Author: Badalian Vardan

ARMENIE
Les publications de la Banque mondiale aide à améliorer la sécurité
alimentaire et simplifier les inspections en Arménie

La Banque mondiale a sorti une nouvelle publication pour les
producteurs alimentaires arméniens conçus pour les aider à améliorer
les standards de la sécurité alimentaire et devenir plus compétitifs.

La publication « des Directives pour l’Exécution de Bonnes Pratiques
Industrielles et des Bonnes Pratiques d’Hygiène » pourvoit des
conseils aux producteurs sur comment observer l’hygiène de base et les
règles industrielles. Il fournit aussi des conseils pour des
inspecteurs, offrant une approche standardisée pour l’évaluation de la
conformité et de rendre plus efficace le processus de fabrication.

samedi 16 février 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Reuters AlertNet
Feb 15 2013

ACT Alliance Appeal: Support to Syrian Refugees in Armenia

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:24 GMT

Appeal: Armenia
Support to Syrian Refugees in Armenia – ARM131
Appeal Target: US$ 195,774
Balance Requested: US$ 195,774

Geneva, 15 February 2013

The ongoing armed conflict in Syria has caused immense human suffering
and widespread displacement. According to UNHCR, over 820,000 Syrian
refugees are registered or are awaiting registration in neighboring
countries. An estimated 7,000 (and the number is increasing) Syrian
Armenians have fled their homes in Syria to seek refuge in Armenia. Up
to date more than 2,000 families are registered with the Ministry of
Diaspora of Armenia.

Only a small percentage of the refugees have found jobs but most of
them are without regular income to sustain their lives. The Armenian
Government is providing support along with UN agencies and national
and international NGOs. However, only these people who are officially
registered as refugees are benefitting from it.

Already in 2012, the Armenia Inter-Church Charitable Round Table
Foundation (ART) has provided assistance to the most vulnerable
refugees from Syria currently residing in and around Yerevan. With an
amount of appr. 40,000 USD from the ACT Rapid Response Fund project
(RRF 11-2012) ART was able to provide live saving assistance.

With the appeal on hand, ART hopes to raise 195,774 USD to provide
additional support to the most vulnerable refugees for the period of 2
months. The project will be carried out in Yerevan and surrounding
areas and assistance will be provided in terms of food, non-food
items, and psycho-social support to a total of 2,500 people.

In Memoriam: Dr. Nazeli Charchian

Friday, February 15th, 2013
Dr. Nancy Charchian

Dr. Nazeli Charchian, loving wife, mother and grandmother, respected
physician and devoted philanthropist, died in the early morning hours
of Wednesday, January 30th at her home in La Crescenta, CA. She was
64.

Even during her final days, Dr. Charchian, known for her compassion
and good humor, wouldn’t allow anyone to enter her room with a sad
face. Those who dared to make a gloomy entrance would soon be forced
into laughter by one of Dr. Charchian’s signature jokes. On one cool
December day, as she laid in her hospital bed looking out of her
window, she noticed that her older son was approaching. Aiming to
play a joke on her unsuspecting child, she told those who were next to
her bed to hide themselves as she tilted her head, extended her tongue
and acted unconscious. `My mother and everyone else in the room burst
into an uncontrollable laughter the minute they saw my worried
reaction’ recalled her son. `No one would have guessed that someone
was ill in our family.’

Behind her positive attitude and cleaver intelligence, as a powerful
steam engine pulling a train, was an unmatched ambition and vitality
that proved an unstoppable force in her professional, personal and
philanthropic life. When her family immigrated to Argentina in 1970,
she refused to leave her studies unfinished, and, unafraid of being
alone, remained in Yerevan where she obtained her doctorate in
medicine and, on one beautiful spring day, met the love of her life: a
tall young athlete who we know as Dr. David Charchian. `I still
remember her captivating smile the day we met as she came down the
university stairs in her knee high leather boots and bumped into my
chest’ said Dr. David. They soon married and had two wonderful boys.

In 1980, Dr. Charchian and her husband decided to leave behind
lucrative careers as medical doctors in Yerevan to pursue a better
future for their sons in the United States. Without speaking the
language and without any outside support, Dr. Charchian worked hard to
become a doctor once again. `After cooking dinner every evening, I
remember my mom would stay up all night studying’ stated her son.
This hard work paid off as Dr. Charchian soon obtained her U.S medical
license and, together with her husband opened a medical practice in
Glendale, California where they have since treated tens of thousands
of patients.

Despite being a full time physician and a full time mother, wife and
grandmother, Dr. Charchian could not rest without giving back to her
community. Concerned by the pervasive unhealthy choices made by so
many of her patients, she teamed up with Glendale Memorial Hospital
and for two years hosted a weekly television show aimed at educating
the community. In 2003, she became troubled by the fact that so many
of our children could not read the Armenian language and lacked basic
cultural knowledge. To address this problem, she established an
Armenian Saturday School, free to every child, at the Glendale YMCA.
To date this school has graduated over 800 students. Joining the
Friends of UCLA in 2005, she continued her fight by helping support a
permanent Armenian language chair at the University of California.
During this same time, and because she was the daughter of a
`Hadjinsi,’ she became a board member of the Compatriotic Union of
Hadjin and traveled to Armenia to reconstruct a dilapidated school in
Nor Hadjin.

In late 2005, she found her true passion as president of the Anahid
Fund, an organization dedicated to fighting infant mortality and low
birth rates throughout Armenia. Establishing its mission as fostering
1.5 Million births for the 1.5 million killed in the Armenian
Genocide, Dr. Charchian spearheaded a campaign that provided financial
support, prenatal care and education for pregnant women and new
mothers. During her presidency, she was able to support over 2,000
healthy births in the Talin and Maralik regions of Armenia alone.

For her lifetime achievements she has been recognized by the United
States Congress, the California State Legislature, the County of Los
Angeles, and the City of Glendale. In 2012 she received the
President’s Leadership award by the Armenian American Medical Society.

Dr. Nazeli Charchian is survived by her husband, Dr. David Charchian,
her sons Arthur Sevak Charchian and Benjamin Charchian. Her
daughter-in-law Rena Charchian and her two beautiful grandchildren,
David and Harry. She is also survived by her brother, Dr. Pertch
Tchrian, and sister, Madlen Tchrian, of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 9 at 10 a.m.at the
Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale.

It was Dr. Nazeli Charchian’s personal wish that in lieu of flowers,
donations be made to the Anahid Fund such that her legacy of helping
the children of Armenia continues. Checks can be sent to the Anahid
Fund at P.O. Box 251201, Glendale, CA 91225 or online at
anahidfund.com.

Glendale City Council Candidates Appeal to Armenian-American Voters for Support

Friday, February 15th, 2013

Glendale City Council candidates during the ANCA-organized forum

GLENDALE – Candidates competing for the three open seats on the Glendale
City Council described to the more than 100 attendees at the Armenian
National Committee of America-Glendale (ANCA-Glendale) Candidate Forum
why they deserved to be elected on April 2.

Zareh Sinanyan, a community organizer and current chair of the
Glendale Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee, touted
his suggestions for increasing affordable housing and making City Hall
more accountable to the voters. He urged voters to choose him to be
one of the three individuals they elect to the City Council.

Councilman Ara Najarian explained that during his tenure in office he
championed suggestions to improve living conditions in South Glendale
and increase job opportunities for the city’s residents while keeping
Glendale a safe place to live.

The desire to improve living conditions in South Glendale and maintain
Glendale a safe place to live was also echoed by Chahe Keuroghelian.
Keuroghelian, who ran for City Council in 2011 and 2009, would like to
remove barriers that prevent residents of modest income from `full
participation in civic life as concerned stakeholders and rate-and-tax
payers.’

Councilmember Laura Friedman urged Armenian-American voters to
re-elect her because her efforts have improved economic development
throughout the City. She added that she has encouraged all residents
to be included in the decision making process and have a voice at City
Hall.

Rick Barnes, a Realtor, wants the City to stop the practice of
providing financial incentives to businesses that will not increase
sales tax revenue for the City. Barnes also wants to stop the attacks
on Fair Housing.

Other candidates vying for the three seats on the 5 member City
Council were critical of the incumbents’ record. Candidates Mike
Mohill, Aram Kazazian, Herbert Molano, and Roland Kedikian pointed out
that the utility rates are increasing because of the City Council’s
decisions.

Sam Engel, who served as the City’s Neighborhood Services
Administrator until 2012, stated that he would place primary emphasis
on maintaining fiscal prudency in managing the City’s finances.

The ANCA-Glendale in association with several other community
organizations will host a Forum with candidates for the Glendale
Unified School District Governing Board on February 20, 2013 at the
K&M Karamanoukian Glendale Youth Center located at 211 W. Chestnut St.
in Glendale. The public is invited to attend the candidate forum
starting 7:00 pm.

ANCA-Glendale advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and
political rights of the city’s Armenian American community and
promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public
policy levels.

Ara Papyan: Georgia has to give up its illusions regarding Abkhazia
and South Ossetia not to find itself under the Turkish boot
ArmInfo’s interview with Ara Papyan, Head of Modus Vivendi Center for
Social Studies, Ambassador of Armenia to Canada in 2000-2006

by David Stepanyan

Friday, February 15, 18:36

Would you characterize the state of the Armenian-Turkish relations
over the period following the signing of the Zurich Protocols?

Obviously, today Turkey is more involved in the processes in the South
Caucasus and, particularly, in the Karabakh process, than it was
before 2009. The statements made from the viewpoint of Ankara have
become possible after the Armenian-Turkish protocols were signed in
Zurich. Although the provisions in the protocols have remained on
paper, the relations of the two peoples have actually grown tense,
especially after recent attacks and murders of elderly ethnic Armenian
women in Istanbul. Generally, this is a result of the growing
nationalism in the Turkish public. Turkey’s economic growth, Erdogan’s
hot speeches, threats addressed to the West inevitably boost
nationalism in the Turkish public. Turkey has not behaved in such a
style for a long time already. The policy of Ankara has a geopolitical
explanation, because the USSR collapsed long ago, and Russia no longer
constitutes threat to Turkey. Quite to the contrary, Turkey is
troubling the South Caucasus from time to time.

Do you advocate opening the border with Turkey?

Certainly, I do. However, coming out for opening of the border, I have
always been against signing of the protocols. These are two different
ideas, as the price for opening the border fixed in the protocols is
too high for Armenia. The devil is in the details. When joining the
WTO, Armenia presented a strict customs and tax system regarding all
the goods imported to the republic. In other words, low taxes will be
imposed on the Turkish goods imported to Armenia. At the same time,
rather high taxes will be imposed on the Armenian goods. For this
reason, it is simply senseless to speak about competition between
Armenian and Turkish goods in such unequal conditions. Any foreign
citizen may buy land and real estate in Armenia, whereas in Turkey,
especially in its eastern regions, the permission of the regional
military prefect is needed for that. So, Turkey may implement an
economic expansion in Armenia spending just several billion of
dollars, if it wants. The Protocols give no guarantee that Turkey will
not close the border to Armenia at any moment. This also contains
threats for us. For this reason, opening of the border on the
conditions which are similar to those fixed in the Protocols, is
impossible for Armenia. These conditions should be revised, detailed
and specified.

Valerie Boyer, a French lawmaker, has made a fresh attempt to bring a
bill penalizing the denial of Armenian Genocide to the forefront. Have
the prospects for its adoption changed since the new President of
France came to power?

Unlike a year ago, now there are fewer chances that France will pass
the bill criminalizing the Armenian genocide denial. I don’t think
that the bill will be passed. Unfortunately, foreign countries
traditionally use the problem of recognition of the Armenian Genocide
for domestic political purposes. However, one should not blame them
for that. Initiating the bill once again Valerie Boyer just fulfills
her promises to her Armenian voters who funded her campaign in
exchange for that in line with the French laws. Unlike Azerbaijan and
Turkey that have billions but fail to fund election campaigns in the
West in the legal way, the Armenian lobby has such an opportunity.
That is why the Armenian Diaspora is so influential in Europe and the
USA.

At the same time, I think the time for the demand on recognition of
the Armenian genocide and criminalization for its denial has ended.
The time has come for withdrawal of its consequences. The Armenians
killed in Ottoman Turkey had a big property which should be returned
to the offsprings of the victims of the Genocide. There were 2230
Armenian churches and monasteries functioning in the Western Armenia
in 1913. Nobody knows their true cost, but they cost billions.
Incidentally, they have already returned a certain sum to the Armenian
Church, but only in Istanbul. This process did not touch on the
territories of the Western Armenia. In this context, recognition of
the Armenian genocide and criminalization of its denial in several
countries, in fact, will change nothing. The core of the Armenian
Cause should be cardinally changed. A heavy crime was committed in
1915, and not having an opportunity to punish those who committed it,
it is quite logical to demand returning the property which was stolen
from the victims of this crime. We and nobody else should gain it.

How?

We should do it via the UN International Court. According to the
arbitral decision of US President Woodrow Wilson, Armenia has certain
rights. This decision is still valid. Somebody may object and just the
UN International Court may decide who is right. Meanwhile, Wilson’s
arbitral decision was forgotten long ago in Armenia, and was published
last year. He thinks that the Armenian authorities feel comfortable in
the situation of standstill, they are satisfied with the present
situation and they are not ready to make sharp steps and change
something. Meanwhile, 1-2 billion of dollars are not enough for
Armenia to go ahead, dozens of billions are necessary for that. It is
impossible to raise economy by means of credits and the only way for
that is returning the property taken from the Armenians in 1915.

You have mentioned Ankara’s active steps towards the South Caucasus,
but there is also an opposite opinion saying that today Turkey is
locked up in its southern borders…

After the sharp worsening of the situation in Syria for the last year,
today Turkey is locked up in its southern borders. But this does not
at all hinder Turkey to be active in the Caucasus as well. Finally,
the Syrian problem is not everlasting. It will be resolved in a year
or two but not by Turkey, as the latter does not have the needed
potential. In this sense, the Karabakh conflict is a long lasting one
and is like the Israeli-Palestine conflict that has been lasting for
dozens of years. I think that today Azerbaijan and Turkey do not have
the military scenario for resolving the problems of Armenia and the
NKR. They are trying to involve Armenia in the arms race and rivalry,
just the same way as the USA did regarding the USSR when unleashed the
“cold war”. So, Baku and Ankara link the settlement of the Karabakh
conflict with a long lasting prospect, for dozens of years. They
understand very well that Azerbaijan will not be able to gain a
victory over Armenia, as experience shows that nothing consolidates
Armenians so much than war. Turkey’s ex-president Turgut Ozal
understood that very well and called on Baku to return Karabakh to the
Armenians, to wait for 50 years and take it back without bloodshed.
For this reason, we should look for the new better ways out of this
long-lasting “cold war”.

After the change of power in Georgia, new ways seem to have appeared.
Today Armenia, together with Russia, Georgia and Iran, can break the
situation in the region via formation of a new axis from north to
south…

If Georgia is really interested in it, very much will really change in
our region. Unfortunately, I am not optimistic in the matter of
Georgia’s position. I am very much surprised at the anti-Armenian mood
in that country, taking into consideration the fact how much Armenians
did for establishment of that country. Even Istanbul has no such an
attitude to Armenians. Georgia’s attitude to Russia is similar. Yes,
the bolsheviks used to take not the best steps regarding Georgia and
Armenia. But one should say that the Russian imperialism often met
interests of both Armenians and Georgians. As a result, the Armenians
preferred the Russian boot instead of the Turkish yatagan. As for
Georgians, they never had a problem of physical destruction by the
Turks, and quickly forgot the years of staying under the Turkish boot,
which was heavier than the Russian one. Over all the years of
Gamsakhurdia’s and Saakashvili’s tenure the Georgian society was under
the influence of the anti-Russian and anti-Armenian propaganda.

But now there is a common interest, which is more important than the
false stereotypes. And today’s Europe is the best example of that…

Yes, but the psychology of the society is very much important and the
pragmatism of businessman Ivanishvili will be not enough to break this
psychology. Anyway, Ivanishvili’s pragmatism is our only hope in
functioning of the axis you have mentioned, as he has obviously
calculated the benefits this axis will bring to Georgia and personally
to him. These benefits exceed much the benefits from exploiting of the
corridor between the Caspian and Black Seas, taking into consideration
the fact that Iran refused to have communication with Russia through
Azerbaijan. Iran is a very serious geo-political player, and unlike
Russia, it puts its geo-political interests higher that the economic
ones. For instance, Moscow has recently sold modern weapon to the
enemy of its only strategic partner in the region Azerbaijan. If such
a scenario is realized, in that case the transit role of Georgia will
grow much for Russia, which will get direct access to the Middle East,
and for Armenia, which will finally get out of blockade. As for
Azerbaijan and Turkey, they will lose much first of all in Georgia,
which the Turks will finally buy in 50 years. For this reason, so that
not to find themselves under the Turkish boot once again, the
Georgians have to break illusions regarding Abkhazia and South Ossetia
and be pragmatic. I hope very much that businessman Ivanishvili will
manage to inspire this to the Georgian society.

Business sphere progress of Armenia highly evaluated in Euronest
Parliamentary Assembly

18:20, 15 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, ARMENPRESS: Suggestion of the delegation of
Armenian national Assembly concerning the development of transport and
communication received a great feedback in Euronest Parliamentary
Assembly. Armenian suggestion received the endorsement of
representatives of different countries during economic, legal session
of Parliamentary Assembly. `We have referred to issues of civil
aviation. Suggestion has been formulated this way: it will refer to
communications and transports. Several directions are noted in the
suggestion, concerning all types of transport including water
transport, which interests European countries,’ member of delegation
Mher Shahgeldyan said, Armenpress reports. According to him,
involvement of all spheres is important for economic development.
`Progress, approaches and achievements of Armenia were highly
evaluated and differed from Azerbaijan. Progress of business sphere
was also highly estimated,’ Mher Shahgeldyan said.

On February 15 Mher Shahgeldyan, the member of Armenian NA Delegation
to the Eastern Partnership Euronest Parliamentary Assembly summed up
the results of the meeting of the Euronest PA Committee on Economic
Integration, Legal Approximation and Convergence with EU Policies,
which was held in Chisinau on February 11-13.

Atmosphere of distrust and fear to elections hit Armenian society:
Heritage secretary general

YEREVAN, February 15. /ARKA/. Atmosphere of distrust and fear around
the elections hit Armenian society, Secretary General of Heritage
party Stepa Safaryan said on Friday in Yerevan.

`The election campaign showed the trust of the population to the
presidential elections has shrunk. Many people don’t believe the
leading forces can change in the country after the elections, and it
is not a secret, there are rumors that it makes no sense to
participate in the elections as everything has already been
predetermined,’ Safaryan said summing up the campaign outcomes.

According to him, a number of political forces, including the Armenian
National Congress, Prosperous Armenia party and ARF Dashnaktsutyun
just proved the situation of distrust existed when they refused
nominating anyone to run the election race.

Besides distrust, something else was gradually brought-up in the
Armenian society – fear. Particularly, it became vivid after an
assassination attempt was made on Paruyr Hayrikyan, a presidential
candidate and a leader of Union for National Self-Determination party.

Hayrikyan was shot to shoulder in Yerevan on January 31 and had a
successful surgery on the same day.

`After that, at least everyone started thinking it is dangerous for
life to conduct political activity in our country,’ he noted.

Presidential elections of Armenia are scheduled for February 18.

The following candidates will be leading the race: current president
Serzh Sargsyan, former prime minister and leader of Freedom party
Hrant Bagratyan, former foreign minister and head of Heritage party
Raffi Hovannisian, famous Soviet dissident and leader of National
Self-Determination party Paruyr Hayrikyan, former foreign minister of
Nagorno-Karabakh Arman Melikyan, political scientist and head of Radio
Hay Andrias Ghukasyan, philologist Vardan Sedrakyan. -0-

Vice President of the National Assembly Meets With the Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Estonia to Armenia

15.02.2013

On February 15 Eduard Sharmazanov, Vice President of the National
Assembly, Head of Armenia-Estonia Parliamentary Friendship Group met
with Priit Turk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
Republic of Estonia to the Republic of Armenia (residence in Tbilisi).

Welcoming the Ambassador Eduard Sharmazanov has expressed satisfaction
that the Armenian-Estonian relations are going on positively, and in
terms of activation of that cooperation he has highlighted the mutual
visits of the MPs of the two countries. He has informed him that in
the National Assembly Armenian-Estonian Friendship Group has already
been formed. At the same time he has noted that he has invited his
Estonian colleagues to visit Armenia and jointly discuss the
perspectives of cooperation of the two parliaments. The NA Vice
President has said that this year the NA President’s visit to Latvia
and Estonia is scheduled, which will create good bases for the
development of the Armenian-Estonian relations, particularly, the
inter-parliamentary relations.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of
Estonia to the RA noted that during the meetings with the President of
Armenia and the Foreign Minister the development of cooperation in
different spheres, particularly, the inter-parliamentary relations of
the two countries was highlighted. He said that on May 1-5 the visit
of the members of Estonia-Armenia Friendship Group to Yerevan was
envisaged. In spring the delegation led by the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Estonian Parliament will also visit Armenia.

Touching upon the steps taken by Armenia directed to the EU
integration the Ambassador has recorded that during those negotiations
Armenia together with Georgia and Moldova are the forerunners, which
the Estonian authorities welcome and express readiness to more support
the development of those processes. He has proposed to make use of the
opportunity given by the Eastern Partnership Centre functioning in
Estonia. The Centre will be useful for the Armenian colleagues in the
fields of exchange of experience, the specialists’ training and
education.

The NA Vice President has assured that the steps taken by Armenia
towards systemized democratic reforms are not purposeless. `It
absolutely stems from our people’s interests and the perspective of
our country’s development,’ said Eduard Sharmazanov.

In the course of the meeting issues concerning the Armenian-Turkish
relations and peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh problem were
also discussed. The NA Vice President positively appreciated the
Estonian authorities balanced position on the NK problem and
supporting the solution of the problem through peaceful negotiations
within the Minsk Group framework, noting that the people of Artsakh
should make decision for the future of the NKR.

The Ambassador in his turn has reaffirmed that there is no alternative
for the peaceful settlement of the NK conflict.

Eduard Sharmazanov also has touched upon the upcoming presidential
elections, assuring that the authorities of the country do their
utmost for organizing free, fair elections in accordance with
democratic standards, being well aware taht it will be one of the most
important conditions of the invariable democracy in the country.

The sides emphasized the development of cooperation with bilateral
format and within the EU Eastern Partnership and the implementation of
joint programmes directed to it in political, economic and cultural
spheres.

Chairman Levin Questions Hagel On U.S.-Armenia Defense Relations

Tuesday, February 12th, 2013

Chairman of Senate Armed Services Committee Carl Levon questions Hagel

Secretary of Defense Nominee Hagel Calls for Growth in Bilateral Defense Ties

WASHINGTON – In response to a direct inquiry by Senate Armed Services
Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI), President Obama’s nominee to
serve as Secretary of Defense, former Senator Chuck Hagel, called for
the expansion of U.S.-Armenia defense relations, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America.

Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel during confirmation hearing

`We would like to thank Chairman Levin for drawing attention, during
this especially closely watched Senate confirmation process, to the
importance of growth in the U.S.-Armenia defense relationship,’ said
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. `We share Senator Hagel’s
view that there is much room for the development of these ties, and
look forward, should he be confirmed, to engaging with the Department
of Defense on this matter.’

In response to a written inquiry by Chairman Levin, Senator Hagel
explained `The U.S.-Armenia defense relationship is sound. As with all
relationships, there is room to grow and areas where we can strengthen
our cooperation and partnership.’ He went on to note that, if
confirmed, `I would continue to engage Armenian leaders to strengthen
existing areas of engagement and identify new areas of cooperation
that support Armenia’s defense reforms, especially its peacekeeping
brigade, and continue its ability to deploy in coalition operations.’

In the days leading up to the Hagel confirmation hearing, ANCA
activists across America, including those in Chairman Levin’s state of
Michigan, urged their legislators to engage the nominee on a range of
issues of concern to the Armenian American community. Of special
concern were statements by Hagel opposing official U.S. affirmation of
the Armenian Genocide. `What happened in 1915 happened in 1915. As one
United States Senator, I think the better way to deal with this is to
leave it open to historians and others to decide what happened and
why,’ then-Senator Hagel told a group of Armenian reporters during a
trip to Armenia in 2005. `The fact is that this region needs to move
forward,’ Hagel added. `We need to find a lasting, just peace between
Turkey and Armenia and the other nations of this region. I am not sure
that by going back and dealing with that in some way that causes one
side or the other to be put in difficult spot, helps move the peace
process forward.’

Hamparian told Commentary magazine in December, that the ANCA objected
to the argument that official U.S. recognition of the genocide would
hinder peace between Turkey and Armenia. `As much as Erdogan and his
allies might like, the `lasting, just peace between Turkey and
Armenia’ that Chuck Hagel seeks cannot be built on Genocide denial.
The U.S. and the international community must set an example by
condemning the Armenian Genocide – and speaking out against all
genocides, wherever and whenever they occur,’ said Hamparian.

Chairman Hagel announced today his intention to bring Hagel’s
nomination for a committee vote on Tuesday, February 12th, opening the
door for a full Senate vote later this week.

Chairman Levin’s question and Hagel’s complete response are both provided below.

Chairman Carl Levin: Mr. Hagel, what is your assessment of the
U.S.-Armenia defense relationship, and what steps, if any, would you
take to strengthen that relationship?

Former Senator Hagel: `The U.S.-Armenia defense relationship is sound.
As with all relationships, there is room to grow and areas where we
can strengthen our cooperation and partnership. That growth will be
based on shared interests and willingness to cooperate, available
resources, and capacity to absorb new capabilities and missions.’

`If confirmed, I would continue to engage Armenian leaders to
strengthen existing areas of engagement and identify new areas of
cooperation that support Armenia’s defense reforms, especially its
peacekeeping brigade, and continue its ability to deploy in coalition
operations. I would look for the United States to be Armenia’s
partner of choice and help Armenia’s defense establishment contribute
to regional security and stability.’

Deky hackers broke Azerbaijani Embassy web site with a demand to
recognize NKR independence and Armenian Genocide

10:05, 15 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, ARMENPRESS:”Deky” hackers group has broken the
web site of Azerbaijani Embassy in Poland and posted a note
representing Armenian Genocide historical reality. ” It is time of
retribution and time to declare justice. It is high time to recognize
Nagorno Karabkh independence and Armenian Genocide” was posted in
Azerbaijani diplomatic representation web site.

Besides ”Deky” hackers paid a hint about Nakhigevan return.”
Nakhichevan: wait for us” note ran. As Armenpress reports, the
letter also contained a historical overview on Nagorno Karabakh
Republic area and population. They stated they have broken the web
site to restore the justice.