Author: Hagop Kamalian

Turkey Urges Obama To Block Armenian Genocide Bill

05.03.2010
article/1975539.html

Just hours after recalling its ambassador to Washington, Turkey urged
the U.S. government on Friday to thwart further progress of a draft
congressional resolution that describes the mass killings and
deportations of Armenians by Ottoman forces as genocide.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also warned President Barack
Obama against using the word `genocide’ in a statement on the issue
expected next month. `We expect Obama not to perpetuate or exaggerate
this crisis in April,’ Davutoglu was reported to say, reiterating
Ankara’s strong condemnation of the resolution’s approval by the
Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, indicated that the
Obama administration will try to block the resolution’s passage by the
full House. In that regard, she downplayed its endorsement by the
House panel.
`The committee … has voted out such a resolution, I think, three times
in the past,’ Clinton said on Thursday shortly before the committee
vote. `They’re likely to vote it out again. But we do not believe that
the full Congress will or should act upon that resolution, and we have
made that clear to all the parties involved.’

Clinton made the comments at a news conference held during a visit to
Costa Rica. A reporter reminded her that both she and Obama have
strongly advocated U.S. recognition of the Armenian genocide in the
past, wondering why they are opposed to it now.

`Well, I think circumstances have changed in very significant ways,’
Clinton replied, pointing to the signing last October of two
U.S.-brokered protocols envisaging the normalization relations between
Armenia and Turkey.

`Within the protocols, there was an agreed-upon approach to
establishing a historical commission to look at events in the past’
she said. `I do not think it is for any other country to determine how
two countries resolve matters between them, to the extent that actions
that the United States might take could disrupt this process.’

`Therefore, both President Obama and I have made clear, both last year
and again this year, that we do not believe any action by the Congress
is appropriate, and we oppose it,’ added Clinton.

The chief U.S. diplomat reportedly telephoned the Foreign Affairs
Committee chairman, Howard Berman, on Wednesday to urge him to drop
the proposed legislation. However, Berman went ahead with the vote and
played a decisive role in its outcome.

Davutoglu complained that the Obama administration did not lobby hard
enough against a bill which he said `seriously disturbed’ the Turkish
government. `We expect the US administration to make more efficient
efforts from now on’ to stop the resolution from advancing to a vote
at the full House of Representatives, he told a news conference in
Ankara, reported AFP news agency.

`We don’t want to go through this crisis every spring,’ Davutoglu
said, according to `Hurriyet Daily News.’ `That is why we embarked on
the normalization of the relationship with Armenia. We thought that
this would begin to settle things, and we really did not expect this
kind of backlash.’

The House committee vote put Turkish ratification of the agreements
with Armenia into jeopardy, added the Turkish minister.

Ankara dragged its feet over the ratification even months before the
latest development. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other
Turkish leaders have repeatedly made that conditional on a resolution
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict acceptable to Azerbaijan.

`We are determined to press ahead with normalization of relations with
Armenia,’ said Davutoglu. But he said his government will not be
`pressured’ into doing so.

ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH UAR PRESIDENT

news.am
Feb 19 2010
Armenia

The cooperation between the Armenian Embassy in Russia and Diasporan
organizations will contribute to the preservation of Armenian
national identity, RA Ambassador to Russia Oleg Yesayan stated at
his meeting with Board members, Union of Armenians of Russia (UAR),
led by Ara Abramyan.

The press service of the RA Embassy in Armenia told NEWS.am that
Ambassador Yesayan pointed out the UAR’s important coordinating role
in uniting the Armenian community in Russia.

Ambassador Yesayan also held a meeting with Hero of the USSR and Russia
Artur Chilingarov, who expressed the confidence that the Armenian
Ambassador will contribute to the development of Armenian-Russian
relations. According to him, since it was established ten year ago,
the UAR has been carrying out large-scale activities to preserve
Armenian culture and traditions in Russia.

CLAIM REJECTED

12/argo-farm
02:10 pm | February 12, 2010

Economy

The State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition
(SCPEC) studied the administrative claim of Argo Farm Company.

Argo Farm is one of the seven companies that were fined for advancing
prices of some medicines including those of antivirus, cardiovascular
in September-November 2009.

Under a December 21 decision of the Commission, the companies were
fined over 450 million drams.

The Commission found the company’s claim to annul the SCPEC decision
as groundless and rejected the claim.

AZERBAIJAN IS WAGING TOTAL INFORMATION WAR EVEN IN FIELD OF HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION, RA OMBUDSMAN SAYS

NOYAN TAPAN
FEBRUARY 10, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Azerbaijan is trying to turn the
field of human rights protection into one of the main dimensions
of its information war, and in many cases the Ombudsman of Armenia
has to become, in some sense, a national and political figure at
international organizations instead of speaking about human rights.

The Ombudsman of the Republic of Armenia Armen Harutyunian stated this
during the February 10 press conference. "We are at total information
war, and I appeal to the public to take it into account and to act
as one fist," he said, adding: "Willy-nilly, each of us must also
support our national interests because human rights and the national
and state interests are interwoven."

At the same time A. Harutyunian underlined that this unity should not
be mechanical: the state machinery should really address the needs of
ordinary citizen. He reminded that months ago the ombudsman of Nagorno
Karabakh had become a member of the European Ombudsman Institute, after
which Azerbaijan, through its ambassadors, friends and parliaments
of other countries, "launched serious attacks", seeking cancellation
of the Karabakh ombudsman’s membership, but in vain.

"This prompted us to discuss a version of membership for ombudsmen
of the other unrecognized states, as human rights are above current
politics," A. Harutyunian said, stressing that the de facto formed,
but de jure unrecognized states also face human rights problems so
there is necessity to discuss and solve them.

ISRAELI FM VISITS AZERBAIJAN

news.am
Feb 9 2010
Armenia

Israel supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and is ready to
contribute to the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, Israeli Foreign
Minister Avigdor Liberman stated at his meeting with Azerbaijani FM
Elmar Mammadyarov.

The sides discussed bilateral cooperation in the fields of education,
medicine, energy and security. The two Ministers also discussed the
possibility of bilateral abolition of visa requirements and agreed
to continue relevant consultations.

Minister Liberman also held a meeting with Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev. The sides discussed global problems and topical issues
of Middle East policy.

The Israeli FM expressed hope the indirect peace talks with Palestine
will be resumed as soon as possible. He said that the leader of the
Palestinian autonomy Mahmoud Abbas will visit Baku soon. Minister
Liberman asked President Aliyev to persuade the Palestinian leader
to resume a peaceful dialogue with Israel, reported NEWSru.co.il.

OUR EFFORTS CONTRIBUTED TO STABILITY BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA: STEINBERG

news.am
Dec 2 2009
Armenia

Our efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the Minsk
process have greatly contributed to the stability between Azerbaijan
and Armenia," said Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg at the
17th OSCE Ministerial Council in Athens.

Speaking about numerous challenges that OSCE is still confronted with,
Steinberg underlined, "As one of the co-chairs of the Minsk group,
the US has committed to seeking a final settlement to the conflict that
will ensure long term stability and economic growth in the region."

However, according to Deputy Secretary, Georgian conflict is one of
the "most pressing challenges." "We expect all parties to fulfill
their commitments under the August 12th ceasefire agreement which
calls for the withdrawal of Russian forces to positions prior to
the start of hostilities and for unhindered humanitarian access,"
Steinberg stated, adding that "core OSCE principles and commitments
were violated. We must restore trust and rebuild confidence."

"Lessons from the war in Georgia and constructive discussions through
the Corfu process have encouraged us to take this initiative to propose
a new crisis intervention mechanism. I hope that you’ll all review
this and help shape this proposal while continuing to work on the
ongoing conflicts not only in Nagorno-Karabakh but also in Moldova,"
Steinberg concluded.

SAINT GEVORG CHURCH COLLAPSED BECAUSE OF INDIFFERENCE

Aysor
Nov 20 2009
Armenia

"The collapse of the Saint Gevorg of Mughni, Church in Tbilisi is
the result of the indifference of the Georgian government", – the
historian, expert of the Armenian architecture Samvel Karapetyan
thinks.

Today he said that one year ago he has been in Tbilisi and has seen
the hopless state of the church.

"Until 1989, the church served as a museum of folk art, after
removing of which around 20 years the church ahs been left careless
and unprotected. The walls were cracked and there was the danger of
collapsing. It was possible to keep it at least with the columns.

S. Karapetyan mentioned that there can’t be even a word about
mechanical damaging or blowing it out.

MANTEE IN STUDIO CITY: LEBANESE-ARMENIAN CUISINE WITH A FAMILY PEDIGREE
By Linda Burum

Los Angeles Times
ind21-2009oct21,0,6062600.story
Oct 21 2009

Chef Jonathan Darakjian, whose mother’s family owns renowned Al Mayass
in Beirut, offers lightened-up versions of traditional dishes.

Like a classic storybook bistro, with smart burgundy awnings, lacy
curtains and flower boxes at the windows, Mantee exudes a warm and
welcoming aura. So why is the small dining room so empty?

Because most diners at this diminutive Lebanese-Armenian restaurant
are eating out back in the impossibly romantic leaf-shaded patio with
its lush potted plants massed in every corner under the golden light
of Parisian-style iron street lamps. And the guests? They’re partying
like there’s no tomorrow.

Laughter floats through the air. Tables are spread edge to edge with
mezes and other small plates: the best hummus you’ve ever tasted
scattered with sautéed pine nuts; stuffed grape leaves with garlicky
yogurt sauce; muhammara, the spicy dip of crushed walnuts, pomegranate
and Aleppo pepper; and plates of bubbling feta baked in tomato coulis.

It turns out Mantee has a bit of a pedigree. The proprietor’s family
owns several internationally known eating places in the Near East. The
family’s Beirut restaurant, Al Mayass (they are proud to tell you) made
it onto Food & Wine magazine’s prestigious "Go List" of outstanding
recommended restaurants worldwide.

Childhood talent

This kitchen is headed by young chef Jonathan Darakjian, whose
mother’s family owns Al Mayass. Before opening Mantee he trained
in the kitchens of the Lebanese restaurant. But he’s been cooking
from the age of 7 or 8, according to his mom, Sylvia Gabrielian. "We
would come to breakfast and he had already laid out the table with
the dishes he’d prepared himself."

Since then, Darakjian, 30, has honed his kitchen skills. At Mantee,
his food is a somewhat lightened version of classic dishes. (His
kafta kebab, made with lean, hand-ground Angus beef, may not be greasy
enough for some traditionalists.)

But there’s nothing "lite" about the house namesake dish, mantee. The
tiny agnolotti-like dumplings of Turkish origin (sometimes spelled
manti) are about as addictive as buttered popcorn. Inside the al
dente pasta, nuggets of lemony vegetarian spinach filling or of subtly
seasoned house ground beef make ideal canvases for the creamy sharp
yogurt-garlic sauce that blankets them.

Order the pita bread salad, fattoush, and you will instantly understand
this chef’s philosophy. Pristinely fresh ingredients are tossed to
order in a dressing of just-squeezed lemon juice and a few drops of
extra-virgin olive oil. Instead of commonly seen lettuce, Darakjian
uses purslane, a leafy succulent. Just to be sure every guest’s
taste is satisfied, the salad may be ordered either with toasted or
fried bread.

A meal of mezes

If you can forgo kebabs, a collection of mezes makes a lusty
substantial meal with wide-ranging flavors. Basturma, the Armenian
answer to bresaola or bundnerfleisch, comes thinly sliced on five
baguette rounds, each topped with a sunny-side-up quail egg. Showier
still, the Armenian soujouk sausage gets flamed with brandy-like arak
at your table. If all this seems pretty fancy, the prices are not.

Most shareable mezes average $6. And the ways to amuse your palate
are seemingly endless.

For the dolmades, Asian eggplants are hollowed out and stuffed with
a rice- tomato-garlic mix. Or go for the bamieh, tiny almond-size
okra stewed in an onion-tomato Provencal-style sauce, or the layered
cheese pastry, su borek. Meatier mezes include sautéed filet mignon
slices atop a mound of hummus or simply napped with a meat reduction.

Lunchtime brings juicy kebab sandwiches — moist grilled marinated
chicken breast with thick garlic paste in pita bread or one of the
California-esque panini made with soujouk or Cypriot-style fresh
white cheese.

Desserts aren’t made in-house, and, while that’s understandable, it’s a
pity. This young (and small) kitchen has its hands full concentrating
on the mezes and entrees. Still, though the fancy (and expensive)
purchased little cakes such as key lime white chocolate mousse do add
a festive ending to any meal, they don’t reflect the passion evident
in the rest of this wonderful food.

ARFD DEPUTY: THOSE WHO THINK THAT OUR PEOPLE IS NOT INTERESTED IN THE PROBLEM OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS ARE MISTAKEN

ArmInfo
2009-09-24 16:00:00

ArmInfo. Those who think that our people is not interested in the
problem of Armenian-Turkish relations are mistaken, the member
of the parliamentary group of ARFD Ruzan Arkelyan said during a
press-conference today.

The politicians and experts who say that our people is passive and
indifferent are mistaken and ARFD’s actions have proved this. There
are people who do care for the future of their country.

ARFD’s actions of protest against the Armenian-Turkish protocols
are not an end in itself, not an attempt to please the people. "We
see that our country is in danger and cannot just sit back and do
nothing. We have our firm position and we are resolved to go all the
way," Arakelyan said.

TRIAL OF

2009/06/11 | 15:52

Region

The trial of Turkish journalist Nedim ªener, who recently wrote a
book entitled "The Dink Murder and Intelligence Lies", got underway
yesterday at Istanbul’s Second Court.

The Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office has charged Mr. ªener with the
publication of official secrets and exposing state anti-terrorism
personnel. The reporter faces a maximum prison term of 28 years if
found guilty.

ªener has two trials pending as a result of the complaints. Yesterday’s
trial at the Istanbul Second Court was on violating official
secrets. ªener, who faces up to eight years in jail on this charge,
defended himself by saying that the information in his book was from
phone conversations that were made public on televisions and newspapers
months before his book was printed. "These conversations are also on
the Internet and can be found when one searches Google," he said.

ªener said the trial aimed at preventing the public from learning the
facts about Dink’s murder and press freedom. He asked the court to
find him not guilty. The judge decided to postpone the trial to another
date for the defendant’s lawyers to prepare for the prosecutor’s case.

"Some of the security personnel that sued me are under investigation
for neglecting their duty for Dink’s murder. They want to punish
the journalist writing about the responsibilities of those people,"
said ªener.