Author: Antranik Varosian

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES STRESS VIGILANCE AS THE KEY TO ENDING THE CYCLE OF GENOCIDE

AZG Armenian Daily
21/03/2008

Armenian Genocide

Members of Congress, speaking to anti-genocide activists from around
the nation at a Capitol Hill program hosted by the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA) and Genocide Intervention Network (GI-Net),
urged continued civic education and advocacy to bring about the types
of U.S. action and international response needed to end the cycle
of genocide.

The activists were gathered in Washington, DC for three-days of
Congressional meetings as part of Capitol Hill Advocacy days held
from March 12th to 14th. They were joined by local activists from
the Greater Washington, DC area.

Nine House Members, among them Representatives Jim Costa(D-CA),
Rush Holt (D-NJ), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Betty McCollum (D-MN),
James McGovern (D-MA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ),
Laura Richardson (D-CA), and John Tierney (D-MA), joined the citizen
activists, many offering poignant remarks regarding the importance
of vigilance in recognizing past genocides, even as the world works
to stop the current genocide in Darfur and prevent future genocides.

"What you do in keeping that issue [the Armenian Genocide] alive,
making sure that all of us stay involved in it and that we don’t let
it slide to the back burner is exceedingly important," noted Rep. John
Tierney in his opening remarks for the evening.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy concurred, noting that, "Armenia has always
met our values but they’ve been discarded in favor of Turkey, for
expediency purposes, and that’s something that we’ve always got to
fight against because it goes against our values as a nation."

Many Members of Congress expressed frustration at the Turkish
government’s worldwide campaign of genocide denial, citing the Turkish
threats used to delay the full House’s consideration of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106) following its passage last October in
the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "I am sad to say that Congress
didn’t have the backbone to stand up to a well-financed lobby by the
Turkish government and do the right thing, but we’re going to come
back, and come back, and come back until we do the right thing," noted
Rep. McGovern. "This isn’t over so anyone who thinks it is, is wrong."

Rep. Napolitano concurred, noting that "If they [Turkish lobbyists]
want to challenge me, fine, challenge me. But I’ll back it up with
whatever I know, and I know this [the Armenian Genocide] to be a fact
and the truth. That’s why I am very, very supportive and continuing
to work on this."

Rep. Richardson, who cosponsored H.Res.106 within weeks of joining
Congress in a special election, stated, "I’ve made a commitment to
support [H.Res.106] and you can keep me on that list until we get
this done."

Commenting on the often-repeated refrain that it is not the right
time to recognize the Armenian Genocide, Rep. Costa noted that,
"the timing will never be ‘right’ and therefore we must continue. We
must continue these efforts because, eventually, Turkey will have to
deal with the reality of its history…

It’s important to recognize the Armenian Genocide because, sadly,
man’s inhumanity to man continues."

Rep. McCollum summed up Congressional and anti-genocide advocate
concerns alike, stating "I’m very proud of the leadership that your
community has taken with what is happening in Darfur… You’re an
inspiration for all of us to be here to stand up for what is best in
human beings when they try to save one another’s lives and stand up
for basic human rights.

That’s what your movement is all about and the only way we can do that,
as a former history teacher, is by recognizing our history. You can’t
go forward until you know where you’ve been."

CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ARMENIA PRESENTS ITS REFRESHED WEB-SITE

arminfo
2008-02-11 15:52:00

ArmInfo. The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Armenia presented
its refreshed web-site , Monday.

CEC Chairman Garegin Azaryan said that the refreshment of the web-site
in Armenian and English became possible with the support of the
OSCE Office in Yerevan. According to him, the refreshment makes the
process of vote tabulation of not only the forthcoming presidential
election, but all the following ones in Armenia as quick and open
as possible. The results of vote tabulation will be reflected on the
screen, and any inaccuracy will be fixed immediately. Garegin Azaryan
added that a voter only has to type his name or surname or the number
of the polling station where his name is supposed to be, and he/she
can easily check whether his surname is registered on voting lists.

CONSTRUCTION GROWS BY 19.7% IN ARMENIA IN 2007 AS COMPARED WITH 2006

Noyan Tapan
Feb 1, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1, NOYAN TAPAN. Construction of 667 bln 334.7 mln
drams (over 1 bln 950.8 mln USD), including construction of production
facilities of 224 bln 789 mln drams, was done in Armenia in 2007.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, in the indicated
construction work, building and assembly work amounted to 604 bln
927.7 mln drams, including building and assembly work of production
facilities of 181 bln 967.6 mln drams. Construction grew by 19.7%,
building and assembly – by 18.4% in comparable prices in 2007 on 2006.

8.4% of construction was done at the expense of the state budget, 0.5%
– the reserve fund of the RA government, 0.1% – community resources,
0.6% – resources of the World Bank, 2.6% – humanitarian aid, 25.8%
– private organizations’ resources, and 62% – resources of the
population.

7 LOCAL NGOS AND ONE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION ALREADY ACCREDITED AS OBSERVERS AT CEC

Noyan Tapan
Jan 17 2007

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Another two NGOs: "Kantegh" and
A. Sakharov Armenian Center of Human Rights Protection with their
50 and 56 observers respectively were accredited at the RA Central
Electoral Commission (CEC) on January 17 with the aim of implementing
observer mission at the RA presidential elections, NT correspondent
was informed by spokeswoman for CEC Tatev Ohanian.

Thus, until now 6,180 observers of 7 local NGOs and 40 long-term and
250 short-term observers of the OSCE/ODIHR have been accredited at
the CEC. The deadling for accrediting observers is February 9.

DANIEL FRIED: THE KOSOVO MODEL FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION CANNOT BE A PRECEDENT FOR THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

arminfo
2007-11-05 19:48:00

ArmInfo. The Kosovo model for conflict resolution cannot be a precedent
for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, because it is an individual process,
as Trend reports, Daniel Fried, the US Assistant Secretary of State for
Europe and Eurasia, said in a meeting with graduates of US universities
in Baku.

‘The United States are for the peaceful resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, because armed operations, irrespective of
the reasons, will be dangerous to both nations’, – Fried said.

He did not comment on the imbalance among the military forces in
the South Caucasus. Fried preferred to speak about the resolution of
conflicts. ‘It is necessary to establish stability in this region’,-
he stressed. The resolution of the conflict will help Azerbaijan
to become an economically and politically powerful country, the US
Assistant Secretary of State said.

The US grant policy is directed at assisting countries in their
establishment of a powerful and independent country.

Fried held meetings in Baku, met the Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev, heads of some non-governmental organizations, opposition
parties and graduates of US Universities.

GEORGIAN DELEGATION HEADED BY PM ARRIVES IN YEREVAN

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 15 2007

YEREVAN, October 15. /ARKA/. Georgian delegation headed by Prime
Minister Zurab Nogaideli arrived in Yerevan on a two-day visit.

The RA Government’s public relations department said that the
delegation consists of Georgian Energy Minister Alexander, as well
as Deputy Foreign Minister Nikolos Vashakidze, Deputy Minister of
Natural Reousces Protection Irakli Gvaladze, Deputy Minister of
Culture, Monument Conservation and Sports Nikolos Vacheishvili,
Deputy Minister of Economic Development Tamara Kovziridze, Deputy
Minister of Finance Dmitry Gvindadze, Deputy Minister of Labor,
Healthcare and Social Affiars Nikolos Pruidze.

Besides, General Director of "Georgian railways" Irakli Ezugbaya,
General Director of "International oil and gas company Georgia" Zurab
Janjgava, Advisers to Georgia’s Premier, authorities of secretariat
of the Georgian Government, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economic
Development, Justice, Defense, Finance, Home Affairs and media
representatives arrived in Yerevan.

Nogaideli will participate in the 6th session of the Armenian-Georgian
intergovernmental commission on economic development.

Within the visit Georgian Premier will meet with Armenian President
Robert Kocharyan and Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan.

Nogaideli will visit the Genocide Memorial in Tsitsernakaberd, as
well as Pantheon after Komitas to honor the memory of the Armenian
previous Premier Andranik Margaryan who died this march.

ARMENPRESS

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTER IN PROSHYAN VILLAGE MOVES
INTO RENOVATED PREMISES

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 12, ARMENPRESS; Ara Babloyan,
chairman of a parliament committee on health, nature
protection and social issues, as well as a deputy
health minister Tatoul Hakobian, traveled yesterday to
the village of Proshsyan, in Kotayk province, for
inauguration of Primary Health Care Center. The Center
is now in a renovated premises furnished with modern
equipment.
The overhaul was funded by Assistance to Armenia,
an organization based in a Swiss town of Schafhausen.
This organization’s chairmen is Mihran Baronian, an
ethnic Armenia. His imitative to help renovate the
Center in the Armenian village is supported actively
by Pino Chacho and Nikol Abrahamian.
The Primary Health Center was housed in a
dilapidated building and had outdated equipment. Its
drinking water pipeline and waste water removal system
did not work resulting in humidity that gradually
destroyed the walls.
The renovation began early this year and by May the
first floor was completely repaired. The repair of the
second floor was over in late September. The repair
budget totaled $100,000. The money was raised from
screening of a documentary film made by Swiss
journalists about Armenia, and about this village.
Pino Chacho said the organization will give extra
$20,000 for installing a heating system and purchasing
some new medical equipment.
Five million Drams were allocated by the World
Bank, after the first floor was repaired, for buying a
set of medical instruments and devices.
The Center offers dentist, gynecological,
diagnostic and some other services. The community
wants to develop it into a family medicine center. Its
16-member personnel works for almost 5,000 inhabitants
of the village.
Assistance to Armenia has been active in Armenia
since 1988 when it experienced a devastating
earthquake. Later it shifted to helping Erebuni and
Arabkir medical centers in Yerevan.
According to Ara Babloyan, the organization has
donated $10 million in the last years to help improve
Armenia’s health sector.
The benefactors were granted the title of honorary
citizens of the village, while Ara Babloyan, Tatoul
Hakobian and the Swiss Armenians have decided to give
500,000 Drams assistance to every third baby born in
villagers’ families.

Salt Lake Tribune, United States

RSL: Movsisyan ‘excited, happy’ to be with RSL

By Michael C. Lewis
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 09/21/2007 12:00:49 PM MDT

Posted: 12:03 PM- Striker Yura Movsisyan was surprised
and relieved to be traded to Real Salt Lake last week,
because he wasn’t playing as much as he thought he
deserved with the Kansas City Wizards.
At the rate he’s going now, he’s going to get all
he can handle.
The 20-year-old figures to earn his second
straight start since joining RSL when it plays
Colorado on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium – a loss
officially eliminates RSL from the Major League Soccer
playoff race – particularly with fellow striker and
countryman Alecko Eskandarian serving a yellow-card
suspension.
But Movsisyan is hardly just a fallback choice,
judging by his impressive debut three days ago when he
set up the first goal in a 2-2 tie with the Los
Angeles Galaxy by drawing a foul in the penalty box
and earning a penalty kick.
"You see that he’s a very aggressive-minded
player," coach Jason Kreis said. "When he gets the
ball, he wants to go straight at the goal, and we need
more players like that."
They’re aiming to get them, too.
New general manager Garth Lagerwey has said the
team intends to pursue another "attacking-type" player
with its substantial resources in the offseason, to go
with Movsisyan, Eskandarian – both native Armenians,
by the way – Robbie Findley and Fabian Espindola. All
of them have been acquired since RSL began its
makeover a few months ago.
"I’m very excited to be here," Movsisyan said.
"Very happy to be here."
But adding Movsisyan gives RSL something none of
the others do, size. He stands 6-feet tall and
provides a tremendous target – he’s also equally adept
at using both feet – and impressed Kreis months ago by
scoring five goals in his five starts for the Wizards.
Kreis said RSL tried to trade for him earlier this
season.
"We were, quite frankly, told no," he said.
Only after a series of phone calls did RSL manage
to execute the trade at the league deadline a week
ago, having to give a little more cash in the deal
that it wanted.
But RSL also picked up a valuable "youth
international" roster spot in the deal, which will
allow the team to vacate a senior international spot
to accommodate an incoming foreign star in the
offseason. And that, Kreis said, will permit RSL to
increase its number of international players from a
league-low five.
"Now, we feel like we’re drawing ourselves a
little more competitively level with the rest of the
league," he said.
Movsisyan will not have to occupy one of the
international spots, though, having finally been
granted political asylum six years after fleeing ethic
fighting between Armenians and Azerbaijanis in western
Asia. That essentially allows him to be treated by the
league as an American.
"I’m very happy about that," he said. "We’ve been
in court for a long time and now finally, we got
granted, which was probably the biggest news of my
life, basically."
Movsisyan and his family settled near Los Angeles,
and Movsisyan played soccer at Pasadena High School
and Pasadena City College before becoming the fourth
pick in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft – two picks after RSL
drafted midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy.
Coincidentally, Ballouchy tonight will play his
first game against RSL since the July 16 trade that
sent him to the Rapids in exchange for midfielder Kyle
Beckerman. He has started six of the Rapids’ eight
games since the deal, while Beckerman has been among
the team’s best players while starting 10 games for
RSL.
Eskandarian, meanwhile, was thrilled to learn that
Movsisyan was joining RSL last week. He said the two
have been friends since Movsisyan entered the league,
exchanging text messages in which Movsisyan confided
his dissatisfaction over not getting more playing time
with the Wizards and his interest in moving to Utah.
"When I heard that, I thought it was awesome,"
Eskandarian said. "Then I did my part to try to help
him get out."
And how that he’s out, Movsisyan has something to
prove.
"I can do much, much better," he said.

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RESULTS OF CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS IN INTERBANK MARKET FOR SEPTEMBER 11

ArmInfo
2007-09-12 12:56:00

The transactions in the Interbank currency market for September 10 made
up $250,000 (85.100 mln drams), which exceeds than the previous trading
day indicator 2,6 times. According to the data of the commercial
banks, the average exchange rate of USD fell by 1.2 point to 340.40
AMD/$1 USD. The data of the Armenian stock exchange say the currency
transactions on the floor made up $2.500 (851.200 mln drams), which
exceeds the similar indicator of the Interbank market 10 times.

The average weighted rate at the exchange made up 340,48 AMD/$1 USD.

CHILD DISABILITY PROBLEM SOLUTION THE TOP-PRIORITY ISSUE FOR ARMENIAN MEDICINE

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Dec 19 2006

YEREVAN, December 18. /ARKA/. Child disability problem solution is
the top-priority issue for Armenian medicine, Armenian Health Minister
Norayr Davidyan said Saturday at a round-table discussion focused on
child disability.

In his words, some progress has been reached over 15 years of
Armenia’s independence and many legislative acts have been adopted
for that period though the ministry still has plenty to do in this
area. Davidyan said ties should be established with NGOs engaging in
disabled people’s rights protection.

According to the ministry’s figures, 7.7 thousand disabled children
live in Armenia. Two third of them are boys.