Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARF Youth Mindful, Determined and Active, Says Santikian at ARF Day Celebration
Asbarez
Dec 11th, 2009

AYF-WR Chairman Arek Santikian speaking at the ARF Day Celebration

GLENDALE-The Armenian Revolutionary Federation marked its 119th
anniversary during a celebration event organized by the Central
Committee of the ARF-Western USA. More than 1,500 community members
flocked to the Glendale High School auditorium to witness a resurgence
of the ARF’s commitment to fight for justice and the rights of the
Armenian nation. No where was that better articulated than during
remarks delivered by Armenian Youth Federation Western US Central
Executive Chairman Arek Santikian, who spoke of the critical role the
youth should play in the pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

`Speaking on behalf of the youth today, I am here to reassure you that
we realize the duty bestowed upon on us and we welcome the challenges
put forth. Being mindful of the sacrifices of our ancestors throughout
our rich history has instilled the passion that allows each of us to
work tirelessly and willingly, for something far greater than any
individual,’ said Santikian, reassuring the community of the youth’s
willingness and determination to be the vital force of change in the
community, to hold true to the core values of the ARF, and to struggle
for the Armenian nation.

Below are his remarks:

Sireli hayrenagitsner, I stand before you tonight, humbled to be able
to speak during a day of celebration, for an organization that has
lived for over a century, an organization, that throughout its
existence, has been the defender of justice and the protector of
truth.

I stand before you today, honored to be a part of this organization,
to represent its youth, and to pay homage to its founders and leaders
throughout history.

As a member of the Armenian Youth Federation, I am thankful for a
leader that had the foresight to entrust the youth with the future of
not only our organization, but our entire people.

Had it not been for Karekin Njdeh’s wisdom, our Diasporan youth would
be non-existent, apathetic, and disconnected from our nation. And for
that, I am thankful.

Speaking on behalf of the youth today, i am here to reassure you that
we realize the duty bestowed upon on us and we welcome the challenges
put forth.

Being mindful of the sacrifices of our ancestors throughout our rich
history has instilled the passion that allows each of us to work
tirelessly and willingly, for something far greater than any
individual.

The core values of selflessness and dedication upon which our
organization was founded, coupled with being technologically advanced
and globalized, have made the AYF into a powerful combination and has
left us better situated to battle in today’s world, where things are
so fast and so complex.

Take the `hunger for justice’ as an example. The drive and passion of
our youth spilled out onto the streets in front of the whole community
as over 30 individuals starved themselves for an entire week.

Videos, articles, & pictures went up every day, highlighting the event
as the news reached across America, into Canada, England, France,
Syria, Lebanon, Australia, and Armenia.

And this is just one example of many.

However, one thing that we cannot forget as members of this
organization is who we are fighting for and that no matter what, we
can always do more for them.

Socrates once said: `there is nothing we can do better than seeking to
become still better than we are.’

For as long as i can remember, there has been only one piece of the
puzzle that we are still yet to find, and that piece, is unity.

Unity, not only among Armenians within the Diaspora, but among the
Diaspora and our brothers and sisters within Armenia.

Our manifesto states that we fight for a `free, independent, and
united Armenia.’ So let us complete this mission and meet all its
goals.

In order for us to succeed any further than we have throughout the
years, we need to be the leaders that break down any wall that divides
us as a people.

We need to reach out to our fellow brothers and sisters in Armenia,
and fight for their rights, just as much as much as we fight for ours.

We need to expose the fact that 95 percent of our country’s wealth is
held by five percent of its people, and end this corruption.

We need to focus on the social issues that plague our country to this day

We need be the leaders that put an end to the poverty and hunger
within our country because no Armenian man woman or child should go
hungry on the streets.

We need to do these things because that is what a true socialist
organization must do.

And I can promise you that the youth today can be and will be the
leaders that complete this mission in the future to come.

Finally, I want to speak about the unique characteristics of a member
of this organization; the unger.

The unger is humble, dedicated, and a person of integrity.

The unger does not seek power, fame, nor recognition as these things
go against the socialist ideals that distinguish our organization from
any other.

The unger is an organizational person, one who provides continuous
input, and at times, questions the reasoning, but at the end of the
day, does not deviate from their duty and responsibility.

And lastly, the unger is one that believes in our ideology, and holds
the goals of the manifesto as their own.

Even though we have survived for over a century, we must make a
conscious effort to uphold these simple characteristics that make up
the true unger.

So let us celebrate the 119th anniversary of our beloved organization
by honoring our forefathers, and upholding the core values and
principles upon which our organization was built upon.

Thank you.

Braille panels for sight-impaired people installed at Zvartnots museum complex
12.12.2009 16:51 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/

Braille panels for sight-impaired people were installed at Zvartnots
museum complex.

Panels in five languages – Eastern Armenian, English, Russian,
Italian, French and also in Braille alphabet were installed by AMAP
NGO in the frame of its project `Armenia in Braille’. The goal of the
project is to facilitate the integration of sight-impaired and blind
people into the society and enable them to easily get acquainted to
Armenian monuments. In addition to Zvartnots panels in Braille
alphabet will be installed in Garni, Geghard, Amberd, Areni, Noravank,
Noratus, Khor Virap, Sevanavank, Goshavank, Haghpat, Tatev, as well as
in the historical center of Gyumri and near `Zorac Karer’ (Karahundj).

The project is sponsored by USAID/CAPS, the Honorary Consul for Italy
in Gyumri and VivaCell-MTS.

`People with special needs must have equal opportunities and
conditions for communicating with our ancient culture, and we are
responsible for creating such conditions for them. This project is
unique in terms of enabling sight-impaired and blind people to get
acquainted to the history of Armenia’s historical-cultural sites’,
noted VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

KARABAKH MARKS 18 YEARS OF STATEHOOD AND DEMOCRACY ON HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
By Allen Yekikan

Asbarez
Dec 10th, 2009

A man in Karabakh walks against the backdrop of a banner that reads
"constitution" in Armenian.

STEPANAKERT-As the world marked the 61st anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights on Thursday, The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
commemorated two declarations of its own, celebrating the decision of
its people to declare independence in 1991 and a vote by the population
in 2006 to approve a new constitution reaffirming democratic statehood.

Karabakh’s population on December 10, 1991, held a general referendum
and overwhelmingly voted in support of independence from the Soviet
Union. Azerbaijan, which had been given control of the indigenous
Armenian region of Karabakh by Stalin responded to the pro-democracy
movement with military force, declaring war on Karabakh.

In 2006, the people of Karabakh held a second referendum on December
10, internationally known as Human Rights Day, to adopt a new
constitution that reaffirmed Nagorno-Karabakh as a sovereign and
democratic state.

"In the modern history of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), December 10
twice proved to be pivotal," Karabakh’s President Bako Sahakian said
in an address congratulating the nation on the "crucial holiday."

"For us the powerful, independent, sovereign, democratic and legal
state is an exclusive value that has no alternative."

"In 1991 on this day the Artsakh Armenians expressed their unified will
and confirmed the dedication of creating an independent statehood. On
the same day of 2006 again through the nation-wide referendum the
basic law of our state, the Constitution, was adopted, registering
another great victory of our state, which succeeded in defending
its independence and freedom and was firmly staying on the path of
democracy," he said.

He described December 10 as "symbolic" for the people of Karabakh, who
had faced seven decades of discrimination and subjugation under Azeri
rule. "December 10 is also celebrated as International Human Rights
Day. This fact is symbolic for itself as the Artsakh movement, the
birth and the very existence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic are the
integral parts of human rights, the reflection of the basic universal
rights of equality and self-determination of nations," Sahakian said.

But the two plebiscites, and nearly two decades of democratic
development in Karabakh are largely ignored by international mediators
working to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, left frozen since
a Russian-brokered cease-fire in 1994 put an end to the brutal war
launched by Azerbaijan in the wake of the 1991 referendum.

Ongoing peace talks, currently between Armenia and Azerbaijan,
leave Karabakh out of the equation and ignore its people’s right to
self-determination. Meanwhile, mediators from the OSCE Minsk Group
have said the two sides are close to an agreement on Karabakh, which
will see the transfer to Azerbaijan of liberated territories vital to
the survival of the fledgling republic and a referendum to determine
Karabakh’s status that will follow the assisted influx of Azerbaijanis
into the country.

Bagrat Asatryan: Armenian government not adequately reacted to crisis
10.12.2009 14:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian government has long denied the impact
of the crisis on country’s economy, Bagrat Asatryan , ex-chairman of
the Central Bank, lecturer at the Department of Economics of the
Yerevan State University told a news conference on Dec. 10 in Yerevan.
"The crisis has become tangible since the middle of 2008,’ he said.
However, the government of Armenia, according to him, in 2008 adopted
a "wasteful budget’ with a 9 per cent economic growth for 2009.

According to Bagrat Asatryan, since early 2009 the government, guided
by emotions, adopted anti-crisis policy without any specific means and
methods for its implementation, which also lacked long-term projects.
The Government of Armenia should first turn to domestic sources (banks
and citizens) and try to implement anti-crisis projects at the expense
of domestic debt, he said. Only after that, the government should try
to attract them from outside. "If in late 2008, we were a country with
a light debt burden, by late 2009 we become a country with a heavy
burden as the country’s national debt is approaching 50 per cent of
GDP," he said.

GUILLERMO TOLORSA – NEW RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE OF IMF IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2009-12-09 20:42:00

ArmInfo. Guillermo Tolorsa has been appointed a new resident
representative of IMF in Armenia. He will replace Ninke Omes, whose
mission at the post ended.

Today Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sarkisyan received Guillermo
Tolorsa and Ninke Omes. They discussed the problems connected with
affect of the global economical crisis. Tigran Sarkisyan expressed
hope that cooperation with the new resident representative of IMF
will as effective as with the former one.

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER PRESENTS GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-CORRUPTION STRATEGY

ARMENPRESS
Dec 9, 2009

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan participated today in the conference dedicated to
the International Anti-Corruption Day organized by the USAID
Anti-Corruption Activity Mobilization Program in joint collaboration
with the OSCE Yerevan Office and Armenian Chief Prosecutor’s Office.

Governmental press service told Armenpress that the strategy of Armenia
in fighting against corruption is divided into three important parts
– first part is the prime minister and his partners. "If we are not
strict with the high-ranked officials it is obvious that fighting
against corruption will be very difficult or impossible". The second
important element, according to the prime minister, is the structural
reforms that refer to state governance bodies. The third direction
of the strategy is the public moods. "We need serious changes as
we register that the society is not aggressively fighting against
corruption phenomena. Our public is tolerant toward corruption,"
the prime minister said.

The participants of the event were presented the "Anti-Corruption
Strategy and Program of Events" adopted by the Armenian government and
"Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption" newly issued book.

AZERBAIJANI ARMY ABLE TO LIBERATE OCCUPIED LANDS, MINISTRY OF DEFENSE

Thu 10 December 2009 | 11:14 GMT

Eldar Sabiroglu Statement by President Ilham Aliyev that Azerbaijan
will not reconcile with the occupation of its lands created concerns
in Armenia.

"Several members of the National Assembly of Armenia have even appealed
to the government demanding to urge international organizations to
influence Azerbaijan. Armenia realizes that today’s Azerbaijan is
not the same it was in the early 1990s. Today the Armed Forces of
Azerbaijan are the most battle worthy in the region", spokesman of
the Defense Ministry Eldar Sabiroglu told a news conference Thursday.

The spokesman is confident that in case military actions on liberation
of lands are initiated today, the Azerbaijani army will complete them
successfully in the shortest terms.

"I declare with responsibility that the Azerbaijani army is able to
liberate the occupied lands. And Armenians understand it. The Armenian
side merely does not have the power to engage in hostilities with
the Azerbaijani army. By results of the last conscription in Armenia
two military units were not equipped fully due to the lack of human
resources ", said Sabiroglu.

According to him, the Armenian side is aware that time is working
against it and the international community begins to understand the
occupational essence of the Armenian policy

"That is why the Armenians are trying to protract the negotiation
process. However, Azerbaijan’s patience is not unlimited", the
spokesman concluded.

UAE INTERESTED IN EXPANDING COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA IN POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SPHERES

Noyan Tapan
Dec 7, 2009

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. At the December 7 meeting of Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
of the United Arab Emirates Dr. Anwar Gargash, the sides exchanged
ideas about bilateral cooperation in various spheres, the work of
the joint intergovernmental commission, and other issues.

S. Sargsyan expressed confidence that the high-level visits which
have become more frequent in recent period will play a positive role
in promotion of relations between Armenia and the UAE. Stressing
with satisfaction the dynamically developing cooperation of the two
countries, he said that Armenia is interested in strengthening its
links with the Gulf countries. The Armenian president expressed a
high opinion about the UAE’s discreet and balanced attitude to the
problems in the South Caucasus.

Underlining the UAE’s interest in expanding its cooperation with
the friendly Armenia in the political and economic spheres, Anwar
Gargash considered his visit to Armenia and the discussions held as
successful. Speaking about the 1988 earthquake, the state minister
said that they will never forget that tragic day and that they express
sympathy for the Armenian people.

EU COUNCIL DEVELOPS "NEW EXTENDED AGREEMENT" WITH ARMENIA, GEORGIA AND AZERBAIJAN

ArmInfo
2009-12-08 14:53:00

ArmInfo. Discussions are held in EU Council on provision of mandates
for the "New extended agreement" with Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan,
a source in the European Union told ArmInfo on anonymous terms.

According to the source, as soon as the agreement on mandates is
reached, EU Commission will start negotiations on these "New extended
agreements" which will replace and improve the existing agreements on
partnership and cooperation with the South Caucasus countries. The
source in EU also said the new agreement has nothing in common with
EU associated membership like those provided to the Ukraine and Turkey.

""The new extended agreement" has nothing in common with a preliminary
status for joining EU or something along those lines. This issue is
not in the agenda", the source said.

Moreover, the source said, the Eastern Partnership and New European
Neighborhood Policy programmes are preserved as projects for work
with the South Caucasus countries. "For example, within the frames of
the Eastern Partnership, we shall develop a new extended agreement
which includes, in particular, a component on free trade with EU",
the source said and added that discussions in EU Council are expected
not earlier than in spring of 2010.

TURKEY URGES OSCE TO BACK AZERBAIJAN IN KARABAKH DISPUTE

RIA Novosti
December 7, 2009
BAKU

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe should take
note of the UN stance on the Azerbaijani-Armenian territorial dispute
and support Baku, Turkey’s prime minister has said.

"The OSCE Minsk Group should be more decisive on this issue," Recep
Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying on Azerbaijan’s ANS TV channel.

"Steps must be taken. The UN declared that Nagorny Karabakh belongs to
Azerbaijan… Who should take the necessary step in this case? Armenia
should," the prime minister said.

"When we talk about settling the conflict, we mean an agreement on
the seven districts" belonging to Azerbaijan and occupied by Armenia,
he said.

If an agreement is not reached, "Turkey will take no positive steps
towards Armenia."

Four resolutions condemning the Armenian invasion and occupation
of Azerbaijan’s territories were passed by the UN Security Council
in 1993, at the height of the Azerbaijani-Armenian war in Nagorny
Karabakh.

Later that year, Turkey closed its border with Armenia in a show of
support for Azerbaijan, a predominantly Muslim, Turkic-speaking ally
of Ankara.

In October 2009, Turkey and Armenia signed historic accords on
diplomatic relations and on development of bilateral ties. The
documents have yet to be ratified by the country’s parliaments,
and face opposition from nationalist parties in both countries.

Last week, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said at a meeting
with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov in Athens that
Turkish-Armenian deals can only be ratified after the Nagorny Karabakh
issue is resolved.

Ankara has also demanded that Yerevan drop its campaign to have the
mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915 internationally
recognized as genocide.

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh
first erupted in 1988, when the region claimed independence from
Azerbaijan to join Armenia.

Over 30,000 people were reported dead on both sides between 1988
and 1994, and over 100 others died after a ceasefire was concluded
in 1994, leaving Nagorny Karabakh in Armenian hands, but tensions
between Azerbaijan and Armenia have persisted.

The OSCE Minsk Group, comprising the United States, Russia and France,
is a mediator in the conflict.