Author: Kalantarian Kevo

GEORGIA COMPENSATED ARMENIA?

08:12 pm | July 14, 2011 | Politics

President of the “Javakhk” Compatriotic Union Shirak Torosyan says
he thought the Georgian authorities were better than they actually are.

“We Armenians believed in our “good” neighbors a little too much. I
had even announced that the Georgian authorities were finally able to
show good political will regarding at least one issue,” Mr. Torosyan
told “A1+”.

This refers to the clarifications regarding the Georgian parliament’s
changes in the “Civil Code”, which set restrictions on privileges
reserved for four religious communities, including the Armenian
Apostolic Church.

He recalled that during the visit of the Catholicos of All Armenians
to Georgia in June, the Catholicos had discussed the return of at
least six Armenian churches in Tbilisi and the St. Nshan Church in
Akhaltskha. “It turns out that that issue remained unsolved. After
the Georgian parliament’s change, it is up to the Georgian Orthodox
Church to determine what will happen to the Armenian churches.”

According to Mr. Torosyan, Armenian-Georgian relations are currently
two-layered. “The first are official relations that both sides assess
as high-level relations. The second layer is the incident connected
to the Armenian churches. The same goes for the spiritual, cultural
and educational spheres.”

According to ANC member, diplomat Vladimir Karapetyan,
Armenian-Georgian relations are regressing in all spheres. “I regret
to see those relations at a very low level.”

Karapetyan considers the Georgian parliament’s clarifications
compensation to Armenia. “Armenia was among the few countries that
voted against Georgia’s initiative to organize the return of refugees
in the UN. In such cases, Georgia has always stayed neutral when it
came to issues concerning Armenia. The Armenian delegation’s vote
against Georgia’s initiative in the UN had a negative impact on
Armenian-Georgian relations.”

In this context, he also views the fact that for the first time,
the President of Georgia didn’t receive the RA Foreign Minister on
the latter’s visit to the country. “Armenian-Georgian relations are
deteriorating. I think Armenia has to take serious steps at the state
level to fix those relations.”

“THEY KNOW THE CULPRITS’ LOCATION, BUT DON’T SENTENCE”

08:22 pm | July 14, 2011 | Politics

“Serzh Sargsyan’s instruction to bring a new sweep to the investigation
into the case of March 1 is an imitation because no fact has been
cleared up and nobody has been brought to justice for the murders of
the parents’ sons,” Alla Hovhannisyan, mother of Tigran Khachatryan
who died on March 1, told “A1+”.

Hovhannisyan said that the names of the police officer who shot her
son and the commander, Gegham Petrosyan, who instructed to shoot and
do everything possible to prevent the bus from moving forward are
clearly mentioned in the film “Lost Spring of Armenia”.

“However, to this day the investigative group has not interrogated
that police officer,” said Mrs. Hovhannisyan.

The parents hope that their issue will be solved to a certain extent
during the Co-Chairs upcoming visit to Armenia.

As for Serzh Sargsyan’s pledge in Strasbourg that the case will be
revealed by the end of the year and an interim report on the activities
of the investigative group will be released, Alla Hovhannisyan says
she has no hope that anything will change as long as the authorities
and the current investigative group are “trying to reveal the case”.

Alla Hovhannisyan advised Serzh Sargsyan not to confuse the Europeans
or the Armenian society.

“In Strasbourg, Serzh Sargsyan announced that four police officers
had been brought to justice. They were brought to justice for the
operations organized on the morning of March 1, while the police
officers who killed our sons haven’t been condemned and still hold
their posts,” said Alla Hovhannisyan.

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
July 14, 2011

Contact: William Bairamian
Tel: 818-500-1918

ANCA-WR Congratulates Janice Hahn on Victory

Glendale – Fresh off her victory against Republican challenger, Craig
Huey, Congresswoman-elect Janice Hahn was congratulated by the
Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR). Ms.
Hahn had been endorsed by the ANCA-WR during the primaries and had
again received the organization’s endorsement for the general special
election. She will be replacing the retired representative from the
district, Genocide denier Jane Harman.

ANCA-WR Board Chairman Andrew Kzirian said, `We are proud to support
candidates who have shown their leadership in standing up for human
rights and justice but also those who are dedicated to the community
they represent. Through our early support, we knew Janice Hahn was
that person and we are happy that voters in the South Bay agreed with
us on Election Day.’

He also added, `Our heart goes out to Ms. Hahn as we know that this
very joyous occasion unfortunately coincided with the passing of her
beloved mother. We offer our deepest condolences to her and her family
and we wish them only the best.’ In an untimely death, Ms. Hahn’s
mother had passed away the day before the election.

The campaign was also helped by a small but dedicated group of
Armenian American activists, led by ANCA-South Bay representative
Azniv Goenjian. Ms. Goenjian was in the campaign office regularly to
phone bank for the campaign and she commented on the impact she
believes it made:

`Although we had a big victory on Election Day, we were working until
the end, knowing that we couldn’t take the win for granted. We pushed
until the end and Janice won a race she deserved to win.’

Congresswoman-elect Hahn is tentatively scheduled to be sworn in on
Tuesday, July 19, on the floor of the House of Representatives in
Washington, DC.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.

###

Attached: Photo, Janice Hahn

RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SOURCE: BUSHEHR NPP TO BE LAUNCHED IN SUMMER

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 14, 2011 – 19:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Works at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant are
proceeding as planned, with the launched sheduled for this summer,
a source at Russian Foreign Ministry told Itar Tass.

“We hope that the completion of many years’ efforts in Bushehr
nuclear plant construction will be appreciated as a contribution to
strengthening of nuclear non-proliferation regime with the observation
of the countries’ rights for peaceful use of nuclear energy,” the
source said.

ARMENIA, UK TO COOPERATE IN ENERGY, BANKING SYSTEM AND HIGH TECH

news.am
July 14 2011
Armenia

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his UK counterpart
William Hague signed on Wednesday bilateral agreement to lift double
taxation on income and property between the governments of two states.

The sides discussed issues related to political dialogue, development
of bilateral relations, cooperation in the international agencies,
business contacts and intensification of cultural ties, foreign
office’s press service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Minister Nalbandian stressed that the Armenian-British relations
have great potential for development. He pointed out high technology,
energy, transportation, banking system as possible areas of economic
cooperation.

The ministers also discussed the issues of cooperation between
Armenia and the EU. William Hague welcomed deepening cooperation and
rapprochement between Yerevan and the Union.

The sides also touched upon regional issues, including the situation
in the Middle East and North Africa.

They discussed resolution of regional conflicts as well. Edward
Nalbandian presented Armenia’s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, expressing hope solution will become possible in case
Azerbaijan shows political will and constructive attitude.

EU TO ALLOCATE ~@100 MILLION TO ARMENIA

Trend
July 14 2011
Azerbaijan

The European Union will provide Armenia with 100 million euro to
overcome its economic crisis, the EU website said.

About 60 million euro will be provided in the form of a loan, and 35
million – in the form of a grant, the website reported.

Assistance from the EU is stipulated by the economic programs agreed
between Armenia and the International Monetary Fund, a statement said.

The first tranche of 40 million euros will be provided immediately
after the conditions of the package of financial assistance are
approved by the Armenian parliament. The rest will be allocated at the
end of this year.

‘AZERBAIJAN SHOULD FORCE ARMENIA NOT EVEN TO THINK ABOUT KARABAKH’

news.az
July 14 2011
Azerbaijan

Araz Alizade “I see no other solution to the Karabakh problem.

I am committed to the opinion that the only formula to solve the
Karabakh problem is a formula which was once used by late Croatian
leader Franjo Tudjman in case of the Serbian Krajina”.

The remarks came from Co-Chair of the Social Democratic Party of
Azerbaijan (SDPA) Araz Alizade, commenting on statements made by
President Serzh Sargsyan that in the event of a new war in Karabakh,
the Armenian side will be stronger and will win.

In 1995, control over territories that previously announced their
withdrawal from Croatia and established the Republic of Serbian
Krajina, was restored as a result of “Lightning” and “Strorm”
operations conducted under the leadership of Tudjman. About
230,000-250,000 Serbs fled these areas in wake of the operations.

“Armenia represents nothing in itself. This country is too weak to
fight with Azerbaijan. Let Armenia not hope that occupying strategic
heights, it be able to take advantage of it. Now there are so
ultra-modern weapons that can destroy the enemy at any height and
firing position.

Azerbaijan has a strong and well-equipped army, and I do not think
our military leaders do not plan a blitzkrieg. We must do everything
to destroy the entire backbone of the Armenian occupation forces in
Nagorno-Karabakh in the early days of the fighting and come to the
Armenian border. I think our army has enough strength to do this. This
time we should not leave a chance to Armenia. Azerbaijan should deal
such a blow to Armenia so that it will not dare to even think about
Karabakh,” he said.

‘DANCE’ AROUND GENOCIDE

Washington Times

July 14 2011

Sen. Robert Menendez displayed his frustration this week over the
Obama administration’s continued refusal to acknowledge the killing
of 1.5 million Armenians during World War I as genocide.

The New Jersey Democrat repeatedly pressed the issue at a Senate
Foreign Relations Committee hearing Wednesday on the nomination of
John Heffern to serve as ambassador to Armenia.

In his prepared remarks, Mr. Heffern, a career diplomat, noted
that President Obama has “recognized and deplored” the massacre of
Armenians under the Ottoman Empire as “one of the worst atrocities
of the 20th century.”

Responding to questions from Mr. Menendez, Mr. Heffern acknowledged
that his characterization of the killings met the definition of
genocide in a treaty that the United States has signed and ratified.

However, he added that the recognition of the massacre as genocide
“is a policy decision that is made by the president.”

Mr. Menendez noted that U.S. ambassadors to Armenia regularly attend
annual commemoration services on Genocide Remembrance Day.

He complained of the inconsistency of sending U.S. ambassadors “to
a country in which they will go to a genocide commemoration and yet
never be able to use the word ‘genocide.’ ”

“This is a difficult, an inartful, dance that we do,” the senator said.

Armenian-Americans have raised questions about Mr. Heffern because
he once was a congressional aide to Rep. Doug Bereuter. They have
described the Nebraska Republican as one of the most “pro-Turkish,
anti-Armenian” members of Congress.

Armenian-Americans, who strongly supported Mr. Obama in the 2008
election, have expressed anger at him for breaking a campaign promise
to recognize the Armenian genocide.

No American president has wanted to offend Turkey, a key NATO ally,
by recognizing the massacre as genocide.

RUSSIA AND US ATTEMPT TO END DEADLOCK IN ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI PEACE TALKS
by Lilit Gevorgyan

Global Insight
July 12, 2011

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov made a whistle-stop tour to
Armenia and Azerbaijan on 8-9 July before heading to the US capital
for two days of high-level talks with the US administration. During his
visit to the Armenian capital Yerevan, Lavrov stated that his mission
is to pass on to the Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan a letter from
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev containing new proposals concerning
the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Russia’s top diplomat
did not give any details of the proposals but said that they were drawn
up by Medvedev after the 24 June meeting in the central Russian city
of Kazan. The trilateral meeting was mediated by Medvedev and held
under the auspices of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE). Despite high expectations among the international
mediators the talks, which aimed to sign the final document, failed as
Azerbaijan presented 10 new points to the final document (seeFrance –
Armenia – Azerbaijan – Russia: 27 June 2011:).

On 9 July Lavrov handed a similar letter to the Azerbaijani president
Ilham Aliyev.

To support Medvedev’s efforts, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham
Clinton held a telephone conversation with Sargsyan to discuss the next
step in the peace process. Both Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents
have been asked by Lavrov to study Medvedev’s proposals.

These points are due to be discussed during an upcoming meeting of
OSCE mediators to the region this week.

Significance:Russia, France and the US are co-chairs of the OSCE
Minsk Group entrusted with finding a peaceful solution to the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over the ethnic-Armenian-populated
Nagorno-Karabakh region. However, their concerted efforts for the past
17 years to find a final solution for the status of the self-declared
republic of Nagorno-Karabakh have only managed to maintain the status
quo. The standoff in peace talks has worsened as in recent years
Azerbaijan has boosted its military spending–it is now larger than
Armenia’s national budget. This gives Azerbaijan confidence to raise
its demands despite the fact that it lost the 1988-1994 war that it
waged to suppress the ethnic Armenian movement to seek independence.

However, another war under the co-chair’s watch will be damaging,
especially for Russia which has been the main mediator in recent
years. Furthermore, Nagorno-Karabakh has become part of the
collaborative agenda for the US and Russia, which stand divided on
a number of other strategic issues. Medvedev is keen not only to
prevent Azerbaijan to launch a new war but to go one step further. By
resolving this difficult conflict Medvedev would boost his credentials
as a skilled politician both internationally and domestically where
he is likely to run in the 2012 presidential election.

A GUARDIAN OF HIS CITY’S HISTORY
by Kate Phillips

States News Service
July 12, 2011 Tuesday

The following information was released by the Open Society Institute:

Documentary projects are begun for many reasons. One of them is to
provide evidence, whether of something in danger of disappearing, or
of a crime taking place. The project for which Hayk Bianjyan received
an Open Society Documentary Photography Project Production Grant aims
to provide both types of evidence.

Bianjyan’s home of Yerevan, Armenia, has for several years been
undergoing a process of rapid redevelopment. Large-scale construction
projects have been overtaking historical neighborhoods at lightning
speed. At 2,800 years old, Yerevan is one of the world’s oldest
inhabited cities, yet few of its secular pre-medieval buildings
remain today.

Though many residents hold legally recognized deeds to their property,
forced evictions, and demolitions are widespread. For years, Bianjyan
has been photographing the eviction process in an attempt to expose
vast violations of property rights. At the same time, he has compiled
an ever-growing archive of residents’ family photographs, architectural
details, and historical documents that show the unique character of
the changing neighborhoods.

Jessica Murray, the director of Al-Liquindoi, the photographic
education program which led workshops for the grantees, says of
Bianjyan, “I think of Hayk as a guardian of Yerevan’s history. A
social activist of sorts, with his heart firmly rooted in the past,
he is driven by the desire and need to preserve the city’s stories.”

In discussing his project, Bianjyan refers to the stories his
grandmother would tell about another era-stories that have left
him with a sense of longing: “I miss old times, when everything
was slightly different. When people met more often, they kept in
touch more, they shared their joys and sorrows more. People have
become lonely these days. They are alone with their problems. They
are afraid to share,” says Bianjyan. Through his work, Bianjyan has
created opportunities for this type of exchange to happen.

Last week, on July 5, a film by Bianjyan incorporating his own
photographs and the archival material screened in an open-air showing
on the newly built Northern Avenue, where many of the demolitions
took place. The turnout was fantastic-many residents of the recently
demolished historic districts were present, as well as local arts,
architects and historians. Additionally, local press and government
representatives attended-a step toward public acknowledgment of these
violations of property rights. On Monday, July 11, selections from
the film screened on local television and future screenings are being
scheduled throughout Armenia.