Author: Maghakian Mike

OPEN ROSTRUM: WHERE IS OUR ACUTE PERCEPTION OF SITUATION?
Irina Sargsyan
mother of a soldier

KarabakhOpen
21-03-2007 12:37:12

I am grateful to KarabakhOpen for providing Open Rostrum to discuss
the situation in Karabakh, because this is not just a situation but
our life, which seems to have stopped interesting us, for we believe
that quietness and peace will last forever. Meanwhile, we are highly
sensitive about a word said for one person, whereas we are absolutely
indifferent when the entire nation is insulted and fooled.

I will explain what I mean. We have become quite good at criticizing
the government, separate people who aspire to positions and titles,
but we would not admit our fault that Karabakh has become such due
to our indifference, fear to lose our job, high pay, respect of the
leadership, friends, neighbors.

We vote to the parliament, we elect a president, we flatter them, and
as soon as they do something, we start criticizing them. Meanwhile, we
cannot see that we are being humiliated. Recently the U.S. Department
of State has stated that Armenia continues to occupy Nagorno
Karabakh. Bernard Fassier announced that Karabakh was left out of
the talks due to the stance of the Armenian government who said to
represent Karabakh. Yuri Merzlyakov spoke about a provisional status
for Nagorno Karabakh… Meanwhile, we are silent, the nation is silent,
as if they are not talking about us but some other Karabakh. Where
is our parliament, the political parties, the youth organizations,
our intelligentsia? Why nobody protests against these statements,
which are groundless and dangerous for our country?

Or does our tolerance towards out fellows spread on others too? Maybe
we are reluctant to offend the U.S. State Department, the Minsk Group
co-chairs or the others. What do we expect, from whom do we expect
kindness and respect if we cannot respect ourselves?

Today only the reporters and representatives of NGOs raise the
problems Karabakh is facing. No parliamentary group, not even the
Azat Hayrenik Party we voted for with hope because we saw many
educated and intelligent people in this party, raises these issues
in parliament. Why? We elected a legislative body to represent the
interests of people.

While we are busy analyzing who said what about whom, others
will make decisions for us, and will not take into account our
opinion because we do not fancy to attend to it. Where is our acute
perception of the situation and word consciousness we used to have in
the beginning of the movement, when we would not have a single wrong
expression, when the people of Karabakh were a symbol of good sense and
determination? Why did we stop caring about the fate of our children
who are defending the border? Why are we unable to understand that
we will walk right into the abyss if we do not paraphrase the famous
saying? " You are my friend, neighbor, relative, but my child’s life
and future is more important to me."

‘IRAN-ARMENIA JOINT PROJECTS BROADEN MUTUAL TIES’

IranMania News, Iran
March 20 2007

LONDON, March 20 (IranMania) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
said that any cooperation and joint ventures between Iran and Armenia
will develop the relations of two nations, IRNA reported.

According to a report released by the Presidential Office Media
Department, the statement was made during Ahmadinejad’s talks with
his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharyan at Nordouz border area on
the sidelines of the inaugural ceremony of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.

The president added that the strong will and firm determination of
Iranian and Armenian officials is highly significant in broadening
of bilateral relations in all fields.

Turning to Iran and Armenia as neighboring and friendly countries, he
said, "Expansion of relations has always been faced by administrative
problems and a number of other obstacles. But such a strong resolve
will eventually overcome all difficulties."

Expressing his satisfaction with the implementation of one of the
joint projects between the two states, he said that Iran’s numerous
potentials in different fields such as energy, establishment of
refinery, railway and power plant as well as cooperation in the domains
of communication, telecommunication and export of various products
have prepared the ground for transferring the relevant experience
to Armenia.

Meanwhile, President Ahmadinejad declared the country’s readiness
for cooperation in this regard.

FRENCH EX-PRESIDENT: NO PLACE FOR TURKEY IN EUROPEAN UNION

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.03.2007 17:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Turkey cannot become a member of the European Union,
there is no place for him there, French ex-president Valerie Gisquard
d’Estange stated.

He said, Turkey has never been a European country and it is senseless
to speak about it. "Europe will never accept Turkey in the EU, since
it will be the poorest and most populous country in Europe. We can
find a solution to the problem-close cooperation, but not membership,"
he stated to Newsweek magazine.

HELICOPTER CARRYING AHMADINEJAD FAILS TO LAND

PRESS TV, Iran
March 19 2007

The helicopter carrying Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad to
Armenia for the inauguration of a gas pipeline failed to land and
returned to the Iranian border city of Marand.

President Ahmadinejad was en route to neighboring Armenia to formally
open the first stretch of a natural gas pipeline along with the
Armenian president, Robert Kocharyan, when his helicopter failed to
land due to bad weather, Fars News Agency reported.

Reports indicate that the president and his entourage returned to
the Iranian city of Marand in the north-western province of East
Azarbaijan.

The president was accompanied by Iran’s Foreign Minister, Energy
Minister and Oil Minister. The group is now set to travel by land
to Armenia to inaugurate the pipeline, which will eventually move
Iranian gas into Armenia.

The 110 kilometer pipeline runs from the north-western city of Tabriz
to the Armenian border. Construction of the first 40 kilometer-long
section of the pipeline began in November 2004.

When complete, some 10 million cubic meters of Iranian gas will be
delivered to Armenia through the pipeline each day. According to an
agreement reached between the two sides, the pipeline will transfer
some 36 billion cubic meters of Iranian gas to Armenia over the next
20 years.

Levon Aronyan leading in the international chess tournament in Monaco

ArmRadio.am
19.03.2007 10:46

Armenian Grand Master Levon Aronyan scored 2:0 in the match against Spanish
Grand Master Francisco Valekho in the first round of a large international
chess tournament that started in Monte Carlo (Monaco). With 2 points Levon
Aronyan shares 1st-2nd places with Vasili Ivanchuk of Ukraine. Russian Grand
masters Vladimir Kramnik and Alexander Morozevich have 1.5 points each.

YOUTH PARTY OF ARMENIA PROPOSES CREATING RUSSIA-ARMENIA UNION

YEREVAN, MARCH 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The Youth Party of Armenia will take
part in the forthcoming parliamentary elections by both proportional
and majoritarian systems with the motto "May 12: Change of
Generations." As Party Chairman Sargis Asatrian informed journalists
at the March 16 press conference, Party’s majoritarian list includes
22 candidates for deputacy and 6 candidates have been nominated by
majoritarian system. At that, Tigran Nalbandian nominated at polling
station N 4 withdrew his candidature, as in A. Asatrian’s words,
"there is a more experienced candidate at that electoral district."

Touching upon the post-electoral program of Youth Party of Armenia, S.
Asatrian attached importance to amendments to the Code of Criminal
Procedure to be proposed by them, according to which the punishment
for use of drugs should be liquidated and the state should render
medical assistance to people using drugs. Those selling up to 10 g
drugs should be sentenced to 10-14 years’ imprisonment and those
selling more should be sentenced to life imprisonment.

S. Asatrian said that in the sphere of foreign policy the Youth Party
of Armenia considers primary creation of Russia-Armenia Union and zone
of rouble in Armenia. He also stated that the Russian language should
be given the status of "language of interracial relations."

COOPERATION OF ARMENIAN AND AMERICAN FILMMAKERS
By H. Tsulikian

AZG Armenian Daily
15/03/2007

The "Armenian Union of Dramatic Arts" and the "Belmont World Film"
studio made a joint film entitled "Illusion", which will be first
shown on screen at Belmont Cinema, March 25. the director of the
film is renowned Michael Gurjian, who spent 4 years of his life
on the film. Last year he visited Armenia and became member of the
"Armenian Union of Dramatic Arts". Famous actor Kirk Douglas was also
involved in eth making of the film.

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE

March 14, 2007

Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR Board Member Aida Dimejian Appointed as Delegate to the
California Democratic Party State Convention

Los Angeles, CA — The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region proudly announces that long time community activist and ANCA-WR
board member Aida Dimejian was recently appointed as a delegate to the
California Democratic Party State Convention. California State
Assemblymember Anthony Portantino appointed Dimejian in February 2007
after coming into office. The Democratic Party State Convention shall
take place at the San Diego Convention Center from April 27-29, 2007.
The Convention body plans to organize the newly-elected Democratic State
Central Committee and elect Regional Directors, among other duties.

"Being active in the American political process is very important to us
as a community. Attending this Convention presents a great opportunity
to participate and engage key players in the Democratic party," stated
Dimejian. "As an Armenian American, I am proud to fulfill this duty to
help represent the interests of the Armenian American community."

"We are honored to learn that Assemblymember Portantino appointed Aida
Dimejian to the California Democratic Party State Convention. Aida is a
thoughtful and principled leader of the Armenian American community and
her participation will surely enhance the Convention’s work," stated
Andrew Kzirian, Executive Director of the ANCA-WR.

Dimejian has been an active and engaged member of the community since
1976, when she moved to the United States from Lebanon with her family.
After graduating from the Californian State University of Los Angeles
she worked as a registered nurse at Huntington Hospital for a number of
years. In 1992 she began to work in real estate with her husband who has
owned Century 21 Golden Realty in Pasadena since 1987. Throughout the
years, Dimejian has served on a number of boards and committees in both
the business world and her local community. Some of the positions she
has held include Director of the California Association of Realtors,
Federal Political Coordinator for the National Association of Realtors,
Commissioner to the Human Services Commission for the City of Pasadena,
Board Member of Pasadena Planned Parenthood, and Board Member of the
Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region. She was the
president of the Pasadena Foothills Association of Realtors in 2002. For
her committed and outstanding work Dimejian has received numerous awards
such as the Century 21 International Presidents Award, "Women Achievers"
Business Life Magazine, and the YWCA "Women of Excellence" Award in the
field of Business.

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working
in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the
world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American
community on a broad range of issues.

###

Photo Caption: Assemblymember Anthony Portantino with newly appointed
California Democratic Party State Convention Delegate and ANCA-WR Board
Member Aida Dimejian.

CBA PRESIDENT OFF TO UFA

ArmRadio.am
13.03.2007 12:45

President of the Central Bank of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan left for
Ufa today to participate in the forth "Banks, Processes, Standards,
Quality" forum, Mediamax reports.

The forum is dedicated to the memory of the First Deputy President
of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation Andrey Kozlov.

Issues related to banking activity standards, implementation of the
" procedural" approach in the bank management, implementation of
standards for providing the information security of the organizations
involved in the banking system will be discussed at the conference
initiated by the Central Bank of Armenia, the Union of Banks of Russia,
the National Bank of Bashkiria and the Union of Credit Organizations
of Bashkiria.

AZERI POLL SHOWS MOST RESPONDENTS WANT NO COMPROMISE ON KARABAKH

Day.az website, Baku
13 Mar 07

13 March: Political expert Rasim Musabayov has presented the results
of an opinion poll at a news conference.

The poll was conducted among 1,000 respondents in 15 districts and
12 towns of Azerbaijan in December 2006.

According to the results of the poll, 59.4 per cent of the respondents
do not accept any compromises during the resolution of the Karabakh
issue. Therefore, the government needs to pay more attention to
this issue.

According to the results of the poll, only 11.5 per cent of the
respondents spoke in favour of a cultural autonomy and a local
government [status] being granted to Nagornyy Karabakh, 9.5 per cent
– an autonomy similar to the one of the Naxcivan Autonomous Republic
[Azerbaijan’s exclave].

A total of 11.1 per cent spoke in favour of the status of Nagornyy
Karabakh being determined by holding a referendum provided that
Azerbaijani IDPs should return to their native territories.

Asked about prospects for the negotiations on the settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh problem, 46.7 per cent stressed that the situation of
"no peace and no war" will continue to last.

A total of 38.4 per cent of the respondents replied that there will
be changes towards a peaceful resolution of the problem, while 12.7
per cent believe that hostilities will resume.

One of the 37 questions put to the respondents during the poll was
about which states they considered to be friendly towards Azerbaijan
and which they considered to be hostile.

A total of 84.9 of the respondents consider Turkey to be friendly
to Azerbaijan, 17.8 per cent – Russia, 9.3 per cent – Georgia, 8 per
cent – Ukraine, and 5.9 per cent – the USA.

A total of 89 per cent of the respondents consider Armenia to be
Azerbaijan’s enemy, 13.1 per cent – Russia, 10.8 per cent – France,
and 9.7 per cent – Iran.