Author: Chakrian Hovsep

ANKARA TO BRING UP KARABAKH ISSUE FOR UN SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION

armradio.am
15.06.2009 17:03

Turkish Foreign Minister says progress must be reached in the
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to normalize situation
in the South Caucasus.

"There is a need for progress and development in the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to normalize situation in the region. All
sides must work in this direction," Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmad
Davudoglu said in an exclusive interview with Trend News.

"We want to further normalize bilateral ties as a part of our good
neighbor policy," Davudoglu said.

The Minister said the Turkey-Armenia bilateral ties are
not only limited to the South Caucasus, but they impact
Turkey-U.S. relations. "This is not right. Our relations with Armenia
must not influence our relations with the U.S.," he said.

Turkey has assumed the chairmanship of the UN Security Council
chairmanship.

Asked whether the agenda includes the Karabakh issue, Mr. Davudoglu
said: "Turkey favors discussions over matters of international
interest and importance including the Karabakh problem. We want
Armenia-Azerbaijan talks to be fruitful. We also work on this issue
within the OSCE Minsk Group.

During my Washington visit I discussed it with U.S. officials and we
concluded that our common task is to contribute to the resolution of
the conflict in every way possible."

Ahmadinejad nearing victory with 65% of the votes

armradio.am
13.06.2009 12:12

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is on course to be re-elected as president of Iran
with a resounding poll win, according to electoral commission figures.

With 80% of the vote counted, the commission said Mr Ahmadinejad had
65% support. He has claimed victory in an election marked by high
turnout.

His main rival, reformist Mir Hossein Mousavi, also claimed victory and
has complained of voting irregularities.

A candidate must secure 50% in the first round to avoid a run-off vote.

However, the Iranian election commission said Mr Mousavi’s share of the
vote was around 32%, the BBC reported.

ANC: RA AUTHORITIES ARE FACING SERIOUS PROBLEMS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
12.06.2009 20:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Tonight, at 8.00 p.m., another of ANC rallies
launched in front of Matenadaran. Over 2 500 rally participants
present. According to PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, the rally is attended
by first RA President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, National Democratic Party
Leader Stepan Demirchyan, RA ex-Prime Minister Hrant Bagratyan,
Republican Party Chairman Aram Sargsyan, New Times Party Chairman
Aram Karapetyan, RA Conservative Party Leader Mikael Hayrapetyan,
who announced in his short statement that opposition will fight till
the end.

Later, ANC Coordinator Levon Zurabyan noted in his statement that RA
authorities are currently facing 3 serious problems: consequences of
disgraceful elections into Yerevan Council of Elders, PACE summer
session, Millennium Challenges American Corporation’s suspension
of funding.

Zurabyan also stressed that though activities of March 1 Events
Collection Group are formally suspended, still, the opposition will
continue investigation of last year’s events.

NEW APPLICATIONS ARE CONFIRMED

LRAGIR.AM
17:24:00 – 12/06/2009

Today, the regular session of the administration board of the
Millennium Challenge Account Armenia took place, which was headed by
the Head of the board Tigran Sargsyan.

The administration board discussed and confirmed the application of
allocation, which is to be presented to the Millennium Challenge
Corporation, and the financial reports of the quarter and other
working documents.

The executive director of the Millennium Account Armenia Ara Hovsepyan
noted that in the forthcoming quarter it is planned to receive 8
million 732 thousand 632 dollars from the Corporation. The sum will
mainly be directed to the implementation of projects on agricultural
irrigation sub-lines. One million is planned to be allocated to
farmers.

In accordance with the decision of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation, the financing of the reconstruction works of rural roads
will be stopped.

PERSPECTIVES OF DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIA-POLAND RELATIONS DISCUSSED

armradio.am
12.06.2009 14:26

The Foriegn Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, received member
of the Polish Sejm, candidate for the Secretary General of the Council
of Europe, WÅ~Bodzimierz Cimoszewicz.

During the conversation the interlocutors discussed the perspectives
of development of the Armenian-Polish relations.

At the request of the guest, Minister Nalbandian presented the latest
developments in the settlement of the Karabakh issue and the process
of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

EDWARD NALBANDYAN TO PARTICIPATE IN CSTO FOREIGN MINISTERS’ SUMMIT

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
12.06.2009 14:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On June 13, RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan
will go to Moscow on working visit. As reported by MFA press service,
FM Nalbandyan will take part in OSCE Foreign Ministers’ summit
scheduled for June 14 in Moscow.

During the summit, Armenia and Belarus will assume CSTO chairmanship.

NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH TIES IS LIKE A GAME OF CHESS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
10.06.2009 17:51 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Many compare Armenian-Turkish relations to football,
but I believe they’re more like a game of chess. One party can go
back on its move – that’s Armenia, and the other can’t – That’s
Turkey. As it’s often the case in a game – you can go back on your
move and emerge as a winner," Head of Theoretical Philosophy and
Logics Department at YSU, Alexander Manasyan told a news conference.

"In complicated political games there are conditions the ideology
of which was pre-set. In these circumstances, one can clearly see
Europe’s policy towards Turkey. As French President Nicolas Sarkozy
stated, Europe can have close relations with Turkey, but not accept
is as EU member," Minasyan said.

According to him, Ankara will mostly feel pressure from Europe
rather than US, as currently Europe, and not US, has to deal with
Turkey. "Europe is afraid of accepting a country which has committed
a crime and doesn’t acknowledge its fault."

Manasyan noted that Turkey is greatly experiences with foreign policy,
so Armenia has to be up to its level and undertake corresponding
steps. He also emphasized the delicate policy conducted by Turkey on
Armenian Genocide recognition.

"The statement on agreement on normalization of Turkish Armenian
ties sighed through the intermediary of Switzerland helped Ankara
get round the Genocide issue. Turkey had to start negotiations,
as conflict with Armenia prevents it from entering EU. First steps
towards normalization of relations should have been taken under the
slogan of border opening. But everyone is aware that the real issue
is lifting of Turkey’s blockade of Armenia," Manasyan emphasized.

On April 22, Armenia and Turkey agreed on road-map to normalize
ties. The joint statement issued by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs
of Armenia and Turkey said that Turkey and Armenia, together with
Switzerland as mediator, have been working intensively with a view to
normalizing their bilateral relations and developing them in a spirit
of good-neighborliness, and mutual respect, and thus to promoting
peace, security and stability in the whole region.

ARMENIA TO HOST CONCERT FEATURING EMERSON STUART AND CHRISTOPHER SHEBEN

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
10.06.2009 20:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On June 10-11, Vayots Marz will host a concert,
featuring tenor Christopher Sheben and pianist Emerson Stuart within
"2009 German Culture Weeks" program framework.

German musician’s concert programs feature works by Mendelssohn,
Brahms, Shubert, Strauss.

On June 10 the musicians will perform in Jermuk, and the next day –
in Yeghegnadzor.

Representatives of German Embassy in RA will attend the concert.

MEDVEDEV AND PUTIN TO BE AWARDED WITH MEDALS "FOR GENEROSITY"

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
10.06.2009 20:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Teacher of Penza Art school Alexander Khachaturyan
intends to award Dmitry Medvedev, Vladimir Putin and Vasily Bochkarev
(governor of Penza region) with medals "For Generosity", "Komsomolskaya
Pravda" reports.

Khachaturyan designed the medals on his own. One side of the decoration
represents the profile of Nickolay Seliverstov, Governor of Penza
region in 1867-1872, and the other side bears the inscription "For
Generosity". The preparation of each medal will cost 3-4 thousand
Russian Rubles.

As noted by the sculptor, Nickolay Seliverstov "didn’t spare means
for developing art in the town". Khachaturyan expressed hope that
President, Prime Minister and current Governor would follow his
example."

Mr. Medvedev and Mr. Putin are to visit Penza early in June. They
will be present at the opening of student sports contest.

ACCORDING TO FRENCH PARLIAMENTARIANS, ARTSAKH’S CONSENT AND PARTICIPATION ARE COMPULSORY FOR FINAL SETTLEMENT OF CONFLICT

NOYAN TAPAN
JUNE 10, 2009
STEPANAKERT

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 10, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 9, NKR President Bako
Sahakian met with Francois Rochbluan, a deputy of the French National
Assembly, the Chairman of the France-Armenia Friendship Group,
and figures accompanying him, who had arrived in Artsakh the day
before. Issues regarding bilateral relations, as well as settlement
of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict were discussed at the meeting.

B. Sahakian highly assessed the work of the France-Armenia Friendship
Group aimed at development and expansion of relations between the
two peoples.

Speaking about the current stage and prospects of Nagorno Karabakh
settlement he mentioned the constructive role of France as an OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairing country.

According to the report of the NKR President’s Press Office, the
guests gave assurance that the consent and participation of Artsakh
and its people are compulsory for problem’s final settlement.

NKR NA Speaker Ashot Ghulian was also present at the meeting.