Author: Hakobian Adrine

CONGRATULATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARTSAKH STATE UNIVERSITY

09/11/13_1.htm
November 13, 2009

I convey my hearty congratulations to the teaching staff and students,
to the NKR scientific community and intelligentsia, to all our
compatriots appreciating the significance of the higher education in
connection with the 40 th anniversary of Artsakh State University.

I highly appraise the prominent role this educational establishment
supported during the last decades, first as a Pedagogical Institute,
later as a State University. Thousands of young people were not only
professionally qualified at the first higher educational institution
of Artsakh, but were also permeated with patriotic spirit and had
a serious contribution into the prosperity and fortification of
our homeland.

As the head of Artsakh State University Council I attach particular
importance to the University’s continual aspiration of becoming an
institution satisfying the modern standards of higher education, the
graduates of which will be in great demand in various spheres. This
objective requires the necessity of joint and systematized steps by the
NKR Government, the administration and the teaching staff of the higher
educational institution. I believe that the purposive initiatives will
bear the desirable results and the fame of our well-earned Artsakh
State University will spread beyond the boundaries of our Republic
in near future.

I convey my congratulations to the whole staff of Artsakh State
University in connection with the significant event of anniversary once
more and wish them great successes, power and purposefulness in the
hard and honorable efforts to continue the centuries-old traditions
of the Armenian university education in a new way.

NKR Prime Minister A.Haroutyunyan

Last Hero of the Soviet Union residing in Armenia passed away
15.11.2009 17:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Suren Sargsyan, the last of 103 Heroes of the Soviet
Union residing in Armenia passed away in Yerevan on November 15.
Sargsyan celebrated his 85th birthday on October 1. He was honored
with the supreme order in 1945.

Right Vision News
November 12, 2009 Thursday

Turkey: Zero problems with minorities?

Pakistan

Pakistan, Nov. 12 — A meeting with the US president in the White
House, a meeting with the vice president and a formal dinner in his
honor at the vice presidential residence, a dinner hosted by the
secretary of state honoring his visit, a lunch in his honor hosted by
the House of Representatives and Senate leaders at US Capitol and
conferences organized at Georgetown University and the Brookings
Institution.All these compliments for a visitor from Turkey to the
American capital. No, it wasn’t President Abdullah Gul or Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an who visited Washington.

There is no way they would be welcomed like that. In fact, let alone
the president and prime minister, we haven’t seen any Turkish official
or any other person from Turkey receive as much praise in Washington
ever before. So what is the name of the Turkish citizen who was deemed
worthy of this extraordinary protocol and treatment? Bartholomew.
Those who see him as the religious leader of a small Greek Orthodox
minority in Turkey and as a counterpart to the district governor of
Fatih in the line of protocol generally refer to him as the "Greek
Patriarch at Fener." Those — including many states around the world
and especially the US — who see him as the leading spiritual leader
of the approximately 300 million Orthodox Christians in the world
refer to him as "His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch."There is a
wonderful phrase in Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s works that goes "A person
who closes his eyes makes it dark for just himself." The respect to
the Patriarchate and its connections transcended Turkey’s borders a
long time ago, whereas it is belittled, excluded and deprived of due
attention by some segments of the Turkish state and society. Wouldn’t
it be better if we kept the Patriarchate happy and tried to benefit
from it to assist Turkey’s national interests and especially its image
promotion, instead of making it upset over frivolous issues and
creating a pother in the international scene? Which other lobby in
Turkey, that we hope to get support, or consulting company, which
costs us millions of dollars, has the power and esteem to get Western
leaders to respectfully wait hand and foot on them?If we don’t take
offense in spending money and trying to persuade foreign men to work
in our favor, then why should we take offense in working with the
leaders and members of minority groups that came from the heart of
this country? It is known that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
supports Turkey’s EU membership. I don’t think it’s very difficult to
carry this perspective to America as well. We just need to be able to
overcome antiquated narrow national security considerations and
socio-psychological obstacles.Religious and ethnic minority issues top
the list of issues that "we’ve closed our eyes to" since the Republic
of Turkey was established. By simply igoring the facts, we thought the
Kurdish issue would be solved, what we did to Armenians would be
forgotten, Alevis would stop complaining about discrimination and the
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate would lose its "ecumenical" status. The
current democratic initiative that the state and civil society are
carrying out in the above-mentioned areas constitutes one of the most
notable steps in terms of reopening Turkey’s eyes to the facts and
rejuvenating its historical wisdom.There is benefit in extending the
democratic initiative process to include all problematic areas, and
handling the issues as smaller pieces of the bigger picture. I know
that there are major responsibilities and burdens on the shoulders of
the state, which has awakened from many years of sleep, and especially
President Gul and the Erdo?an government, which are leading this
process by taking great political risks. But if problems are not
evaluated as a whole within a conceptual framework and coordinated
works are not carried out, there could be an erosion of credibility
both inside and outside the country.Indeed, Turkey is carrying out
initiatives for the sake of its own national interests and domestic
peace, not to look cute for others. On the other side, international
human rights agreements signed by Ankara and the expectations of
multinational institutions where Turkey is a member cannot be
overlooked. The initiatives are also a requirement of the
"value-oriented" realist foreign policy line, which the highest
authorities proclaim Turkey has adopted. Making peace with its
minorities will add strength to Turkey’s power, reinforce its national
security and increase its respect and influence in the international
scene.I think I have developed a better understanding of the minority
psychology ever since I came to America. For example the killing of 13
people in a fusillade opened by an American Muslim major against his
fellow soldiers in Texas on Thursday was perhaps nothing more than an
unfortunate piece of news for most of those living in Turkey that
won’t have any effect on their daily lives.

But despite the generally prudent attitudes of the state, media and
intellectuals, the Muslim minority in America is on pins and needles,
worried that the incident will incite Islamophobia and push extremists
in society to carry out hate crimes.Some capitals in the Muslim world
including Ankara are supporting efforts to fight against Islamophobia
and that gives us a little sense of comfort. On the other hand, if and
when Turkey can overcome its minority phobia and address their fair
complaints its ability to stand for Muslim brothers and
Turkish-Kurdish kin in the US and Europe will improve.In my opinion,
"zero problems with minorities" within the context of the democratic
initiative should be an equally important goal as our "zero problems
with neighbors" policy. Initiatives being carried out inside and
outside are supplementary per se. The fruits of the democratic
initiative will give momentum to Turkish foreign policy’s regional and
global initiatives. Imagine a Turkey that has zero problems with all
its minorities and majority members that have a minority psychology
for various reasons. It is that kind of Turkey that would truly be a
"soft power" or a "smart power." Published by HT Syndication with
permission from Right Vision News.

Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Nov 13 2009

Turkey’s EU negotiator urges Swedish parliament not to adopt Armenian bill

Stockholm, 13 November: Turkish State Minister & Chief Negotiator for
the EU talks Egemen Bagis said on Friday [13 November] that Turkey was
not disregarding its problems any more but try to solve them.

"If we work hand in hand, Turkey may become the centre of peace and
tranquillity in its region in the next 10 years," Bagis said.

Bagis took the floor at "Security and Development Policies Institute",
and at a meeting where journalists, representatives of think-tank
organizations and politicians attended and briefed them about the
developments in Turkey and relations with the EU.

Releasing a statement after the talks, Bagis said the decisions made
related with the Armenian allegations in the congress of Social
Democrat Party in Sweden regarding 1915 incidents offended Turkish
people.

"I hope the decisions in question would not be passed from the Swedish
Parliament," Bagis said.

Bagis later proceeded to Swedish Parliament and met Swedish
Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Goran Lennmark.

Lennmark extended support to Turkey’s EU bid and noted that Turkey’s
membership to the EU would be in the interests of both parties. He
also eulogized Turkey’s reforms.

Bagis is expected to attend a lunch to be hosted by International
Development Cooperation Minister Gunilla Carlsson and later have a
tete-a-tete meeting with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.

ALIYEV DISCREDITS EFFICIENCY OF OSCE MG MISSION

news.am
Nov 13 2009
Armenia

In the course of his official visit to Belarus, Ilham Aliyev again
made warlike statements, casting doubt on efficiency of the current
negotiation stage on Karabkah issue settlement.

According to Haberleri information broadcasted by Azerbaijani Aztv,
speaking in the Belarus state university, Aliyev said that the
undertaken efforts on Karabakh peace process are ineffectual.

Aliyev underlined that Azerbaijani refugees still leave in inhuman
conditions, forgetting about "major economic upsurge and authorities’
care over Azeri people" that Azeri TV channels hourly report.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE

Friday, November 13, 2009

Writers’ Union of Armenia Opens a Printing House with AGBU’s Help

Continuing its strong support of cultural programs, particularly its
contribution to the development of Armenian literature and book
publishing both in Armenia and the diaspora, the Armenian General
Benevolent Union (AGBU) has expanded its cooperation with the Writers’
Union of Armenia. With the financial support of AGBU, WUA has published
works of Armenian writers and organized pan-Armenian conferences.

With a new initiative to promote book publishing, Armenian General
Benevolent Union has sponsored the establishment of a printing house at
the Writers’ Union of Armenia, which will carry the name of prominent
Armenian-American writer Levon Zaven Surmelian. Funds have been provided
by the "AGBU Levon Zaven Surmelian Fund" for the purchase of the
necessary printing equipment. Months ago, the same fund had also
sponsored the publication of Levon Zaven Surmelian’s textbook,
Techniques of Prose: Measure and Madness, in Eastern Armenian as part of
the "History of Literature: XX Century" series.

The official opening ceremony of the "AGBU Levon Zaven Surmelian
Printing House" took place at the Writers’ Union of Armenia on November
3 with the participation of AGBU President Berge Setrakian and WUA
Chairman Levon Ananian.

"Having our own printing house has been the dream of our writers for
decades. Even in Soviet times we could not realize this dream. And
today, despite all the hardships, despite the global economic crisis,
the Armenian General Benevolent Union extended a helping hand and so we
have our modern printing house. Surmelian is one of our prominent
writers and his name will be on every book published here," said Ananian
during his speech.

"Levon Zaven Surmelian was a great writer and a great philanthropist.
This is our tribute of respect to keep his memory alive in his
homeland," said Setrakian. He highlighted the efforts of Torkom
Postajian, Surmelian’s executor, towards the creation of the newly
opened printing house.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN ATTENDS THE OPENING OF THE AMERICA BANK HEADQUARTERS

armradio.am
12.11.2009 18:22

President Serzh Sargsyan attended the opening ceremony for the
headquarters of the Ameria Bank in Yerevan.

The President walked about the newly constructed building and
familiarized with the process of provision of high-level banking
services through contemporary technologies.

President of the Board of Directors of the Ameria Ruben Vardanyan
briefly presented the development programs of the bank

President Sargsyan wished success to the leadership and staff of the
bank in accomplishing their programs.

SOUTH CAUCASUS RAILWAYS (SCR) HELPS CREATE 1,915 NEW JOBS

ARKA
Nov 12, 2009

YEREVAN, November 12, /ARKA/. The South Caucasus Railways (SCR) company
said in a statement today that since its inception 26 companies have
been founded in Armenia whose activities are related to the railroad
facilities, ranging from production of special clothes to production
of cables and sleepers.

The statement said as a result 1,915 new jobs were created, ‘which
means that the SCR is fulfilling and overfullfilling its social
commitments and guarantees.’

The statement said also thanks to a correct investment and personnel
policies, the company has managed to preserve its staff, especially
young employees and workers. It also said that unlike many other
companies affected by the global crisis, the South Caucasus Railways
did not cut its personnel, neither their wages. It even created
new jobs.

In 2007 the Armenian government called tenders for a 30-year
concession to modernize and operate Armenian Railways. An Indian
RITES and Russian Railways qualified to bid, but the Indian company
withdrew. The Russian Railways was the only bidder and has set up
South Caucasian Railway as a subsidiary to run the Armenian Railway.

The concession agreement was concluded for 30 years, with a right of
extension for another 20 years after the first 20 years of operation.

LEVON ARONIAN HOLDS 3RD POSITION AT MIKHAIL TAL MEMORIAL 2009

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.11.2009 13:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian holds the 3rd
position at Mikhail Tal Memorial 2009. India’s Viswanathan Anand and
Russia’s Vladimir Kramnik share the 1st and 2nd positions.

ARMENIANS DO NOT CONSIDER THEMSELVES EUROPEANS

News.am
Nov 11 2009
Armenia

86% of Armenian citizens do not consider themselves Europeans but
Armenians, said Tevan Poghosyan, Executive Director of International
Center for Human Development at the discussions organized by Civilitas
foundation. According to him, soon the results of research conducted
by his organization will be available for public.

Poghosyan stated that often the commitment to make reforms in the
certain field or adopt a law remains ink on paper, as society is not
ready to European integration. He underlined that Armenia made choice
for EU in 1991 and should not glance back at Russia that opposes
the idea. The expert is confident that it is necessary to be guided
by national interests, but not shuffle everything off to friendship
with Russia. The latter might forget about century- long friendship
with Armenia or Belarus in the right time.

Meanwhile, Internews Armenia NGO director Nune Sargsyan expressed
confidence that Russia is a constraining factor on Armenia’s way to
European integration. She is sure that while choosing between Russia
and Europe, Armenia should side with the latter.