Author: Toneyan Mark

APATHY REBELLION

Lragir.am
29/04/10

Are the events taken place in Kyrgyzstan lessons for Armenia? A
discussion in this connection was held on April 29 in the Armenian
Center for National and International Studies with the participation
of the ACNIS Director Richard Kirakosyan, ACNIS expert Manvel Sargsyan
and OSCE Yerevan office expert Grigori Mikhalski. Mikhalski stated
that judging by the violence that happened and the unpredictability
of the situation, what happened in Kyrgyzstan can hardly be called a
revolution. Mikhalski noted that he would be very cautious in making
general conclusions.

ACNIS senior expert Manvel Sargsyan noted that what happened in
Kyrgyzstan is a collapse of state and public systems this is the
reason why it worried all CIS countries including the Armenian
government. Manvel Sargsyan believes dynamic changes happening in
different countries of the world make other countries’ public systems
face the danger to collapse. At the same time he noted that no country
can be collapsed if it did not reach the edge of collapse.

Manvel Sargsyan says the power in Armenia should not rejoice at the
fact that the public is disappointed with the opposition. According
to the expert, if the public does not trust a political force,
it generates a rebellious mood, and the rebellion does not serve
political purposes, and it can be used by some political forces for
a rebellion that is not in the interests of the state.

Manvel Sargsyan noted that the Armenian authorities take no steps to
overcome public grievances through systemic democratic reforms, but
the power trusts external factors. At the same time, he noted that the
system of power in Armenia, unlike the one in Kyrgyzstan, is based on
the oligarchic conspiracy, so it is much stronger than the Kyrgyz one.

According to Manvel Sargsyan, this represses social activity.

The next factor repressing social activity, according to Manvel
Sargsyan, is the fear from external danger, that the authorities may
at any time inspire the public through their propaganda machine.

Manvel Sargsyan does not know where this indifference will bring,
but the expert believes, however, that apathy is not so far from
the rebellion.

He also noted that the events taking place in Kyrgyzstan and in other
countries, hint about the enhancement of the role of the opposition
in the world, and this role, in the sense of responsibility for the
situation, becomes equal to the role of the ruling elite.

CONCESSIONS OVER KARABAKH WILL RESULT IN POWER SHIFT

Tert.am
16:17 ~U 29.04.10

Armenia will not make concessions over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement, an Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutiun,
ARF-D) MP Ara Nranyan said at a press conference today.

In his words concessions over the Karabakh issue will result in a
power shift in Armenia.

ARMENIAN POTATOES ARE IN GREAT DEMAND IN TURKMENISTAN AND IRAN

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 28
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS: Armenian potatoes are in great demand
in Turkmenistan and Iran, RA Agriculture Minister Gerasim Alaverdyan
reported journalists today at the National Assembly. He informed
that he had been on an official visit to Ashgabat and met with his
Turkmen counterpart. The two sides made arrangements for exporting
potato to Turkmenistan. ‘We have already met with 7-8 farmers. Works
are currently implemented for organizing the exportation of potato,’
Gerasim Alaverdyan said. According to him, a big quantity of potatoes
(mainly from Gegharkunik and Shirak provinces) was exported last year.

RA PRESIDENT RECEIVED OSCE MG RUSSIAN CO-CHAIR

news.am
April 28 2010
Armenia

April 28, RA President Serzh Sargsyan received the newly appointed
OSCE MG Russian Co-Chair Igor Popov.

Sargsyan congratulated Popov on the appointment to the new position
and expressed hope he will significantly contribute to the peaceful
settlement of Karabakh conflict, RA Presidential press service
informed NEWS.am.

The officials discussed recent developments in Karabakh peace process.

POLICE OFFICER GETS 4 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT FOR SCUFFLE WITH NIGHTCLUB SECURITY GUARD

ArmInfo
2010-04-28 10:31:00

ArmInfo. On Dec 18 2009, approximately at 3:30am, Gevorg Grigoryan,
the police officer of the Yerevan Police, in a state of alcohol
intoxication began to scuffle with the security guards of Omega
Nightclub.

Given the advantage in numbers of the security, the law-enforcer made
several sporadic shots from the service gun, pistol "Makarov". In the
course of investigation, G. Grigoryan pled guilty and was sentenced
to 4 years of imprisonment.

OBAMA FALLS 1 WORD SHORT
By Zain Shauk

Glendale News Press
April 27 2010
CA

Failure to use term ‘genocide’ in citing mass killings upsets
Armenians.

Armenians around the country voiced frustration with President Obama
on Monday, days after he again avoided the word "genocide" regarding
the 1915 mass killings of 1.5 million Armenians.

Representatives from Glendale, Burbank and Los Angeles — a region
that is home to the largest Armenian population in the United States —
called Obama’s statement to recognize Armenian Remembrance Day on April
24 the most recent disappointment from the administration on the issue.

Obama, when campaigning for president, repeatedly committed to
recognizing the mass killings as genocide if he was elected, but on
his first opportunity to do so in 2009, he referred to the atrocities
as the Meds Yeghern, the Armenian phrase for "the great calamity"
and did not use the word genocide.

His statement Saturday was similar.

"Today is a day to reflect upon and draw lessons from these terrible
events," Obama said. "I have consistently stated my own view of what
occurred in 1915, and my view of that history has not changed. It is
in all of our interest to see the achievement of a full, frank and
just acknowledgment of the facts. The Meds Yeghern is a devastating
chapter in the history of the Armenian people, and we must keep its
memory alive in honor of those who were murdered and so that we do
not repeat the grave mistakes of the past."

Although the statement called for remembrance of the mass killings, it
was a disappointment for Armenians who had supported Obama’s election
bid because of his prior stance, Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian said.

"He’s playing games with words and failing to live up not only to his
campaign promises, but to his role and obligations as president of the
freest country in the world to declare the events of 1915 a genocide,"
Najarian said.

Armenian Americans, who had largely supported Obama in the past,
have started to leave his corner after seeing him change his approach
after being elected, said Aram Hamparian, executive director of the
Armenian National Committee of America.

"I think that they looked to him to provide more leadership and to
honor his pledge, and that twice in a row now he’s fallen short of
his own standards," Hamparian said. "It’s a very frustrating thing,
and I think the primary way that Armenian Americans can express
their frustration in the civic arena is with their votes, and I think
they’re getting ready to do that."

In 2008, while campaigning for president, then-Sen. Obama criticized
President George W. Bush and his administration for not recognizing
the genocide and pressed then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on
the issue.

"I shared with Secretary Rice my firmly held conviction that the
Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a
point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an
overwhelming body of historical evidence," Obama said on Jan. 18,
2008. "The facts are undeniable. An official policy that calls on
diplomats to distort the historical facts is an untenable policy. As
a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, and as president I will recognize the Armenian Genocide."

The president’s most recent statement on the mass killings committed
at the hands of the Ottoman Turks came as a new resolution to recognize
the Armenian Genocide moves through Congress.

That resolution, written by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) was
narrowly approved by a key House committee after the White House
voiced concerns that a formal U.S. acknowledgment could jeopardize
fledgling relations between Armenia and Turkey, which began last year
with the establishment of a set of protocols.

But Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said last week he was suspending
his government’s ratification of the protocols because of inaction
on the part of the Turkish government.

"We consider unacceptable the pointless efforts of making the dialogue
between Armenia and Turkey an end in itself," Sargsyan said. "From this
moment on, we consider the current phase of normalization exhausted."

That move could help convert potential legislative opponents to the
Armenian Genocide bill into supporters, Schiff said.

"After a certain amount of time they’re going to have to have a
realization that Turkey was never serious about reconciling with
Armenia," Schiff said.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), a sponsor of the bill, echoed
the concerns of Schiff and Armenians who hoped the president would
call the mass killings a genocide.

"It’s the right thing to do, and he should have done it," Sherman said.

EDWARD NALBANDYAN, "CO-CHAIRING OF TURKEY IN THE OSCE MINSK GROUP IS EXCLUDED"

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 27, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS: Co-chairing of Turkey in the OSCE
Minsk Group is excluded, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan
stated in an interview to "True Policy" program of Public TV, noting
that it has been many times stated both by the Armenian President
and Foreign Minister.

In regard to the position of Armenia on participation of Iran in
Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation process, E. Nalbandyan said that
Iran has expressed a wish to assist in the process, and it is quite
welcoming. "The balanced approach of Iran displayed for many years
on Karabakh issue is highly appraisable," the minister pointed out.

Commenting on the claims of the Turkish side that the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict is not touched upon in the Armenian-Turkish protocols, but
a relevant provision on consolidation of peace and stability in the
region must be considered in that context, and hence, it is concluded
that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict must be solved in parallel to
the improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations, E. Nalbandyan noted,
"If anyone wants to regulate relations with a neighbor living in the
same building, it does not mean that he/she must solve all the issues
of the building or district. If we follow that logic, we also can tell
the Turks, "solve your issues with Cyprus or solve the Kurdish issue,
and then we will refer to the Armenian-Turkish relations". I do not
think that this is a logical approach.

In regard to the current stage of the regulation process of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict E. Nalbandyan said that it runs normally.

"It is not news that Azerbaijan criticizes not only Armenia, but from
time to time the co-chairs and even its close ally Turkey as well.

Azerbaijan tries to put the responsibility of its political flaws on
others," the minister pointed out.

HOVHANNES BACKOV FAILS AT YOUTH BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP

Aysor
April 27 2010
Armenia

Armenia’s boxer Hovhannes Backov (in the 54 kg) lost to Latvia’s
Edgaras Skurdelis at the Youth Boxing Championship, which is
taking place in Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku, and had to leave the
contest along with other Armenian boxers Karen Tonakanian and Koryun
Soghomonian.

Narek Abgarian (in the 51 kg), Hrayr Matevosian (in the 60 kg), and
Arthur Kiradjian (in the 64 kg) will contest in the following rounds:
Narek Abgarian will fight against Egyptian boxer, Arthur Kiradjian –
against boxer from Germany, and Hrayr Matevosian will fight against
Argentinean boxer.

The Championship is acting as the only qualifier for the inaugural
Youth Olympics in Singapore in August. Boxers reaching the semi-finals
in Baku will qualify for Singapore.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF THE REGION SIGN A JOINT STATEMENT

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 27, 2010
ETCHMIADZIN

ETCHMIADZIN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS: A trilateral meeting of religious
leaders of the Caucasian region was held April 26 in Baku with
participation of Catholicos of All-Armenians Karekin II, Patriarch
of Moscow and All Russia Kirill I and Head of the Caucuses Muslims
Department Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade. Press service of the
Mother See told Armenpress that issues on Nagorno Karabakh conflict
were discussed. At the end of the meting the religious leaders signed
a joint statement.

"Looking upon this meeting as expansion of a peacemaking dialogue
between the Armenian Apostolic Church and Caucasus Muslims Department
initiated with mediation of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1988,
and remaining faithful to the spirit of the previous statements,
we hope to help the progress of the peaceful coexistence principles
of our people in future as well and assist in working out mutually
comprehensive decisions exclusively by means of negotiations.

We are happy to witness that the meetings in such a format have
promoted the suspension of the Armenian-Azerbaijani forced conflict
initiated by the Karabakh issue. These meetings, no doubt, have
helped to avoid turning the conflict into an inter-religious one,"
the statement runs. According to the latter, the strength of the
religion, which calls kindness, peace, sympathy and patience, must
become a factor of reconcilement.

The religions heads condemned the acts of vandalism attaching
importance to protection of religious monuments and icons of peoples.

"The responsibility and the duty in front of the Most High and our
people prompt us, the religious leaders, to exert efforts in favor
of peace and settlement of the current issues. May there be solid
and fair peace in the fruitful land of Caucasus and may our people
inherit welfare and prosperity," the statement runs.

After the trilateral meeting the Catholicos of All Armenians
participated in the works of the consulting body on cooperation
with the UNESCO, the goal of which is to start a dialogue over the
current issues between the religious communities and UNESCO. The
religious heads presented their concerns and cooperation spheres to
the representative of the UNESCO.

ARMENIAN VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY HAS HAD OVER 500 STUDENTS UP TO DAY

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 27, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian Virtual University
designed by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) has had
over 500 students in about a year since its foundation. Founder and
Chairman of the university Yervand Zoryan told Armenpress that it is
a great success for a novice university.

According to him, the majority of the students are from countries
with the largest number of Armenian communities – the USA, France
and Russia; there are students from Argentina, Canada, Brasilia and
Spain as well.

Armenians of nearly 35 countries of the world participate in the
classes of Armenian Language, History and Culture. There are also
foreign students, who have working or family ties with Armenians
and want to get acquainted with Armenian culture and history. "In
this case the presence of the internet is very useful. It unites the
world-spread Armenians of the world," Y. Zoryan said.

According to him, the expectations connected with the university are
justified and it is intended to expand the frameworks of its activity.

First of all the number of the languages is intended to add; currently
the classes are conducted in 6 languages – West Armenian, East
Armenian, English, Russian, French and Spanish. There is an intention
to conduct the classes in Turkish and in other languages as well.

According to the chairman of the university, the framework of study
of Armenian history and culture will be expanded too, by involving
different periods. Y. Zoryan noted that the teachers of the university
pass special trainings; they must master languages fluently, as well
as must have well-developed communications kills.

Diplomas are given to the students of the university. The goal of
the Armenian Virtual University is to help students to gain basic
knowledge on Armenian culture, history and Armenian language through
on-line education.