Author: Kalantarian Kevo

US Will Continue To Assist Armenia In Defense Sector – American Official

News.Am
January 27, 2012 | 15:41

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Minister Of Defense, Seyran Ohanyan, Received
Thursday, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European
and Eurasian Affairs, Eric Rubin.

The Minister thanked the US Department of State for its assistance in
developing the Armenian-American cooperation in the defense sector,
MOD informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In his turn, Eric Rubin welcomed the reforms being carried in Armenia’s
defense sector, and informed that the US will continue its assistance
to Armenia in this domain. The US State Department official also
noted that the American side highly evaluates Armenia’s efforts toward
assuring international security, specifically the Armenian military
contingent’s mission in Afghanistan within the framework of NATO.

The interlocutors also discussed the Armenian-American cooperation
in the defense sector, and regional security issues.

V. CHAKHALYAN: “JANUARY 28 IS THE GUARANTEE FOR THE BRIGHT FUTURE OF ARMENIA AND THE WHOLE ARMENIANS”

January 28 is the day of Armenian Independent Republic’s Army. On this
day son of Vahagn Chakhalyan (political activist, political prisoners
from Javakhk) is becoming five years old. Times.am got a letter from
“Yerkir” (“The country”) union which presents V. Chakhalyan’s message
on these two occasions.

“I congratulate my son, Ruben Chakhalyan, on his birthday and
congratulate on the 20th anniversary of Armenian Armed Forces. I am
sure that January 28 will be the guarantee for the bright future of
Armenia and the whole Armenians

January 27, 2012, Special strict prison No. 6 of Rustavi, Georgia”.

Remind that Javakhian political activist Vahagn Chakhalyan was
arrested on July 21, 2008 and was sentenced with 10 years on April 7,
2009 by the Georgian authorities. His arrest is based on a range of
fake accusations. The court trial passed with terrible violations and
Chakhalyan is announced to be blame for the “disturbing the social
discipline by organizing mass events and participating in them
actively”, “hooliganism against the authorities”, “keeping weapons”.

The accusations are based on Chakhalyan’s activities on 2005-2006
when he was struggling for the Armenians’ rights in Javakhk and the
facts are presented distorted and not objective.

Many Armenian organizations in Armenia and Diaspora made announcements
on the case and claimed for the just court trial.

V. Chakhalyan applied to the European Court of Human Rights against
Georgian authorities. His application is under examination now.

TURKISH FIRST LADY DEGRADES FRENCH AMBASSADOR’S WIFE

PanARMENIAN.Net
January 27, 2012 – 13:26 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The conflict between Turkey and France over adoption
of the bill penalizing the Armenian Genocide denial is gradually
getting more and more strained.

To degrade France once again, first lady of Turkey Hayrunnisa Gul
refused to invite French ambassador’s wife Sabine Bili to Ankara-hosted
traditional reception of female ambassadors and ambassadors’ spouses
in Ankara.

French ambassador to Turkey Laurent Bili called on Turkey to “remain
calm”, pledging to do everything in his power for normalization of
ties between the two countries.

On January 23 the French Senate passed the bill with 127 votes for
and 86 against.

On December 22, 2011, it was adopted by the French National Assembly.

The bill will impose a 45,000 euro fine and a year in prison for
anyone in France who denies this crime against humanity committed by
the Ottoman Empire.

The bill is believed to take effect in France within two weeks,
after it will be signed by President.

MEDALS AND ORDERS TO SERVICEMEN AND FREEDOM FIGHTERS

armradio.am
27.01.2012 14:59

President Serzh Sargsyan signed decrees to award a group of the RA
Army servicemen and freedom fighters with the medals and orders of
the Republic of Armenia on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the
creation of the Armenian Armed Forces, their significant contribution
to the army-building, as well as for their valor and dedication in
defending the borders of the Motherland. A number of servicemen were
bestowed military ranks.

Today, the President of the Republic of Armenia, Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces Serzh Sargsyan handed some of the awards to the
recipients at the official ceremony held at the Presidential Palace.

The President of Armenia congratulated the awardees of the state
distinctions and military ranks, wished them good health, excellent
service and unwavering strength and tenacity in increasing the Armenian
Army~Rs combat readiness.

~SDistinguished Generals, Officers, and Soldiers, through the awards
handed to you on the occasion of the jubilee of the creation of
the Armenian Armed Forces our country and our nation express their
feelings for you dedicated service. Today, you are being awarded for
your success and achievements, which make Armenia even stronger in
every sense of the word. We are proud of you and your brothers in
arms,~T President Serzh Sargsyan said.

PREMIERES IN ARMENIA’S OPERA AND BALLET NATIONAL ACADEMIC THEATRE EXPECTED IN 2012

ARMENPRESS
27 January, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: Al. Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet
National Academic Theatre will present a number of premieres in 2012.

Speaking to Armenpress director of the Theater Kamo Hovhannissyan
said premiers of both ballets and operas are expected. He said it
is expected to stage Bizet’s “Carmen”, Puccini’s “La bohème” and
Tchaikovsky’s “Shelkunchik”. “We want to have this ballet to invite
our children to theatre during the New Year days,” Kamo Hovhannissyan
said, assuring that “Zhizel” will also be restored.

ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT SAYS ARMY’S ACHIEVEMENTS MAKE THE COUNTRY STRONGER

ARMENPRESS
27 January, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: On the occasion of the 20th
anniversary of formation of the Armenian army President Serzh
Sargsyan handed a number of awards and military titles to a number
of servicemen. President noted that with the awards and the titles
the country and the people express their attitude toward the military
for their devoted service.

“Today you are being awarded for your success and achievements which
makes Armenia stronger in all respects,” the leader of the country
said, wishing the military health, safe service and strength to
develop the army. “We are proud of you and your friends in arms,”
the President said.

“SARDARAPAT” MOVEMENT TO CREATE ALTERNATIVE POWER IN ARMENIA

arminfo
Friday, January 27, 14:35

“Sardarapat” movement is going to create an alternative power in
Armenia, a member of “Sardarapat” initiative group, Karabakh war hero,
Jirayr Sefilyan, told journalists today.

“Establishment of the normal atmosphere in the country, of the true
but not visual democracy is not possible by means of the parliamentary
election which will be held in May…The jerk out from the present
slumpy situation in the political field, the society and the republic
in general is possible if first the dictatorship regime is overthrown.

Then a short-term transitional preparatory stage is necessary, and
only after that holding of free elections will be possible in Armenia”,
– he said.

He also added that undoubtedly “Sardarapat” will participate in
such elections. He categorically refuses to participate in the
performance “which will be held in Armenia in May”. Sefilyan said
that “Sardarapat” is not going to boycott the election. As for the
refusal, its reason is that they understand that it is impossible to
reach the systemized changes in Armenia through classical political
ways. “While the opposition and pro-power political forces have been
preparing to the May performance, our movement has been forming an
alternative power. We are going to present our conception of the
alternative power as well as its staff in the near future. The rest
political forces including the opposition ones, which are going to
participate in the forthcoming election, have nothing else than do
it. In such a way these puppet forces are supporting the present
regime and legitimize its reproduction”, – Sefilyan concluded.

HILLARY CLINTON: AS PRESIDENT, I WILL RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

arminfo
Friday, January 27, 13:11

Senator Hillary Clinton made a Statement on the U.S.-Armenia
Relationship overnight sayng that alone among the Presidential
candidates, she has been a longstanding supporter of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution.

“I have been a co-sponsor of the Resolution since 2002, and I support
adoption of this legislation by both Houses of Congress. I believe the
horrible events perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against Armenians
constitute a clear case of genocide. I have twice written to President
Bush calling on him to refer to the Armenian Genocide in his annual
commemorative statement and, as President, I will recognize the
Armenian Genocide. Our common morality and our nation’s credibility
as a voice for human rights challenge us to ensure that the Armenian
Genocide be recognized and remembered by the Congress and the President
of the United State,” she said.

It is noteworthy that presidential election in the USA is scheduled
for Nov 2012. During their campaigns most of the previous presidents
of the U.S., including Clinton’s husband John Clinton, pledged to
recognize the Armenian Genocide if elected. However, soon after
they were elected, they refused their promises motivating it with
inexpediency, while in reality, they just did not want to deteriorate
relations with Turkey.

ITAR-TASS reports that Hillary Clinton told the Department of
Foreign Affairs that the U.S. will never follow France’s example when
commenting on the French Senate resolution criminalizing the denial
of the Armenian Genocide. “:One of our great strengths is we do
not criminalize speech. People can say nearly anything they choose,
and they do, in our country. And so other countries, including close
friends and allies like France, have different standards, different
histories, but we are, I hope, never going to go down that path to
criminalize speech,” explained the Secretary of State.

FOR THE STUDY AND THE HISTORY OF THE GENOCIDE OF THE ARMENIANS

Noyan Tapan
2012-01-27

We, historians specialists in the genocide of the Armenians engaged
since many years in research and the publication of works on this
subject, tenons to express our complete dissension with the public
statements tending to make reality of the genocide of the Armenians
a thesis be discussed or the object of some bipartite commission
Turkey-Armenie having to rule on its existence, the more so as behind
this apparently objective proposal is clearly dissimulated the refusal
of a State which would gain to assume its past.

We protest against this operation of diversion which proves a serious
ignorance of the assets of research and ends up resorting to certain
springs of the negationnism of the genocide of the Armenians,
instilling the lie, the suspicion and the rumour. Such methods
dishonour the reason criticizes and flirtent with the tendencies more
shouting of the negationnism and the revisionism of which the goal
is to dispute an obviousness, in fact the reality of the genocide of
the Armenians.

We point out solemnly that any opinion is not worth demonstration.

Such declarations call in question the already important mass of
university work about the reality of this genocide made between 1915
and 1916, already qualified in its time of “murder of a nation”. The
necessary continuation of work on this event cannot be based on the
perpetual screening or the refusal of the assets of research, by the
invocation of a scientific freedom that the negationnism diverts and
perverts and that the Turkish government, which more is, represses
violently, to the image of these academics and independent editors
now imprisoned. The materiality and the intention of the genocide
made against the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire during the First
World War were amply shown by historians who took the trouble to
work on this subject and know what they speak when they associate
the concept of genocide with the Armenian case, unlike the authors
of these approximate declarations, strong of a notoriety acquired
on other subjects but of which none put its nose in the files or
published on the subject.

To spread the idea that the reality of the genocide of the
Armenians would be contestable constitutes a true insult for the
historians and the History. Freedom for the History is not that to
say anything. The autonomy of research imposes also the scientific
rigour and intellectual honesty. A genocide constitutes an event
of world range which requires an international research. More than
ever, research on the genocides with a dimension specialist in
comparative literature deserves a more important place in France, at
the university, at the school, in the world of the edition, with the
service of the knowledge and the training of the citizens. The support
for research in this field should be a priority of the Republic.

We launch also a call to the public authorities to France for the
creation of a pulpit of history on the study of the genocides. It
would make it possible to form, educate and to finish some with the
remarks negationnists. Lastly, we invite the whole of the colleagues
recognized in France and abroad by their work on the genocide of the
Armenians as well as the researchers in social sciences and human
concerned with this approach, to join this “Call for the History of
the genocide of the Armenians”.

AUDRONIUS AZUBALIS: SOONER OR LATER THE HISTORY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR OF THE PRESENT

armradio.am
27.01.2012 12:52

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian paid a working visit to
Lithuania on January 26. Within the framework of eth visit Minister
Nalbandian had meetings with Lithuania’a Prime Minister Andrius
Kubilis, Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis and Vice-Speaker of Sejm
Cheslovas Yurshenas.

The Lithuanian Prime Minister and the Armenian Foreign Minister
noted the dynamic development of relations over the past years,
the high-level meetings, the reciprocal visits, the opening of the
Armenian Embassy in Vilnius, development of economic and cultural ties.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the Armenia-EU cooperation,
the programs implemented within that framework, issues of the South
Caucasus.

The Foreign Ministers of the two countries Edward Nalbandian
and Audronius Azubalis discussed a wide range of regional and
international issues. Reference was made to processes taking place in
Europe, Armenia-EU cooperation, cooperation within the framework of
international organizations, intensification of consultations between
the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.

Ministers Nalbandian and Azubalis exchanged views on the process of
peaceful settlement of the Artsakh issue. The Lithuanian Foreign
Minister reiterated his support for the settlement of the issues
through negotiations within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.

The same day Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with Vice-Speaker of
Sejm Cheslovas Yurshenas, Chairman of the Armenian-Lithuania Deputy
Friendship Group Algis Kasheta and members of parliament.

At a joint press conference with his Lithuanian counterpart Edward
Nalbandian expressed gratitude to Lithuania for adoption of eth
Armenian Genocide back in 2005.

“The arguments of Turkey do not stand any criticism. They say the bill
passed by the French Senate will hinder the process of normalization
of the Armenian-Turkish relations. However, it’s clear to everyone
that it’s only Turkey that prevents that normalization. Turkey says
the French law edits history. Unfortunately, the black pages of the
tragic history of our nation have already been written, and the only
way to turn these pages is the recognition and condemnation of this
crime against humanity.

The bill passed by the French Senate is not targeted against any
concrete country, the Armenian Foreign Minister said, adding that
Turkey’s reaction is an evidence of that country’s state policy
of denial.

Referring to the same issue, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister said:
“Sooner or later the history knocks at the door of the present, and we
have to open it. We have to look the history in the face and assess
the reality in an open, transparent and fair way. Without that we’ll
never have peace in stable inter-state relations. That is why I think
that right are the politicians who say that history must be discussed,
while those who say history should be left to historians are wrong.

Mistrust in bilateral relations will exist until we square accounts
with the past.”