Author: Karagyozian Lena

US CONGRESSMEN URGE GUL, SARKSYAN TO CONTINUE PEACE EFFORTS

Today’s Zaman
April 1 2009
Turkey

A group of US lawmakers have sent letters to the Turkish and Armenian
presidents, voicing support for their efforts to normalize relations
between the two countries.

"It is essential that the building blocks of trust and cooperation
are established between Armenia and Turkey to heal open wounds, mend
broken hearts and create a better future for both nations and peoples,"
they wrote to President Abdullah Gul and his Armenian counterpart,
Serzh Sarksyan.

Speaking to reporters on Monday on behalf of the group of lawmakers,
Robert Wexler, a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
and chairman of the Turkish Caucus in the US Congress, said efforts
to improve the cooperation and diplomatic relations between Turkey
and Armenia were in the interest of both countries as well as the
United States.

The all-Democrat group also included Ike Skelton, the chairman of
the House Armed Services Committee, and Reps. John Murtha, who has
close ties with the Pentagon, and Alcee Hastings, co-chairman of the
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe.

"As members of Congress who agree that lasting Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement should be a top priority for the United States,
please know we are ready to assist your nations’ efforts to normalize
relations and build a better future for generations of Armenians and
Turks," they wrote.

Another group of lawmakers recently introduced a resolution urging the
US administration to recognize the Armenian claims of genocide at the
hands of the Ottoman Empire. If passed, critics say the resolution
would be a blow both to Turkish-US ties and efforts to normalize
relations between Turkey and Armenia.

ISRAELI NEW GOVERNMENT DOESN’T WANT PEACE WITH PALESTINE

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.04.2009 13:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Israel’s new foreign minister said Wednesday that
the government is not bound by the agreement reached at the Annapolis
conference in the US in 2007, which provides for a Palestinian state.

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu
party, made the remarks at a handover ceremony at the foreign ministry
on Wednesday, the day after a new broad coalition government was
sworn in.

"There is one document that obligates us – and that’s not the Annapolis
conference, it has no validity," he said. "The Israeli government
never ratified Annapolis, nor did parliament."

At the conference, then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed
to further "the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine" in peace
negotiations with the Palestinians. He said that instead, Israel
would follow a course charted by a U.S.-backed peace "road map".

It also obligated Israel to freeze all settlement expansions on
occupied Palestinian land.

Asked about Lieberman’s comments, a political source close to Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyau said the remarks largely reflected the
new leader’s position.

Netanyahu’s government was sworn in on Tuesday.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said Wednesday that Israel’s new
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not believe in peace and urged
world leaders to pile pressure on him.

"Benjamin Netanyahu never believed in a two-state solution or accepted
signed agreements and does not want to stop settlement activity. This
is obvious," Abbas told the official Palestinian news agency.

"We have to tell the world that this man does not believe in peace,
so how should we deal with him? Let’s put the ball in the world’s court
so that it puts pressure on him and assumes its responsibilities."

Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas,
also said in response to Lieberman’s remarks that Washington "should
take a clear position against this policy before things get worse".

The United States must oppose an assertion by Israel’s new government
that it is not bound by the 2007 Annapolis accord calling for
establishment of a Palestinian state, Rdainah said.

"This is a challenge to the international community and to the United
States that adopted the two-state solution," said Nabil Abu Rdainah,
spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"The international community should respond to these provocations
that may undermine security and stability in this region."

Palestine and Israel formally launched US-backed peace talks in
November 2007 but the negotiations made little visible progress before
Israeli 22-day offensive into Gaza that killed 1434 Palestinians.

The European Union last week warned of consequences if the new
government does not commit itself to the principle of the two-state
solution, saying relations would become "very difficult."

Israel committed itself to a two-state solution in the 2003 roadmap
agreement, which calls on Israel to stop settlement expansions,
BBC reports.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance
22 Concord Lane Cambridge MA 02138 USA
Phone 617 871-6764 Fax 617 491-1011
Contact: Bianca Bagatourian, President
[email protected]
Contact Person: Jane Minasian
[email protected]
www.armeniandrama. org

4/1/09

On Thursday, April 9th, 2009, 3 Armenian actors will appear in the new

TV series `Southland’ at 10 pm in all respective Timezones on NBC.

From Emmy Award winners John Wells (15 seasons of `ER’), Ann Biderman
(`NYPD Blue’) and Chris Chulack (`ER’, `Third Watch’) comes a raw and
authentic look at a police unit in Los Angeles. From the beaches of

Malibu to the streets of East Los Angeles, NBC’s "Southland" is a
fast- moving drama that will take viewers inside the lives of cops,
criminals, victims and their families.

Ludwig Manukian (`The Shield’), Anoush NeVart Khachoyan (`ER’, `Must
Love Dogs’) and Raffi Anoushian (`The Shield’, `Las Vegas’) portray
Armenian characters in this exciting new pilot. This is the first
time in decades that 3 Armenian actors are on the same TV show,
bringing a greater Armenian presence to prime-time TV.

Comments about the show may be sent to the Producers (John Wells,
Chris Chulack) after the pilot airs at the following address:
`Southland, 4000 Warner Boulevard, Building 1, Suite 101, Burbank, CA
91522′. Or go to the following link to sign into the blog and add
your comments there:

PIPELINE FROM IRAN TO ARMENIA POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY UNPROFITABLE: AZERBAIJANI OIL AND GAS EXPERT

Today.Az
/51177.html
March 29 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku considers that the idea of laying pipeline from Iran to Armenia
is both politically and economically unfavorable.

According to oil and gas expert Ilham Shaban, this is the same as to
propose laying an express railroad from Iran to Russia via Armenia.

Notably, in early March Armenian energy minister Armen Movsesyan
announced that in 2009 Armenia and Iran will start construction of the
Tebriz-Yeraskh pipeline. He said ready oil products, in particular,
gasoline and diesel fuel, will be supplied from the oil refinery of
Tebriz to Armenia.

"I do not understand whether they, Armenians, do not look at the map
or they are just poorly informed about political realities? Where
will this pipeline go", says Shaban.

According to him, 4-5 years ago there was proposed an idea to build an
oil refinery of a capacity of 1 mln tons of production in Megri. "They
said it will refine Iranian crude, while Iran will invest into the
construction of an oil refinery, while Armenia will further compensate
for these costs by ready oil products. But then it turned out that
a simple transportation of oil products by cars makes the idea of
building a plant unnecessary".

Thus, considers the expert, such projects are purely declarative,
as there is minimum economic profit there. "All these projects,
related to Iran, should be considered in separate. They are often
declared from political point of view, without taking into account
the economic substantiations, as there are sanctions and embargo
against this country", says the expert.

Armenia Fund, Inc.
111 North Jackson St. Ste. 205
Glendale, CA 91206

Tel: 818-243-6222
Fax: 818-243-7222
Url:

PRESS RELEASE

Contact ~ Sarkis Kotanjian
[email protected]

Armenia Fund, Inc. Elects New President

Los Angeles, CA – Armenia Fund, Inc., the U.S. Western Region affiliate
of `Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund, is pleased to announce the election of
its new president, Ara Aghishian, Esq

On Thursday, March 26, 2009, the Corporate Board of Armenia Fund, Inc.
unanimously elected Ara Aghishian to the post of Chairman/President. Mr.
Aghishian has been Vice President of the Fund since 2001.

Present at the meeting were the Honorable Grigor Hovhannisyan, Consul
General of the Republic of Armenia, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate
of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church, Fr. Antoine Saroyan of the Armenian Catholic Eparchy,
Rev. Joseph Matossian of the Armenian Evangelical Union of America, Mr.
Al Cabraloff of the Armenian Assembly of America, Mr. Avedik Izmirlian
of the Armenian Cultural Foundation, Dn. Vahe Charkhutian of the
Armenian General Benevolent Union SCDC, Ms. Sossie Poladian of the
Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, Dr. Hampig Sarafian of Nor
Serount Cultural Association, and Mr. Ara Aharonian of Tekeyan Cultural
Association.

Mr. Aghishian has been in private legal practice since 1988 in
California. He is admitted to practice law in all the courts of the
State, all Federal District Courts in California, the 9th U.S. District
Court of Appeal and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Aghishian heads the Law
Offices of Ara Aghishian with offices in Encino, San Diego, and
Sacramento. His client base consists of Fortune 500 companies as well as
the City of Los Angeles.

He is a member of the California State Bar, the Los Angeles County and
American Bar Associations, as well as the Armenian Bar Association. He
has served as Judge Pro Tem of the Los Angeles Superior Court for
several years. Mr. Aghishian has received several commendations and
recognitions for his volunteer services to the legal profession.

For 15 years, Mr. Aghishian served as the Secretary of the Board of
Trustees of TCA Arshag Dickranian Armenian School in Hollywood, CA. He
is a former Chairman of the San Fernando Valley Chapter of the Armenian
General Benevolent Union. He is a former member of the AGBU Asbeds and
AGBU SCDC. Mr. Aghishian is a Godfather of the Mother Cathedral of the
Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Mr. Aghishian is married to Julia Yeranossian and a proud father of a
daughter, Alexandra. In the spirit of philanthropy and furthering
Armenian studies, Mr. and Mrs. Aghishian have sponsored Armenian
language, culture and history programs at the University of California,
Los Angeles, the University of Southern California, and various Armenian
schools in the U.S. and Canada.

In 2008, Mr. and Mrs. Aghishian were the Honorary Presidents of the
Armenia Fund Canada (Montreal) chapter’s annual gala. Besides sponsoring
various other charitable causes, Mr. and Mrs. Aghishian have sponsored
various projects of the Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region.

Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation
established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and
infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Since 1991, Armenia Fund has rendered more than $190 million in
development aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia Fund, Inc. is
the U.S. Western Region affiliate of `Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund. Tax
ID# 95-448569

Al-Tayyar, Lebanon
March 29 2009

The names of Tashnak’s candidates to run in Lebanon.

Mekhitarian: Our decision is not to marginalize the other.

Tashnak announced in a press conference the names of its candidates to
run in the upcoming legislative elections in the districts of Beirut,
Metn and Zahleh; and they are:

– Horice Sabonjian and Freij Sabongian in Beirut’s first district for
the Armenian Orthodox seat
-Krikore Calsoute in Beirut’s first district for the Armenian Catholic seat
-Artur Nazarian in Beirut’s second district, noting that Mekhitarian
said that out of respect and for the implementation of the Doha
agreement, the party’s has one candidate in this constituency.
-MP Hagop Pakradounian for the northern Metn seat.
-MP George Qassarji in Zahle.

The Tashnak secretary general Hovig Mekhitarian at the press
conference assured that, and even though the electoral law agreed upon
in Doha is not ideal, the party decided to take part in the elections
both by naming candidates and voting after it boycotted the polls in
Beirut in 2005.

Mekhitarian stressed on the fact that only one of the candidates
belong to the Tashnak party in Metn district, while all others are
not. Mekhitarian draw the attention that they will run the next
election in order to revitalize the Armenian block, out of his belief
that Lebanon was and still is a country of coexistence among the
Lebanese, a country of self-respect and respect to the other’s
opinion, without any marginalization.

Mekhitarian said that the parliamentary elections represent one face
of democracy and must take place away from any pressures. Thus, the
proper representation in the parliament help resolve major problems.

Mekhitarian stressed on all deputes to gather around the legal
institutions, particularly on the President of the Republic; saying
that the revival of the Armenians Bloc is a revival of its own
decision, and that it will remain the `base stone’ of the parliament.

UKRAINE READY TO JOIN IRAN-ARMENIA RAILWAY PROJECT

Mediamax
March 27 2009
Armenia

Ukraine is showing interest in the project of construction a railway
between Iran and Armenia.

Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Ihor
Urbanskyy said in Yerevan today that Ukraine is ready to participate
in this project at any stage, from designing it to construction work.

"The project is very interesting as it opens another route towards
the Gulf," Urbanskyy said.

Armenian Minister of Transport and Communications Gurgen Sargsyan said
today that after the concept of the Iran-Armenia railway is approved
all the interested parties will be invited.

Earlier, the head of the South Caucasus Railway, Shevket Shaydullin,
has said that the project of construction of the Iran-Armenia railway
is discussed on the level Armenian, Russian and Iranian governments.

Merrimack Valley ANC to Observe Genocide
/merrimack-valley-anc-to-observe-genocide/
on March 25, 2009

LOWELL, Mass. – A downtown procession and flag-raising ceremony
recognizing the 94th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will take
place Sat., April 25 in Lowell.

The event is being organized by the ANC of Merrimack Valley and will
begin with a march throughout the downtown sector led by an honor
guard representing the Lowell Armenian-American Veterans.

A program will follow on the steps of Lowell City Hall.

Invited guests include U.S. Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, 5th
Congressional District; State Senator Steven Panagiotakos; and Mayor
Edward C. Caulfield, who will deliver a proclamation on behalf of the
city.

Members of the AYF and Armenian Christian Youth Organization of
America (ACYOA) will join together in raising the Armenian flag in
honor of the 1.5 million lives lost to the Ottoman Turkish Empire
during 1915-23.

Others taking part follow: the Lowell Committee; Armenian Relief
Societies of Lowell and Merrimack Valley; Merrimack Valley Knights of
Vartan; Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, Chelmsford; St. Gregory
Church of North Andover; Armenian Church at Hye Point, Haverhill; and
Ararat Congregational Church of Salem, N.H.

Those wishing to join the march are asked to gather at 9:30 a.m. at
the corner of Merrimack and John Streets downtown.

A reception will follow inside City Hall. The Ani Ensemble will
provide a musical interlude.

AGBU PRESIDENT VISITS THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

armradio.am
24.03.2009 16:16

On March 24 the Speaker of the National assembly of Armenia, Hovik
Abrahamyan, received the President of the Armenian General Benevolent
Union (AGBU) Perch Sedrakyan.

Greeting the guest, the Parliament Speaker emphasized the century-long
activity of the AGBU targeted at maintaining the Armenian national
identity, noting that the AGBU has implemented a number of educational,
cultural, social, humanitarian and church-building projects in Armenia.

Mr. Abrahamyan attached importance to the role of the Union in
preserving the spiritual legacy for the generations to come. It was
noted that with the support of benefactors and the Holy Etchmiadzin,
the Union has reconstructed a number of churches and built religious
schools. The Speaker welcomed the programs organized for Diaspora
youth, which are aimed at revealing Armenia, its traditions and
customs, culture and history and reinforcing the ties with the
Motherland.

AGBU President Perch Sedrakuan presented the activities of the Union
and presented the future programs.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
March 21 2009

Armenia says not discussing 1915 events with Turkey

Armenia’s foreign minister appeared to contradict his Turkish
counterpart, Ali Babacan, when he said ongoing talks between officials
of the two countries on ways to normalize relations did not include
discussions on Armenian claims of genocide at the hands of the Ottoman
Empire.

"I don’t think the Turkish foreign minister could say that Armenia and
Turkey are discussing the 1915 events," Eduard Nalbandian said,
according to news site PanArmenian.net. Babacan said in remarks this
week that the events, which Armenians say constituted the first
systematic genocide of the 20th century, were one of the issues being
discussed in ongoing talks with Armenia.

Babacan was responding to a question on a resolution introduced in the
US House of Representatives this week which calls for US recognition
of the alleged genocide. He warned any intervention by third countries
in the ongoing process between Turkey and Armenia would undermine
their efforts to normalize relations.

Turkey and Armenia have had no formal ties since 1993, and Ankara
insists a normalization of relations depends, among other things, on
Armenia’s reversal of its policy of supporting the Armenian diaspora’s
efforts to gain international recognition for genocide claims. The
closed-door talks between Turkish and Armenian officials are aimed at
"full normalization" of relations, Babacan said earlier. Both sides
are tightlipped on the content of the talks and it remains to be seen
whether they could lead to the restoration of diplomatic relations and
the opening of their border.

21 March 2009, Saturday
TODAY’S ZAMAN Ä°STANBUL