Author: Hambardsumian Paul

NO ONE WILL FIGHT FOR ALIYEV

Lragir.am
07/05/2010

The deputy Defense Minister Vahan Shirkhanyan said on May 7 that he
prefers the candidacy of Iran to Turkey as a mediator in the NKR
issue. According to him, Turkey is a conflicting party, while Iran is
a country which is interested in the peace in the region.

Vahan Shirkhanyan called on Turkey to stop inspiring Azerbaijan the
prospect for a military solution of the conflict. He says in
Azerbaijan, ordinary citizens have already reconciled with the loss of
Karabakh and there are only a few people who speak about the war.
Shirkhanyan says that the Azerbaijani soldiers are mainly
representatives of national minorities who do not want to fight for
Aliyev’s clan and for Azerbaijan. No war and no victory for them is
possible. Shirkhanyan says that the possible war could aggravate the
situation for Turkey too, as the situation in its eastern parts will
become unstable.

As to the threats of Azerbaijan concerning the Armenian nuclear power
plant, Vahan Shirkhanyan noted that nuclear plant has a high level of
defense.

US GOVERNMENT FUNDED MCA-ARMENIA PROGRAM DELIVERS WATER AND TRAINING TO FARMERS

armradio.am
07.05.2010 16:26

On May 7, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie L. Yovanovitch and Armenian
Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan opened 2.5 kilometers of the
8.5 kilometers that constitutes the Aygezard gravity irrigation
canal scheme (Ararat marz) rehabilitated under the Millennium
Challenge Account-Armenia (MCA-Armenia) Program. A farmer’s plot
at the 1.4 kilometer mark also was the scene for a number of other
important programmatic events, including the inauguration of the
200th Demonstration Site under MCA-Armenia’s Water-to-Market Activity.

Ambassador Yovanovitch and the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized
the impact of infrastructure rehabilitation on improving farming
practices and attitudes of farmers, including more effective irrigation
practices, transition to higher value agriculture, and ultimately-
increased profitability of Armenian farmers. They highlighted the
increased yields and other benefits that improved irrigation will
bring to Mr. Ashot Abrahamyan, a farmer who, through hard work and
ingenuity, has struggled to maintain his two hectares of apricot
orchards for 20 years, despite extreme scarcity of water. Over 11,
000 rural residents from Aygezard, Gintver and Nor Ughi communities
will benefit from the rehabilitation of this Aygezard gravity system.

Following the official speeches water was released into the completed
section of Aygezard gravity scheme, after which the dignitaries and
guests made a tour of the 200th Demonstration Site under MCA-Armenia’s
Water-to-Market activity, a drip irrigation system installed on a
hectare of apricot orchard.

This investment in Aygezard, is an important part of the 180 million
USD worth of agricultural assistance provided by the US Government
to Armenia through the Compact signed with the Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) in 2006. When completed in September 2011, the
MCA-Armenia Program expects to have refurbished major sections
of Armenia’s main canal systems, modernized some of the most
urgently needed pumping stations, introduced new gravity irrigation
schemes, re-built tertiary canals in communities across Armenia
and restored sections of the Ararat Valley Drainage system. The
MCA-Armenia Program is also training nearly 45,000 farmers in improved
agriculture practices, delivering technical assistance to water supply
institutions and providing 8,5 million USD in credit to farmers and
small agribusinesses in support of the program objectives.

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE UNDER WAY IN TBILISI

armradio.am
07.05.2010 16:54

An Armenian-Georgian scientific conference on "Tolerance as a
precondition for cooperation" kicked off in Tbilisi today. The event
has been organized by the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
and the Armenian Embassy in Georgia.

Opening speeches were delivered by the Rector of the Ivane
Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgy Khubara, Georgian
Minister of Education and Science Dmitry Shashkin, Deputy Head of
the EU Representation in Georgia Robin Lidel, Georgian Minister for
Reintegration Temur Yakobashvili, Armenian Ambassador to Georgia Hrach
Silvanyan, Rector of the Yerevan State University Aram Simonyan and
Political Adviser to the EU Representative for the South Caucasus
Kaupo Kand.

The conference features high-ranking officials of the European Union
accredited in Georgia, diplomats, politicians, representatives of
non-governmental organizations.

On May 8 participants of the conference are scheduled to visit the
Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian
Embassy. The same day they will visit Khojavank, the Pantheon of
Armenian writers and public figures.

HAYPOST TURNED OUT NEW STAMP DEDICATED TO THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VICTORY IN THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR

NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 7,2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. A new stamp dedicated to the 65th
anniversary of victory in the Great patriotic War was cancelled and
put into circulation on May 6. The stamp depicts the monument of
Mother Armenia and the Medal of the Great Patriotic War.

The stamp is designed by Hrayr Sevoyan, with a print-run of 40 000,
nominal value of 350 and was printed in Argentina /"Letra Viva"
printing house/.

The official ceremony was attended by RA Minister of transport and
communication Manuk Vardanyan, "Haypost Trust Management" Director
Juan Pablo Gechidjian, Haypost CJSC acting director general Arman
Khachaturyan, and President of the Philatelists’ Union of Armenia
Hovik Musaelyan, as well as by other esteemed guests.

ARMENIAN BLOG FEEDS SITE INCLUDES AROUND 110 BLOGS

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 7, 2010 – 19:14 AMT 14:14 GMT

Armenian Blog Feeds site, which is created to systematize the field
of Armenian blogs, includes around 110 blogs.

"We want Internet to be used also as a source of knowledge in Armenia.

That is why we support development of thematic blogs in Armenia,"
Head of the project Vardan Papikyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

Mr. Papikyan and expert in information security, blogger Samvel
Martirosyan believe that there are around 500 active bloggers in
Armenia. According to the results of unofficial census conducted
by Martirosyan for the fourth time on his blog, LiveJournal system
includes 190 Armenian bloggers worldwide. "These are those bloggers,
who have disclosed their names, making around 10% of all Armenian
bloggers in LiveJournal system," Martirosyan said.

However, Blogspot and WordPress platforms start enjoying greater
popularity in Armenia today. "It is more convenient to monetize,
index blogs at these platforms. Besides, the access to international
audience is easier through them," Samvel Martirosyan said.

STEPAN SAFARYAN: ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS ARE ON THE WAY TO THE DUSTBIN
Lusine Vasilyan

"Radiolur"
06.05.2010 17:25

The Armenian authorities had to know that bargaining plays a great
role in Turkey’s foreign policy. They either had to use the same
arsenal or make Turkey communicate on a higher level, Head of the
Heritage Faction Stepan Safaryan told a press conference today.

According to him, "the Armenian-Turkish protocols are on the way to
the dustbin, not the fridge."

The Heritage does not believe the protocols provide for the normative
framework for the process of the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation.

"Since we see serious problems connected with the protocols, we
consider that the most correct option in the current situation is to
start relations through exchange of simple diplomatic notes without
touching upon other issues. The protocols should be left aside,"
Stepan Safaryan said.

NEGOTIATION PROCESS ON KARABAKH TO TAKE 3-5 YEARS: ARMAN MELIKYAN

news.am
May 6 2010
Armenia

Azerbaijan seeks to accelerate Karabakh peace process and achieve
outcome it dreams of, and negotiation process goes ahead in accordance
with its wishes, NKR Former Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan told
journalists.

He deems that Azerbaijan’s statements on walk out of the talks amount
to claims on war resumption. "As to withdrawal of Armenian troops from
some Karabakhi territories, it is Azerbaijan’s wish and Armenia should
not respond to it," he said, adding that if Armenia once responds,
it will do so urged by Russia only and not Azerbaijan or Turkey.

"Russia’s objective is to profoundly reestablish in Azerbaijan. From
this viewpoint, part of NKR territories might become a matter of
bargain that Russia will use to strengthen positions in Azerbaijan,"
Melikyan stated.

Melikyan considers that changes in talks’ format are possible, though
it requires new conditions. "Active negotiation process on Karabakh
will take another 3-5 years," he concluded.

Armenian National Committee of the San Francisco Bay Area
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, California 94118
Web:
E-Mail: [email protected]
Tel: (415) 387-3433

PRESS RELEASE
April 28, 2010
Contact: Matt Senekeremian
Tel: (415) 387-3433

WALK FOR REMEMBRANCE AND FILM SCREENING HIGHLIGHT SF COMMEMORATIONS
Mayor Newsom calls on President and Congress to recognize Armenian Genocide

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—The Bay Area Armenian Community rallied together on
April 24th to commemorate the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and
expressed its outrage regarding President Obama’s statement which refrained
from using the term genocide. A walkathon and commemoration ceremony were
hosted by the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Northern
California, which encompasses all Armenian organizations including the
Armenian National Committee of the San Francisco Bay Area (ANC SF Bay Area)
and the Armenian Youth Federation "Rosdom" San Francisco Chapter. The
following Tuesday, the ANC SF Bay Area hosted a screening of the genocide
documentary film, "The River Ran Red".

The first event of the day was the "Walk for Remembrance" walkathon across
the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. More than 800 participants, some from as far
east as Sacramento and as far south as Monterey, came out to help raise
awareness about the Armenian Genocide. The event commenced on the San
Francisco side of the bridge with prayers offered by San Francisco Bay area
clergy and culminated on the Marin County side of the bridge. Joining
community activists for the walk across the bridge were several special
guests including Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director
Aram Hamparian as well as members of the Darfur Coalition, Members of the
Rwandan community, and a Holocaust survivor.

Later that day, the community gathered at Saint Ignatius Church in San
Francisco for a commemorative event featuring several local public officials
including San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, California Assembly Member Tom
Torlakson, California State Senator Joe Simitian, and US Representative
Jackie Speier.

In the opening remarks of the evening, Mayor Newsom thanked the elected
community of San Francisco support on the issue and noted that he was "glad
to be Mayor of a city that stands on the side of truth, justice, and human
rights. It is time for the President and Congress to do the right thing and
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide."

Congresswoman Speier recalled her childhood upbringing noting how her
mother’s constant reminders about her Armenian heritage inspire her to
remain committed to the Armenian community promised those gathered that "I
will continue to fight for just recognition of the Armenian Genocide."

Senator Simitian spoke about the importance of recognition while Assembly
Member Torlakson reiterated his commitment to work with the Armenian
National Committee and presented a proclamation congratulating the efforts
of the event organizers.

Delivering the keynote address for the evening, Hamparian discussed the
importance of recognition and justice. Pointing to past precedent and the
contribution of ongoing denial to the continuing cycle of genocide,
Hamparian reminded those in attendance that the just pursuit of this issue
is not only in the interests of the Armenian community, but America as a
whole and even the voices of truth in Turkey that remain repressed by their
own government today.

As part of the evening’s program, students from the KZV Armenian School in
San Francisco performed two musical pieces and a poem in honor of the
victims of the Armenian Genocide.

On April 27th the ANC SF Bay Area also hosted a screening of the
documentary, "The River Ran Red" with film director Dr. J. Michael Hagopian.
The film, the final installment of the "Witness" trilogy, was screened at
the San Francisco Public Library. Over 150 people attended the event which
was followed by a lively question and answer session with Hagopian.

The Armenian National Committee of the San Francisco Bay Area advances the
social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the area’s Armenian
American community and promotes increased Armenian American civic
participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

EUROPE TO GO AHEAD NOT FORGETTING 1915 TRAGIC EVENTS

news.am
May 4 2010
Armenia

Europe should move ahead and build future, but doing this is impossible
with burying the past. In this context one cannot forget tragic the
events of 1915 in Ottoman Empire, said the head of European regional
mission Jean-Paul Vahle, opening the 23rd European regional session
of Parliamentary Assembly of Francophonie held in Yerevan.

"Albert Camus said that each one should do his bit into the development
of his county remembering and not burying in oblivion the past,"
he noted. Parliamentarian recalled the names of renowned Armenians
artists like Arshile Gorky, Charles Aznavour, Edward Balagour and Henri
Verneuil. "I am not comfortable seeing the film with tragic fate of
great artist Arshile Gorky telling details about Armenian Genocide,"
he added.

He also noted that Armenian and Turkish people should overcome
difficulties and establish relations despite the severe historical
scars.

Tuesday morning, session attendees laid flowers to the memorial of
terrorist attack victims in RA Parliament on October 27, 1999. The
guests also plan to visit Genocide museum and lay a wreath to
Genocide memorial. The participants will also visit Etchmiadzin,
ancient Armenian churches as well as pagan temple of Garni.

RUSSIAN MFA RECEIVED NO OFFICIAL PROPOSAL FROM AZERBAIJAN OVER TURKEY’S OSCE MG CO-CHAIRMANSHIP

Panorama.am
30/04/2010

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not received official
proposal from Azerbaijan over Turkey’s co-chairmanship in the OSCE
Minsk Group, said Spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Andrei Nesterenko, according to RIA Novosti.

"As an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, Russia didn’t receive such proposal.

In any case, at least agreement of the conflict parties is needed
to make the issue practical. We can hardly expect such agreement,
taking into consideration the suspension of the ratification of
Armenia-Turkey normalization protocols," Nesterenko said.