Author: Toneyan Mark

SYDNEY ARMENIANS NOT GOING TO APOLOGIZE TO TURKEY

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.02.2009 14:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Reports on an apology campaign allegedly to be
launched by Armenian intellectuals of Sydney are untrue, head of
the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office
Director Kiro Manoyan told PanARMENIAN.Net.

"During an online discussion, Sydney University professor Armen
Gakavian expressed an opinion which was later ascribed to the entire
Armenian community," Mr. Manoyan said.

Gavakian presumed that the campaign launched by the Turkish
intellectuals should be followed by a similar move on the Armenian
part.

"Certainly, his offer caused indignation of the other participants
of the discussion," Mr. Manoyan said. "Some of the Turkish campaign
initiators hoped that Armenians will follow their example and apologize
for the national liberation struggle in the Ottoman Empire during
World War I. It’s outrageous because the Armenian Genocide can’t be
equaled to the resistance Armenians put up during those years."

Radikal Turkish newspaper quoted Armen Gakavian as saying that
"Armenia should apologize to the Turkish nation for killing several
thousand of Turks in the early 20th century."

U.S. scholar Denis Papazian is reported to support the initiative.

"FRANCE TELECOM" TO MAKE MORE INVESTMENTS

Panorama.am
14:14 03/02/2009

The Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan received the General
Director of "France Telecom" (Orange Armenia) Bruno Dutois, reports
the public relations department of the Government. The Ambassador of
France to Armenia Serge Smesow, the director-owner of "Grand Tornton
Ami" company Arman Pinarbasi were also present at the meeting.

According to the source, the Prime Minister mentioned that Armenia
needed another experienced and professional communication company to be
established in the country. The General Director thanked for organizing
and guaranteeing a tender correspondent to the international standards
and for creating beneficial conditions for business development.

The Director of the company said that it is planned to invest another
70 million USD to cover not only the capital city but the regions also.

ARMENIAN INTERESTED IN COOPERATION WITH FRANCOPHONIE STRUCTURES

armradio.am
02.02.2009 12:40

Adviser to the Foreign Minister of Armenia on Issues of Francophonie,
Ambassador Christian Ter-Stepanyan had a meeting with the Secretary
General of the International Organization of the Francophonie,
Abdou Diouf.

Christian Ter-Stepanyan presented to the Secretary General the steps
Armenia has taken after becoming an associate member of the OIF in
the direction of deepening cooperation in this framework. During
the meeting the parties attached importance not only to the close
cooperation immediately with the International Organization of the
Francophonie, but also the consistent participation in the activity
of Francophonie structures. In this regard, Abdou Diouf axpressed
appreciation for the fact that Armenia has already applied for becoming
an associate member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie.

During the meeting Christian Ter-Stepanyan reconfirmed Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian’s invitation to Abdou Diouf to
visit Armenia.

AHMADINEJAD SEEKS SECOND PRESIDENTIAL TERM

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.01.2009 14:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will run for
president again in June

Ahmadinejad’s rivals on June 12 could include moderate politician
Mohammad Khatami, whose presidency from 1997 to 2005 was marked by
improving ties with the West that have since deteriorated.

Analysts say Ahmadinejad’s prospects may largely depend on retaining
the support of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s top
authority who has often publicly praised the president and whose
views influence millions of loyalists, Reuters reports.

Yerevan Is Satisfied With The Results Of Sargsyan-Aliyev Meeting In Zurich

Regnum

Jan 28 2009
Russia

The Armenian side assessed the Zurich meeting as positive and
constructive, a REGNUM was informed at the press service of the
President’s Administration according to results of Sargsyan-Aliyev
meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, on January 28.

The meeting of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and the
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was attended by the Foreign
Ministers of two countries Edward Nalbandyan and Elmar Mammadyarov, as
well as OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (USA) Mattew Bryza, Yuri Merzlyakov
(Russia), Bernard Fassier (France) and Personal Representative of
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk. Then within an hour the
Presidents’ had a tête-a-tête meeting, which was again followed by
broad negotiations. The sides shared viewpoints on the present stage
of the negotiation process over the Karabakh issue. Following the
results of the meeting the Presidents of both countries instructed the
Foreign Ministers to continue the negotiations within the framework
of the Minsk group Co-Chairs. An agreement was reached concerning
the Co-Chairs’ forthcoming visit to the region.

After the meeting Serzh Sargsyan left for Davos to participate in
the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum.

It is worth mentioning that this was the third meeting of the both
Presidents. Previous two took place in Saint Petersburg and Moscow. An
agreement concerning the meeting in Zurich was reached within the
framework of the Minsk group Co-Chairs visit to the region on January.

–Boundary_(ID_Ldf60b/Szbk6QZMicqsFEQ)–

YERVAND AZATIAN: TEKEYAN CULTURAL UNION HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE AND BUSIEST BRIDGES LINKING DIASPORA WITH HOMELAND

Noyan Tapan

Jan 27, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian government values highly
all the initiatives of Tekeyan Cultural Union (TCU), the RA prime
minister Tigran Sargsyan stated when receiving TCU reprsentatives on
January 27. He expressed satisfaction at the 2008 Vahan Tekeyan annual
award-giving ceremony held at TCU the day before. In his words, these
annual awards are important in terms of preserving Armenian identity
and at the same time they are aimed at developing Armenian culture,
science and art both in Armenia and the Diaspora.

The vice chairman of TCU in the U.S. and Canada, foreign member of the
RA National Academy of Sciences Yervand Azatian underlined that Tekeyan
Cultural Union has been one of the most active and busiest bridges
linking the Diaspora with homeland since Armenia’s independence.

According to the RA Government Information and PR Department, Yervand
Azatian, the chairperson of the Armenian General Benevolent Union
(AGBU) in Switzerland Talin Avagian, the chairman of TCY branch in
Philadelphia Babken Mkrtchian and the chairman of "Tekeyan Center"
Foundation Vardan Uzunian received letters of acknowledgement of
Armenian prime minister. During the meeting T. Sargsyan congratulated
them and handed the awards to them.

PRESS RELEASE

January 26, 2009

American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576
Contact: Gaiane Khachatrian
E-mail: [email protected]

Dr. George Chilingarian honored by Republic of Armenia and American
University of Armenia

Dr. George Chilingarian, noted petroleum engineer, petroleum geologist,
chemist and expert on environmental aspects of oil and gas production, was
presented with a special medal from the Ministry of Science and Education of
the Republic of Armenia at a lovely luncheon hosted in the home of Dr.
Haroutune and Mrs. Sona Armenian on Sunday, January 25, 2009. Numerous
friends of Dr. Chilingarian and supporters of the American University of
Armenia (AUA) gathered to watch Consul General Armen Liloyan of the Republic
of Armenia present the medal thanking Dr. Chilingarian for his contributions
to AUA and to the country of Armenia.

Professor Chilingarian is a member of the Armenian Academy of Sciences, and
he has collaborated with Armenian scientists in studies on the geology of
the Armenian plateau. His work has received recognition by Armenia’s
Ministry of Education and Science. Dr. Chilingarian had traveled to Armenia
in October 2008 to attend the dedication of AUA’s Paramaz Avedisian Building
(PAB), and was to receive his medal at that time, but due to an emergency he
was called away and had to return to the United States before the medals
were presented.

Dr. Chilingarian, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of USC’s Viterbi School
of Engineering, was also thanked by AUA’s President, Dr. Haroutune Armenian,
for his generous contributions to the university, including the naming of a
faculty office at AUA’s new PAB building. President Emeritus of AUA Dr.
Mihran Agbabian introduced Dr. Chilingarian, noting the many USC faculty and
graduates who were in attendance to recognize Dr. Chilingarian at the
luncheon.

———————————————— ——–

The American University of Armenia Corporation (AUAC) is registered as a
non-profit educational organization in both Armenia and the United States
and is affiliated with the Regents of the University of California.
Receiving major support from AGBU, AUA offers American-accredited
instruction leading to the Masters Degree in eight graduate programs. For
more information about AUA, please visit

GENERAL STAFF LOOKING FOR SOURCE OF RUMORS ON ALLEGED DELIVERIES OF WEAPONS TO ARMENIA

WPS Agency
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
January 21, 2009 Wednesday
Russia

The Russian Foreign Ministry denounced the rumors on arms deliveries
to Armenia. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov phoned his Azerbaijani
counterpart Elmar Mamedjarov to discuss the matter.

Lavrov informed Mamedjarov that the General Staff and the Interior
Ministry were running an investigation and said that no munitions
had been handed to Armenia in 2008, not even by the 102nd Russian
Military Base in the Armenian Gyumri.

The ministers decided to continue the talks pending clarification of
the matter.

The scandal between Azerbaijan and Russia was created by reports in
the Azerbaijani media on the alleged transfer of $800 million worth
of Russian merchandise to Armenia. The Russian Ambassador in Baku
was summoned to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry where explanations
were demanded. The Russian Defense Ministry called the reports
"disinformation" and so did Armenia.

ERGENEKON NET CATCHES 39 MORE

Hurriyet
Jan 23 2009
Turkey

ANKARA – Another day, another 39 detainees in the Ergenekon
saga. Mostly police and military officers are taken in, but there is
also a raid on a union and a TV channel. Opponents say the government
is suppressing voices ahead of local elections. The latest Ergenekon
wave swept up 39 people yesterday morning, 20 of who were police and
military officers.

The latest Ergenekon wave swept up 39 people yesterday morning, 20 of
who were police and military officers. The 39 are alleged to be part
of assassination teams directed by Ä°brahim Å~^ahin, an ex-police
officer currently under arrest as part of the Ergenekon case.

Police also raided the Metal Workers’ Union headquarters and the
Eurasia TV, or ART, in Ankara. The union’s president Mustafa Ozbek,
VERSO Survey company’s owner Erhan Göksel, and senior journalist
Unal Ä°nanc were also rounded up.

Police demanded the keys for locked rooms in the union building and the
building’s plans. Another raid was conducted on the Å~^irinoglu Social
and Strategic Research Center, presided over by Ä°nanc. Turkmeneli
Human Rights Association Head SavaÅ~_ Avcı was also taken into
custody. ART, a channel with an anti-Justice and Development Party,
or AKP, stance and with nationalist leanings, resumed broadcasting
from Cyprus.

Among detainees are 17 police officers from a special operations unit,
two non-commissioned officers, three lieutenants, seven journalists,
and five union activists. One of the detainees in Sivas has been
released.

Istanbul Acting Prosecutor Turan Colakkadı said there might be
more detentions based on documents and evidence discovered in the
raids. "Searches are executed under court order. Prosecutors are
immediately informed of the suspectb, who have the right to object
to the court," Colakkadı said.

The searches and confiscations were the subject of controversy due
to the observance of procedural rules. Searches were undertaken in
30 locations in various cities, said Colakkadı. The latest wave
covered 13 cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Bursa,
Hakkari, Elazıg, Igdır, and Hatay. "A supplementary indictment to
the Ergenekon case is in its final stages and will be completed in
a month," said Colakkadı.

Meanwhile, Professor Yalcın Kucuk and deputy leader of Independent
Republic Party, or BCP, Engin Aydın, arrested in an earlier wave of
Ergenekon detentions, were released yesterday.

The Ergenekon case aims to unveil and bring down an alleged
ultra-nationalist gang that has conspired against the government in
an attempt to provoke a coup. Prosecutors describe the alleged gang
as a terrorist organization.

Opposition in uproar, major union prepares a summit Union leaders,
the main opposition Republican People’s Party and detainees’ relatives
condemned the detentions as part of a suppression campaign.

"It is impossible to implicate any union in the Ergenekon case. The
reason for the union’s existence is democracy itself," said President
of the Turkish Confederation of Labor Unions, or TURK-Ä°Å~^ Mustafa
Kumlu. TURK-Ä°Å~^ has decided to hold an extraordinary session to
assess the aftermath of Ozbek’s detention and the Ergenekon case
Monday. Road Workers’ Union President Ramazan Agar also visited
Ozbek’s house. "We are in a time when being a Turk in Turkey is a
crime," said Mustafa Ozbek’s son, Haydar Ozbek.

VERSO’s owner Göksel told reporters before he was taken to a police
station, "Ramazan Akyurek is my greatest enemy." Akyurek is Istanbul
Police’s Intelligence unit chief and is implicated in the murder of
Turkish Armenian journalist Hrant Dink by the Workers’ Party, or Ä°P
leader, Dogu Perincek. Perincek, under arrest in the Ergenekon case,
claimed in 2007 that Akyurek was an Islamist and associated with
religious community chief Fethullah Gulen.

A member of the directors’ board of the Security and Judiciary
Reporters Association, Mehmet Balıkcıoglu, said 50,000 books and
200,000 documents had been seized in the searches. Most of the books
were about Turkey’s founder Ataturk, he said.

"The trade unions have been silenced and media organizations have
been intimidated," said the main opposition Republican People’s Party,
or CHP, spokesman Mustafa Ozyurek. "Turkey is fast becoming an empire
of fear," he said.

Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Å~^ahin said he could not meddle in the
judiciary’s affairs as a minister. Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan
urged restraint.

–Boundary_(ID_1DkfV2andl7hTLeZCsBdPQ) —

INTERNATIONAL VISHEGRAD FUND PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIP TO ARMENIAN STUDENTS

ARMENPRESS
Jan 23, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS: International Vishegrad fund provided
scholarship to the Armenian students for 2009-2010 academic year. The
applicants can get education in the accredited universities of
Vishegrad countries – Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.

Public relations department of Armenian Education and Science
Ministry told Armenpress that within the frameworks of 1 million
884,000 euros the fund also provides grant places for a number of
students from Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,
Greece, Macedonia, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine and Serbia.

The grant places are provided for magistracy of 1-4 semesters and
1-2 semesters of post-graduate education. The Armenian applicants
may apply by January 31.