Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Lack of transparency in government a crucial human rights problem in
Armenia – State Department

April 20, 2013 | 12:52

Corruption and lack of transparency in government remain the most
significant human rights problems in Armenia, says the 2012 Report on
Human Rights Practices issued by State Department.

`The most significant human rights problems in Armenia are during the
year were limitations on the right of citizens to change their
government, corruption and lack of transparency in government, and the
limited independence of the judiciary,’ the report says.

One of the sections of the report is dedicated to the May
parliamentary elections in Armenia.

`Flaws in the conduct of May 6 legislative elections included the
misuse of government resources to support the ruling party, credible
allegations of vote buying, deficiencies in the complaints and appeals
process, and continued shortcomings in the electoral code despite
improvements. Allegations of persistent corruption at all levels of
government undermined the rule of law, although the government took
limited steps to punish low- to mid-level official corruption. Courts
remained subject to political pressure from the executive branch,
which resulted in some politically motivated prosecutions and
sentencing,’ the report says.

Other abuses reported during the year included suspicious deaths in
the military under noncombat conditions, continued hazing and other
mistreatment of conscripts by officers and fellow soldiers, and a lack
of accountability for such actions.

`Police allegedly continued to employ torture to obtain confessions
and reportedly beat citizens during arrest and interrogation. Many
prisons were overcrowded, unsanitary, and lacking in medical services
for inmates. Authorities continued to arrest and detain criminal
suspects without reasonable suspicion and to detain individuals
arbitrarily. Trials were often prolonged, and courts failed to enforce
laws providing for fair trials. Laws against government intrusion on
the right to privacy and unlawful searches were inadequately enforced.
The pre-election period was marked by diverse media coverage; however,
the media continued to lack diversity of political opinion and
objective reporting outside the campaign period. Members of religious
minorities suffered from societal discrimination. Domestic violence
remained a problem but largely went unreported to authorities. Human
trafficking was a problem, which authorities made efforts to combat.
Persons with disabilities experienced discrimination in almost all
areas of life. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons
were subjected to societal abuse and discrimination by military and
prison authorities. Workers’ rights were limited and labor laws weakly
enforced.

Although the government took some steps to punish officials in the
security forces and elsewhere who committed abuses, some members of
the security forces continued to commit human rights abuses with
impunity while under the direction of civilian leadership. The
government issued a report in December 2011 on its investigation into
the deaths of eight civilians and two police officers following the
2008 presidential election but, as of year’s end, had not held anyone
accountable.’

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Armenian Mesrobian School Making Major Strides

Friday, April 19th, 2013

Mesrobian students during Spirit Day

Mesrobian School is buzzing with activity. On Saturday, April 27,
2013, the school, established in 1965, will be opening its doors to
the entire Greater San Gabriel Valley Armenian Community and beyond
for an Open House from 12:00 noon to 4 p.m. The event is sponsored by
Club Mesrobian Alumni Organization.

As Mesrobian, with grade levels ranging from Nursery School (2 year
olds) through 12th Grade, prepares for the 2013-2014 Academic Year and
beyond, the school would like the community to get a glimpse of some
plans and initiatives that are in various stages of development, some
almost complete, some in preliminary stages as of this writing.

Mesrobian School remains committed to its dual purpose of offering
students a quality education, which helps prepare them for higher
education and life after high school, and to help instill in them a
full sense of their Armenian heritage. The school strives to instill
in its students the value of community and the vital importance of
being good and productive citizens of both the Armenian community and
the community at large, to embrace their Armenian-American identity.

The school is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools
and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Schools; the high school
curriculum is certified to the University of California.

Under the leadership of David Ghoogasian, a proud alumnus of the
school, who began serving as principal again just last month, the
school is committed to establishing Armenian Mesrobian School as a
leader in Education. The school is moving toward an educational
approach and philosophy based on the principles and findings of
Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Education, Communication
and a number of other relevant fields in order to provide students
with a first-rate, effective learning environment. The infusion of the
new Common Core State Standards with embedded 21st Century Skills will
help guide curricular and instructional decisions.

Armenian Studies
At Mesrobian School, Armenian studies are not limited to the
classroom. In addition to studying Armenian language, literature,
religion, history, and Armenian affairs, students are encouraged to
take active roles in the life of the Armenian community. Mesrobian
alumni continue to distinguish themselves as leaders in the community.

Math/Science/Technology
Mesrobian School has a dedicated laboratory facility for Biology,
Chemistry, and Physics. The lab is equipped with natural gas, a fume
hood, and various apparatus. The school is emphasizing and promoting
the appropriate, regular, and relevant use of the lab and is now
acquiring new equipment, supplies, and apparatus, some of which will
be in place before the end of the current academic year. The faculty
is being trained and coached in the protocols and approaches espoused
by the National Academies of Sciences.

The annual Science Fair helps students to learn and to apply the
scientific method from a very young age.

Over one weekend, a small group of volunteer parents and students
updated the school’s internet capabilities. The entire school now has
wireless internet access.

In addition to the traditional uses of technology, the school will be
implementing the use of computer software that is designed taking into
account principles of cognitive neuroscience to improve students’
cognitive capacities and achievement.

The school is also exploring STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics – programs, resources, and opportunities for the
upcoming school year as well as other online learning opportunities.

The Common Core State Standards bring with them a significantly
different set of expectations for the teaching of mathematics as well.
In order to stay on the cutting edge, Mesrobian faculty will be
receiving specialized training and coaching in effective and authentic
math instruction.

English and Social Studies
The English program at Mesrobian, as is the case with other programs,
has conformed to the California State Standards and, along with the
other subject areas, will be transitioning to the Common Core State
Standards. When possible, the reading material in the upper grades is
historical fiction and nonfiction that is related to the material
being covered in history classes. Students in 11th and 12th grades who
qualify have the option of taking honors English classes, which
provide them with a more challenging curriculum and prepares them for
the A.P. Literature and Composition Exam.

The social studies program currently has the additional requirement of
a two year course in World History and the option of a geography
elective. Qualified students have the option of taking honors U.S.
History, which, like the honors English classes, provides a more
challenging curriculum and prepares them for the A.P. U.S. History
Exam.

Arts Education
A well-rounded education should include the Visual and Performing
Arts. Mesrobian has a comprehensive art program, beginning in
Kindergarten and continuing through high school. The program includes
art appreciation and education with regard to various world artists,
genres, and styles, which are integrated with drawing, painting, and
design. Armenian artists and styles, including ancient Armenian
illuminations/manuscripts, are also highlighted and integrated into
the program. `My elementary-age children are learning things in art
that I learned at the university level as an Art Major,’ said Olga
Josephbek, an alumna of the school as well as a mother of three
students.

The use of ceramics is a unique aspect of Mesrobian’s Visual Arts
program through which students create pottery and sculptures. Because
the school is equipped with a kiln, students go through the entire
process of designing and creating the form, painting, glazing, and
firing their creations.

Mesrobian students participate in various community events, displaying
their singing and dramatic talents. Students participating in choir
sing, among other things, classic, popular, patriotic and liturgical
songs. A number of innovations and programs in the arts are also being
planned and prepared for the upcoming school year.

Moral/Character/Religious Development
Mesrobian School strives to educate the whole child: mind, body, and
spirit. The school values the building of character through active
service to causes greater than the individuals themselves. The
Armenian Apostolic Church has an active role in the life of the
school, with the pastor of Holy Cross Cathedral visiting the school
especially on religious holidays to conduct services, pray with and
speak to students, and to administer Holy Communion.

Professional Development
Professionals in any field require regular updates and improvements in
knowledge and methodology. Mesrobian has a comprehensive program of
professional development. Among the areas/topics/approaches in which
teachers will likely receive professional development include:
* Classroom Applications of Brain Research/How the Brain Learns
* Differentiated Instruction
* How to Deal with Difficult Non-Compliant Student Behavior
* Response to Intervention – RTI
* Common Core State Standards
* Giftedness
* National Academy of Sciences Teaching Protocols
* Effective Language Development
* Teaching Mathematics Effectively
* Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support – PBIS
* Effective Use of Technology
* Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

Professional Development is provided by recognized authorities in
their respective field.

Professional Affiliations/Associations
A learning community is sustained and improved in part through its
ties with other professionals and professional organizations. As such,
Mesrobian School is gaining membership into the following professional
organizations in order to remain on the leading edge.

* NCTM – National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
* NCTE – National Council of Teachers of English
* NCSS – National Council for the Social Studies
* NSTA – National Science Teachers Association
* CUE – Computer Using Educators, Inc.

Parent Education
Students thrive when they, their teachers, and their parents work
together for the common good. At the same time, parenting children and
adolescence in this rapidly changing world is challenging. Mesrobian
School is committed to providing, in addition to comprehensive teacher
preparation, educational workshops and classes for parents. Topics
will include:

Learning and Your Child’s Brain: Multiple Intelligences
Technology and the Brain: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, and the (as yet) Unknown
Mindset and the Mind/Brain Behind the Scenes: Helping our Children Thrive
Giftedness

Dedicated Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Parents, and Board
Members of Mesrobian’s Faculty and Staff have shown their dedication
and professionalism in many ways. Their devotion to students and the
school often reach beyond the classroom walls, as they take on
activities and events that enrich the lives of those entrusted to
their care.

Mesrobian School Alumni are very active in the life of the school.
Their moral and financial support is palpable on a daily basis. Club
Mesrobian Alumni Organization has taken on and funded many projects
which benefit the school and its students. Many students at the school
are children of alumni. Mesrobian alumni have distinguished themselves
in various professions including Medicine, Law, Education,
Engineering, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Chiropractic, Pharmacy,
Nursing, Music, Business, the Culinary Arts, and many others.

A Mesrobian Alumni Professional Directory will soon be available for
members of the community.

Mesrobian parents have a very active role in the life of the school
and are an ever-present support system. The PFC (Parent Faculty Club)
also provides moral and financial support for the school, helping to
organize fundraisers and activities for students. Parents can be seen
on campus daily always lending a much-needed helping hand and ensuring
that the needs of the school and its students are met.

The Mesrobian School Board has been instrumental in working toward the
improvement of the school. Made up of people- parents, alumni,
community members- who are devoted to the school and its mission, they
work closely with the school and other community organizations for the
betterment of the school.

Physical Education/Athletics
In addition to their regular PE classes, Mesrobian students in the
younger grades participate in the Homenetmen KAHAM games.

In high school, Mesrobian Varsity teams have been recognized for their
athletic prominence. Mesrobian is a member of the California
Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and plays in the International League
of the CIF Southern Section. Mesrobian has won league championships in
boys and girls basketball, girls volleyball, and boys soccer.
Mesrobian has won dozens of academic and sportsmanship accolades since
its opening in 1965.

The school is currently in the process of partnering with the local
YMCA to use their swimming, circuit training, and exercise facilities.
In addition, the school is taking into account important research on
exercise and its effects on cognition and learning.

Learning and Fun Continue Outside the Classroom
Mesrobian students participate in many out-of-school activities,
visiting art galleries and museums, attending cultural performances
and events, and taking part in community activities. Some of the major
trips taken by students include the annual middle school trip to
Washington DC and the high school trip to Armenia and Artsakh, where
students have the opportunity to connect with their roots. This is
often a transformational experience as students see, touch, smell, and
experience the places that they have learned about during their
upbringing at Mesrobian School.

What Happens When a Community Comes Together
The Montebello Armenian Community is working together. The Armenian
Center, the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, the Armenian
Relief Society, and their affiliated bodies and organizations have
come together with Mesrobian School to help build a better and
healthier community. `We believe that we are like an ecosystem, where
something that happens in one part of the ecosystem affects everything
else. Toxins and/or vital nutrients that are introduced into the
ecosystem have effects that are far reaching, whether positive or
negative,’ said Principal Ghoogasian. `We need to sustain a symbiotic
relationship, where we all benefit from one another.’ And this has
been happening. The community has put together some joint events, that
have the potential of helping to create a renewed and improved sense
of community and help bring in resources. The Executive Body of the
Armenian Center is working to revitalize community organizations such
as the Montebello Homenetmen and Hamazkayin. Homenetmen has already
begun holding practices at Mesrobian School. The Armenian Center and
the Holy Cross Church are establishing scholarships for new Mesrobian
students.

The Mesrobian School community encourages all to attend the Open House
on April 27 to get a brief glimpse into the workings of the school and
to spend a nice afternoon getting acquainted with the people and
facility. Especially encouraged are parents whose children have not
had the opportunity to attend Mesrobian School and those who are
interested in returning. There has been an outstanding positive
outpouring of support and encouragement from the community. All at
Mesrobian School look forward to greeting old and new friends and to
inviting new students and their families into the Mesrobian Family.

REVUE DE PRESSE
Le dégel israélo-turc devrait changer la donne gazière
Motivée par le dossier syrien, la réconciliation comporterait un pan
énergétique.

Officiellement, c’est la détérioration de la situation syrienne qui a
poussé Benyamin Netanyahu, le Premier ministre israélien, à normaliser
ses relations avec son homologue turc, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Annoncée
à l’issue de la visite en Israël de Barack Obama, cette réconciliation
israélo-turque passera par un accord visant à dédommager les familles
des victimes turques de l’assaut contre la flotille « Mavi-Marmara ».
La fin de la dispute bilatérale pourrait avoir des conséquences sur le
dossier palestinien, Ankara étant favorable à la levée du blocus
israélien sur la bande de Gaza. Elle aura enfin un impact sur la
question iranienne, les deux pays subissant la menace de Téhéran.

Reste que ce rapprochement devrait aussi avoir des incidences
importantes sur le plan économique. « Le gaz naturel en Méditerranée
sera le prochain sujet », assurait hier l’ancien diplomate israélien
en Turquie Alon Liel. « Les Turcs demanderont à Israël d’annuler ses
accords avec Chypre. Israël réclamera à son tour des compensations et
la Turquie demandera à acquérir la production de gaz naturel découvert
par Israël en Méditerranée. » Un scénario que l’effondrement
économique chypriote pourrait corroborer. Estimée à 1.000 milliards de
mètres cubes avec Tamar et Leviathan (offshore), la manne gazière
israélienne suscite des convoitises. En février, le numéro un mondial
du secteur, Gazprom, a signé une lettre d’intention lui assurant pour
une durée de vingt ans la totalité de la production de l’unité
flottante de gaz naturel liquéfié (LNG) adossée à Tamar.

Mais, ces dernières semaines, les partenaires de Leviathan ont, à leur
tour, reçu des demandes des compagnies turques. Avec une consommation
en progression de 5 à 6 % par an, le débouché turc représenterait une
aubaine côté israélien. « L’exportation vers la Turquie est l’option
la plus naturelle pour Israël et la moins onéreuse », juge Gilles
Darmon, directeur général de la banque d’affaires Lavi Capital. Un tel
projet supposerait la construction d’un pipeline sous-marin de 600
kilomètres, pour 2 milliards de dollars, entre le gisement, au large
de Haïfa, et le littoral méridional turc. Last but not least, cet
approvisionnement israélien pourrait permettre à Ankara de réduire sa
dépendance énergétique vis-à-vis de Gazprom, qui s’octroie 58 % des
importations de gaz turques. Un argument de poids pour enterrer la
hache de guerre.

samedi 20 avril 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

ARMENIE
Les Premiers ministres d’Arménie et du Karabagh discutent de la
réforme des retraites

Le Premier ministre Tigran Sarkissian et son homologue du
Haut-Karabagh Ara Harutyunyan ont présidé une réunion spéciale
consacrée à l’application de la réforme des retraites dans la
République du Haut-Karabagh (RHK).

« La réunion a examiné un ensemble de questions liées au système de
retraite par capitalisation au Karabagh, le système d’immatriculation
personnalisée et l’introduction des fonds de pension » a indiqué un
communiqué.

samedi 20 avril 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

AZERBAÏDJAN
Hafiz Hadjiev qui avait promis 10 000 euros pour l’oreille d’Aylisli,
candidat à la présidence

Il avait promis 10 000 euros pour toute personne qui lui ramènerait
l’oreille de l’écrivain azéri Akram Aylisli coupable de sympathie
envers les Arméniens en dénonçant les crimes et massacres de Soumgaït
et Bakou. Hafiz Hadjiev, le leader du parti « Mousavat contemporain »
proche du pouvoir, est candidat aux élections présidentielles en
Azerbaïdjan. Le site contact.az indique également que Hafiz Hadjiev
fut condamné pour délit économique. A la sortie de prison, il avait
aussitôt rallié le clan Aliev.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 20 avril 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

BAJAR EL RETRATO DE TALAAT PASHA COMO SI FUERA EL DE VIDELA

Clarín.com, Argentina
Jueves 18 de abril de 2013

A traves de la vida y la muerte de Hrant Dink, el periodista armenio
asesinado en Estambul seis años atras por denunciar el genocidio
de su comunidad, una obra de teatro evoca ese y otros crímenes de
lesa humanidad ocurridos en distintos países del mundo. “El punto de
partida es la indignacion”, dice Daniel Ritto, creador de la pieza
con el asesoramiento del historiador Osvaldo Bayer.

POR Ivanna Soto

“En la cabeza, donde se piensa: pa, pa, pa, pa. En el cuello, donde
fluye la sangre: pa, pa, pa, pa. En el corazon armenio: pa, pa, pa,
pa”. Y de pronto, la esperanza muerta por los balazos se hace tangible
en el himno que canta Daniel Ritto en Hrant Dink, el alegato de la
paloma. Una cronica del pasado, con testimonios de uno de los hombres
mas importantes e influyentes de Armenia, que se define a sí mismo
con la amargura de la certeza de lo que vendra.

Hrant Dink no lo sabe con seguridad, pero las amenazas constantes
confirman que en algún momento sucedera. Por eso no se sorprende cuando
a las 16.30 del 19 de enero de 2007 aparece Ogun Samast, un joven de 17
años con un arma y le pega cuatro tiros en la puerta de las oficinas
de Agos -el semanario bilingue turco-armenio que había fundado en
1996 para denunciar el genocidio del Estado turco. No quiso salvarse,
sino se hubiera ido, dejando atras su lucha. El motivo es claro:
“Me asesinaron por ser armenio y por ser periodista, por denunciar
obsesivamente el genocidio y luchar en busca de la verdad”, dice
Ritto en la obra como si fuera Dink, a seis años de su muerte.

En 1954, en Malatya, nacía este periodista turco de origen armenio.

Era el mayor de tres hermanos que, por las constantes peleas de sus
padres, abandonaron la casa, para luego ser devueltos de las manos de
un policía. A los 7 llego a Estambul con su familia y a los 9, tras el
divorcio de sus padres, fue enviado a un colegio pupilo armenio, donde
aprendio el idioma que luego usaría para denunciar tantas injusticias.

Se caso con Rakel, su esposa de toda la vida, con la que tuvo tres
hijos. Y mas tarde estudio zoología y luego filosofía en la Universidad
de Estambul, para luego dedicarse de lleno al periodismo.

Solo en escena, las palabras de Ritto traen la habitacion donde Dink
escribía y pensaba, con una ventana de dos hojas por donde miraba
Estambul. La miraba para transformarla, para sacar de una vez por
todas del centro de la ciudad el retrato de Talaat Pasha, uno de los
mayores genocidas que asesino a un millon y medio de armenios durante
la Primera Guerra Mundial. Cerca de allí, un colegio aún lleva su
nombre. Como un retrato de Videla en pleno centro porteño, o uno de
Pinochet en Santiago, o uno de Hitler en Berlín, todavía se engrandece
su gesto orgulloso en una sonrisa escondida tras el mullido bigote.

“Todos somos armenios, todos somos Hrant Dink”, grita Ritto en la
obra. Y el público repite, imitando a los miles de manifestantes
-partidos políticos, asociaciones turcas, miembros de la comunidad
Armenia y kurda- que rindieron homenaje al periodista en Estambul
luego de su muerte en un acto público de oposicion al regimen. Esas
cuatro balas que atravesaron el pecho de Dink, asegura Ritto, son
las mismas que vienen perpetrando la impunidad desde 1915, cuando
el Imperio Otomano deporto y extermino a cerca de dos millones de
armenios y se apropio de sus tierras.

“Mi único arma es la sinceridad”, decía Dink, defensor de la
libertad de expresion en Turquía, que tambien escribía en el diario
progresista Bir Gun y recibio en Hamburgo el premio Henri-Nannen
para la libertad de prensa. Sus críticas, no solo a las atrocidades
del pasado, sino tambien a la ausencia de democracia en su país, le
costaron su enemistad con los círculos mas nacionalistas. Por eso,
fue perseguido judicialmente varias veces por violar el artículo 301
del Codigo Penal turco -por el que tambien fue procesado el Nobel de
Literatura Orhan Pamuk- por “agraviar la identidad nacional”. Tras
el asesinato de Dink y las amenazas de muerte que recibio, Pamuk
abandono nuevamente su patria. “El asesinato de mi valiente amigo
ha agriado mi corazon”, dijo. “Estoy furioso con todos y con todo,
y siento una eterna verguenza”.

“El punto de partida siempre es la indignacion”, afirma Ritto, que
aprendio la profesion arriba del escenario. El actor under porteño
empezo su carrera en Juvenilia, un teatro independiente de Lomas
de Zamora. “La última movida under importante a nivel público fue
en los 80”, dice el actor, cineasta y director que frecuentaba el
Parakultural, Mediomundo Variete, Cemento, el Centro Cultural Rojas,
Cafe Einstein o Babilonia. Lejos ya de esa estetica, trata de hacerla
sobrevivir a su manera desde los personajes que viene interpretando en
sus unipersonales: Charles Bukowski, Enrique Angelelli, Mario Roberto
Santucho, Rodolfo Walsh, y ahora Hrant Dink. “El teatro basicamente es
poesía. Se parte de la idea de la vida para irrumpir en una poetica
que finalmente muestre la vida, que es lo que me interesa: mostrar
la vida”, asegura.

Luego del asesinato, el por entonces primer ministro turco Recep
Tayyip Erdogan condeno el hecho y prometio que se haría justicia. De
todos modos, los informes de Amnistía Internacional dan cuenta de
una inactividad por parte de los tribunales. Sumado a que, en 2008,
la Comision Parlamentaria de Derechos Humanos turca manifesto que
hubo negligencia y falta de coordinacion por parte de los servicios
de seguridad, ya que, pese a haber sido previamente informados del
asesinato, no lo impidieron.

En el mundo hay tres países que reconocieron abiertamente el genocidio
armenio: Argentina, Uruguay y Francia. “Queremos realmente hacer
conocer la historia de Hrant Dink y el genocidio armenio. Con obras
así vamos haciendo conocer las tragedias del mundo, del ser humano.

Esto ayuda a formar el clima respecto de ese negacionismo turco”,
asegura Osvaldo Bayer, que es parte del trabajo intelectual de los
unipersonales de Ritto desde Santucho por Santucho, hace quince años.

“¿Cuantas películas se han hecho sobre Hitler?, ¿y cuantas sobre
libertarios, sobre tipos como Hrant Dink?”, se pregunta Ritto. “Lo
otro es arte digerible, por eso hay tanto”. Para el, el teatro debe
tener una impronta social. “Cuando yo empece a estudiar había una
fantasía de querer cambiar el mundo haciendo teatro. Es complicado,
pero al menos es un aporte para que el ser humano pueda reflexionar”.

Escrita con el asesoramiento historico de Eduardo Kozanlian, que se
acerco a Ritto y Bayer en representacion de un grupo de jovenes de la
comunidad armenia, Hrant Dink, el alegato de la paloma, es un aporte
mas para la difusion, a traves del arte, de un caso mas de injusticia
contra los tantas veces citados derechos humanos.

AZERBAIJAN WELCOMES US INITIATIVE ON INCREASING TURKEY’S ROLE IN RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend, Azerbaijan
April 19 2013

The Armenian Diaspora of the United States of America slated the ideas
of the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry voiced by him in Turkey
that this country must strengthen its role in the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, as a congressman John Kerry had
always been one of those who supported the Armenian diaspora and
lobby.

As a congressman, John Kerry expressed the views of his electorate,
and now he acts on behalf of the national interests of the United
States, Director of the Center for Strategic Studies (CSS) under the
President of Azerbaijan Farhad Mammadov told Trend.

Strengthening of the influence of Turkey in some regions, such Middle
East, the Black Sea and the South Caucasus, fits with the national
interests of the USA, and with the support of Turkey the United States
act in accordance with their interests in these regions.

We would like to believe that the strengthening of the role of Turkey
in the South Caucasus will be directly linked to the resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Director of the
CCA said.

According to Mammadov, Turkey is still indirectly involved in the
resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. First, Turkey is one of 11
members of the OSCE Minsk Group. Second, Turkey closed the border with
Armenia after the occupation of Kalbajar region of Azerbaijan.

Considering all these, we can only welcome if the United States
supports Turkey in resolution Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Mammadov
added.

ARMENIAN LOBBY CRITICIZES U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT FOR ITS DESIRE TO RESOLVE CONFLICT IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Trend, Azerbaijan
April 19 2013

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) criticized the
Secretary of State John Kerry for recognizing greater Turkish role in
the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

As reports “Armenpress” the ANCA facebook page states that Secretary
of State John Kerry pushes for a greater Turkish role in the Nagorno
Karabakh issue – despite Turkey’s growing anti-Armenian bias.

ANCA criticized Secretary of State Kerry for “pouring fuel on the fire”.

The U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry stated in the House of
Representatives on April 18, that Turkey would be a constructive
player in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the Cyprus
issues.

“Turkey is holding talks with us on the two unresolved conflicts –
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and resolution of the Cyprus problem. Turkey
plays a constructive role in resolving these issues,” Anadolu agency
quotes Kerry as saying.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding
regions of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. are
currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the occupied territories.

ARMENIA: MEDIA VS MEDIA

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
April 19 2013

David Stepanyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

On May 5th, the elections to the Yerevan Council of Elders will take
place. A mayor will be a politician who heads a proportional list
of the political force which will get a majority of voices. Seven
political forces participate in the election campaign – the Republican
Party of Armenia, Orinats Yerkir, Heritage, Arakelutyun, Prosperous
Armenia, the Armenian National Congress, and Dashnaktsuyun.

According to sociologists, no more than 45% of voters will take part
in the elections. However, unlike ordinary citizens, the political
spectrum is excited about the elections. The forces which earlier
rejected participation in the presidential elections are now ready
to fight for mayor’s place – PA, Dashnaktsutyun, and the ANC. Today
almost all political forces participating in the election campaign
are intensively insulting each other. Tension is raising day after day.

Administrative pressing, bribery of electorate and political
accusations – it is made through the mass media, first of all. All
Armenian PR workers, except for republicans, are acting to a universal
principle: “criticize the authorities.” It is successfully used even
by the parties which not so long used to be a part of the authorities –
PA and Orinats Yerkir.

The public TV-channel hasn’t yet broadcast materials and reports
blacking the opposition. Instead, a part of its airtime is devoted
to the activity of the current capital mayor Taron Markaryan, who is
a republican. It should be noted that in recent months the activity
has become very intensive.

The TV-channel belonging to oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan, Kentron, gives
a half of its air time to propaganda of Prosperous Armenia. The
same is true for Dashnaktsutyn’s TV-cannel – Yerkir Media. The only
difference is that these TV-channels show the audience all unpleasant
sides of Yerevan’s life: dull faces of the citizens, holes in roads,
broken pipelines, rubbish, and so on.

A peculiarity of the information campaign is bribery of the Armenian
mass media, which surpassed all reasonable limits. Except for Yerkir
Media and Kentron, all other Armenian channels are directly or
indirectly sponsored by the governmental institutes, first of all RPA.

So, political preferences of the Armenian TV mass media are clear.

The same can be said about electronic mass media. Except for Yerkir.am
and Report.am which belong to Dashnaktsutyun, and informational sites
zham.am, 7or.am, civilnet.am which belong to Prosperous Armenia, the
rest of informational portals are working for the republicans. It
became possible due to active and long-lasting activity of Mikael
Minasyan – Serge Sargsyan’s son-in-law. Previously Minasyan has
never taken state official positions. One of his main missions
was organization and PR. Being protected by RPA and using his own
financial abilities, President’s son-in-law has bought several major
TV-channels. After this new information resources began to appear
in Armenia.

Minasyan achieved great results in this field because this information
policy was provided professionally, considered new realities, and
modern information technologies. Thus, Armenian propaganda began
to fulfill its mission on forming the desirable social discourse
successfully.

As the result only the mass media controlled by ANC stayed free from
the republican influence after the elections of 2008. These mass media
heavily criticized the authorities and President, crossing limits of
journalist ethics.

However, when ANC lost a major part of electorate and financing, these
media began to change a political orientation. Today the majority
of Armenian editorials are financed by the Republican Party, which
directly influences their content. It seems we should have no doubts
that on May 5th the current mayor of Yerevan Taron Markaryan and his
team will “win” the elections.

BAKU SEEKS MEETING WITH ARMENIAN DELEGATION AT PACE SESSION

Interfax, Russia
April 18 2013

Samad Seyidov, head of Azerbaijan’s delegation to the Council of
Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), plans to meet with the leader
of the Armenian parliamentary delegation on the sidelines of the
assembly’s session in Strasbourg next week.

“We would like to hold a meeting of the heads of the Azeri and Armenian
delegations to PACE within the sub-committee on Nagorno-Karabakh,”
Seyidov told journalists on Thursday.

“We even would like this meeting to take place not only at the level
of delegation heads, but involve both delegations in full,” he said.

Azerbaijan has long sought meetings in such a format, but Armenia
has rejected all these offers, he said.

“I will again try at this session to meet with the head of the Armenian
delegation. I am certain that this meeting will take place,” Seyidov
said, adding that PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon was making efforts
in this issue as well.

tm mk