Author: Parkev Tvankchian

PACE SUSPENDS ARMENIAN DELEGATION’S VOTING RIGHTS

Aysor
25.01.2010, 16:52

The winter plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe has been launching in Strasbourg to debate on
voting in Ukraine, full powers of PACE delegations, the situation
in the Middle East, actions against trafficking in human beings,
and some other highlights.

The Assembly has discussed Armenia’s implementation of Resolutions
1609 and 1620, which PACE adopted in April 2008. It approved a
proposal by the PACE Monitoring Committee to suspend the Armenian
delegation’s voting rights (as well as voting rights of Albanian
delegation). Parliamentarians said "Albania’s delegation goes wrong
with European values", while Armenia’s delegation "has been composed
as a result of Parliament’s manipulations with rules." However,
there are not any detailed reports on what the parliamentarians
meant. The report on decision over Armenia and Albania is expected
to be presented for debates on Thursday.

RUSSIA SEES NO LINK BETWEEN ARMENIAN-TURKISH RECONCILIATION AND NAGORNO-KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS: LAVROV

ARKA
Jan 14, 2010

YEREVAN, January 14, /ARKA/. Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov
said today in Yerevan Moscow does not see any link between the
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and the Nagorno-Karabakh
peace process.

Speaking at a news conference in the Armenian capital city after talks
with Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan and his Armenian counterpart
Edward Nalbandian, Lavrov said any attempt to link both processes is
not correct.

He said Russia supports both processes, however putting forth
artificial conditions is not correct.

Turkey and Armenia have had no diplomatic ties since Armenia became
independent from the Soviet Union in 1991. Turkey closed its border
with Armenia in 1993 in a show of support for its ally, Azerbaijan,
in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution process. Turkey refuses
also to acknowledge the mass killings of Armenians in the last years
of the Ottoman Empire as a genocide.

Last October 10 in Zurich Armenian and Turkish foreign ministers
signed two protocols on establishment of diplomatic relations and
opening of borders, which yet have to be ratified by both countries’
parliaments. On January 12 Armenian Constitutional Court ruled that
both protocols are in conformity with the Constitution.

The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in 1988 after the
predominantly Armenian-populated enclave declared about secession
from Azerbaijan As Azerbaijan declared its independence from the
Soviet Union and removed the powers held by the enclave’s government,
the Armenian majority voted in 1991, December 10, to secede from
Azerbaijan and in the process proclaimed the enclave the Republic
of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Full-scale fighting, initiated by Azerbaijan, erupted in the late
winter of 1992. International mediation by several groups including
Europe’s OSCE’s failed to bring an end resolution that both sides
could work with. In the spring of 1993, Armenian forces captured
regions outside the enclave itself. By the end of the war in 1994,
the Armenians were in full control of most of the enclave and also
held and currently control seven regions beyond the administrative
borders of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Almost 1 million people on both sides have been displaced as a result
of the conflict. A Russian- -brokered ceasefire was signed in May
1994 and peace talks, mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group, have been
held ever since by Armenia and Azerbaijan.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: <;

December 9, 2009
__________________________________________

ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL TO TAKE PLACE ON
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010

The Nativity and Baptism of Jesus Christ will be observed at New York’s St.
Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 5 and 6, 2010. A
special liturgical schedule will be in effect for these "Armenian Christmas"
services; please make a note of the times.

On ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS EVE – Tuesday, January 5 – there will be an Evening
Service with Scripture Readings (by students from the Diocese’s Khrimian
Lyceum) at 6:30 p.m. The Divine Liturgy will immediately follow, beginning
at 7:00 p.m., celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian.

The St. Vartan Cathedral Choir – with the participation of students from the
Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum, and from area Diocesan Armenian Saturday schools
– will sing the Divine Liturgy, under the direction of the Maestro Khoren
Mekanejian. A reception will take place following the services.

On ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS MORNING – Wednesday, January 6 – His Eminence
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), will celebrate the Divine Liturgy. The Morning
Service begins at 9:30 a.m., and the Divine Liturgy follows at 10:30 a.m.

The sacred music will be sung by the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, under the
direction of Maestro Mekanejian.

In Armenian tradition, this feast day commemorates not only the birth of
Christ, but also His baptism by John the Baptist. The latter is remembered
through the "BLESSING OF WATER" ceremony, which will follow the Divine
Liturgy. Mr. Randy Sapah-Gulian, who chairs the board of directors of the
Fund for Armenian Relief, will serve as "godfather" of the Blessing of Water
service.

After the cathedral’s January 6 church services, a home blessing service and
Christmas luncheon will take place in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium.

In a departure from the recent past, a full Armenian Christmas luncheon will
be held this year. The Antranig Dance Ensemble, which is observing its 40th
anniversary, will perform. Admission to the tribute luncheon will be $30 per
person, $15 for children and students. Luncheon tickets can be purchased at
the door, but reservations are strongly encouraged, and can be made by
calling the Diocesan Center at (212) 686-0710.

Armenian Christmas will also be observed at local parishes across the
Eastern Diocese. While many parishes celebrate the feast on the January 6
date, others will observe it on the following Sunday: January 10. Please
contact your local parish to ascertain the date and time of its celebration.

St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral is located at 630 Second Avenue (corner of
34th Street and Second Avenue), in New York City. Armenian Christmas Eve
services begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5. The Armenian Christmas
Morning Service on Wednesday, January 6 will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the
celebration of the Divine Liturgy beginning at 10:30 a.m., followed by the
traditional Blessing of Water ceremony.

###

FROM FEBRUARY 2010 ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS TO IMPLEMENT THEIR MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN

ARMENPRESS
Dec 3, 2009

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: The delegation headed by the US Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander visited today the
peacekeeping troops of the Armenian Armed Forces. The high-ranked US
officials got acquainted with the skills of the Armenian peacekeepers
through showing exercises.

Speaking to the reporters, C. Wallander noted that the peacekeeping
mission is of great importance for the whole world. According to her,
US President Barack Obama wishes to increase the number peacekeepers in
Afghanistan and in that respect USA expects Armenia’s assistance too.

Commander of the Armenian peacekeeping brigade, Colonel Arthur
Simonyan said that the main goal of the visit of Wallander is to
get acquainted with the skills of the Armenian peacekeepers who are
leaving next year for Afghanistan. According to him, in near future
a group of servicemen will be sent to Afghanistan to get acquainted
with the place of future service, conditions, after which in January
40-member platoon will leave for Germany for training. After this
process, in February next year, Armenian peacekeepers within the
German platoon will implement their mission in Afghanistan.

"The number of those wishing to leave for Afghanistan is great. The
best from the best will be selected," the Commander of the brigade
said.

ACTIVE DIALOGUE UNDERWAY BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
23.11.2009 16:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Vahram Atanesyan: Frequent meetings between Serzh
Sargsyan and Ilham Aliev testifies that the two countries conduct
active dialogue, which does not result in anticiapted outcomes, Vahram
Atanesyan , chairman of Standing Committee for Foreign Relations of
the NKR Parliament told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. According to him,
the Armenian public is not happy with Madrid principles, perhaps this
is the reason the parties can not reach agreement.

He also commented on Ilham Aliyev’s threatening to start a new war
against Armenia on the eve of the presidents’ meeting, saying that
after the meeting Aliyev is unlikely to afford himself making such
statements.

November 22 Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev met in Munich. This is
the sixth meeting of the presidents for the current year.

CALIFORNIA HOSTS SEMINAR ON AZERBAIJAN

news.az
Nov 6 2009
Azerbaijan

Elin Suleymanov The University of South California hosted a seminar
on Azerbaijan, news service for Azerbaijan’s general consulate in
Los Angeles reports.

Robert English, professor of the international relations department of
the University of South California, and Azerbaijan’s General Consul
in Los Angeles Elin Suleymanov spoke at the seminar "The Azerbaijani
Perspective on Politics and Security in the Caucucasus".

The role of the United States and Russia in the Eurasian area, future
of regional energy projects and Armenian-Azerbaijani relations over
Nagorno Karabakh as well as Turkish-Armenian relations were a focus
of a lively discussion attended by university teachers and students.

Professor English stressed the strategic importance of the Caspian
region, as well as the differences in interpretation among analysts
as the reasons of the recent intensification of Turkey’s external
policy and possible implications of the Turkish-Armenian border. In
turn, E.Suleymanov stressed that the unsettled Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict remains the main real threat to regional security.

According to the diplomat, Azerbaijan always holds a policy aimed at
integration of the South Caucasus, yet a complete process is needed
to attain this involving resolution of conflicts and respect for
basic human rights, such as right for life and right of the displaced
persons for repatriation. He also voiced hope that the US policy will
base on the complex settlement of all problems facing the region and
not short-term symbolic steps.

Answering the questions of the participants, Suleymanov reminded that
Azerbaijan’s position relies only on its national interests both in
boosting energy security and in the overall foreign policy.

POLITICAL SITUATION IN ARMENIA IS STILL CONSIDERABLY UNDER INFLUENCE OF TRAGIC EVENTS OF 1 MARCH 2008, PETER SEMNEBY SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Oct 30, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. The European Union welcomes the
progress made in Armenian-Turkish relations and anticipates further
deepening of this process, the EU’s Special Representative to the
South Caucasus Peter Semneby said in an inteview with Radio Liberty.

"I believe the sides have achieved more than many would think. It is of
great importance to us that our partners and the immediate neighbors
of the EU – Turkey and Armenia establish normal relations by their
parliaments," P. Semneby said, expressing a hope that the protocols
will be ratified as quickly as possible, as "the normalization of
relations and the content of the protocols highly reflect the interests
of both sides". In his words, if the Armenia-Turkey protocols are
ratified within the next 2 months, this will introduce important and
constructive elements in the EU’s relations with Turkey and Armenia.

Responding to the question about how much the normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations and the Karabakh conflict settlement are
interlinked, considering the Turkish authorities’ constant statements
that the ratification of protocols and the border reopening are
impossible without serious progress in the Karabakh problem, P.

Semneby said: "Officially, there is no link. However, nobody can ignore
the fact that each of the conflicts, depending on the direction of
its settlement, will affect the formation of an atmosphere of trust
among the countries in the region".

As regards the internal political situation and democracy-related
problems in Armenia, P. Semnaby underlined that the political situation
in Armenia is still considerably under the influence of the tragic
events of 1 March 2008.

"I hope that resolute steps will be taken, and Armenia will turn
this page of its history and also draw lessons for the future, so any
confrontation of this kind will be ruled out. This will require both
the authorities and the opposition to take a responsible approach.

This will also require Armenia to specify the rules of the political
game. It includes the electoral legislation, the proper conduct
of elections, mass media-related issues, etc. Armenia has not yet
achieved that," the Special Representative of the EU said.

According to him, the issues concerning democracy, the rule of law,
fair governance, human rights, the same March 1 events are priorities
on the agenda of negotiations with the Armenian authorities and
were discussed with Armenian president and other representatives of
the authorities during this trip of P. Semneby. He added that these
fundamental issues form the basis of confidence and cooperation in
close realtions between Armenia and the EU and are never ignored.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN’S INTERVIEW WITH BBC

Yerkir
31.08.2009 14:04

BBC: Mr. Serzh Sargsyan will you attend the return match in Turkey?

Serzh Sargsyan: The question has two answers. The fist answer is
as follows.

It’s not important whether I’ll visit Turkey or not. I’d like to
say that my visit to Turley should not be linked to the relations
between the two countries. Do you understand me? Imagine at least two
options. Let’s assume that Armenia freezes the negotiation process with
Turkey and I leave for that country to watch the football match. The
second option is as follows: the two countries continue negotiating,
but I don’t attend the match. Which is more important? This is my
answer if you ask the question in the context of our talks with Turkey.

BBC: What signals is Armenia expecting from Turkey in order to defreeze
the talks?

Serzh Sargsyan: I have already announced and say once again that I
shall leave for Turkey only in case of opening of the border or at
the threshold of the event. We have an agreement with Turkey. I think
it’s normal and correct for the parties to commit to the agreement
reached earlier.

Unfortunately, so far I have not seen a great desire and aspiration to
implement those agreements. Our wish remains the same – to establish
relations without preconditions.

BBC: Is Armenia ready to make concessions as regards the events of
1915 and do you believe Turkey will call them genocide?

Serzh Sargsyan: "Of course, it’s very important for our people, for
Turkey and the whole world. It’s important that historical justice
be restored.

It’s important for our nations to be able to establish normal
relations. At last, it’s important that it never reoccurs in the
future. But we do not see the recognition of genocide as a precondition
for the establishment of relations.

BBC: Do you mean to say that there is an opportunity of compromise?

Serzh Sargsyan: "It cannot be called compromise. This is not the
case to speak about compromises. We say, yes, there was genocide,
and irrespective of the fact whether Turkey recognizes it or not,
there is a fact established by all genocide scholars in the world
and recognized by many countries of the world. However, today we do
not view it as a precondition for normalization of relations.

We should look into future, but we do not have the right to forget
the past.

US STATE DEPARTMENT: WE REMAIN READY TO WORK CLOSELY WITH BOTH GOVERNMENTS

AZG DAILY
02-09-2009

Armenia-Turkey

The U.S. State Department welcomed the joint statement, saying
normalization should take place without preconditions and within a
reasonable timeframe.

"We urge Armenia and Turkey to proceed expeditiously," State
Department spokesman Ian Kelly said in a statement. "We remain ready
to work closely with both governments in support of normalization, a
historic process that will contribute to peace, security and stability
throughout the region.", Reuters reported.

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER: WE STILL FEEL THE STRONG IMPACT OF THE GLOBAL CRISIS AND REDUCTION IN SOLVENT DEMAND

ArmInfo
2009-06-09 16:45:00

ArmInfo. "Since our meeting in Astana we have witnessed no conceptual
changes in economy. We still feel the very strong impact of the global
crisis and reduction in the population’s solvent demand, which is the
main factor affecting all the macro-economic indices of our country",-
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said at the 23rd sitting of
the EurAzES Interstate Council at the level of heads of governments,
Monday.

According to him, the policy of the Armenian Government and Central
Bank is expanding today. "We have abruptly increased the budget
deficit, and it will be about 7% in 2009. The inflation level is still
low enough, we have no fears that the inflationary pressure will be
high this year. We’ll complete this year with 4-5% inflation",- the
Armenian prime minister said and added that the anti-crisis measures
taken by Armenia are actually similar to those being taken in EurAzES
countries. They dampen the impact of the global financial and economic
crisis, but, certainly, they cannot completely remove the negative
impact existing today. "Our forecast for 2010 is careful. We’ll draw up
the budget estimating the economic growth at 1-2%, the budget deficit
will also be high enough – about 5-6%. The Central Bank and Government
of Armenia will continue the expanding policy to take countercyclical
measures to stimulate the economy",- Tigran Sargsyan stressed.