Author: Antonian Lara

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF ARMENIA DONATES PERSIAN GULF DOCS TO IRAN

Mehr News Agency
May 4 2008
Iran

TEHRAN — Director of the National Library of Armenia Davit Sargsyan
donated to Iran a number of historical documents on the Persian Gulf
on April 29.

The DVD was handed to Iran’s cultural attaché in Armenia on the
Persian Gulf National Day when an exhibition was also being held in
commemoration of the day. The DVD contains 20 maps and documents on
the Persian Gulf.

–Boundary_(ID_FQ9+VWRDeq9y1eu3Bf8XpQ)–

THE EUROVISION PARTY

Canvas Magazine
ty_200408.php
May 4 2008
UK

Eurovision fans hold on to your seats, the Eurovision stars are
coming to London for an exclusive and intimate preview at Kings Cross’
Scala nightclub.

This year’s Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Serbia, which won
last year on it’s first entry as an independent country. Taking place
on the 24th May in Belgrade, the contest has a new format, taking
stage in heats with semi-finals a couple of days before the main event.

Many Eurovision entrants have pre-contest promotional tours but we
haven’t been in on the camp fun for a little while. London last saw
Eurovision action in 1977, when the UK hosted the event. The setting
is one of London’s best nightclubs, a converted cinema which manages
to create an intimate gig environment although it holds 1200 people
over four floors.

Top of the bill – well, our bill – are Bucks Fizz, the skirt-ripping
band that won the competition in 1984 with "Making Your Mind Up." Some
other acts are yet to be confirmed, but the show comes with its own
cheesy DJ Dave Simmons, spinning some of the other finalists’ tunes
mixed with some of the old favourites.

The UK Eurovision Preview Party takes place at Scala in London on
Friday 25th April from 21:00-04:00. Full details are available on the
official event website at Tickets are £10 in
advance from or £15 on the door.

Here are some other artists in the line-up. Although, surely checking
out the bands in advance might sway your vote.

Malta – Morena heads over here with her song Vodka; presumably about
the best pastime you could have on a tiny little island full of
red-faced Brits.

Ukraine – Ani Lorak with Shady Lady. She’s one of the favourites to
win, has big boobs and Pat Butcher-like earrings.

Poland – Isis Gee will sing ‘For Life’, a song she wrote for her
husband when she moved to Poland. You could probably guess from the
name she’s not Polish. She’s not ancient Egyptian either; she grew
up in LA.

Iceland – Euroband promises to throw classic camp Euro-cheese in your
face. Alright, we haven’t heard their song yet, but look at them –
just look at them.

Norway – You already know what Maria’s song ‘Hold on be strong’
sounds like just from the title. She’s off of Norwegian Pop Idol and
is about to release her first album.

Bosnia and Herzegovina – Eric Lakovic Laka is daring enough to
come in with a song in his native tongue. It’s called PokuÅ¡aj and
we didn’t bother to look up the meaning – it’s only Eurovision for
crying out loud.

Romania – Nicola and Vlad sing Pe-o margine de lume (On the edge of
the world). The guys are stopping off at the London party as part of
their London tour. Vlad is an opera tenor and Nico composes music.

Armenia – we’re not sure what Sirusho’s number will be yet. She’s been
spreading Armenian love across the world promoting her best-selling
albums over the last few years.

–Boundary_(ID_dfxmUjS3XtZqjN7f6oRWow)–

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAM FOR 2008-2012

ARKA
May 4, 2008

YEREVAN, May 4. /ARKA/. With 88 to three, the RA Parliament approved
the Government’s program of action for 2008-2012.

The Government worked out the program in the context of the National
Security Strategy of Armenia, the Poverty Reduction Strategic Program
and the election programs of the President, the coalition-forming
parties (the Republican Party of Armenia, the Prospering Party of
Armenia, the Country of Law Party and the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation, ARF), as well as the principal provisions of the Agreement
on Political Coalition.

The concept of the government’s program is based on five pivots –
efficiency and security in the rapidly changing world, preservation
of spiritual and cultural values, and human freedoms.

In presenting the program, RA Premier Tigran Sargssyan presented
stressed that the Government will work to ensure high rates of
macroeconomic stability and economic growth.

"The Government’s role in economy will be essential, however,
restricted to creating a favourable environment for the private
sector," the Premier said.

The government says it will try to achieve an ambitious goal of making
Armenia a regional centre of business and investments.

The program largely focuses on poverty reduction issues as well.

"The shortest way to solve the problem of poverty is to make needy
citizens actively involved in the country’s economic and political
life," Sargssyan said.

Тhe Government will keep focus on the problem highlighted by the
former Government, namely, the gap between the average pensions
and average wages, which led to a tangible gap between the living
standards of employed citizens and pensioners.

The new Government will also focus on the development of a national
system of environmental protection, people’s access to cultural
resources and aviation modernization.

–Boundary_(ID_urmtyPRRsJsloBXzDot lDA)–

May 2, 2008
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER
CELEBRATION OF PENTECOST

By the initiative of Bible study groups from various parishes, an
event dedicated to the feast of Pentecost will take place on Sunday, May
4th, at "Dikranian" Hall of Holy Martyrs Church in Encino.
The event is being held under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and has been organized by the Pastor and
Board of Trustees of Holy Martyrs Church.
The event will feature hymns, Bible readings, and remarks from
representatives of each area.

PRELATE TO DELIVER INVOCATION AT THE OPENING OF THE ARS FESTIVAL

The 7th annual Armenian Relief Society festival, organized by the
ARS Regional Executive, is scheduled to take place on Saturday May 3rd and
Sunday May 4th at the Glendale Civic Auditorium.
The Prelate will deliver the invocation and convey his remarks
during the opening ceremony on Saturday.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER ARTUR AGHABEGIAN
VISITS THE PRELACY

On the morning of Friday, May 2nd, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy member of Armenia’s
Parliament and Chair of the Security and Defense Committee Artur Aghabegian,
who was invited to Los Angeles to be the keynote speaker at the 20th
anniversary grand celebration of the Artsakh Liberation Movement.
Participating in the meeting were ARF Central Committee
representative Mr. Karo Khanjian, Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian and
Barthev Gulumian and Executive Council treasurer Mr. Vahan Bezdikian.
The Prelate and guests discussed the current state of affairs in
Armenia and Artsakh as well as issues relating to our community in general.
Mr. Aghabegian imparted that during his visits to Prelacy schools he was
impressed by the Armenian education the students were receiving, emphasizing
that what is important is for an Armenian to rise each day as an Armenian no
matter where he finds himself in this world.
The discussion then turned to the situation in Armenia, with Mr.
Aghabegian noting that cooperation between the governing bodies and the
people is crucial. He also spoke of the various efforts to secure aid for
Armenia.
The visit concluded with the Prelate presenting the guest deputy
with a memento.

PRELATE TO ATTEND GALA CELEBRATION OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARTSAKH
LIBERATION MOVEMENT

On the evening of Friday, May 2nd, the gala celebration of the 20th
anniversary of the Artsakh Liberation Movement will take place at the
Wilshire Ebell Theatre. The event is organized by the Glendale, Burbank,
and La Crescenta communities.
The keynote speaker of the event is Artur Aghabegian, member of
Armenia’s Parliament and Chair of the Security and Defense Committee, who
was invited from Armenia for this event.
The Prelate, accompanied by clergy members, will attend the
celebration.

PRELATE PRESIDES OVER DIVINE LITURGY AND LUNCHEON ON THE FEAST OF ASCENSION

The Feast of Ascension was celebrated on Thursday, May 1st,
beginning in the morning with Divine Liturgy, followed by the traditional
luncheon. The Prelate presided over Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated by
Holy Martyrs Church pastor Rev. Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian, at St. Mary’s
Church in Glendale, and delivered the sermon.
The luncheon took place following Divine Liturgy at the First
Congregational Church in Glendale. The Prelate presided over the luncheon
which was organized by the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary and hosted by Mrs.
Anoush Martayan.
Following welcoming remarks by Master of Ceremonies Mrs. Hourig
Abdulian, the Prelate delivred the invocation and conveyed his blessings.
He commended the Ladies Auxiliary for once again organizing a successful
event and thanked Mrs. Martayan for hosting the luncheon. Rev. Fr. Vazken
Atmajian then elaborated on the feast and the traditions associated with it,
after which the festivities continued with the traditional vijag and
entertainment by singer Gagik Badalyan.

36TH PRELACY REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY

The 36th Prelacy Representative Assembly will convene on Friday, May
9th, and continue on Saturday, May 10th, at "Armenag Der Bedrossian" Hall of
St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. The parish Board of Trustees will host the
assembly.
Items on the agenda include the assessment of the previous year’s
activities of our churches and schools as well as the election of the
Prelate, the Religious and Executive Councils.
On Wednesday, May 7th, the Prelate will preside over a clergy
conference in the same hall, during which issues relating to the
Representative Assembly will be discussed and suggestions made to present at
the meeting.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 2 2008

Afrand Dashdamirov: `We should not entirely rely on mediators in the
solution of Nagorno Karabakh problem’

[ 02 May 2008 17:09 ]

Baku. Lachin Sultanova `APA. `Superpowers have an important role in
the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh problem.

They can assist the conflict solution or to tackle it’, Afrand
Dashdamirov, Vice-President of All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress,
Professor of Russian Public Service Academy under the Russian
President and member of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, told
APA. He called UN resolution on the occupied lands of Azerbaijan an
important document. `Adoption of such resolution approved the public
opinion about the fair position of Azerbaijan. It is important
spiritual victory not depending on supporters or opponents, but it is
not enough to achieve results and to settle the conflict
completely. It is very difficult to achieve results in the political
negotiations through the spiritual and even legal funds. It needs to
put forward successive and appropriate policy to settle the
conflict. Only those, who know all details of current situation, know
which policy should be made in this issue. OSCE co-chairing countries
`mediators in the settlement process` try to reconcile the sides. At
the same time each of them has its own interests in our regions and
different special relations with the conflict parties. Equal close
relations with both Azerbaijan and Armenia can be ideal for Russia. It
is important for Russia to keep close relations with Azerbaijan, the
biggest country of South Caucasus, but at the same time Moscow doesn’t
intend to lose Armenia. Russia has a limit in its opportunities of
influence. Everybody knows that France’s position is under the
influence of Armenian-origin citizens of the country. The United
States has own accounts and games in the region. Each of them partly
supports both Azerbaijan and Armenia. They don’t deviate to say `Let
them reach agreement between themselves and we will support their
agreement’. It is shameful and disagreeable for Azerbaijan to make
concessions while its lands are under the occupation. But reality is
so. We shouldn’t rely on mediators and we should have own will. It
means we don’t have to expect for proposals and have to go to the
direct dialogue’. Dashdamirov thinks first of all civil society
institutions can start the dialogue. `We need to start direct
negotiations considering the factor of forever neighborhood of
Azerbaijan and Armenia. Episodic visits cannot help the process. I
have no doubt that Armenian side suffers from the current situation
and makes economic losses. But we also don’t live in vacuum. Georgia
continues its relations with this country despite we like it or not
and we also know the role of Russia and Iran in Armenian economy’.

ITALIAN TOURISTS LEAVE ARMENIA WITH GOOD IMPRESSIONS

Noyan Tapan
April 30, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 30, NOYAN TAPAN. The price-quality ratio of Armenia’s
tourist services are quite acceptable to Italian tourists. A 8-day
travel from Italy to Armenia costs 1,200-1,800 euros, depending on
hotel prices. The price includes the cost of air travel, food and
journeys made within the country, NT correspondent was informed by
Nadia Pasqual, travel marketing and communication advisor of the
USAID-financed Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS) Program.

In her words, Italian tourists usually leave Armenia with good
impressions and are satisfied with services provided by local
hotels and tour guides. In particular, by the results of a survey
of international tourists to Armenia (September 2006 – August 2007),
96% of Italian tourists said that they would advise others to visit
Armenia.

She said that establishment of direct flights between the two countries
and a large number of three-star hotels in Armenia may contribute to
a reduction in travel prices of Italians to Armenia.

According to the indicated survey, Italians who visit Armenia by
purchasing tour packages, along with those from the U.S, Canada,
the UK, Germany and France, are among tourists incurring the largest
amount of expenses (up to 224 dollars) daily.

RA FM APPRECIATES PARLIAMENTARY STATEMENT ON KARABAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.04.2008 18:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian
confirmed official Yerevan’s willingness to continue Karabakh talks
on the basis of OSCE MG recent proposals.

Addressing the National Assembly today, the Minister remarked that
"Azerbaijan’s readiness is also essential for continuation of the
peaceful process."

"The statement adopted by the Armenian parliament is appropriate,
since the recent moves of the Azeri side could not but cause an
adequate reaction," he said, adding that passage of the Azerbaijani
resolution in the UN General Assembly "has become an obstacle in the
peaceful process," Mediamax reports.

ARMENIAN-CHINESE BUSINESS ASSEMBLY IN PEKING

Panorama.am
20:22 30/04/2008

In June Armenian-Chinese business assembly will be held in
Peking. 20 big companies have already applied to take part in the
meeting. According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry public relations
department, the decision was made when the Ambassador of Armenia in
China Vahagn Movsisyan met with the head of European department of the
Trade Ministry of China and the deputy president of Armenian-Chinese
inter-governmental committee Syuy Tunkai.

Vahagn Sargsyan presented the geographical and geo-economic position of
Armenia in the region and the perspectives of becoming technological
center and the free economic field in Armenia. The Ambassador also
mentioned that it is important to contribute to the export of Armenian
merchandise to China.

The Chinese side is intended to work on the investment program and they
mentioned that all the investments could be carried out through Exim
Chinese Bank. The Chinese officials asked the Armenian side to prepare
information about demanded Armenian merchandise in Chinese market.

CHANGES – FINALLY ADOPTED

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on May 01, 2008
Armenia

Early in the morning yesterday, the Parliament of Turkey adopted the
amendment to Article 301 of the Criminal Code, with a vote of 250 for
and 65 against. Only the members of the ruling party voted in favor
of the amendment which will enter into force after being ratified by
the President.

On April 29, the National Assembly held discussions till late at night,
over introducing an amendment to Article 301 envisaging punishment for
"insulting the Turkish identity". Hundreds of journalists and writers,
including Hrant Dink, Editor of "Agos" newspaper, and Orhan Pamouk,
laureate of Nobel Prize in literature, have been persecuted under
this article.

The nationalistic parliamentary opposition was against the amendment
which criminalizes the insult to the Turkish state vs. the "Turkish
identity". Any criminal case under this article will be instituted
only by the permission of the Minister of Justice, and the maximum
degree of punishment will be reduced from 3 to 2 years of imprisonment.

OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 223-4330
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:

PRESS RELEASE
April 30, 2008

ARTSAKH’S ENVOY CALLS FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION
Urges Greater U.S. Political and Economic Support to Artsakh

Washington, DC – NKR Representative to the United States Vardan Barseghian
spoke at the annual Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill that also
featured U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
(D-MD), Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and other members of Congress.

The event was organized by the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues,
co-chaired by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), in
cooperation with the Armenian Embassy in Washington and leading
Armenian-American organizations. Armenian Ambassador Tatoul Markarian,
Prelate Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, and Dr.
Gregory Stanton, President of the International Association of Genocide
Scholars also spoke to the audience that included Armenian Genocide
survivors, human rights activists, and members of the Armenian community.

In his remarks, Representative Barseghian called upon the United States to
recognize the Armenian Genocide saying that it would "send a powerful
warning signal to those who plan new ethnic cleansing campaigns that the
truth will prevail, that criminal actions will be named for what they are
and that the perpetrators will be condemned and will bear responsibility."

Tying past crimes against humanity to today’s situation, Barseghian said
that the Nagorno Karabakh problem is a direct result of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915-1923.

"Weakened by mass killings, deportations and widespread devastation
inflicted by the Ottoman Turks, Armenia was not able to hold on to its
historic province of Artsakh and eventually gave in to the Soviet pressure
to include it within administrative borders of Soviet Azerbaijan. And the
consequences of the Armenian Genocide, including that particular decision by
the Bolsheviks, continue affecting our lives today, over 90 years later",
the Artsakh representative said.

Stressing that the risk of genocide still exists, Barseghian said that
"Azerbaijan continues to threaten Nagorno Karabakh with a new war because we
insist on our right to live in freedom."

"Nagorno Karabakh will continue reinforcing its defense capabilities to be
up to the task, but we would like to see our friends on Capitol Hill and
those who want to see a stable and peaceful South Caucasus to send a clear
signal to Azerbaijan that a new war would not be tolerated," he said.

On behalf of the NKR Government, Barseghian thanked Representatives Pallone
and Knollenberg and other congressional leaders for their steadfast support
on issues related to Artsakh’s security, freedom, and economic development.
He urged greater U.S. political and economic support.

"We hope that the U.S. Congress will continue its leading role in charting a
new format for relations with Nagorno Karabakh that looks beyond conflict
resolution to collaboration on issues of security, democracy and economic
development."

Concluding his remarks said Barseghian said that leaders on Capitol Hill
acknowledge that in "parallel to our common efforts to make this world
genocide-free, we also need to deal with consequences of past crimes and to
support those who still struggle for freedom and justice."

The full text of Rep. Barseghian’s remarks is provided below. You can also
view it online at:

The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is based in
Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia and the American
public representing the official policies and interests of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic, Artsakh.

* * *

Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill

Remarks by the NKR Representative to the United States Vardan Barseghian
April 23, 2008

Ambassador Markarian,
Honorable Members of Congress,
Your Eminence,
Dear friends,

I would like to start by thanking the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues, Representatives Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg, for
organizing this event in collaboration with the Armenian Embassy and all
major Armenian-American organizations.

Both co-chairs deserve a special credit for their outstanding leadership on
issues that are important to the Armenian-American community, to the United
States, Armenia and Artsakh. We highly value the support of our many
congressional friends on issues related to Artsakh’s security, freedom, and
economic development. Thank you!

It is a great privilege to join you today, on behalf of the Government of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh, as we honor the sacred memory of
innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide. For all those gathered here and
for all those who spoke and will speak today, it is a solemn duty to be
here, to remember, reflect and seek justice, speaking on behalf of those who
were silenced by their cold-blooded killers in 1915-1923 throughout historic
Armenia, including its eastern-most province of Artsakh.

Tomorrow, tens of thousands will lay flowers at the Genocide Memorial in
Artsakh. They will remember the victims of the Armenian Genocide, among
which are over 20,000 Armenians brutally killed in Shushi, Nagorno Karabakh,
in March of 1920. They will also wow, once again, not to allow the repeat of
those horrible events.

Some, who are less familiar with our part of the world and whom we try to
educate about the urgency of recognizing the crimes of the past, would say
that we should not be concerned about a new genocide. Some are prepared to
argue that the modern-day Turkey is not a threat to Armenia and Artsakh. But
only 15 years ago, Turkey supported Azerbaijan as the latter waged a war
trying to kill or expel the entire Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh.

Unfortunately the threat of genocide is an ever present one. Azerbaijan
continues to threaten Nagorno Karabakh with a new war because we insist on
our right to live in freedom. Last month, Azerbaijan went beyond verbal
threats and breached the cease-fire regime by attacking our defense
positions along the Line of Contact. When Azerbaijan refused the OSCE
mediation to withdraw, Karabakh’s Army responded in kind, recovering the
defense post and inflicting losses to the enemy. The threat of a new war by
Azerbaijan, whose army is trained by Turkish instructors, remains real.

Nagorno Karabakh will continue reinforcing its defense capabilities to be up
to the task, but we would like to see our friends on Capitol Hill and those
who want to see a stable and peaceful South Caucasus to send a clear signal
to Azerbaijan that a new war would not be tolerated. In this regard we
support the proposed elimination of U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan
until the latter ceases all hostile actions, including threats to use force,
against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

U.S. economic assistance continues to play a critical role in rebuilding
Karabakh’s economy. To build on success of these programs, we ask that the
U.S. Congress continue allocating funds for humanitarian and development
programs to ensure that all parts of the South Caucasus have an opportunity
for economic and political progress.

The Nagorno Karabakh Republic is a functioning democracy. It effectively
controls its territory and enjoys the trust of its citizens. NKR conducts an
independent foreign policy and has the capacity to build and maintain
international contacts with governments and intergovernmental organizations.

It is time for the United States and the rest of the international community
to embrace this new democracy by expanding dialogue on all levels, including
on government-to-government level. We hope the U.S. Congress will continue
its leading role in charting a new format for relations with Nagorno
Karabakh that looks beyond conflict resolution to collaboration on issues of
security, democracy and economic development.

One might ask: How are these issues related to the Armenian Genocide
recognition? They are related for one simple reason — the existence of the
Nagorno Karabakh problem today is the direct result of the 1915-1923
Armenian Genocide. Weakened by mass killings, deportations and widespread
devastation inflicted by the Ottoman Turks, Armenia was not able to hold on
to its historic province of Artsakh and eventually gave in to the Soviet
pressure to include it within administrative borders of Azerbaijan. That was
in 1921.

But, the consequences of the Armenian Genocide, including that particular
decision by the Soviets, continue affecting our lives today, over 90 years
later.

Therefore, by supporting Nagorno Karabakh economically and politically our
friends on Capitol Hill indirectly also acknowledge that in parallel to our
common efforts to make this world genocide-free, we also need to deal with
consequences of past crimes and to support those who still struggle for
freedom and justice.

Those who recognize the need to speak about Armenian Genocide, other crimes
against humanity, genocides in the making, ordinary citizens and their
elected representatives, help the cause of justice.

Last year, all of us had great hopes that the truth will prevail, that the
justice will be done on the Capitol Hill and that the House Resolution 106
would pass. And we remain hopeful. Needless to say that on many issues the
world looks at the U.S. for leadership. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by the United States will send a powerful warning signal to those who plan
genocidal campaigns that the truth will prevail, that criminal actions will
be named for what they are and that perpetrators will be condemned and will
bear responsibility.

Today, as we pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, as we
honor the survivors, we must also remain focused on doing all we can to
prevent any genocide in the future. Thank you!

* * *

This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
in the USA (NKR Office) on behalf of the Government of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic. The NKR Office is registered with the U.S. Government under the
Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional information is available at the
Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.