Author: Arpi Talalian

ARMENIA IS RUSSIA’S HOSTAGE, THINKS FORMER DISSIDENT

The Messenger
Feb 20 2009
Georgia

Paruir Airikian, a former Soviet dissident now one of the leaders of
the Armenian opposition, has made a statement about Russian-Armenian
relations. According to him there are two types of interstate
relations: one is based on the mutual benefits these relations can
bring and the other on the similarity of their systems of values. The
former dissident thinks that Armenia’s relations with Russia are
neither.

Airikian thinks that Armenia is being forced to play Russia’s
imperialistic games as Russia does not need a strong Armenia. For USD
100 million Russia has taken 80% of Armenia’s national wealth. Airikian
alleges that in the high echelons of Yerevan are many Russian agents
who do their best to prevent Armenia from establishing friendly
relations with Europe.

Airikian said that Armenians living in Russia are mostly in very bad
conditions. "We have become Russia’s hostage; this is the worst form
of slavery," states Airikian.

"OPEN TOURNAMENT OF ARMENIAN ROBOTS – "ARMROBOTICS" ALL ARMENIAN YOUTH CONTEST" TO BE HELD IN A MORE EXTENDED FORMAT THIS YEAR

ARMENPRESS
Feb 10, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 10, ARMENPRESS: This year the "Open tournament of
Armenian robots – "ArmRobotics" all Armenian youth contest" will be
held in a more extended format.

Executive director of "Union of IT enterprises" Karen Vardanian told
Armenpress that 4 different contest of robots will be organized for
children, students and programmers.

"Last year the contest of robots was held for the first time in Armenia
and found a great resonance among the youth. We wish to expand it
involving more participants", – K. Vardanian noted.

According to one of the tasks of the last year’s contest the robots
were to be able to move across the black lines drawn on the white
field within a definite period of time. The field was a square area
with barriers alongside. Overcoming of existing barriers by the robots
brought additional scores to the teams.

This time new tasks will be given according to which besides passing
the intended way the robots must be able to find articles of various
size and color and move them.

K. Vardanian said the contest aims at general development of robot
technology, increasing the interest of the public towards it and
involving the scientific potential.

"The contest gives the youth an opportunity to develop their abilities
in working in team, it also helps in discovering new cadres and
involving them in other programs in the future and in promoting the
entrance of new technologies in Armenian scientific and industrial
centers", – K. Vardanian added.

The organizers do not want the contest to be end in itself and wish
the presented programs to be applicable. This year a contest of
sappers will also be held. An area covered with soil will be singled
out where the robot must find mines and place a flag on the place.

GEORGI PIRINSKI MET WITH ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SERGE SARKISIAN

Focus News
Dec 10 2008
Bulgaria

Sofia. The Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament Georgi Pirinski met
today with the President of Armenia Serge Sarkisian, who is on a formal
visit to Bulgaria, the press office of the Parliament announced. The
two expressed their satisfaction with the development of the bilateral
relations, the intensive dialog between institutions and outlined
that there is a ground for further cooperation in all areas.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT DENIES TERRITORIAL CLAIMS AGAINST TURKEY

Milliyet
21 Sep 2008
Turkey

[Interview with President Serzh Sarksyan by Cenk Baslamis in Yerevan;
date not given: "Yerevan: We Do Not Have Territorial Claims."

[Baslamis] Does Armenia have territorial claims against Turkey?

[Sarksyan] I am surprised by the claims that Armenia demands a part of
Turkey’s territory. Somehow, that is a widespread conviction. However,
have you heard any Armenian official say that Armenia demands a part
of Turkey’s territory? A statement has definitely not been made to
that effect. But, there are those who link the question of genocide
with territorial claims. I do not know why that is done.

Serzh Sarksyan Cenk Baslamis

[1] 21 September2008

[Baslamis] You have disclosed that you would not object to Turkey and
Armenia setting up a committee of historians to carry out a research
on the Armenian genocide claims. Considering that you are not opposed
to the establishment of such a committee, would you be prepared to
accept the outcome of its work?

[Sarksyan] I said that I am generally not opposed to the establishment
of committees between the two countries. I also said that the
two countries establishing diplomatic relations before they set up
committees will be more useful. First, let us open our common border
and establish diplomatic relations. We can then move to establish
committees and subcommittee on every issue. You asked whether or
not we would accept the decision to be made by the committee of
historians. That is a rather strange question because a group of
historians will decide on the matter in the end. Sarksyan is in
power in Armenia at the present time. Let us say that I accepted the
committee’s decision. What will happen if the person who will replace
me says "I do not accept the decision?" In other words, the decision to
be made by the committee cannot be a determining factor. It can only
be a recommendation for those who make decisions. It can only be a
recommendation for the government. You might recall the establishment
of a similar committee as a result of US initiatives in the past. It
concluded that an act of genocide was committed. What happened? Did
it change anything? Was it accepted by anyone? No, it was not. No
one accepted its decision.

[Baslamis] You will visit Turkey to watch the return match between
the Turkish and Armenian national football teams. Do you plan to hold
talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan when you are in Turkey
or at a later date?

[Sarksyan] I will be happy to find an opportunity to meet esteemed
Erdogan.

Recognition of Karabag [Nagorno-Karabakh] is the Last Alternative

[Baslamis] Can you comment on the situation that has been created
by Georgia’s attack on South Ossetia? Why have you not recognized
Karabag’s independence after Russia recognized South Ossetia?

[Sarksyan] The developments showed how dangerous an effort to solve
an ethnic problem through the use of arms can be. Recognizing the
independence of Karabag is not on our agenda at the present time
because talks are being held on the problem. The recognition of
Karabag is the last alternative we have. However, I must note that
the Armenians will move out of Karabag if the area is miraculously
placed under Azerbaijan’s rule.

A Question That Made Sarksyan Laugh

[Baslamis] Were you able to discuss issues other than political
problems when you held talks with President Abdullah Gul? For example,
did Gul inform you on his impressions in Yerevan? Did he utter a word
in Armenian or did you say something to him in Turkish?

[Sarksyan] (After laughing for some time) No, we did not find an
opportunity to discuss other matters with His Excellency Abdullah
Gul. I believe that esteemed Gul does not know Armenian. I am said to
be able to speak Azeri. Yes, I was able to speak Azeri in a simple
way in the past. I know that the Turkish and Azeri languages are
close. But, I have not spoken Azeri for 20 years now. That is to say, I
am not able construct a logical sentence at the present time. Regarding
esteemed Gul, my impressions are very positive. He is a very nice
person. We discussed what we can do to bring prosperity to our people.

ARMEN NAZARYAN A GOLDEN MEDAL HOLDER

Panorama.am
18:46 26/05/2008

Armenian judo sportsman Armen Nazaryan gained a golden medal in Judo
World Cup in 66kg range. According to the Armenian Judo Federation
five Armenian sportsmen took part in the championship – Arthur Srapyan
(60kg), Armen Nazaryan (66kg), Hakob Arakelyan (90kg), and Anush
Hakobyan (52kg). Arthur Srapyan and Anush Hakobyan occupied 7th
horizontal in their ranges.

The World Championship of Judo took place in Moscow in 23-24
May. Armenian delegation consisted of the sportsmen, the president
of the federation Aleksan Avetisyan and two trainees Gagik Aghamalyan
and Arthur Gevorgyan.

BY REPLACING "GENOCIDE" TERM WITH ONE MOST ACCEPTABLE TO TURKS, RAFFI
HOVANNISIAN RUINED OUR DECADES’ WORK, CHAIRMAN OF ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF
SLOVAKIA CLAIMS

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. "Armenians Today" electronic
newspaper received the chairman of the Armenian community of Slovakia
Ashot Grigorian’s open letter to "Zharangutyun" ("Heritage") party in
connection with the information "Refutation" spread by the party. The
open letter sent to various addresses in particular reads:

"Dear partners of the press center of "Heritage" party.

I consider the letter "Refutation", which I received today, as quite
strange. In this letter you present comments on the phrase "Great Home
Deprivation" or "Great Displacement" used in the congratulatory message
of the respected Raffi Hovannisian to the president of Turkey: in my
opinion, by doing so you have provided a disservice to your political
figure.

When hearing comments of "Haylur" on this issue, I cherished a hope
that the son of the much respected historian, an exceptional expert on
genocide issues Richard Hovannisian has not done such an absurd step
and I impatiently expected a new comment. No doubt, Raffi Hovannisian
should have been well aware of the political value of the term
"genocide", whose importance is hard to overestimate today. Turkey is
ready to pay dearly if the Armenians agree to replace the term
"genocide" with any other word. We have had quite serious conversations
on this subject with the Turkish ambassador to the Slovak Republic Tuno
Ugdul in recent months. He has two problems, for solution of which he
would stop at nothing: to remove the khachkar we placed in downtown
Bratislava (with the help of Nig-Aparan compatriot union) and to
replace the term "genocide" with any other term. And then, all of a
sudden, your report came: yes, in his letter Hovannisian replaced
voluntarily the term "genocide" with another term more acceptable to
Turks, thus ruining the work we have done for years and decades. This
calls into question today the result of the huge and hard work on
passing the resolution on the genocide in the National Council of
Slovakia. The resolutions passed by the parliaments of about twenty
countries have also been deprived of meaning. Yes, all this is called
into question, if we so easily reject the term "genocide". And this is
taking place against the background of the recent statement of
"Heritage" to back the Armenian National Movement (ANM) party. I have
to state with regret that I no longer want to have the honor to be your
friend and I ask you not to take trouble to inform me from your
information source any more. I think that by cooperating with
Ter-Petrosian, who has become blind from his aggressiveness, you stop
serving our people and in case of being frank, it is only you who can
tell us what real goals you have and what masters you serve in reality.
I would not be surprised if in the near future we heard your and ANM
gangsters’ other proposals to put the country at the disposal of Turks.
Believe me that we who live far from Armenia take hard and cannot
understand such acts of our country’s treachery and we are perplexed at
your frenzy to stab in the back of our long-suffering people".

RA PRIME MINISTER ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO PROBLEM OF TRAINING OF QUALIFIED SPECIALISTS HAVING HIGHER ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION

Noyan Tapan
Sep 4, 2007

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Serge Sargsian, the Prime Minister
of the Republic of Armenia, became acquainted with the new conditions
created for education, as well as still existing problems in the
Yerevan State University of Architecture and Construction, and visited
the repaired computer designing faculty of this Higher Educational
Institution on September 3.

Then the Prime Minister discussed issues concerning the development
of architectural and construction education with the management and
the teaching staff of the university with the participation of the
RA Minister of Education and Science. According to the information
provided to Noyan Tapan by the Information and Public Relations
Department of the RA Government, the discussion was attended by the
Chairmen of the Unions of Architects and Constructors as well.

Serge Sargsian presented the policy adopted by the RA government in
the spheres of education and science, which are set in the activity
program of the government. The Prime Minister also referred to the
problems on the training of qualified personnel in higher educational
institutions on specialities, which are currently in great demand
in the main branches of economy and spoke about the expectations of
the state from that higher educational institution, in particular,
as well as about the tasks set in front of the university in that
respect in great details.

Taking into consideration the fact that construction plays a
considerable role in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the economy
of the republic and that the weight of construction will be great in
the forthcoming years as well in the structure of the GDP conditioned
by the yearly expanding volumes of urban development programs, Serge
Sargsian attached importance to the problem of meeting the demand for
the training of first-class qualified specialists. He mentioned that
at present there is a great demand for such specialists with higher
education in the republic, in particular.

The Prime Minister declared that the financial means provided for
education and science will be considerably increased every year
in the RA state budget. At the same time, Serge Sargsian mentioned
that the increase in the expenditure productivity of those means,
the improvement of the quality of education as a result of reforms,
as well as the work directed at the development of the science applied
in economy, demanded and based on the leading experience of the world
are of too great significance.

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Aug 22 2007

TURKISH MINISTRY ACCUSES US JEWISH ORGANIZATION OF HISTORICAL
IGNORANCE

Ankara, 22 August: "The statement released by the USA-based Anti
Defamation League (ADL) yesterday is lack of historical and legal
ground. Definition of 1915 events as ‘genocide’ is both historically
and legally baseless," Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said
on Wednesday [22 August].

In response to a question, the spokesman for the MFA said, "The ADL
claimed in its statement that if the word genocide had existed then,
1915 events would have been called genocide. The statement also said
that a congressional resolution on such matters is a
counterproductive diversion and will not foster reconciliation
between Turks and Armenians, and may put at risk the Turkish Jewish
community and the important multilateral relationship between Turkey,
Israel and the United States."

"Definition of 1915 events as ‘genocide’ is lack of historical and
legal ground. There is not any compromise among historians on the
matter. Also, it was Turkey which proposed [to] Armenia to establish
a joint commission to investigate the issue. We could not receive a
positive response to our proposal yet," the ministry said.

"The ADL’s attempt to rewrite the history is quite contradictory. On
the other hand, Jewish community in Turkey is a part of our society.
We consider this statement, which is also unjust against the memory
of victims of the Holocaust, unfortunate. We expect the ADL to
correct their mistake," the ministry added.

ARIF MAMMADOV: THERE WILL BE A MEETING IN BAKU WITH PRESENCE OF VENICE COMMISSION IN EARLY OCTOBER

Azeri Press Agency
Aug 22 2007
Azerbaijan

"Lord Russell-Johnston has suspended his activity at Subcommittee on
Nagorno Karabakh conflict due to his retirement

Azerbaijan’s Permanent Representative to Council of Europe, Ambassador
Arif Mammadov’s interview to APA.

-PACE Monitoring Committee rapporteur Andres Herkel said that he will
raise an issue on the current state of Azeri media…

-Yes, he did, but the issue is not yet on the agenda. We would have
been informed if there had been such an issue. Maybe co-rapporteurs
made speech at committee or sub-committee. It is not expected that
any issue on Azerbaijan would be discussed at PACE fall session.

-Will issue on Azerbaijan’s implementing European Court’s decisions
be discussed?

-We have enough time for this issue. There is no threat of raising
any issue in this case. We are for documents on the implementation
of new decision. The issue is not on the agenda.

-What about talks between Venice Commission and Azerbaijani government
on the Election Code and law on freedom of assembly"?

-There will a roundtable in Baku early in October with the presence
of Venice Commission. The talks will focus on the composition of
election commissions and procedures of considering complaints. I can
say that negotiations are underway at present. High-level experts of
President’s Office, parliament and Central Election Commission are
involved in this issue, individual talks are underway.

-What is your assessment of Ago group’s still considering Azerbaijan
in the list of countries under monitoring?

-AGO group has visited Azerbaijan recently, the group working normally
regarding Azerbaijan, and major steps have been taken. The group
gives recommendations and we are closely cooperating. This is very
important for us. I want to mention that post-monitoring procedures
exist for Eastern European countries. It means that if our cooperation
with this group is suspended and all the commitments are fulfilled,
post-monitoring procedures will continue. We are not yet going to
stop cooperation with the Group.

-Will Council of Europe senior officials visit Azerbaijan?

-Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammerberg
is scheduled to visit Azerbaijan on September 2-8 this year. The
Commissioner will visit Sumgayit and Ganja in the framework of his
visit. I will also participate in this visit, and then he will draw
up a report.

-PACE President Rene van der Linden’s tenure expires in January,
2008. Who is the real candidate for this post?

-Chairman of PACE delegation (Russian Duma) Michael Margelov’s
candidacy is on the agenda, I think. He is much likely to be elected
to this post, as his candidacy is supported.

-Are there any new reports regarding Nagorno Karabakh Subcommittee
members’ visit to the region?

-Armenians did not attend the last meeting of the subcommittee on
Nagorno Karabakh chaired by Lord Russel-Johnston. CE was dissatisfied
with it. We did not protest the committee members’ visiting region,
we always actively participated in the work of the Subcommittee. But
Lord Russel-Johnston has already stopped his activity due to his
retirement. Therefore, this issue is due to be delayed. The visit is
delayed as there is no agreement in the negotiations for the settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict yet. Armenia is demonstrating a very
unconstructive position in this issue.

AZERBAIJANI JEALOUSY BASELESS

Panorama.am
21:05 22/08/2007

As a result of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejan’s visit to Baku,
Azeri news agencies are rejoicing that they relayed their concerns
to the Iranians about the construction of a power station on the
Arax River.

"A country subject to occupation shouldn’t have their territories
exploited by others," as stated by Azerbaijan. We remind that the issue
here is the proposed hydroelectric station on the banks of the Arax,
in the region of Jebrail.

According to foreign ministry press secretary Vladimir Karapetyan,
"Since the area in question is currently being controlled by the
defense forces of Karabakh, implementing such a program is out of
the question."

In reality, the issue is more complicated, and has an old history to
it. In Soviet times, the Soviet Union had a similar agreement with
Iran, and today the Iranians have already started work on their part
of the project.

But since the territory in question is controlled by Armenians, the
Azerbaijanis are concerned that Armenia might be the beneficiary of
the program.

The Armenian foreign ministry does not have much information about the
program. Karapetyan promised he would look into this. But one this is
certain. "If the program in Jebrail comes to reality, Armenia won’t
be a participant, and will obtain no gain from it."

Therefore, the Azerbaijani claims are baseless.