Author: Jagharian Tania

IRAN WELCOMES SIGNING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS

ARMENPRESS
Oct 26, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, ARMENPRESS: Solution of any dispute, settlement of
any conflict in the region will bring only peace and all the countries
will benefit from it, Iranian ambassador to Armenia Seyed Ali Saghayan
told Armenpress, welcoming the signing of protocols between Armenia
and Turkey.

"Iran welcomes the sensible and courageous step of Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan to go to normalization of relations: in spite of
different pressures he dared to display such an initiative," the
ambassador said.

According to him, important states of the region – Iran, Russia
and Turkey must promote that the achieved protocols – without
pre-conditions – be implemented.

The ambassador is sure that the issues existing in the region may
be solved with the efforts of the states of the region and not
outside of it, with advices of foreign states. "We hope soon to see
greater stability which will serve in favor of the all peoples,"
the ambassador noted.

Tert, Armenia
Oct 24 2009

Armenian-Turkish Negotiations Spark Armenian Recognition in Turkish-Armenians
14:43 ¢ 24.10.09

The Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, His Beautitude Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian, welcomed attempts
to improve Armenian-Turkish relations. The Patriarch’s address
emphasized the necessity of peaceful dialogue, which will make it
possible to treat one other in a more tolerant and forgiving way.

`The Protocols signed between Armenia and Turkey are particularly
significant for the Armenian community in Turkey. The Armenian
community in Turkey is inclined towards the optimistic solution of the
diplomatic process that has begun, that all the steps will be directed
toward the improvement of relations between the two countries. We hope
that Armenia’s and Turkey’s leaderships will not give up in the
improvement of the two countries’ relations, based on the sincerity of
their wishes, since the [two] neighbours’ further peaceful cooperation
depends on it,’ noted the Patriarch in his address.

His Beautitude Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian also stated that Archbishop
Aram Ateshian, the Grand Sacristan of the Holy Mother of God Armenian
Cathedral and the Vicar General of the Armenian Patriarchate of
Constantinople, presented his position during Armenian president Serzh
Sargsyan’s and Turkish president Abdullah Gul’s visit to the Turkish
city of Bursa, where the qualifying football match between the two
countries took place on October 14, 2009.

According to official sources, approximately 70,000 Armenians live in
Turkey, the majority of whom have changed their Armenian last names to
Turkish. Nevertheless, the number of ethnic Armenians, many of whom
converted to Islam in order to avoid deportation during the Armenian
Genocide, greatly exceeds official numbers. Until today, the majority
of Hemshin Armenians (those who converted to Islam) have been
negatively referred to as `Ermeni’ (that is, Armenian). However, after
the start of Armenian-Turkish negotiations, an inclination in
recognizing their Armenian identity was evident among young Hemshin
Armenians. Take for instance, the first film on the topic which was
made by Hemshin Armenian filmmaker Ozcan Alper and includes the
Hemshin Armenian dialect; it was screened at this year’s Golden
Apricot International Film Festival in Yerevan.

After the improvement in Armenian-Turkish relations, Armenians living
in Turkey hope that the issue of electing head of clergy will also be
resolved, since it’s been a long time that the Turkish government has
allowed the Armenian community to conduct elections to appoint a new
Patriarch or his successor. His Beautitude Archbishop Mesrob
Mutafian’s health is in serious condition after undergoing numerous
surgeries and experiences of attempts on his life by `Erkenegon’
terrorists.

It is important to note that Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople,
along with the Armenian Patriarchate of Jersualem, is one of the
Armenian Church’s autonomous Patriarchates.

/24/armenianchurch/

California Governor Congratulates the Armenian Festival of Orange County

The Armenian Festival of Orange County
PO Box 3136
Laguna Hills, CA 92654-3136

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kalajian
Email: [email protected]
(949) 309-2900 Ext 17 | (888) HYE-FEST (493-3378)
Contact: Paul Aslanian
Email: [email protected]
(949) 309-2900 Ext 11 | (888) HYE-FEST (493-3378)

Thursday, October 22, 2009

California Governor Congratulates the Armenian Festival of Orange County

Laguna Hills, CA (Thursday, October 22, 2009) – Celebrating its fifth
consecutive successful year, the Armenian Festival of Orange County was
honored with the presence again this year of the Chief Deputy Director of
the Office of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ms. Lisa Kalustian.
On behalf of the Governor, Ms. Kalustian presented Festival Executive
Director, Paul Aslanian, with personal letter of congratulations.

Ms. Kalustian read the Governor’s letter to the guests under the large main
tent where hundreds of guests were assembled. All showed their appreciation
for the Governor’s continued support and acknowledgement of the Armenian
people who play a large role in the multicultural diversity of California.

Dated September 13, 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger wrote, "It is a pleasure
to extend my greetings to all who are attending the fifth annual Orange
County Armenian Festival. California is the fantastic place it is today
thanks to our rich diversity of cultures and customs, and today’s colorful
celebration is certain to add to that heritage.

"As you come together to enjoy the festivities, I express my gratitude to
you and to all of California’s Armenian-Americans for your hard work, your
dedication to promoting Armenian history as well as the many other ways you
strengthen our Golden State.

"On behalf of your fellow Californians, I thank you for your efforts to
serve in your communities, and I wish you continued success in the future."

Over 4,000 guests of varied backgrounds attended the festival to enjoy
continuous entertainment, cultural presentations, cooking and dance classes,
professional dance groups, two live bands and delicious food, all at
affordable prices and presented again in a park-like setting in the
beautiful Community Center of upscale Laguna Hills, California.

The Armenian Festival is a pan-Armenian federal and California tax-exempt
organization under the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section
501(c)(3), open to all Armenian organizations who want to participate in a
non-denominational, all-inclusive community celebrating the culture, values,
history and heritage of the Armenian people.

The 6th annual Armenian Festival of Orange County is actively engaged in the
planning stages, will be held at the same Laguna Hills location, and is
scheduled for the weekend of September 11th and 12th, 2010. Festival
organizers are accepting applications for vendor booths, volunteers,
sponsors. The festival’s Statement of Core Values and Mission Statement are
published on its web site. All Armenian organizations based in Orange
County are again welcome to participate, showcase their unique contributions
to the Armenian community and to raise funds for their charitable
activities. More information and on-line applications are available at
<; . Information
is also available by telephone toll-free at 888-HYE-FEST (888-493-3378) or
locally at 949-309-2900.

###

LACK OF ADHERENCE TO PRINCIPLES: POLITICIANS SAY ONE THING, BUT DO ANOTHER

Tert
Oct 23 2009
Armenia

It turns out that parliamentary political parties carry out such
activities during their legislative work that in no way corresponds
with their pre-election promises and programs. Such a conclusion
was reached by a group of analysts and journalists monitoring the
legislative activity of politicians in the National Assembly.

The two groups of analysts studied the political parties’ activities
during the previous 2 sessions and came to a conclusion, perhaps
agreed by the entire nation, that political parties don’t keep their
promises and act only in their own or their party’s interests.

The results from this monitoring were presented today at the American
University of Armenia business center where a number of MPs, analysts
and journalists were present. The head of the monitoring journalists’
group, Lusine Vasilyan, stated the aim of their work is finding
the means which would allow them to find out the correspondence
between politicians’ pre-election programs and their (post-election)
activities.

As a result of the monitoring, the researchers came to three main
conclusions. As presented by the group’s representative, Tigranuhi
Ghevondyan, for at least over a year (since the group monitored
the parties’ legislative activities over the past two sessions),
politicians didn’t carry out their pre-election programs.

The monitors qualified their second conclusion as "lack of adherence
to one’s principles": they discoverd that politicians didn’t adhere
to their own principles during their parliamentary work — they said
one thing and voted for another.

The third negative occurrence recorded by the monitors was that
coalition agreements and interests rather than individual promises
and approaches prevailed in the past sessions.

"Individual approaches, programs, and principles were subdued by those
agreements to such an extent that one doubts their existence at all,"
Ghevondyan said.

EUROPEAN DIPLOMAT ON TURKEY’S VAIN ATTEMPTS

news.am
Oct 23 2009
Armenia

Turkey is trying to make a mountain out of a molehill by presenting
a normal diplomatic procedure as a significant political event," a
high-ranking European diplomat told NEWS.am, commenting on Turkish
media reports on Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Unal Ceviköz’s
participation in the meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group.

The source said that the Ambassadors of the 11 OSCE MG member-states
hold biennial meetings in Vienna. The Turkish side submitted a request
for Unal Ceviköz to represent the state in place of the Turkish
Ambassador. The source pointed out that the Turkish Deputy Foreign
Minister’s participation in the meeting has nothing in common with
the OSCE MG’s activities or position on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace
process. On the contrary, the mediators have repeatedly stated that
Turkey is not nor will it be involved in this process, that is, in the
OSCE MG Co-Chairs’ activities, the diplomat said. Ankara is obviously
making futile attempts to appear involved in the process, he said.

SALE AND PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS OF 1.4 MILLION DOLLARS CARRIED OUT AT NASDAQ OEMEX ARMENIA OJSC ON OCTOBER 22

NOYAN TAPAN
OCTOBER 22, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. Sale and purchase transactions of
1.4 million dollars at the weighted average exchange rate of 385 drams
per dollar were carried out at Nasdaq Oemex Armenia OJSC on October
22. According to the press service of the Central Bank of Armenia,
the closing price made 385 drams.

SIRUSHO (2008) RETURNS WITH NEW CD

oikotimes.com
Oct 22 2009

Armenian singer Sirusho who represented her country in the 2008
Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade has made a comeback to music
following a short break. In addition to launching a new CD, she has
got a new producer and her music is taking on a new style.

Sirusho recently appeared at the Yerevan birthday celebrations,
where the city held a concert to celebrate it’s 2791th birthday.

Arevik Udumyan, the singer’s new producer, will be working with her
as she approaches the launch of her fourth album, which is due to be
released in the near future.

Sirusho represented Armenia at the 2008 Contest, where she took 4th
place in the final with her song ‘Qele Qele’.

KAIDANOW MEETS WITH ARF LEADERS

ARF Press Service
Oct 22nd, 2009

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Tina Kaidanow in Yerevan.

YEREVAN (ARF Press Service)-US Deputy Assistant Secretary for
European and Eurasian Affairs Tina S. Kaidanow visited the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Bureau headquarters, the Kristapor Mikaelian
Center, Wednesday and met with leaders of the organization.

The ARF representatives Bureau member Levon Lazarian, ARF Supreme
Council of Armenia chairman Armen Rustamian and the party’s political
director Giro Manoyan welcomed Kaidanow, who was accompanied by US
Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch.

The two sides discussed developments surrounding the Armenia-Turkey
protocols, the ongoing negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
as well as the socio-economic situation and democratic reforms in
Armenia, with the ARF representatives outlining the party’s positions
on these matters.

UNLOCKING ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER TO RAISE INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS IN ARMENIA IMMEDIATELY

/ARKA/
October 21, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, October 21. / ARKA /. Unlocking the Armenian-Turkish border
will just increase the investment attractiveness of Armenia, and in
fact not only for Turkish investors, the head of OSCE Yerevan office
Sergey Kapinos said in an interview with ARKA News Agency.

"The opening of the border is a fairly lengthy process of harmonization
of procedures, monitoring mechanisms, involving different services,
such as security, customs, taxation and others, and this time should
be used to maximum benefit," the ambassador said.

Head of OSCE Yerevan Office believes that Armenia has no reason to
worry about competition from Turkey.

"Armenia has open customs borders with more developed economic states.

In addition, within the World Trade Organization and outside of
it there is always the possibility of preventing and countering
the actions that go beyond the concept of "healthy competition","
Kapinos said.

He believes that the vigorous implementation of the Turkish capital in
the Armenian economy can only play a positive role with a reasonable
approach.

However, according to the ambassador, "it will have to compete not
only with Armenian companies, but the business structures of developed
countries."

Head of OSCE Office in Yerevan is sure that opening of the border will
have a positive impact on the economic situation in Armenia and will
open up new markets for export of electricity, building materials,
foil and other products, and contribute to clearing the field of
competition in the country.

Armenia and Turkey signed protocols on the normalization of bilateral
relations on October 10 in Zurich.

The complex relationship between the two countries is caused by,
inter alia, Ankara’s position of support for Azerbaijan in the
Karabakh issue, as well as an acute reaction to Turkey’s process
of international recognition of the 1915 Armenian Genocide in the
Ottoman Empire.

85 FILMS FROM 30 COUNTRIES TO BE PRESENTED IN FRAMES OF "AREVORDI" SECOND ECOLOGICAL FESTIVAL

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.10.2009 20:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Arevordi" environmental festival will be held
October 25-29 in Yerevan. The festival, starting in 2007, is organized
every two years by the Wildlife and Cultural values protection fund
of Armenia. The program of the only ecological festival of the South
Caucasus includes film screenings on environmental topics, seminars,
exhibitions, concerts and various environmental actions.

This year the festival will show 85 films from 30 countries. Together
with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and GTZ the festival
organizers will hold a workshop for 13 to 16 years old boys and girls
from Yerevan, Lori, Tavush, Vayots Dzor and Ararat.

The purpose of the festival is an open forum through seminars,
open discussions and trainings. For the first time the audience
award, established by OSCE will be given to participants this
year. More than 60 guests will attend the festival: film directors,
critics, representatives of international organizations and leading
environmentalists.