Author: Nahapetian Zhanna

HISTORIC ARMENIAN CEMETERY BURIED UNDER WASTE

AZG Armenian Daily
06/05/2009

History

Courtesy-expressbuzz.com

On e of the gravestones at the Armenian cemetary in Uppuguda.

It is perhaps the last known trace of the Armenian connection
with the city of Hyderabad.And now it is almost on the verge of
being erased erased from the city’s historic map.Yes, the Armenian
cemetery located at Uppuguda (known as Opiguda in the colonial times)
is reduced to a mere dumping zone and a place where people relieve
themselves.Armenians came into India as traders through the overland
route much before the advent of European traders into India, in fact
seven centuries before Vasco-da-Gama reached India.A historian Mesrovb
Jacob Seth in his seminal work Armenians in India has noted that 19
Armenians including two priests Rev Johannes (1680) and Rev Simon
(1724), were buried in this now deserted cemetery.And the cemetery is
not confined to Armenians alone."With no English graves of 17th and
18th century seems to have existed, even the Dutch used the Armenian
cemetery till they acquired their own cemetery in the year 1678," B
Subrahmanyam, a retired deputy director of AP Archaeology Department
told Expresso.Referring to a study done by Dr V Nersessian, he pointed
out that there was considerable Armenian population in Hyderabad and
the community was sent a Pontifical Bull from Holy Etchmiadzin, the
spiritual centre of Armenian Chursbiantuow in Soviet Armenia.Realising
the importance of the Armenian cemeteries and churchyards, which
are the only attested sources of their presence, the D epartment of
Archaeology has declared the Uppuguda site as a protected monument
under the Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960. But due to sheer
negligence, this historical churchyard is reduced to a dumpyard full
of liquor bottles and human excreta.When the sorry-state of affairs
was reported to the Director of Archaeology and Museums Department P
Chenna Reddy, he said that they have included this cemetery in the
colonial heritage monuments preservation project in Hyderabad."The
cemetery has been neglected for more than seven years. Before the
Central Government releases funds for this project, the department is
chalking out a plan to clean the site soon," an Archaeology Department
official said.One can only hope that the condition of this cemetery,
where the Armenian-Hyderabad connection is etched, would be improved
as soon as possible.

DOES THE CEC WORK FOR ONE FORCE?

A1+
02:25 pm | May 04, 2009 | Politics

"People cannot be enrolled on the eve of an election no matter they
are Armenians or foreigners," says the leader of People’s Party,
Tigran Karapetyan who stands for Yerevan’s Mayor.

"If 16 years later the CEC finds that a foreigner can be registered
15 days or a year ahead of the election to self-government bodies, it
is a falsification and helps rig the elections," says Mr. Karapetyan.

Tigran Karapetyan today appealed a decision of the Central Election
Commission (CEC) at the Administrative Court.

The Administrative Court found Tigran Karapetyan’s action ungrounded
and dismissed it.

"I expected the court to make a decision of dismissal as Armenia
lacks a fair court. I call this court a fair museum rather than a fair
court. They lag behind life and cannot keep pace with the times. Other
countries have reached the peak while we are still conducting medieval
elections and supporting one and the same force," says the leader of
People’s Party.

RA PRIME MINISTER SIGNS DECREE ON DISMISSING STATE OFFICIALS

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.05.2009 19:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ PM Tigran Sargsyan has signed decree on dismissing
Deputy Minister of Education Bagrat Yesayan. Under another decree
issued by the premier, Manouk Lazarian, former Director of Testing
and Evaluation Centre (TEC), was appointed to the post.

Deputy Ministers David Yesayan (Transport and Communication) and
Hakob Matilyan (Nature Conservation) have also resigned from posts.

AssA-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 30, 2009 Thursday

FRANCE WELCOMES PLANNED ALIYEV-SARKISIAN MEETING

France has welcomed the prospect of a meeting on the Upper (Nagorno)
Garabagh conflict between Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents Ilham
Aliyev and Serzh Sarkisian on May 7. The French Foreign Ministry said
in a statement that France, which co-chairs the mediating OSCE Minsk
Group, along with the United States and Russia, continues working hard
to advance a balanced and negotiated settlement to the long-lasting
dispute. This meeting will be a continuation of the meetings held in
St. Petersburg in June 2008, in Moscow in November 2008 and in Zurich
in January 2009, all of which proceeded in a constructive environment,
the statement said. The French ministry expressed hope that these
negotiations would contribute to achieving considerable progress in
the peace process. The conflict between the two South Caucasus
republics reared up in the late 1980s due to Armenia’s territorial
claims. Armenia has been occupying over 20% of Azerbaijan’s
internationally-recognized territory since the early 1990s in defiance
of international law. The ceasefire accord was signed in 1994, but
efforts by international mediators have been fruitless so far.

FINANCE MINISTRY: 6.1% YEAR-ON-YEAR GDP DECLINE RECORDED IN ARMENIA IN 1ST Q 2009

ARKA
Apr 30, 2009

YEREVAN, April 30. /ARKA/. On Wednesday, Armenian Finance Minister
Tigran Davtyan, speaking in National Assembly, said Armenia’s GDP
has fallen 6.1% over the first quarter of this year, compared with
the same quarter of the previous year.

He said that the global recession can’t bypass Armenia, since the
country constitutes a part, though small, of the global economy.

Davtyan pointed out that certain positive results were recorded in
March, but only in comparison with the previous month.

"Comparison of quarterly indicators shows considerable GDP reduction –
by 6.1%, compared with the first quarter of 2008", he said.

The minister said that extra megabuck funds are expected in the second
half of this year.

These funds will be used for extending preferential credits,
Davtyan said.

He said the Government remained steadfast in its determination to
pay special attention to social expenses.

"These expenses won’t be reduced under any scenario. Their share in
GDP will grow. This will mitigate the crisis impact on the poor."

According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, GDP has
reduced 6.1% over the period between January and March 2009, compared
with the same period of the previous year, to AMD 465.5 billion
($1429.9 million).

GDP grew 22.1% in March, compared with February.

Inflation was recorded at 2% in the first quarter of 2009 compared with
December 2008, and consumer prices rose 0.7%. ($1 = ASMD 372.22).

AMERICAN GRADUATES’ ASSOCIATION TO DISCUSS ECOLOGY ISSUES IN SEVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.04.2009 20:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On May 1 the city of Sevan will host an event to
celebrate Earth Day. The event is initiated by American Graduates’
Association with the assistance of US state Department.

The event aims to increase ecology awareness of children and stimulate
ecological consciousness among youth.

The event will feature exhibition of Gegharkunik children drawings,
screening of ecology film, discussions on ecological issues, attended
by US Ambassador to Armenia Mari Yovanovich, representatives of RA
Ecology Ministry, Gegharkunik Regional Administration, teachers,
students and school children.

AGA, is a not-for-profit, membership based public organization
registered in Armenia in December, 2003. The members of the
Association are graduates of various universities and schools of the
United States. AGA aims to unite Muskie/FSA program alumni and other
American graduates to foster their participation in different areas
of the society and development projects.

Since 1970 Earth day has been celebrated on Apr. 22.

CONVERGING REGIONAL POLICIES
by Bulent Aras

Media Monitors Network
April 30

"The Obama administration needs regional allies to implement its
foreign policy through multilateral diplomacy."

During a visit to the United States that preceded President Barack
Obama’s visit to Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu, chief advisor to Turkey’s
prime minister, stated that "Our approach and principles are almost
the same, very similar to the US on issues such as the Middle East,
Caucasus, Balkans and energy security. Therefore, we hope that there
is a golden era ahead in cooperation." That sentiment was based on
converging developments in the Turkish and American approach to foreign
policy issues, particularly the Middle East. Obama’s subsequent visit
to Turkey signaled that this new golden era had indeed begun.

It can be inferred from Hillary Clinton’s remarks during her
delegation’s stay in Turkey that the US regards Turkey as an effective
negotiator in the region. Turkey’s relationship with Iran, Syria and
Hamas is critical to the foreign-policy-through-diplomacy approach
of the Obama administration: Turkey can act as a conduit through
which America communicates with these countries and actors. Despite
outspoken criticism in Washington of Turkey’s open dialogue with
America’s enemies, the Obama camp regards Turkey’s relationship with
Iran, Syria and Hamas as positive.

Several issues marked the agenda during the Obama visit to Turkey. He
addressed the Muslim world, arguing that the gap between the West and
the world of Islam is not insurmountable. He extended an olive branch
to the Muslim world with a strong declaration that "the United States
is not, and never will be, at war with Islam." Obama’s speech in the
Turkish Parliament continued with words of friendship and the promise
of seeking "broader engagement based on mutual interest and mutual
respect". His speech was broadcast live on al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya,
the two most important Arabic satellite TV channels.

He placed his support for Turkey’s inclusion in the European Union
in the same context. In Prague, just before his visit to Turkey,
he argued that Turkey’s membership would make the EU a truly
multi-cultural entity and help to bridge the gap between Islam and
the West. He added in Turkey that the EU would be stronger with its
inclusion. In addition, he sent a strong message of rapprochement
to Iran from Turkey, implicitly honoring Ankara’s offer to mediate
between Tehran and Washington.

He proposed a "model partnership" between Turkey and the US. He wants
Turkey to continue to contribute to Syrian-Israeli peace talks. Obama
also satisfied Turkish concerns over his involvement in the Armenian
genocide issue, noting that if Turkey and Armenia "can move forward
and deal with a difficult and tragic history, then I think the entire
world should encourage that."

Under the Obama administration, America’s foreign policy vision
converges with Turkey’s on democracy, human rights, peace and
international legitimacy. This convergence is more about values
than considerations of realpolitik. The Obama administration needs
regional allies to implement its foreign policy through multilateral
diplomacy. The way forward for the US toward positive bilateral
relations with Turkey and a more effective engagement with the Muslim
world is to firmly establish its foreign policy priorities in alignment
with Turkey’s. A review of the Obama delegation’s agenda for his visit
to Turkey reveals that the president did indeed present proposals for
addressing such Turkish foreign policy problems as normalization of
Turkish-Armenian relations, associating this requirement with Turkey’s
leading role as a peacemaker in the region.

Obama called for further reform and democratization in Turkey, with
strong reference to improvement of minority rights. He made it clear
that there will be consistent support for Turkey’s government as long
as it moves in the direction he outlined. This should contribute
to democratization in Turkey. Ankara’s civilian elite is currently
expending a great deal of energy to eliminate the Cold War-style
illegal apparatus popularly known as Ergenekon that was deeply rooted
within the state. US support for democratization and EU membership
will anchor Turkey on this path.

The positive atmosphere of rapprochement that emerged with the Obama
presidency will soon overturn the bitter legacy of the Bush era. One
can easily foresee a rapid improvement of America’s standing in Turkey
and the Middle East. Obama with his new image will narrow the gap
between East and West and establish sustainable friendships in the
region. Considering the new foreign policy orientation of the US,
under Obama Turkey will serve as a short-cut for American policy
coordination in the region.

Obama pledged during his election campaign to enter into cooperation
with Turkey; his visit proves that he will keep his word. Obama
underlined Turkey’s democratic, western, secular and Muslim charters
and classified Turkey as an influential western country with multiple
identities in the Middle East and its environs. The current Turkish
administration promotes a domestic and foreign policy orientation
that accommodates cooperation, as demonstrated by Turkey’s recent
peace-brokering in the region. It is only a matter of time before
we witness the effects that a positive Turkish-American relationship
has on the Middle East and the rest of the Muslim world.

FIVE COUNTRIES REFUSED PARTICIPATION IN NATO EXERCISES IN GEORGIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.04.2009 13:53 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared
Russia will neither send its observers nor participate in NATO exercise
and recommends the others to do the same.

President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and resident representative to
NATO Dmitry Rozgozin officially expressed their negative attitude
about the upcoming exercise.

Based on Russia’s ‘recommendation’, Latvia, Estonia, Kazakhstan,
Serbia and Moldova refused participation.

NATO exercise in Georgia will take place in May-June at former Russian
military base in Vazisubani.

CAUCASUS – ZONE OF RUSSIAN STRATEGIC INTERESTS CONFERENCE HELD IN MOSCOW

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.04.2009 11:03 GMT+04:00

Caucasus – Zone of Russian Strategic Interests conference took place
at Yusupov Hall in Moscow on the initiative of Terrorism Threat
Analysis Center, which constantly monitors problems of Russian policy
in Caucasus.

Representatives of Russian expert community, ethnic Diasporas and
communities (Armenian, Georgian, Kurdish) and guests from Armenia
took part in conference.

Speakers also referred to topics not directly related to South
Caucasus.

Andrey Areshev, expert at Strategic Culture Foundation, noted that
Caucasus is more often linked to Central Asia.

"The Obama administration did not change the U.S. policy, but on
the contrary, made it more flexible and dynamic. The countries
of the region are offered new schemes and options by U.S. but not
Russia. Armenian-Turkish relations dynamics is an obvious example,"
he said.

Normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and its possible influence
on Russian military presence in region were also discussed.

Other issues in focus were: energy factors, military instability,
security of cargo transportation and reduction of military risks. It
is well known that these rates are based on reliable information of
conflict dynamics in different regions.

Ruben Zargaryan, Advisor to NKR Foreign Minister, dwelled on different
aspects of Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution.

11,8% REDUCTION OF GAS SUPPLIES TO ARMENIA FROM RUSSIA IN 1Q, 2009

ArmInfo
2009-04-29 11:41:00

Gas supplies to Armenia from Russia in 1Q, 2009, reduced by 11,8%
to 668,703 mln cub m as compared to the similar period, 2008, the
press service of "ArmRusgazprom" CJSC, the only gas supplier to the
republic, reports.

Total of 625,529 mln cub m of natural gas were realized over the
reporting period, that is lower than the indicator of the similar
period, 2008, by 11,2 %. Natural gas consumption by the population
reduced by 9,4 % to 267,952 mln cub m, and gas consumption by the
industrial enterprises reduced by 6,7% to 73,919 mln cub m. Gas
consumption in energy reduced by 29,5 % to 125 mln cub m. Gas
consumption by gas compression stations over Jan-Mar, 2008, grew
slightly to 69,949 mln cub m and by other consumers it grew by 5.3 %
to 88,706 mln cub m.

To recall, ‘ArmRusgazprom’ CJSC has been created at late 1997. 80%
shares in the Company’s authorized capital belongs to ‘Gazprom’ OJSC
and 20% – to the government of Armenia. Gas supplies to Armenia from
Russia in 2008 grew by 9,7% to 2,2 bln cub m as compared to 2008.