, the Turkish PM said that Turkey and Lebanon will take steps to
further strengthen their political and economic relations. “History
has dictated on us brotherhood as peoples of this region. No one
will ever be able to undermine this brotherhood and friendship or
sow strife among us,” he indicated.

Concerning the establishment of a Turkish-financed school, Hariri
stated, “this is a big signal reflecting Turkey’s interest in Lebanon
and your continuous care for this town and the deprived people who
always need the best level of care and attention.”

Turkey and Lebanon signed a free trade agreement after an accord
was reached earlier this year on establishing a free trade zone
that also included Jordan and Syria, which is one step further to
the establishment of a regional free trade zone. Hariri underlined
the importance of agreements signed between Turkey and Lebanon, and
noted that the agreement they signed was very important for Lebanese
industrialists.

Need for a Change in Israeli Stance

After many of his harsh criticisms towards Israel concerning the recent
issues, Erdogan warned the country against launching a new war in the
region and added that Israeli citizens would also suffer from this war.

“The government of Israel must realize that when security and peace are
established in the region, Israel itself will also benefit from this,”
Erdogan stated. The Turkish PM appealed to the Israeli government to
back off from its mistakes, apologize and work for peace and welfare of
the region besides calling on Israel to stop its provocative actions.

Hariri also said that he attached importance to the efforts extended
by Turkey for the stability of the world and the region, and reminded
that Turkey opposed to the attack of Israel on his country in 2006.

Armenians’ Protest against Erdogan

Lebanon has an Armenian community with a population of 140,000 -nearly
%4 of the whole population-. More than 100 members of Lebanon’s
Armenian community gathered outside international airport of Beirut
to protest Erdogan’s visit.

The protesters carried banners saying: “The Lebanese have not forgotten
Turkey’s bloody history in the region” and “Erdogan should bow before
our martyrs.”

Turkey’s Influence on Lebanon

It is known that Syria and Saudi Arabia have a considerable effect
on the country, both of which has an influence over a fraction
in Lebanon. Economic aids of these countries also make Lebanon’s
decision making mechanism highly dependent on these countries. This
impact on Lebanon can be called as the “patronage effect” of Syria
and Saudi Arabia.

Compared to these two countries, Turkey does not have such a “patronage
effect” on the country. However, accompanied with its soft power and
public support, Turkey seems to be capable of influencing the regional
countries including Lebanon. Specifically, Turkey can be influencial
in easing the tensions in the country.

It is believed that the visit will have a positive impact on the
Lebanese toward consolidating cooperation, solidarity and national
unity and will help in efforts to defuse political tensions in
Lebanon. It is obvious that Lebanon considered Turkey a friendly
country. The Lebanese people’s attitude towards Erdoðan’s visit
and rapidly developing relations between Turkey and Lebanon are the
concrete proofs of the sincere relations and trust to Turkey. All
these, as well as the conjectural conditions, promote Turkey’s
stabilizing regional role.

In this respect, Israel can be regarded as the only issue on which all
the Arab nations agree. Therefore, following Turkey’s changing stance
towards Gaza Operation and Mavi Marmara flotilla incident, besides
many similar issues, also increases the support towards Turkey. Yet,
Turkey should also be aware that this positive attitude towards Turkey
can easily change with a possible negative development as it changed
into a positive stance in a short time span.

From: A. Papazian