Author: Navasardian Karapet

Alen Terzyan: Serzh Sargsyan’s initiative is a fair example of
democracy
03.10.2009 18:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `Serzh Sargsyan’s initiative is a fair example of
democracy,’ said Alen Terzyan, President of French Academy of Cinema
Art. He highly appreciated President’s initiative to meet with
Europe’s Armenian communities, noting that `Not all state leaders
would consider people’s opinion and account for their deeds.’
Commenting on several experts’ opinion that Protocol signing might
call into question the fact of Armenian Genocide, he expressed full
trust of RA President’s steps. `As far as Genocide issue is concerned
I fully trust Serzh Sargsyan,’ he said.

Terzian also believes that Armenian President will not make
concessions with regard to Karabakh issue.
`I want Armenia to become a leading country in the region,’ Terzyan
said, adding that Armenian people should support all initiatives
proposed by President.

ARMENIA EXPECTS 1.3 PCT GDP GROWTH IN 2010-FINMIN
Hasmik Lazarian

Forbes
Thomson Reuters
09.28.09, 02:07 PM EDT

YEREVAN, Sept 28 (Reuters) – Armenia’s gross domestic product is
expected to grow by 1.3 percent in 2010 after a projected decline of
15 percent this year, Finance Minister Tigran Davtyan said on Monday.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said last week Armenia’s GDP
was likely to shrink by 15 percent in 2009, citing a dramatic decline
in the construction sector.

The forecast was sharply down on a June estimate by the IMF of a 9.5
percent contraction in the landlocked country of 3.2 million people.

The Armenian government approved the 2010 budget draft with a 1.3
percent GDP growth, projecting a fiscal deficit at 5.69 percent of
GDP and around four percent annual inflation, the same as in 2009.

The deficit is expected to be financed by aid from donors and financial
organisations as well as by issue of treasury bills.

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‘The 2010 is expected to be quite tense and we will be working to save
our resources,’ Davtyan told a government meeting. He added that the
government will try not to reduce social spending.

The IMF said last week a large drop in tax revenues in 2009 meant the
deficit could reach around 7.5 percent of GDP. The fund forecast GDP
growth in 2010 of 1.2 percent and a fiscal deficit of 5.9 percent.

The GDP contracted by 18.4 percent in January-August of 2009. The
budget draft will be sent to the parliament for approval in the
beginning of October.

Armenia’s sharp economic contraction has been blamed largely on
lower prices for its main exports – copper and molybdenum — and a
30 percent decline in remittances from the huge Armenian diaspora.

Output in construction industry fell by more than 50 percent in the
first half of 2009 while exports almost halved in the first half of
this year despite a 20 percent devaluation of the dram in March.

Armenia is drawing on an $823 0 million but topped up in June, was
secured in March after the Armenian central bank decided to float
the dram currency.

Besides the IMF loan, Armenia is drawing on $1.2 billion in funding
from other international financial institutions and Russia.

Fitch Ratings last month cut Armenia’s long-term foreign and local
currency rating to ‘BB-‘ from ‘BB’ with stable outlook, citing among
other things the country’s heavy dependence on external financing.

Armenia is hoping to reap the economic benefits of rapprochement
with historical foe Turkey, announcing a plan last month to establish
diplomatic relations and open their border, closed since 1993.

Turkey has said it could open the border by the New Year.

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER HOPES FOR SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION WITH KFW

ARKA
Sep 29, 2009

YEREVAN, September 29. / ARKA /. Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
expressed hope for successful cooperation with the German bank KfW.

"The past years of cooperation with the German KfW BANK have shown
that it is possible to achieve very good results," the Prime Minister
said on Monday during a meeting with First Vice President of KfW
Roland Zeller.

As the press service of the Armenian government reported, Sargsyan
expressed gratitude to the Government of Germany and KfW for the
support provided to Armenia.

During the meeting the importance of programs implemented by the
bank on financial and mortgage markets, as well as in the areas of
community development and energy was discussed.

It was noted that issues of social problems of the disaster zone,
which concern the Bank are also the focus of the Government of Armenia.

At the end of the meeting, highlighting the importance of the
continuation of the programs, Sargsyan wished success to KfW in the
further activities in Armenia, assuring the readiness of mutually
beneficial assistance from the Armenian Government.

FRENCH-ARMENIANS SPEAK OUT ON ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

20 09/09/28 | 18:12

Feature Stories politics

Seta Grigoryan, Hetq’s correspondent in Paris spoke with a
cross-section of French-Armenians regarding recent developments in
Armenian-Turkish relations. Below are excerpts of the interviews.

Sahag Sukiasian (Historian; Director of "Maison Armenienne" at the
Cite Internationale Universitaire de Paris) – "There is an historical
record that Turkey must face up to"

Everyone has certain reservations – fears and concerns. This is
natural since Armenia and Turkey aren’t random nations and your
average neighbors. There exists a deep chasm between the two and
the shadow of the genocide still reigns over their relations till
today. Everyone wishes normal relations with their neighbors and so
do we all; whether we live in Armenia or not.

First, let me say that I am glad that the opinions of the entire
Armenian people are being listened to since the issue at hand has
pan-national proportions. It doesn’t merely impact on the Republic
of Armenia and its citizens. I read today that President Sargsyan
organized a roundtable discussion with various political forces. It
was a positive initiative and he noted that he would soon be touring
various disapora communities and listening to what people had to
say. You know, we are the direct inheritors of that history and thus
the issue is quite important to us. I see two main issues – opening
of the border and establishing relations.

Regarding the establishment of relations, I believe that the two
sides have much to do. But, I believe Turkey has the most work to
do. As an inheritor of that history I would argue that Turkey must
take the first step. Now I don’t know how to proceed; should we set
preconditions or not? It would seem to me however that Turkey must
first recognize the Genocide. It is hard to enter into dialogue with a
nation that which is the successor to a state that committed Genocide
and now denies the fact. They could have acknowledged the truth.

I want to approach the issue as a historian and say that there is an
interesting phenomenon at work here. We can really say that during
the past year there has been actual progress made in normalizing
relations. But if Turkey today is thinking about dialogue we must
seriously ponder the matter and ask ourselves why. I see one motivating
reason. Today, Turkey’s ruling elite has understood that the Kemalist
policy needs to be changed; that it cannot continue. This is especially
the case if they want to make it into the European Union. This they
came face to face with difficulties they thought that they might
reflect on their past.

They also know that by creating new links throughout the region their
international standing will also improve.

I think that the opening of the border is not at all a priority
right now. What is important is the process of familiarity and then
reconciliation. But I would also like to say that as a product of
that history I take a very strict and disciplined approach to the
matter. If the Turkish authorities have it in the heads that they can
call into question the reality of the Genocide and come up with new
definitions and conclusions, I am totally against the normalization
process; as an Armenian and a historian.

Antranig Khojasarian – "Beware of Turkey’s ulterior motives"

Silence can be a sign of acceptance and till today the border issue
hasn’t been recognized by Armenia. The opening of the border doesn’t
correspond to the interests of Armenia. The Turkish mentality is based
on territory. Today it has powerful institutions and over 3 million
Turkified-Armenians. This is a huge advantage over Armenia. We, in the
diaspora, have one demand – Genocide recognition and not the opening
of the border. We will never give up the demand to review the past.

Turkey’s aim is to prevent the recognition of the Genocide and the
consequences that would result. Turkey’s aim isn’t to establish normal
relations but to snare us in a diplomatic trap and thus extract as
many preconditions from us as possible.

The published protocols clearly show that the Armenian people will
pay a very high price indeed for the opening of the border and
establishment of diplomatic relations. There are episodes, times and
folds in the pages of our history that are being buried under mounds
of mud. If the border is opened, not only will current generations
pay that heavy price, but successive generations to follow.

If it transpires that the documents are ratified and signed and all
the traitorous demands are put in force, we will witness with our
own eyes the withering away of our country, the death of the Armenian
Cause and the first manifestations of widespread assimilation.

Dikran Yegavian (Journalist) – "The Diaspora and Armenia must go
their separate ways"

Let me start by saying that the first move was made last April when the
diaspora and Armenia squared off in opposition. We should understand
that Armenia has its priorities and agenda. We want the recognition
of the Genocide but Armenia doesn’t have the resources or strength to
put the issue on the table. Thus, we are concerned that Armenia will
enter negotiations from a position of weakness. Then too, Turkey has
a rich diplomatic tradition. Armenia cannot comprehend all the facets
of Turkish diplomacy.

I am concerned that Armenia will lose its supremacy since it has no
laws to protect its property. This means that Turkish businessmen can
slowly buy up land in Armenia and take over. Turkish strategy is still
based on realizing its pan-Turkist ambitions with Azerbaijan. This
time they won’t be brandishing swords.

I feel quite insulted by Armenia since once again, rather than asking
our opinion, they sold out the country and the memory of the Genocide
martyrs. Rather than help us, they hurt us. The Turks will bide their
time and prove that their conscience is clean. Regarding scientific
research, Armenia has won out but Turkey, knowing that Armenia is
in a weak position, will cleverly seek to bury the matter by opening
the border. This is a blow against the diaspora.

As a young diaspora-Armenian journalist, the time has come for the
diaspora to make a clean break with Armenia. While understanding that
our interests are different, I realize that the diaspora, sadly,
remains without a unifying structure. This is a great opportunity,
on a philosophical and spiritual level, for the diaspora to
develop. Public opinion in the diaspora says we are different from
Armenia. The diaspora is the consequence of a Disaster. We must split
from Armenia. I don’t say we should hate Armenia. On the contrary; it
will be a split of the mind. Our politics must be different. Today,
what unites the diaspora isn’t the Armenian language or religion;
it is the struggle being waged for Genocide recognition

Garbis Jaloian – "Armenia must chart its own foreign policy"

It is only natural that Armenia, as a country, a people, must decide
its own foreign policy. Armenia can’t continue not having relations
with its neighbors. Armenia has mutual interests as well as Turkey. The
recognition of the Genocide must wait till later.

It is important that Turkey recognized the Genocide. Turkey has taken
some positive steps of late to get closer to Armenia. There is now
the opportunity for the two countries to strive for a resolution
of problems. The diaspora can express its own views but Armenia,
as an independent state, must decide its foreign policy based on its
own interests.

The Genocide is our burden but it must not stand in the way of
Armenia’s development. We will arrive at a resolution through
diplomatic means. We must prepare ourselves psychologically. When
normal relations are created we can enter into a dialogue. I agree
that any talk of territorial concessions on the part of Turkey is an
impossibility. There are 7-8 million people living on those lands. The
only advantages to negotiations would first be the solving of the
Karabakh problem and then for Armenia to have access to the Black Sea.

Tovmas Stepanian – "President Sargsyan has blocked the road of
Genocide recognition"

President Sargsyan is today focused on Armenia’s economic problems,
on personal interests. He isn’t taking the regional picture into
account. Turkey is pressing ahead with a settlement to Karabakh. Turkey
is an ally of Azerbaijan and would like to see all of Artsakh revert
back to the Azeris. We fully realize that Turkey is out to protect
its interests in the region.

By agreeing to the sub-committee, President Sargsyan has blocked
the road of Genocide recognition. This also prevented U.S. President
Obama from uttering the word "genocide".

In this context I am very pessimistic for Armenia. Armenia will
continue to exist but it will have let slip by an opportunity when
it could have shined. The diaspora will also split. One segment will
support President Sargsyan and other will not. Turkey enjoys great
influence and is an ally of the United States and manipulates the
situation to its advantage.

Jirair Kivreshji – "The Armenian community in Turkey can serve as
a bridge"

I have no expectations. Both sides do not want to make concessions. As
an Armenian from Turkey I want to see normal relations. The
border must be opened but Karabakh must not be included as a
precondition. Generally, I am against the protocols; there is much
hidden there we don’t know about.

There are two kinds of Turks. There are my friends who also want to
see normal relations. Then there is a very large segment that always
links the issue to Azerbaijan’s interests. I always say that these
two issues must be separated. The Armenians of Turkey act like sort
of a bridge between the two societies. We Armenians of Bolis have our
own set of problems – with school education, churches, etc. Perhaps,
with normalized relations, teachers from Armenia could come here and
help out and for our culture to develop.

The protocols should include a reference to the Genocide. If the
Turks don’t recognize this fact it will be hard for the border to open.

The Turks are taught in school that such a thing never happened. Many
young Turks no say the same thing. But over the past ten years, via
the internet, they have been reading the true facts of history. Some
are now saying that the Armenians suffered many hardships and gave
countless lives and that Turks must come to grips with all that. It
is this understanding that is very important to me. If relations are
normalized, this process, not a political one but more spiritual,
can gain strength.

Ani Eblighatian – "The Turks are our intractable enemies"

In general, diaspora Armenians have a negative take on the protocols,
etc. Many say that it is good because the borders will open, there
will be economic development and links will be created with the
outside world.

But I believe that Turkey focuses more on its national interests than
Armenia does. I do not think that Armenia will come out in a better
position than Turkey.

I am originally from Syria. The borders there with Turkey have
been opened. People from both sides can travel across the border
without visas. I see the changes every year when I visit Syria. You
only see Turkish good in the markets. In Syria, when the border was
closed it was difficult at the start but later local manufacturing
developed. After the border opened, however, the markets have been
flooded with Turkish goods.

Perhaps, the same will happen in Armenia. Everyone will use Turkish
goods, thinking they are better. Turkey will have gained a new market
in Armenia but what will Armenia get in return? This is not the way
to bolster the internal manufacturing in Armenia.

The Turks have started to interfere in the internal politics of Syria
when it comes to Armenian affairs. In years past, April 24 was marked
on a much greater scale; books in Arabic regarding the genocide were
published; not any more. If the Turks can get away with this in Syria
what will happen in Armenia? We see all the books published in England
in which Armenian churches, monuments and even Armenian royalty are
claimed to be Turkish. They are falsifying the truth all over.

I don’t have faith in any country. They all have their interests to
protect. The Turks are our most intractable enemy. I think Armenia
will suffer as a result.

The Turks will never recognize the Genocide and they will pressure
Armenia to conveniently forget the past as well once diplomatic
relations are established. Remember when they forced the Armenian
football team to remove Mt. Ararat from the uniform? If they went to
great lengths over such a minute symbol just think what they will do
to pervert historical reality.

BAGDASAROV: EVEN GREATER CRISIS IN AVIATION INDUSTRY IN WINTER

ARKA
Sep 29, 2009

YEREVAN, September 29 / ARKA /. The crisis in the aviation industry
will be even greater in the winter, according to CEO of Mika Limited,
owner of Armavia Company Mikhail Bagdasarov.

"I think the problems will not end, but will increase in winter. We
need to be careful, because the crisis could strike at any moment,"
he told the reporters at the presentation of the new aircraft CRJ-200
Bombardier.

According to him, today, with few exceptions, all airlines will
be suffering, and the reason is that because of the crisis, people
are less likely to fly, which means to carry them there are enough
available aircrafts.

"If plants do not produce new aircraft, if no one buys at the Air Show,
then there is a crisis in the aviation industry," he said.

According to Bagdasarov, we can talk about getting out of the crisis
only when the sales will go up and aircraft factories will begin to
receive orders, and thus, have new jobs.

He also noted that effective work can be done in a crisis. As an
example, he cited his own company, which has recorded growth of
passenger traffic by 11% as of today.

In addition, the company acquires new aircrafts. In particular, these
days the Armavia Park was filled with aircraft CRJ-200 Bombardier,
which will fly to Minvodi, Stavropol, Voronezh, Zurich, Athens
and Rome.

Armavia is a member of the In ternational Association of Air Transport
(IATA).

Armavia Air Company LLC is the national air carrier of Armenia.

The company was founded in 1996.

The carrier is based in Zvartnots Airport, Yerevan. It operates about
250 flights a month in 30 directions to former Soviet republics,
Middle East and Europe. In 2008, it flew 647,000 people. Its fleet
comprises Ð~P-319 (3), Ð~P-320 (2), Boeing 737-300, CRJ-200 and
ТУ-134 aircrafts.

DELEGATION HEADED BY HOVIK ABRAHAMIAN LEAVES FOR IRAN ON TWO-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT

Noyan Tapan
Sep 29, 2009

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. A delegation headed by RA National
Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamian leaves for Iran on a two-day official
visit on September 29. In Tehran the delegation will meet with Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and
Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili.

The delegation members will visit the Mausoleum of Imam Khomeini,
the Armenian Diocese in Tehran, the Ararat cultural and sports center
where they will meet representatives of Iranian Armenians.

According to the RA NA Public Relations Department, the delegation
includes the RA NA Head of Staff Gegham Gharibjanian, MPs Galust
Sahakian and Harutiun Pambukian, RA Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources, the Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Commission for
Iranian-Armenian Ties Coordination Armen Movsisian, and other
high-ranking officials.

HAMBIK SARAFIAN: "TO START EVERYTHING FROM ZERO"

Aysor.am
28.09.2009, 19:44

"Turkey closes the boarder then for opening it puts preconditions", –
Chairman of the Social Democratic Hunchakian Party (SDHP) US Western
Region Hambik Sarafian told to Aysor.am.

He considers the Armenian – Turkish protocols a "unilateral" and as
the speaker says "the word existing there take to Karabakh".

Hambik Sarafian mentioned that the other concerning point is the
creation of the commission of experts investigating the historical
events. He also mentioned that "Turkey has not only destroyed the
old archives, but has also created new and false ones".

"So why to put the achievement of 30-40 years under doubt?" asked
the speaker.

Hambik Sarafian also informed that SDHP will also suggest "starting
everything from zero."

"Diaspora is shocked", – mentioned H. Sarafian referring to the last
developments that take place in Diaspora.

The speaker hopes that the signing of the Armenian – Turkish protocols
can be prevented by civil way. Simply the National Assembly will not
ratify the protocols and that’s all.

ARMENIA INTERESTED IN REINFORCING AND DEEPENING TIES WITH CHINA

armradio.am
29.09.2009 13:42

President Serzh Sargsyan visited the Chinese Embassy in Yerevan on the
occasion of the National Holiday of the People’s Republic of China,
the 60th anniversary of its establishment.

The President congratulated the Ambassador and asked to convey his
warm greetings to President Hu Jintao, the leadership and people o
the republic.

"We are interested in reinforcing and deepening our ties with China
and will do our best for the further development of relations,"
Serzh Sargsyan said.

The Armenian President and the Chinese Ambassador discussed the
perspectives of development of trade-economic cooperation between
the two countries, Armenia’s participation in the "Shanghais Expo
2010," etc.

MARK GERAGOS TO INTRODUCE DAVID KRIKORIAN AT ANCA EASTERN REGION BANQUET

/mark-geragos-to-introduce-david-krikorian-at-anca -eastern-region-banquet/
September 28, 2009

NEW YORK-Prominent Armenian American defense attorney Mark Geragos
will introduce David Krikorian at the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA) Eastern Region Banquet on Sat., Oct. 3.

The third annual banquet is being hosted by the Armenian Cultural
Association of America (ACAA) and will be held at Espace in New York
City. The ANCA Freedom Award will be presented to Senator Robert
Menendez, and the ANCA Vahan Cardashian Award will be presented to
Bedros Bandazian and Melanie Kerneklian.

The former U.S. ambassador to Armenia, John M. Evans, the 2007 ANCA
Freedom Award honoree, will also be in attendance.

Geragos, known for his numerous appearances on Larry King Live and
other television programs, is a nationally recognized leader in the
legal community. His office handles some of the highest profile cases
in California and the United States, including defending

prominent figures in politics, entertainment, and business. Most
notably, Geragos is currently involved in a case representing the
banquet’s master of ceremonies, David Krikorian, who is fighting a
complaint brought by Rep. Jean Schmidt of Ohio.

Every year, close to 400 Armenian American community members and
leaders join prominent Members of Congress, statewide officials,
and state legislators for the ANCA Eastern Region Banquet. The
2009 banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and
silent auction, with the formal program beginning at 8 p.m. For
more information about the banquet, call Nairee Hagopian at (312)
615-7698. To purchase tickets or to make a secure online contribution,
visit

Established in 1969, the ACAA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization
that assists and supports impoverished people of Armenian origin;
welfare institutions that aid those of Armenian origin; and educational
and charitable organizations that encourage and develop the Armenian
cultural heritage. The ACAA also aids students, authors, artists,

and researchers who are pursuing intellectual efforts in Armenian
culture and education, and publishes educational, scientific, and
literary books that raise the educational, cultural, and intellectual
standards of the community. The ACAA sponsors projects both in the
Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora. It also serves as a
repository of historic Armenian national documents and archives.

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION For Justice & Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B-1000 Bruxelles
Tel/ Fax: +32 2 732 70 27/26
Website :Eafjd [1]

PRESS RELEASE

MONDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2009

CONTACT : VARTéNIE ECHO

TEL. / FAX. : +32 (0) 2 732 70 27

TURKISH ARMENIAN PROTOCOLS UNANIMOUSLY REJECTED

THE `VOTCH’ (NO) PETITION IS MET WITH BY WORLDWIDE ACCEPTANCE

The Protocols on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between
the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey, which were
initiated under Swiss mediation earlier this year, are vehemently
opposed by the Armenians worldwide.

The `Votch’ (No) petition, which is open to `all who uphold
human dignity’, was initiated by philologist Krikor Beledian,
essayist Janine Altounian, journalists Arpig Missakian and Arpi
Totoyan, historian Yves Ternon of France, Professor Mihran Dabag,
Director of the German Research Institute on Diasporas and Genocides
of Bochum University, and American professor Roger Smith, former
Chairman of the International Association of Genocides Scholars.

The petition, which is online at [4], has received
signatures from residents in nearly 30 countries and the campaign is
rapidly growing.[1] [5] The petition states that `to submit such a
unique experience as genocide to negotiations and a judgment by
governmental commissions or sub-commissions would subordinate the
truth to political maneuvers and power relations’. The document
therefore considers that `by the signing of these protocols, Armenia
marginalizes the Diaspora, and enters into the strategy of the Turkish
State to divide the Armenian people and to stigmatize and delegitimize
the Diaspora for advocating the consciousness of the Genocide’.

The text concludes that `these protocols [are] an effort of the
Turkish State to impose on the economically vulnerable Republic of
Armenia its distorted vision of history from which the Republic of
Turkey was formed and which is consubstantial with it’ and
`call[s] upon all those who uphold human dignity to express their
rejection of these agreements which endanger the integrity of the
Armenian people’.

`The Armenians worldwide welcome the `Votch’ Petition. The
Turkish Armenian protocols are blatant infringements on the memory of
the Armenian Genocide and the dignity of its victims,’ stated Hilda
Tchoboian, the chairperson of the European Armenian Federation.

`The Turkish State is attempting to make its denial policy
legitimate by embedding it in a legally binding document that would
have far-reaching consequences not only for the Republic of Armenia,
but for Armenians worldwide,’ added Tchoboian. `It is therefore
incumbent upon the Armenian Diaspora to make their position clear to
the Republic of Armenia that surrendering to Turkey’s intransigent
position would establish a profound division between the Republic of
Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora,’ concluded Tchoboian.
————————-
[1] [6] Signers include those from Argentina, Armenia, Australia,
Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Dubai, Egypt, France, Germany,
Greece, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Karabakh, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar,
South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Turkey, the Ukraine, the United
Arabs Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States
————————-

Links:
——
[1] /extern/url.php?u=3325&qid=898966
[2]
http://a chkhar.eafjd.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/ url.php?u=3326&qid=898966
[3] /extern/url.php?u=3327&qid=898966
[4] /extern/url.php?u=3328&qid=898966
[5] /extern/url.php?u=3330&qid=898966
[6] /extern/url.php?u=3331&qid=898966