Author: Antonian Lara

ARMENIAN GROUP BLASTS US FOR ‘GENOCIDE RECOGNITION FAILURE’

Hurriyet Daily News
Dec 21 2009
Turkey

The ANCA’s strong criticism of Washington came nearly a few days after
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and U.S. President Barack
Obama met at the White House.

The largest and most radical Armenian-American group has criticized
the United States of failing to formally recognize the World War
I-era killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as "genocide."

"It is truly astonishing that the United States has … pursued
a policy of complicity in Turkey’s state-sponsored denial of the
Armenian genocide and has even gone to the lengths of assisting Turkey
in covering up a crime," said Kate Nahapetian, government affairs
director of the Armenian National Committee of America, or ANCA.

Nahapetian’s remarks came in written testimony she submitted to the
U.S. Senate’s Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law for
a hearing titled "The Law of the Land: U.S. Implementation of Human
Rights Treaties" late last week.

"Turkey’s success in silencing one of the most powerful countries in
the world on one of the best documented cases of genocide emboldens
other states to commit genocide and undermines the ability of the U.S.

and the international community to prevent crimes against humanity,"
Nahapetian said, according to an ANCA statement.

She urged the U.S. administration and Congress to reverse this
situation.

The ANCA’s strong criticism of Washington came nearly a few days
after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Barack
Obama met at the White House. Their agenda included Turkey’s relations
with Armenia.

Reconciliation process

The Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers met Oct. 10 and signed a
set of agreements under which Ankara and Yerevan would reestablish
diplomatic relations and reopen their land border.

Obama, who as a candidate pledged to recognize the Armenian killings
as "genocide," during last year’s election campaign, reversed his
position as president this year and fully backed the Ankara-Yerevan
normalization process, saying he would refrain from any move that
would jeopardize this process.

Presently, two identical "genocide recognition" resolutions introduced
by pro-Armenian lawmakers are pending in the Senate and the House
of Representatives, the upper and lower chambers of Congress,
respectively.

Analysts suggest that as long as the Turkey-Armenia normalization
process remains on track, chances for congressional adoption of these
resolutions remain slim.

However, there are signs that the reconciliation process is facing
obstacles on both sides. The Turkey-Armenia accord of Oct. 10 needs to
be ratified by the parliaments of both countries before implementation,
and there is no indication of when the two nations may bring the deal
to their respective parliaments.

The problem that lies at the root of the problem is the unresolved
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Turkey’s
close ally.

Turkey first wants to see progress toward the solution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute before opening its border with Armenia. And
according to Turkey, Armenia is hinting no sign of this.

Nagorno-Karabakh, a mostly Armenian-populated enclave inside Azerbaijan
as well as other parts of Azerbaijan proper, have been under Armenian
occupation since a war in the early 1990s. As a result of this war,
Turkey has kept the land border with Armenia closed since 1993.

About 30 000 Armenians live in Azerbaijan

news.az
Dec 21 2009
Azerbaijan

Tural Kerimli News.Az interviews Tural Kerimli, a Baku based
independent political scientist.

On December 18 the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of
Azerbaijan held a roundtable discussion on "The Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict over Nagorno Karabakh: outcomes of 2009 and further
perspectives". During the event you suggested the re-opening of the
Armenian Church in Baku. What motivated you to make such a statement?

In my opinion, there is a great chance to show the tolerance of
the Azerbaijani people to the world. About 30 000 Armenians live in
Azerbaijan today and they do not have any problems.

The re-opening of the church will be a perfect answer to Armenians,
especially those who live in Karabakh, who have been saying for
many years that they can’t live together with Azerbaijanis, claiming
Azerbaijanis are threatening them and reminding us about the fabricated
disorders in Sumgayit.

The fact is that Azerbaijan is, perhaps, the only country in the
world where ethnic minority – Armenians – committed massacres against
ethnic majority – Azerbaijanis. That’s why I think Armenians who live
in Azerbaijan should have an opportunity to pray in their Church
as it will show the entire world who is right in the Azerbaijani –
Armenian conflict.

If Armenians who will visit the Church state that there is no threat
for Armenians in Azerbaijan, the myth about impossibility of peaceful
coexistence of Armenians and Azerbaijanis will be broken.

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web:

Western Diocese e-Newsletter

Dear Reader

We were profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of Rev.
Archpriest Fr. Kourken Mouradian, Father Confessor of St. Peter
Armenian Church ` Youth Center in Glendale, California, on December
18, 2009.

In our prayers let us beseech the Lord to welcome into His Kingdom of
eternal peace and joy this tireless servant of His, and to grant
consolation and comfort to all those who mourn Fr. Kourken’s passing.

On Tuesday December 22, 2009, at 7:00 PM, the Home Service for
Fr. Kourken will be held at St. Peter Armenian Church-Youth Center in
Glendale.

On Wednesday December 23, 2009, starting at 10:00 AM, the celebration
of the Divine Liturgy by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate, assisted by the Diocesan Clergy will take place. According to
the traditions of the Armenian Church the Last Unction Rite for the
deceased Clergyman will be performed by the Primate and the Diocesan
Clergy during the Divine Liturgy.

ARCHPRIEST FR. KOURKEN MOURADIAN

Archpriest Fr. Kourken Mouradian was born on May 1, 1928 in
Etchmiadzin, Armenia. From 1945 to 1951 he has studied at the
Theological Seminary of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

On May 9, 1951 he was ordained a deacon by His Eminence Archbishop
Roupen Drampian.

In 1957 he married Miss Vartouhi Derderian and they became blessed
with three children.

On July 31, 1978 he was ordained a married Priest by His Eminence
Archbishop Gomidas Der Stepanian at the Monastery of St. Keghart.

On March 5, 1980 he was assigned as the Abbot of the Khor-Virab
Monastery by His Holiness Vazken I, Catholicos of All Armenians and on
December 18, 1981 he was granted the title of "Archpriest."

In March of 1994 they moved to United States of America and settled in
the Los Angeles area. In 2003 he was assigned by the newly elected
Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian as the Father
Confessor of St. Peter Armenian Church of Glendale, California.

The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, providing
spiritual guidance and leadership to the Armenian Apostolic community,
is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization comprised of more
than 50 churches in 16 western states. It was established in 1898 as
the Diocese of the Armenian Church encompassing the entire United
States and Canada. In 1927 the Western Diocese was formed to
exclusivly serve the western United States.

3325 North Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474 Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

8countnews.com
Dec 20 2009

Martirosyan Ready For A Title Shot

December 20th, 2009

Rising junior middleweight star Vanes "The Nightmare" Martirosyan
(26-0, 17 KO’s) backed up his call for a title shot in 2010 by
stopping Willie Lee (17-6, 11 KO’s) in the third-round on the Kelly
Pavlik-Miguel Espino undercard in Youngstown, Ohio on Saturday.

Martirosyan picked up two regional 154-pound titles for his efforts
last night.

In the opening round Vanes acurratly pin-poined a series of straight
rights and hooks that continued into the third round where he dropped
Lee with a solid right counter. Lee recovered from the blast but
Martirosyan’s relentless preasure forced referee Randy Jarvis to stop
the bout at 2:13.

Trainer Freddie Roach is very confident that his Armenian contender is
now ready to seek a junior middleweight belt with his eyes set on WBA
title holder Yuri Foreman.

LE/2161/2009-12-20.html

Public Television of Armenia
Dec 11 2009

US official, Armenian leader discuss ties with Turkey, Karabakh – state TV

[Presenter-read report] The USA will continue its consistent support
in the direction of the speedy normalization of relations between
Armenia and Turkey without preconditions, US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton told the Armenian president in a phone conversation
initiated by her in the evening of 10 December. Ms Clinton informed
[Armenian President] Serzh Sargsyan about details of the Washington
meeting between US President Barack Obama and Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

President Sargsyan asked Ms Clinton to express his gratitude to
President Obama for stable support in the issue of normalization of
relations with Turkey. The president of our country reconfirmed yet
another time Armenia’s willingness – in connection with the process –
to respect its international commitments and to advance in the
direction of the normalization of ties with Turkey, expressing the
hope that the Turkish side will show same willingness and
responsibility as well.

Issues connected with the process of settlement of the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict were also discussed during the phone conversation.
The US Secretary of State reconfirmed the support of her country for a
peaceful and long-term settlement for the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict,
emphasizing at the same time that the US administration considers the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict and normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations as processes separate from each other, and
that progress in the direction of each of the individual processes
will contribute to the strengthening of peace and stability in the
region.

[translated from Armenian]

news.am, Armenia
Dec 19 2009

Charity trade fair in Yerevan

14:38 / 12/19/2009Dec.19, Diplomats’ Spouses Association of Armenia
`Welcome to Armenia’ chaired by Natalia Nalbandian, spouse of the RA
Foreign Minister organized a charity fair in Yerevan City Hall.
National dishes and souvenirs from Russia, the U.S., India, Iraq,
Turkmenistan, Georgia and other countries were presented. The proceeds
from trade fair will go to the repair of kindergartens No. 5, 73, 95
in Shengavit district of Yerevan.

`Traditionally, all countries organize charity events for children or
the needy on Christmas eve. With the assistance of Yerevan City Hall
we found 3 kindergartens in want of repair and decided to aid them,’
FM’s spouse Natalia Nalbandian said, adding that she did not buy
anything in the fair yet.
Beyond Ambassadors’ spouses, the ambassadors also attended the event.

Head of Yerevan City Hall Cultural Department Lusine Martirosyan
informed that the fair is on the list of festive events initiated by
the City Hall.

K.M.

OBAMA OWES TO ARMENIANS, GEORGIAN POLITICAL SCIENTIST

news.az
Dec 18 2009
Azerbaijan

Barack Obama "Azerbaijan should not be offended with the United
States, as I am sure that Washington does not want to help Karabakh
separatists.

Merely, the influence of Armenian diaspora is strong there and they
have a hand in adopting this decision, Georgian political scientist
Joseph Tsintsadze told.

Unlike Armenians, neither Georgians nor Azerbaijanis were able to
create a strong lobby. Look, a greater part of Hollywood are Armenians,
there are Armenians in US mass media, in the sphere of services and
other fields. They have created such a ramified structure there that
I am surprized why they received so little money, just $8mln. They
work the same way in Russia and Europe.

Therefore, it is difficult to Azerbaijan to hold struggle in such
conditions. But truth is on Azerbaijan’s side and truth is such
a thing that even superpowers have to agree on it. Azerbaijan and
Georgia are important for the United States and I do not think that
the US does not understand this fact. Merely, Obama owes to Armenia
for their support to his presidential campaign therefore, he wants to
return the debt. The mistake of our compatriots in the United States
is that we do not take an active part in the political life of this
country. The latest events prove that we should also take an active
part in the political processes of the countries where our compatriots
live", Tsintsadze said.

ARMINFO-STAR DINING TABLE PRICE INDEX TOTALS 103.26 POINTS

ArmInfo
2009-12-18 10:34:00

ArmInfo. "ArmInfo-STAR" Dining Table Price Index (DTPI), based
on the costs of the 50 most popular food products at the network
of supermarkets STAR totaled 103.26 in November with a view to
basic February 2009. In November versus October the index totaled
109.48 points. Price index in November totaled 119.27 points versus
November 2008, whereas quantity index totaled 122.59 and the price
index totaled 100.32 points. The number of consumers was down 1.72%
versus October but grew 5.44% versus November 2008 (exclusive of the
supermarkets opened within the year this index was down 2.8%). The
average purchase sum grew 1.02% versus October and was down 16.27%
versus November 2008 (exclusive of the supermarkets opened within
the year, the index was down 14.62%).

ArmInfo analysts say one of the key trends of the last months was
the continuous rise of sugar price within the second half of the year.

Starting July sugar price rose 18.6%, which has affected consumption.

Thus, after high consumption in August, at the end of summer
procurement, consumption began to fall and was down 29,6% in November
versus July. Sugar grew in price also outside the STAR network. This
probably resulted in general decline of sugar consumption. As for
bread, the average consumption of this product grew 1.87% versus
October despite the stable price. Since July bread grew in price
10-12% in compliance wit general rise of prices for food products. As
a result, consumption of the basic types of bread at STAR did not fall.

Prices of dairy products (200-450g sour cream, milk, matsoun and curds)
were left unchanged versus October. Over the last several months
these products grew in price up to 5% (specifically matsoun and sour
cream). Seasonal growth of sour cream consumption from July to November
yields 20% to the same period of 2008 when sour cream was by 10-20
drams cheaper (in November this indicator yielded to November of 2008
by 10 drams). As for milk, in October-November 2008 it grew in price
nearly 10% that led to 3.5% decline of consumption. In November 2009,
milk consumption began growing because of seasonal trends (8% versus
October and almost 8% versus Nov 2008 despite nearly 5% lower price).

Beef consumption like the price for the last months was left almost
the same. As compared to 2008 beef price grew nearly by 20 drams
(considering some fluctuations, for instance sharp growth in August).

By November 2008 beef price fell almost by 70 drams versus November
2009, which resulted in 40% growth of consumption as compared to the
present. Consumption of chicken is half as much as in 2008 given
the 4.6% lower price in 2008. However, in November versus October
consumption grew 25% and the price was left unchanged.

Consumption of potato versus October fell for seasonal reasons
particularly, because of winter procurement from markets and farmers.

In 2009 potato grew in price nearly 25%-30% versus Oct-Nov 2008. The
seasonal decline in November 2009 was not as significant as in the
previous year (25.4% versus 34.7%).

ArmInfo-STAR DTPI is based on the prices and quantity parameters of
consumption of basic food products at the network of supermarkets STAR.

DELL TO EXPAND ACTIVITIES IN ARMENIA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
17.12.2009 13:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yerevan hosts Dell New Generation Corporate Systems
conference organized by Dell Computer Corporation and Vallex IT.

"This event proves Dell’s intention to expand activities in Armenia,"
head of the information and high technologies division at the RA
Economy Ministry Vache Kirakosyan said, adding that the company also
participates in Computer for All project.

Anton Polsky, Dell CIS Commercial Team leader said, for his part,
that Dell collaborates with each of Fortune 100 companies. He also
noted that Dell activities in Armenia will be SME-oriented.

109 AUDITORS HAVE QUALIFICATION CERTIFICATES IN ARMENIA AS OF DECEMBER 14

NOYAN TAPAN
DECEMBER 15, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Ministry of Finance conducted
7 qualifying examinations for auditors in 2009, as a result of which 24
applicants out of 89 received an auditor’s qualification certificate.

NT was informed by the Information and PR Unit of the RA Ministry of
Finance that 109 auditors had qualification certificates in Armenia
as of December 14.