Author: Basmajian Ani

US CONGRESS PRESSES AHEAD WITH ARMENIA ‘GENOCIDE’ VOTE

Agence France Presse
March 4 2010

The US Congress ignored Thursday fierce opposition from Turkey and
the White House as it was set to vote on branding the killing of
Armenians by Turkish forces during World War I a "genocide."

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged the House Foreign Affairs
Committee not to go ahead with the vote on the non-binding resolution
for fear it might harm reconciliation moves between Armenia and Turkey.

The resolution calls on President Barack Obama to ensure that US
foreign policy reflects an understanding of the "genocide" and to
label the mass killings as such in his annual statement on the issue.

It is fiercely opposed by Turkey, a Muslim majority nation that is
a key ally of the United States, and Ankara has warned that if it
passes there will be serious repercussions for bilateral relations.

If the committee passes the resolution it could go forward to a full
vote in the House of Representatives — a similar attempt was blocked
in 2007 by president George W. Bush’s administration.

The spokesman for the White House National Security Council, Mike
Hammer, said in a statement that Clinton had called committee chairman
Howard Berman on Wednesday to try to persuade him to shelve the vote.

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters the
United States was committed to promoting a "fair, frank and just
acknowledgement of the facts related to the historical events of 1915."

But he said of the resolution: "We are concerned about its potential
impact on relations with the affected countries."

"We do think that the normalization process is the proper mechanism
within which to address these issues. We continue to work very,
very hard on this."

Turkey’s foreign ministry warned that Turkey-Armenia reconciliation
efforts could be damaged by a vote on the non-binding measure.

Washington is a firm supporter of a tentative process between Turkey
and Armenia to normalize bilateral ties and overcome decades of
hostility. The two countries signed a deal in October to establish
diplomatic relations and open their border.

The United States traditionally has condemned the 1915-1918 mass
killings of Armenians, but always has refrained from dubbing them a
"genocide," wary not to strain relations with Turkey, a NATO member
and a key ally in the Middle East.

Obama pledged during his election campaign that he would recognize
the events as genocide, but disappointed Armenian-American supporters
when he refrained from using the term in his message last year to
commemorate the killings.

Obama spoke on Wednesday with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, "and
expressed appreciation for his and Prime Minister (Recep Tayyip)
Erdogan’s efforts on normalization of relations between Turkey
and Armenia, and pressed for rapid ratification of the protocols,"
Hammer said.

Gul had called Obama to discuss "issues concerning bilateral ties and
regional affairs," a presidential aide told AFP, without elaborating.

Meanwhile Berman, in his opening remarks at a hearing Thursday to
discuss the resolution, called Turkey a "vital and, in most respects,
a loyal ally of the United States in a volatile region."

Nevertheless he said, "nothing justifies Turkey?s turning a blind eye
to the reality of the Armenian genocide," the Democratic chairman said.

"At some point, every nation must come to terms with its own history.

And that is all we ask of Turkey," he said, urging his fellow lawmakers
to support the legislation.

ntons_last_minute_intervention_on_armenian_genocid e_bill

Clinton’s last-minute intervention on Armenian genocide bill

By Joshua Keating Thursday, March 4, 2010 – 2:28 PM

After remaining largely silent on the issue, the secretary of state
spoke up today:
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton telephoned House Foreign Affairs
Committee Chairman Howard Berman, a Democrat, on Wednesday to argue
that the legislation could harm efforts to normalize Turkish-Armenian
relations, the White House said.
"Secretary Clinton called Chairman Berman … and in that conversation
the secretary indicated that further congressional action could impede
progress on normalization of relations," said National Security
Council spokesman Mike Hammer.
Berman has gone ahead with debate on the issue anyway and a vote is
expected shortly.
"Turkey is a vital and, in most respects, a loyal ally of the United
States in a volatile region," Berman, an influential member of
Congress because of his chairmanship of the foreign affairs committee,
said at the start of the hearing. "Be that as it may, nothing
justifies Turkey’s turning a blind eye to the reality of the Armenian
genocide," he added.
"Germany has accepted responsibility for the Holocaust. South Africa
set up a Truth Commission to look at Apartheid. And here at home, we
continue to grapple with the legacies of slavery and our horrendous
treatment of Native Americans," he added.
All in all, the level of cynicism in Washington around this tragic
historical event is pretty disheartening. Like President Bush before
him, President Obama was for using the word "genocide" as a candidate
before he was
against it as president. Former House Majority leader Dick Gephart,
who supported recognition as a congressman, is now lobbying against it
on the Turkish payroll.
Outside the Armenian-American community, whose grievance on this issue
is understandable and shouldn’t be dismissed, most Americans would
probably prefer that the congress focus its efforts on preventing and
ending current conflicts.
Update: Looks like the Committee approved it. Turkish Ambassador fo
the U.S. Namik Tan has reportedly been recalled to Ankara to
consultations. This could get ugly.

PURCHASE AND SALE TRANSACTIONS OF MILLION 950 THOUSAND CONDUCTED AT NASDAQ OMX ARMENIA OJSC ON MARCH 4

Noyan Tapan
March 4, 2010

YEREVAN, MARCH 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Purchase and sale transactions of
million 950 thousand at the weighted average exchange rate of 387.61
drams per dollar were conducted at NASDAQ OMX Armenia OJSC on March 4.

According to the press service of the Central Bank of Armenia, the
closing price was 386.75 drams.

YEREVAN IS CONSIDERING RENOUNCING ITS SIGNATURE ON THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS

The Messenger
March 5 2010
Georgia

MP from Armenia’s ruling Republican Party Rafik Petrosian has stated in
Yerevan that if there is no breakthrough in ratifying the protocols
signed by Armenia and Turkey by April 24 Armenia might renounce
its signature.

April 24 is the date of the humanitarian catastrophe Armenians regard
as genocide. Petrosian thinks that Turkey has no reason to while
away time.

BEDROS TERZIAN AND VAHE JAZMADARIAN AWARDED WITH POPE’S MEDALS

17052.html
18:22:10 – 04/03/2010

Sunday, February 28, His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX Catholicos
Patriarch of Armenian Catholics, on behalf of His Holiness Benedict
XVI, awarded St. Gregory the Great Order medals (instituted in
1831 by Pope Gregory XVI) to Bedros Terzian and Vahe Jazmadarian in
recognition of their longtime contribution and instrumental role in
the humanitarian efforts in Armenia. The same medal was also awarded
to Swiss-Armenian benefactor Vahe Gabrache.

The awards ceremony was attended by a distinguished roster of guests
from different countries including Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Italy Mr. Ruben Karapetian, Armenian
catholic bishops. The grandiose ceremony took place after the Sunday
mass in the Armenian Catholic Convent of Rome.

Bedros Terzian and Vahe Jazmadarian, both honored members of the
Fund’s Board of Trustees, have been dedicated to the Fund’s mission of
advancing the economic and infrastructure development of our homeland
since its foundation.

Hayastan All Armenian Fund

INSPECTION FOR AUDIT ACTIVITY SUPERVISION TO BE CREATED IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2010-03-04 13:55:00

ArmInfo. Inspection for audit activity supervision will be created
in Armenia. The draft decision on creation of the inspection as well
as its regulations and structure were approved at today’s sitting of
the government.

By the decision of the government, the inspection will be created in
Finance Ministry of Armenia as a separate structure. Tightening of
supervision over the audit activity is connected with introduction of
the institute for obligatory audit in 2010, Armenian Finance Minister
Tigran Davtyan said.

Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sarkisyan said at the sitting of
the government that ‘The Institute of Obligatory Audit in Armenia
has been introduced to ensure transparency of the big companies’
activity. This year hundreds of big companies will publish their
financial reports together with the audit conclusion.’ He also added
this is the first step in this direction. On the second stage hey are
going to prepare a draft law on creation of an independent separate
structure to supervise the audit activity, Sarkisyan added.

To note, according to the alterations in the legislation, which were
adopted ny the parliament, in 2010 all the companies, the annual
turnover of which is more than 1 bln drams ($2,6 mln), should publish
their financial reports together with the audit conclusions.

RISE IN GAS PRICE IS AIMED AT ENSURING MONOPOLY SUPERPROFITS AT EXPENSE OF ROBBING POPULATION, ANC SAYS

Noyan Tapan
March 2, 2010

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, NOYAN TAPAN. In connection with the rise in the
retail gas prices, the Armenian National Congress (ANC) issued a
statement on March 1, which reads:

"The unprecedented and unfounded rise in the gas prices on April 1 will
put the population in a difficult situation. It is obvious that the
gas tariff rise will lead to an increase in prices of many other goods
and services. This may become the last straw to bankrupt the population
and turn Armenia’s economic decline into an inevitable collapse.

Based on the current facts and expert studies, the Armenian National
Congress states:

Taking into account the change in the exchange rate of Armenian dram,
over the past 5 years ArmRusgazprom supplying organization has received
gas at the same wholesale price of 60 thousand drams.

Therefore the several-fold rise in the retail price of gas during
this period is unfounded and aimed at ensuring monopoly superprofits
at the expense of robbing the population.

The real author of the gas price rise is not ArmRusgazprom, but the
Armenian government, which is one of the biggest shareholders of
ArmRusgazprom. The huge difference between the wholesale and retail
prices of gas (the retail price is twice as much) does not have any
economic and logical explanation, but it can be explained by robbery.

The differentiation between retail prices of gas supplied to the
population and big consumers (in favor of oligarchs) has neither
logical nor economic motivation, especially in a country with so many
socially vulnerable groups. The small increase (by about 10 drams)
in the wholesale price by Russia can be easily compensated for.

The mechanisms of regulating the public services are presented in
detail in the ANC’s program "100 Steps". In the given case it is
necessary to check the expenses of ArmRusgazprom, in particular the
salaries of the company’s top executives, the real percentage of its
losses, the purchases, and management of financial resources.

The gas price should not rise.

The Armenian National Congress will file a lawsuit to court in order
to dispute the illegal economic and juridical grounds for taking
this decision. Besides, a petition will be presented for suspending
the execution of decision on the gas price rise until the court
finishes examining the lawsuit. We will succeed if thousands of
citizens whose rights are ignored and infringed by this decision
become co-plaintiffs. So we call on everybody to join our initiative".

THE AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN URGED AZERBAIJAN TO CEASE ITS AGGRESSIVE POLICY

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
2010-03-02 16:18

USA Congressman Frank Pallone issued a statement to commemorate the
22nd anniversary of the Sumgait massacres. He stated that the crimes
had never been adequately prosecuted by the Government of Azerbaijan
and most of its organizers and executors had been simply set free,
many of whom had become members of the Azeri Parliament.

"The Sumgait massacres are just another in a long line of Azerbaijan’s
aggressions against the Armenian people. The attacks also marked
the beginning of a larger campaign of ethnic cleansing targeting the
Armenian people, culminating in the war launched against the people
of Nagorno Karabakh", the American Congressman stated.

The Congressman strongly urged Azerbaijan and Turkey to cease their
blockade and aggressive posture against the Armenian people and work
to achieve a lasting peace.

"It is time for the United States to do all that it can and to
use its geopolitical influence to send a message that ethnically
charged genocides, illegal blockades of sovereign nations and the
constant harassment of the Armenian people will not be tolerated",
the Congressman stated.

CONGRESS SHOULD DO ITS JOB, NOT WRITE HISTORY

Muncie Star Press
/OPINION/3020346
March 2 2010
Indiana

The United States is currently confronted with a daunting number of
challenges in our nation’s foreign relations. America is managing wars
in Iraq and Afghanistan and trying to find ways to bring our troops
back safely and without compromising our national security. We are
working to maintain a nuclear-free Iran, secure our energy sources
and prevent the growth and spread of international terrorist networks.

In all these and many other areas affecting Americans and millions of
others around the world, we have an ally in Turkey. Our trade with
Turkey topped $10 billion in 2009, leaving the United States with a
$3.5 billion trade surplus, supporting thousands of valuable jobs in
critical industries.

In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, members of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee, including Rep. Mike Pence, are preparing
to vote on March 4 on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as
"genocide" tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in
the now defunct Ottoman Empire, despite many holes in the historical
argument.

This begs the question: why is the committee, at a time when we are
dealing with pressing international and domestic issues, all of which
require Turkey’s support and active participation, squandering its
time on an issue that has no relevance to America’s foreign relations
and interests?

The answer is simple: Lobbying.

Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests,
money and manpower still control Washington’s agenda. In the United
States there are nearly one million Armenian Americans, concentrated
in a number of congressional districts, who support a lobby that
spends an estimated $40 million annually on furthering its agenda,
which revolves around recognition of an "Armenian Genocide."

Their efforts have also made Armenia, a small landlocked region,
the second largest per-capita recipient of U.S. foreign aid.

Proponents of the Resolution frequently admonish its opponents by
pointing to a moral obligation of Congress to pronounce that the
now-defunct Ottoman Empire, committed "genocide" against Armenians. In
doing so, they choose to ignore the many well-regarded historians
who dispute this claim. Still, Armenian resolutions persist due to
the efforts of a well organized Armenian lobby that has turned hating
Turkey into an existential cause.

To roaring cheers at a 2005 Armenian rally in New York, Rep. Frank
Pallone of New Jersey, Co-Chairman of the Congressional Armenian
Caucus, proclaimed, "The Turkish envoy said that not only did the
genocide never occur, but he suggested that the reason why Armenians
want to recognize the Armenian Genocide today — want the Congress
and the other countries to be on record — is because they wanted
restitution and they wanted reparations. And I say to that ‘Yes,
we do!’ It is important not only to recognize the genocide but we
have to make it clear that those who committed it pay restitution
… There must be recognition, there must be restitution, there must
be reparations for the Armenian Genocide."

The resolution comes up for a vote at a particularly strange time.

Armenia and Turkey are trying to work through a diplomatic process,
with the support of the United States, which lays out a roadmap
to normalizing relations. This effort includes the establishment
of a joint historical commission of scholars and experts. Turkey’s
leadership time and again has stated that it will accept the findings
of such a commission. It is telling that the Armenian lobby and its
supporters in Congress not only oppose the normalization process,
but, with even greater zeal, the establishment of this commission.

This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee. Congress is neither the "conscience" of
the world, nor its revisionist historian. It’s time to put an end to
a dangerous game, but it will only end when Americans pay attention
and raise their voice and tell Rep. Pence to oppose this resolution
on March 4, and every time it comes up in the future.

Lincoln McCurdy is president of the Turkish Coalition of America and
a former U.S. diplomat. Learn more about TCA at

RUSSIA AND FRANCE TO WORK TOGETHER OVER KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

ArmInfo
2010-03-02 09:28:00

ArmInfo. Russia and France intend to keep on closely cooperating for
settlement of the situation in the Nagorno Karabakh, President of
France Nicolas Sarkozy said at a joint press-conference with President
of Russia Dmitry Medvedev.

As Vesti 24 TV channel reports, the French president said Russia
and France will work together to assist Armenia and Azerbaijan to
cooperate and understand each other.