Author: Kanayan Tamar

HEARING OF THE CASE OF EX-COUNCIL OF ARMENIA TO LOS ANGELES ON OCTOBER 6

armradio.am
25.08.2009 16:22

Preliminary hearing of the case of Former Armenian Consul in LA
Norayr Ghalumian was held in Santa Ana (California) Federal Court on
August 24.

Ghalumian and four more people were pleaded not guilty to a charge
of obstructing immigration proceedings in document forgery to help
immigrants avoid deportation.

As it was reported earlier, as a result of a two-year investigation,
five people, including a former Armenian consul in LA Norayr Ghalumian,
have been arrested on charges that they sold official letters to
illegal immigrants to help them avoid deportation. The five are
accused of supplying so-called letters of refusal from the Armenian
Consulate for as much as $35,000 apiece. Many of those who purchased
the letters were Armenian nationals facing deportation after being
convicted of felony offenses in the United States.

EX-HEAD OF ARMENIAN CENTRAL BANK: STATE BUDGET REVENUES OF ARMENIA FOR 2009 WILL BE UNFULFILLED AT LEAST 20%

ArmInfo
2009-08-25 20:44:00

ArmInfo. The state budget revenues of Armenia for 2009 will be
unfulfilled at least 20%, Bagrat Asatryan, ex-head of the Armenian
Central Bank told ArmInfo.

"The budget for 2009 is so unrealistic that it is very difficult
to make any assessment of the budget for the next year, " he
said. Economic decline in 2010 may total additional 1.5% as compared
to 12-13% of 2009, he said. B.

Asatryan explained his negative expectations mainly with reduction
of trade and services and money transfers. As regards economy
sectors, particularly construction and industry, there are some
positive expectations and certain activation is possible as well, he
said. Nevertheless, this will not stop downward trends, B. Asatryan
said.

State budget revenues for 2009 are envisaged at 905 million drams,
expenditures – 945 billion drams versus 768 million revenues and 844
billion expenditures in 2008.

SHOULD ARMENIAN LEADER VISIT TURKEY? SITUATION AS SEEN FROM YEREVAN

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Aug 25 2009
Armenia

Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s visit to Yerevan last September was
perceived as a historic event by many. Armenia and Turkey started a
rapprochement process, and a declaration approved by the two states’
foreign offices proved to be evidence thereof. Showing tolerance, the
two Presidents accepted the term "football diplomacy" to designate the
process. Gul’s invitation to Yerevan proved to be a kind of "serve to
the penalty area", which was to be followed by Turkey’s blow on the
major target, namely, the establishment of diplomatic relations and
unblocking of borders. The blow was to be delivered before Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan’s return visit to Turkey. The Armenian leader
is expected to visit Turkey this October to attend a return match
between the Armenian and Turkish national football teams. There remain
about 50 days, but Turkey is not in a hurry to deliver a blow. Should
the Armenian leader continue "serving" or should he drop out? NEWS. am
asked representatives of political forces to make their comments.

Razmik Zohrabyan, Vice-Chairman of the ruling Republican Party
of Armenia (RPA) pronounced against President Sargsyan’s visit to
Turkey. He stated that, after Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Hulusi
Kilic offered the Armenian leader to go to Turkey "by air" to attend
the football match — as the re-opening of the Armenian-Turkish
border is conditional on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict — President Sargsyan "would act right if he kept his own
promise." As regards possible accusations against Armenia on the part
of international community, Zohrabyan said: "Indeed, two opposite
opinions do exist, and the international community may accuse Armenia
of being ‘unconstructive’: Gul arrived in Armenia to watch the match,
but you will not." He believes "football diplomacy" was initiated
after the "roadmap" was approved in Switzerland. "If Turkey will not
open the border, setting preconditions for that, the Armenian leader
will be right if he does not go to Turkey, as the Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement process will be slowed down for a while," Zohrabyan said.

Giro Manoyan, Head of the Hay Dat (Armenian Cause) office, Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) is against the Armenian President’s
visit to Turkey. "The President stated he would not go to Turkey
provided the border had been re-opened or relevant measures were in
progress. We have only 50 days before the football match, and the
border will hardly be reopened or measures to lift Armenia’s blockade
are unlikely to be launched. So Serzh Sargsyan had better not go to
Turkey," Manoyan said. He does not rule out the possibility of the
Armenian President’s visit under international pressure.

Stepan Safaryan of the Heritage opposition parliamentary faction
is not much interested in whether the Armenian President will visit
Turkey or not. "I am not any more interested in any changes in this
issue. It is my view of the problem. The processes are obviously
involving persons and the matter of saving their political reputation,
not the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement. It is not the visit itself
that is of importance, but whether it will rectify the errors made
by the Armenian authorities and whether the negotiations will be
acceptable to the Armenian side or not," Safaryan said. As regards
international pressure on Armenia, he said: "I was the first in
Armenia to state Sargsyan would go to Turkey as it is important
for the international community, which, in turn, will pressure both
sides, especially Turkey. An interim step seems to be a solution –
for example, the border can temporarily be reopened for Armenian
football players. However, it does not mean a final solution."

Vladimir Karapetyan of the opposition Armenian National Congress
(ANC) said the Armenian authorities have created a situation when the
Armenian leader’s visiting and refusing to visit Turkey – both are to
the country’s detriment. "The developments, especially after the April
22 statement was adopted, are such that no serious changes should be
expected in any way," Karapetyan said. The Armenian authorities have
repeatedly stated Turkey has turned aside from the agreements. So Serzh
Sargsyan will not go. If this is so, the Armenian side can and must
make the commitments – the roadmap — available for the public to prove
they do not constitute any danger to us, but Turkey is violating them."

AZERBAIJAN INTENDS TO ACHIEVE THE WORLD COMMUNITY’S APPRECIATION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Trend
Aug 24 2009
Azerbaijan

During UN General Assembly Azerbaijan intends to achieve the world
community’s appreciation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, head of
international affairs department of the Azerbaijani President’s
administration, Novruz Mammadov, told Trend News on August 24.

Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is included in the
agenda of the 64-th UN General Assembly to be held in New-York in
September.

"The world community’s appreciation of the conflict is important
from point of view of pressure on Armenian position and reminding
to the world community that the conflict remains unsolved during 20
years. It gives no benefits for UN authority being the basis of the
international law in the world," Mammadov said.

Mammadov said that Armenia has been demonstrating double-dealing
position in solving the conflict within many years, cites unnecessary
pretexts. It does not reckon with either the international community
or the international law. He said that it is difficult to expect for
any actions from a country not reckoning with the international law.

"Armenia must realize that sooner or later it will have to return
Azerbaijani lands. It will fail to keep them for a long time,"
Mammadov said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7
districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed
a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia,
France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

ARMENIA HAS FACED COLDER SUMMERS

A1+
4/ararat
06:44 pm | August 24, 2009

Society

Temperature will reach 30 to 31 degrees Celsius in Ararat Valley on
August 25, says head of the "ArmHydromet" meteorological department
Gagik Surenyan.

The rise in temperature is conditioned by air currents penetrating
to the republic from the south-west.

The temperature will drop in the second half of August 26.

"Cold winds will blow from Turkey and rain will fall in some regions
accompanied by thunderstorm and wind.

Meteorologists say it may hail in certain parts of the country,"
says Gagik Surenyan.

The temperature will drop by another 4-6 degrees on the night of
28 August.

Gagik Surenyan says the average temperature is 4-6 degrees below
the normal but that’s not abnormal as Armenia has faced much colder
summers.

Targeted News Service
August 10, 2009 Monday 5:32 AM EST

Statement on Cartographic Treatment of Nagorno-Karabakh

WASHINGTON

National Geographic issued the following news release:

Questions have recently been raised regarding the cartographic
treatment of Nagorno-Karabakh on the NationalGeographic.com Web site.

Cartography that can be accessed on the Internet is often made
available through dynamic mapping platforms. Dynamic maps are
interactive and based on information from geographic databases. The
maps shown are often defined by the search terms entered by the user
and feature continuous zooming and panning capabilities.

The NationalGeographic.com Web site features a few of these dynamic
mapping platforms, including Microsoft Bing Maps and Google
Earth. National Geographic content is occasionally juxtaposed with
content from these platforms and therefore the boundaries and place
names shown do not necessarily reflect the cartographic policy of the
National Geographic Society.

In keeping with the National Geographic Society’s 121-year chartered
purpose as a not-for-profit scientific and educational organization,
the Society’s cartographic policy is one of portraying the world from
a de facto point of view, that is, to portray to the best of our
judgment the current reality. National Geographic strives to be
apolitical, to consult multiple authoritative sources, and to make
independent decisions based on extensive research.

Background on the National Geographic Society’s Cartographic Treatment
of Nagorno-Karabakh:

The revised 6th Edition Atlas of the World, published in 1992, was our
first atlas to address the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh. In keeping with
our de facto policy, the Atlas addressed and portrayed this area as a
region of Azerbaijan as well as an Armenian enclave. This treatment
was used throughout all subsequent revisions of the 6th Edition up to
the publication of our 7th Edition Atlas in 1999.

By the time our 8th Edition Atlas was published in 2005, we had
established a policy whereby disputed areas, such as Nagorno-Karabakh,
were recognized as "Areas of Special Status." Such areas were now
designated by a gray fill, bounded by a colored boundary band
corresponding to that nation which had formally exercised full
administrative control of the territory. In addition, where scale
permitted, explanatory notes, such as the one below, were added to our
maps to explain the political situation of such disputed territories:

NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Since a cease-fire in 1994 ethnic Armenians in Azerbaijan’s
Nagorno-Karabakh region have exercised autonomous control over the
region. International mediation to resolve the conflict continues.

As with other disputed areas in the world, we are closely viewing the
political situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Recent developments have
prompted us to revise our explanatory note as follows:

NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Since a 1994 cease-fire between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces,
ethnic Armenians have controlled Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan
continues to claim it.

Contact: Cindy Beidel, 202/862-5286, [email protected]

CHIEF OF THE POLICE: PUBLIC MUST HELP LAW ENFORCERS IN FIGHTING AGAINST CRIMES

ARMENPRESS
Aug 21, 2009

YEREVAN, AUGUST 21, ARMENPRESS: Fighting against crimes is not
only the work of the police, the public must also support the law
enforcers, chief of the Armenian police Alik Sargsyan said today at a
press conference. Presenting the number of crimes registered during
the first half of the year, he noted that their number has notably
increased. In the first half of 2008 3998 crimes have been registered
and in the same period of 2009 – 6849.

Speaking about the works conducted for revealing the crimes,
A. Sargsyan said that in parallel with the increase of the number
of crimes, a notable improvement in revealing them have been
registered. The efficiency of revealing of the general crimes increased
by 9,1% making it 78,6%.

"Crimes take place in all the countries and their number increases. Our
chief goal is to reveal them. In this work we need public’s help. In
many cases, particularly, in case of robbery the victim is not
helping. We call on all the citizens in case of crime apply to the
police," Alik Sargsyan said. He noted that in near future they will
publicize information about a number of noisy murders.

Referring to the control of the police connected with fastening seat
belts, chief of the police said that he cannot understand the approach
of public and press toward it. "In the whole world the seat belts are
being fastened and it is done for the security. I do not understand
why here it was so negatively accepted. Today I tasked the policemen
to undertake strict measures, everyone must fasten seat belts, it
stems from the interest of the public," A. Sargsyan said

PROTRACTED INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT IN EUROPE: CURRENT TRENDS AND WAYS FORWARD

Norwegian Refugee Council
Aug 21, 2009

IDMC Report:

Around two and a half million internally displaced people in Europe
are still unable to lead normal lives. The report "Protracted Internal
Displacement in Europe: Current Trends and Ways Forward" describes
the issues facing people internally displaced by conflict and violence
in the region and provides recommendations to improve heir situation.

Some 2.5 million people are internally displaced in Europe in
2009. They are in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Kosovo, Macedonia, the Russian Federation,
Serbia and Turkey.

Most fled their homes more than 15 years ago as a result of violence
and armed conflict, and are living in situations of protracted
displacement. Over time, many have become marginalised and have been
unable to improve their situation.

While the vulnerabilities of these internally displaced people (IDPs)
are sometimes the same as the local population, many IDPs still
need assistance to overcome problems related to their displacement,
concerning housing, jobs, documents and property, as well as access
to psychosocial support.

"ARMENIAN CONGRESS" ESTABLISHED IN POLAND

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.08.2009 19:50 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan participated
in the founding session of Armenian community of Poland. Meeting in
the town of Griffits, representatives from 21 Armenian organizations
and Armenian Embassy employees discussed issues and perspectives
concerning development of Armenian Diaspora in Poland and cooperation
with Armenia.

Session elected a community council consisting of 21
representatives. Entrepreneur Karen Hovsepyan was elected as community
leader. Upon participants’ proposal, new organization was named as
"Armenian Congress of Poland", RA Diaspora Ministry’s press service
reports.

Armenian community of Poland has existed since 15th century. According
to non-official data, it currently has 25-30 representatives, most
of them residing in Warsaw, Krakov, Lodz, Vrotslav, Gdansk, Koszalin,
Griffin, Rodon, Kolobzhek and other towns.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:

August 18, 2009

TURKISH FOREIGN MINSTRY RESPONDS TO ACNIS
DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN

In a statement released on August 14, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs responded to ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian’s recent
comments to journalists in Yerevan regarding the state of
Turkish-Armenian diplomatic engagement. Citing Giragosian by name,
the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a clarification on recent Armenian
media reports that quoted the ACNIS Director’s comments on
Turkish-Russian relations.

According to an official statement posted on the website of the
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 14, Giragosian was
quoted by the Armenian media as saying that a `secret agreement’
between Turkey and Russia was signed granting Russia access through
Turkish airspace to resupply the Russian base in the northern Armenian
city of Gyumri. The report was also widely disseminated, as the
Azerbaijani `Trend’ news agency printed a statement on August 15
released by the Turkish Embassy in Baku that refuted the `information
about arms shipments to the Russian military base in Armenia via
Turkish airspace.’ The Turkish Embassy in Baku released an official
statement to the Azerbaijani media claiming that `such information is
a step towards breaking friendship and fraternity of Turkey and
Azerbaijan.’

Although the Armenian media report was partially inaccurate, ACNIS
Director Giragosian did reveal that `Turkish and Russian officials are
currently negotiating a bilateral accord that would provide the
Russian military access to the Gyumri base through Turkish airspace
and territory in the event of an agreement to open the closed
Turkish-Armenian border.’

Most interestingly, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Burak Özügergin
criticized Giragosian’s comments in an interview with the Turkish
`Hurriyet’ daily newspaper, stating that `it’s an obvious provocation
aimed at breaking friendly relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan.’

As the official Turkish spokesman did not deny the essence of
Giragosian’s comments, his comments sparked heated calls by leading
Turkish opposition newspapers demanding that Turkey should immediately
break off negotiations with Russia. The `Milliyet’ daily newspaper,
for example, argued that `Russian arms supplied to Armenia will be
used against Azerbaijan,’ adding that `assisting (the) Russian
military base is out of the question.’

In subsequent comments on this issue, ACNIS Director Richard
Giragosian noted that `the fact that the Turkish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs felt compelled to officially respond to my comments reported
in the Armenian media only reveals the lack of trust inherent in
Turkish-Russian relations and further demonstrates the weakness of
Turkish foreign policy regarding its engagement of Armenia.’ He also
said that the incident `questions the sincerity of Turkey’s earlier
promises to forge new relations with Armenia, including a commitment
to end its blockade of Armenia and to address the legacy of the
Armenian genocide.’ Giragosian explained that `the burden is now on
Turkey, as the international community is now becoming increasingly
impatient with what appears to be Turkey’s indecisiveness and lack of
good will toward Armenia.’

Giragosian also stressed that `even if Turkey decides to reopen the
border with Armenia and to extend diplomatic relations with Armenia,
such moves should not be misinterpreted as any kind of gift or reward
to Armenia, as such minimal steps merely represent the basic
requirements for civilized countries.’ He concluded by reiterating
the fact that `although there is still at least some degree of
optimism, it is Turkey that is in danger of missing a strategic
opportunity to move forward with Armenia.’

The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is
a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan,
Armenia. As an independent, objective institution committed to
conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to
raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public
engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater
and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the
institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia’s first
Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past fifteen years, ACNIS has
acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional
independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national
and international policy issues.

For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit