Author: Karapetian Hovik

APA, Azerbaijan
Jan 5 2010

American Azerbaijanis sent over 100,000 emails, faxes and letters to
different US officials last year

[ 05 Jan 2010 11:39 ]

Washington. Isabel Levine ` APA. During the past year American
Azerbaijanis sent over 100,000 emails, faxes and letters to different
US officials expressing their concerns about various issues `
Nagorno-Karabakh, regional security and other, APA’s Washington DC
correspondent was told at U.S. Azeris Network (USAN).

The Network reports that, some 30 articles on Azerbaijan have been
published in US media, last year.

`We contributed to the growing interest for objective information
about Azerbaijan and Diaspora among graduate students, researchers,
and journalists as USAN became actively involved in providing this
information, that became part of research papers and news articles’ –
USAN source added.

The organization points out that USAN was recognized by POLITICO
magazine (Congressional political newspaper) as the
Azerbaijani-American nationwide grassroots advocacy organization that
counters efforts by such Armenian lobby groups as Armenian Assembly of
America.

Another success of American Azerbaijanis ` the organization had the
first-ever official proclamation by the Governor of Nevada
commemorating the March 31 (Day of Genocide against Azerbaijanis) as
the Azerbaijan Remembrance Day.

`Despite massive protests from the Armenian lobby, our community and
friends were able to persuade the Governor’s office to not rescind the
proclamation’ `USAN source told APA.

The organization also assures that such activities will be continued
during the year of 2010.

ARMENIA TREE PROJECT
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472 USA
Tel: (617) 926-TREE
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
January 4, 2010

ATP Creates a Green Future for Communities in Armenia

— CTP Program Plants More than 56,000 Trees in 2009

YEREVAN–In 2009, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) planted more than 56,000 trees
at dozens of urban and rural sites around the country as part of its
Community Tree Planting (CTP) program. The huge public demand for trees and
the professional capacity of ATP program staff, along with the production of
fruit and decorative trees at the Karin and Khachpar nurseries, resulted in
the planting of 56,244 trees in 2009. This was in addition to the 1,000,000
reforestation seedlings planted at several sites in the Lori region.

"We are very proud to announce that this fall we have planted 27,822
decorative and fruit trees and in the spring we planted 28,422 trees,"
stated CTP Program Manager Anahit Gharibyan. "Through the joint efforts of
the CTP and nursery programs we managed to distribute these high quality
trees to more than 10 regions of Armenia including Armavir, Lori, Vayots
Dzor, Tavush, and Artsakh."

ATP’s programs create a number of valuable co-benefits for communities,
which include tree planting jobs that provide a reliable source of income
and fruit tree harvests that provide nutrition and food security. In 2009,
ATP’s trees produced a harvest of 200,665 kg (442,390 pounds) of fresh
fruit.

Fruit trees planted by ATP include apricot, wild apple, peach, and pear, and
nut trees include pistachio and walnut. The fruit was harvested at 118 sites
around the country, and was used by the local schools, hospitals, and other
community institutions.

ATP’s Community Tree Planting program hosts a number of ceremonial tree
planting events with partner organizations throughout the year. This fall,
Synopsis Armenia staff and their families joined with ATP to plant 500
evergreen trees in the Malatia Sebastia community, near the St. Trinity
Church which has been a model ATP site.

Another noteworthy example of ongoing cooperation was the tree planting
initiated by ATP and HSBC Bank at the Diaconia Settlement of Hope. Together
with the residents of the settlement, ATP and HSBC staff and families
planted 500 fruit and decorative trees in the backyards of the family homes.
ATP began working in this neighborhood for disadvantaged families in 2005,
when there were very few trees. Today, the Settlement of Hope is a green and
beautiful district, full of fruit and decorative trees planted by ATP.

"We are very pleased to help support the Diaconia settlement since this
program provides housing and dignity to Armenian families. ATP is creating
an environment that is making Diaconia beautiful with flowers, trees, and
fruit. Congratulations to all of you for implementing this project," noted
ATP supporters John and Sophie Bilezikian after a visit to the site. The
Bilezikian Family has sponsored ATP’s work at this site, and they are
planning to sponsor a playground as a gift for the children of Diaconia.

Similar tree plantings were organized by ATP at other institutions, schools,
and churches in Yerevan and Armenia’s regions this year. Hnaberd School,
American University of Armenia, Hay Aspet NGO, Tsiternakaberd Genocide
Memorial, and the Chess Academy are only a few of the numerous sites that
have been re-greened and beautified through ATP’s Community Tree Planting
program.

"We are proud of all of our programs and each planting story is full of life
and hope for the future. However, one of our proudest moments this year was
receiving a certificate of acknowledgement from Etchmiadzin Mayor Karen
Grigoryan," added Gharibyan. The certificate recognized ATP’s work in
Etchmiadzin since 1995, where the organization has planted more than 20,000
trees at 20 different establishments including churches and schools.

Since 1994, Armenia Tree Project has planted and restored more than
3,500,000 trees at over 800 sites around the country and created hundreds of
jobs for impoverished Armenians in tree-regeneration programs. The
organization’s three tiered initiatives are tree planting, community
development, and environmental education. These programs reduce poverty,
promote self-sufficiency, and help protect Armenia’s precious natural
resources. For additional information and to support ATP’s mission, visit
the web site

PHOTO CAPTIONS

1 ATP Khachik Village

ATP fruit trees at more than 100 sites around the country include apricot,
wild apple, peach, and pear, and the harvest benefits local schools,
hospitals, and other community institutions; this girl is helping with the
harvest of wild apples in Khachik Village in September 2009

2 ATP Ayrudzy Sports Club

ATP’s trees produced a harvest of 200,665 kg (442,390 pounds) of fresh fruit
in 2009 which provides nutrition and food security; these children are
excited about the apricot harvest at the Ayrudzy Sports Club in July 2009

3 ATP Diaconia Settlement

HSBC Bank staff and families partnered with ATP to plant 500 fruit and
decorative trees at the Diaconia Settlement of Hope in November 2009; ATP
staff trains all volunteers from partner organizations and the local
community on proper tree planting techniques

DIYARBAKIR TO RENAME STREETS IN HONOR OF LOCAL CHRISTIAN AUTHORS

Hurriyet
Dec 28 2009
Turkey

The municipal assembly of Diyarbakir’s Sur district has decided to
change the names of three streets to honor Armenian and Syriac authors
who used to live on those routes.

In a Dec. 9 session, the council decided to rename Direkci Street in
the Hasırlı neighborhood and give it the name of Armenian author
Mıgırdıc Margosyan. They also decided to name PaÅ~_ucu 1st Street
in the Ziya Gökalp neighborhood after Syriac author Naum Faik Palak
and Yagcı Street in Fatih neighborhood after Ahmet Arif.

Sur Mayor Abdullah DemirbaÅ~_ said the most fundamental reason for
changing the streets’ names was to recognize the importance of artistic
people from Diyarbakır.

The mayor said Arif was a well-known poet and that the council would
pay homage to his memory by renaming the street on which he was born.

DemirbaÅ~_ said the renaming project promoted the city’s values.

"Margosyan contributed a lot to the promotion of Diyarbakır with his
books. He was also a member of the Armenian community in Diyarbakır
and represented a different cultural heritage."

He said giving the name to such a world-renowned author would be a
fitting tribute to the writer. "In a similar fashion, Palak is one
of the important names in our literature. He was a Syriac who died
in America. We again gave his name to the street where he was born."

DemirbaÅ~_ said: "Promoting the values of Diyarbakır as such
demonstrates the peaceful harmony of the different cultures, identities
and religions existing here. Peace, democracy and fraternity are what
we have needed most in recently. In a sense, we want to announce this
to all of Turkey once again through the streets of Diyarbakır."

DemirbaÅ~_ said they informed the local district governorate about
the council’s decision. "The Sur District Governorate [only] accepted
two of the names we offered. They said they relayed Palak’s name to
the Foreign Affairs Ministry to determine whether he was a Turkish
citizen or not," DemirbaÅ~_ said.

"We do not approve of this because there are many streets, avenues
and buildings in Turkey that are named after non-Turkish citizens,"
the mayor said.

BBC: Iranian police opened fire on protesters
27.12.2009 16:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Opposition sources say Iranian security forces have
opened fire on protesters as some of the fiercest clashes in months
erupted in the capital, Tehran.
Unconfirmed reports said at least one person was shot dead but the
police denied there had been any fatalities. Opposition parties had
urged people to take to the streets as the Shia Muslim festival of
Ashura reached a climax. People were chanting "Khamenei will be
toppled", opposition sources said, a reference to Iran’s Supreme
Leader. Thousands of demonstrators are reported to have taken part in
the protests, in defiance of official warnings.

Initial reports said the security forces fired in the air to disperse
the protests, but several different reports said that at least one,
and possibly as many as four demonstrators, had been shot dead.

Police sources, quoted by the Iranian Fars news agency, denied this,
saying foreign media were exaggerating reports of unrest.
Although there were deaths in the immediate aftermath of the disputed
elections and protests in June, fatalities since then have been rare.
The security forces clearly have to tread a fine line between not
appearing weak but also not provoking opposition protesters. Police
helicopters were seen flying over central Tehran as clouds of black
smoke billowed into the sky, reports said. On the ground, the security
forces clashed with protesters trying to reach central Enghelab
Square, witnesses said.

Protesters were chanting, "This is the month of blood", and calling
for the downfall of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,
according to opposition websites. At the same time, crowds of
pro-government demonstrators marched on Enghelab Street to voice
support for Ayatollah Khamenei, witnesses said. Protests were also
reported in the cities of Isfahan and Najafabad.

Tensions have risen in Iran since influential dissident cleric Grand
Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri died a week ago aged 87

Supporters of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi have sought to use
Shia religious festivals this weekend to show continued defiance of
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government. Denied the right to
protest, the opposition chose the highly significant festival of
Ashura when millions of Iranians traditionally go onto the streets for
ceremonies and parades. The festival mourns the 7th Century death of
Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Iranian television
had live coverage of the Ashura ceremonies, including those in Tehran
attended by President Ahmadinejad, BBC reported.

Thaindian.com
Dec 27 2009

Shrima Rai Ended As Top 10 Contestant In Mrs. Globe 2009 Competition

December 27th, 2009 – 1:25 am ICT by GD
By Meena Kar

Dec. 26, (THAINDIAN NEWS) India has once again come to the top ten
positions of the beauty contests. However, this time the contestant
could not claim the title. Shrima Rai, who has participated in the
Mrs. World 2009 contest has ended at the top ten position while Gohar
Harutyunyan from Armenia claimed the throne. A banker by profession,
Shrima Rai, now wants to try her luck in entertainment industry.

As per the reports, Shrima Rai who has ended at the top 10 position
also claimed the first runner up position of Mrs. India 2009
competition. Before participating in the Mrs. World 2009 contest,
Shrima Rai was the title winner of the `Most Beautiful Face’ in a
contest that had forty participants from different parts of the world.
When interviewed by the media, the lady sounded confident about her
talent even though she could not claim the title of the contest.

The lady was accompanied by her husband Aditya Rai when the contest
had taken place in Bratislava of Slovakia, on December 13, 2009. Apart
from the beauty contests, she also expressed her desire to make a
debut in the Indian film industry if she gets a suitable offer.
According to the reports, she is the sister-in-law of Aishwarya Rai
Bachchan, who has earlier claimed the Miss World title.

Rai family must have been overwhelmed with the news that not only
their daughter but also their daughter-in-law has achieved a
successful spot in a beauty contest. Yet, neither the in laws nor the
parents of the Shrima Rai had accompanied to the competition. Media
sources are still unable to reach them for their comments on this
event.

Read more: shrima-rai-ended-as-top-10-contestant-in-mrs-globe -2009-competition_100295092.html#ixzz0apQK5r9r

ARMENIA TO IMPORT GAS FROM IRAN

Interfax
Dec 22 2009
Russia

Iran will sell about 150 million cubic meters of natural gas to
Armenia, Armenian Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen Movsisian
said at a press conference in Yerevan.

Armenia is currently importing 1-1.5 million cubic meters of Iranian
gas, paying for this by electricity exports, Movsisian said.

A gas measuring center is being installed at the Armenian-Iranian
border to replace a provisional gas measuring station, he said.

Armenia started importing gas from Iran in middle of 2009. However,
it is still importing gas mainly from Russia. In 2008, the country
imported 2.2 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia.

GEORGIA, RUSSIA AGREE TO RE-OPEN LAND BORDER CROSSING
By Irakli Metreveli (AFP)

Agence France Presse
Dec 24 2009
France

TBILISI — Georgia and Russia said they had agreed to re-open their
land border to traffic, in the first sign of a thaw in relations
since the two neighbours went to war last year.

The two countries reached a deal under Swiss mediation to re-open
the Upper Lars checkpoint, which was closed in 2006, Georgian Deputy
Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze told journalists in Tbilisi.

It is the only land border crossing that does not pass through
Georgia’s Russian-backed rebel regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia,
which were the focus of the bitter conflict in 2008.

"The decision to re-open (the border) has been made," Kalandadze said,
adding that Georgia expects the crossing to re-open at the beginning
of March.

Russia’s border service confirmed the two sides had reached an
agreement.

"Delegations from both sides came to a shared understanding of the
need to resume international traffic between Russia and Georgia,
which is planned to begin from March 1, 2010," the border service
said in a statement quoted by the RIA-Novosti news agency.

Kalandadze said the agreement would allow Georgian citizens and
cargo to cross the border and that a formal protocol on re-opening
the crossing would be finalised within two weeks.

Despite its closure, Georgia renovated the Upper Lars border crossing
this year with 2.4 million dollars (1.7 million euros) in aid from
the United States, which provided the facility with modern offices
and search equipment.

Russia closed the Upper Lars checkpoint in 2006 in a move Georgian
officials said was motivated by tensions over Tbilisi’s efforts to
build closer ties with the West.

Tensions erupted in August 2008, when Russian forces poured into
Georgia to repel a Georgian military attempt to retake South Ossetia.

Russia later mostly withdrew to within South Ossetia and another rebel
Georgian region, Abkhazia, which Moscow recognised as independent
states, a move so far followed by only Nicaragua, Venezuela and the
Pacific island state of Nauru.

The other two roads linking Georgia and Russia run through South
Ossetia and Abkhazia, effectively barring them to international
traffic.

The closing of the Upper Lars crossing dealt a blow to neighbouring
Armenia, which relied on the crossing as its only overland route to
Russia, the country’s key economic partner.

"Armenia will welcome an agreement between Russia and Georgia to resume
operations at the Upper Lars border crossing point," a spokesman for
Armenia’s foreign ministry, Tigran Balaian, told AFP.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hinted at a thaw in relations with
Georgia this month, saying he saw "no obstacles" to opening the border
crossing and resuming flights between Russia and Georgia.

Russia cut air links with Georgia during the war, only four months
after they had resumed following an 18-month embargo.

Flagship carrier Georgian Airways this week asked Russia to lift the
embargo but has yet to receive a reply.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said Thursday that flights
would only resume if Georgia can provide security guarantees.

"The Georgian government has to guarantee the safety of our crews
and guarantee, for instance, that no drugs or weapons will be found
on flights," the Interfax news agency quoted him as saying.

In a sign of lingering tensions, Ivanov likened Georgia to
Afghanistan’s Taliban movement over its demolition at the weekend of
a World War II memorial.

He was apparently referring to the blowing up in 2001 of the famous
1,500 year-old Buddha statues in the city of Bamiyan by the Taliban
on the grounds that they were idolatrous.

ARMENIAN KHACHKAR TO BE UNVEILED IN MALTA

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.12.2009 12:51 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In the capital city of the Republic of Malta,
Valletta, on December 22, 2009, in Hastings Gardens, will take place
the unveiling of the Armenian memorial, Khachkar.

The Khachkar was specially made and delivered to Malta from the
Republic of Armenia. The monument will be installed as a sign of
friendship between the Maltese and the Armenian nations and as a
tribute to Malta for its support to Armenians who found refuge on
this island in tragic years of 1375 and 1915.

A Khachkar will be installed in Valletta as a sign of friendship
between the Maltese and the Armenian nations.

ARMENIAN FM INVITES HIS ALBANIAN COUNTERPART TO ARMENIA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
21.12.2009 18:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan received
Albanian Ambassador Villi Minarolli who submitted the copies of his
credentials to Armenia’s top diplomat.

During the meeting, FM Nalbandyan expressed hope that Albanian
diplomat would make essential contribution to the development of
bilateral ties and implementation of agreements reached.

Parties discussed issues of bilateral interest, attaching major
importance to intensifying political, economic and cultural ties.

They also agreed to organize periodic consultations between
two countries’ Foreign Ministries and develop legal-contractual
cooperation.

Diplomats exchanged views over problems in Caucasus and Balkans.

Edward Nalbandyan requested Ambassador Minarolli to convey to Albanian
Foreign Minister Iler Meta his invitation for visiting Yerevan.

news.am, Armenia
Dec 19 2009

Armenia and Kazakhstan are allies: RA President

12:43 / 12/19/2009RA President Serzh Sargsyan is content with dynamics
of cooperation with Kazakhstan, Armenian President told in the
exclusive interview with Kazinform news agency.

Presently, Serzh Sargsyan is on a visit to Almaty, participating in an
informal summit of the heads of CIS states.

`Armenia and Kazakhstan are the allies within the framework of the
Collective Security Treaty Organization. It speaks for itself. There
is no higher level of cooperation between the states than the
alliance, which assumes mutual obligations in case of a threat to one
of the parties. We dynamically develop this cooperation through the
formation of Collective Rapid Reaction Forces, development of
contractual basis and holding of large-scale joint exercises,’
Armenian President said. He expressed confidence that potential of
economic cooperation is not used in full. President underlined that in
future contacts between both states’ business-communities should be
encouraged and comfortable conditions for interaction created.

Serzh Sargsyan recalled that Armenia supported Kazakhstan’s
candidature for OSCE presidency in 2010. `In reaching this decision we
considered both our alliance within the CSTO, awareness of Kazakhstan
on the main problems of South Caucasus region and, certainly, big
personal experience of President Nazarbayev,’ Sargsyan added.

Commenting on the consequences of global crisis, President outlined
that the idea of formation of the EurAsEC Anti-Crisis Fund was
proposed in Kazakhstan. `I think our countries made serious efforts to
establish the mechanism of such a fund. But given the fact that the
crisis will not wait, it is necessary that the activity of the fund
become tangible for our economies as soon as possible,’ President
stated.

A.G.