Author: Khondkarian Raffi

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM OF AMERICA

PRESS RELEASE
March 13, 2009

Contact: Carole Karabashian
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 383-9009

AGMA: ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY HOSTS RECEPTION AT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM BUILDING

Washington, DC – As part of the Armenian Assembly of America’s
(Assembly) 2009 National Advocacy Conference, a reception was held
Monday, March 2, at the future site of the Armenian Genocide Museum of
America (AGMA).

Mulvihill presented a gift from Senator Ensign to the Assembly’s
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Hirair Hovnanian

Dr. Rouben Adalian, Director of the Armenian National Institute (ANI),
opened the evening’s events by stating, "This is our evening to
introduce you not just to a building but to the plans we will be
unveiling so you can begin to imagine and appreciate what it is that
will go inside the building."

Honored guests included the Republic of Armenia’s Minister of Diaspora
Affairs Hranush Hakobyan; Armenian Ambassador to the United States,
Tatoul Markarian; Ambassador Peter Rosenblatt of the American Jewish
Committee; Massachusetts State Representative Peter Koutoujian; Kathryn
Porter of the Leadership Council for Human Rights and Sarah Morgenthau,
the great-granddaughter of Ambassador Henry Morgenthau.

A winter snowstorm prevented Senator John Ensign (R-NV) from returning
from his home state in time to attend, but he sent his Legislative
Director and Chief Counsel Jason Mulvihill to address the attendees.
Sen. Ensign has consistently supported Armenian-American issues
throughout his career in the U.S. Senate.

Speaking on behalf of the Senator, Mulvihill said, "Within the walls of
this building, the story of the Armenian Genocide will be shared until
everyone knows the story of how 1.5 million Armenians were deported,
tortured, and killed. Yes, they were victims of one of the greatest
examples of inhumanity and intolerance in the 20th century. And, yes,
though some deny it, what happened to the Armenians was genocide."

Mr. Shant Mardirossian

Mr. Shant Mardirossian, Chairman of the Near East Foundation, an
organization working in partnership with AGMA, delivered a presentation
highlighting the history of the relationship between the United States
and Armenia dating from the time of the Genocide. He discussed the
importance of the relief efforts of American organizations and stated,
"With your help and that of this museum, we will ensure that this part
of American history is resurrected and preserved for all future
generations of Armenians and Americans to learn from."

Mr. Hayk Demoyan

Mr. Hayk Demoyan, from the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in
Yerevan, spoke about the close ties between the museum in Armenia and
the importance of establishing a similar institution in the U.S.

Patrick Gallagher and Robert Maloodian of Gallagher and Associates,
Edele Hovnanian, AGMA Building and Operations Committee Member, Dr.
Rouben Adalian, ANI Director, and James Reigle, Senior Associate and
Director of Historic Preservation with Martinez & Johnson, Architecture

Presentations on the future of the museum were given by representatives
of the firms of Martinez & Johnson Architecture, which specialize in the
rehabilitation of historic buildings, and Gallagher & Associates, the
exhibit design firm. Both firms have been working on the development of
the museum project since mid-2007.

The Armenian Genocide Museum of America is an outgrowth of the Armenian
Assembly of America and the Armenian National Institute (ANI), catalyzed
by the initial pledge of Anoush Mathevosian toward building such a
museum in Washington, DC.

NR#2009-01

PanARMENIAN.Net

Lincy Foundation donated $400 thousand to AUA
11.03.2009 21:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `Lincy’ fund donated to the American University of
Armenia $400.000 to support and develop the educational activities of
the University. As the President of the University Haroutune Armenian
says, the grant will help Armenian students receive a high quality
education just like American Universities give.

Haroutune Armenian added that owing to the development of the American
University of Armenia they will manage to not only maintain the high
level of education but also attract students from the USA and other
countries.

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:

March 12, 2009

ACNIS Presents New Monograph on the Psychology of Comparative Change

Yerevan–Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS) today convened a special roundtable to present the findings of
a new monograph entitled `One Year Later: The Psychology of
Comparative Change in Armenia and the US.’

Welcoming the participants and attendees, ACNIS Director Richard
Giragosian explained that `one year after the tragic events of March
1, 2008, Armenia remains challenged by the lingering effects of an
unresolved post-election crisis,’ but noted that `the underlying
causes of Armenia’s post-election crisis include several unresolved
problems, ranging from widening socio-economic disparities to a
pronounced political polarization.’

The ACNIS Director went to say that the monograph revealed `an
interesting parallel in the psychology of comparative change in
Armenia and the United States, driven in both countries by an
awakening of the people, as a population no longer satisfied with
apathy or inactivity, and seeking an agenda for change.’

The day’s first speaker, ACNIS Research Coordinator Syuzanna
Barseghian, presented the monograph’s findings entitled `The Logic of
the Presidential Election of 2008: The Change of the Public
Perceptions.’ According to Barseghian, Armenia’s 2008 presidential
elections were distinct because, this time, apathy did not accompany
the entire pre- and post-election process. And during the
post-election phase, there was a civic and psychological process which
the authorities tried to define as an `appropriation of state power’
and a `coup’ attempt, whereas the opposition called it a `people’s
movement. `Yet the greatest concern is the disappointment that could
emerge among the masses who have awakened from apathy, and this
disappointment is dangerous for the whole society. It is therefore
necessary to learn lessons from such developments,’ Barseghian noted.
`The social tension and the polarization of the political field as
well as the absence of discourse and the state of intolerance, all of
which are the results of the 2008 presidential elections, inevitably
will bring about a need to increase the societal factor and the
citizens’ role in the political processes, a change in public
perceptions, and a demand for a `new opposition.”

In her turn, ACNIS analyst Armine Ghazarian spoke on the monograph’s
findings under the heading `The Psychological Peculiarities of the
Presidential Election Period.’ As indicated by Ghazarian, the events
that occurred in Armenia in the past one year, and those that are
still taking place, have brought about a social and psychological
decline and have created public tension. As a result, we now face
growing psychological problems, such as frustration, depression and
discomfort, psychological and emotional strains and responses, as well
as stress and resultant reactions. `All this has led to the adoption
of a variety of psychological defense mechanisms: aggression, ousting,
denial, rationalization, etc. And it is a troubling fact that a long
time is still needed to triumph over such reactions and related
behavior so that they do not become fixed character traits, or affect
the mentality and psychological characteristics of the Armenian
people,’ Ghazarian argued.

ACNIS Director presented the last presentation, `The Psychology of
Change in the US: The Obama Experience,’ with an analysis of `the
American candidate of change,’ President Barack Obama, who was `able
to mobilize and inspire the American voters by offering something new
and promising real change.’ He went on to stress that despite the
similarity between the American and Armenian political context of a
need for change, there were several key differences, including: the
fact that in US politics, votes count and are protected, and the
reality of two different political systems.

Giragosian explained that `while in Armenia, the political system is a
`top-down’ and closed structure, with power concentrated in the
presidency, in the US, the power of the political system rests on a
system of `checks and balances’ that promotes a healthy and positive
competition between the three branches of government. He then pointed
to the separation of business & politics and the role of the
`opposition’ as important lessons for Armenia, saying that `Armenia
needs to recognize that the fact that a dynamic and active opposition
is a sign of a healthy and vibrant democracy, and is not a threat to
the state or the system.’

The formal deliberations were then followed by questions, answers, and
a lively exchange among many leading Armenian analysts and experts, as
well as several officials.

————————————– ——————————-

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

PanARMENIAN.Net

Lavrov: Russia didn’t transfer arms to Armenia
10.03.2009 15:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia has never sold arms or ammunition to Armenia
from the Gumri Base No. 102, as Azerbaijani media reported on Jan. 8,
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in Baku.

`I do not think there is a need for an additional investigation
because all the statements made by Russia via diplomatic channels are
based on facts and leave no doubt about the decision made by our
military leadership,’ he said.

`We understand Azerbaijan’s careful approach towards the issue given
the difficult relations between Baku and Yerevan. At the same time, we
are convinced that Russia and Azerbaijan have enough reserves of
mutual confidence to prevent such falsifications from hindering us
from expanding our strategic partnership,’ Minister Lavrov said.

HUMAN RIGHTS’ DEFENDER’S STATEMENT AND GAREGIN NJDEH

Lragir.am
13:59:12 – 10/03/2009

On March 10 the Human Rights’ Defender Armen Harutyunyan issued its
annual report on 2008 which contains very strict assessment on the
situation in Armenia. In his report Armen Harutyunyan states the
presence of the current oligarchic-clan system in the country, speaks
about the necessity of giving it up and the necessity of separating the
government from the business refusing the Soviet Union’s mentality and
the traditions and also the necessity of establishing a government
based on law. The ombudsman notes that there is an atmosphere of fear
in Armenia and the office of Prosecutor General and the special
investigative service are just measures of repression.
Armen Harutyunyan considered concerning the unilateral activities of
the administrative machine especially during the 20 days of the state
of emergency which, according to the ombudsman, deepens the existing
atmosphere of hatred and intolerance. Both the government and the
opposition must deal with the overcoming this atmosphere and shaping
one of tolerance. Armen Harutyunyan notes that it is necessary to put
in a mechanism of counterbalance in Armenia. `The Armenians are
gathering the fruits of their past,’ Armen Harutyunyan cites Garegin
Njdeh.

Armen Harutyunyan points out the issues on restrictions on the freedom
of speech and rallies, rejection of the applications of the opposition
on rallies, unpunished cases of violence towards reporters as very
important questions from legal point of view. Armen Harutyunyan brings
as an example the case of the reporter Gohar Veziryan when she was hit
by an high-ranking policeman during the strikes between the Police and
the oppositionists on October 23 and the video of that incident was
spread all over the country but the policeman was not called for
responsibility.

Armen Harutyunyan also notes the problem of differentiated use of the
law, for example the law focused its attention on the Gala TV and the
Bjni Company only at a certain moment. Armen Harutyunyan states that he
does not go into details whether the law is just towards these
companies as in this case the problem is that law was operated
beginning from a `certain moment.’

According to the report of the Human Rights’ Defender another serious
problem is the atmosphere of fear and violence in the penitentiary
institutions, the silence of the violated people there. The HRD report
considers important for 2008 the problem of protection of ownership
rights in particular connected with the residents of construction areas
when the Armenian courts do not make any decision unless the case is
reached to the European court and is always solved in citizen’s favor.
The question of the environment is also stated in the HRD report
especially the fact that Yerevan has become a half desert.

In response to reporter’s question on who is more satisfied with his
job Armen Harutyunyan said that when his work is effective to the
government the opposition blames him of being a governmental project
and in the opposite case the government blames him of `working for
outside force.’ Armen Harutyunyan thinks that there is just lack of
tolerance in reality that is why he says that both the opposition and
the government should made all efforts in this connection. According to
the Human Rights’ Defender the Armenian society is more ready to this
atmosphere than the political system parts of which are the government
and the opposition.

By the way, as to the 2008 presidential election Armen Harutyunyan
notes that his special report with all its assessments in this
connection issued last year may be considered a part of this new one.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Armenia politically correct toward neighbor states
10.03.2009 14:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili’s statement
on Armenia’s economy is absolutely groundless, said Samvel Farmanyan,
spokesman for the Armenian President.

`Saakashvili has chosen a wrong way to distract the Georgian citizens’
attention from domestic problems,’ he said. `Armenian President was
numerously asked about social and economic situation in neighbor
states but he always refrained from giving assessments. This is what
we call politically correctness,’ Mr. Farmanyan said.

Yesterday, Georgian President said that `Armenia’s economy burst
because of its dependence on Russian market.’

PanARMENIAN.Net

What could make Turkey open the borders within 1,5 years?
09.03.2009 19:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `We expect a serious progress in Armenian- Turkish
relations in a month and a positive approach to the opening of borders
in a year,’ Republican Party of Armenia Leader, Galoust Sahakyan told
a news conference today. According to Sahakyan, Turkey plans to join
EU, and EU Member States do not accept closed borders.

Galoust Sahakyan stressed that Turkey’s preconditions are unacceptable
for Armenia. `Armenia sets no preconditions, we’re open to
negotiations,’ he said referring to the future of Armenian-Turkish
diplomatic relations.

There are no official diplomatic relations between Armenia and
Turkey. Armenian ` Turkish border has been closed by Ankara since 1993
because of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

18 female representatives of Armenian political parties to pay
cognitive visit to Great Britain

9

YEREVAN, MARCH 9, NOYAN TAPAN. 18 female representatives of
parliamentary and extraparliamentary political parties functioning in
Armenia and 3 RA NA deputies will be in Great Britain on a cognitive
visit on March 9-14 within the framework of the Wo/Men in Politics
program implemented with the financing of the Embassy of Great Britain
in RA.

According to the British Council Armenian Office, visit’s goal is to
acquaint Armenian politicians with Great Britain’s parliamentary
system, parliamentarians’ legislative activity and to create a
possibility for cooperation. During the visit the interlocutors will
also have a possibility to get acquainted with women’s and men’s
rights, with laws regarding equal possibilities in politics and their
use in Great Britain.

Visits to parliaments of England, Wales, and Scotland, meetings with
representatives of standing parliamentary committees and deputies, as
well as with representatives of civil society are planned within the
framework of the visit. Rosemarie Butler, the Vice-Speaker of
parliament of Wales, will receive the representatives of political
parties and the deputies in Wales.

The Wo/Men in Politics two-year program launched in 2008 July is
implemented by British Council with the financing of the Embassy of
Great Britain in RA. The program is aimed at raising women’s role in
the political sphere, at development of skills, establishment of new
cooperation possibilities.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Aronian stands no chance to win Linares 2009
07.03.2009 11:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In the 13 tour of Linares 2009 Armenian grandmaster
Levon Aronian, playing with black pieces sustained a defeat at in a
game with Ukraine’s Vassily Ivanchuk. This has been the 4th defeat of
the grandmaster at Linares 2009. After the 13th tour Aronian was 1,5
points behind the tournament leaders, losing all his chances for
victory during the last tour.

According to 13th tour results, Ivanchuk and Grischuk are leading the
tournament. The other games of the tour ended in a draw.

In the last tour of Linares 2009 Levon Aronian will be playing against
Russian grandmaster Alexander Grischuk, who defeated him in the 6th
tour.

13th tour results:
Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine)- Levon Aronian (Armenia) 1-0
Alexander Grischuk (Russia)- Viswanathan Anand (India) draw
Magnus Carlsen (Netherlands)- Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan) draw
Wang Yue (China) – Leinier Dominguez (Cuba) draw

Standings after 13th tour
Grischuk, Ivanchuk – 7.5 points each, Carlsen ` 7 points, Anand-6.5
points, Aronian, Radjabov, Wang Yue ` 6 points each, Dominguez ` 5.5
points

14th tour participants:
Aronian -Grischuk, Dominguez -Ivanchuk, Anand- Carlsen, Radjabov – Wang Yue.

HERITAGE PARTY THREATENS TO DEMAND LEADERSHIP RESIGNATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.03.2009 16:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Heritage Faction made a statement today on current
financial situation.

According to the statement, the crisis of trust in Armenia entered
a new stage. "The Heritage Faction will not allow a new social
outbreak. Heritage demands that the authorities and the president
introduce radical changes in the governmental policy and immediately
implement the following steps: release political prisoners,
eliminate oligarch criminal system fundamentals, provide state
budget formation and implementation and submit it to parliamentary
consideration, promote legality, justice and freedom of choice at
Mayoral elections. Non fulfillment of the demands above will result
in the intensification of political and economical crisis, which
could only be resolved by the change of authorities."

Meanwhile, the member of Heritage Faction Armen Martirosyan is
confident, that to resolve the current situation , the authorities
should undertake drastic steps jointly with the opposition. "Both
ruling and opposition political forces are elected by the people,
and should therefore serve their interests."

"The Faction statement and its further activities prove it to pursue
a policy of advising, assisting and demanding from authorities,"
Larisa Alaverdyan noted.