Author: Frangulian Shushan

NA CHAIRMAN SAYS WE AVERTED GENOCIDE WANDERING OVER ARTSAKH

14:12 09/05/2009
Source: Panorama.am

`This is a holiday symbolizing the victories of the Armenian nation to
fight for living and creating. The sore and wound of Genocide the
Armenian people witnessed was not yet healed when our people partook
in the Great Patriotic War conscious of fighting against the evil. The
Armenian soldiers overcome the bustle of the Second World War and had
their unique investment in the collapse of fascism system. And the
crown of those victories has become the liberation of Shoushi and
Artsakh,’ the Chairman of the National Assembly of Armenia Hovik
Abrahamyan said in his address to the Victory and Peace Day.

It is said in the message that the genocide wandering over the Artsakh
Armenians has been averted and the rich cultural heritage of Artsakh
well protected.

On the occasion of Victory and Peace Day the Prime Minister of Armenia
Tigran Sargsyan and the Patriarch of All Armenians Karekin II sent
addresses also.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH JOSE MANUEL BARROSO AND JAVIER SOLANA

ARMENPRESS
May 8, 2009

PRAGUE, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS: President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met
today in the morning with the President of the European Commission
Jose Manuel Barroso and EU High Representative for the Common Foreign
and Security Policy Javier Solana.

"Our meeting with the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan was very
constructive and interesting," J. Solana told the reporters after the
meeting. Among the discussed issues was the cooperation within the
frameworks of Eastern Partnership. "We also discussed those issues
which exist in your region and the solution of which is important
not only for Armenia but for the security and stability of the whole
region," he noted.

Referring to the question whether the conflicts existing in the
region will impede the implementation of the programs within Eastern
Partnership, J. Solana said that one of the main objectives of the
initiative is bringing peoples closer to each other for discussing
common issues. "All the existing difficulties must be discussed and
the opportunities of their solutions are big which is important for
Eastern Partnership as well which also needs to form trust," he noted.

Referring to Armenian-Turkish relations, Solana said that the process
of dialogue continues and the European establishments have great hope
that they will proceed according to the achieved arrangement.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan assessed bilateral meetings
of the Armenian President constructive and essential. According to
him, they were effective both from the point of view of development
of bilateral relations and in respect of discussion of different
regional and international issues.

Referring to the meeting of the Armenian and Turkish presidents,
Edward Nalbandyan said that it passed in a quite working atmosphere
during which the two presidents agreed to respect those arrangements
which have been previously reached – to normalize relations without
preconditions and within sensible time. In this respect the presidents
assigned the two foreign ministers to continue contacts on further
steps.

Edward Nalbandyan rejected information about the meeting of
the Armenian, Azerbaijani, Turkish and Russian presidents. "This
information does not correspond to reality, there is no such an issue
in the agenda," Armenian foreign minister assured.

As to the Prague Summit, during which the Eastern Partnership was
launched, Edward Nalbandyan said that it is just the beginning which
will give the partner countries an opportunity to establish closer
ties, deepen and develop relations, become closer with the EU. The
foreign minister said that cooperation with each state will be formed
based on how the partner country will be ready, will have wish and
undertake steps towards boosting and deepening the relations. It is
expected that once in two years meetings will be held on the level
of presidents, once in a year on the level of foreign ministers.

Speaking about basic principles of the Karabakh conflict regulation,
Edward Nalbandyan clarified that the principles are the ones included
in the Madrid document. According to him, the meeting of the Armenian
and Azerbaijani presidents yesterday was useful in respect that
the sides got acquainted which each other’s approaches closer and
an opportunity has been created to make the positions of parties
closer over separate issues. The foreign minister said that the
meetings will continue, the co-chairs will be visiting the region,
in case of necessity the foreign ministers will meet to prepare the
next meeting of the presidents which is expected to take place in
June in Saint Petersburg.

ARMENIAN WOMAN FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST POLICE OFFICE IN AZERBAIJAN

APA
May 7 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku. Ramil Mammadli – APA. Armenian woman filed lawsuit against the
police office of Nasimi District of Baku, APA reports.

Nora Vartanesovna Varagyan sent cassation to the Supreme Court on the
decision of Baku Appeal Court regarding the police office of Nasimi
District. The case is judged by civil board member of the Supreme
Court Asad Mirzaliyev. The proceeding of cassation appeal will take
place on May 8.

Nora Vartanesovna Varagyan withdrew her registration at address where
she lived in Nasimi District of Baku in 1991, early years of Armenian
aggression against Azerbaijan. She didn’t restore her registration
later, and in 2007 she asked the police office of Nasimi District
to give her an identification card. Her request was not accepted
because she withdrew registration. Varagyan complained to the local
court about the action of high-ranking police officer, but the Nasimi
District Court and Baku Appeal Court rejected her lawsuit.

ROAD MAP NOT AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN ARMENIA AND TURKEY

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.05.2009 16:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The "road map" is not yet an agreement between
Armenia and Turkey. As a guideline, it just declares Yerevan and
Ankara’s intention to normalize bilateral ties, RA Deputy Foreign
Minister Karine Kazinyan told today’s news conference, adding that
the document will be introduced to public only after full elaboration
and RA Government’s decision on publicizing its contents.

With regard to possibility of Armenian-Turkish border opening,
Mrs. Kazaryan stressed that Armenia can no longer remain in isolation,
while border opening requires normalization of bilateral ties.

On April 23, Armenian and Turkish Foreign Ministers reached agreement
on normalization of bilateral ties. The document was signed through
intermediary of Swiss Foreign Ministry.

THE PAST IS GONE, BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

LA Valley Star
ge/paper295/news/2009/05/06/News/The-Past.Is.Gone. But.Never.Forgotten-3736950.shtml
May 6 2009
CA

Every person that walks the halls of Valley College has a heritage,
whether it relates to a country that they recently immigrated from,
or their ancestry traced back over many years. For one portion of the
college community, however, their heritage is marred by mass murder
and Diaspora. The Armenian community gathered in Monarch Hall April
28, in remembrance and recognition of their heritage and in honor of
the 94th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

"As survivors, it is our obligation to make sure our history is
rewritten correctly…We will not rest until the whole world knows the
truth of the Armenian history," said Armine Elikuchukyan, president
of the Armenian Student Association.

The genocide, which resulted in 1.5 million deaths, was carried out
by the Ottoman Empire. It is considered the first genocide of the
20th century, and is commemorated every year on April 24; the day on
which most of the killing took place in 1915.

Monarch Hall was starkly decorated for the event, with Armenian flags,
candles, and a flowered cross serving as the only decoration for more
than 40 attendees. Young Armenians read poetry over somber Armenian
music during the service, showing the lasting effect of the genocide
and demonstrating the hope that young Armenians have for the future.

"My people, my dear people, lovely people. Hundreds of years have
passed but your love is always in our hearts…Your fire will never
extinguish, will always burn in our hearts, and in our memories,"
said a woman in Armenian.

Another woman spoke of Mt. Ararat in Armenian, a mountain considered
the spiritual home of Armenians but now part of Turkish territory.

"You exist, you’ve always been here with pride, you exist in the world
always as a dream, we are going to die one day, are we going to die
without you Ararat? …You remain far, you remain a dream Ararat."

Dance was also used to express the gamut of emotions Armenians have
about their past, ranging from sadness about past wounds, to the joy
of starting afresh.

"The dance was about after the genocide; everything reopens, but we are
remembering our feelings about the past," said Knarik Nazilikian, who
danced ‘Kilkia,’ named after a former Armenian city. "Dancing makes
me feel better about who I am, and where my parents and ancestors
came from, even though I was born here [in the United States]."

Marine Djougarian also danced during the service, showing deep sorrow
through her movement across the stage.

[My dance] I begin happy, but then I remember the genocide, which is
very tragic to me. I’m crying, and I am sad, and I am remembering my
ancestors…I’m a dancer and I am happy that I dance, but a ceremony
like this does not make me happy."

Arthur Minasyan, vice president of the Associated Student Union,
believes that more should be done in recognition of the genocide.

"I do think the day needs to be recognized, I still talk to a lot of
people who aren’t aware of the atrocities that took place in 1915,"
said Minasyan. "Presidents in the past…they have recognized the
Armenian Genocide, but then they take office, and then [nothing]…I
hope Obama does, but the nation interest is his main concern."

FIRST LADY OF RUSSIA SVETLANA MEDVEDEVA ARRIVES IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2009-05-05 19:28:00

First Lady of Russia Svetlana Medvedeva has arrived in Armenia on
the invitation of First Lady of Armenia Rita Sargsyan.

The press service of the President of Armenia reports that from the
airport the wives of the Armenian and Russian presidents went to the
Mother See of Holy Etchimadzin and met with His Holiness, Catholicos
of All Armenians Karekin II.

They also visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum in
Tsitsernakaberd. Medvedeva laid flowers in the memory of the victims
of the Armenian Genocide and wrote down her impressions in the museum’s
visitors book.

In the evening Mrs. Sargsyan and Mrs. Medvedeva will attend the
premiere of Spartacus, Aram Khachaturyan’s famous ballet staged at
the National Opera and Ballet Theater by world renowned Russian
choreographer Yuri Grigorovitch under the patronage of the first
ladies of Armenia and Russia.

BAKU CALLING FOR OPENNESS IN TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS
Fariz Ismailzade

Jamestown Foundation
May 5 2009

Most Azerbaijani politicians as well as the general public believe
that the recent developments in Turkey’s bilateral relationship
with Armenia were aimed only at influencing Barack Obama’s April 24
statement. Supposedly, Turkey wanted to provide a reason for Obama
to avoid using the word "genocide" when referring to the events of
1915. Now that Turkey has avoided this potential degradation in
its relations with the United States, one of its closest allies,
the question remains as to whether Turkey and Armenia will continue
taking steps towards each other, or if their declared intention to
normalize bilateral relations was only a tactical move.

The government in Azerbaijan is carefully monitoring all the
statements coming from both Yerevan and Ankara. It appears that the
Turkish government is keen to continue on this track, which raises
concerns within Baku. On April 13, a spokesman from Azerbaijan’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Elkhan Polukhov, said that "the opening
of the border will be a tactical and strategic mistake and will
increase the tensions in the region." While the Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs Araz Azimov, stated four days earlier that,
"the opening of the border between Turkey and Armenia is possible
in the context of the resolution of Armenian-Azerbaijani Karabakh
conflict." Azimov added that the discussions on the issue could be
included in the negotiation process on the Karabakh conflict, and that
any normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations might occur in phases,
in parallel with the liberation of the occupied Azerbaijani territories
( April 8).

Indeed, both the Azerbaijani public and the leadership of the country
categorically oppose a one-sided approach to the re-opening the
Turkish-Armenian border. Foremost, Baku fears that opening the border
will further strengthen Armenia and make it less cooperative in any
future negotiations. Until now Azerbaijan had hoped that economics
would play a decisive role in compelling Armenia to give up the
occupied territories. Regional economic development between Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Turkey was often cited as an example of Armenia’s mistaken
strategic choice, which led the country into economic and political
isolation within the region. Baku hoped that in the longer term,
the Armenian government may act in its national interests and prefer
economic development rather than political nationalism.

But Turkey’s initiative to normalize its relations with Armenia risks
ruining Baku’s strategic planning and brings new uncertainties into
the regional dynamics. The Azerbaijani government also fears that the
Turkish-Armenian cooperation will alter the fragile balance of power
within the region and might even provoke Armenia to pursue further
military action.

At the same time, the Turkish-Armenian border issue also has important
symbolic meaning. Turkey closed its border at the start of the
Karabakh conflict, due to Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijani
territory. Renouncing that symbolic but powerful gesture of support
could diminish Turkey’s image within the region. An Azerbaijani Member
of Parliament (MP) Sabir Rustamkhanli, told EDM on April 9 that he
believed Turkey is being pressured by outside powers to re-open the
border with Armenia, because "external forces" wanted to humiliate
Turkey and show that it can yield under pressure.

In the aftermath of Obama’s statement on April 24, the Azerbaijani
government’s top priority is to foster dialogue with Turkey and
ensure that policies are coordinated between the two strategic
allies -avoiding any negative consequences to upset their bilateral
relations. In this context, Azerbaijani officials have been privately
complaining that they lack full information about Turkish intentions,
and they fear that details are being deliberately concealed. In fact,
the so-called "road map," signed by the Turkish and Armenian Presidents
has not been shown to the Azerbaijani authorities. Asim Mollazade,
MP and the leader of the Party for Democratic Reforms, expressed his
outrage about the confidentiality of the talks between Turkey and
Armenia. "We were not informed about these talks. We learned about
them from other sources," said Mollazade ( April 30). It
is expected that Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s forthcoming trip
to Baku will address some of these concerns.

On the other hand, Azerbaijani officials recognize that there have
been some positive results stemming from these recent developments:
the growing interest of the international community in this region and
specifically in seeking to find a resolution of the Karabakh conflict,
as well as the sudden realization that Azerbaijan and Turkey must
constantly work to improve their bilateral relations. Public outreach
in this respect is a prerequisite, Azerbaijani officials believe. In
mid-April a group of Azerbaijani parliamentarians traveled to Turkey to
deliver this message from Azerbaijan. A similar message was conveyed
by Turkish parliamentarians in Baku. Both countries will increase
their public diplomacy in order to avoid any future misunderstandings
similar to those experienced in relation to the anxiety triggered
over Turkish-Armenian rapprochement.

KARABAKH ISSUE DISCUSSED IN WASHINGTON

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.05.2009 11:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Nagorno Karabakh is one subject that U.S. Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton will be discussing with both the Azerbaijani
and Armenian Foreign Ministers.

"She’s going to meet with Foreign Minister Nalbandian to talk about
bilateral issues, the relationship between Armenia and Turkey,
and also, of course, Nagorno Karabakh. With Azerbaijan the same,
about security issues, Nagorno Karabakh, and talk about the subject
of energy in the region. But I don’t have anything beyond that. We’ll
probably be able to give you a little more tomorrow," State Department
spokesman Robert Wood said.

"It’s important that Russia and the United States cooperate in that
part of the world. You know, energy, of course, is a key issue in
that region. And what we have tried to do in terms of our energy
policy is to assure that supplies are diverse, and, you know, work
with countries of the region to make sure that there is a sustainable
energy supply. And it’s an opportunity where the United States and
Russia need to work together," he said.

67.2% VOTED AGAINST FRONTIER OPENING

A1+
07:21 pm | May 04, 2009 | Politics

On May 4, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian left for
Washington to meet with U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton. Tomorrow
the State Secretary will receive Azerbaijani FM Elmar Mammadyarov.

According to Turkish and Azeri mass media the discussions will focus on
the Karabakh conflict resolution and normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations.

"Both State Secretary Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama noted
that they want to achieve progress in the conflict settlement. The
two FMs are expected to have separate meetings with the State
Secretary. The Minsk group Co-Chairs are preparing for the May 7
meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Prague,"
U.S. Co-Chair Mattew Bryza told Azeri mass media.

He noted that the two issues are quite different but they must be
settled parallelly.

"We expect the two issues to be settled simultaneously though at a
different pace," added Mr. Bryza.

The U.S. Co-Chair underlined that the normalization of Armenian-Turkish
ties does not mean opening of the Armenia-Turkey frontier.

"The opening of the border will follow the improvement of bilateral
relations," said the U.S. Co-Chair.

During an interview to APA News Agency, Mr. Mattew Bryza assured that
a fair and balanced document is put on the negotiation table.

Note that last week A1+ conducted an Internet poll on the joint
statement of Armenian and Turkish FMs on the bettering of bilateral
ties.

Only 20.3% of our 2180 respondents think highly of the statement.

67.2% answered in the negative.

Official election campaign of Council of Elders starts in Yerevan

2009-05-02 11:58:00

ArmInfo. Official election campaign on election of the Council of
Elders to be held on May 31 started in Yerevan.

Central Election Committee of Armenia has registered six parties and
one bloc to take part in the election: Republic party of Armenia,
‘Prosperous Armenia’, ‘Orinats Yerkir’, ARF ‘Dashnaktsutyun’,
People’s party, Workers Socialist party of Armenia and the election
bloc of the Armenian National Congress. The electoral lists of these
political forces are headed by the acting Mayor of Gagik Beglaryan,
Health Minister Harutyun Kushkyan, Head of the OY party’s parliamentary
faction Heghine Bisharyan, parliamentarian Artsvik Minasyan, People’s
party leader Tigran Karapetyan, Movses Shahverdyan and ANC leader Levon
Ter-Petrosyan. The upcoming election will become the first in the
republic’s history to be held solely by party lists. Until recently,
Yerevan Mayor was appointed by the Armenian president’s decree. Today,
CEC will discuss the question of a time delivery to the candidates on
the air of the Public TV and Radio for the election campaign to be
completed on May 29.

According to the recently effective Law "On Local Authorities in
Yerevan", the capital’s mayor will be elected by the Council of Elders
to be elected through proportional election during which the parties
will fight for the degree of representation in the Council. The
election of the Yerevan Council of Elders will be held on May 31. The
Council of Elders will consist of 65 people and will be formed
according to the proportional system. Yerevan mayor automatically
becomes the first in the list of the party having received the absolute
majority of the places in the Council.