Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
June 16, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL VOICES SUPPORT
FOR TURKEY’S PROPOSED HISTORICAL COMMISSION

— Phil Gordon Confirms Commission
as Part of Armenia-Turkey Roadmap

WASHINGTON, DC ? Assistant Secretary of State Phil Gordon today
indicated that the Obama Administration supports the establishment
of an Armenia-Turkey historical commission, a controversial
proposal long advanced by the Turkish government to cast doubt on
the Armenian Genocide and undermine international progress toward
the universal recognition of this crime against humanity, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Gordon, during testimony earlier today before the Europe
Subcommittee of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, fielded a
question from the panel’s Chairman, Robert Wexler (D-FL) about how
the Department of State intends to "navigate the course of the
engagement between Turkey and Armenia so that Azerbaijan comes out
a winner." In his response to this inquiry by the Turkish Caucus
Co-Chairman, Gordon voiced support for the Armenia-Turkey
"roadmap," a document publicly welcomed by the State Department on
April 22nd, noting, in particular, a highly controversial, much
discussed, but never before officially disclosed element of this
agreement stipulating the establishment of a commission to examine
historical issues between the two nation. His comments read, in
part:

"You have two parallel but separate tracks [Armenia-Turkey dialogue
and the Nagorno Karabagh peace process] going on, a Turkey and
Armenia normalization reconciliation process that we do think is
quite potentially historic, where the two countries have agreed on
a framework for normalizing their relations that would include
opening the border, which has been closed for far to long, which
would establish diplomatic relations and would provide commissions
in key areas including history, and we encourage that process and
we support it."

The establishment of an Armenia-Turkey historical commission, a
measure Turkey has long sought to cast a doubt over the
overwhelming historical record of the Armenian Genocide, stands in
stark contrast the President Obama’s statements during his campaign
for the White House. On several occasions throughout 2008,
including only days before the November election, he stressed his
"firmly held conviction that the Armenian Genocide is not an
allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a
widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of
historical evidence. The facts are undeniable." The idea of a
historical commission has been widely rejected as a denialist
tactic, including by the International Association of Genocide
Scholars.

Video of Assistant Secretary Gordon’s testimony on Armenia-related
issues, including his response to Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ question on
Turkey’s Article 301 restriction on free speech, is available at:
ses.php?prid=1730

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE

June 17, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

HOUSE PANEL MAINTAINS AID LEVEL TO ARMENIA; REVERSES
ADMINISTRATION PUSH TO TILT MILITARY AID BALANCE TOWARD BAKU

— Allocates $48 Million for Armenia and $10 Million for Karabagh

WASHINGTON, DC – The House Appropriations Subcommittee responsible
for U.S. foreign aid policy, this morning, voted to maintain U.S.
economic assistance to Armenia at last year’s level of $48 million
and to increase humanitarian assistance to Nagorno Karabagh to an
unprecedented annual allocation of $10 million, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The Subcommittee voted to maintain military assistance parity to
Armenia and Azerbaijan, keeping foreign military financing to both
countries at $3 million. The panel chose not to accept President
Obama’s proposals, included in the FY10 budget that he released
earlier this year, to reduce economic aid to Armenia by 38%, from
$48 million $30 million, and to tilt the military aid balance in
favor of Azerbaijan.

The Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Programs, which is chaired by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), also
strengthened language governing the President’s authority to waive
Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, a provision of law that
restricts aid to Azerbaijan due to its blockades and other
offensive actions against Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. The new
language, according those close to the work of the subcommittee,
will require closer Congressional consultation prior to any future
waivers of this law.

"We value Chairwoman Lowey’s leadership and the efforts of Rep.
Adam Schiff, Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Mark Kirk, Representatives
Steve Rothman, Jesse Jackson Jr, Betty McCollum, Barbara Lee, Steve
Israel, and our many friends on the Subcommittee for constructively
working to address our community’s foreign aid priorities," said
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We are gratified that the
panel restored military aid parity, met the Armenian Caucus request
of $10 million for Nagorno Karabagh, and strengthened the waiver
language for Section 907. We will, in the coming days, seek to
build on this progress by working with our friends on the Senate
side to bring the economic aid figure to Armenia up to the $70
million level requested by the Armenian Caucus."

House Members Welcome proposed Foreign Aid Bill
——————————————— —

Soon after the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee’s action,
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Mark Kirk (R-IL) hailed the panel’s actions.

"I commend the efforts of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee
Chairwoman Nita Lowey and Ranking Member Kay Granger to restore
military parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan," said Rep. Pallone.
"Their bi-partisan leadership, along with co-chair Mark Kirk and
Congressman Adam Schiff, strengthens the U.S.-Armenia relationship
by paving the way for economic aid to Armenia and assistance to
Nagorno Karabakh during this global recession."

"As the Armenian Government prepares to send troops to join the
NATO mission in Afghanistan, our Committee worked in a bipartisan
fashion to provide robust economic and security assistance to this
strong U.S. ally," noted Subcommittee member Kirk. "In addition,
our Committee sent a strong message to the Government of Azerbaijan
to keep its commitment to the OSCE peace process, end its bellicose
rhetoric and stop meddling in the U.S.-backed Armenian-Turkish
reconciliation process. I want to thank Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking
Member Granger, Rep. Schiff, Rep. Pallone and others for their
strong bipartisan support for the U.S.-Armenia relationship."

Rep. Schiff concurred, noting that, "This is important funding that
will help ensure peace and greater economic stability in the
Caucasus," said Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA). "Armenia and
Nagorno Karabagh are important partners in a troubled and
economically stagnant region, and this funding will go a long way
towards strengthening these emerging democracies."

In an April 3, 2009 letter sent to the panel earlier this year,
members of the Armenian Caucus, co-chaired by Representatives Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), called for strengthening
Section 907, allocating $70 million in economic aid to Armenia, $5
million in assistance to Armenia’s military, $10 million in
development aid to Nagorno Karabagh, and the removal of official
barriers to U.S.-Nagorno Karabagh contacts and communications.

A copy of the letter can be viewed at:
ses.php?prid=1678

ARMENIAN PM RECEIVES US AMBASSADOR AND DIRECTOR OF USAID

ARMENPRESS
June 16, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 16, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
received today US Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch and director
of the USAID Jathinder Chima.

Governmental press service told Armenpress that during the meeting the
interlocutors discussed a number of issues on Armenian-US cooperation
and particularly programs carried out by USAID in Armenia.

ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS REP: THE AMNESTIED DEFENDANTS WILL HARDLY THANK SERZH SARGSYAN

ArmInfo
2009-06-15 16:32:00

‘One should not think that the amnestied defendants would thank Serzh
Sargsyan. When set free, they will appeal against all the illegal
actions by the authorities’, Karapet Rubinyan, representative of the
Armenian National Congress (ANC), ex-vice speaker, said at a press
conference, Monday.

Rubinyan said his public activity over the last 1.5 years was to see
his friends who were imprisoned for political views set free as soon
as possible. The events of March 1-2 2008 and their aftermaths were the
reasons of the amnesty announcement, he said and called the amnesty an
‘evident progress’. He said: ‘The fight for democratization of Armenia
will be continued and all the guilty will be brought responsible
one day.

For his part, the RPA representative, Rafik Petrosyan, did not directly
connect amnesty with the 1 March events and said it is necessary to
hold amnesty because of the atmosphere in the country and because
prisons in the country are overcrowded. He also said a policy is
being conducted to create an atmosphere of tolerance in the country.

‘Amnesty should be connected with Independence Day. I am for the big
number of the people to be amnestied, as the state is quite strong. In
case of violation of the Criminal Code these people may again find
themselves in prison’, – he said.

He thinks there are thousands of prisoners which will be amnestied. As
an example he mentioned the year of 2006 when 200 prisoners were
amnestied. ‘Amnesty is not a one-day business. It may be delayed for
several months’, – he said.

WHO IS TO ANSWER?

A1+
11:23 am | June 15, 2009 | Politics

MCC Board of Directors Meets to Address U.S. Government Global
Development Priorities

Partial termination of assistance to Nicaragua announced

Hold on funding for Armenia to remain in force

Washington D.C – The U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation
(MCC) Board of Directors, chaired by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary
Rodham Clinton, today held its quarterly meeting to discuss the
progress of its poverty reduction programs worldwide.

The Board received updates on engagement with those countries
seeking MCC funding, including Moldova, Senegal, Jordan, Malawi,
and the Philippines. Board discussions also included the compact
development process for Colombia, Indonesia, and Zambia – three new
countries selected by the Board last December as eligible for MCC
compact assistance.

The Board reviewed how MCC investments and programs around the
world are helping address priority issues such as long-term economic
growth, global food security, maternal and child health and safety,
transportation infrastructure improvements, secure land tenure,
and environmental protection.

"MCC’s commitment to performance-based foreign assistance is at the
forefront of the U.S. Government’s ‘smart power’ approach to create
economic growth. Today’s Board meeting makes it clear that these
programs are having a significant, positive impact on the lives of
the world’s poor," said Acting MCC Chief Executive Officer Rodney Bent.

The Board approved action to partially terminate MCC’s compact
assistance to Nicaragua for activities previously suspended in December
2008. These activities include a property regularization project and
a major road. The Board reiterated that its commitment to helping
the people of Nicaragua reduce poverty through economic growth will
continue through MCC assistance for a rural business development
project benefiting small and medium agriculture-related enterprises,
including some 30,000 people in rural areas. MCC also will complete
three roads already under construction in the departments of Leon and
Chinandega. The termination will result in a reduction of approximately
$62 million from Nicaragua’s original $175 million compact with MCC.

"Although the Board would like to continue in full MCC’s support for
Nicaragua’s economic development, we remain committed to upholding
MCC’s founding principles of working with those countries whose
governments actively demonstrate a commitment to democracy and the
rule of law, as well as economic freedom and social investment,"
said Mr. Bent. "Given the lack of meaningful reforms or progress in
these areas by the government of Nicaragua, the Board has agreed to
terminate these projects."

"This decision is made with deep disappointment, as our partnership
with Nicaragua has yielded tremendous progress over the past years
in reducing poverty through innovative economic growth projects.

MCC regrets that the government of Nicaragua has not taken steps to
respond to concerns expressed by its people and the international
community surrounding the recent municipal elections. This has made
it impossible for us to fully continue our collaboration with the
government of Nicaragua," stated Mr. Bent.

The Board also addressed the future of MCC engagement with Armenia.

As a result of the meeting, MCC will not resume funding for any further
road construction and rehabilitation. This hold on funding is a result
of actions by the government of Armenia that are inconsistent with MCC
principles promoting democratic governance. MCC’s Board unanimously
expressed regret that this action means that MCC will not be able to
fully fund this project during the compact term.

"MCC regrets that it cannot move forward with funding road construction
in Armenia," Mr. Bent said. "The responsibility for this outcome
remains with the government of Armenia, whose actions have been
inconsistent with the eligibility criteria that are at the heart
of the MCC program. It is particularly disappointing that MCC will
not be able to partner with Armenia on completing the roads that
will benefit Armenia’s rural poor who are our friends and partners
in creating growth for the future," continued Mr. Bent. "I do not
anticipate that the Board will revisit this issue in the future."

ARMENIAN LEADER, RUSSIAN RAILWAYS CHIEF DISCUSS TIES

Mediamax
June 12 2009
Armenia

Yerevan, 12 June: Armenian President [Serzh Sargsyan] and President
of Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin discussed the current state of
and prospects for development of Armenian railroads at a meeting held
in Yerevan today.

The president of Russian Railways briefed Sargsyan on his impressions
on an exhibition of railroads goods held in Yerevan organized by
Armenian businessmen and the leadership of South Caucasus Railways,
the press service of the Armenian president has told Mediamax.

Yakunin pointed out that a number of products demonstrated in the
exhibition are still being used both in Armenia and Russia, since the
quality-price ratio is quite attractive. Moreover, the head of Russian
Railways said that his company always prefers local manufacturers.

The two men also discussed the implementation of the concession
agreement, in particular, projects on modernization of the Armenian
railroads, the maintenance of rolling stocks and rails, their upgrade
and increase in the speed of trains, as well as the creation of a
system for cargo transportation via an optimal route within a short
period and at a minimal price.

Yakunin said that works recently carried out by South Caucasus Railways
in general satisfy him, and serious steps have been taken to increase
the efficiency of the management of the Armenian railroads. The head
of Russian Railways assured the Armenian president that all investment
commitments will be fulfilled.

ACCORDING TO EXIT-POLLS MIR HOSSEIN MOUSAVI IS LEADING

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
12.06.2009 20:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The acting president of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
perhaps will leave presidential seat. According to exit-polls, his
rival Mir Hossein Mousavi is leading and collecting some 60 per cent
of votes.

Four candidates are contesting the election, with three rivals of
the acting president of Iran – Mohsen Razai and Mehdi Karroubi and
former PM Mir Hossein Mousavi.

High attendance of voters has been recorded. Local authorities
prolonged the voting for another two hours because of a great number
of people wishing to participate in elections, Ekho Moskvi reports.

AZERBAIJAN CAN’T DEFY WIKIPEDIA

HULIQ
zerbaijan-cant-defy-wikipedia
June 11 2009
SC

Azerbaijan loses the information war with neighboring Armenia
due to inability "to motivate" the fabricated lies, trying even in
Wikipedia. The latest book on Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, published
in Ukraine, is the shining example.

The book "Conflicts and wars after the collapse of USSR" has been
republished thanks to the efforts of the Armenian community of Ukraine
and ANALITIKA.at.ua information-analytical center in particular. In
the new edition of the book no distortion about the history of
Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is observed. Reportedly,
T Y. Bogdanovich, and A. Ya. Manachinsky, the authors of the edition,
had included articles with false information about Armenia.

As ANALITIKA.at.ua website informs that the city libraries of Odessa
have already received the republished versions of the book. In the
coming month the Ukrain’s bookshops will increasingly receive the
new books as well about Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

Armenian youth organizations of all over Ukraine alongside with
ANALITIKA.at.ua information-analytical centre will promote to the
implementation of this activity.

The officials in Azerbaijan are quite disappointed over this as their
efforts to fabricate the historic facts are systematically failing. A
new reason for disappointment was observed yesterday in one of the
well-known websites of Azerbaijan Bakililar.az. This time Azeris are
complaining against Wikipedia.

For example, they are surprised that Nagorno Karabakh Republic is
named Artsakh at the mentioned website. They are just bewildered:
"Azerbaijani officials must undertake corresponding steps…prior to
the conditions these steps may be of different kinds as diplomatic,
public or scientific interventions.

In Azerbaijan, they themselves accept the lack of corresponding
specialists in the state. As an expert on international relations
in one of US universities Elhan Agamirzaev says, it is useless to
address a letter to the Wikipedia management as the articles of that
on-line encyclopaedia are written and posted on the basis of facts
collected all over the world ."This method admits to get more objective
information through discussions and comparison of different opinions,
as to Azerbaijani side it has no mechanism to work with Wikipedia"

The whole point of the mechanism is to prove the credibility of the
introduced facts.

"State officials are better to exert efforts aimed at this issue rather
than directly to the on-line published materials. Otherwise Azerbaijan
will lose the information war", an expert from Azerbaijan notes.

RUSSIAN NATIONAL HOLIDAY: PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN VISITS RUSSIAN EMBASSY

Panorama.am
15:03 10/06/2009

The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan visited the Embassy of Russian
Federation to Armenia on the occasion of Russian National holiday –
adoption of state governance declaration, President’s Cabinet reports.

"I am happy to see our relations being more and more improved. A few
days ago, when I had a meeting with the Russian President we have both
emphasized that our relations are being advanced and strengthened
monthly and annually. I wish Russia prosperity and power. I have
always thought that as powerful Russia is as powerful Armenia will be,"
the President said.

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN: HERITAGE AND ARFD PARTIES AND ANC SHOULD LAUNCH DISCUSSIONS TO FORM COOPERATION FIELD

ArmInfo
2009-06-08 15:14:00

ArmInfo. ‘Elections to Yerevan City Council were totally anti-Armenian
and contradicted the values of our people’, Raffi Hovannisian,
parliamentarian, Leader of Heritage opposition party, told media,
Monday.

He is sure that the election result was planned and had nothing in
common with the people’s right to vote. However, the parliamentarian
hopes for alternative elections meeting international standards in
future. ‘It is high time for opposition political forces to analyze
their wrong steps’, he said. R. Hovannisian offered that Heritage
and ARFD parties and the Armenian National Congress (ANC) launch
discussions to form a cooperation field. As regards the possible
amnesty announcement, R. Hovannisian said: ‘If amnesty is declared
till the PACE Summer Session, Armenia will avoid possible problems’.

The parliamentarian believes that it such case Armenia may not occur
on the agenda of the PACE Summer Session.