Author: Babajanian Karo

YEREVAN, BAKU HAVE LOTS OF PROBLEMS, BUT TIME WILL COME CAUCASUS WILL TURN INTO EU- SAAKASHVILI

news.am
Aug 10, 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Azerbaijan and Armenia have lots of problems, but I am
certain time will come, when the Caucasus will be united, Georgian
President Mikhail Saakashvili said during a meeting at Camp of patriots
with Belarusian, Polish, Armenian and Azerbaijani teenagers in Anaklia,
IPN reports.

According to him, the Caucasus has all the resources to become strong,
united, taking into account borders, traditions and uniqueness.

“Caucasian peoples will solve issues in the same way as the population
of the European Union, the Benelux and Scandinavian countries,”
Saakashvili noted.

The Georgian President called Belarusian people “super European”.

“They are talented, super European people and their place is in the
European elite,” Saakashvili emphasized.

JACK HADJINIAN ANNOUNCES BID FOR MONTEBELLO CITY COUNCIL
Jack Hadjinian

asbarez
August 10th, 2011

MONTEBELLO-Longtime Armenian National Committee of America activist
Jack Hadjinian will seek a seat on the Montebello City Council in
the November 8 election.

“As a lifelong resident of Montebello, I have participated in a number
of civic organizations and activities that reflect my commitment to
Montebello, as well as to the Armenian American community. I would
like to take the diverse experience I have amassed and dedicate myself
to a political career in the city of Montebello,” said Hadjinian.

For years, Hadjinian has served in a number of capacities in the
community to promote a healthy business climate and help make
Montebello an ideal city for its residents. Hadjinian is currently
an L.A. County Commissioner serving on the Assessment Appeals
Board. In the past, he has served on: the Board of the Montebello
Chamber of Commerce as its chairman; the Montebello Civil Service
Commission; the City of Montebello Investment Committee; the
Montebello Police Department’s Public Safety Committee; the board
of the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Cathedral as treasurer; and the
Montebello-Stepanakert Sister City Association.

Jack Hadjinian’s family has deep roots in the Montebello Community
dating back to 1957, making him a third generation resident of
Montebello. His years of community service make him a reliable and
qualified candidate for City Council.

“Jack Hadjinian for Montebello City Council 2011” ID #1340226

ARABOLOGIST SAYS TURKEY’S MEDIATION TO SYRIA CONNECTED WITH TURKEY’S GEOPOLITICAL INTERESTS

ARMENPRESS
August 10, 2011
YEREVAN

The Syrian authorities should exert every effort to prohibit some
international forces from interfering in its home affairs, according
to Araks Pashayan, Arabologist.

The current authorities have their own stance in the solution of
inner-political issues. The expert says it is difficult say whether
a coup d’etat will be advantageous for Syria or not. The expert says
Turkey’s active role in Syria and mediation mission are connected
with Turkey’s new concept of foreign policy in Near East and its
efforts to play a key role in the region.

“In this case Turkey acts with an order by the West for the benefit
of its own interests. Before the Arab Spring Turkey strengthened its
relations with Arab authorities and then backed the rebels,” Araks
Pashayan said. The matter is that Turkey endeavors to maintain and
promote the image of a charismatic state in the Islamic world. It is
evident that the Arab Islamic societies sympathize with Turkey and the
Turkish model. Besides, the weakening of the Arab regimes is beneficial
for Turkey in connection with the strengthening of its position.

“As to Syria, Turkey’s mediation is connected with Turkey’s
geopolitical interests,” the Arabologist said.

60-YEAR-OLDS APPLY TO ARMENIAN UNIVERSITIES IN 2011

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 10, 2011

PanARMENIAN.Net – The recently-introduced 12-year education system did
a disservice to Armenian universities. In academic year 2011-2012, the
universities will only educate 2340 students (out of 3583 applicants)
while in previous years the figure exceeded the one cited by 10 times.

As the press secretary at the Assessment and Testing Center
Gayane Manukyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, “this year, we
had 60-year-old applicants; there were university applicants from
Thailand, India; with those demobilized from military service making
up the majority of male students.”

According to Ms. Manukyan, 1006 people applied to Yerevan State
University, with 694 accepted; the Law and Foreign Relations department
will educate 82 and 57 first year students respectively.

No application was filed at the departments of Reactor Physics and
Telecommunications.

This year, the number of applicants at the State University of Theater
and Cinema topped the previous records.

RUSSIAN POLICE CHECK INFO ON TURKISH TERRORIST’S ARRIVAL IN MOSCOW

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 10, 2011

PanARMENIAN.Net – Russian police is checking an anonymous
English-language e-mail alleging terrorist attacks in Moscow region.

According to the e-mail, on Thursday, August 11 evening, an Iraqi
citizen is to arrive at Sheremetyevo Moscow airport to stage a
terrorist attack in one of the city’s subway stations.

However, the police does not rule out that the anonymous “well-wisher”
is attempting an avenge with a person who might prove to be quite
harmless, Interfax reported citing local law-enforcement agencies.

The department of international relations at Turkey’s Police Service,
however, noted to have no information on the matter.

HARUTYUN TAHMAZYAN: MAIN GOAL OF PAN-ARMENIAN GAMES IS TO PROMOTE STRENGTHENING OF ARMENIA-DIASPORA TIES

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 9, 2011
YEREVAN

The goal of the 5th Pan-Armenian Games scheduled for August 13-21 is
to promote strengthening of Armenia-Diaspora ties, member of World
Committee of the Pan-Armenian Games Harutyun Tahmazyan (Cyprus) told
Armenpress, adding that the games unite the world-spread Armenians.

“In this case the communication is more important than the result of
the competitions,” he said.

Mr. Tahmazyan noted that though the Armenian community of Cyprus
is not large (3000-3500 Armenians), it participates in all national
events both in Diaspora and Armenia, and the Pan-Armenian Games are
its vivid proof.

He stressed that the Armenian youth in Cyprus is brought up by
national merits and spirit, the community strives to support Armenia,
to cooperate with the homeland.

Harutyun Tahmazyan said that a sport delegation consisting of 21
members has arrived in Armenia from Cyprus.

ARMENIAN MINISTRY OF CULTURE VS. ETCHMIADZIN?

news.am
Aug 8 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Armenian We will not be Silent initiative has prepared a
slide show on the temples and churches under threat of extinction.

The exclusive video allows assessing threat of losses Armenian cultural
heritage is faced with.

The initiative recalls that in an interview with Mediamax agency
spokesperson for the center of Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy
Etchmiadzin, Father Vahram Melikyan said Catholicos had applied
to the agency on preservation of monuments asking to elaborate
renovation projects. Agency got relevant instructions of Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan (currently – former president). However,
Holy Etchmiadzin has not received any project so far.

The initiative has addressed the Culture Ministry for explanations
why instructions of Armenian president and proposal of Catholicos
have not been implemented.

The Culture Ministry issued a statement saying they had received no
call or written instruction.

“It is clear that one of them, either representatives of the Ministry
or Holy Etchmiadzin is lying. While they are playing cat-and-mouse,
our sacred places are being self-destroyed in the entire territory
of Armenia”.

NEW RECORDING OF ARMENIAN ANTHEM TO BE READY FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY

news.am
Aug 8 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Armenia will host several events on the occasion of 20th
anniversary of its independence.

The Museum of the History of Armenia will hold an exhibition
“Three Republics: Achievements and symbols” on the initiative of
Museum-Institute of Armenian Genocide and National Archive.

The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) will hold an exhibition of
commemorative coins. Artists’ Union of Armenia will organize exhibition
entitled “The palette of Independence”.

Union of filmmakers will hold a documentary film festival.

Ministry of Culture together with the Public TV and the Union of
Armenian composers and musicologists will hold a new professional
recording of Armenian anthem.

The Independence Day of Armenia is celebrated on September 21.

DINK COMPENSATION APPEAL REMINDS COURT OF TURKISH SCANDAL

Today’s Zaman
Aug 5 2011
Turkey

The defense deposition filed by the Interior Ministry to appeal
a compensation decision by the Ä°stanbul court over the lack of
effective preventative measures taken in the case of slain journalist
Hrant Dink has created another embarrassment for the government.

According to a report that appeared in the Armenian Agos newspaper,
lawyers for the Interior Ministry filed an appeal to the decision
by the Ä°stanbul 10th District Court in which it found the Ministry
negligent in the murder of Dink and awarded TL 100,000 in compensation
to his brothers, Hosrof and Yervant Dink. One of the arguments
presented in the appeal was that the Dink family would “have an
increase in wealth for no reason at all.” It also argued that the
family should seek compensation from the murderer or the people who
conspired to have him killed, and not from the Ministry which is not
a defendant in the case.

The arguments recalled the scandalous Turkish state defense in
Dink’s infamous trial for “insulting Turkishness,” which caused much
embarrassment to the government. The official defense, which was
presented to the European Court of Human Rights in November 2009,
cited the case of a neo-Nazi leader in Europe while defending Dink’s
trial under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). The Foreign
Ministry said the Turkish statement to the court was simply based on
“legal and technical elements” and repeated legal arguments contained
in the laws that were in affect at the time of the ruling and dismissed
comments that Turkey was attempting to legitimize Dink’s murder. But
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu later claimed he regretted the
defense, and Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin said Dink’s case cannot
be compared to that of Michael Kuhnen, the leader of a German neo-Nazi
movement who was convicted of denying the Holocaust and who threatened
to eliminate those who tried to stop him.

In an apparent rejection of the official defense of the Turkish state
in the Dink case, President Gul earlier said that Dink was killed
due to a lack of precautionary measures to ensure his safety. Dink,
a Turkish journalist of Armenian descent, was shot to death by a
teenage assailant in January 2007.

AZERBAIJANI ACTIVISTS LAUNCH EUROVISION CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRACY

Hurriyet
Aug 8 2011
Turkey

Anar Mammadli, human rights activist is among the Azerbaijani
intellectuals who have launched a campaign on Facebook to secure
human rights reforms in the country.

Azerbaijani intellectuals and activists have launched a campaign on
Facebook to secure human rights reforms and the release of political
prisoners in the Caucasian country by the time of the 2012 Eurovision
song contest, which will be held in Baku. The signature-collection
campaign has received the backing of a number of other pro-democracy
organizations, according to Anar Mammadli, a human rights activist.

“There are currently more than 60 political prisoners in our country.

We wish for our country to [show] respect toward human rights, [the
rule of] law and freedoms as in the example of Europe,” Mammadli told
the Hurriyet Daily News by e-mail.

The Facebook petition entitled “Free song in a non-free country
/ Eurovision 2012 Song Contest in a non-free country?” will be
transferred to the site in September.

They were happy about the success of Eldar and Nigar, the two artists
who won this year’s Eurovision contest, Mammadli said, but added that
Azerbaijan needs to stand closer to Europe in terms of fundamental
freedoms and values for them to more heartily embrace the jubilance
that accompanied his country’s Eurovision success.

“Our goal is not the cancellation of Eurovision,” said Mammadli, a
member of the organizing council for the Eurovision 2012 Azerbaijan
Human Rights Campaign and the coordinator of the Alliance to Protect
Political Freedoms.

“We request the enactment of human rights reforms and the release
of political convicts until the starting date of the [Eurovision]
contest. We are going to move ahead with our campaign until the last
moment,” Mammadli said, adding that they had already started sending
notifications about their demands to all relevant institutions in
the country for the pan-European song contest.

Mammadli said other pro-democracy organizations, namely the Alliance
for Defense of Political Freedoms, the Institute for Peace and
Democracy and the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety and
Human Rights, had all lent their support to the campaign once it
was announced.

“We are striving for our people by upholding our country and our
values above everything,” he said.

Eldar and Nigar’s success is significant not just for Azerbaijan but
for the whole of the Caucasus region, and for Armenia and Georgia in
particular, Mammadli said.

“The [hosting] of such a popular contest beyond Europe’s borders will
carry the Caucasus into the agenda as part of the European region.

This, in fact, is an opportunity for Azeris, Georgians and Armenians
who would like to see themselves in the European family,” Mammadli
said.