U.S. Missile Shield In Gulf Signals Attack On Iran – Russian Officia

U.S. MISSILE SHIELD IN GULF SIGNALS ATTACK ON IRAN – RUSSIAN OFFICIAL

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 6, 2012 – 17:39 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A U.S.-backed plan to build a missile defense shield
within the Gulf States may signal preparation for a military strike
on Iran, Chairman of the State Duma International Affairs Committee
Alexei Pushkov said on Friday, April 6, RIA Novosti reported.

“The building of a missile defense shield is a political step, which
signals the possibility of a military strike against Iran,” he said,
speaking at a round table conference on Iran at the Lower House of
Parliament, the State Duma.

Pushkov’s comment comes after the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton on Saturday at the Persian Gulf-U.S. security forum in Riyadh
announced the idea of a missile defense shield in the six Persian
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain,
Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi sharply criticized the
U.S.-backed missile defense project, saying that it was “against
regional security.”

Washington is seeking to expand its missile defense shield within
the Gulf States. U.S. Patriot missiles are already deployed in Saudi
Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Russian lawmaker also said that Iran was on the brink of a full-fledged
military conflict, as diplomacy so far has not help diffuse the
situation. Pushkov called on Iranian officials to take the Western
threats “seriously” by “keeping in mind Iraq’s experience.” He also
said that bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities could trigger a global
war, as the Islamic Republic would definitely respond and its response
may be asymmetrical.

Pushkov reiterated Russia’s stance on Iran, saying that Moscow opposed
any military outcome to tackle the Iranian nuclear problem.

The West accuses Iran of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons program but
Tehran insists it needs nuclear power solely to generate electricity.

Iran To Sell Petrol To Armenia

IRAN TO SELL PETROL TO ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 6, 2012 – 18:09 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Iran will be selling petrol to Georgia and Armenia,
Iran’s Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi said.

“Right now we produce enough of petrol for the country’s needs, and
the rest will be sold to neighboring countries by the end of the new
year,” Qasemi noted.

The minister added that Iran will sell petrol to Georgia and Armenia
during the first phase.

Qassemi added that as of now 55 million of cubic meters of Iranian
oil products are being exported to 70 countries of the world, Trend
reported citing IRINN.

Vahan Hovhannisyan: People In Azerbaijan Did Not Seem Eager To Fight

VAHAN HOVHANNISYAN: PEOPLE IN AZERBAIJAN DID NOT SEEM EAGER TO FIGHT FOR OBSCURE OBJECTIVES AND DIE IN OUR MOUNTAINS
Lusine Vasilyan

“Radiolur”
05.04.2012 18:05

Ilham Aliyev’s aggressive and unacceptable anti-Armenian speech at
the plenary sitting of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly of April 3
was a cold shower not only for the Armenian delegation, but also for
the Euronest as a whole,” Head of the Armenian delegation to Euronest
PA Vahan Hovhannisyan told a press conference in Yerevan today.

The Armenian delegation will continue to actively participate in the
works of the Euronest, and will not allow any deviation from the main
objectives of the Parliamentary Assembly, members of the Armenian
delegation told reporters today.

The Armenian delegates consider the visit to Baku was important. They
say they managed to give a worthy response to the Azerbaijani
President.

“We believe we had to go, because although unwillingly, Aliyev stroke a
blow to his country’s image. We would not manage to do that no matter
how hard we tried,” Vahan Hovhannisyan said.

Members of the Armenian delegation say they noticed no aggression
on the part of Azerbaijani MPs, the security workers and people,
in general.

“Most probably, there is only one person in Azerbaijan, who wins
political dividends through warmongering. The public did not seem eager
to fight for obscure objectives and die in our mountains,” he added.

Hovhannisyan said Aliyev’s speech exceeded all expectations. “I
cannot but say that some Azerbaijani MPs apologized to us for the
President’s speech.”

The head of the Armenian delegation noticed an interesting thing
in Baku. “All state institutions and agencies had maps on the walls
with Karabakh included. Thus, the authorities are trying to remind
the people of the idea of “Big Azerbaijan,” about the things they
want to forget about.”

According to Vahan Hovhannisyan, this is a feature of Á society with
too many hang-ups.

UN Security Council Resolution On Armenian Pullout Has No Prescripti

UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON ARMENIAN PULLOUT HAS NO PRESCRIPTION PERIOD – BAKU

ITAR-TASS
April 3, 2012 Tuesday 08:17 PM GMT+4
Russia

The UN Security Council resolution, which demands the Armenian pullout
from the occupied Azerbaijani lands, has no prescription period,
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov said upon the end of
negotiations with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

“Azerbaijan thinks that they [the UN Security Council resolutions
adopted in 1993] remain valid, and the demand for the unconditional
pullout of Armenian forces from the occupied Azerbaijani lands must
be fulfilled,” he said. “Meanwhile, the OSCE Minsk Group process must
continue till the logical end.”

The minister said he discussed the Karabakh issue with Lavrov. “We
are grateful to the Russian side, President Dmitry Medvedev, who has
been taking a very active part in this process in recent years. The
Russian chief of state has a profound knowledge of the problem and
has personally edited possible solutions,” he said.

“No results have been achieved so far, but I am optimistic about our
ability to end the unacceptable status quo in the Karabakh conflict,”
Mamedyarov said.

Police Publishes Total Number Of Voters In Armenia

POLICE PUBLISHES TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTERS IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 6, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian police is publishing the
total number of voters included in the voters’ register of Armenia.

Police press office reported that the total number of voters is
2 million 482 739. Seventy-four of them are registered in other
communities, are temporary withdrawn from registration place. Two
people do not have registration. Ten people are sent to other
communities on the day of election.

Armenian Delegation Sums Up The Works Of The Meeting Held In Baku

ARMENIAN DELEGATION SUMS UP THE WORKS OF THE MEETING HELD IN BAKU

05.04.2012

The delegation of the National Assembly took part in the works
of the second plenary meeting, which was held in Baku on April
2-4. The Armenian delegation gave details to the journalists about
the discussions and impressions received in the capital of Azerbaijan
on April 5.

The Head of the Parliamentary Delegation in Euronest Vahan Hovhannisyan
considered the second plenary meeting, in fact, the first one that
succeeded, as on the previous one they did not succeed to come to
mutual agreement and adopt resolutions. At the same time he highly
appreciated the results of the three-day works and thanked the members
of the Delegation for cooperation, as well as for resoluteness and
bravery. The Head of the Delegation deemed right and justified the
decision of the Armenian MPs to leave for Baku. In Vahan Hovhannisyan’s
word, before the plenary meeting the Armenian delegation in active
and organized way took part in the discussion of different reports
of four committees, could overturn the national interests of Armenia
all the formulations contradicting in this or that way. Moreover,
new emphases have been put on the efforts of the Armenian Delegation’s
members in the reports .

However, the working and constructive atmosphere has been changed
in the opening of the plenary meeting with the message sounded
by the President of Azerbaijan. According to Vahan Hovhannisyan,
Ilham Aliyev’s strictly aggressive and anti-Armenian formulations,
also calling Armenians “Fascists,” had been a “cold shower” for
the Europeans. The speech of the Head of Azerbaijan had left an
unfavourable impression on everybody that besides the Europeans, the
Azerbaijani MPs also had approached and apologized for his behaviour.

According to speaker, the Armenian Delegation could not remain silent,
and with the immediately spread statement enclosed with a document,
with the speeches of Naira Zohrabyan, Lilit Galstyan and Styopa
Safaryan, later with press release, reversed Aliyev’s speech and
distorted facts. “Perhaps not wishing, President Aliyev gave such
a blow to the political image of his country, which, as we strove,
had difficulty to succeed it,” Vahan Hovhannisyan concluded.

In the words of the Head of Delegation, the Azerbaijani people have not
shown any manifestation of anti-Armenian attitude and aggressiveness,
which gives the deputy a basis to evaluate that with the threats of
war, also tries to get dividends only one man, Ilham Aliyev. Also such
impression has got the PAP member of the Delegation Naira Zohrabyan,
in whose opinion the people has been a hostage in the hand of Aliyev
and his clan. And the state campaign is directed to the supply of that
clan’s interests. Ms Zohrabyan noted with regret that the European
MPs, unlike the assessments condemning Aliyev’s speech in private
talks, had not dared to voice from the tribune. Making reference to
the ARF faction deputy Lilit Galstyan, considered Aliyev’s address
endangering the negotiation process of the NK conflict settlement,
as well as bringing to null the efforts of Euronest of creating a new
political format directed to the democratization and cooperation of
the member countries. She considered unacceptable Aliyev’s calling
“fascist” especially in a country, where people are condemned for
political views.

The member of the Heritage Faction Styopa Safaryan mainly talked about
the discussions held in the committees. As a result, the Armenian
side succeeded to include in the report an assessment on the policy
of closed borders, also the testing of the Armenian nuclear power
plant in accordance with the EU standards.

The Armenian deputies noted that the Azerbaijanis in any way isolated
them from the local and foreign media.

The Armenian Delegation visited the Armenian church of Baku.

http://www.parliament.am/news.php?cat_id=2&NewsID=5148&year=2012&month=04&day=05&lang=eng

Putin Will Not Shake, But Try To Break Sargsyan’s, Aliyev’s Hands –

PUTIN WILL NOT SHAKE, BUT TRY TO BREAK SARGSYAN’S, ALIYEV’S HANDS – ARMENIAN POLITICAL ANALYST

news.am
April 06, 2012 | 14:31

YEREVAN. – Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev was shaking Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan’s and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s
hands, but current Russian PM and President-elect Vladimir Putin will
not shake and rather attempt to break their hands, Armenian capital
Yerevan’s Regional Studies Center Director Richard Giragosian stated
during a press conference on Friday.

Nonetheless, Giragosian believes Russian FM Sergei Lavrov’s recent
visit to Armenia showed that Armenia has attained a greater strategic
value for Russia.

“The visit had three political objectives: First, it was Armenia’s
importance for Russia. Second, [it was] Russia’s policy in the South
Caucasus. [And] Third, he [Lavrov] visited Armenia one month before
[the country’s] parliamentary elections,” Giragosian stated.

“Russia is improving its relations with Azerbaijan. Russia will
continue its role in the [OSCE] Minsk Group, but there will be some
changes. President Medvedev was shaking President Sargsyan’s and
President Aliyev’s hands, but Putin will not shake and rather attempt
to break their hands,” the political analyst predicted.

“Armenia must learn lessons from Russia, [as] it is dangerous to
ignore the social demands. The danger of ignoring social demands must
be taken into account,” Richard Giragosian concluded.

Giragosian: Russia Treats Armenia As Equal Partner

GIRAGOSIAN: RUSSIA TREATS ARMENIA AS EQUAL PARTNER

Panorama.am
06/04/2012

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Armenia is
evidence that Armenia gained more strategic importance for Russia
and is perceived as the only reliable partner in South Caucasus,
said Richard Giragosian, Director at Regional Studies Center (RSC).

According to the expert Russia appreciates Armenia, as our country
is more engaged in European Union and Eastern Partnership programs.

Russia highlighted the fact that Armenian Defense Minister Seyran
Ohanyan traveled to the United States.

“The important thing is that Armenia has a chance to get more from
Russia,” said Mr. Giragosian.

Richard Giragosian said that Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Armenia had a
clear message – Russia treats Armenia as an equal partner.

AYF April 24 Protest To Be Held At Turkish Consulate

AYF APRIL 24 PROTEST TO BE HELD AT TURKISH CONSULATE

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 6, 2012
LOS ANGELES

LOS ANGELES, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian Youth Federation –
Western Region will be holding its annual protest demanding justice
for the Armenian Genocide in front of the Turkish Consulate in Los
Angeles on Tuesday, April 24th, reports Armenpress citing Asbarez. The
protest will include community activists and civic leaders across the
state coming together to publicly condemn the Republic of Turkey for
its continued perpetuation of a campaign resulting in the death of
over 1.5 million Armenians. The participants will gather in front of
the office of the Turkish Consul General at 6300 Wilshire Blvd. from
4 to 6 p.m. to honor the victims of the Armenian Genocide and demand
justice from the Republic of Turkey.” April is not only a time to
commemorate the Armenian Genocide, it is also genocide awareness
month,” remarked Lori Tashdjian, one of the lead organizers of the
protest. “Armenians and non-Armenians alike should come together to
protest this crime against humanity, especially its final stage, which
is denial.”The protest is the culmination of a number of commemoration
events organized by the AYF to mark the ninety-seventh anniversary of
the Genocide. A few such noteworthy events include a community-wide
“One Voice, Once Cause” rally hosted by the Glendale “Roupen”
Chapter on the evening of April 15 at St. Mary’s, a candlelight
vigil at city hall hosted by the Burbank “Varak” Chapter, and the
“Cycle Against Denial” bike ride hosted by the Valley “Sardarabad”
Chapter on April 29.

The Armenian Youth Federation’s South Bay “Potorig” Chapter will
host its second annual Armenian Genocide Museum on Thursday April
12th at 5:30 PM at the South Bay Armenian Center. In its inaugural
year last year the event showcased important information about the
Armenian Genocide and exposed to the non-Armenian South Bay community
the atrocities of the Genocide.

Assyrian Genocide Monument In Australia Vandalized Again

ASSYRIAN GENOCIDE MONUMENT IN AUSTRALIA VANDALIZED AGAIN

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 6, 2012
FAIRFIELD

FAIRFIELD, 6 APRIL, ARMENPRESS: The Assyrian genocide monument in
Fairfield, Australia was vandalized on Thursday. The dedication plaque
was damaged and must be replaced, reports Armenpress citing Assyrian
International News Agency. This is the second time the monument
has been vandalized. The monument was defaced on August 20, 2010,
two weeks after its erection on Assyrian Martyrs Day, August 7, 2010.

The Turkish community in Fairfield strongly opposed the monument
before it was erected.

The monument is dedicated to the 750,000 Assyrians that were killed
by Turks in World War One, between 1915 and 1918, as well as Assyrian
martyrs from other periods.