Author: Frangulian Shushan

ADP CONDEMNS STATEMENT BY IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

APA
Feb 22 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku. Elnur Mammadli – APA. Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP) demands
explanation from Iran. ADP board of chairmen discussed the press
statement by Iranian ambassador to Armenia in its meeting on Monday,
ADP press service told APA. The party considered the ambassador’s
statement about Iran’s resistance in the case of deployment of
international peacekeeping forces in Nagorno Karabakh, which is
neighboring with Iran, as a statement against territorial integrity
and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. ADP considers that the statement is
contradictory to the historic and political ties between the two
countries and doesn’t conform to the recent statement by Iranian
president about Iran’s close support to Azerbaijan on Nagorno Karabakh
issue and called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan to
demand Iran to explain its double-faced behavior.

Last socio-political processes in the country and world, as well as
organizing issues were also discussed at the meeting. Participants
of the meeting called the visit of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
to the region as the next step towards peace and security in the
region. But they strongly condemned the discussions held by the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office in Yerevan with participation of Nagorno Karabakh
separatist leader Bako Saakian and said this action was contradictory
to the OSCE’s mediating mission.

`Hayasa Properties Ltd’ Pays Record Amount for Nicosia Real Estate
2010/02/20 | 17:29

diaspora

Hayasa Properties Ltd, along with its sister company, Hayasa
Productions, has paid Eur 18.25 million, the highest price ever, for a
piece of downtown Nicosia real estate.

Hayasa Productions is a music and digital media company owned by
French and Cypriot Armenians, according to a piece in yesterday’s
Financial Mirror.com. A company official says that the 2,000 square
meter purchase will be developed into a multi-storey venture that will
include a modern boutique hotel, commercial and residential space and
the capability to rise up to 18 floors with five underground levels.

230 THOUSAND EURO FROM ITALY

ml
13:55:51 – 19/02/2010

Paolo Dieci , CISP Director and Legal Representative and Orran founder
Armine K. Hovannisian signed an agreement laying the foundations for
the construction of a an Orran center in Vanadzor. The 230,000 Euros
is the gift of the Italian Foreign Ministry and comes to confirm once
again the Italian’s people’s camaraderie with the Armenian people.
`We were very impressed to learn of the tremendous work that Orran has
been doing in helping families in need. Our organization works in 25
different countries mostly in projects involving children’s rights.
We applied to the Italian Foreign Ministry with the request to assist
Orran in building a center in Vanadzor, and received approval’ stated
Mr. Dieci.

The construction of the four story building on a 1000 square meters
land will start immediately. `We are so happy that CISP and the
Italian government came to support our work and to add to the generous
donation of Mr. and Mrs. Krikor and Anna Krikorian who had commenced
the project with a $250,000 donation in the year 2008′ explains Armine
Hovannisian.

The Orran center in Vanadzor was founded on leased premises in
September of 2009 with the financial support of the Open Society
Institute and VivaCell-MTS. Currently there are 50 needy children
receiving a daily hot meal, tutorial, medical, psychological and
social services. The children are also learning skills in pottery and
woodcraft. Once the construction of the new building is completed,
more children will be embraced in the program.

If you would like more information on Orran, please refer to

SEBOUH CHULJYAN: TURKEY AND ARMENIA SHOULD START BUILDING DIALOGUE WITHOUT MEDIATORS

Armradio.am
19.02.2010 11:20

For the first time in history, an Armenian candidate will likely head
the Armenian Patriarchy of Turkey.

Armenian Apostolic Church Diocese of Gougark Bishop Sebouh Chuljyan
Primate will be the 85th patriarch of Armenians in Turkey if he wins
the elections expected to take place in May.

According to an 1861 Ottoman regulation that is applicable even today,
a bishop can be the patriarch of Armenians in Turkey if his father
was born in Turkey.

Speaking at the historical Armenian church of "Surp Kevork" (St.

Gregory) at KocamustafapaÅ~_a in Istanbul, Chuljyan said if he wins,
then the patriarchy would be "kept away from politics."

"Let politicians deal with politics. I will put effort into enhancing
the dialogue between the Turkish and Armenian peoples," he said. "We
need to look deep in each other’s eyes and talk about grievances."

Chuljyan also said the recent warming of bilateral relations is
a historic milestone. He said steps must be taken immediately to
re-establish official relations. "This chance to open the path of
dialogue between the two peoples should not be missed. Time works
against us," he told the Hurriyet Daily News.

The bishop criticized the Western world’s mediation, also saying that
Germany played a major role in the events of 1915. "Germany has not
accepted its responsibility in the events of 1915 until today. It has
always preferred to keep silent," he said, adding that the innocent
Armenian population in Anatolia went through great agonies in the
past because of the "egocentric stance of the West."

"The Western world has manipulated us for its benefits in Anatolia,"
he said. "I would like to think that those who try to act as mediators
between the Turkish and Armenian peoples are trying to get rid of
the burden of their consciences. However, they have their interests
in mind once again, in the form of the Caucasus."

Chuljyan said he believes Turkey and Armenia should start building
dialogue immediately, without mediators. "There is no one who knows
us better than us. Let us overcome our grievances together and start
a dialogue," he said.

Chuljyan was actually born in Turkey, in the eastern province of
Malatya, before migrating to Armenia at the age of 10 with his family.

If he is elected patriarch, he will apply for Turkish citizenship,
provided the Turkish Republic approves. He said he would keep his
Armenian citizenship and become a dual citizen, Hurriyet reports.

When reminded of the possibility of reopening for prayer the historical
church of Surb Khach on Aghtamar Island in Van province in eastern
Turkey, Chuljyan said: "I believe that the Turkish people have respect
for all beliefs. I believe they will understand the importance of
Surb Khach for Armenians."

WHEN THREATENING ARMENIA AND NAGORNO-KARABAKH, AZERBAIJAN SHOULD KEEP IN MIND WAR 08.08.08

ArmInfo
2010-02-20 14:27:00

ArmInfo. When threatening Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan
should keep in mind war 08.08.08, Svante Cornell, Director of Silk
Road Studies Program, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, John Hopkins
University, says in an interview to Zhamanak newspaper.

Cornell does not rule the possibility of Azerbaijan’s attacking
the Armenians in the long-term future as Baku’s capacities are
constantly growing. However, Cornell is not saying that Azerbaijan
can take Nagorno-Karabakh now. A framework agreement between Armenia
and Azerbaijan may be enough for the Turkish Parliament to ratify
the Armenian-Turkish protocols. Withdrawal of Armenian troops from
one-two territories in the south of Nagorno-Karabakh could well bring
the Armenian-Turkish process back onto its natural track.

TURKEY’S IDEA ON CREATION OF EURASIAN UNION TO MORE DAMAGE ITS GAME

ArmInfo
2010-02-19 13:02:00

ArmInfo. Turkey’s idea on creation of the Eurasian Union will more
damage its game, ex-Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan told
ArmInfo.

"I do not think that the idea on creation of the Eurasian Union,
voiced by Foreign Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu, is a regular
populist statement in Erdogan’s style, since every statement hides
something. However, it is my strong belief that Turkey’s current idea
will lead nowhere, as it is trying to establish relations with the
Arab and Islam world and is simultaneously in war with the USA and
Israel", he said.

The politician thinks that Ankara will be immersed in this regional
geopolicy even more, it will be short of resources to implement such
ideas as creation of the geopolitical center. "Something like this
happened after the USSR collapse when Turkey rushed into all the Turk
countries of the Soviet Union. I think the same will happen in the
context of Turkey’s idea on creation of the Eurasian Union. Indeed,
there are too many disagreements and areas of influence in the Middle
east region", he said.

On February 4, during the meeting with Turkish ambassadors to Eurasian
countries, Ahmet Davutoglu offered to create nothing less than an
equivalent of the European Union in the form of the so-called Eurasian
Union. Davutoglu thought that EU countries have to cooperate more
closely and create railway, overland and maritime traffic networks.

Noteworthy, he called the future railway branch Baku-Tbilisi-Kars
as the brightest example of cooperation. This branch will be "the
shortest route" to connect Central and South-Eastern Asia with the
European Union.

EX-US OFFICIAL HAILS TURKEY, ARMENIA FOR TALKS

Hurriyet
Feb 18 2010
Turkey

Both the Turkish and Armenian leadership deserve great credit for
taking enormous political and domestic risks, a former U.S.

congressman has said in reference to the recent normalization talks
between Yerevan and Ankara.

Former Rep. Robert Wexler, who served as chair of the U.S. Congress’
Caucus on U.S.-Turkish Relations, recently resigned from his
congressional seat to lead the Center for Middle East Peace, a think
tank. He spoke at the SETA Foundation as part of a Washington, D.C.,
event called "Model Partnership: Creative Approaches to U.S.-Turkey
Relations."

In his remarks, Wexler explained how little attention was being paid
to the American-Turkish relationship when he was first elected to
Congress in the late ’90s, then added that he defined the current
relationship between the two countries as good.

The better relationship between Turkey and the U.S. was obvious,
Wexler said, when he received "arguably the most positive briefing in
years" at the U.S. State Department before his last visit to Turkey
in January. "It was positive because American-Turkish relations are
at a point of honesty – based on real, mutual interest and, at times,
differences in perspective," Wexler added.

Ratification process

Responding to a question about the ratification process of the
protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia, the former congressman
said he would like to advise Turkish leaders to stay one step, or
even a half step, ahead in this process. Such an attitude, he said,
would serve Turkey’s interests.

While accepting the importance of the U.S. administration’s reaction
in terms of making a difference on the ground, Wexler said he still
expects the State Department and the Pentagon to oppose the Armenian
"genocide resolution," which will be put to a vote in early March
in the House Foreign Relations Committee, as they did under past
administrations.

The U.S. administration’s attitude toward the resolution "remains to
be seen," he added.

Though some say Turkey’s foreign policy is shifting away from the West,
Wexler said that he finds little convincing evidence that Turkey is
moving to the East rather than staying anchored in the West.

Even though he disagrees with many foreign policies of the current
Turkish administration, Wexler added, he finds Turkey more democratic
and freer than it has been in decades, although he stressed that some
issues, such as the situation of the media, are cause for alarm.

Turkish-Israeli ties

Wexler also discussed the strained relationship between Turkey and
Israel and urged both governments to consider the importance of this
relationship. "The Israelis ought to give strong consideration to
a role Turkey can play on humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Though I
don’t agree with Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan’s narrative,
his views in respect to Hamas, and with respect to what occurred
in Gaza – I fundamentally disagree – but he is a passionate man on
humanitarian issues in Gaza," he said. "This could be a significant
element of bridging the divide between Turkey and Israel."

Responding to a question about the prospects of the Turkish mediation
role between Syria and Israel, Wexler stated that for Turkey to take
up that role again, the trust issues between Turkey and Israel need to
be resolved and the parties have to work hard to regain each other’s
confidence. Working toward this end, he added, is a two-way street.

ARMENIAN TO HEAD PATRIARCHATE IN TURKEY FOR FIRST TIME

news.am
Feb 19 2010
Armenia

For the first time Armenian citizen claims for tenure in Armenian
Patriarchate of Turkey of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is the
Bishop of Diocese of Gougark Sebouh Chuljyan Primate, Hurriyet Daily
News & Economic Review reports.

If Chuljyan wins, he will be 85th Armenian Patriarch in Turkey. Under
Ottoman regulations as of 1861, a bishop can be the patriarch of
Armenians in Turkey if his father was born in Turkey, the source says.

Referring to Surp Kevork Armenian church (St. Gregory) in Istanbul,
Chuljyan said "the church will be kept away from politics."

"We will not repeat the previous mistakes. Let politicians deal with
politics. I will put effort into enhancing the dialogue between the
Turkish and Armenian peoples. We need to look deep in each other’s
eyes and talk about grievances," the source quotes Bishop.

Chuljyan also touched upon Armenia-Turkey reconciliation, noting that
"this chance to open the path of dialogue between the two peoples
should not be missed."

The bishop criticized the West, attaching significance to Germany’s
responsibility in 1915 events. "I would like to think that those who
try to act as mediators between the Turkish and Armenian people are
trying to get rid of the burden of their consciences. However, they
have their interests in mind once again, in the form of the Caucasus,"
he added.

Chuljyan also spoke of Surb Khach (Armenian church in Akhtamar Island)
reopening for prayers, expressing confidence "that the Turkish people
have respect for all beliefs. I believe they will understand the
importance of Surb Khach for Armenians."

KIRAKOSYAN CRUSHES LAWTON

Sky Sports
,19528,1218 3_5960757,00.html
Feb 19 2010

Stoke fighter stopped in round three by top European

Scott Lawton’s attempt to win the European super-featherweight title
came to an abrupt end when he was stopped by Leva Kirakosyan in
round three.

The Stoke veteran was outclassed by the French-based Armenian from
the opening bell as Lawton’s first step outside domestic level proved
disastrous.

Kirakosyan clubbed Lawton with a straight right hand inside the
opening minute and he never really recovered despite attempting to
throw shots of his own.

He did well to survive the opening three minutes and received another
hurtful left hook at the climax of the round, but it was a similar
story in the next as the Stoke fighter was given a standing count at
the end of another three minute barrage.

Lawton’s head still hadn’t cleared as he came out for the third round,
and Kirakosyan knew this was his chance to finally finish off the
Briton’s hopes.

The 33-year-old had been hoping to stay out of trouble for the first
half of the fight before imposing his size and strength later on,
but he was never given the chance to advertise his boxing ability.

Lawton, who had previously lost two attempts to win the British title
and another to land the Commonwealth belt at lightweight, was out of
his depth as the Armenian took pot shots every time Lawton prepared
to unload.

The end came mercifully early in the third, Lawton again backed onto
the ropes by Kirakosyan before another clinical right hand knocked
him senseless, the Danish referee stopping the fight with Lawton
swaying on the ropes.

"Obviously we knew he was a big hitter and I let one get through the
net at the start, and that was the end really," Lawton told Sky Sports.

"You can’t regret taking fights, if you never take fights you’ll never
know how far you can get. I truly felt I had the ability to beat him,
obviously it hasn’t turned out that way.

"I’m not going to make any rash decisions. I’ve done quite lot in the
sport and I don’t really know if there’s anywhere else for me to go."

WORKSHOP ON "EU REGIONAL POLICY AND INSTRUMENTS" IN VANADZOR

armradio.am
18.02.2010 12:03

On 19th February 2010, Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Centre
(AEPLAC) in cooperation with the Ministry of Territorial Administration
organizes a workshop on "EU Regional Policy and Instruments". The
target audience of the workshop are primary elected and appointed by
the Government representatives of communities as well as delegates
of various social layers at grassroots level, i.e. NGOs, cooperatives
of Shirak, Lori, Tavush and Gegharkunik marzes.

The aim of the workshop is to provide an overview of EU structures
and main policies, EU-Armenia relations with the focus on regional
development instruments to the target group.

Strengthening of local self-government, including capacities of local
communities and civil service institutions, support to the reforming
of strategy for the agricultural sector necessary to foster rural
development and the development of quality production to encourage
diversification of activities and to ease access to export markets
and also to reduce poverty are in the agenda of EU – Armenia relations
since 1999.

Participants will avail from the workshop obtaining the latest
information on EU and EU-Armenia relations and development
opportunities. In addition the workshop is anticipated to be highly
effective in terms of articulation of the needs at grassroots
level and communication between civil society and state entities,
preconditions for development of a realistic Armenia’s EI Information
and Communication Strategy.

The workshop is the first in the series to capture the whole landscape
of Armenia , the territory of which is virtually divided into 3
segments – Northern, Central and Southern. Northern segment includes
Tavush, Lori, Gegharkunik and Shirak marzes. Central part includes
Aragotsotn, Kotayk, Armavir, Ararat marzes and Yerevan. Vayots Dzor
and Syunik marzes will be covered by the Southern segment.

Uffe Holst Jensen, Head of Operations Section of the EU Delegation to
Armenia and Vache Terteryan, Minister of Territorial Administration
will open the workshop with short remarks.