Author: Toneyan Mark

TURKISH PM REASSURES AZERBAIJAN ON ARMENIA TIES

Agence France Presse
May 13 2009

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday promised
Azerbaijan his country would not open its border with Armenia until
Armenian forces withdraw from disputed Nagorny Karabakh.

On a visit to Baku, Erdogan offered assurances that Turkey’s moves
towards reconciliation with Armenia would not come at the expense
of traditional support for Azerbaijan, which lost control of Nagorny
Karabakh in a 1990s war.

"The border was closed as a result of the occupation of Azerbaijani
territories and therefore it will not be opened until the occupation
ends," he said at a televised news conference with Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev.

The Azerbaijani leader hailed the statement, saying: "The people
of Azerbaijan have been disturbed by reports in the mass media that
Turkey could open its borders with Armenia without the settlement of
the Nagorny Karabakh conflict.

"Now I can say to the Azerbaijani people that there are no more
suspicions on this…. There can be no more room for speculation,"
said Aliyev.

Erdogan flew to Azerbaijan on Tuesday to reassure its leaders that
Turkey’s efforts to reconcile with Armenia would not undermine Baku’s
interests.

Turkey said last month it had agreed a road map to normalise relations
with Armenia, its neighbour to the east, with which it has a bloody
history and no diplomatic ties.

Ankara has refused to establish diplomatic links with Armenia over
Yerevan’s efforts to have World War I-era massacres of Armenians
by Ottoman Turks recognised as genocide — a label Turkey strongly
rejects.

Azerbaijan, which shares ethnic and linguistic roots with Turkey,
is worried that Ankara may reconcile with Yerevan and re-open the
border between the two countries, ignoring Azerbaijani interests.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in solidarity with
Azerbaijan over the Nagorny Karabakh dispute.

Backed by Armenia, ethnic Armenian separatists seized control of
Nagorny Karabakh in the early 1990s in a war that killed nearly 30,000
people and forced two million to flee their homes.

A ceasefire was signed between the two former Soviet republics in
1994 but the dispute remains unresolved.

ZIBI’S FACE FEATURED ON COLLECTOR’S COINS

Thenews.pl
ews/artykul108187_zibis_face_featured_on_collector s_coins.html
May 14 2009
Poland

Zbigniew Boniek, former football star, is being honoured in an unsual
manner: his face is being featured on a collector’s series of coins
called Football Kings.

The collector’s editions coins, a project initiated by the Central
Bank of the Republic of Armenia, started already in October 2008 with
coins featuring Pele, Eusebio and Lev Yashin.

Boniek, known as ‘Zibi,’ is featured on coins with his face and
signature and collector’s will be provided with a certificate of
authentification as well. A limited edition run of 1,000 pieces is
being produced by Polish Mint SA. Over the next five years, the mint
plans to put out 20 more coins as part of the Football Kings series.

The footballer hails originally from Bydgoszcz, northern Poland but
started his career for the team Widzew Lodz. Boniek played for the
Seria A Italian teams Juventus and AS Roma. Zibi was named one of
the top 100 footballers of all time by FIFA. The striker was named
Polish Sportspersonality of the Year in 1982. (mmj)

MEDIA ADVISORY: AZERBAIJAN AND TURKEY WILL CONTINUE MAKING EFFORTS TO SOLVE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT WITHIN AZERBAIJAN’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

APA
May 13 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku. Elbrus Seyfullayev – APA. "Azerbaijan and Turkey are two
brotherly countries having deep friendly and strategic partnership
relations. Such a closeness rarely seen in the history gives
confidence and prosperity to both countries and is of permanent
character. Turkey-Azerbaijan relations are of great importance for
achieving development of the region and cooperation," says the media
advisory, APA reports.

It is noted that Turkey and Azerbaijan are making significant
contributions to the regional and global peace and stability.

"Both countries express their determination to improve long-lasting
strategic cooperation to strengthen regional peace and stability. This
cooperation will pave the way for strengthening bilateral relations
and improving the opportunities to make contributions to the stability,
security and prosperity of the region."

Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, one of the main factors
impeding establishment of sustainable peace and stability in the
South Caucasus, should be urgently solved within the framework of
Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of
its internationally-recognized borders.

The occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia in contrary
to the international law and UN Security Council resolutions is
unacceptable. Establishment of regional trust, respect and relations
based on the principles of international law, peace, stability
and welfare in the South Caucasus within the joint rapprochement
of Azerbaijan and Turkey is not possible without the liberation of
Azerbaijani lands occupied as a result of Armenian aggression and
returning of displaced persons to those territories. Azerbaijan and
Turkey will hold consultations and increase the efforts to achieve
the progress toward the solution of Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict over
Nagorny Karabakh and will continue their efforts for the political
settlement of the conflict within the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan-Turkey strategic partnership will contribute to the
bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation for the establishing
of peace and stability, for the welfare of the peoples in the region.

Azerbaijan and Turkey increase their role in the European energy
security and transportation of the Caspian energy resources to Europe
from the point of view of strategic importance of the East-West
Corridor and its contribution to the sustainable development of the
regional countries".

AN ARMENIAN COUPLE PLAN TO MARRY AMONG TITANIC’S ARTIFACTS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
14.05.2009 01:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ An Armenian couple with a special connection to
the Titanic plan to marry among the ship’s artifacts at the Milwaukee
Public Museum. Melissa Vartanian, 28, and Vache Mikaelian, 31, will
wed on May 15 at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, AP reports.

Melissa Vartanian’s great-grandfather, David Vartanian, was fleeing
Turkish occupation in Armenia when he boarded the Titanic. He planned
to later send for his new bride, Mary.

When the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912 – Vartanian’s 22nd birthday –
he survived by hanging on the side of a lifeboat. It took him about
six years after he recovered to find his wife by searching through
newspapers, churches, orphanages and sending numerous letters to
Armenia, Melissa Vartanian said. Then it took another five or so
years for the couple to be reunited.

Melissa Vartanian said her great-grandparents died before she was
born, but she grew up hearing about their story, which she called
"the greatest love story I’ve ever known."

"This is amazing," she said. "This would be a great tribute to this
amazing love story and great tribute for my family."

Viewers picked the couple as the winners of a wedding contest run by
WTMJ-TV and its morning talk show. The television station paid for the
rehearsal dinner, reception, honeymoon, bride’s dress and other costs.

Vartanian said she and her fiance have visited the Milwaukee exhibit
along with other Titanic exhibits in other cities. She said some people
might think it’s a bad omen to get married among Titanic memorabilia,
but she doesn’t.

"The Titanic doesn’t symbolize death and destruction," she said. "It
was a journey toward a better life, even though it had challenges."

WB TO PROVIDE ARMENIA USD 25 MILLION TO DEVELOP EDUCATION SPHERE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
13.05.2009 18:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The World Bank Board of Directors today approved
a US$25 million credit for the Armenia Second Education Quality and
Relevance Project, WB press office in Armenia reports.

This is the second phase of the second education project supported
by the World Bank over the past 12 years in Armenia.

"This new project builds on the achievements of Armenia’s reforms so
far, while extending the agenda to encompass preschool and higher
education," said Juan Manuel Moreno, Leader of the World Bank team
for the project. "It will comprehensively support the Government’s
efforts to accelerate the implementation of preschool, general and
tertiary education reforms despite the adverse consequences of the
global economic crisis," the expert.

As WB press-office reported, the project will enhance the curriculum
and teaching methods in education, the readiness of children entering
primary schools, and the integration of the Armenian tertiary education
system into the European higher education area.

According to press office, the project will help the Armenian education
system meet critical challenges. These include reversing the current
deterioration – in enrollments and in quality – of preschool education;
supporting the implementation of the 12-year general education system;
improving teacher quality through pre-service and in-service training;
and, contributing to Armenia’s integration in the European Higher
Education Area.

The Second Education Quality and Relevance project has two main
components. The first component of "Enhancing the Quality of General
Education" will aim to increase the readiness for general education
of approximately 8,750 children, while 140 of the poorest communities
will benefit from targeted grants to enhance the quality of preschool
education. The quality of teaching will be improved through training
of 2750 high-school teachers and 150 principals, and by creating a
school improvement network. In addition, investments will ensure that
all schools in Armenia are equipped with up-to-date technologies, that
about 400 of the most remote schools are connected to the Internet,
and that these technologies effectively enhance learning. Further, the
curriculum and assessment of the 12-year general education system will
be improved so that future graduates will be equipped with relevant
and competitive knowledge and skills.

The other component "Supporting tertiary education reforms to
help achieve standards similar to education systems in Europe"
will establish and strengthen the capacity of the National Quality
Assurance system for tertiary education. An integrated Tertiary
Education Management Information System will be created to support
policy planning, management, monitoring and evaluation of performance
of education. The component will also support the design and piloting
of a sustainable financing system for tertiary education, including
student loans and a Competitive Innovation Fund for the financing
of Universities.

Within the past projects WB developed the National Curriculum
Framework, introduced a new examination system, a Computer Revolving
scheme of WB allowed 85 percent of country’s to set up computer
labs. In addition, a broad in-service teacher trainings have been
carried out and consolidation of a per capita funding system of
schools.

The Credit will be provided to Armenia on standard IDA terms,
including 20 years maturity and a 10-year grace period. Since joining
the World Bank in 1992 and IDA in 1993, commitments to Armenia total
approximately US$1187 million.

IN CONNECTION WITH THE PASSING OF HONORED ART WORKER OF THE REPUBLIC, RENOWNED ART CRITIC HENRIK IGITYAN, A PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN-HEADED GOVERNMENT COMMISSION HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED UNDER A PRESIDENTIAL DECREE

Monda y, 11 May 2009

The commission notifies that a funeral service for Henrik Igityan
will be held on May 12, 18:00, at Yeznik Koghbatzi-42, apt 35.

Last farewell to the deceased will be bid in the Chamber Music House
on May 13, from 12:00 to 14:00, followed by the burial ceremony in
the Yerevan Municipal Pantheon.

BSEC COUNTRIES PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.05.2009 14:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During Armenia’s presidency activities of BSEC
(Black Sea Economic Cooperation) member countries were fruitful,
Armenia’s transport and communication minister Gurgen Sargsyan said at
the 15th meeting of the General Assembly of the Union of International
Fright Forwarders Association of BSEC member countries in Yerevan. 9
member states participated in the meeting, except Azerbaijan, Serbia
and Greece. "Declarations aimed at improving transport processes in
the region were adopted during Armenian presidency," said the minister.

According to Mr. Sargsyan, the government of Armenia is interested
to simplify viza regimes for professional drivers to facilitate
transportation process, besides Armenia joins to Allowance system
with the countries of region and members of BSEC. Among other tasks
are promoting of the infrastructure development, improvement of
fright monitoring equipment , rehabilitation and construction of both
major republican and regional rural roads in line with international
standards, said Mr. Sargsyan.

Among prior tasks he mentioned the construction of the road, connecting
the north with the south of the country, from the Iranian to Georgian
boarder, as well as harmonization of the legislature.

BSEC was established in 1992. Currently Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey
and Ukraine are permanent members of BSEC.

Armenia took the responsibilities of presidency of the Organization of
Black Sea Economic Cooperation in November 2008, which was completed
by April 30.

AL-HAYAT: GEAGEA CONDITIONS KATISHA’S CANDIDACY TO WITHDRAW KOYOUMJIAN

iloubnan.info
May 11 2009
Lebanon

BEIRUT – The failed consensus between Future Movement leader MP Saad
Hariri and Lebanese Forces executive council president Samir Geagea
regarding the candidate for the Catholic Armenian seat in Beirut I
district was delaying the announcement of the electoral list of the
parliamentary majority, al-Hayat newspaper reported on Monday.

According to the paper, Geagea claimed to include his candidate Wehbe
Katisha to March 14 electoral list in Akkar district instead of one
of the Greek Orthodox candidates MP Ryad Rahhal et MP Nidal Tohme,
as a condition to withdraw LF candidate Richard Koyoumjian from
Beirut I district to March 14 Armenian organizations-backed MP Serge
Tour-Srakissian’s candidacy.

Al-Hayat also said that Hariri did not consider Geagea’s suggestion as
he sponsored the announcement of Akkar list few weeks ago and there
was no way to withdraw any candidate because this would unbalance
the voters.

Medvedev sends Victory Day messages to Abkhazia, South Ossetia  

18:03 | 09/ 05/ 2009    

MOSCOW, May 9 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has
congratulated his counterparts in Abkhazia, South Ossetia and the CIS
on Victory Day, the Kremlin announced on Saturday.
A report on the official Kremlin web site quoted from messages to the
presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine, as well as the leaders
of the former Georgian republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but
did not include any message to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.
Tbilisi broke off diplomatic relations with Moscow following Russia’s
recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and its membership of the
Commonwealth of Independent States officially ends in August.
In his messages to the Abkhazian and South Ossetian presidents,
Medvedev compared the August 2008 conflict with Georgia over South
Ossetia to World War II.
"Our peoples fought shoulder to shoulder against the fascist German
aggressors for freedom and independence," he told South Ossetian
President Edward Kokoity. "The traditions of comradeship and mutual
support stood the test of time and appeared again during the tragic
days of August 2008, when it was necessary to resist together the
aggression against South Ossetia."
In his message to Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh, the Russian head
of state praised the ideals that "defended our peoples in the battles
of World War II," values which he said had been upheld in last year’s
conflict with Georgia.
"They protected the choice made by the people of Abkhazia in favor of
free and democratic development," Medvedev said, adding that relations
between Russia and Abkhazia would "become stronger and develop for the
good of our peoples."
Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states
after the five-day war with Georgia, which attacked South Ossetia in
an attempt to bring it back under central control. Most residents of
both Abkhazia had held Russian citizenship for several years.

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: PAPER’S STANCE ON ISSUE IS DISTURBING
By Rafi Manoukian

Glendale News Press
May 8 2009
MA

Our independent local media, in the tradition of Bob Woodward and Carl
Bernstein, and I’m sure after extensive research and analysis, have
concluded that "it is no longer prudent to leave such an important
post up to the whims of the voting public" ("Treasurer should be
appointed," May 2). Of course the editorial refers to the post of
Glendale city treasurer.

Before I write to the wisdom of the statement, I would like to address
some of the letter writers who spew hatred toward me individually,
and through me to the Armenian National Committee, the Glendale Young
Democrats and unnamed ethnicities.

Just to clarify, I am not affiliated with the Armenian National
Committee. I was just one of the many candidates endorsed by them
after exhaustive interviews. I am a Democrat and proud to have had
the endorsement of the Glendale Young Democrats. Those who would use
their dislike of me to attack a certain ethnicity or organization,
please stop. I’m sure you can aim your hatred at me without unfairly
targeting the youth and innocent civilians.

As to the last election, I would like to relay my appreciation to all
those who considered my candidacy and those who didn’t and thank them
all for voting and participating in the fundamental civil rights that
are afforded to the public, whether on a whim or not.

The office of the city treasurer is created by the city’s Charter,
and the function of the city treasurer is to "receive and safely keep
and pay out as directed in this Charter all moneys belonging to the
city and all moneys received into the hands of any office, board,
department or employee of the city and shall keep an exact account
of receipts and disbursements." Basically, it’s the cash management
of the city.

The office of the controller already exists in the form of
finance director. The City Council is the body responsible for the
administration and investment of the assets of the city and grants
the authority and responsibility of investing the city funds to the
city treasurer.

Now, does the same fuzzy logic of "whims of the voting public" apply
to the City Council? After all, they control more than $600 million
of the taxpayers’ funds in addition to the investment funds.

Should the premise that we cannot leave an important post to the whims
of the voting public also apply to all the other elected positions
such as the state treasurer, the governor, state representative and
the president, to name a few? Are they not important posts? Why should
we leave them up to the whims of the voting public?

The voters of Glendale in the past have voted five times to keep
the office of the treasurer an elected office — I guess not on a
whim. The question that begs an answer from the Glendale News-Press
editorial staff is, why did they feel the need to take a position
on such an issue now, after this election, and not four years ago or
before? And who is this voting public that voted for treasurer on a
whim this time and not last?

I would suggest that to better serve a community and to serve as
the independent monitor of power, an independent news reporting
agency should embark on a voter education campaign to minimize the
"whims of the voting public," as opposed to printing inflammatory,
hateful letters and advocating the curtailing of voting rights and
civil liberties of the public.

BRAFI MANOUKIAN is a former mayor of Glendale and previous candidate
for city treasurer.