Author: Nahapetian Zhanna

KOUCHNER AFTER CLINTON

LRAGIR.AM
18:58:00 – 27/03/2009

On March 27, the Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandyan met
with the French ambassador to Armenia Serge Smesov. Serge Smesov
conveyed to Edward Nalbandyan the French foreign minister Bernard
Kouchner’s message.

In his message, the French foreign minister dwelt on the Armenian
and French high-level relations, and the regional questions.

Remembering his meeting with the Armenian foreign minister on March
10 and attaching importance to the Moscow declaration signed by
the Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia on November 2, 2008 and the
declaration adopted in December 2008, Bernard Kouchner expressed
their willingness as a Minsk group co-chair country to make all the
efforts on the peace settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, the
Armenian foreign ministry reports.

Remind that the U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton addressed a
message to the Armenian foreign minister a few days ago. It is notable
that on a recent conference on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue in Vienna,
the U.S. and French Minsk group co-chairs hold very strict speeches
in regard with the settlement of that issue.

MATTHEW BRYZA CONVEYS U.S. STATE SECRETARY’S MESSAGE TO RA FOREIGN MINISTER

Noyan Tapan
March 26, 2009

YEREVAN, MARCH 26, NOYAN TAPAN. OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairman, Deputy
Assistant of U.S. Secretary of State Matthew Bryza at the March 25
meeting with RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian conveyed him the
message of U.S. State Secretary Hilary Clinton, in which the State
Secretary touched upon the Armenian-American friendly relations,
regional issues, and normalization prospects of Armenian-Turkish
relations. H. Clinton expressed readiness to provide assistance to
the Nagorno Karabakh peaceful settlement process.

According to the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
E. Nalbandian and M. Bryza discussed issues regarding the Nagorno
Karabakh problem negotiations process at the meeting.

"HATCHN" DOCUMENTARY WAS SCREENED IN NATEKATSI CULTURAL CENTER

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.03.2009 17:36 GMT+04:00

Little town of nor Hatchn, located not far from Yerevan, was named
in commemoration to historical Hatchn in the mountainous region of
Cilicia. A 30-minute "Hatchn" documentary authored by Gayane Arakelyan
portrays tragic fate of the town.

Thousands of Armenians who lived in Hatchn in 1915 were eliminated
or exiled to the desert of Der Dzor. Some of the survivors returned
to Hatchn after World War I, where in 1920 they fought to stand
the siege of Turkish Army. The town was razed to the ground, only
300 Armenians survived. At present the Turkish town of Saimbeyli is
located on historic Hatchn’s territory.

AMBER CHESS TOURNAMENT: ARONIAN IN THE LEAD

armradio.am
25.03.2009 14:06

Grand Master Levon Aronian of Armenia defeated Alexander Morozevich
of Russia 1.5:0.5 in the 9th round of the Amber blindfold and rapid
chess tournament.

Aronian currently has 11.5 points and shares the 1st to 3rd places
with Viswanathan Anand of India and Magnus Carlsen of Norway.

Levon Aronian played a draw with Morozevich in the blindfold game,
and defeated him in the rapid one.

Aronyan shares the 3rd and 4th places in the blindfold standing and
is the sole leader in the rapid standing.

18th ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN ELECTORAL ASSOCIATION TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
March 24, 2009

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, ARMENPRESS: The 18th annual conference of the
Association of European Electoral Authorities (ACEEEO) will be held
in Yerevan this year September 3-5. Press secretary of the Central
Electoral Commission Tatev Ohanian told Armenpress that the theme of
the conference will be "Judicial protection of the electoral right".

Representatives of Central Electoral Commissions and judicial systems,
as well as international institutions – OSCE, EU, CoE, International
Fund of Electoral System (IFES) and the International institute
of democracy and support to elections of 23 ACEEEO member states
(European, Caucasian, Baltic states, etc.) will take part in the
conference.

The agreement on conducting the conference in Yerevan was signed March
13 in Sofia, capital of Bulgaria between the head of Armenian Central
Electoral Commission Garegin Azarian and ACEEEO Secretary General.

The session of ACEEEO executive council took place on that day
chaired by the head of the Executive Council of the association
Garegin Azarian.

The CEC head also delivered speech on the themes of Yerevan conference
and its organization.

FORBES REPORTS ARMENIA TO BE ON 37TH HORIZONTAL OF WORLD CORRUPTED COUNTRIES

Panorama.am
14:28 25/03/2009

International Forbes magazine reports that Armenia is on the 37th
horizontal of the world corrupted countries. According to the magazine
the most corrupted countries of the world are Chad, Zimbabwe, Cambodia
and Kyrgyzstan.

Burundi, Gambia, Venezuela and Azerbaijan follow the first four
horizontals. Russia is on the 13th horizontal, Kazakhstan is the 17th
and Ukraine – 20th. Armenia’s neighbor country Georgia is on the
72nd horizontal, Poland, Lithuania and Turkey are on the 79th-81st
horizontals.

According to Forbes non-corrupted countries of the world are Denmark,
Sweden, New Zealand, Singapore, Finland, Switzerland, Netherlands,
Island, Canada and Australia.

ARMENIA PRIORITIZES IT AND TOURISM

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.03.2009 15:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ IT and Tourism are spheres of priority to Armenia,
McKinsey&Company International Consulting Company expert Andre Antonyan
stated at National Competitiveness Fund sitting. "We have assessed
Armenian economy earlier and results haven’t changed since. IT
and Tourism are spheres of priority to Armenia, as well as diamond
processing industry," Antonyan emphasized.

On Mar 21. during National Competitiveness Fund sitting RA Prime
Minister Tigran Sagrsyan briefed participants on aerial ropeway
project to increase tourist appeal of Tatev monastery.

Dwelling on National Competitiveness Fund programs, the expert noted
that the areas chosen are mostly right, still efficient project
implementation is required.

E-government project allowing information exchange system between
all State Offices was discussed during National Competitiveness
Fund sitting The parties touched upon E-government project allowing
information exchange system between all State Offices, Varpetats
(Masters’) District construction in Spitak and tourism development
issues. "The program gets positive response, we received numerous
offers for creation of similar structures in major cities of Armenia,"
Sargsyan noted, adding that the Fund established collaboration with
two investors to enable annual funding of educational programs.

March 20, 2009
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE TO CELEBRATE DIVINE LITURGY AT FORTY MARTYRS CHURCH ON THE NAME DAY
OF THE CHURCH

Saturday, March 21st, is the Feast of the Forty Martyrs, which is
also the name day of Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County.
On this occasion, on Sunday, March 22nd, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon
at Forty Martyrs Church. Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian and Rev. Fr. Hrant
Yeretzian will assist at the altar.
Following Divine Liturgy, the Prelate will preside over requiem
services for departed servants of the church, and the blessing of madagh.
A reception will follow at the adjacent "Gugasian" Hall.

CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLYMEMER KEVIN DE LEON
VISITS THE PRELACY

On the afternoon of Friday, March 20th, 2009, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate welcomed to the Prelacy California State
Assemblymember Kevin De Leon. Participating in the meeting were Executive
Council member Mr. Levon Kirakosian, Esq., representatives from the Armenian
National Committee Mr. Karekin Khanjian, Dr. Onnik Keshishian, and Mrs.
Pattyl Aposhian-Kasparian, and Senior Field Representative for
Assemblymember De Leon Mrs. Baydzar Thomasian.
The purpose of the meeting was for the Prelate and guest to become
better acquainted with the endeavors of the other and to discuss various
issues of concern to the Armenian Community, given that Assemblymember De
Leon’s district encompasses Little Armenia.
During their meeting, Assemblymember De Leon took the opportunity to
personally invite the Prelate to participate in a special session of the
Assembly on April 23rd, in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.
The Prelate expressed his appreciation to the Assemblymember for his
attention to Armenian issues and for initiating a special session each year
in commemoration of the Genocide.
Assemblymember De Leon thanked the Prelate for his kind words and
well wishes and reaffirmed the importance of continued collaboration.
Prior to his departure, the Prelate presented the Assemblymember
with a memento and wished his success in his future endeavors.

ACYA FIRST ANNUAL
SPIRITUAL REVIVAL AND AWAKENING RETREAT

The Armenian Church Youth Association, under the auspices of H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, held its first ever "Spiritual
Revival & Awakening" camping retreat at the AYF Camp.
The event brought young, faithful Armenians from the local churches
of the Western Prelacy together during the weekend of March 13, 2009. With
the guidance of Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, and dedicated members of the
ACYA executive committee, fifty young Armenians came together from March
13th through the 15th at AYF Camp for prayer services, worship,
testimonials, and educational and enlightening lectures.
The event was highlighted with the visit of the Prelate, who was
accompanied by Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian, pastor of St. Mary’s Church in
Glendale. The Prelate conveyed his blessings and encouraged the youth and
young adults alike to grow spiritually and become more involved in various
church activities in the years to come.
(Please visit the news section of our website for the full press
release and photos)

FERRAHIAN HIGH SCHOOL FUNDRAISING BANQUET

On the evening of Saturday, March 21st, the fundraising banquet of
Ferrahian High School will take place at Carousel Restaurant in Glendale.
The Prelate will attend and convey his blessings. Rev. Fr. Razmig
Khatchadourian will accompany the Prelate.

ANNUAL BANQUET OF TAVRIZ ARMENIANS

On the evening of Saturday, March 21st, the 4th annual "Jan Tavriz"
banquet of Iran’s Tavriz Armenians will take place at the Civic Auditorium
in Glendale.
The Prelate will be present to offer the invocation and convey his
blessings to the organization. Pastors of St. Mary’s Church Rev. Fr. Vazken
Atmajian and Rev. Fr. Gomidas Torossian will accompany the Prelate.

ARMENIAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GALA

On the evening of Friday, March 20th, the 10th Anniversary Business
Gala of the Armenian American Chamber of Commerce will take place at the
Glendale Hilton.
The evening will feature an awards presentation during which
prominent community members will be honored.
Rev. Fr .Vazken Atmajian will represent the Prelate and deliver the
invocation.

EPISCOPAL ORDINATION OF BISHOP-ELECT CIRILO FLORES

The Prelate had received an invitation from Bishop Tod Brown and Fr.
Al Baca of the Catholic Diocese of Orange to attend the Episcopal ordination
of Bishop-elect Cirilo Flores which took place on the afternoon of Thursday,
March 19th at St. Columban Church in Orange County.
Very Rev. Fr .Barthev Gulumian attended on behalf of the Prelate and
conveyed the Prelate’s congratulations. He was accompanied by Rev. Fr.
Hrant Yeretzian, Pastor of Forty Martyrs Church.

PRELATE TO BE REPRESENTED AT
LAPD MEETING AND SUMMIT

The Prelate has received an invitation from the Los Angeles Police
Department to attend a Police-Clergy Council meeting, the purpose of which
is to foster a relationship between police and clergy to reduce crime and
improve our communities. The event will take place at the Mission Hills
station at noon on Thursday, March 26th.
Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian and Chaplain Rafi Garabedian will attend on
behalf of the Prelate.
In the evening, a Hate Education and Awareness Summit will take
place at the Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies in Tarzana. The
summit has been organized by the LAPD, the San Fernando Valley Faith
Coalition, and Councilman Dennis Zine.
Rev. Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian and a representative from the Holy
Martyrs Board of Trustees will attend on behalf of the Prelate.

TURKEY TO LAUNCH ARMENIAN-LANGUAGE RADIO STATION

Reuters
March 20 2009
UK

ANKARA, March 20 (Reuters) – Turkey’s state broadcaster plans to launch
an Armenian-language radio station, Anatolian state news agency said
on Friday, amid tentative moves by Turkey and its neighbour Armenia
towards restoring diplomatic ties.

Relations between the two countries are haunted by the killing of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War One, which Armenia says
amounted to genocide. Ankara accepts many Armenians were killed,
but denies genocide was committed.

Since then large numbers of Armenian speakers have left Turkey but
some 40-50,000 remain, mostly in Istanbul.

"At this stage, we will refrain from any comments," an Armenian
Foreign Ministry spokesman said when asked about the report of the
planned radio station on Friday.

The announcement comes as some U.S. lawmakers, ahead of a visit by
President Barack Obama to Turkey on April 6-7, are renewing a push
to brand the 1915 massacre genocide.

Ankara has warned that a new resolution by the U.S. Congress could
seriously hurt Washington’s ties with NATO ally Turkey.

It also argues such a resolution would derail the drive to mend
relations with Armenia, including moves to open the border.

Anatolian said the Armenian-language channel should go on air in
"two to three months." The official day of remembrance in Armenia is
April 24.

The genocide issue, which caused U.S.-Turkish relations to plummet
in 2007, threatens to complicate Obama’s trip as Washington hopes to
work closely with Turkey on Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East and
the Caucasus.

During his 2008 campaign for the White House, Obama referred to
the killings of Armenians in World War One as genocide. Obama is
now confronted with a choice between breaking a campaign pledge or
risking defence ties with Turkey.

Turkey and Armenia have no formal diplomatic relations but officials
have held recent tentative discussions.

Anatolian said state-run Turkish Radio and Television Corp (TRT), which
launched a television channel in the once-banned Kurdish language in
January, also planned to launch a Kurdish radio channel.

BABACAN: ISRAEL WILL BE CRITICIZED IF NEEDED

Hurriyet
March 20 2009
Turkey

ANKARA – Foreign Minister Ali Babacan says Turkey has strategic ties
with Israel but adds that does not mean that mistakes made would
be overlooked. He says communication is under way between Turkey
and Israel

The Turkish government’s vocal criticism of the Israeli offensive in
Gaza during a panel discussion in Davos received a warm welcome from
many countries’ leaders, the foreign minister has said.

"Some countries maybe are more silent. When Israel is the issue, there
are very different dynamics in some countries’ domestic politics,
but many countries’ leaders even came and whispered in our ear,
‘We cannot say anything but fortunately you said it,’" Ali Babacan
said in a televised interview with Kanal 7 late Wednesday.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stalked off the stage of a panel
discussion at the World Economic Forum in January, after heatedly
sparring with Israeli President Shimon Peres, accusing Israel of
"knowing very well how to kill people."

Babacan said Turkey had strategic ties with Israel but made clear
that did not mean the mistakes made would be overlooked. In comments
on Turkish-Israeli ties, he said diplomatic traffic and communication
were never cut between the two countries, adding that problems could
be resolved only through dialogue.

On Middle East peace, Babacan said many problems in the region were
linked and needed an integrated approach. "The dialogue with Syria is
part of that, dialogue between Iran and Turkey is very important. If
you want a deep-rooted solution in the Middle East, you must do
something together with Iran," he noted.

No ‘irrational’ step

Babacan also touched on the Armenian issue and expressed the hope that
the United States would not take an irrational step to recognize the
1915 killings as genocide. This week, a group of pro-Armenian lawmakers
introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives a resolution calling
for the recognition of the Armenian deaths as genocide.

Babacan said the Armenian lobby had an influence on the U.S. Congress,
which is dominated by Democrats, but emphasized that unlike in the
past, negotiations between Turkey and Armenia were under way to
normalize ties.

"The complete normalization of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey ties will
create a brand-new geopolitical situation in the southern Caucasus. A
decision or a statement to be made by a third country [on the 1915
killings] will cause harm," he said. "While we are looking into the
future from a broader perspective, we believe that any interference by
a third country is very wrong. We hope that an irrational step will
not be taken. We are openly speaking with our American friends. We
hope no wrong steps will be taken."

Meanwhile speaking in the central Anatolian province of EskiÅ~_ehir,
Babacan pointed to the global financial crisis and said what was
important was to keep the effects of the crisis to a minimum and save
the country with the least damage.