Author: Badalian Vardan

OPERATION KOLTSO: HOW THE AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES AND THE SOVIET LEADERSHIP DEPORTED ARMENIANS
Alisa Gevorgyan

“Radiolur”
22.03.2012 18:22

The presentation of the film “Artsakh” – the first in the “Operation
Koltso: April-August 1991” series took place at the Armenia Marriot
Hotel today. According to the authors of the project, the film is
a condemnation of the crime against humanity perpetrated by the
Azerbaijani authorities and the Soviet leadership.

According to the author of the “Common” Genocide” project Marina
Grigoryan, the film presents exceptional episodes, which have never
been shown.

In 1991 twenty-six Armenian villages and hamlets in Shahumian, Hadrut
and Shushi regions in the south and west of Nagorno-Karabakh were
exposed to severe pressure, rioting and pillaging by the army and
the Azerbaijanis during the operation “Koltso.” Almost ten thousand
people were deported, more than hundred people died. Over six hundred
men were taken hostage, were tortured and abused.

The events that took place within the framework of the operation
“Koltso” were reflected in the documents of a number of international
organizations, hearings on the case were organized at the Human Rights
Commission of the Russian Supreme Council, the events were assessed
by the European Court of Human Rights and the US Senate.

The “Operation Koltso: April-August 1991” film will be first screened
on Public TV on March 29.

GREECE READY TO ASSIST ARMENIA IN SIGNING ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
March 22, 2012 – 14:14 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Greece stands ready to extend assistance to Armenia
in signing the Association Agreement with the EU, President of the
Economic and Social Council (E.S.C.) of Greece said.

Christos Polyzogopoulos hailed the friendly relations between the
two countries based on historical and cultural heritage.

“All political circles in the world are well aware of the fact that
Greece backs Armenia,” he said at Yerevan State Linguistic University.

E.S.C. delegation comprising Secretary-General Apostolos Xyraphis
and head of Public and International Relations Martha Theodorou is
currently on visit to Armenia at the invitation of Armenian Public
Council.

As Mr. Polyzogopoulos said, hard times that the Greek economy presently
experiences bears hard on the people.

“We are confident of our ability to handle the crisis and play a
leading role in Europe,” he added.

A. ZAKARYAN: LEAVING FOR BAKU WITH COMPLETE STAF

Aysor.am
March 22, 2012

“The decision is as follows: Armenian delegation will attend the second
plenary session of Euronest in Baku with complete staff,” deputy of
RPA fraction Artak Zakaryan, included in the delegation, told Aysor.am.

A. Zakaryan mentioned that it is very important to leave with the
complete staff as the framework of the themes to be discussed is
very broad and it is not excepted that Azerbaijani side may not
give unpleasant surprises. “We should stand them by protecting our
interests,” the deputy said.

“It is obvious that in some reports Azerbaijani side tries to present
new formulations in a form of suggestions. Thus we have to do our
best to prevent the penetration of unpleasant formulations into the
presented 4 reports,” A. Zakaryan said.

The second Euronest plenary session is to be held in Baku on April
1- 4.

STATEMENT BY THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIR COUNTRIES

March 22, 2012

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC

Following is a joint statement issued on March 22, 2012, by Foreign
Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, Secretary of State
of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Foreign Minister of
France Alain Juppe.

Begin text:

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the formal request to
convene a conference on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, we, the
Foreign Ministers of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries, call
upon the sides to demonstrate the political will needed to achieve a
lasting and peaceful settlement. As Presidents Medvedev, Obama, and
Sarkozy reiterated in their joint statement at Deauville on May 24,
2011, only a negotiated settlement can lead to peace, stability, and
reconciliation, and any attempt to use force to resolve the conflict
would bring only more suffering to a region that has known uncertainty
and insecurity for too long.

We recall that the peoples of the region have suffered most from
the consequences of war, and any delay in reaching a settlement will
only prolong their hardships. A new generation has come of age in the
region with no first-hand memory of Armenians and Azeris living side
by side, and prolonging these artificial divisions only deepens the
wounds of war. For this reason, we urge the leaders of the sides to
prepare their populations for peace, not war.

Progress toward peace has been made. The joint statements of our three
Presidents at L’Aquila in 2009, Muskoka in 2010, and Deauville in 2011
outlined elements of a framework for a comprehensive peace settlement.

Recently, the January 23, 2012, joint statement in Sochi, Russia, by
Presidents Aliyev, Sargsian, and Medvedev expressed the commitment
of the two sides to accelerate reaching agreement on the Basic
Principles. We urge the leaders of the sides to complete work as soon
as possible on the framework agreement and subsequent final settlement
– based on the Helsinki Final Act principles of non-use or threat of
force, territorial integrity, and self-determination and equal rights
of peoples; the United Nations Charter; and norms and principles of
international law – which will allow the entire region to move beyond
the status quo toward a more secure and prosperous future.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:

THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA WAS INVITED TO THE CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM CONFERENCE
IN AMMAN (JORDAN)

H.E. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Primate of Tehran, represented the
Catholicosate of Cilicia at the Conference organized by HRH Prince El Hassan
bin Talal, Founder and Director of the Interreligious and Intercultural
Research and Dialogue Foundation.

More than 75 Christian and Muslim experts from the Arab countries in the
region were invited to discuss the future of Christianity in the Middle
East.

In his opening speech, Prince Hassan stated that the exodus of Christians
from the region is detrimental both for Christians and Muslims, and urged
Muslim leaders to reconsider their policies regarding local Christians.
Archbishop Sarkissian spoke of the Armenians in Iran, past and present.

The Archbishop met with Prince Hassan and conveyed the greetings of His
Holiness Aram I. Prince Hassan returned the greetings and expressed his
admiration for Catholicos Aram’s efforts to promote interreligious harmony.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
March 20, 2012
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE

SENATOR MENENDEZ SPEARHEADS EFFORT ALONG WITH SENATOR KIRK

Washington, DC – Yesterday, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) along with
Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) officially introduced a new Armenian Genocide
Resolution (S.Res. 399) in the United States Senate, reported the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly).

Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Dianne Feinstein
(D-CA), Carl Levin (D-MI), Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), and
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) joined as original cosponsors. In addition,
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), Chair of the Democratic Policy Committee,
has also agreed to cosponsor the bill.

“It is time for the United States to join the nineteen nations including
Belgium, Canada, France, Italy and the European Union that have formally
recognized the actions carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923
as genocide,” Senator Menendez said. “The Armenian Genocide is a historical
fact and was one of the incidents upon which the Genocide Convention was
predicated. Only by accurately acknowledging the crimes of the past can we
ever hope to move forward in a legitimate manner and prevent such human
rights crimes from happening in the future.”

“The Armenian Genocide is well-documented and formally recognized by 11
NATO allies and the European Union. This resolution accurately
characterizes the events of 1915-1923 as a genocide, honors the memory of
the victims, and strengthens America’s moral leadership on human rights and
the prevention of mass atrocities around the world,” said a spokesman for
Senator Kirk.

As reported last week, the new Senate resolution is similar to the House
version, and adds a key finding from the 1951 U.S. filing before the
International Court of Justice concerning the Convention on the Prevention
and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Specifically, the document
highlighted the fact that “the Roman persecution of the Christians, the
Turkish massacre of Armenians, the extermination of millions of Jews and
Poles by the Nazis are outstanding examples of the crime of genocide.”

“We commend Senator Menendez and Senator Kirk for introducing this
important human rights legislation,” stated the Assembly’s Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny. “We also recognize and appreciate the support of
those Senators who joined as original cosponsors. We will continue our
advocacy efforts to ensure additional cosponsors, and urge its timely
adoption,” added Ardouny.

The first step for the bill is the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,
where Senator Menendez serves as a Subcommittee Chairman. The Committee is
chaired by Senator John Kerry (D-MA), who has a long record in support of
U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and
awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.

###

NR#: 2012-009

PRESS RELEASE
United Nations Development Programme / Armenia
14 Petros Adamyan St., Yerevan 0010
Contact: Mr. Hovhannes Sarajyan, Communications Associate
Tel: +37410 566 073
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:

Partnership for Social Housing

Yerevan, 22 March 2012 – Today, an international conference on
“Partnership for Social Housing” took place at Ani Plaza Hotel, at the
joint initiative of the National Social Housing Association (ASBA) and
the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia.

The conference was attended by Arthur Baghdasaryan, the Secretary of
the RA National Security Council and the Chairman of the Board of ASBA
foundation, Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident
Representative in Armenia, and Angele Samura, Deputy Head of Mission,
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Leading specialists from the Netherlands, Switzerland, Montenegro,
Bulgaria and Romania also attended the conference. Armenia was
represented by partner ministries, local authorities, as well as
representatives of non-governmental organizations.

Greeting the participants of the international conference and
emphasizing the importance of project, the Chairman of the board of
the ASBA foundation, Secretary of RA National Security Council Arthur
Baghdasaryan said, “Finding a solution to the housing problem is of
high importance from the point of view of Armenia’s sustainable
development and national security strategy. It is impossible to
address the issues of demography, migration, territorial development
without solving the housing problem. Today’s international conference
is the proof of the fact that our state pays serious attention to the
development of social housing, which will contribute to the solution
of the problem of housing of vulnerable families and the development
of middle class. I am convinced that in a very short period of time,
with the help of our international partners, we will be able to
develop sustainable social housing in our country. This will
contribute to the establishment of a favorable legal framework for
long-term investments in this area, as well as provide targeted
assistance to vulnerable families.”

UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative Dafina Gercheva,
highly appreciating the fact of holding an international conference,
said, “It is less than a year that UNDP and ASBA signed a Memorandum
of Understanding on joint actions aimed at development of social
housing in Armenia. Today, we can register that the cooperation is
productive and the organization of this conference proves it. UNDP
supports initiatives that promote Armenia’s sustainable
development. Development of social housing is one of the most
important issues for the country, and the welfare of Armenian people,
the country’s economic and social progress, the future of young
families and the social security of elderly people depend on finding
viable solutions to this problem. I anticipate that the productive
discussions during the conference will serve as a basis for the
national strategy of development of social housing in Armenia.”

The participants of the conference discussed the process of social
housing development in Armenia observing it in the framework of
international experience.

The international, in particular the Netherlands experience, shows
that the efficiency of the project depends on the productive
cooperation between the state and local government bodies, the private
sector and civil society. In the opinion of local and international
experts, social housing can solve many problems facing our society,
which include negative demographic changes, migration, population
aging and poverty.

The social housing development project in Armenia is implemented with
the financial support of “Matra” social reforms project of the
Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

***

National Social Housing Association is a non-profit organization,
which aims to provide low and middle-income families in Armenia with
affordable and quality housing and its services. The Trustee Council
of the NSHA includes Armenian and Dutch experts.

***

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build
nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of
growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground
in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and
local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
UNDP in Armenia has been established in March 1993 and supports the
government to reach national development priorities and the Millennium
Development Goals by 2015.

ORINATS YERKIR SPOKESPERSON SUBMITS RESIGNATION

Panorama.am
23/03/2012

After six years in office, Orinats Yerkir Party spokesperson Susanna
Abrahamyan has today submitted resignation.

The fact that she is only 36th on party’s candidate list is the reason
behind her move, Abrahamyan told a Panorama.am reporter.

“I do not rule out that I will also quit the party,” said she.

HERITAGE LEADER CALLS ON OPPOSITION FORCES TO UNITE

Tert.am
23.03.12

Heritage party’s leader, Raffi Hovhannisyan, has called upon
the opposition forces to unite their efforts ahead of the May 6
parliamentary polls.

“Time has now arrived for all those who consider themselves
oppositionists to gather together around one table. It is necessary to
choose a comprehensive methodology that would ensure the presence of
one candidate in each constituency. It is necessary to demonstrate
consistency to attain a result through a comprehensive and tough
debate,” he said at a news conference on Friday.

Hovhannisyan, who going to run for parliament as a single-mandate
candidate, has turned out to have nominated himself in the same
majority constituency as Nikol Pashinyan, the editor-in-chief of the
opposition newspaper Haykakan Zhamanak. But he told reporters he was
unaware of the fact when submitting his papers.

“When I nominated myself, I didn’t know there was another opposition
candidate,” he said.

The Heritage leader denied the reports that the party had been
following instructions.

“Instructions are being very widely discussed, but they too, comply
with certain instructions. My instruction, if anyone has doubts,
is dictated by my conscience, my belief and love. That’s all,” he said.

Hovhannisyan’s intention to stand for election became known yesterday
night after the Central Election Commission (CEC) published the final
list of candidates.

KARABAKH PRESIDENT CONVENES MEETING OF SECURITY COUNCIL

news.am
March 23, 2012 | 15:01

STEPANAKERT.- President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Bako Sahakyan convened
a meeting of the Security Council on Friday. The draft of the NKR
Civil Defense Strategy was discussed during the meeting.

Director of the rescue service Arthur Haroutyunyan delivered a report
on the issue.

President Sahakyan said organization and realization of civil defense
is a pivotal and integral component of the country’s security.

He approved the draft of the Civil Defense Strategy and assigned the
Security Council Secretary to submit the document for confirmation.