Author: Hunanian Jack

news.am, Armenia
Nov 21 2009

Woeful fate of Armenian heritage in Georgia

17:48 / 11/19/2009The domed Saint Gevorg of Mughni Church in Tbilisi
(built 1356) collapsed yesterday night (Nov. 19) in the Old Tbilisi
part of the city, reads the release of Georgian eparchy of Armenian
Apostolic Church. The document mainly says:

`There was a large dome in the centre and three smaller one of which
was a belfry. The documents dated 1763 mention the church as one of
seven Armenian churches in Tbilisi of Armenian eparchy. In 1789, a
bell tower was constructed in the west wing of the church. Persians
plundered the church in 1795 however owing to monk-priest Grigor
Ter-Shmavoyan, some church utensils was saved. Partial renovation of
Mughni St. Gevorg took place in 1852-1993. Teacher and editor
Nikoghayos Khorotyan, benefactor Barsegh Hovsepyan-Khodjayants and
clergy were buried in the church yard.

Mother See of Holy Etchimadzin and Georgian eparchy of AAC have
repeatedly requested Georgian authorities, Patriarch’s office, and
international organizations to return the Mughni St. Gevorg church
along with other five Armenian churches. The problem has been
addressed by media however, Georgian leadership keep ignoring the
issue. Georgian Patriarch’s office presented an argument that it
considers the churches disputable and that is why they cannot be
returned. It should be mentioned that Mughni St. Gevorg is the second
church that has been demolished in Georgia, the first was destroyed in
1989.

We assert that Georgian Ministry of culture and heritage preservation
is totally responsible for the developments ` as churches were on the
ministerial balance. It seems Georgian Patriarchy and the authorities
decided to demolish the cultural monuments instead of considering the
issue of their preservation and return.’

news.am, Armenia
Nov 21 2009

Cynical crime against Armenian cultural and religious heritage

13:41 / 11/21/2009 Kurieri news of Rustavi2 (Georgian pro-governmental
TV channel) showed footage from the scene where Armenian church Mughnu
Surb Gevorg (Mughni) collapsed late at night on Nov. 19. The reporter
said that the church collapsed in Sololaki [an Old Tbilisi part of the
city]. The incident occurred late at night as the dome collapsed. No
injuries have been reported only several cars parked nearby were
damaged.

Kurieri reporter David Kashiashvili when asked what the reason of the
incident was being present at the scene declared, `Locals say the
church crumbled with age at about 4 a.m. Cars parked nearby and the
roof of one house were damaged. Two families have applied to local
Municipality about the housing issues.’

`What was the reason of collapse?¦dilapidation?’ ‘ Kashiashvili asked
a local. The answer was, `Yes, dilapidation.’

`The church did not function. It was a dangerous structure and the
level of the existing threat of collapse will be examined. It is a
monument thus, the decision should be made from the point of cultural
heritage. But this is a fact that the church is under a threat of
collapse,’ said another local.

`According to a legend, it is here where Saint George’s hand is
buried. The church was ancient. A historic monument has been this
church on Akhospireli street that collapsed late at night. You have
already heard that locals demand that the destroyed parts be
demounted, although the ministry of culture is to decide on it.
However, no representative of the ministry has arrived at the scene
yet. Locals have collected signatures to demount the collapsed
fractions,’ Kurieri reporter goes on reminding the viewers of words
that the locals have not said. And besides, not a single word was
uttered about that the church was Armenian.

Thanks that at least a small piece in The Georgian Times daily says
the church is Armenian. `Armenian church damaged in Tbilisi. A wall of
an Armenian Church on Abo Tbileli Street, Sololaki District, Tbilisi,
collapsed last night. The collapse damaged other nearby buildings, but
luckily, no one has been injured. The Armenian Church was closed due
to the critical state of the historic building. Locals say that the
recent rains inflicted more damage on the church and the wall of the
amortized building ruined as a result. District governor viewed the
damaged building and promised the locals to allocate funds for
rehabilitation works,’ news dated Nov. 19 bears signature of Rustavi2.
It is odd, isn’t it?

NEWS.am correspondent made inquiries among Tbilisi citizens (among
them Georgians and Amenians). They find it strange that the church ‘
which is officially said to be a cultural monument ‘ has been
neglected, became dramatically ramshackle and ‘ finally giving up the
struggle with natural and manmade lesions ‘ collapsed. The people are
perplexed at the scene whereas tens of new Gergian churches are
constantly built in the country. Contemplating these developments they
come to conclusion that what is taking place with Armenian churches is
a cynical crime against cultural and religious heritage of Georgia’s
ancienest population ‘ the Armenian community. Armenians played a
central role in cultural and historic aspects in what it became known
as Tbilisi ‘ but this is another story¦

As NEWS.am informed early the Mother See of Holy Etchimadzin and
Georgian eparchy of AAC have repeatedly requested Georgian
authorities, Patriarch’s office, and international organizations to
return the Mughni St. Gevorg church along with other five Armenian
churches. The problem has been addressed by media however, Georgian
leadership keep ignoring the issue. Georgian Patriarch’s office
presented an argument that it considers the churches disputable and
that is why they cannot be returned. It should be mentioned that
Mughni St. Gevorg is the second church that has been demolished in
Georgia, the first was destroyed in 1989.

ALL-ARMENIAN RAISE OF FUNDS STARTS

NKR Government Information and Public Relations Department
November 17, 2009

During the forthcoming days the regular national raise of funds
initiated by the "Armenia" all-Armenian fund will take place, where
the NKR population together with the Armenians all over the world
will contribute its share. A republican staff at the head of the
NKR Vice Premier, Minister of Finance Spartak Tevosyan which is
aimed at conducting efficient raise of funds was created. Today,
a staff consultation took place where a number of issues related to
the money collection process were discussed. S.Tevosyan noted that
positive reverberations have already been received from the NKR
numerous public, social and business institutions and individuals
who express their readiness to actively participate in the raise of
funds with a considerable contribution quantity. The participants
of the consultation decided to convey a corresponding message to the
citizens of Artsakh.

The funds raised by the all-Armenian monetary contribution will be
aimed at reconstruction and development of the town of Shoushi.

TOPICAL: ANOTHER SCANDALOUS VISIT TO KARABAKH BY TURKISH JOURNALISTS

Yeni Musavat
Nov 17 2009
Azerbaijan

Has a correspondent of Aksam newspaper described Nagornyy Karabakh an
`Armenian land for one hundred per cent?’

In parallel with the signing of the protocols between Armenia and
Turkey, the media has also been given the go-ahead to contribute to
a rapprochement between the two societies.

Over the recent months, correspondents of Turkey’s leading mass
media outlets are being sent to Armenia and Nagornyy Karabakh one
after another. And as a result of these trips, there appear reports
on Armenians living in miserable conditions, their eagerness for
the opening of the borders with Turkey very much and readiness for
reconciliation.

According to Armenian sources, another Turkish newspaper sent its
correspondent to Nagornyy Karabakh. This time, it is said that Nagehan
Alci and a cameraman of Aksam newspaper were sent to the occupied
Azerbaijani region to prepare reports.

Moreover, the Turkish journalist in an interview with Nagornyy
Karabakh’s "public television" allegedly claimed that this region "is
one hundred per cent an Armenian land". A report carried by Novosti
Armenia news agency said. Although it was impossible to verify to
what extent this report was true, it added that Nagehan Alci in the
interview said that public opinion in Turkey was not properly formed:
"Nagornyy Karabakh is one hundred per cent an Armenian land. We have
realized that you Armenians are resolute against making concession
over this land."

The journalist said that it was her wish to see Nagornyy Karabakh with
her own eyes: "Therefore, I appealed to our editor-in-chief to this end
and got a positive answer." The journalist said that the territorial
dispute around Nagornyy Karabakh also interests Turkey very closely:
"What we have seen here has dispelled our suspicions about the future
and the past of Karabakh. We talked to both officials and ordinary
people. I am pleased to see Stepanakert (Xankandi editorial office)
and would like to be back here again."

The journalists said that people in Azerbaijan would probably not
be happy about their visit to Nagornyy Karabakh: "We knew this
in advance. It is possible that they would declare us persona non
gratae in Azerbaijan, however, I do not want to disappoint anyone in
Azerbaijan and Armenia. I am a journalist and my profession requires
that I visit everywhere."

Alci said that she would pay visits to Susa and other villages to meet
Armenian refugees and get interested in their living conditions. Upon
my return home, I shall write unbiased articles, she said.

We should note that prior to this, Turkish NTV channel caused
diplomatic tension between Ankara and Baku with a clip shot in Nagornyy
Karabakh. The channel’s crew went to Xankandi without agreeing it
with the Azerbaijani side and met the head of the separatist regime
and other officials and introduced Bako Sahakyan as a "president".

The clip contained other moments running against Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and sovereignty. Official Baku sent a diplomatic
note to Ankara over this clip and the issue was raised at talks
between the foreign ministers of the two countries.

Although the Turkish Foreign Ministry in a verbal statement said
that the clip did not reflect official Ankara’s position, no official
response was sent to Baku’s diplomatic note. It is assumed that the
visit of Aksam newspaper correspondent to Nagornyy Karabakh and her
statement would provoke similar tension.

Over the recent time, the media outlets in particular those connected
with the AKP government carry frequent reports from Armenia where
Armenians are depicted as supporters of peace in public opinion.

THE SESSION OF THE HEADS OF CIS GOVERNMENTS OPENED TODAY IN THE UKRAINIAN TOWN OF YALTA

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 20, 2009
YALTA

YALTA, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS: The session of the heads of CIS
governments opened today in the Ukrainian town of Yalta. The delegation
headed by the Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan also took part
in the meeting. The delegation of the prime minister consists of head
of the government’s staff David Sargsyan, deputy foreign minister
Shavarsh Kocharyan, Armenian ambassador to Belarus Oleg Yesayan,
Armenian ambassador to Ukraine Armen Khachatryan and others.

The narrow meeting of the heads of governments was followed by an
extended one in "1+5" format.

More than 20 draft documents aimed at activation of cooperation and
its deepening in economic and humanitarian spheres among the member
states, migration policy, security issues were discussed.

Within the framework of regular one-day meeting of the heads of
governments the particularly important project of discussion is the
decision on undertaking joint events for overcoming the consequences of
the global financial crisis. The program on overcoming the consequences
of the 2009-2010 global financial economic crisis has been formed on
the basis of suggestions of CIS member states and includes mechanisms
laid in the basis of the global policy carried out in the sphere.

The participants of the session also discussed the draft concept of
cooperation of the CIS member states in energy sphere, creation of
cooperation body in innovation, scientific-technical spheres.

A decision was made to conduct the next session of the council of
heads of CIS governments in Moscow May 21, 2010

Today
Nov 18 2009
Azerbaijan

RETURN OF OCCUPIED TERRITORIES TO AZERBAIJAN WILL NOT COMPENSATE FOR MORAL AND GEOPOLITICAL DAMAGE FROM 20-YEAR OCCUPATION: RUSSIAN PHILOSOPHER

Day.Az interview with renowned Russian philosopher of Azerbaijani
origin, public figure and ideologist of a political Islam Heydar Jamal.

Day.Az: Signing of Turkey-Armenia protocols on establishment of
diplomatic relations was one of the most significant events that
have recently happened in our region. Attitude to them is ambiguous
both within Turkey and Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Do you think the
protocols will harm Azerbaijan or bring a benefit in terms of a
further resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

Heydar Jamal: The signing of the protocols violated the traditional
balance of power around Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. Traditionally
there were two allies – Armenia-Iran and Azerbaijan-Turkey. Moscow
was further strengthening the Iranian-Armenian bloc not spoiling
relations with Baku and Ankara, but on the contrary, actively using
its relationship with them for its pragmatic interests.

Now this well-established model is collapsing. Ankara’s stance has
become incoherent. On this backdrop, ambiguity of Moscow’s behavior
is increasing. Azerbaijan now is in a new situation in which Armenia,
Iran and Russia play against Azerbaijan with Turkey’s eroded position
and slippery selfish western approach to the solution of the Karabakh
issue. Under these conditions, challenge for Azerbaijan’s national
security increases dramatically.

Q: Many foreign experts have recently expressed confidence that the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be resolved soon. Similar optimistic
projections were made also over the past few years. Is there a feeling
that it will be really solved this time?

A: It is well known what kind of "scenario" Armenia seeks to achieve.

The "scenario" implies return of seven occupied regions to Azerbaijan
including Karabakh and granting the widest possible autonomy to
Karabakh under nominal sovereignty of Azerbaijan with a right to a
free traffic of people and goods between Karabakh and Armenia. In
other words, Azerbaijan would not be able to limit or even control
mass entrance and exits of Armenians in Karabakh.

Since Karabakh will nominally be an administrative part of Azerbaijan,
it would be equivalent to right of Armenians to unlimited and
uncontrolled entry into Azerbaijan without a corresponding right of
the Karabakh Azerbaijanis to travel to Armenia.

There is another aspect in addition to apparent provocation of
such a "solution". Simply return of occupied territories without
any conditions is unacceptable for Azerbaijan, because it does not
compensate for the moral and geopolitical damage from the 20-year
occupation and offers no guarantee for peace in the future.

Q: Prior to signing of the protocols President Serzh Sargsyan went
on to Pan-Armenian tour to persuade the diaspora that his intentions
are appropriate. Though the Diaspora strongly opposed the protocols,
Sargsyan signed them. A few days later he went to Moscow to ask money
from the Armenian Diaspora in Russia. As a person who lives in Moscow,
can you say what was the reaction of Armenians and Azerbaijanis to
the ongoing events? Could Sargsyan achieve his goal or friendship
with the Diaspora was spoiled?

A: Armenian Diaspora not only in Russia but also in France and the
U.S. were opposed to rapprochement with Turkey. In addition, there
is a very powerful opposition to Sargsyan at home. All this together
can lead to the fall Sargsyan’s regime under certain conditions.

It should be noted that development of Turkish-Armenian relations also
contributes to Iran-Turkey rapproachement which is obviously contrary
to the U.S.-Israeli interests in the region. So, today it is quite
possible that Americans will begin to actively support anti-Sargsyan
forces in Armenia.

Le Monde, France
8 novembre 2009 dimanche

Ankara et Paris esquissent quelques gestes de rapprochement

Natalie Nougayrède

Les points de friction au sujet du gazoduc Nabucco et des vols
militaires français ont été supprimés, sur fond de consultations pour
le Moyen-Orient

Le " climat a fait d’énormes progrès ", a commenté devant la presse le
ministre français des affaires étrangères, Bernard Kouchner, vendredi
6 novembre, aux côtés de son homologue turc, Ahmet Davutoglu. Celui-ci
effectuait une visite à Paris un mois après le déplacement en France
du président turc, Abdullah Gül, auquel Nicolas Sarkozy avait réservé
un accueil plutôt distant.

Dans la matinée, M.Davutoglu était reçu à l’Elysée par le conseiller
diplomatique, Jean-David Levitte. La conversation a porté notamment
sur l’Iran et son programme nucléaire, un dossier sur lequel la
Turquie aimerait jouer les médiateurs, en se prévalant de sa capacité
à " parler à tout le monde " y compris à Téhéran, ce qui n’est pas le
cas de la France.

Sur ce sujet iranien, les nuances sont fortes entre Paris et Ankara.
Comme l’a rappelé vendredi M. Davutoglu, lors d’une conférence Ã
l’Académie diplomatique, la Turquie ne croit pas en la vertu d’une
politique de sanctions et n’hésite pas à comparer pareille approche
avec celle qui avait démontré ses limites en Irak, avant 2003, du
temps de Saddam Hussein.

Mais au moment où les inquiétudes montent sur les dossiers
stratégiques, du Proche-Orient à l’Afghanistan-Pakistan, la Turquie et
la France semblent vouloir supprimer des points de friction dans la
relation bilatérale.

" Approches communes "

Ainsi, deux gestes ont été faits côté turc, sans donner lieu à des
annonces officielles, comme si ces problèmes n’avaient jamais existé.
D’une part, la Turquie a levé son opposition à l’entrée de GDF dans le
gazoduc Nabucco, alors qu’elle manifestait depuis des années, par ce
blocage, sa réprobation de la législation française à propos du
génocide arménien.

D’autre part, Ankara a cessé il y a environ trois mois d’imposer
certaines restrictions aux droits de survol du territoire turc par des
avions militaires français en route vers l’Afghanistan, ainsi qu’aux
droits de mouillage des navires militaires français dans les ports
turcs. Les officiels français étaient, depuis 2007, très irrités par
ces mesures émanant d’un partenaire de l’OTAN.

Le signal turc sur Nabucco – sans doute d’autant mieux accueilli côté
français que ce tuyau pourrait un jour évacuer du gaz d’Irak vers
l’Europe – remonte à la visite du président Gül à Paris, début
octobre. Il n’a été confirmé publiquement que vendredi, par M.
Davutoglu, qui dit avoir une " approche très positive " à propos de la
participation de GDF. " Merci à nos amis turcs ", a dit M. Kouchner.

Côté français, le vocabulaire employé semble soudain devenu plus
avenant. Il y a entre les deux pays " un climat de confiance qui règne
", des " approches communes " qui se dessinent, selon M. Kouchner. La
diplomatie française cherche de la visibilité et des synergies sur les
dossiers du Proche-Orient, où M. Kouchner doit se rendre
prochainement. M. Sarkozy s’apprête à recevoir à Paris le premier
ministre israélien, Benyamin Nétanyahou, puis le président syrien,
Bachar Al-Assad.

Mais à l’occasion de la visite de M. Davutoglu, rien n’a été dit
publiquement de l’Union pour la Méditerranée (UPM), projet en péril
que Paris tente de sauver comme éventuel cadre pour des discussions
régionales.

Pernod Ricard Armenia opens its first alcohol beverage store in Yerevan

2009-11-14 19:35:00

ArmInfo. Pernod Ricard Armenia has opened its first alcohol beverage
store in Yerevan.

During the opening ceremony Director of Yerevan Brandy Company Ara
Grigoryan said that it was not a commercial project. The store is
supposed to popularize Pernod Ricard’s brands in Armenia. "We want to
make all of our brands recognizable and accessible in Armenia,"
Grigoryan said.

Director of Pernod Ricard Armenia Alexander Kazaryan said that the
company was set up a year ago for popularizing Pernod Ricard’s brands
in Armenia. The company is developing quite dynamically. The most
popular drink is still legendary Ararat brandy produced by Yerevan
Brandy Company but Chivas Scotch whisky, Jameson Irish whisky, Olmeca
Tequila, Absolute Vodka are also getting popular among Armenian
customers.

In the post-Soviet area Pernod Ricard has offices in Russia, Ukraine,
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia and the Baltic states. In
Armenia the company has been present since 1988, when it bought

Yerevan hosts first congress of Armenian Association of Architects
14.11.2009 18:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yerevan hosted the first congress of Armenian
Association of Architects on November 14.

`A large number of Armenian historical monuments were ruined during
past several years. Today, I welcome the people who will spare no
effort to reconstruct them,’ chairman of the RA Union of Architects
Mkrtych Minasyan said in his opening remarks.

`The goal of our association is preservation of historical monuments
in Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and other countries,’ he said.

BRUSSELS TO HOST EASTERN PARTNERSHIP CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.11.2009 18:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum will
gather in Brussels on November 16-17 under the auspices of the
European Commission, the EU Presidency and the European Economic and
Social Committee.

During the Forum, as suggested in the Concept Paper, thematic
working groups could be establish reflecting the priorities of the
multilateral track of the EaP, i.e.: 1. Democracy, good governance and
stability; 2. Economic integration and convergence with EU policies;
3. Environment, climate change & energy security; 4. Contacts between
people.

The final decision on the structure of the Forum will depend on
participants themselves.

Civil society and non-governmental organizations play a crucial role,
within their societies, in providing policy input, following new
initiatives and in holding governments accountable. They can be active
actors in promoting democratic and market-oriented reforms based on
shared values, i.e. respect for democracy and human rights, the rule
of law, good governance, principles of market economy and sustainable
development. These are also the values and objectives of the European
Neighborhood Policy, including the newly created Eastern Partnership.

In its Communication of December 2008 the Commission proposed
"to support the further development of Civil Society Organizations"
(CSOs) and, in particular, "to establish an Eastern Partnership Civil
Society Forum (CSF) to promote contacts among CSOs and facilitate
their dialogue with public authorities".