Author: Frangulian Shushan

EMPLOYEES OF NATURE PROTECTION STATE INSPECTION OF ARMENIA ARE BLAMED FOR TAKING BRIBES

ARKA
Feb 18, 2010

YEREVAN, February 18. /ARKA/. Preliminary investigation of criminal
case against Tigran Grigoryan, head of department and Arsen Petrosyan,
deputy head of department of state nature protection inspection of
Armenia is finished.

It appeared that in 2009 Arsen Petrosyan inspected basalt and
gypsiferous clay subsoil operated by "Delta-Fragment" Ltd. in Yerevan
by the assignment of the Minister of Nature Protection.

For not including the detected violations in the protocol and reduction
of penalty size, Petrosyan required 400 thousand drams from Vardan
Aslanyan, director of "Delta-Fragment" Ltd. and received the bribe
on December 16, 2009.

In the process of investigation it was disclosed that Petrosyan agreed
with Tigran Grigoryan beforehand and received bribe in the amount
of 5 million drams (about 13.2 thousand US dollars) on December 28,
2009 from assistant of Board of Directors of "Akhtala ore-dressing
and processing enterprise".

Inspectors required the mentioned amount for prolongation of the
dates of handing-over and operation of water-supply system located
in the gorge Ayrum-Chochkan-Lori region.

On the basis of the evidence T.Grigoryan was accused by Clause 2,
Part 4 of Article 311 of Armenian Criminal Code (Accepting bribes in
very large amounts) and A.Petrosyan – by Clause 2, Part 4 and Clause
3, Article 311 of Armenian Criminal Code (Accepting bribes in very
large amounts).

The case was sent to the competence of general court of administrative
districts of Kentron and Nork-Marash.

AZERBAIJAN’S CENTER FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES HOSTS MEETING ON AZERBAIJAN-EU RELATIONS

Today
/61993.html
Feb 18 2010
Azerbaijan

A meeting on Azerbaijan-European Union relationship was held Friday
in the Center for Strategic Studies under the Azerbaijan President.

Head of the European Commission’s Office in Azerbaijan Roland
Kobia made a presentation in the event on political, economic and
humanitarian cooperation between Azerbaijan and EU.

The Ambassador praised the current level of cooperation between
Azerbaijan and EU, saying the Organization considers the country
"strategic partner."

Kobia stressed the importance of the EU programs involving Azerbaijan
and bilateral agreements signed, stressing they contribute to deepening
the relations. He particularly underscored Azerbaijan`s participation
in the European Neighborhood Policy and Eastern Partnership programs.

The diplomat also noted the EU praises the ongoing political and
economic reforms in Azerbaijan.

Touching upon energy coopereration, the Ambassador stressed
Azerbaijan`s strategic importance as an energy producer and transit
country. He added the country plays significant role in ensuring
Europe`s energy security.

On the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the diplomat
underlined the necessity of soonest resolution of the dispute.

The event was attended by officials of the Foreign Ministry and
Diplomatic Academy, MPs, ambassadors and experts.

Armenian folk instruments sound on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad
18.02.2010 12:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ EdgeArt Entertainment, Inc. (USA) developed a series
of musical applications, imitating sounds of Armenian folk
instruments.

Artashes Sevada, program developer, told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter
that iDuduk, iShvee applications are already available for users all
over the world, while iZurna, iBlulj and iDhol will be in Apple
Internet-store in the nearest future. `Music by eminent Armenian
musicians such as Djivan Gasparyan (iDuduk), Ararat Petrosyan and
Norik Manukyan (iShvee) is also included in the applications. That’ll
be our last series of applications with Armenian folk instruments. But
very soon we are producing iShaku, imitating Japanese folk
instrument,’ he added.

As iPhone is constantly connected to Internet, the program provides
downloads of continually changing slides about Armenian artists,
sculptors, religion and Armenian alphabet as well as Armenia’s
attractions.

`That’s a way to popularize Armenian culture, starting from the Middle
age up to now. Purchasing a popular product, users will also have a
chance to discover Armenian history and culture,’ Sevada said.

Music performance on iPhone through applications such as iBand, Wivi
Band, Guitar, iAno, Pocket Guitar, etc. is getting popular across the
globe. Orchestra concerts, where music is performed on iPhone along
with real musical instruments, are not a seldom event

Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

February 18, 2010
Contact: Lerna Kayserian Shirinian

AYF TO LAUNCH "TEACHATHON 252" CAMPAIGN TO RALLY
SUPPORT H.RES.252

Los Angeles, CA-Armenian Youth Federation – Western Region (AYF-WR)
members from across the Western United States are vigorously
working to ensure the passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution –
H. RES. 252 – as the House Foreign Affairs Committee prepares to
mark-up the measure on March 4th. The AYF’s "Teachathon 252"
campaign seeks to educate the community about what they can do to
strengthen community and Congressional support for the measure.

"We are proud that AYF members can play a key role in promoting
awareness of the genocide resolution and rallying support for H.
Res. 252 in Congress," remarked AYF Central Executive Chairperson
Arek Santikian. "AYF members have been engaged in advancing the
Armenian Cause for 77 years, since our organization’s founding in
1933. We will channel our intellect and energy into this campaign
and move our Cause forward," he added.

The "Teachathon 252" campaign will engage all 14 chapters of the
AYF Western Region, from San Francisco, California to Houston,
Texas, to conduct grassroots outreach, phone banking, coalition
building and petition drives. Efforts are focused primarily in
Texas through the "Dro" Chapter and in the Arizona through the
"Kedashen" Chapter, where there are a significant number of
Representatives who serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Members of these AYF chapters have already been active in
encouraging their communities to write to their Representatives,
demanding passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

"We are impressed with the dedication of AYF members who understand
the power of grassroots activism," commented ANC-WR Government
Relations Director Lerna Shirinian. "AYF members reflect the best
of a new generation of Armenian American leaders who will be the
strongest of advocates for the Armenian Cause."

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), with chapters
throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around
the world, has grown to become the largest and most influential
Armenian American youth organization. Inspired by the past and
motivated by the needs of the future, the AYF actively strives to
advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness
of all Armenian youth. For more information about the AYF, please
visit

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest
Armenian American grassroots community organization in the Western
United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and
affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR works to
promote understanding regarding issues of concern to the Armenian
American community.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF RUSSIAN NEWSPAPER: ARMENIA WILL BEGIN TO LEAVE AZERBAIJANI LANDS
H. Hamidov

Today
1740.html
Feb 16 2010
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with editor-in-chief of Russia-based "Konservator"
newspaper Rustam Arifjanov.

What is your assessment of the present state of the Armenia-Turkey
relations?

The Armenian-Turkish relations are developing, not because it is
necessary for Turks or Armenians, but because it is necessary for
the United States and Europe. Besides, Erdogan, Gul and Sargsyan are
well aware that the relations can be improved not in a day. However,
they are required to depict the process, because neither Turkey nor
Armenia are a driving force in world affairs. So, they are obliged
to portray an initiative to establish relations. In fact, I am sure
that nothing is happening.

In your opinion, nothing is happening because they sides fail to
reach agreement, or because initially there is only appearance of
the initiative and not more?

In fact, both Armenian and Turkish leaders are willing to open the
border. They are ready for this. But peoples of these countries are
not ready. Moreover, the word Armenian people means not only citizens
of Armenia, but also representatives of the Armenian diaspora. I want
the Azerbaijani and Armenian peoples to establish a friendship and
mutual understanding, but most of the Azerbaijani population of is
not ready to do this.

The Azerbaijan people are not ready because of the occupation of
their lands…

It is difficult to change relations that were shaped many years ago
so quickly. Are you ready in case 100,000 Armenians citizens will be
full citizens of your country? Are you ready to see them in leading
positions in the Nagorno-Karabakh and constant influence on them by
a neighboring state?

It seems that many Azerbaijanis will be ready for this only after the
occupied lands are liberated and on the condition that the Armenians
will live in Azerbaijan as country’s citizens, but will not be entitled
to claim the top posts. Because the history knows such examples of
establishing relations between the two nations after serious conflicts.

In this case, Azerbaijan needs to convince the international
community that Azerbaijanis are ready to provide the Armenians all
with appropriate rights. And then the international community might
press on Armenia promoting resolution of the conflict.

Do you believe the Armenia-Turkey border will reopen any time soon?

I believe that the border will reopen, but do not believe that it will
take place soon. But even if the border reopens, it will mean nothing
serious. Guards and customs will stand along both sides of the border.

So, there will be no unhindered passage of goods, raw materials and
others from one country to another.

Turkey says it will open border once Armenia takes substantial steps
to resolve the Karabakh conflict…

We must be prepared that no matter how Russia and, especially, Turkey
are friendly to us, these are states with their own interests. Once
opening of the border with Armenia fully meets Turkey’s interests, it
will certainly make such a move regardless of Azerbaijan’s interests.

We should not think that someone else can willdefend our interests,
we should do it ourselves.

Do you expect advances in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict soon?

Armenia will not go anywhere this year or early next year it will
begin withdraw from the occupied areas of the lowland Karabakh. Later
the most difficult part of the process will begin. We should explain
to the people that despite we have suffered much during the war, we
have to live with the Armenian side by side and convince the world
that we guarantee the rights of Armenians living in Azerbaijan.

Do you think that the international community will believe us and put
pressure Armenia so that it would leave Azerbaijan’s occupied lands?

They will have no argument not to do so. For example, the Serbian
government did not give such guarantees to Albanians and as a result
Kosovo was torn away. The Georgians did not provide such assurances,
and the same thing happened with South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Azerbaijan has reiterated many times that it is ready to grant highest
possible autonomy to Karabakh. As this is ancient Azerbaijani land,
bargaining simply is not relevant in this case…

The international community will ask Azerbaijan to explain the concept
of "the highest autonomy" and Azerbaijan would have to be flexible
in this issue. Otherwise, the Armenians will torpedo the resolution
of the conflict peacefully.

Otherwise, is a war an alternative way out?

Despite today Azerbaijan is much stronger than Armenia, I do not want
hostilities and do not believe that it is possible. Azerbaijan must
not forget that after starting a war, other CSTO member states may
be required simply to stand on the side of its ally – Armenia. I am
convinced that the conflict should have no military solution…

ARMENIAN EUROVISION SONG HINTS SO-CALLED "ARMENIAN GENOCIDE"

APA
16199
Feb 16 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. Armenian singer Eva Rivas hints so-called "Armenian
genocide" in her song chosen for Eurovision 2010, said Turkish
composer Yagoub Mutlu, who participated at the Armenian national
selection final concert, APA reports quoting Anatolian news agency.

Mutlu, who has attentively watched Eurovision contests since 2003,
said that Rivas’ "Apricot Stone" hinted 1915 events. "I am not an enemy
of Armenians, but "Apricot Stone" is a song beaten about the bush".

The composer said first couplet of the song – "Many, many years ago
when I was a little child, our world is cruel and wild, but to make
your way through cold and heat love is all that you need" – reminded
about deportation of Armenians by Ottoman Empire in 1915 and ways they
have passed. He said the word "motherland" in the following couplet –
"Apricot stone, I will drop it down in the frozen ground I’ll just
let it make its round Apricot stone, hidden in my hand given back to
me from the motherland" – meant Turkish territories and "Now I see the
northern stars shining brightly in the storm and I’ve got an avatar of
my love to keep me warm now I’m not afraid of violent winds they may
blow they can’t win" also kept a message to Turkey. In his opinion,
the meaning of the couplet "May the winter stay away form my harvest
night and day may God bless and keep my cherished fruit grow me tree
up to the sky once I waved my home goodbye I just wanna go back to
my roots" is also clear.

Eurovision rules ban to perform political songs at the contest.

BAKO SAHAKYAN: NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

ArmInfo
2010-02-16 13:23:00

ArmInfo. "We had an opportunity to timely claim that normalization
of the Armenian-Turkish relations and establishment of diplomatic
relations between Armenia and Turkey has nothing to do with the
Karabakh conflict settlement", President of the NKR Bako Sahakyan said
when replying to ArmInfo’s question. According to him, president of
Armenia said in his special message and gave numerous explanations
on what the Armenian-Turkish relations imply. As B. Sahakyan said,
not the Armenian party but the countries, involved in the process
of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations, claim of the
linkage of these two issues. "Nevertheless, Turkey keeps on making
such statements and directly linking the issue on normalization of
Armenia-Turkey relations with the Karabakh conflict. Of course, such
an approach cannot be considered fair in prospect", the president
said. He emphasized that Armenia strives for establishment of peace
and stability in the region having indicated that Turkey’s stance in
this issue is non-constructive.

FIGHT BROKE OUT AT ERDOGAN-CLINTON MEETING

news.am
Feb 15 2010
Armenia

An ugly incident occurred at Erdogan-Clinton meeting on February 14,
CNNturk reports.

When the scheduled 20 minutes ran out, U.S. Ambassador to Qatar entered
the room and warned U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton it is time
to close the meeting, as she would be late for the meeting with Emir of
Qatar. In responde to this, adviser to Turkish PM said: "It is not for
you to judge the importance of our meeting, you offend our country."

Thereafter, the high-ranking officials fought hand to hand and were
hardly pulled apart. The infuriated Ambassador left the room slamming
the door.

As NEWS.am reported previously, Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan
and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met in the capital of
Qatar-Doha. The officials discussed Iran’s nuke program, Armenia-Turkey
relations, Cyprus dispute and Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Erdogan noted that Turkey fulfilled the assumed commitments, however
RA Constitutional Court’s judgment on the Protocols might negatively
affect the process. He outlined that Armenia-Turkey reconciliation
is possible with establishment of peace in Caucasus, consequently,
it is necessary for OSCE MG to intensify its efforts. Despite the
difficulties, Armenia-Turkey normalization process is very beneficial,
Clinton emphasized.

ERDOGAN, CLINTON DISCUSS REGIONAL ISSUES

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.02.2010 12:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in
Doha, Qatar, with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to discuss
Iran’s nuclear program, Armenian-Turkish reconciliation process as
well as the Cyprus issue and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"Turkey does all that is in its power to normalize relations with
Armenia," the Turkish Prime Minister said, adding that "the ruling
of the Armenian Constitutional Court may hamper the rapprochement
between the two countries."

As to the Cyprus issue, Mr. Erdogan said his country is collaborating
with the United States to combat terrorism, TRT reported.

Interfax, Russia
Feb 12 2010

U.S. hopes Armenia, Turkey will ratify normalization protocols

YEREVAN Feb 12

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch has said she hopes that
the parliaments of both Armenia and Turkey will ratify protocols that
establish diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The U.S. hopes that the Armenian and Turkish Parliaments will ratify
these protocols, Yovanovitch said at public hearings in Yerevan on
Friday,

Washington will continue assisting the normalization process between
the two countries, she said.

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and Economic Policy Research
Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) President Guven Sak attended the
hearings.

The Armenian and Turkish foreign ministers signed protocols on the
establishment of diplomatic relations and the development of bilateral
ties in Zurich on October 10, 2009. The documents need to be ratified
by the two countries’ parliaments.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said in a speech in London on
Wednesday that the protocols would be forwarded to parliament in the
near future.