Author: Hovhannisian John

ARMENIA CAN BENEFIT FROM NORMAL RELATIONS WITH TURKEY: SERZH SARGSYAN

Tert.am
16:18 05.10.09

During the week-long Pan-Armenian Tour, Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan met with representatives from different Armenian national
organizations and structures from the Western United States and Latin
America at Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on October 4.

Referring to Armenian-Turkish political dialogue, Sargsyan said
negotiations with Turkey have taken place since Armenia’s independence
and only recently have they been made public.

Sargsyan attached importance not only to the will to be consistent
in following one’s purpose in any negotiation, but also the time
and situation in which they are held, expressing confidence that
it has been quite favourable for Armenia in terms of strengthening
its purposes.

As announced by the press office of the Armenian president, speaking
on the presigned Armenian-Turkish Protocols, President Sargsyan said,
"Yes, I believe it is possible to hold normal negotiations, to have
normal relations with Turkey and not to lose but rather benefit
from it."

The Armenian Benevolent General Union organized a gala banquet, which
took place after the meeting at the Hilton, in honour of President
Sargsyan. More than 500 member of Diasporan communites from the
Western United States and Latin America were present at the gala.

During a speech made at the gala, Sargsyan said:

"One of the reasons why today there are 120 different types of
hyphenated Armenians (Armenian-American, Armenian-Argentinean,
Armenian-Brazilian, and so on) is Turkey. The Turkey of the 19th,
20th century. But the sorrow of losing one’s loved one, family,
home is, perhaps, measured by thousands of years… But today, we
still don’t see repentance; even more so, we face denial. We see a
vain expectation that our voice will be heard less over time. How
unfortunate. Our sorrow is deep. Our loss is inconsolable. It is
impossible to silence our voice. Our spirit is unbending. We have
all this. But we also lack some ties impedes us very much…

"Future Armenia will be such as we dream, plan and build it
today. Alexander Tamanyan was dreaming, planning and beginning to
build the capital for all-Armenians, Yerevan. The following generations
really lived in the capital dreamt by Tamanyan. Of course, time made
its inevitable edits, but, I repeat, we lived in that city. Today, the
situation is the same. Our future country will be such as we imagine
it. What is necessary in the first place is trust, which Tamanyan had:
first in himself; second, in the future of Armenians. I am here also
for that reason, for us to renew our trust in our own abilities and
in future."

ASHOT DANIELYAN WINS BRONZE AT ASLAMBEK ASLAKHANOV TOURNAMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.10.2009 17:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian sambo wrestler Ashot Danielyan (74 kg)
won bronze at Aslambek Aslakhanov tournament held in Saint Petersburg
from October 1 to 4.

In the semi-final, Danielyan was beaten by 2008 champ Sergey Shibanov
(Russia).

Aslambek Aslakhanov tournament is one of four stages of Sambo
World Cup.

ARMENIA NO LONGER TO BE AN ISOLATED STATE

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.10.2009 17:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA President’s meeting with Armenian community
members is very important for us, AAC Eastern Eparchy Primate and
National Council of Churches USA Chairman, Archbishop Vigen Haykazyan
said, commenting upon Serzh Sargsyan’s meeting with Armenian community
representatives in Los Angeles. He also expressed support to Armenian
authorities’ position on Armenian-Turkish ties.

Nevertheless, Archbishop stressed the need for clarifying certain
clauses in Armenian-Turkish Protocols. Armenian Diaspora, he said,
was formed as a result of Genocide, hence such basis cannot be erased
from people’s minds.

ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH GIVES POSITIVE ASSESSMENT TO ALL-ARMENIAN DISCUSSION OF THE PROTOCOLS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.10.2009 16:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Supreme Spiritual Council convened a meeting
on September 30 in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, under
the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians. Following discussion on the process
aimed at normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations and the associated
ongoing discussions, the Supreme Spiritual Council made the following
statement:

"The Supreme Spiritual Council welcomes the process to establish
diplomatic ties free of preconditions between Armenia and Turkey and
the process to normalize Armenian-Turkish relations, for the sake
of regional security, preservation of peace and the development of
regional cooperation.

The Supreme Spiritual Council positively assesses the pan-Armenian
discussions currently taking place surrounding this process.

The Supreme Spiritual Council considers as natural and understandable
the concerns of Armenians living in Armenia, Artsakh and the
Diaspora, within the context of the bitter historical experience
of our people with Turkey, Turkey’s official policy of denying the
Armenian Genocide, Turkey’s intolerant position expressed toward the
Republic of Armenia, as well as the formulations contained in the
yet to be signed protocols regarding Armenian-Turkish relations that
have caused various interpretations, and the unacceptable statements
coming from the Turkish side associated with this process. In this
regard, the Supreme Spiritual Council reconfirms that the Armenian
Genocide is an indisputable fact, as is the right to independence
for the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh and the self-determination of
the Armenians of Artsakh. Our people and authorities shall never
abdicate the pursuit and defense of our just national rights.

The Supreme Spiritual Council exhorts all sons and daughters of our
nation to show utmost vigilance and reason to avoid nation-damaging
polarization, and united to face the challenges before our people.

The Supreme Spiritual Council appeals for the assistance of our Lord
Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the authorities of
the Republic of Armenia, so that they lead the process of normalizing
Armenian-Turkish relations to a successful conclusion, for the sake
of our people’s cherished and vital interests.

PRESIDENT OF THE NKR MEETS WITH SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS KAREKIN II

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 29, 2009
STEPANAKERT

STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS: On 28 September President of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan met with Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II who arrived in Artsakh to
participate in solemn celebrations dedicated to the 20th anniversary
of reopening the Artsakh Diocese of the One Holy Universal Apostolic
Orthodox Armenian Church.

Central Information Department of the office of the NKR President told
Armenpress that a wide range of issues related to relations between
the state and the church, socio-economic situation in Artsakh, and
the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict were discussed
at the meeting.

The president highlighted the visit of the Supreme Patriarch to
Artsakh, noting that that it would duly contribute to the development
of spiritual life in NKR.

The importance of steady deepening the state-church interrelations
and carrying out important religious events in Artsakh was mutually
underlined.

Touching upon the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict
Bako Sahakyan noted that the official Stepanakert is a proponent of
peaceful settlement and the restoration of the full-fledged negotiation
format. The President again underlined that independence and security
of Artsakh cannot be matters of discussions.

The primate of the Artsakh Diocese Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan,
and supreme hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church partook at
the meeting.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN CONGRATULATES CHANCELLOR MERKEL ON VICTORY

armradio.am
29.09.2009 15:38

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message to the
Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, on the occasion of the victory of
the Christian Democrats in the parliamentary elections in Germany. The
message reads:

"Dear Mrs. Merkel,

On behalf of the Armenian people and myself I congratulate you on the
occasion of the victory of the party headed by you in the elections
to the Bunderstag of the Federal Republic of Germany.

I’m confident that the government formed as a result of your decisive
victory will contribute to the further prosperity of Germany, the
reinforcement and development of peace in Europe, as well as the
expansion and deepening of the Armenian-German relations.

I want to avail myself of the opportunity to wish you good luck and
happiness to the friendly people of Germany. In accordance with the
agreements reached during our meting in Munich, I invite you to visit
Armenia any time convenient to you."

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-

PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext. 202
Fax: +37410. 565601
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

Foreign Minister of Armenia continues his meetings in New York

On September 26, Foreign Minister of Armenia who is in New York with a
working visit participated in the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the
Collective Security Treaty Organization’s member states.

Foreign Ministers of the CSTO member states discussed several issues
of the agenda – particularly, the coordination of foreign policy
within the UN and other international structures, European and
international security, as well as the issues concerning the UN
General Assembly’s agenda.

On the same day, Edward Nalbandian had meetings with Foreign Ministers
of Russia, Austria, Switzerland, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Australia, Canada
and Iran.

During warm and ingenuous meeting with Foreign Minister of Russia
Sergey Lavrov a number of bilateral, regional and international issues
were discussed.

Edward Nalbandian informed Sergey Lavrov about the details of the
steps undertaken for the normalization of relations between Armenia
and Turkey.

At the meeting between Foreign Minister of Serbia Vuk Jeremic and
Edward Nalbandian, they both expressed satisfaction with the
intensification of bilateral cooperation in different areas during the
recent period, which was marked by the official visit of the President
of Serbia to Yerevan by the invitation of the President of Armenia.

Edward Nalbandian presented to his Serbian counterpart the process of
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and the recent
developments in the negotiation process for the settlement of Artsakh
(Nagorno Karabakh) issue. Vuk Jeremic expressed his gratitude for the
balanced position of Armenia on Kosovo issue and presented the legal
process on Kosovo in the International Court of Justice and the
expectations of the Serbian side. Vuk Jeremic reaffirmed the
invitation for Edward Nalbandian to visit Belgrade.

In the course of the meeting with the newly appointed Foreign Minister
of Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev Edward Nalbandian congratulated him on
the appointment as Foreign Minister of friendly Kazakhstan and
expressed the determination of Armenia to support the next year
chairmanship of Kazakhstan in the OSCE.

Ministers Nalbandian and Saudabayev had a detailed discussion on
issues concerning the ways of the development of Armenian-Kazakh
cooperation, the coordination of activity within the international
organizations and the OSCE activity.

In course of the meeting between Edward Nalbandian and
Foreign Minister of Austria Michael Spindelegger the two discussed the
ways for the expansion of bilateral cooperation, Armenia-European
Union relationship and the possibilities of partnership between the
two countries within that framework. On Minister Spindelegger’s
request Edward Nalbandian presented the process and perspectives of
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, as well as the recent
developments in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) peace process. During the
meeting with Foreign Minister of Australia Hon Stephen Smith they had
an interested discussion on the practical steps and ways aimed at the
promotion of cooperation between Armenia and Australia. Ministers
exchanged views on some actual issues of international relations and
discussed possibility of rapprochement of cooperation within the
frameworks of the UN. Minister Smith attached importance to the
contribution of the Australian Armenian community in the life of the
country in different fields and mentioned that it could become a
unique bridge between Armenia and Australia for the expansion of
cooperation. Edward Nalbandian invited his Australian counterpart to
visit Yerevan to continue the started dialogue.

During the meeting with Foreign Minister of Canada Lawrence Cannon
Edward Nalbandian discussed issues concerning the cooperation between
the two countries in international organizations. They also touched
upon the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.

On the same day Armenian Foreign Minister met Foreign Minister of Iran
Manouchehr Mottaki. They discussed issues of bilateral relations
agenda and regional developments.

On Iranian Foreign Minister’s request, Edward Nalbandian presented the
process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.

Foreign Minister of Iran presented to the Armenian Foreign Minister
the recent developments on Iran’s nuclear program.

In course of the negotiations with Head of the Swiss Federal
Department of Foreign Affairs Micheline Calmy-Rey Minister Nalbandian
touched upon the issues concerning the expansion of cooperation areas
between the two countries and mentioned that the opening of the Office
of Diplomatic Mission of Switzerland in Yerevan could play a serious
role in that process. Foreign Minister of Armenian thanked his Swiss
counterpart for supporting the process of normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations. -0-

Vartabedian: Disposable Camera Cures Vacation Fever

artabedian-disposable-camera-cures-vacation-fever/
By Tom Vartabedian – on September 20, 2009

I lowered myself to the depths of embarrassment recently. With all the
gumption I could muster, I invested $9.95 into a disposable camera.

It wasn’t by accident, I can assure you. It was a well-calculated and
desperate move on my part from which I had no other recourse.

The purchase came in Newport, R.I., home of the accidental tourist
where photography is a way of life in capturing life’s precious
moments.

I had come totally unprepared, leaving my equipment back home.

You’re looking at someone who happens to be a photographer by design,
someone who owns an entire arsenal of cameras and equipment. I earned
my living from pictures.

If working as a photojournalist for a paper didn’t suffice, I extended
my energy to include weddings and anything else that would fatten my
wallet.

At one time when I had installed a darkroom in the house, my wife
resigned herself into becoming a photographer’s widow. She accused me
of being a groundhog.

One day she told me, `If you come out of your hole and see your
shadow, that’s three more months of hard winter.’

So why all this hullabaloo about a throw-away camera? It was a matter
of ethics.

`You’re not bringing cameras along,’ she mandated, laying down the
law. `This is no workingman’s holiday. We’re going on a get-away and
that’s that. You’re supposed to be retired and all you do is work.’
It’s true. My columns continue and my photography is more active than
ever, especially with two junkets to Armenia and other ports of call.

She has every right to complain. I’m my own worst enemy when it comes
to vacations. I’ve been known to pull my car over in traffic to
capture a photo opportunity. I have climbed trees and dangled out of
buildings to land the right shot.

It’s the adventurer in me. If I see a seagull perched upon a wharf
post, I must play every angle and make sure the sun is in the correct
spot. If it’s during the night shift, I pull out a tripod and get
right down to business.

Having turned digital has only heightened the interest.

I love taking pictures and often display my own work. It’s the work of
others I often find tedious and uneventful. The height of ecstasy for
me is a neighbor who takes a thousand images of his trip without
removing the lens cap.

So there we were at Newport, meandering the streets of this resort
area which is known for its opulent mansions and dream-like
vessels. All was going well until we stumbled upon a fishery with
boats pulling into harbor and crewmen coming forth with the day’s
catch.

There were subjects everywhere, worthy to be captured for my
portfolio. Oh, how I longed for a camera. The thirst was unquenchable
as I saw one possibility after another unfold before my eyes.

There were artisans pursuing their craft, children with cherub-looking
faces, elderly in a gracious spirit.
My only recourse was an instant camera that would do the job. I mean,
how bad can a disposable really be? Others have used it with marginal
success. All I wanted was something to record the moment.

My opportunity arose when the wife suddenly excused herself to visit a
dress shop. `Don’t get lost,’ she said. `I’ll only be a minute.’

Knowing I had at least an hour, I noticed a camera shop nearby and
moved surreptitiously. All that nonsense you hear about disposable
cameras were suddenly laid to rest.

The clerk had a number of them on display. Some came with a built-in
flash for indoor use. I selected a multi-faceted one for outdoor shots
as well. You might say I bit the bullet.

`Look,’ he told me. `It’s the film, not the camera. This is just the
type you would use in any ordinary film camera.’

I shelled out the money and dashed out, sticking the entire works into
my pocket. It fit snug. I couldn’t do this with any other camera.

In the time it took my shopping guru to return, I had reeled off 28
shots. Just point and shoot. Simple as that. The camera was
idiot-proof.

`What’s that bulging from your pocket?’ asked the wife.

`Oh, nothing, just my hands,’ I replied sheepishly, sticking my
fingers inside. They remained inside my shorts until we arrived back
at the hotel. From there, the camera went straight to my toiletries
bag.

I must say, the results were better than I had anticipated – crisp,
colorful, and well concealed. I had everything I needed to show my
friends and not one of them asked what kind of camera I used.

Armenia faces dilemma: to fight the crisis and concurrently carry out
reforms
26.09.2009 17:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
Armenia is at early stages of building effective market relations and
institutions, Tigran Jrbashyan , former co-director of the
Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Center(AEPLAC), director in
development of Ameriabank told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"Unfortunately, we missed the important period, 18 years passed since
Independence Day, reforms that we carried out were partial and did not
been fulfilled, resulting in inadequate institutions we have now," he
said.

The country is in a completely different economic situation, and faces
a dilemma: to fight the crisis or carry out concurrent reforms, which
is very difficult. According to Tigran Jrbashyan, it was necessary to
restructure the economy and management system in conditions when the
economy experienced a double-digit growth, "now it is much more
difficult to do this".

Armenia needs reforms, Tigran Jrbashyan said. Unfortunately, reforms
are made when it is bad," he said. However, according to him, "if we
approach the crisis as an opportunity for serious reforms, the
different stakeholders would reach a consensus on these reforms.

"I hope the next 15 years will be much more productive in respect to
reforms and the development of effective market relations and
institutions, than it was before. I am an optimist and I think that
Armenia will manage the situation, since our nation in times of crisis
is able to jump above the head,’ Tigran Jrbashyan said.

Serzh Sargsyan and Peter Semneby discussed RA-Turkish rapprochement
issue
25.09.2009 20:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA President Serzh Sargsyan met EU special
representative for South Caucasus, Peter Semneby in Yerevan. The
parties focused on development of RA-EU collaboration, emphasizing the
positive influence of Eastern Partnership project.

Serzh Sargsyan and Peter Semneby discussed RA-Turkish rapprochement
issue. Serzh Sargsyan noted that the parties agreed to normalize
relations without preconditions, adding that any violation of
agreement can fail the negotiation process.

In his turn, Semneby voiced EU’s support for rapprochement initiative,
expressing a hope for the success of the process.