Author: Babajanian Karo

news.am, Armenia
July 30 2011

Azerbaijan might renew war with Armenia – Georgian analyst

July 30, 2011 | 23:18

YEREVAN. – Statements of Azerbaijani side that under different
circumstances the country will start hostilities against Armenia are
now something new and are repeated with definite recurrence, Georgian
expert Ramaz Sakvarelidze told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

`I do not rule out that at certain moment the Azerbaijani side would
come to a conclusion that the political path of settling the problem
is not productive,’ he added.

According to Sakvarelidze, any prolonged stasis of the settlement
process will sooner or later lead to the situation where the side
considering itself fare will incline towards new hostilities.

Currently, none of the sides deems itself unfair, but `in given
circumstances Azerbaijan feels it lost territories and feels
strangulated,’ Georgian expert noted.

Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Hasanov said in his interview
to Turkish Hurriyet that in case the process of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict settlement goes as it does, Azerbaijan will declare war.

Georgian GM Baadur Jobava wins Sevana Lich chess tournament

July 30, 2011 – 16:32 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – “Sevana Lich (Lake of Sevan) round robin chess
tournament held in Martuni province of Armenia, with 10 grandmasters
participating, was completed on July 30.

Georgian Grandmaster Baadur Jobava scoring 5,5 points became the
winner of the tournament sharing points with Avetik Grigoryan (3,5
points) in the last round.

Hrant Melkumyan (5,5 points) was the second in the tournament, after
his defeat over Sergey Zhigalko (Belarus). He was followed by Zhou
Jianchao (China) who scored 5 points.

Hakob Gyurjyan first international symposium of sculpture ends in Shushi

July 30, 2011 – 16:39 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Hakob Gyurjyan first international symposium of
sculpture finished its job on July 27 in Shushi.

Chairman of NKR Parliament Ashot Gulyan and Minister of Culture and
Youth Affairs Narine Aghabalyan were present and the closing ceremony.

15 Italian sculptures created compositions from limestone, to be
located in different corners of the city.

The compositions will boost development of sculpture and capital
building of Shushi and will return it bygone fame and status of
cultural center, according to sculptor Vigen Avetis.

`The idea of peace, freedom and struggle are dominating in the
sculptures. From the first sight it is notable that these sculptures
defer from Armenian sculptors’ works by style and spirit, they are
designed to change architectural environment of Shushi,’ the sculptor
said.

Results of the symposium will be included into the catalogue in three
languages: Armenian, Italian and English, the author of which is
Professor Gerardo Lo Russo, Rector of Rome Academy of Arts. Studio
Quagli Italian cinema studio will shoot a documentary film on cultural
heritage of Artsakh and Shushi to be screened over Rai 1.

Serzh Sargsyan to attend Armenia sailboat world cruise completion ceremony

July 30, 2011 – 13:01 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On July 30, President Serzh Sargsyan left for a
short vacation, part of which he will spend abroad.

On August 11, President Sargsyan will participate in the ceremony
dedicated to completion of Armenia sailboat’s world cruise; the
ceremony is due in the town of Limassol, Cyprus.

On August 12, President Sargsyan will depart for Kazakhstan to
participate in the unofficial summit of the leaders of CSTO member
states in Astana, presidential press service reported.

ANCA calls to make congressmen support high levels of Armenia’s and
Artsakh’s aid

July 30, 2011 – 17:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Among the Armenian American foreign aid priorities
outlined by the ANCA are: At least $60 million in economic aid to
Armenia, to strengthen its independence and to help offset the
devastating impact of dual Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades; at least
$10 million in military aid to Armenia, with the understanding that,
based on a long-standing practice and in the interest of regional
stability, Azerbaijan does not receive any more military aid than
Armenia. Oil-rich Azerbaijan, for its part, should not receive any
assistance at all, as long as it continues to blockade, threaten, and
attack Nagorno Karabakh; at least $10 million in development aid to
Nagorno Karabagh. Please strongly consider 1) insisting upon the
inclusion of language directing this aid for “developmental” purposed
in order to ensure that it is spent in the most cost-effective manner,
2) including specific language setting $10 million as a minimum, in
light of the Administration’s past practice of spending considerably
less for this program than Congress has intended; maintain Section 907
of the FREEDOM Support Act, and include a provision to end military
aid to Azerbaijan if its leadership continues to threaten to renew
Baku’s aggression against Nagorno Karabakh or Armenia.

July 27, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign
Operations and Related Programs approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012
State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, which calls for $40
million in economic assistance to Armenia, reported the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly).

The Subcommittee’s Bill did not specify funding levels for Nagorno
Karabakh. However, Congress has routinely called for up to $10 million
in annual U.S. assistance.

While the Administration’s budget request provided $3 million in
Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Armenia and Azerbaijan, and
$450,000 more to Azerbaijan in International Military Education
Training (IMET), the Subcommittee’s draft legislation did not
specifically delineate funding levels, but did call for military
parity for Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The Subcommittee’s Bill also restated the six customary exemptions for
humanitarian and other assistance to Section 907 of the Freedom
Support Act. Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act was enacted in
1992 and requires the Government of Azerbaijan to take “demonstrable
steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force”
against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

With passage by the Subcommittee, the Bill is scheduled to be
considered by the full House Appropriations Committee on August 3.

Earlier, Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) circulated a
letter urging his U.S. House colleagues to support expanded U.S. aid
to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and a number of other pro-Armenia
provisions in the Fiscal Year 2012 foreign aid bill.

In his letter, Rep. Pallone, called upon his fellow Representatives to
join with him in co-signing a Congressional letter asking the
bipartisan leadership of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State
Foreign Operations to support the inclusion of the following
provisions: At least $60 million in economic support funds for
Armenia; At least $10 million in development aid to Nagorno Karabakh;
The strengthening of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and
maintaining military aid parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan; The removal
of barriers to U.S.-Nagorno Karabakh contacts and communications;
Support for the reinstatement of Nagorno Karabakh in the OSCE Minsk
Group peace process; At least $10 million in military aid to Armenia.

Bako Sahakyan: NKR ready to assist in Diaspora compatriots-initiated programs

July 30, 2011 – 12:59 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On July 30, the President of the Artsakh Republic
Bako Sahakyan met with Artsakh-born philanthropist Hayk Maghakelyan.

The prospects of implementing various social programs were discussed
during the meeting.

In this context, Artsakh President specifically emphasized the
importance of Diaspora compatriots’ participation in development of
NKR. He further expressed readiness to assist in implementation of
such programs, the Central Information Department at Artsakh
President’s office reported.

Russian military base in Armenia groundwork of peace and stability- Medvedev

14:34 – 30.07.11

The Russian military base in Armenia aims to ensure peace and
stability in the South Caucasus, according to the Russian president.

Dmitry Medvedev’s addressed the situation in the South Caucasus region
in recent comments published in The Business Year – The Business
Year-Azerbaijan 2011.

The publication is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s
independence.

Medvedev particularly said that ensuring stability in the Caucasus is
of paramount importance to Russia and can serve as a basic concept
enabling the country to develop ties with Azerbaijan. The prolongation
of the Russian base’s presence in Armenia (a decision made in the
course of Medvedev’s visit to Armenia earlier this year) should be
consideredin that context, he added.

He further addressed the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement talks
and stressed Russia’s role in the process. He said the frequency of
Russia mediated meetings between the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders
has reached ‘historic maximum’. Medvedev considered the discussions
important, with each of the parties pointing out to the complicated
moments in the process.

The Russian leader said it is his country’s moral duty to promote the
continuation of the dialogue and expressed his personal willingness to
assist the conflicting sides, raising the more complicated issues in
the negotiation agenda.

Medvedev added that Russia is very serious its commitments to the deal
and will take relevant steps to bring long term peace and security to
the region considered to be “Russia’s interest zone”.

Tert.am

ARMENIE
Kiro Manoyan : Aucun accord ne sera signé tant que Bakou ne change de position

“Il y a une impression que les parties ne sont pas satisfaites des
propositions de Lavrov, puisque aucune d’entre elle n’a répondu
positivement à ce jour” a déclaré le du bureau Hay Tad de la
Fédération Révolutionnaire Arménienne (FRA) Kiro Manoyan lors d’une
conférence de presse.

« Bien que les parties n’ont pas réussi à trouver un accord à Kazan en
Russie ils sont à la recherche d’autres voies”, a-t-il dit.

Kiro Manoyan ne voit pas de conditions préalables à la signature d’un
accord-cadre. Il ne croit pas que les autorités arméniennes acceptent
de signer un document qui ne parvienne pas à définir clairement le
statut du Haut-Karabakh. La position du président azerbaïdjanais
n’inspire pas l’espoir. Selon Manoyan, aucun accord-cadre ne peut être
signé à moins que l’Azerbaïdjan change sa position. Malgré la
déclaration belliqueuse de Bakou, il ne voit pas de rélle menace de
guerre.

Kiro Manoyan rappelle que la guerre n’est pas dans l’intérêt de Bakou,
puisque la paix aime le pétrole.

samedi 30 juillet 2011,
Sté[email protected]

FIRST ARMENIAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
430 SOUTH FIRST ST -² FRESNO, CA 93702-1056
TEL. (559) 237-6638 -² FAX (559) 237-9528
[email protected] -²

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Annie Baroutjian
July 29, 2011Telephone:
(559) 237-6638

AEUNA TO INSTALL ASSOCIATE PASTOR AT CALIFORNIA’S OLDEST ARMENIAN CHURCH

The Armenian Evangelical Union of North America will install Reverend
Mike Mekredijian as Associate Pastor of Fresno’s First Armenian
Presbyterian Church. The Service of Installation will take place at 6
p.m. on Sunday, August 7, at the Church Campus, 430 South First Street
at Huntington Boulevard. A fellowship reception will immediately
follow the service.

A graduate of Philadelphia University and Gordon-Conwell Theological
Seminary in Massachusetts, Reverend Mekredijian most recently served
as Senior Pastor of the Armenian Euphrates Evangelical Church of
Providence, Rhode Island. He is married to the former Tamar Abadjian,
a native of California’s Central Coast. Reverend Mekredijian succeeds
Interim Associate Pastor Eric E. Thompson, who has served the
congregation since September 2010.

The Glendale-based AEUNA is an ecclesiastical confederation of
Armenian Protestant churches, missions, and fellowships in the United
States of America and Dominion of Canada. Reverend Joseph Matossian is
the Minister to the Union and Reverend Mgrdich Melkonian is Moderator.

The Fresno Congregation marked its 114th Anniversary on July 25,
2011. The Church’s theme for 2011 is `A New Community.’ -30-

THE THREAT POSED BY MAPS

Article 142 of the NKR Constitution envisages that the state
carries out public authority in territories which are de facto under
the jurisdiction of the given country. However, the provision is
occasionally neglected by Armenian companies and agencies.

Information security expert Vahram Mirakyan says the approach stems
from the lack of information and ideological politics, which according
to the expert, may have a negative impact on the psychology of soldiers
serving in combat positions.

“For example, a soldier serving in Kashatagh or Akna, can find out
the areas are included in the territory of Azerbaijan on the map. He
may immediately pose a logical question: am I protecting an Azeri
territory?” Mirakyan told A1+. “A soldier always serves better when
he definitely knows the purpose of his mission.”

He says some companies, including Ardshininvestbank CJSC (Bank for
Industry, Construction and Investment Closed Joint-Stock Company),
Unona-tour, Arca, the Football Federation of Armenia, pro-government
newspaper Republic of Armenia, use maps with incorrect borders on
their websites.

The list also includes the website of Karabakh Telecom CJSC which
posted a non-existent map of Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region.

Vahram Mirakyan does not accept the terms “liberated territories” and
“security zone” which are largely circulated in media outlets. He
thinks the terms can be acceptable in military terminology but not
by public.

“When they say “liberated territories,” they put an artificial
difference between the territories of Artsakh. Actually, the whole
territory of Arsakh is liberated, starting from Karvachar, Akna and
ending with Kovsakan [ZE~Yngilan],” he said.

Information security expert says there is no need to differentiate
between Armenia and Artsakh as Artsakh was and still remains the
strongest province of Armenia. The two should be taken collectively
as wholeness and not as separate political units.