Author: Toneyan Mark

FIVE IRAQI CITIZENS WITH "FALSE" ARMENIAN PASSPORTS DETAINED IN GEORGIA

Georgian Public Television Channel 1
Feb 19 2009
Georgia

Tbilisi, 19 February: Georgia has detained five Iraqi citizens for
attempting to enter the country with fake passports. The Georgian
Interior Ministry said that they flew into Tbilisi from Yerevan and
were planning to travel to Brazil via the Netherlands. Georgian police
said that prior to arriving in Tbilisi, the Iraqis had contacted
Merab Chelidze, the head of the Georgian Pilots’ Association, who
promised to help them cross the Georgian border without impediment
in exchange for 4,000 euros.

Chelidze has been arrested, as have the Iraqis, who stand accused of
illegally crossing the border. A criminal case has been opened and
an investigation is under way.

[In a statement on the matter published on the Georgian Interior
Ministry’s website, police said the Iraqi citizens had presented
"false" Armenian passports.]

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF GEORGIA PAYS AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Feb 18 2009
Georgia

On 20-21 February 2009 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Grigol
Vashadze will pay an official visit to the Republic of Armenia.

The Georgian Foreign Minister will hold meetings with President of
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. Talks in
an enlarged format will be held with Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard
Nalbandyan. Following the meeting the two Ministers will hold a joint
press conference.

In the framework of the visit Minister Vashadze will visit the Museum
of Genocide Victims and lay a wreath on the Memorial of Genocide
Victims.

OBAMA DISCUSSES ARMENIA WITH TURKISH OFFICIALS

ArmInfo
2009-02-17 12:25:00

ArmInfo. U.S. President Barack Obama called Turkish President
Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and had two "warm
and productive" conversations, the White House said late on Monday,
Turkish media reported.

According to the statements issued by the White House, Gul’s office
and Erdogan’s office Obama and Turkish officials discussed Middle East,
including Iraq and Iran, Afghanistan and Armenia.

"The president emphasized the importance of the United States alliance
with Turkey and said he looks forward to working with both President
Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan on a broad agenda of mutual strategic
interest," the White House said adding, Obama emphasized his desire
to strengthen U.S.-Turkish relations and to work together effectively
in NATO.

Gul’s office said prior to the White House’s statement Obama had
praised Turkey’s leadership in the regional issues. The two leaders
also "re-affirmed the will to work together, reviewing regional as
well as international issues," Gul’s office added.

Gul told the US president that a legislation that would recognize
the Armenian claims regarding the 1915 incidents should not be put
before the Congress.

The issue of 1915 incidents was high on the agenda of Obama-Erdogan
discussion. The Obama administration is seen as the most pro-Armenian
administration in Washington. Obama, Biden and Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton pledged to recognize Armenian claims on 1915 incidents,
which is a major concern in Turkey.

Erdogan underlined the importance of the strategic
cooperation. "Turkey’s stance on policies regarding the Middle East
and Armenia is clear. America’s fair and impartial approach (to these
issues) is important in order to prevent any damage to the bilateral
relations," Erdogan was quoted as telling to Obama.

The US President welcomed the recent restored dialogue between Turkey
and Armenia, signaling under the existing circumstances he would
refrain from taking any step that would harm these efforts.

Turkey and Armenia had restored dialogue, an important step to
normalize the relations that would eventually result in the opening
of the border between two neighboring countries. Turkey closed its
border and cut its diplomatic relations with Armenia in a protest to
Armenian occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory.

"I would like to say that your leadership is vital in the Middle East
peace process and America always understands Turkey’s sensitivities,"
Erdogan’s office quoted Obama as telling the Turkish prime minister.

The statement said Obama expressed willingness to work with Turkey
in many issues such as maintaining peace in the Middle East, ending
PKK terrorism and relations with Armenia.

GEORGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT ARMENIA

Trend News Agency
Feb 16 2009
Azerbaijan

Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze will visit Armenia on
Feb. 20-21, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister David Jalaganiya said
at a briefing on Feb. 16.

Vashadze will meet with the Armenian president, prime minister,
foreign minister and parliamentary speaker.

The meetings will focus on issues of bilateral interest.

Armenia is expected to discuss several churches in Tbilisi whose
ownership is disputed by the Georgian Orthodox Church and Armenian
Apostolic Church.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT TO BE SOLVED, IF ARMENIA TO RESPECT TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLE: Aliyev

Trend News Agency
Feb 16 2009
Azerbaijan

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be resolved, if Armenia will respect
the principle of territorial integrity, Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev said after the meeting with Greek President Karolos Papoulias.

"The principle of territorial integrity secured in international law
must be observed so that to resolve the conflict. I think that if
Armenia is to respect this principle, the issue would be resolved,"
ITAR-TASS quoted Aliyev as saying.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7
districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed
a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia,
France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

IRAQI CHURCH LEADERS MEET IN BEIRUT (LEBANON)

The World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches had
jointly organized a meeting in Beirut from 9-11 February 2009. The meeting
was held at Fetaa conference center and a representative of the Armenian
Catholicostae of Cilicia also attended the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Christian presence in Iraq and the
need to strengthen the churches and their institutions. Christians in Iraq
suffered both during the war and the events after the end of the war. At the
end of the meeting, the Church Leaders visited His Holines Aram I at his
headquarters at the Catholicosate and shared with him their recommendations.
After welcoming his guests, the Catholicos said: "Our Catholicosate is home
for all Christians because we believe that through prayers, cooperation and
continuous dialogue will serve best our people and the people of Iraq. He
then made a retrospective review with the Church Leaders of the efforts of
the World Council of Churches while he was the Moderator, and those of the
Middle East Council of Churches most recently, as one of its Presidents. He
encouraged the Churches in Iraq to respond with one voice and one position
to the situation in their country, and enter into dialogue with their Muslim
co-citizens with renewed understanding of post war Iraqi society.

At the end of the meeting, His Holiness Aram I briefed the Church Leaders of
his conversation with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVIth on this matter,
during his visit to Vatican in November 2008, and assured them of the
continued support of the Middle East Council of Churches.

##
View the photo here:
tos/Photos357.htm#3
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

Tigran Balayan: Speaking about Karabakh deal premature

armradio.am
14.02.2009 13:48

In an interview with the Voice of America US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group Matthew Bryza said the parties were close to working out an
agreement on the Artsakh issue, which was to derive from the principle
of territorial integrity. According to Bryza, the agreement should
include the principles of the right to self-determination and non-use
of force. Asked to comment on the statement, Head of Media Relations
Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tigran Balayan said:

`It’s not clear what the objective of that statement is, but it creates
an impression that such a comment could be made only to disturb the
negotiation process underway on the basis of the Madrid Proposals.
These proposals are based on three equal principles of international
law ` non-application of force or threat of force, right to
self-determination and territorial integrity.

The Armenian side has been repeatedly stating that the pivotal issue of
the conflict is the recognition and realization of the right of
Artsakhi people to self-determination.

Today the negotiations focus on the principles of settlement, but no
agreement has been reached on them at this point, and speaking about an
agreement is still premature.’

A1+

NCTR FURTHER STEPS DEPEND ON CC DECISION
[05:31 pm] 13 February, 2009

`A1+’s case wouldn’t have reached the European Court of Human Rights
and a violation of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human
Rights wouldn’t have been registered if Armenian judicial instances
had demanded the National Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR) to
ground for the denial of licences to A1+ in seven tenders for
broadcasting tenders,’ says the President of `Forum’ legal center,
A1+’s Advocate Tigran Ter-Yesayan.

On February 13 the Court of Cassation heard the appeal of Meltex Ltd
against the National Commission on Television and Radio.

To remind, in its decision of July, 2008, the European Court
questioned the lawfulness of seven frequency tenders announced by the
(NCTR) and demands to ground for the denial of A1+’s application.

Meltex Ltd had motioned the Cassation Court to review February 27,
2004, and April 23, 2004, decisions of the CC Chamber on Civil and
Economic Cases. The motion was based on new circumstances,
particularly on a June 17, 2008, decision of the European Court which
registered a violation of Article 10 of the European Convention on
Human Rights.

Meltex Ltd has set three demands to the Cassation Court. Firstly, the
Company demands the Court to recognise that the Company’s right of
information dissemination has been breached. Secondly, the Company the
Court should nullify the NCTR decisions of denying A1+’s bids for 25,
31, 39, 51 and 63 frequency tenders. Finally, according to Advocate
Ara Ghazaryan, the Court should make the NCTR announce a tender for
the aforesaid frequencies in the territory of Yerevan.

While studying A1+’s claims, Chief Justice Arman Mkrtumyan cited an
extract from the EC decision and noted that the Armenian courts, in
particular the Court of Cassation, have made decisions within the law.

`If the Court of Cassation denies our claim, it means the NCTR will
not change its posture and will never ground for its decisions or
refusals,’ says Advocate Ara Ghazaryan.

Today Ara Ghazaryan announced that A1+’s case is unprecedented in
Armenia, and the solution must be found with joint efforts.

The Court is to publicise its decision at 11:00 February 19.

ILHAM ALIYEV: KARABAKH ISSUE SHOULD BE SETTLED PEACEFULLY

armradio.am
13.02.2009 13:20

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said the conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh can and should be settled peacefully with Armenia.

"We believe the resources of the negotiating process have not been
exhausted and our adherence to the peaceful process is the main
argument that confirms our constructive approach," he said in an
exclusive interview with ITAR-ASS.

He recalled the latest joint declaration with Armenia, which says
that international guarantees should encourage all stages of conflict
settlement.

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE
February 13, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

PALLONE CHALLENGES TURKEY’S GENOCIDE HYPOCRISY

"If Turkey wants to move closer to the West it should
practice some self-reflection on its own history regarding
the Armenian Genocide and help to end the Genocide in
Darfur." — Rep. Frank Pallone, February 13, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC ? Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today sharply
criticized Turkey’s hypocrisy in leveling human rights charges
against Israel even as it continues to deny the Armenian Genocide
and strengthen its ties to the genocidal Sudanese regime, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

In a speech on the House floor, the Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman,
called the attention of his colleagues to increasingly strident
Turkish attacks on Israel, including menacing, even threatening,
remarks by Prime Minister Erdogan, as well as a recent Washington
Post report that a Turkey-based non-governmental organization has
initiated a probe to investigate if war crimes and genocide were
committed by Israel during the recent Gaza Conflict. Commenting on
these developments, he noted that, "For a nation that for 94 years
has practiced wide-spread genocide denial of the killing of one and
half million Armenians, hypocrisy runs deep today in Ankara."

The New Jersey legislator stressed that, "the Turkish people need
to step back and question their skewed understanding of genocide.
Look in the mirror, look at your own history, come to terms with
the fact that 1.5 million Armenians died and when contemporary
genocides, like Darfur, take place it must be denounced." He added
that Turkey, rather than denouncing the Darfur Genocide, has
actually strengthened its ties to Khartoum: "Last year, Turkish
President Abdullah Gul warmly welcomed Sudanese President Omar al-
Bashir to Ankara. Yet, Al-Bashir continues to preside over a
genocidal regime responsible for the deaths of 300,000 Sudanese
people in the Darfur region of the country."

The full text of Congressman Pallone’s statement is provided below.

To view his remarks on YouTube, visit:
leases.php?prid=1660

#####

CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE, JR.
FLOOR STATEMENT – FIVE MINUTE
TURKEY’S GENOCIDE HYPOCRACY

February 13, 2009

On Saturday, February 7th, the Washington Post reported that a
Turkish Islamist-oriented human rights group, the Association of
Human Rights and Solidarity for Oppressed Peoples, known as Mazlum-
Der, initiated a probe to investigate if war crimes and genocide
were committed by Israel during the recent Gaza Conflict.

I was startled to read that Mazlum-Der plans to investigate 19
Israelis including Prime Minster Ehud Olmert, President Shimon
Peres, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livini, and Defense Minister Ehud
Barak for orchestrating genocide.

For a nation that for 94 years has practiced wide-spread genocide
denial of the killing of one and half million Armenians, hypocrisy
runs deep today in Ankara. Last week I expressed my concerns
regarding Turkey’s recent rash of anti-Semitism, but this probe is
going too far. Israel did not commit Genocide, but this has not
stopped Ankara’s Chief Prosecutor from launching this war crimes
probe.

The probe out of Turkey will investigate Israel’s actions in the
Gaza conflict to see if they amount to "genocide, torture, and
crimes against humanity." If the prosecutor finds evidence against
the Israeli leaders, under Turkish law, they can be detained if
they enter Turkey.

The absurdity of this probe and the fact that Turkey is issuing it
must be exposed. Israel did not commit Genocide. Israel was not
attempting to eliminate the Palestinian people. Israel was
protecting itself from the hundreds of bombs Hamas has been
shooting into its cities.

Mazlum-Der has no ground to stand on. Turkey has no ground to
stand on. Neither this NGO nor the Turkish government has ever
attempted to discuss the truth of the Armenian Genocide. Nor has
Turkey or Mazlum-Der taken action against the present genocide that
continues to rage in Darfur.

While Israelis are defending themselves against constant attacks
from Hamas, Mazlum-Der insists this is genocide. How can this
organization accuse Israel of committing genocide when it has yet
to categorize the thousands of killings in Darfur as a genocide?
The Turkish people need to step back and question their skewed
understanding of genocide. Look in the mirror, look at your own
history, come to terms with the fact that 1.5 million Armenians
died and when contemporary genocides, like Darfur, take place it
must be denounced.

But instead of denouncing it, Turkey’s relationship with Sudan is
strong. Last year, Turkish President Abdullah Gul warmly welcomed
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to Ankara. Yet, Al-Bashir
continues to preside over a genocidal regime responsible for the
deaths of 300,000 Sudanese people in the Darfur region of the
country. Today, 2.7 million Darfuris have lost their homes since
the conflict and now live in internally displaced persons camps.
While all of this happens, President Gul of Turkey has said that
the situation in Darfur adds up to a "humanitarian tragedy" caused
by economic difficulties.

This watering down of state sponsored government killing is an
affront to the thousands who have perished in Darfur. And yet a
Turkish organization is investigating genocide in Israel?

President Gul greeted the Sudanese leader with a military guard of
honor only bestowed on Turkey’s closest allies. While the
international community fiercely works to contain al-Bashir’s
government, Turkey embraces it. Both governments have a long
history of genocide denial.

The Republic of Turkey has had 94 years to recognize the Armenian
Genocide perpetrated on their soil in 1915. Like the Sudanese
government, the Turkish government’s state-sponsored ethnic
cleansing of the Armenians in the early twentieth century left one
and half million Armenians tortured, murdered, and displaced. Yet
to this day the Republic of Turkey continues to deny the slaughter
of the Armenians ? instead launching an absurd investigation into
Israel.

If Turkey and its NGOs want to take a stand against Genocide they
should not be pointing at Israel, nor should Turkish Prime Minister
Erdogan be threatening Israel with comments like, "Allah will
sooner or later punish those who transgress the rights of
innocents." If Turkey wants to move closer to the West it should
practice some self-reflection on its own history regarding the
Armenian Genocide and help to end the Genocide in Darfur.