ARMENIAN JUNIOR CHESS PLAYERS WIN LEBANESE CHAMPS
Aysor
April 29 2010
Armenia
Armenia’s Chess Federation has released list of junior chess players,
who were titled as winners of the Lebanese Youth Chess Championship.
Among listed young players are Hrak Gylypozian (U12), Jirayr Ognayan
(U20), Narut Gylypozian (U8), Arin Tashchian (U10), Christel Hovsepian
(U12), and Meghri Kirakosian (U20).
TURKEY’S DIPLOMAT FERIDUN SINIRLIOGLU TO VISIT ISRAEL
Aysor
April 29 2010
Armenia
Turkey’s Special Envoy for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Feridun
Sinirlioglu will pay a visit to Israel on Sunday, 1News.az agency
reported citing Russian service TRT.
Within the framework of the visit Sinirlioglu is reported to meet with
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Yossi Gal. Besides, the visit is timed
to the 14th regular political consultations between Turkey and Israel.
It’s worth mentioning that Israeli Parliament approved the inclusion
of the item of the recognition of the Genocide of Armenians on the
agenda. The inclusion passed by approval of 12 lawmakers; 8 Israeli
lawmakers opposed the decision.
ARMENIAN MUSIC PLAYED IN TURKISH PARLIAMENT
news.am
April 29 2010
Armenia
A musical selection by Constantinople Armenian composer Sargis Effendi
(1885-1944) was played during the adjournment at the 28th Turkish
parliamentary session.
To date, the works by famous classics Johann Sebastian Bach and
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart have been mainly played in Turkish Parliament,
Turkish Milliyet daily reports.
Sargis Effendi is the son of famous Armenian master of kamancha in
Uskudar municipality of Istanbul. He moved to Paris with his family
in twilight years.
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ON NUCLEAR PLANT, ECONOMY, TURKEY TIES
Second TV Channel
April 27 2010
Armenia
The Armenian president has said that a safe operation of the country’s
Nuclear Power Plant is of "primary importance". Serzh Sargsyan was
speaking at a session of the Armenian Nuclear Energy Security Council.
He said that the global crisis had led to a decrease in the
consumption of gas and electricity in the country. He added, however,
that economic growth was already noticeable this year which, he said,
he believed would continue. The country has an energy security action
plan and pays special attention to integration into regional energy
markets and participation in regional projects, Armenian Second
TV Channel quoted him as saying. He noted that projects were being
successfully implemented with Iran, Georgia and Russia in the sphere
of gas transportation and electricity, the TV said. Sargsyan also noted
that although the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish ties has
been suspended "as a result of the inaction of the Turkish government",
Armenia still saw "a potential for exports of electricity to Turkey
and transit to countries of the Middle East". The following is text
of report by state-owned Armenian Second TV Channel on 27 April;
subheadings have been inserted editorially:
[Presenter] [Armenian] President Serzh Sargsyan and President of
the Nuclear [Energy] Security Council under the president Adolf
Birkhoffer have discussed the operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power
Plant and the commissioning of a new power unit. Their one-on-one
meeting preceded the opening of the 11th session of the Nuclear Energy
Security Council.
[Correspondent over video of meeting] The 11th session of the Nuclear
Security Council. Prior to it, President Sargsyan received Adolf
Birkhoffer, the president of the Nuclear Security Council. Sargsyan
attached great importance to energy and, in particular, nuclear
issues. He said that the international community has been displaying
an increased attention to the latter, which has been best proved by
the [12-13 April] international nuclear security summit in Washington.
On Washington summit
[Sargsyan speaking at session] During the summit, opinions were
exchanged on the most topical issues of ensuring nuclear security,
with a major focus on problems of controlling radioactive materials. A
new role which the International Atomic Energy Agency should assume
in this regard was especially noted.
[Correspondent over video of session] Discussing the safe operation
of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant and construction of a new power
unit, Birkhoffer highly assessed the work of the government under
the guidance of the Armenian president, and President Sargsyan – the
efforts of Mr Birkhoffer aimed at a safe operation of the Armenian
Nuclear Power Plant. In his speech at the opening of the council’s
session Sargsyan highly assessed the role of the Nuclear Security
Council.
[Sargsyan] We are grateful to him for his invaluable assistance in the
issue of increasing the nuclear safety of the nuclear power unit that
operates in the republic and maintaining it at an appropriate level.
Safe operation of nuclear plant "of primary importance"
[Correspondent over video of session] The president noted that the
safe operation of the existing nuclear power unit of the Armenian
nuclear plant remains to be one of the most pressing issues for the
government. He said that quite a lot of work has been done. He said
everything is being done to accomplish all necessary tasks quickly.
[Sargsyan] Although the safety of the operation of the Armenian
Nuclear Power Plant is at present a task of primary importance,
we believe that the issue of decommissioning its power units is no
less topical. Preparatory work in this sphere has already started
in the country. Development of plans on decommissioning the nuclear
power units of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is included in the
action plan of EU-Armenia cooperation. We plan to implement this in
connection with the commissioning of the new nuclear power unit.
Economic growth to continue
[Correspondent] Speaking about the impact of the world crisis on the
Armenian economy, the president said that it [crisis] has led to a
decrease in the volumes of natural gas and electricity consumption
but economic growth is already noticeable in the current year, and
this supposes an increase in the volumes of consumption of electricity
and gas.
[Sargsyan speaking at session] We believe this positive trend
[of economic growth] will continue. Natural gas tariffs increased
starting from 1 April this year. Not wishing to aggravate the social
condition of the population, we had left the final electricity
tariffs unchanged. Nevertheless, a decision was made to increase the
electricity production tariffs of the Armenian electric power plant
starting from 1 April this year.
Energy security action plan in place
[Correspondent] The president told the participants in the council’s
session that there is an energy security action plan, noting that
in its national energy policy Armenia pays special attention to the
issue of integration into regional energy markets and participation
in regional projects. He noted that projects are being successfully
implemented with Iran, Georgia and Russia both in the sphere of gas
transportation and electricity.
[Sargsyan] The Iran-Armenia gas pipeline was commissioned in May 2009.
The steam-gas energy unit at Yerevan thermal power plant has been
recently commissioned. Preparatory works on the construction of
intersystem energy transmission lines of a new voltage class for
Armenia – 400 kilovolts – with Iran and Georgia are successfully
advancing.
Potential for electricity exports to Turkey
[Correspondent over video of session] The president said normalization
of relations with Turkey and opening of the border could have
provided an opportunity to settle economic ties, in the sphere of
energy as well.
[Sargsyan] Although the process [of normalization of Armenian-Turkish
ties] has been suspended as a result of the inaction of the Turkish
government, we see a potential for exports of electricity to Turkey
and transit to countries of the Middle East.
[Correspondent] Accomplishing his speech the president said he was sure
that the session of the Nuclear Security Council under the president
will manage to hold a successful discussion on the aforementioned
issues and on issues of energy security in general.
TURKISH PROTESTERS BURN THE ARMENIAN FLAG IN ISTANBUL
Azat Artsakh Newspaper
April 26, 2010
Nagorno Karabakh Republic
Turkish Great Union Party members slammed the April 24 commemoration
event held in Taksim Square, Istanbul as tens of Turkish intellectuals
paid tribute to the memories of the Armenian Genocide victims and
shared the grief of the Armenian people. According to Haberturk,
a group of 70 Turkish nationalists have got together in the same
square to protest against the commemoration event, calling the
Turkish intellectuals Diaspora hirelings. With posters reading "How
many dollars per apology?" Turkish protesters tried to slander the
intellectuals. In conclusion, the protesters burnt the Armenian flag.
AZERBAIJANI DEFENSE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN CALLS ARMENIANS THIEVES AND VANDALS
ArmInfo
2010-04-29 11:25:00
ArmInfo. Azerbaijani Defense Ministry Spokesman Eldar Sabiroglu comes
out with usual anti-Armenian statements.
Thus Baku-based APA agency reported Sabiroglu as saying "in case
Azerbaijan starts to liberate the occupied lands, Armenia will be
inevitably defeated. Provision of our army with the modern weapons,
military vehicles, martial spirit of soldiers, unanimity of President
and the people create great opportunities for it:. The only factor
is that our country hoped the activity of the Minsk Group and other
international institutions towards the peaceful solution to the
conflict would produce results. Azerbaijan did not want bloodshed in
the region again. This was the essence of Mr. President’s speech at
the meeting. But as seen, Armenia and some known forces impede the
realization of our peaceful policy. Is there any other way under
the present circumstances? Of course, not," he said rhetorically
without explaining what forces he meant. The next phrase brings some
certainty to Sabiroglu’s allegations, though he did not make any direct
allegations. "If the ministry of hostile country, which is reminding
us something with its statement, renews its rusty memory and sees
the truth avoiding the craftiness, it can understand which country
"presents" Azerbaijani lands to Armenia during the first Nagorno
Karabakh war. It seems we need to repeat it. Armenia doesn’t dare to
run a war alone. It is encouraged by the forces in which shadow it
takes refuge. Probably we are expressing our ideas clearly," he said.
Afterwards, Sabiroglu in a hysterical manner resorted to direct
assaults addressed to the Armenian defense minister and the Armenian
nation in general. We will not repeat them, of course.
"We have to do so that we can liberate our lands by the military way
any time. If we look at the history of the war, we can see one truth.
There are occasional cases in the history that the country at war
fired on the holy places of other country and looted everything on
its way. One of these few enormity cases is the Armenian vandalism
and we faced with it in the end of 20th and in the beginning of 21st
century," Sabiroglu said being very reticent about desecration of
Armenian monuments and about Armenian pogroms in Azerbaijan.
AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENT EXPRESSES ATTITUDE TO EUROPEAN COURT’S DECISION
Trend
April 27 2010
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani Parliamentary Speaker Ogtay Asadov considers inappropriate
politicization of the European Court’s decision on case of journalist
Eynulla Fatullayev.
"Azerbaijan has the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, which will
comment on the issue after its clarification," Asadov said at the
today’s parliamentary meeting.
He said currently there is no need to politicize this issue.
"The international organizations often claim that Azerbaijani
courts are politicized. But the decision of the European Court of
Human Rights, accusing us in this, is itself politicized," Deputy
Parliamentary Speaker Ziyafet Asgarov said.
Asgarov said IDPs from the Lachin region of Azerbaijan appealed to
the European Court 2.5 years ago.
"Armenians have made a similar statement in 2009. Despite this,
the Court decided to consider the complaints of Azerbaijanis and
Armenians together. Is it fair to?"he added.
The European court’s decisions can not be forced.
"We have complained to the Grand Chamber [European court]. The decision
will be sent to the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan, the plenary session
of which will take a decision," Asgarov said.
Last week, the European Court decided on the immediate release of
Fatullayev.
CHESS: ARONIAN AND MOVSESIAN HOLDING JOINT PREPARATIONS
Panorama.am
13:25 27/04/2010
Sport
Levon Aronian and Sergei Movsesian, the two Armenian chess players
who have the highest ratings among the Armenians of the world, are
having joint preparations these days in Yerevan. The famous Armenian
GMs are getting prepared for the upcoming important tournaments.
Aronian and Movsesian, who are also good friends, are having
preparations together not for the first time. They had a similar
experience in Berlin several weeks ago, the Armenian Chess Federation
reported.
The Hill, DC
APril 24 2010
Armenian group slams Obama’s ‘disgraceful capitulation’
By Bridget Johnson – 04/24/10 02:13 PM ET
Calling his statement a "disgraceful capitulation," an Armenian
advocacy group scathingly rebuked President Barack Obama for again not
using the word "genocide" to refer to the killings of 1.5 million
Armernians by the Ottoman Empire in 1915.
Obama referred to "the inhumanity of 1915" and "the awful events of
1915" in his Saturday statement to mark Armenian Remembrance Day.
"President Obama faced a stark choice: to honor his conscience and
commitment to recognize the Armenian Genocide or to remain an
accomplice to Turkey’s denial of truth and justice for this crime,"
Armenian National Committee of America Chairman Ken Hachikian said in
a statement. "Sadly, for the U.S. and worldwide efforts to end the
cycle of genocide, he made the wrong choice, allowing Turkey to
tighten its gag-rule on American genocide policy."
The Turkish Coalition of America, however, responded to Obama’s
statement by wondering when he would mark the deaths of Ottoman Turks
around the same time period.
"What is, however, forgotten and even denied, is the equally tragic
loss of even more Muslim lives in this turbulent period of Ottoman
history," TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy said in a statement
Saturday. "The suffering of one people does not justify or negate the
suffering of others, and all who lost their lives deserve to be
remembered on this day of remembrance. Where does the ethnic cleansing
of Ottoman Turks from the Balkans, Eastern Turkey and the Caucuses
with 5 million lost and 5.5 million refugees come on the President’s
list of `worst atrocities of the 20th century?’ Do they also deserve
at least an annual presidential remembrance from him, as he dutifully
makes on this occasion every year?"
McCurdy said that recognizing the Muslim deaths would not "dimish
Armenian suffering," but "place the Armenian tragedy in its proper
historical context."
McCurdy also urged the establishment of a joint historical commission
"tasked with uncovering a complete historical narrative that could
pave the way for reconciliation between the Turkish and Armenian
people."
ANCA referred to Obama’s promise as a presidential candidate that he
would call the killings genocide if elected. "The facts are
undeniable," Obama said in a Jan. 19, 2008, statement. "An official
policy that calls on diplomats to distort the historical facts is an
untenable policy. As a senator, I strongly support passage of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as
president I will recognize the Armenian Genocide."
ANCA did note that Obama didn’t use Saturday’s statement to push
protocols between Turkey and Armenia as he did in 2009. The group said
it sent the president a letter on April 7, asking him to refrain from
pushing policy on the remembrance day," stating an "explanation of
U.S. priorities regarding Armenia-Turkey relations or other current
foreign policy issues, while certainly entirely appropriate in other
settings, clearly does not belong in a Presidential April 24th
statement, just as a statement of U.S. policy on the Israel- Arab
peace process would not be appropriate in Presidential remarks devoted
to remembering the Holocaust."
The group stressed, though, that Obama gave "euphemisms and evasive
terminology to characterize this crime against humanity."
efing-room/news/94139-armenian-group-slams-obamas- disgraceful-capitulation
95 ans… et l’AFP continue à mettre des guillemets sur le mot génocide
FRANCE
samedi24 avril 2010, par Jean Eckian/armenews
Commémoration en France du 95e anniversaire du "génocide" arménien
Défilé sur les Champs-Elysées, fanfare, porte-drapeaux, ravivage de la
flamme à l’Arc de Triomphea avec Charles Aznavour : une importance
particulière marque cette année la commémoration du "génocide
arménien" pour son 95e anniversaire, samedi et dimanche.
Les Arméniens, qui continuent de réclamer de la Turquie qu’elle
reconnaisse sans condition comme un "génocide" les massacres perpétrés
en 1915-1917, entendent mettre la pression sur le Sénat français pour
qu’il vote la loi pénalisant la négation de ce "génocide".
"C’est le 95e anniversaire, nous approchons inexorablement du 100e et
la question de la reconnaissance du génocide par la Turquie n’est
toujours pas réglée", déclare à l’AFP Alexis Govciyan, président du
Conseil de coordination des organisations arméniennes de France
(CCAF).
Le CCAF veut "relancer le débat" et déplore la fait que la loi
pénalisant la négation du génocide arménien par la Turquie, soit
toujours en suspens au Sénat alors qu’elle a été votée par l’Assemblée
nationale le 12 octobre 2006. "Nous attendons des autorités françaises
que cette loi, qui est partie intégrante de la cause arménienne, soit
votée par le Sénat", dit Alexis Govciyan.
Les Arméniens qualifient de "génocide" les massacres et déportations
qui, entre 1915 et 1917, ont fait, selon eux, plus d’un million et
demi de morts au sein de leur communauté.
La Turquie reconnaît qu’entre 300.000 et 500.000 personnes ont péri.
Selon Ankara, elles n’ont pas été victimes d’une campagne
d’extermination mais du chaos des dernières années de l’Empire
ottoman.
La France "encourage les autorités arméniennes et turques à maintenir
le dialogue" et à "redoubler d’efforts", selon un communiqué de
l’Elysée diffusé jeudi soir après qu’Erevan eut gelé le processus de
réconciliation avec Ankara qui campe sur ses positions.
A Paris, les manifestations du week-end commenceront par un
rassemblement devant le Sénat samedi à 11h30.
Dans l’après-midi, les représentants de la communauté Arménienne sont
invités à se rassembler place du Canada, Cours Albert (8e
arrondissement), au pied de la statue de Komitas, ecclésiastique,
compositeur et musicologue, rescapé du génocide, réfugié à Paris et
mort en 1935.
Ils remonteront ensuite les Champs Elysées avec fanfare et
porte-drapeaux, jusqu’à l’Arc de Triomphe pour le ravivage de la
flamme sur la tombe du soldat inconnu en présence notamment de Charles
Aznavour et de nombreuses personnalités politiques, militaires,
civiles et religieuses, selon CCAF. A 85 ans, Aznavour assistera ainsi
pour la première fois à titre officiel aux cérémonies de
commémoration, en tant ambassadeur d’Arménie auprès de l’UNESCO,
ambassadeur d’Arménie en Suisse et ambassadeur d’Arménie à l’Onu,
souligne Séta Papazian, présidente du collectif Van (Vigilance
arménienne contre le négationnisme).
Dimanche, le collectif Van organise sur le parvis de Notre-Dame de
Paris, sa sixième "Journée annuelle de sensibilisation aux génocides
et à leur négation" avec le soutien de nombreuses associations des
droits de l’homme.
Neuf stèles de trois mètres de haut seront exposées sur le parvis de
la cathédrale en hommage aux victimes des génocides, arméniennes,
juives, tutsi et darfouries.
D’autres cérémonies sont également prévues dans plusieurs villes de
province. La France héberge la plus forte communauté arménienne
d’Europe occidentale avec plus de 500.000 personnes, essentiellement
en région parisienne, Lyon et Marseille.
AFP
Blood
Seule, parmi les grandes agences interntaionales (Associated Press,
Reuters, Tass…), l’AFP persiste a placer des guillemets au mot
génocide, une volonté délibérée reprise depuis que la Turquie
négationniste ait décidé qu’il en serait ainsi. Un comble. Rappelons
que la France a reconnu officiellement le Génocide Arménien en 2001.