Author: Arpi Talalian

Iranian ambassador unhappy since Russia not delivered S-300
anti-aircraft missile systems
14.02.2010 16:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Not delivering S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems
to Iran Russia acquires a negative image worldwide.
Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mahmoud Reza Sajjad said.

"I think, this situation harms the political image of Russia in the
world and the image of its technology. Judging by the signals we
receive from Russian public, it is actually an insult for Russia," he
said in an interview with Interfax.

Mahmoud Reza Sajjad said he did not know whether Russia would supply
S-300 to Iran. "Russia’s authorities are assuring that they send these
systems, because they believe it will contribute to stability in the
region. Moreover, it is a defensive weapon," Sajjad said.

However, according to him, "the question arises: why Americans without
any contracts have established air defense systems, Patriot missiles
in the Persian Gulf within a very short time, while Russia cannot cope
with the technical problems in S-300? ", news.ru reported.

RA PRESIDENT SENT MESSAGE TO ABDULLAH GUL

news.am
Feb 9 2010
Armenia

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a message to the President of the
Republic of Turkey Abdullah Gul. NEWS.am posts the full text.

"Excellency,

Passing thought Turkish airspace, I send my greetings to you and the
people of neighboring Turkey.

Our initiative, aimed at the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish
relations, holds attention of the international community. This
is a historic moment, indeed, and it is recognized not only by us,
but also by the global community. Efforts of the countries engaged
in the region, aimed at the improvement of bilateral relations, are
indispensable. I am confident that it wouldn’t be possible to move
forward without their support. At the same time, I believe no matter
how interested friendly states might be in a positive resolution of
the impasse, there are certain things that can be done only by our
two nations.

Mr. President,

I hope you will agree that the Armenian and Turkish peoples assign the
main task of getting rid of the stereotypes regarding each other and
establishment of the atmosphere of mutual trust to their respective
governments. We can achieve results only if there are trust, resolve,
and unfaltering stance. A situation when words are not supported
by deeds gives rise to mistrust and skepticism, providing ample
opportunities to counteract for those, who oppose the process. We
should be mindful of the fact that in this particular case, the time
is working not for but against the process.

If until now we have been able to bring our bilateral relations up to
a level which made the prospects of building normal relations between
our two countries more tangible and discernible, now the time has
come to manifest determination to make next major step and leave to
the coming generations a stable and secure region.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest esteem."

February 9, RA President Serzh Sargsyan left for UK.

AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
Jan 22 2010

Turkish gov’t documenting Yerevan’s reluctance to enforce reconciliation deal

22-01-2010 05:49:53
The Turkish Foreign Ministry is drafting a document that examines in
detail the extent of compliance of the Armenian Constitutional Court’s
recent decision to approve the 2009 agreement on normalizing the two
countries’ strained relations with the gist of the accord.
The document will clearly state that Yerevan is essentially leaning
toward walking away from the two protocols it signed with Ankara on
October 10, 2009 in Zurich, Turkish Hurriyet newspaper reported. Once
ready, it will be sent to representatives of Switzerland, a mediator
in the Turkish-Armenian reconciliation, as well as to those of the
United States, Russia and France, the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group (MG), which witnessed the signing of the protocols.
Turkish diplomats have already conveyed Ankara’s stance on the
Armenian court’s January 12 ruling to Switzerland and the MG
co-chairing countries.
After Armenia’s Constitutional Court declared that the October 2009
accord complied with the main law of the land, the Turkish Foreign
Ministry said in a statement that it contained pre-conditions that
are inconsistent with the document. The ministry said the
pre-conditions and restrictive provisions cited in the ruling run
counter to the premise of the protocols and that it `undermines the
gist of negotiations on these protocols as well as their main goals’,
which is unacceptable.
Armenia and Turkey have been at odds and the border between the two
countries has been closed since 1993 due to Armenia’s policy of
occupation against Azerbaijan, Turkey’s ally, and past genocide
claims. The Zurich protocols signed by the Armenian and Turkish
governments, in a bid to normalize bilateral relations marred by
decades of hostility, seek to establish diplomatic relations and
reopen the two countries’ shared border. The documents, which still
require parliamentary approval, also envision setting up a commission
of historians to research the alleged World War I-era mass killings of
Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.
The Turkish opposition deems the situation surrounding the protocols
as an impasse in the process of normalizing ties with Armenia. Deniz
Baykal, the chairman of the People’s Republic Party, Turkey’s main
opposition bloc, claimed this deadlock had resulted from the
authorities’ improper policy toward neighboring states.*

TURKEY WANTS ‘PEACE’ WITH ARMENIA AND AZERIS

EuroNews
Dec 25 2009
France

Turkey’s foreign minister says peace between Ankara, Azerbaijan and
Armenia is "close" after a meeting with his Azeri counterpart.

Ahmet Davutoglu said: "I think an impetus was created recently, and
all sides, not only Azerbaijan and Armenia but also the Minsk group
have to do their best to accelerate this process. If you compare the
last eight months with the last seventeen years, I can say that we
are really very close to a resolution. So it is time to eliminate
all the obstacles preventing peace."

The Minsk group or the OSCE Organisation for Security and Cooperation
in Europe is mediating in peace talks between the three nations over
the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh.

During negotiations earlier this year, Turkey pledged to open its
border with Armenia – a move which angered the Azeris.

But diplomats hope that a new mood of conciliation can bring an end
to two decades of enmity among the three countries.

VARDANYAN: INTERESTS ON LOANS AND DEPOSITS TO GO DOWN UNDER QUITE HIGH LIQUIDITY

ARKA
Nov 12, 2009

YEREVAN, November 12. /ARKA/. Ruben Vardanyan, the chairman
of Ameriabank’s directorial board and the head of Troika Dialogue
Group’s directorial board, told journalists on Thursday at the bank
home office opening ceremony that interests on loans and deposits
will surely go down in Armenia under quite high liquidity.

"Any normal financial institution should react to such an abundance
of free cash by driving interest rates down," he said.

EXPERT SAYS ATTEMPTS ARE MADE TO GIVE POLITICAL COLORING TO RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Panorama.am
17:29 24/08/2009

U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals created Code of Civil Procedure which
extended the deadline for suing on life insurance policies issued to
"any person of Armenian or other ancestry living in the Ottoman Empire
during the period of 1915 to 1923, inclusive, who died, was deported,
or escaped to avoid persecution during that period," and expanded
state court jurisdiction over such claims.

Today, the director of Oriental Studies Institute Ruben Safrastyan
told at news conference that he has been informed that the two judges
were pro to the previous decision but the ruling judge was against.

"We could say that this is attempt to give political coloring to the
process of recognizing Armenian Genocide, which is done by a court
representative," expert said.

Expert says American disposition upon Armenian Genocide has nothing
to do with that decision. But the expert has also stressed that the
U.S. strategy in South Caucasus has much changed getting different
direction. OSCE Minsk Group American co-chair Matthew Bryza’s
statements have much to do with it, as well as U.S. President Barack
Obama’s decision to relate ties with Muslim world.

ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM NEEDS FUNDS FOR URGENT RENOVATION OF CHURCHES

-patriarchate-of-jerusalem-needs-funds-for-urgent- renovation-of-churches/
Aug 07 2009

The magnificent St. James Cathedral in the Armenian Quarter of the
Holy City of Jerusalem as well as the Armenian section of the Church
of Nativity in Bethlehem need urgent renovations and structural
improvements.

These priceless icons of Christianity are under care of the Brotherhood
of St. James of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

So far, thanks to the efforts of Ms. Anoush Berberian, $8,040.00
have been raised in the greater Los Angeles area for the renovation
projects of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

It is extremely important to all of us to realize the magnitude and
monumental importance of these amazing Christian Churches which by
the Grace of God have remained under the custody of the Armenian
Church for the last several centuries.

The Office of the Western Diocese has setup a fund to receive and
transfer donations immediately to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem from
our faithful community throughout the Diocese. Please make your
checks payable to "Western Diocese – Armenian Church" and write
"Jerusalem or Bethlehem" in the memo section of the check. Please
send your Checks to:

Western Diocese – Armenian Church 3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank,
CA 91504

VIVACELL-MTS GENERAL MANAGER NAMED ‘MAN OF THE YEAR 2008

ArmInfo
2009-07-27 14:17:00

ArmInfo. Today, a special ceremony of honoring VivaCell-MTS General
Manager Ralph Yirikian was held in the Institute of Art in Gyumri,
where he was named "Man of the Year 2008" of the city.

Earlier this year a group of Gyumri citizens applied to an NGO ‘Man
of Year of Gyumri" with a request to consider granting VivaCell-MTS
General Manager Ralph Yirikian the title "Man of the Year 2008". The
board of the organization comprising prominent figures in the sphere
of art, science and education, decided to name Ralph Yirikian "Man
of the Year 2008" of Gyumri, VivaCell-MTS told ArmInfo.

"For the activity that helped improve the moral-psychological state
of the city of Gyumri, namely, for the donation of 20 apartments to
homeless people on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Spitak
Earthquake", – reads the statement of the Board. Ralph Yirikian
received tokens of appreciation from other people who received the
"Men of Year" title in the past – maestro Loris Tchgnavoryan and
other prominent people who have contributed to Gyumri. The official
ceremony was followed by classical music performed by a Gyumri-born
piano virtuoso. Hamlet Gevorgyan, a famous Armenian folk singer,
sang a Shirak region song. Other songs on local flavor sang by the
young talents of Gymri displayed the feeling, inspiration and pain
of the people of their city. The certificate of the title was handed
to Ralph Yirikian by one of the mothers who got keys of a new house
from VivaCell-MTS on December 7 of the last year Narine Kharajyan.

Year 2008 was marked by a very tragic anniversary – the 20th
anniversary of 1988 Earthquake, a devastating event that left behind
sad memories and changed the lives of thousands people that lost
everything – family, friends, employment and homes… However, not
so much the tragic memories of the past themselves, but 20 years of
broken hopes and awful living conditions in metal containers, where
many families were suffering from merciless summer heat and unbearable
cold in the wintertime, have left people in complete disappointment.

On the 20th Anniversary of the 1988 earthquake, VivaCell-MTS made
the dreams of 20 homeless families in Gyumri come true. The good will
of an Armenian Company, which felt that something should be done to
establish people’s belief in better future, extend helping hands to
20 needy families who now live in their simple, decent and affordable
apartments. Now they are raising their children in safe and decent
conditions. After spending many years in poverty these people didn’t
dare to believe in magic. This day marked a new beginning for these
families – getting keys of their new houses is a miracle that becomes
a reality thanks to VivaCell-MTS.

ABC30, Fresno, CA
June 7 2009

Fresno Hye Fest

Saturday, June 06, 2009 | 6:41 PM

Fresno, CA (KFSN) — Hundreds enjoyed the day on the Fulton Mall in
Downtown Fresno, celebrating Armenian culture during the first Hye
fest.
Dancers provided crowds with a glimpse of the rich and ancient
traditions of the Armenian people. The barbecue was hot all day,
dishing out lots of authentic Armenian food.
When the kids weren’t eating, they also had the opportunity to play
games and win prizes.

Watch video at
local&id=6851990

NKR PRESIDENT CHAIRED THE MEETING OF THE NKR SECURITY COUNCIL

REPUBLIC NEWSPAPER
27-03-2009
Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Stepanakert

On 26 March NKR President Bako Sahakyan chaired the meeting of the
NKR Security Council.

The Security Council discussed issues related to the main provisions
of the NKR draft law "On NKR Citizenship" and specifics of its
implementation in the republic.

NKR National Assembly chairman Ashot Ghoulyan and minister of justice
Narine Narimanyan delivered corresponding reports.