What Would Happen to Nzhdeh If He Would Open His Eyes to See?

What Would Happen to Nzhdeh If He Would Open His Eyes to See … ?:
Tigran Khzmalyan

13:18 – 22.05.10

Armenian film director Tigran Khzmalyan is against the
Government-backed pending bill on opening foreign-language schools in
Armenia and thinks that the Armenian authorities are just diverting
public attention from other issues.

"I am not against the opening of foreign-language schools, even more I
think that they are necessary, and we have both [foreign-language]
schools and universities, but to open foreign-language primary schools
would be to create a ghetto," Khzmalyan said in an interview with the
Armenian business daily Capital.

"This is a high treason committed by people from the party that is
ruling [in Armenia] and which stands near the monument of Suren
Spandaryan and make fake swears using Garegin Nzhdeh’s name. I would
like that the so-called followers of Nzhdeh closed their eyes for a
moment and imagined what would happen to Garegin Nzhdeh if were to
open his eyes to see what his followers are doing, " Khzmalyan was
reported as saying.

Tert.am

EBRD Revises GDP Forecast For Armenia For 2010 From 2% To 10%

EBRD REVISES GDP FORECAST FOR ARMENIA FOR 2010 FROM 2% TO 10%

Arminfo
19.05.2010

ArmInfo. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
has revised GDP forecast for Armenia for 2010 from 2% to 10% in
the updated WEO "Regional Economic Prospects in EBRD Countries of
Operation". Thus, EBRD forecasts 3% GDP growth for Armenia in 2011.

Average annual inflation is expected at 7% versus 3.4% in 2009. GDP
growth for Q1 2010 totaled 5.5% as compared to the same period of
2009. EBRD forecasts 11.7% GDP growth for Q2 2010l, an 8.1% growth
for Q3 and 12.9% growth for Q4.

"Country-specific developments related to political turmoil (Kyrgyz
Republic) and trade shocks (Turkmenistan) also warrant downward
revisions in growth projections for 2010. At the other extreme lie
Turkey and Armenia where much faster recoveries appear to be underway,
backed by restocking, government demand, a projected recovery in
capital inflows (Turkey) and rising copper prices and remittances
(Armenia)," the report says. "Armenia has seen an exceptionally sharp
output contraction as remittances fell, and the remittances-fuelled
construction boom came to an abrupt halt. Preliminary data suggest
that vigorous growth has returned in recent months following growth
in remittances, an agreement on an IMF programme and substantial
financing from other IFIs and bilateral donors."

"In Russia, the growth momentum of late 2009 is likely to be sustained,
implying a growth of about 4.4 per cent in 2010 (after a 7.9 per cent
reduction in 2009). With real incomes increasing again, asset quality
deterioration in the banking sector is levelling off and remains
manageable under our baseline scenario, also given the dominance of
the state in the banking system," the report says.

"Reflecting upward revisions in growth forecasts in several of the
region’s largest economies, the average regional growth projection for
2010 has been revised up to 3.7 per cent from 3.3 per cent in January.

The upward revisions mostly affect commodity exporters (Russia,
but also Armenia and Mongolia) and recipients of renewed capital
inflows (Ukraine, Poland, Turkey, and Hungary). Upside risks mainly
arise from a stronger than projected increase in external demand,
along with improvements in domestic fundamentals. Loose monetary
policy in the Eurozone and restocking may yet translate into faster
growth. If this were to occur, several countries in the region would
benefit both from expanded trade opportunities and from capital
inflows in search of higher yields. Inflation remains low, and some
countries that experienced large depreciations continue to benefit
from improved competitiveness, positioning them well for a recovery
in external demand. Finally, several countries, including Hungary,
have established multi-year fiscal consolidation programmes, which
– if implemented – could meaningfully set them apart from fiscally
weaker EU countries. Most transition countries have begun to recover,
but the pace of recovery remains slow on average, with increasing
divergence across countries, and is now being overshadowed by
Eurozone market volatility and increasing pressures to accelerate
fiscal consolidation in East and West. In light of this, the path
of recovery is exceptionally uncertain, with risks skewed to the
downside in the short run, and more symmetric risks to both the
upside and downside over the medium term. The recovery has begun, but
remains fragile, and is generally expected to be slower than in other
emerging market regions. A sluggish recovery in the European Union,
the region’s main trading partner, is dampening the potential for an
export-Real GDP Growth, 2008-2011 driven rebound. The deep recessions
of late 2008 and 2009 continue to have knock-on effects in the form
of high non-performing loans and unemployment, which constrain credit
growth and the recovery of domestic demand. Crisis-induced deficits
and limited sovereign market access will require fiscal consolidation
in many countries," the report says.

Turkish Deputy’s Statement Obvious Lie: Artak Zakaryan

TURKISH DEPUTY’S STATEMENT OBVIOUS LIE: ARTAK ZAKARYAN

Panorama.am
18:42 20/05/2010

Politics

"It’s an obvious lie, there is no new document being discussed or to be
discussed in Armenia-Turkey normalization agenda. As we had announced
previously, there is only one document in Armenia-Turkey discussions:
Zurich protocols, signed October 10, 2009" Armenian NA ARP deputy
Artak Zakaryan told Panorama.am referring to the statement of Suat
Kiniklioglu, Chairman of the Turkish-American Inter-Parliamentary
Friendship Group, made in Washington.

Note that Kiniklioglu announced in Washington that Armenia and Turkey
have agreed to remain silent for a while since a new recommendation has
appeared on the table of negotiations. He also said Armenian-Turkish
normalization and Karabakh issue are parallel processes.

Focusing on Kiniklioglu statement over the linkage of Armenian-Turkish
normalization and Karabakh issue, Zakaryan said: "By the time the
Turkish side is trying to find any direct or indirect linkage between
the two processes, this already questions any model of Armenian-Turkish
normalization."

Smbat Margaryan Wins Gold In Valencia

SMBAT MARGARYAN WINS GOLD IN VALENCIA

Tert.am
19.05.10

Armenian weightlifter Smbat Margaryan (56 kg) became champion in the
European Youth Weightlifting Championship in Valencia by lifting a
total of 240 kg, reports local news website Armsport.am.

Margaryan lifted 105 kg in snatch exercise and won the first place. In
jerk he lifted 135 kg as first attempts but in the following two
ones Margaryan failed lifting 149 kg, though 135kg was quite enough
to win the gold medal.

David Nalbandian Hopes To Return In Time To Play Wimbledon

DAVID NALBANDIAN HOPES TO RETURN IN TIME TO PLAY WIMBLEDON

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 18, 2010 – 17:27 AMT 12:27 GMT

Argentine tennis player of Armenian descent David Nalbandian has
pulled out of the French Open with a left hamstring injury.

Nalbandian announced the move on Monday. He said he hopes to return
in time to play Wimbledon, which begins June 21. Nalbandian reached
the Wimbledon final in 2002, losing to Lleyton Hewitt of Australia.

The Argentine has been slowed by the hamstring problem for a month,
and has been plagued by injuries for a year. He had hip surgery a
year ago and returned to the ATP tour in February, but withdrew from
his first tournament back with a right-leg injury.

Nalbandian, a former No. 3 with 10 titles, reached the French Open
semifinals in 2004 and 2006. This year’s French Open begins on Sunday,
AP reported.

Dunja Mijatovic Ready To Assist Armenia In Amending Law On Radio And

DUNJA MIJATOVIC READY TO ASSIST ARMENIA IN AMENDING LAW ON RADIO AND TELEVISION

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 18, 2010 – 21:48 AMT 16:48 GMT

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met with OSCE Representative on
Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic on May 18.

The President stressed that Armenia attaches importance to the OSCE
role in the region’s security.

Besides, Mr. Sargsyan emphasized the importance of various OSCE
structures in Armenia for further strengthening of democracy,
establishing rule of law, improving electoral processes and protecting
human rights.

Meanwhile, Mijatovic hailed the Armenian government’s steps aimed at
decriminalization of defamation and slander in the civil and criminal
codes, as well as code of criminal procedure, saying that it will
contribute to freedom of media.

Besides, digital broadcasting of television and radio programs was
also discussed during the meeting. Mijatovic said that this is an
important step and expressed readiness to secure expert support
in the process of amendment of the RA Law on Radio and Television,
the press service of the RA President reported.

Nagorno-Karabakh’s Fragile Stalemate

NAGORNO-KARABAKH’S FRAGILE STALEMATE
Anna Matveeva

guardian.co.uk
Monday 17 May 2010 14.00 BST

Tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia are rising over the Karabakh
backwater amid fears that a ‘great war’ may be close

Last week, 12 May, marked 16 years since Russia mediated a ceasefire
agreement that ended the Armenian-Azerbaijani war over Nagorno-Karabakh
and started a long period of "no war, no peace" stagnation. Presently,
there is a sense that things might be changing.

The territory of Karabakh is essentially a backwater for both
countries. It had certain significance for Soviet military planners
because of its proximity to Turkey, but otherwise has no prize assets.

It is agricultural land, now sparsely populated because of the exodus
of ethnic Azerbaijanis who fled the war, with roads leading to closed
borders. Remote from Armenia’s better-off areas around Yerevan,
development in Nagorno-Karabakh is being propped up by the Armenian
diaspora. It remains an isolated place that, unlike Abkhazia, has
received little assistance from the international community.

Many Armenians who are currently in Karabakh fled from inter-ethnic
violence in Azerbaijani cities, losing their good jobs and nice
apartments, and continue to feel embittered. On the opposite side of
the border, Azerbaijani farmers, displaced from the lands currently
occupied by the Armenian forces, look up towards their former homes
and think that they see the lights in them at night. If so, this must
be the army using their houses as barracks.

Would the Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev, go to war for Karabakh?

It is a big question. The defence minister, Safar Abiyev, spoke in
February of the growing likelihood of a "great war" with Armenia.

Azerbaijan has a lot to lose if it does so. It has got rich quick
due to its energy resource development and is the only CIS country
that sustained positive economic growth during the financial crisis.

The state started to build roads, rehabilitate schools and resettle its
displaced people. The newly found prosperity conveyed a "feel-good"
atmosphere, but it also brought a new confidence that finally "the
game is ours". It cannot let 15% of its territory be lost for ever
without making an earnest effort to win something back. Any leader
with a sense of history would be mindful that future generations
would not forgive him this.

So Azerbaijan builds up its military capabilities, procures modern
weaponry and trains troops. It also unleashes bellicose rhetoric on
Azerbaijani TV channels, both in the Azeri language and in Russian.

Whether this propaganda is aimed at preparing society for war is
unclear, but it certainly instils trepidation in the Armenian public
of a threat of an imminent attack.

The military build-up and aggressive rhetoric is a pressure tactic of
presenting a credible threat, if Armenia does not move. It is effective
in projecting a fear that the war, fresh in the memory, can restart,
but ineffective in forcing a will for concessions. The public attitude
is that because so much has been sacrificed to gain these lands,
giving them back would be a betrayal of the memory of heroes who
died for them. Following this line of reasoning, the destiny is to
continue to sacrifice development for the sake of defence, even if
the price could be economic stagnation and social depression.

Encouragingly, Azerbaijan’s leadership is risk-averse and not prone
to impulsive moves to suit a nationalist agenda. It does not need a
war to boost its popularity, because it is already popular. Rationally
speaking, the war is unlikely. But military games and sabre-rattling
have a tendency to get out of hand. Armenia’s internal political
problems can give rise to a "now or never" attitude: since the
adversary appears weak, the time for a decisive push has arrived.

If it comes to it, the crucial issue is what Russia would do. There
is a fashionable belief that Moscow holds the key to a Karabakh
settlement, but a scenario in which Vladimir Putin calls the Armenian
president, Serzh Sargsyan, and orders him to withdraw from Karabakh
seems truly fantastic. In the current stalemate, Russia cannot do
more than the US and France, the other Minsk group co-chairs. However,
if fighting were to start, Moscow would be presented with an awkward
choice as to whether it defends Armenia militarily.

On the one hand, Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty
Organisation, which, like Nato, operates on the collective defence
principle: an attack against one member is regarded as an attack on
all members. On the other hand, Moscow does not have the same problems
with Baku as it has with Tbilisi: the political relationship is good,
trade is rampant, Azerbaijan benefits from Russian investment and
the two states co-operate in combating terrorism. In the case of
deterioration, diplomatic rather than military pressure would be
Moscow’s most likely option.

In the meantime, people on both sides vote with their feet. Rural areas
of Armenia, Karabakh and Azerbaijan are getting depopulated and aged,
while younger men, and increasingly women, solve the poverty problem
by labour migration to Russia. There are few signs that a political
culture of compromise is emerging.

Voices of the Azerbaijani intelligentsia standing against the war
are unpopular, as peacebuilding is equated in public wisdom with
surrendering Karabakh to the Armenians. Those who advocate peace
need to see a readiness from the Armenian side to make steps towards
compromise – otherwise "peacebuilding" amounts to an acceptance of
defeat. Such signs of compromise are yet to emerge. The danger is
that it might be getting too late for them to be noticed.

Bako Sahakyan Convokes Consultation

BAKO SAHAKYAN CONVOKES CONSULTATION

Panorama.am
18:35 17/05/2010

Economy

On 17 May President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan convoked
a consultation dedicated to the organization of the 2010 harvest
activities.

The Head of the State underlined the necessity of proper realization of
the harvest and minimization of losses. At the same time the President
noted the importance of using the potential of the Defense Army and
the rescue service especially in organizing fire fighting.

According to the central information department of Artsakh President’s
office, Bako Sahakyan gave instructions on preparing a working plan in
the shortest time possible and setting up a field headquarters in the
Martouni region for on-site coordination of the carried out activities.

Vice-premier of the Artsakh Republic, finance minister Spartak
Tevosyan, defense minister Movses Hakobyan, other officials, as well
as heads of several business entities partook at the consultation.

35th Homenetmen Navasartian Games Kick Off

35TH HOMENETMEN NAVASARTIAN GAMES KICK OFF

Asbarez
Friday, May 14th, 2010

VAN NUYS-The Homenetmen’s 35th Annual Navasartian Athletic Games
officially began on Saturday, May 8 at Birmingham High School with
a series of basketball games.

Earlier that same day, the blessing of the Navasartian torch, now a
customary event, was held at the Holy Martyrs Church in Encino. In
attendance were Homenetmen Central Executive Vice-Chairperson Koko
Balian; Honorary President of the 33rd Navasartian Games Vahagn
Thomassian; previous "Exemplary Homenetmen Member" title bearers
Zakar Chorbajian and Albert Ounjian; representatives of Homenetmen
chapter executives; ARS "Anahid" chapter members; numerous parents,
guests, and athletes.

Rev. Father Razmig Khatchadourian presided over the event and conveyed
his blessing remarks, which entailed delivering a symbolic message
for the torch light to represent a guiding light in the lives of
each Armenian family and athlete. He also shared the blessings
and congratulatory wishes of Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian.

After attendees joined Rev. Father Khatchadourian in a collective
prayer, the Navasartian torch was set aflame by a single candle,
blessed beforehand. Regional Executive Chairperson Steve Artinian
passed the torch to the athletes representing the region’s 17 chapters,
who thereby delivered it to Birmingham High School and, in doing so,
initiated the Opening Ceremony.

The ceremony commenced with Homenetmen San Fernando Valley "Massis"
chapter scouts marching with the American, Armenian, Artsakh, State
of California, Homenetmen, and Navasartian flags. Following this
procession, the American and Armenian national anthems, as well as
the Homenetmen anthem, played.

Then, Nyree Derderian delivered the Navasartian Committee’s message
with great pride that the Navasartian Games have embarked on its 35th
year and, at the same time, the opening ceremonies have coincided with
two great events, including the anniversary of Shushi’s liberation
and Mother’s Day weekend. She happily noted the reality that the youth
participating in the games are products not only of Homenetmen but also
the greater Armenian community, which will undeniably demonstrate their
support of the athletes through their presence in the coming weekends.

Following Derderian, Chairperson Steve Artinian welcomed all guests
and commended the thousands of people who, year after year, volunteer
their time for the benefit of the coming generation’s future. He
also announced the 2010 "Exemplary Homenetmen Member," Berj Jamjian,
outlining his great attributes. Jamjian expressed his thanks for
having the title bestowed upon him and communicated the immense pride
he feels for being a part of Homenetmen.

Artinian also presented the Honorary President of the 2010 Navasartian
Athletic Games, George Abraham Jamgochian, citing his great character
and mindfulness of his culture, community, the Armenian youth, and
Homenetmen. Jamgochian thanked the Regional Executive for entrusting
him as Honorary President. With a round of applause, Jamjian and
Jamgochian received a warm response from the audience.

After the announcements, Ani Keshishian, an athlete of the Homenetmen
"Massis" Chapter recited the athlete’s oath on behalf of the thousands
of athletes who will be participating in the games.

In conclusion, Khachig Khalatian delivered the Regional Executive’s
message, congratulating Berj Jamjian and George Jamgochian. He
expressed confidence that all athletes participating in the Navasartian
Games will assuredly adhere to the Homenetmen motto, "Elevate Yourself
and Others With You." The opening concluded with Steve Artinian and
Jano Kahvedjian presenting certificates to delegates who attended the
Pan-Homenetmen Athletic Games, which took place in the summer of 2009
for the first time in Armenia.

After an eventful and uplifting ceremony, the 35th Annual Navasartian
Athletic Games officially kicked-off with Honorary President George A.

Jamgochian performing the tip-off for the first of many basketball
tournaments still to come.

Tina S. Kaidanow : L’Armenie Est Un Partenaire Important Pour Les Et

TINA S. KAIDANOW : L’ARMENIE EST UN PARTENAIRE IMPORTANT POUR LES ETATS-UNIS
Stephane

armenews
17 mai 2010
ARMENIE

Le 14 mai le Ministre armenien des Affaires Etrangères Edouard
Nalbandian a recu Tina S. Kaidanow, Sous-secretaire d’Etat adjoint
americaine pour les affaires europeennes et Eurasiatiques.

En saluant son invite, le Ministre armenien des Affaires Etrangères a
dit que l’Armenie attache de l’importance a l’approfondissement des
relations avec les Etats-Unis et le renforcement d’une association
amicale et de la cooperation, soulignant que la visite du President
Serge Sarkissian a l’ONU et sa rencontre avec le President Barack
Obama a donne une nouvelle impulsion au developpement des relations
bilaterales.

Le ministre Nalbandian et Tina S. Kaidanow ont parle en detail des
perspectives d’une nouvelle expansion des relations armeno-americaines.

Tina Kaidanow a note, a son tour, que l’Armenie est un partenaire
important pour les Etats-Unis et l’administration des Etats-Unis
s’attend a continuer la cooperation avec l’Armenie dans les domaines
d’etablir la stabilite dans la region, la promotion du developpement
economique et l’execution de reformes.

Les interlocuteurs ont parle du processus de normalisation des
relations armeno-turques. Edouard Nalbandian et Tina Kaidanow ont
echange leurs vues sur les derniers evenements quant aux negociations
pour un règlement paisible de la question du Karabakh.