Author: Antonian Lara

HOPEFUL IN IRAQ

American Magazine – The National Catholic Weekly
s.cfm?signid=386
April 8 2010

Archbishop Avak Asadourian, primate of the Armenian Orthodox Church
of Iraq and secretary general of the Iraqi Council of Christian Church
Leaders, said he was pleased with the level of public participation in
the recent Iraqi elections. "There was a high level of participation
among Christians, as well," he said. "Now all we are waiting to see is
which direction the government will take. We hope that the guiding
principle of action will be to ensure peace and security to the
nation," he said. "The Christians have hopes for a stable and strong
government. We are citizens of Iraq and we have been in this land,
our home, for millennia. Politicians leading the country say they hope
that Christians will remain in the country and continue to contribute.

We ask them not to remain in good intentions, but to put them into
practice through works," ensuring a peaceful life to Christian
minorities, who are still under fierce attack.

KARABAKH’S RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION KEY ISSUE IN PEACE PROCESS -ARMENIAN MINISTER

Interfax
April 7 2010
Russia

The status of Nagorno-Karabakh is a key issue in the process aimed
at settling the conflict over the self-proclaimed republic, Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan told journalists on Wednesday.

"It is difficult to speak about our success in sorting out other
problems without finding a solution to the central aspect of the
Karabakh problem, the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh’s right of self-determination and its ability
to exercise this right remain key issues in the peace process,"
Nalbandyan said.

"The Madrid principles are lying on the negotiating table," the
Armenian minister said, adding that these principles were presented
by the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group in November 2007.

"These principles serve as the foundation of our talks. The Minsk
Group co-chairmen continue offering working proposals on ways to
resolve the conflict. These efforts will continue until the sides
manage to bridge the gap between their positions," he said.

HIGH REPRESENTATIVE CATHERINE ASHTON ISSUES STATEMENT ON NORMALISATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY, ARMENIA

US State News
April 7, 2010 Wednesday 8:25 AM EST

BRUSSELS, Belgium, April 6 — The European Union’s European Council
issued the following statement:

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission made
the following statement:

"The European Union encourages Armenia and Turkey to remain committed
to the process of normalisation and calls on both countries to ratify
and implement the bilateral protocols without preconditions and in a
reasonable timeframe. In this context, the EU welcomes the decision
of the Armenian President to submit both protocols to the parliament
as well as the recent declaration by the President of Turkey to remain
committed to the normalisation of relations with Armenia.

The European Union believes that the full normalisation of bilateral
relations between Armenia and Turkey would be an important contribution
to security, stability and cooperation in the Southern Caucasus. The
EU will continue to provide its political and technical support to
this process and stands ready to help implementing the steps agreed
between the two countries." For more information please contact:
Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- [email protected]

DECLARATION BY FIDH MEMBER ORGANISATIONS IN ARMENIA AND IN TURKEY

Aysor
April 9 2010
Armenia

Within the framework of the FIDH 37th Congress-Forum, which took
place in Armenia on April 6-8, the FIDH member organisations in
Armenia and in Turkey have issued a joint declaration, published below:

"We strongly believe that the protection of human rights throughout
Turkey and the South Caucasus is key in the process of peace-building,
reconciliation and good neighbourly relations between all countries
in the region, in order to ensure the safety, wellbeing and dignity
of people across borders.

We call on both countries and societies in Armenia and Turkey to join
their efforts and to create the necessary environment and processes
to compensate for any negative consequences of human rights abuses
committed in the past, including discrimination on the basis of
ethnicity, religion etc, and to adhere to the standards of human
rights protection as defined by international instruments.

As an essential component to ensure respect for human rights throughout
the region, we call for freedom of expression in all countries, and
for the abolishment of any laws and practices that prevent free speech,
including those imposing constraints on the Armenian-Turkish dialogue,
such as Article 301 of the Criminal Code of Turkey.

We urge the political parties of the government and of the opposition
in Turkey and Armenia to fulfill their duties to take every necessary
step to normalize relations between the two countries and societies.

This includes the imminent need to implement the bilateral Protocols
on the normalisation of diplomatic relations and the opening of mutual
borders. Progress in this direction and the process of democratic
transformation in Turkey will create a favourable environment for
addressing the painful issue of the Armenian Genocide.

We denounce all forms of hostility fed by militaristic ambitions and
structures among nations in the region.

To ensure sustainable peace between Armenia and Turkey and the
prevention of mutual hostility in the future, we call on the
two governments to ratify and implement the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court.

With the aim of building bridges between the two societies, we call
on both countries to implement inclusive policies and to abolish
exclusive approaches in every sphere of life.

We call on the governments and civil societies of both countries to
promote equal and just treatment in every sphere of life, including
media, education, administration, legal practices, and public life."

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY BUILDING SUPPORT FOR U.S. AFFIRMATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

armradio.am
09.04.2010 11:20

The Armenian Assembly of America welcomed the support of the Arizona
Ecumenical Council (AEC) regarding H.Res. 252, which affirms the U.S.

record on the Armenian Genocide.

The AEC sent a letter to all Members of the Arizona Congressional
Delegation urging support of the Armenian Genocide resolution currently
pending before the House and Senate.

The letter read in part: "Ninety-five years ago, the Ottoman Turks
undertook a mass campaign to systematically destroy and eradicate
all traces of Armenian civilization throughout Anatolia. Rather than
acknowledging the Genocide and enabling both Turks and Armenians to
move beyond this dark period in its history, Turkey has chosen to
employ high paid lobbyists to stop the U.S. from passing an Armenian
Genocide Resolution."

AEC Executive Director Reverend Jan Olav Flaaten said, "As brothers
and sisters in Christ, we rejoice when members rejoice, and we weep
when members of the Christian family weep. It is a sign of our unity."

Under the leadership of Rev. Flaaten, the Council currently represents
more than 1.5 million individuals from 18 Christian denominations
throughout the state of Arizona.

The letter to Congress reflects the continuing outreach efforts by
the Armenian Assembly. Over the past year, the Assembly’s Western
Region Director Yeghig Keshishian has worked closely with Reverend
Flaaten and Father Zacharia Saribekyan of St. Apkar Armenian Apostolic
Church of Arizona to encourage greater civic action. Together, they
have broadened the local Arizona community’s understanding of the
Armenian Genocide.

"The solidarity of the Arizona Ecumenical Council is a testament to
the important work of the Council in helping to heal the wounds of the
Armenian Genocide," stated Keshishian. "On behalf of the Assembly,
we welcome the Council’s support and the Christian community it
represents, and we look forward to broadening our outreach even more,"
he added.

TURKISH MPS’ CONCERN OVER ARMENIAN NPP UNFOUNDED

news.am
April 9 2010
Armenia

The RA Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has responded to the
unnecessary alarm over the Armenian nuclear-power station created by
Turkish MPs.

The Turkish parliamentarians expressed their "concern" over the
Metsamor nuclear power plant (NPP), which is located 20 km of Igdır,
Turkey, in a seismic zone. According to them, the NPP constitutes
a threat to Turkey’s eastern regions. They also pointed out that,
according to the security standards set by the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA), the Armenian NPP ranks 145th of the 146.

The claims are not confirmed by any of the IAEA documents. According
to the IAEA, 438 nuclear power reactors are currently in operation
worldwide. The nuclear security issues are the focus of attention of
the RA Presidential Nuclear Security Council, which is formed of the
best specialists. The IAEA is coordinating the measures to enhance
the safety of the Armenian NPP. In conformity with the Convention on
Nuclear Safety, Armenia presents a national report on nuclear safety
to the IAEA every three years. The report is available to all the
IAEA member-states.

As regards seismic safety, in 2009 international experts examined
the platform of the Armenian NPP. The examination showed no reasons
for concern.

Moreover, the Armenian population within a 50-km radius of the NPP
reaches 2,145,000 against 126,000 in Turkey.

NO SENSE TO CHANGE PRIME MINISTER: SERZH SARGSYAN

Tert.am
18:37 09.04.10

The news that the Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan, may
step down are baseless, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said at
press conference today in the framework of a visit to Tavush marz
(province) when asked whether or not the rumors on prime minister’s
possible resignation were realistic.

"No, that news is baseless, and I am not going now to change a
government or the prime minister. You know, there is something strange
here too: when our economy was falling by 15%, 16%, 17% and there
were such conversations, I could understand it somehow," said Sargsyan.

"When the economy was slumping down, that is to say our economic
team was not that competent to resist the crisis and to forecast
that a global financial and economic crisis could break up, may be
at that moment such opinions could be expressed. But what is the use
of speaking about changing the economic team today when the economy
is gradually recovering? I consider it useless. As what concerns to
[changing] one, two or three government members, this is an on-going
process, ministers can always be shifted, and that will not affect
our economic policy," said Sargsyan.

ARMENIA HIGHLY ASSESSES IRAN’S READINESS TO ASSIST KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS

news.am
April 8 2010
Armenia

Armenia highly assesses Iran’s efforts, but recalls that talks on
Karabakh peace process are held in the frames of OSCE Minsk Group,
a diplomatic source who did not want to be identified told NEWS.am.

Yesterday, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said in a
press conference that official Tehran presented proposals on Karabakh
conflict settlement.

"We hope that the parties will take positive steps towards the
resolution," Mottaki stated.

ARMENIA HANDS OVER AZERBAIJANI PRISONER OF WAR

Today
html
April 7 2010
Azerbaijan

The Armenian side handed over Azerbaijan prisoner of war Rafiq Hasanov
on April 7.

It happened in the Sadarak region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous
Republic at 12:00 a.m., the State Commission on Prisoners of War,
Hostages and Missing People of Azerbaijan spokesman Shahin Sailov said.

Rafiq Hasanov was detained in October 2008 in the direction of the
village Kemerli of Azerbaijani Gazakh region.

Besides Rafiq Hasanov, the Armenian side detains soldier Anar Hajiyev,
taken prisoner in May 2009 in the direction of Fuzuli region of
Azerbaijan. The Armenian side holds another hostage – Eldar Tagiyev.

He was detained in the Tovuz region of Azerbaijan in December 2009.

The Azerbaijani side got bodies of Azerbaijani citizens killed by
Armenian armed forces on Saturday, on April 3, at 12:00 a.m. in the
Sadarak region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

STATUS OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH IS KEY ITEM, SAYS NALBANDIAN

Aysor
April 7 2010
Armenia

The key item in the process of settlement to the Karabakh conflict
is the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, said Armenia’s Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian at the joint conference with Secretary-General of
the International Organization of la Francophonie (IOF) Abdou Diouf,
following the meeting between the officials.

"Without a solution to Karabakh issue’s main problem, which is
the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, it’s difficult to talk about other
problems. As before, the key item in a process of settlement to the
Karabakh conflict remains the issue of acknowledgement and realization
of Nagorno-Karabakh people’s right to self-determination," said
Edward Nalbandian.

Referring to the Madrid Document, which had been delivered to the
sides in November 2007, Armenian Foreign Minister said: "The document
is a basis for talks. The Minsk Group Co-Chairs continue delivering
proposals, containing their working on the Basic Principles. And this
will go on until the sides’ positions are brought together."