Author: Torgomian Varazdat

Village Voice

Date/Time:Fri., October 9, 8:00pm

Mavrothi Kontanis & the Maeandros Ensemble
BY RICHARD GEHR

The youngish Greek-American oud player Mavrothi Kontanis and his
terrific quintet (featuring Greek clarinet star Lefteris Bournias)
breath new life into the Smyrneika cabaret sound and bluesier rebetika
standards of pre-war Greece. Emotional yet virtuosic, Kontanis and
company unwind their sensuous dance tunes and nostalgic laments with
vigor and deliberation, reimagining a world in which Greek, Turkish,
and Armenian styles blended together.

DIASPORA MEDIA REPS – PRESIDENT SARGSYAN’S TRIP TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE
Natasha Harutyunyan

20 09/09/30 | 16:33

Several representatives of the Armenian press in the diaspora spoke at
a press conference held earlier today focusing on recent developments
in Armenian-Turkish relations and the upcoming tour of various diaspora
communities by RoA President Sargsyan.

Manvel Adamian, editor of the London-based monthly "Nor Seroundi Tzayn"
(Voice of the New Generation) remarked that the recently scheduled tour
of the diaspora by RoA President Serzh Sargsyan was late in coming;
an opinion expressed by the others as well.

"In the space of seven days, President Sargsyan must visit 5-6
continents where, it would appear, he will touch on recent Armenian
foreign policy moves during dinner receptions at cocktail hours. Does
he actually believe that the diaspora will be satisfied with such
cursory talk? This question concerns all Armenians and isn’t only an
issue to be decided by the authorities in Armenia. Thus, the diaspora
cannot be neglected. In fact, the diaspora must play a major role
here. We demand that Turkey, our centuries-old enemy, recognize the
1915 Genocide. The visit of President Sargsyan will not satisfy us,
especially since any discussion will take place over the clatter
of dinner plates. This is no way to negotiate with the diaspora,"
stated Mr. Adamian.

Krikor Khotanian, political editor of the weekly "Masis" which serves
the Armenian community in southern California, stated that heated
discussions are taking place in the region via the local mass media
regarding the protocols and that Armenians are participating live,
over the airwaves.

"There is uproar over these protocols as evidenced by the mass
demonstration that took place in Los Angeles this past Sunday. It
was probably the biggest democratic outpouring of Armenians that
the diaspora has ever witnessed. The visit by Mr. Sargsyan is late
in coming and the way the meetings have been arranged, at dinner
receptions, is not satisfactory either. All of us have concerns
regarding the Genocide issue and what will happen to the preservation
of Armenian national identity as a result," noted Mr. Khotanian.

Aharon Shkhrtoumian, chief editor of the "Ararat" daily in Beirut
pointed out that the primary reason that the protocols are being
widely rejected in the diaspora is psychological; that there is a
psychological problem existing that the diaspora has yet to overcome.

"I also believe that the Armenian government and President Sargsyan
are being pressured when it comes to Armenian-Turkish relations. It
is not only the West that is exerting the pressure but Russia as
well. I can comprehend the position President Sargsyan finds himself
in today; he wants to find a way out of the dilemma. While critical
of the protocols, I also am in favor of assisting the president so
that he doesn’t have to face the West and Russia by himself," stated
Mr. Shkhrtoumian.

Also attending the press conference was Diego Karamanoukian, director
of the "Araks" radio station in Uruguay. He said that the station has
been operating for the past two years and that its weekend broadcasts
include Armenian music and news from Armenia.

ARMENIA HAILS NEW PACE SEC GEN.

News.am
21:04 / 09/29/2009

Head of the Armenian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE) David Harutiunyan welcomed the election of
the Norwegian ex-premier Thorbjørn Jagland as PACE Secretary General.

Talking to NEWS.am, David Harutiunian stated that the new Secretary
General can enhance the organization’s reputation due to his wide
experience in his country, where he held numerous posts.

"Norway has very good ties with the European Union. On the other
hand, that is a small country, and Thorbjørn Jagland is well aware
of the specific features of small countries’ policies. Besides, his
country borders on Russia, which allows him to be well informed of
the peculiarities of our common region, Harutiunian said.

He pointed out that the newly elected PACE Secretary General will
visit the region, including Armenia, next year at the latest.

NALBANDYAN MEETS WITH ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN U.S.

Aysor.am
September 30

Armenian FM’s visit to NY was full of events and meetings with Armenian
organizations in U.S.

Thus, Archbishop Hazhak Parsamyan of the Right Bank Diocese of Armenian
Church in U.S. hosted a reception in Mr. Nalbandyan’s honor. During
the reception Mr. Nalbandyan has presented main items of Armenian
foreign policy and its ways of realization, detailing the settlement
of Armenian-Turkish relations and issue of Karabakh and has answered
Diaspora representatives’ questions.

At the meeting with President of the Armenian General Benevolent
Union Perch Sedrakian the Foreign Minister has discussed items of
Organization’s work in Armenia and Diaspora as well as programs of
humanitarian matters and of national identity conservation. The sides
shared views on Armenian-Turkish ties.

Mr. Edward Nalbandyan also has met with Border of Armenian Congress
in U.S. and discussed with them items of Armenian-U.S. ties, process
of negotiation with Turkey and last processes in settlement of
Karabakh item.

Foreign Minister also met with leader of the Kilikian Eparchy of
Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Oshakan Choloyan.

JOINT ARF AND HERITAGE

os15317.html
14:23:14 – 28/09/2009

All those who see the dangers of the Armenian and Turkish protocols,
are against singing them, and want to prevent it have the problem to
unite their efforts during the forthcoming two weeks of discussion. The
head of the Heritage faction Stepan Safaryan expressed this opinion
on September 28.

In this connection, he informed that on the upcoming days, we will
witness ARF-Heritage joint actions and events which, according to
Stepan Safaryan, will enable them to be more effective in preventing
the singing of the protocols than in case of separate actions. Stepan
Safaryan notes it would be good if the Armenian National Congress
joins them.

As to what the Heritage will do if the protocols are signed, so the
Heritage like the ARF says that it did not discuss their actions
because the party is engaged in preventing the signature.

CLINTON MEETS WITH NALBANDIAN, CALLS HIS EFFORTS ‘DILIGENT, EFFECTIVE’

/28/clinton-meets-with-nalbandian-calls-his-effort s-diligent-effective/
September 28, 2009

NEW YORK (A.W.)-On Sept. 28, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met
with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian at the Waldorf-Astoria
Hotel in New York. After the meeting, Clinton said, "I am very pleased
to have this opportunity to meet with the foreign minister. He and
I have talked on the phone. I have watched his very diligent and
effective efforts over the last months that I’ve had the privilege
of being the Secretary of State. And I want to reiterate our very
strong support for the normalization process that is going on between
Armenia and Turkey, which we have long said should take place without
preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe."

She added, "We will continue to work closely with the foreign minister
and, of course, with his president and the Government of Armenia. And
we also are very committed to the democratic development of Armenia. We
want to be a partner and a friend in increasing prosperity and economic
development as well. So this is a comprehensive relationship. We
are very focused on this challenge of normalization which Armenia
has demonstrated great commitment to, yet our relationship is much
broader and much deeper in addition to that."

POLL: 52,4% OF YEREVAN RESPONDENTS AGAINST SIGNING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS

ArmInfo
2009-09-28 13:41:00

ArmInfo. The Armenian Sociological Association has conducted a poll
on a topic of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations. The
poll was held on September 21-25 with participation of 1000 Yerevan
residents.

According to the poll results, 52,4% are against and 39,2%
– for signing of the Armenian- Turkish protocols. Moreover,
47,9% of respondents stand for and 40,9% oppose to opening of the
Armenian-Turkish border. According to the Association, the poll was
conducted in Yerevan only, and its results in the republic may differ.

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

PRESS RELEASE

September 28, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR DODGES CONGRESSIONAL CALL ON PRESIDENT TO
HONOR PLEDGE TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

— James Jones Cites Protocols, Ignores President’s Promise

WASHINGTON, DC – President Barack Obama’s National Security Advisor
James L. Jones, in a letter sent recently to a bipartisan group of
82 U.S. Representatives, failed to meaningfully respond to the
specific concerns raised by these legislators with the President
regarding Turkey’s ongoing efforts to block U.S. recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA).

The letter from Jones, dated September 17, 2009, sidestepped
concerns regarding Turkey’s backtracking from the commitments it
has made as part of its discussions with Armenia, and, most
notably, Ankara’s use of this dialogue to serve its longstanding
interest in preventing Presidential commemoration and condemnation
of the Armenian Genocide. In his letter, Jones used the very
evasive and euphemistic terminology, in the place of an honest and
straightforward recognition of this genocidal crime, that President
Obama powerfully condemned as "inexcusable" while a U.S. Senator
and Presidential candidate.

On July 30th of this year, 82 members of the U.S. House shared
their concerns with President Obama about Turkey’s efforts to
manipulate the public perception of its dialogue with Armenia to
block U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The legislators
stressed in their letter, that, in light of Turkey backtracking
from its commitments, it was especially important for the President
to honor his campaign pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

"It would appear that Turkey, in an effort to block U.S.
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, agreed to a roadmap it did
not intend to uphold," explained the legislators in their July 2009
letter. "Therefore, we urge your Administration to separate the
issues of normalization and genocide recognition. We hope that
renewed efforts and focused resources from the Administration can
be utilized to nurture the Armenia-Turkey normalization process
without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe, and
continue to remain strongly supportive of your stated campaign
policy to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide."

The Congressional letter was initiated by Representatives Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), who co-chair the Armenian
Caucus, and Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George Radanovich (D-CA), the
lead authors of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.252.
Joining them as co-signers were Representatives: Gary Ackerman (D-
NY), Joe Baca (D-CA), Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Shelley Berkley (D-
NV), Howard Berman (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Bruce Braley, (D-
IA), John Campbell, (R-CA), Lois Capps (D-CA), Michael Capuano (D-
MA), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Jerry Costello (D-
IL), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Peter DeFazio (D-
OR), Steve Driehaus (D-OH), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA),
Bob Filner (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Elton Gallegly (R-CA),
Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY),
Rush Holt (D-NJ), Michael Honda (D-CA), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL),
Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Dale Kildee (D-MI), Leonard Lance (R-NJ),
James Langevin (D-RI) Barbara Lee (D-CA), Sander Levin (D-MI),
Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) Daniel Lungren (R-
CA). Stephen Lynch (D-CA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Edward Markey
(D-MA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), James
McGovern (D-MA) Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Candice Miller (R-MI), Walt
Minnick (D-ID), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Richard Neal (D-CA), Devin
Nunes (R-CA), John Olver (D-MA) Payne, Donald (D-NJ), Gary Peters
(D-MI), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Peter Roskam
(R-IL), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Edward Royce (R-CA), Bobby Rush (D-
IL) Paul Ryan (R-WI), Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), John Sarbanes (D-MD)
James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Chris Smith (R-
NJ), Mark Souder (R-IN), Zack Space (D-OH), Jackie Speier (D-CA),
John Tierney (D-MA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Niki
Tsongas (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Walz (D-MN), Henry
Waxman (D-CA), Anthony Weiner (D-NY), Frank Wolf (R-VA), and Lynn
Woolsey (D-CA).

The full text of the letter from James Jones to President Obama
follows.

#####

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

September 17, 2009

Dear Representative________:

Thank you for your July 30 letter to the President regarding the
normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey following
their April 22nd announcement of an agreed framework and roadmap.
We agree that the Armenia-Turkey normalization process, which has
important benefits for both sides, should move forward without
preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe. Toward this end,
we are actively engaged at the highest levels to support full
restoration of relations between Turkey and Armenia. On August 31,
the U.S. warmly welcomed the joint statement made by Turkey and
Armenia, with Swiss participation, outlining further steps in the
normalization of their bilateral relations.

Thank you also for your restatement of your position on the
massacres of 1915, which the President has described as one of the
great atrocities of the 20th century. As he said in his
Remembrance Day message, his view of that history has not changed.
Our interest remains the achievement of a full, frank and just
acknowledgment of the facts. We continue to believe the best way
to advance that goal is for the Armenian and Turkish people to
address the facts of the past as part of their efforts to move
forward. We will continue to pursue these efforts vigorously in
the months ahead.

Sincerely,

[signed]

General James L. Jones, USMC, Ret.
National Security Advisor

Turkey, Armenia to restore ties

Story from BBC NEWS:
europe/8277835.stm

Published: 2009/09/27 20:57:49 GMT

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said his country will
sign a deal to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia on 10
October.

Mr Erdogan said the deal would still need parliamentary approval in
Turkey and Armenia after being signed by their foreign ministers.

The two countries remain deeply divided over the fate Armenians
suffered under Turkish Ottoman rule.

A roadmap for normalising relations between them was agreed in April.

Anticipation of a diplomatic breakthrough had been growing ahead of a
planned visit by Armenian President Serge Sarkisian to Turkey on 14
October.

He is due to attend the return leg of a World Cup qualifying football
match between the two countries.

Turkey has resisted widespread calls for it to recognise the mass
killing of Armenians during World War I as an act of genocide.

Armenia says 1.5 million people died. Turkey insists it was not
genocide and that that figure is inflated.

Died on the road

ent
01:46 pm | September 24, 2009 | society

A car accident took place on the 62nd kilometer section of the
Yerevan-Ijevan highway at 8:27 p.m. yesterday.

In circumstances that are still unclear, the "BMW" car with the state
license 11 US 789 curved off the road.

Before firefighting rescuers made it to the scene, the locals brought
out resident of the Kotayk village of the Kotayk Marz Vartan
Harutyunyan (born in 1969) out of the car. He died on the road to the
hospital.
Firefighting rescuers extinguished the engine and washed the asphalt.