Author: Badalian Vardan

ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS TO BE DISCUSSED TOMORROW
Siranush Muradyan

"Radiolur"
18.02.2010 17:22

The Foreign Relations Committee of the National Assembly will start
considering the Armenian-Turkish protocols tomorrow, Chairman of the
Committee, representative of ARF Dashnaktsutyun Armen Rustamyan told
a press conference today.

"We’ll apply to the Speaker of the National Assembly, asking to hold
discussions in the Parliament only after the protocols are considered
in the Foreign Relations Committee," Armen Rustamyan said.

Another representative of ARF Dashnaktsutyun Ara Nranyan says the
pressures on Armenia connected with the Karabakh issue have increased,
and today Armenia has two options – to sign a document on Nagorno
Karabakh or ratify the protocols first.

RAZMIK AMYAN WILL NEVER AGAIN PARTICIPATE IN EUROVISION

Tert.am
13:16 ~U 16.02.10

Apparently, it’s not only Emmy and Mihran (and their agent) who are
disgruntled with the results of the final selection for Armenia’s
entry in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.

Armen Movsisyan, representing Razmik Amyan, also a contender for the
Armenian entry in this year’s Eurovision, told Tert.am today that he,
too, is not content with the results of SMS voting.

While speaking to Tert.am, Movsisyan said that he believes that
numerous text messages were not counted as they were blocked, though
the senders were charged for those messages. According to Movsisyan,
this is what Razmik Amyan’s fans have said.

In an attempt to back up his claim, Movsisyan said that some 12,000
people were present at Amyan’s last concert. He also said that voting
by SMS is a meaningless measure, for which money is being spent.

Nevertheless, Razmik Amyan’s producer said that they’re not going to
organize any protests – nor are they going to appeal the results.

"Razmik Amyan will never [again] take part in Eurovision’s preliminary
round; however, if asked to do so, he will take part in Eurovision
[meaning, if he were asked to represent Armenia]," concluded Movsisyan.

DAVID SHAGINIAN AGAIN WINS AT AEROFLOT OPEN 2010 CHAMPS

Aysor
Feb 15 2010
Armenia

After round four of the International Chess Festival Aeroflot Open
2010, Vietnam’s Kang Lim and Nguyen Ngoc Truong at 3,5 points lead
the championship in the Tournament A1.

Armenia’s Arman Pashikian, Hrant Melkumian, and Sergey Grigoriants are
at 2,5 points each; Gabriel Sarkisian is at 2 points; Zaven Andriasian
earned 1,5 points.

Artur Gabrielian at 3 points is one of the leaders of Tournament A2,
and is half a point behind the leader. Tigran Kotanjian, David G.

Petrosian, and Melikset Khachiyan earned 2 points.

Six rounds are over in Tournament B bringing 4 points to Tigran
Simonian, who is half a point behind leaders.

16-year-old David Shaginian keeps on winning in Tournament C and
becomes the top-leader with victories in all six games.

HARSH CRITICISM PART OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

BIA Net
Feb 15 2010
Turkey

The Judicial Office decreed to account journalist Mustafa Balbay’s
pronouncement as part of freedom of expression, regarding his reference
to Prof. Baskın Oran as an example of "bought-out intellectuals". The
comment was assessed as "harsh criticism".

Erol ONDEROÄ~^LU [email protected] Ankara – BÄ°A News Center15 February
2010, Monday The Court of Appeals 4th Judicial Office decreed to
account journalist Mustafa Balbay’s pronouncement referring to Prof.

Baskın Oran as part of freedom of expression. Balbay had said "Buying
out the spirit of Turkish intellectuals, journalists and writers is
a very serious strategy", giving Oran as an example.

The Judicial Office assessed Balbay’s comment as a reaction to articles
written by Oran for Armenian Agos newspaper on the Armenian question.

In a talk show broadcasted by ART television on 26 November 2006
hosted by Emin CölaÅ~_an, Balbay said, "Money is paid to contribute
to the division of Turkey in the name of freedom of thought and press".

The journalist added, "This is a crucial situation. This is buying out
the spirit of Turkish intellectuals, journalists and writers… This
is a very serious strategy. Right now I am talking to some of them…

They used to be different people, how did they become like this now I
wonder. I do not like polemics but if I have to name somebody it is
Prof. Dr. Baskın Oran, a person who is currently receiving special
education in the UK".

On 5 November 2009, the Court of Appeals overruled the decision of
the Ankara 16th Criminal Court of First Instance from 6 May 2008
regarding a 3,500 Turkish Lira (TL) compensation fine. The latest
decision was communicated only recently.

Freedom of thought for writer and critic likewise Prof. Baskın Oran
was invited to St. Anthony’s College of Oxford University between
October and December 2006 for research and six conferences on Turkey.

The Court of Appeals reasoned its decision related to Oran as follows:

"According to the content of the file, the complainant wrote articles
for Agos newspaper concerning the Armenian question and carried out
academic studies abroad. In the scope of this case publishing as
a whole was reviewed. We came to the conclusion that the complaint
is about one part of a speech which was held as a reaction to the
articles written by the complainant for Agos newspaper and in line
with the then current topics. If the complainant is free to declare
his thoughts as an academic, he should also accept harsh criticism
against such thoughts. If the defendant’s speech is evaluated as a
whole, the criticism stays within the legislative protection and does
not constitute an attack on the complainant’s individual rights."

The Judicial Office and the Court of Appeals Criminal and Law
General Council had also been subject to reaction with their previous
decisions. Those decisions included sentencing writer Orhan Pamuk
to compensation for saying "On this region 30 thousand Kurds and
1 million Armenians have been killed", sentencing journalist Fatih
Altaylı to a minimum compensation by reason of his statement "I am
a coward if I don’t sexually abuse him the first instance I see him"
referring to lawyer Eren Keskin, and deciding to account Keskin’s
statements about journalist Nadire Mater with insulting content as
"within criticism".

EU SHOOTS ITSELF IN THE FOOT ON ENERGY

Hurriyet
Feb 14 2010
Turkey

In almost any area of political or social endeavor, the topic of
energy is becoming increasingly fundamental. Energy policy and
politics drive so much that, at first glance, they might not seem
specifically relevant.

Energy is at the root of virtually all of Turkey’s environmental
debates and disputes. Decisions on which dam to build or which strategy
to embrace for protecting the Bosphorus against shipping disasters
are inherently matters about energy.

Engage any agricultural expert in a discussion on the woes of the
farming industry, and he or she will say commodity prices are down
and input prices are up. What this conversation too is really about
is energy.

Little needs to be said, of course, about the role of energy in the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Meanwhile the specter of climate change
threatens our very existence and an accord to do anything about it
remains elusive. An election in Ukraine, a set of protocols before
Armenia’s parliament, a regional referendum on the status of the
northern Iraqi city of Mosul… in the final analysis, these are all
energy discussions.

The element of energy in Turkey’s ongoing accession talks with the
European Union is almost the perfect metaphor to capture the state of
the entire negotiation. We have long argued that these negotiations
proceed amid an asymmetrical perspective. In most European capitals,
EU membership for Turkey is seen as sort of a good deed, a gesture
of magnanimity. If there is a benefit for the rest of Europe, it
is limited to the domestication of a country that otherwise risks
getting out of hand in terms of its population, religion or migration.

That Turkey’s membership is inherently a good – if not a better –
deal for the existing EU societies is an argument that falls flat. It
falls flat even in Italy, a country that will actually cease to exist
in about 120 years if population trends continue at their current rate.

That this poverty of vision defines so much thinking in Brussels or
Strasbourg is, of course, frustrating. That European leaders have by
and large failed to define, let along articulate, their own strategic
self-interest vis-a-vis Turkey is a sad statement on the age. But one
would think one element of reason to be extracted from this irrational
morass would be the energy relationship between Turkey and the EU.

>From the prospective Nabucco or South Stream gas pipelines to the
existing Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, to ongoing petroleum explorations
by Norway’s Statoil on the Black Sea to the tanker traffic flowing
through Europe’s largest city… it’s all about energy.

And yet, as our reporter Döndu SarıÅ~_ık wrote in our weekend
edition, the "energy chapter," the most important pillar in the
negotiation architecture, is closed at the behest of Greek Cyprus
and is likely to remain so.

Such shortsightedness is hardly a threat to Turkey’s energy security.

It is, however, one to that of the EU.

Novinite.com, Bulgaria
Feb 14 2010

Miss Universe Canada: Bulgaria Means So Much to Me

Views on BG | February 14, 2010, Sunday

Bulgaria-born Alice Panikian is of an Armenian origin. She has been
crowned Miss Universe Canada 2006 and ranked sixth among the finishers
in Miss Universe 2006.

Following is Eurochicago interview with her.

What is your most memorable moment from the competitions?

Alice: The Miss Universe 2006 competition was the most memorable part
of the pageant experience for me. I felt honored to be given the
chance to represent Canada, the country I have called home for the
past 19 years. Meeting the 85 other contestants was such a remarkable
experience as well. I learned so much about the contestants as well
as the countries they represented. Though it was a high-stress time
for everyone involved, I enjoyed the fast-paced life, participating in
the events as well as the thrill of being on stage.

Please tell us a little about yourself, what were you doing before the pageant?

Before entering the Miss Canada pageant, I was modeling. I love to
travel so modeling gave me the opportunity to do that at a young age.
I was also going to York University where my major was English and
Communications.

Did your life change after the contest, what will you be doing now?

My life has changed dramatically because of the contest. My dream is
to be involved in broadcast journalism. Because of the competition, I
was able to network with many people in that industry and it was an
opportunity for me to get a lot of exposure. I am currently still
studying broadcast journalism in Toronto and I will be graduating in
the spring. I hope to be involved in broadcasting very soon in some
capacity, whether it be hosting or writing.

What advice would you give the thousands of girls, who wish that they
were in your place?

The best advice I can give to any young woman who wants to compete in
a pageant is to always be herself. The things that make each of us
unique are the things that are most memorable. Embracing yourself for
the person you are, having confidence and not conceding to the
pressures of outside forces are all important to achieving success not
only in pageants, but in all areas of life.

What role did your Bulgarian mother play in your successes?

My mother is, and always has been, my number one supporter. She was
the one who raised me, and because of her I am the person I am today.
She is the reason behind all of my success.

Have you been to Bulgaria and what does Bulgaria mean to you?

I was born in Bulgaria and I have been back several times. Bulgaria
means so much to me. Not only it is my heritage, but also, most of my
family still lives there. I have many relatives and friends in
Bulgaria, so of course it remains a huge part of my life.

What do your friends know about Bulgaria and what do they associate it with?

Many of my friends are from Eastern Europe as well so they have either
been to Bulgaria or they know about it. They know it is next to the
Black Sea. They know about ancient cities like Plovdiv as well as the
beautiful mountains we have. Bulgaria is known for many things and
each time I meet someone who has been there, they always have
something different to share with me.

Do you have anything from Bulgaria in your home, like a souvenir or
memory from Bulgaria?

We have pictures/paintings of Koprivstiza and Plovdiv, books,
Bulgarian music (CDs), martenizi, embroidered things, many photos, and
other small souvenirs.

Do you use Bulgarian cooking recipes? If so, what is your favorite one?

I like Bulgarian cuisine a lot, especially baniza, red peppers and
cabbage rolls stuffed with rice, tarator, ljuteniza, and French fries
with shredded feta cheese (Bulgarian cheese). During my visits in
Bulgaria I like to eat kebabcheta, and lukanka.

Are you familiar with some of the Bulgarian traditions and do you
celebrate Bulgarian holidays?

We celebrate the National holiday of Bulgarian culture, language, and
literature on May 24, (I was born May 23rd), March 1st Baba Marta,
Christmas (Budni Vecher and Koleda) and Easter (Velikden).

What are your future plans and dreams? What do you hope to accomplish?

One day I hope to be the host of my own television show. Because I
love to travel so much, I would love my show to be about travelling to
different destinations and experiencing the best that each country has
to offer. I also love to write and I have always wanted to write a
novel. Once I find the time, I hope that I will achieve that goal.

Is there anything you would like to tell the Bulgarian people and Bulgaria?

I am proud to be born in a country with such rich history, and to be a
descendant of such strong spirited people as the Bulgarians. I think
of Bulgaria and Bulgarian people often and wish them the best!

What are you expecting for the upcoming Valentine’s Day?

I plan to spend it with someone special.

A question for the mom: What is the most special and strong quality in
your daughter?

Svetlana Panikian: My daughter is a very compassionate, intelligent,
sincere, warm, and outgoing person. Also, she is a loyal friend and
likes to help others.

To the mom and daughter: Would you be willing to come visit us in
Chicago? What about in Bulgaria?

We hope to be able to come and visit at the first opportunity in the
future. At the moment I am in the process of finishing my degree in
journalism.

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PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN VISITED ARTEXPO-2010 EXHIBITION
Alisa Gevorgyan

"Radiolur"
12.02.2010 17:30

President Serzh Sargsyan visited ARTEXPO-2010 exhibition today.

ARTEXPO-2010 is being organized for the second time at the initiative
of the Ministry of Culture and presents the latest developments in
the Armenian modern art.

The exhibition provides opportunities for cooperation and establishment
of working relations for all the interested organization and structures
functioning in the area of culture.

The President of Armenia toured the exhibition, observed last year
works of over fifty enterprises engaged in different arts and culture
activities and familiarized with their achievements and future programs

OUSTING OF KIND OF CITIZEN

8.html
13:35:47 – 11/02/2010

Samvel Partamyan: designer-publicist, teaches at the University
of Architecture

During our previous interview, you said we have to find our place
under sun in this region.

Now, some political processes are solved or are near to their
solution. Now we can say if our government and the opposition are
completed and whether they correspond to the internal and external
challenges.

We may say that the government is completed as much as it could. More,
it already started showing its continuance and its qualities. A series
of surprises in the foreign policy – Armenian-Turkish relations,
principles of Madrid refreshed the public’s political context and
became a reason for dialogues and revision of stereotypes.

As to home political challenges, the government tried to preserve its
rough and unceasing behavior adopted after March 1 as much as home
and foreign pressure let it to. Perhaps, the only home political
new initiative is the governmental religious-moral initiative in
contradiction to real morality, justice, human rights and freedom
of speech.

But this completeness of the government makes evident new vulnerable
sides, the decrease of self-confidence. The motive "no one can harm
us" became ambiguous.

Who managed to "get rid of" the government?

You know it is possible to ignore the society for a long time, but to
use power without the support of the public is impossible. The power
stopped being the only representative of the state. The equality
between state and power stopped existing, this perception is split
within the Diaspora too. Not accidentally, today main questions are
asked not the government but the opposition. And now I think the
point is not about the opposition but the society which is to realize
that the opposition is the model of the government in a dynamic
phase which is not defended by means of the power. In other words,
opposition is power which can be modeled and still created. Now the
attention of the public is to be focused on the creation of the model
of the opposition as a future government.

New forces, new initiatives and new discussions. You are participating
in them too. What can they change in our life? Are now times of birth
of ideas?

Birth of ideas is a permanent process. Crises promote the
modernization of the public. But the life of the public does not
need to be accelerated too much. Today’s opposition is a result of
public initiative and demand. Today we live in the possession of
the government dangerous for the public and a state not defending the
security of the public. For example, all of us know that the government
will try to preserve its reproduction but the society, the interested
part of it, is ready to sacrifice its cultural and moral values for
the sake of its ideas and values, like Nikol Pashinyan did on March
1. I think ousting of this kind of citizen is taking place and the
current opposition is the fight of such kind of people.

What developments do you see in the world?

I think, regardless political processes that can contain surprises,
the future of Armenia is really in the hands of the Armenian people who
have to be participants of the creation of a new political structure,
a new government.

In reality, the model of my imagination is the one of human rights,
freedom of speech, equal possibilities. These are not abstract
concepts. These are necessary conditions for the development of the
society and for the country’s security.

Interview By Siranuysh Papyan

ANTI-TRAFFICKING DISCUSSIONS LAUNCHED IN YEREVAN

Aysor
Feb 12 2010
Armenia

The project and discussions concerning "Development of a comprehensive
anti-trafficking response in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia" project,
which is organized by the International Labor Organization (ILO),
launched today in Yerevan.

The project is being financed by the European Commission and is
implemented by the ILO. The official partners are the OSCE Armenian
Office, international center of Migration Policy and the International
Organization of Migration in Georgia.

The reporter of Aysor.am informs that Nver Sargsyan will make a speech
on trafficking in the word.

The discussion is aimed at presenting the results and works implemented
by the ILO in the frameworks of the project.

According to the ILO international report 12.3 million people are
included in the hard labor and the amount of the unpaid job is 21
milliards dollars.

RA PRESIDENT VISITED TATE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART IN LONDON

news.am
Feb 10 2010
Armenia

February 9, RA President Serzh Sargsyan visited Tate Museum of Modern
and Contemporary Art in London and attended the opening ceremony of
the exhibition dedicated to Armenia-born American painter Arshile
Gorky.Serzh Sargsyan familiarized himself with the renowned painter’s
works. Prominent public figures, connoisseurs of art and Armenian
community representatives were also present at the ceremony.

"This was Gorky’s first exhibition within the last 26 years," RA
former Premier, former Ambassador and business leader Armen Sargsyan
told NEWS.am correspondent.

"Few nations enjoy such reception at Windsor Castle and I am happy to
organize the event in honour of Serzh Sargsyan together with my good
friend Prince Charles. We concur on lots of issues, particularly art,"
he emphasized.

"Being an Armenia assumes self-sacrifice. Everybody should help
its homeland with money, time, whatever he can," entrepreneur Vache
Manukyan told NEWS.am correspondent. He considred a prirority the
contrubution to providing employment opportunities.

"I would not like to interfere in politics as a businessman, however I
reckon Armenia and Turkey should establish dialogue, even if there is
5% chance of success. At least, we will be able to say we tried. The
process is very complicated, and I do not say it will certainly bring
about effective results. We should try, as the time to solve conflicts
with yells has passed," Manukyan noted.