Author: Chatinian Lara

Armenia, Spain interested in developing bilateral cooperation

armradio.am
19.09.2009 15:11

On September 19 the newly appointed Ambassador of Spain to Armenia,
Juan Antonio March Pujol presented the copies of his credentials to the
Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian.

Greeting the guest, Minister Nalbandian wished him success in his
diplomatic mission, expressing hope that throughout his tenure in
office the Ambassador would contribute to the expansion and deepening
of bilateral cooperation.

Ambassador Pujol noted, in turn, that he would do his best to reinforce
and develop the existing cooperation.

The interlocutors attached importance to the intensification of
political dialogue between the two countries, the development of
trade-economic relations, expansion of cooperation in the fields of
culture, education and tourism, formation of a necessary legal field.

Minister Nalbandian and Ambassador Pujol referred to Armenia-EU
relations and the opportunities of bilateral cooperation within that
framework.

The parties discussed a number of regional and international issues.

COMPREHENSIVE DISCUSSIONS OVER ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

Aysor
Sept 17 2009
Armenia

Discussions over current phase of Armenian-Turkish relations’
normalization initiated by President Sargsyan were held in a very
friendly and interesting atmosphere and participants exchanged views,
said Presidential spokesman Samvel Pharmanyan.

Mr. Pharmanyan noted that invitations on behalf of President Sargsayn
were sent to 64 registered in Armenia parties. According to Samvel
Pharmanyan, Armenia’s FM Edward Nalbandyan partook at the meeting, too.

"Under the meeting’s format every participant had an opportunity of
speaking about normalization of Armenian-Turkish ties," said Samvel
Pharmanyan, adding that Foreign Ministry will take into account all
views and opinions.

Asked whether the question over President’s resignation raised
Mr. Pharmanyan answered it had not.

DELEGATION HEADED BY RA DEFENSE MINISTER TO TAKE PART IN CSTO EXERCISES

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.09.2009 17:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The second phase of the joint integrated exercises
of the Collective Security Treaty will be held from September 26 to 29
in Belarus in the framework of strategic exercises of the "West 2009"
Russian and Belarusian armed forces.

RA Ministry of Defense does not plan participation of the armed
forces of Armenia in the exercises, but the Task Force the RA armed
forces, consisting of four persons headed by Colonel G. Tavaratyan
will participate in the exercises, spokesman of the defense minister
Colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

At the same time, at the invitation of the Defense minister of Belarus
Colonel-General Leonid Maltsev Armenian delegation of the RA Defense
ministry, headed by the minister Seyran Ohanyan will take part in
the active phase of the exercises on September 29.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 15, 2009
Contact: Michael A. Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

MAJOR ARMENIAN-AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS CALL ON PRESIDENT OBAMA TO HOLD
TURKEY ACCOUNTABLE

Washington, DC – As Congress reconvened last week, the leaders of major
Armenian-American organizations called upon President Barack Obama to
hold Turkey accountable to its international obligations to lift the
blockade of Armenia and establish diplomatic relations without
preconditions.

They also urged President Obama to unequivocally reaffirm the Armenian
Genocide. The letter recalled what the late Senator Edward Kennedy often
said, "in order to know what to do in the future, you must understand
and remember the past."

The signatories represented the following four organizations: Armenian
General Benevolent Union; Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern); Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Western) and
Armenian Assembly of America.

The letter was prompted by the August 31 release of the protocols
announced by the governments of Armenia and Turkey for the normalization
of relations between the two neighboring countries.

###

NR#2009-066

Editor’s Note: The joint letter to President Obama is pasted below.

September 9, 2009

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to you regarding the August 31, 2009 announcement by the
foreign ministries of Armenia, Turkey and Switzerland with respect to
protocols to be signed within six weeks to establish diplomatic
relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey and
to open the border between the two countries.

We support the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey
without preconditions. We appreciate your commitment in encouraging
reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia and feel strongly that the
United States has a major role to play in this regard. We also note that
in addition to the United States, France and Russia and the European
Union have welcomed this latest development.

We look forward to a positive outcome, but are concerned in view of
Turkey’s prior failures to uphold its international obligations. We,
therefore, call upon you and your Administration to hold the Turkish
government accountable with respect to Turkey’s commitments to lift the
fifteen year-plus blockade it has imposed against Armenia and establish
permanent diplomatic relations with the Republic of Armenia.

In addition, assertions by Turkey, for example, that the Nagorno
Karabakh peace talks proceed in parallel to Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement are not acceptable. They add an unnecessary dimension to
an already delicate process. In fact, linking two separate and distinct
sets of negotiations creates a dangerous precedent that places both
processes at risk.

As the late Senator Edward Kennedy so often said, "in order to know what
to do in the future, you must understand and remember the past." To
that end, true reconciliation will occur only when Turkey comes to terms
with its past. In that regard, we value your repeated statements on the
importance of recognizing the Armenian Genocide and strongly urge you to
directly and unequivocally affirm this terrible crime against humanity.

In so doing, the United States will honor a proud chapter in U.S.
history when America responded by helping to save the survivors of the
first genocide of the twentieth century.
If this normalization process is used as a smokescreen for not
reaffirming the Armenian Genocide and the U.S. record, it will be a blow
to the rapprochement process and the expectations of people of goodwill
everywhere.

We all know and appreciate full well that respect for moral principles
and the pursuit of justice are essential for a peaceful world.

Sincerely,

Berge Setrakian
President
Armenian General Benevolent Union =09

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
Primate
Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern)

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
Primate
Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Western)

Hirair Hovnanian
Chairman
Armenian Assembly of America =09

NO MEDALS FOR OUR TEAM ON THE LAST DAY OF THE GAME

Aysor
Sept 14 2009
Armenia

The three representatives of Armenia appeared on the last day of
the European Youth Judo tournament taking place in Karen Demirchyan
stadium, Yerevan. Artush Lazarian and Gor Khorodyan with 100 and 100+
w/c lost the very first battle and Karen Janoyan in 90 w/c though
overcame the obstacle of the launching round but lost and was left out.

In this tournament Armenia has received 1 gold and 2 bronze medal. The
champion of the tournament was recognized Artyom Baghdasaryan with
73 w/c, and the third place took Davit Lazarian and Tigran Varosyan
with 55 and 60 w/c.

315 convicts amnestied

07:53 pm | September 11, 2009 | Official
mnesty

As of September 11, 2009, 315 convicts (including 8 women and 3
minors) were released from Armenia’s penitentiary institutions under
NA Decision on Declaring Amnesty, RA Justice Ministry’s press service
reports.

DAYS OF RUSSIAN LANGUAGE TO BECOME GOOD TRADITION IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.NET
11.09.2009 19:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President Serzh Sargsyan has received Farid
Mukhametshin, RF President’s Special Representative for CIS and
Head of Federal Agency for CIS Affairs, who has arrived in Armenia to
participate in Russian Language Days. President noted with satisfaction
that Days of Russian Language are becoming a good tradition in Armenia,
forming inseparable part of bilateral cooperation. Parties stressed
the role of Russian language, as an important tool for intercultural
communication. Mr. Sargsyan said that Russian language is a compulsory
subject in Armenia’s school curricula, and country is taking steps
towards raising the level of its teaching.

Parties also focused on possibilities for cooperation, implementation
of cultural programs and activity of Armenian-Russian Slavonic
University. Armenian President attached much importance to humanitarian
cooperation as a tool of strengthening friendly ties between two
states, RA President’s press service reports.

ARMENIAN TEAM MOTIVED VERCAUTEREN’S DISMISSAL

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Sept 10 2009
Armenia

17:32 / 09/10/2009Belgian football team head coach Frank Vercauteren
resigned after defeat (1:2) from Armenian team in the World Cup 2010
qualifying round.

"After the match I informed the players and Belgian Football Federation
President of my resignation. Whatever happened in Armenia vs Belgium
match is unacceptable for me. I cannot stand this," head coach told
Belgian mass media.

Frank Vercauteren headed Belgian national team starting April,
2009. He was supposed to work till January 1, 2010 until a new coach,
Dick Advocaat’s supersedes him. The latter was dismissed form the FC
Zenith on August 9, 2009 and will be capable of assuming his duties
in the near future.

VALERIE GORTSUNIAN HONORED AS KNIGHT OF ART AND EDUCATION OF FRENCH MINISTRY

NOYAN TAPAN
SEPTEMBER 9, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. One of the first
French Armenian investors in Armenia, founder of Parisian Coffee
company in Yerevan, Valerie Gortsunian was honored as the Knight of
Art and Education by the Ministry of Culture and Education of France.

In the letter addressed to Valerie Gortsunian French Minister of
Culture Frederic Mitterrand noted that he is glad to award such an
order to a person who was deeply devoted to the spreading the French
culture. According to the Minister, Valerie Gortsunian really deserves
this award who keeps high the colors of France in Armenia and who is
the first in defending Armenia’s colors in France.

AZERI OPPOSITION PARTY UPBEAT ON TURKISH-ARMENIAN RAPPROCHEMENT

APA
Sept 7 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku, 7 September: At its meeting, the board of the Democratic Party
of Azerbaijan has passed a statement concerning the protocols agreed
between Turkey and Armenia.

According to information received by APA from the party’s press
service, while the party shares the public’s concerns, it urges people
to pay attention to positive aspects in the protocols.

"Building Turkish-Armenian relations in line with the protocols may
seriously help the growth of Turkey’s role in the South Caucasus,
weakening of Russia’s positions in Armenia and considerably facilitate
resolution of conflicts between the South Caucasus states, especially
Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan," [the statement read].

The Democratic Party of Azerbaijan believes that the policy of
reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia will ultimately result in
the liberation of Azerbaijan’s occupied territories.

The gathering also discussed and condemned destruction of mosques
in Baku. The party regards this as a situation that runs counter
to beliefs of the population: "Members of the Democratic Party
of Azerbaijan state that this conduct is a leftover from the
communist-atheist way of thinking and is against spiritual and secular
regulations. We urge the Board of Muslims of the Caucasus to voice
a serious assessment of the situation and to attempt to dissuade the
authorities from such moves."