Author: Torgomian Varazdat

WE MUST CONTINUE WHAT DINK STARTED: DIALOGUE WITH TURKEY, SAYS BISHOP

Tert.am
13:28 ~U 15.02.10

Hrant Dink, former chief editor of the Armenian-Turkish weekly Agos,
initiated a dialogue between Armenia and Turkey, and "we must continue
that way," said, in an interview with Turkish paper Sabah in Istanbul,
the Primate of the Diocese of Gougark of the Holy Armenian Apostolic
Church, Bishop Sebuh Chouldjian, one of three candidates for the post
of co-patriarch at the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.

"As you know, members of clergy are not involved in political matters,
but as it can be seen, it is politicians who are interested in us.

Almost a century later [after the Armenian Genocide], Armenians and
Turks are making an attempt to sit at the negotiation table for
reconciliation. Diplomatic relations will decrease the tension,"
said Bishop Sebuh, upon the journalist’s request to comment on recent
developments in Armenian-Turkish normalization.

"First of all, a favorable atmosphere must be established for
representatives from both sides so that they can get to know each
other up close. Unlike state officials, people can solve even the most
difficult questions more easily. The clergy can also contribute. The
Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople can become a spiritual and
cultural bridge among Yerevan, Ankara and the [Armenian] Diaspora,"
said the bishop.

He also mentioned that, first of all, Armenian and Turkish
intellectuals, scientists and cultural workers must be able to meet
each other.

"Today we must secure not a clash between civilizations, but a
reconciliation and bringing together of the values of Islam and
Christianity," said Bishop Sebuh Chouldjian.

BAKU WOULD LIKE MADRID PRINCIPLES TO BE ADOPTED

Tert.am
16:56 ~U 15.02.10

Azerbaijan would like to see a renewed version of the Madrid Principles
be adopted, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov said at
a press conference today, reports Trend News.

He also said that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process
was moving forward, adding that it was uncertain what would happen
should the settlement process come to a stop.

"If the process does not move forward, then it begs the question:
what will happen next? The other participants in the talks must also
ask themselves the same question," said Mammadyarov.

Yerevan Report, Armenia
Feb 11 2010

Yerevan City Hall to Begin Greening Project

Feb 11th, 2010 |

YEREVAN (Novosti-Armenia), February 11’Yerevan City Hall will begin
planting of greenery and shrubs in the Armenian capital thanks in part
to the nature preservation fees that Yerevan factories polluting the
air are required to pay.

The head of Yerevan City Hall’s nature protection department, Avet
Martirosyan told Tert.am that `city greening’ projects have been
designed for the Shengavit and Erebuni administrative districts,
including constructing the irrigation system, planting trees, and
restoring lawns.

The project also includes the creation of green spaces in Shengavit
and Erebuni in 2011.

By creating more outdoor green spaces, `It will make it possible to
ease the negative effects on the environment [caused by polluting
factories],’ Martirosyan said.

Among those factories that are considered pollutants in Yerevan are
Nairit Factory, Yerevan JEK, Maqur Erkat (Pure Iron), Gajegorts, Gaj
and Armenia Molybdenum Protection.

Translated from Russian by Yerevan Report
evan-greening-project/

REPEATED VIOLATIONS OF CEASEFIRE EVIDENCE OF AZERBAIJAN’S HOSTILE ATTITUDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.02.2010 15:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Serious progress in Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict
is not to be expected in immediate future, according to Kiro Manoyan,
director of ARF Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office.

"Baku’s persisting with current position on Karabakh can lead to
either of two scenarios: Azerbaijan’s gaining its end in a peaceful
settlement or unleashing a war," he stated at a news conference in
Yerevan on Friday.

As Mr. Manoyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, Armenia is not the
only country Baku’s militaristic statements are addressed to. Baku
aims to warn Ankara about the possibility of renewed hostilities on
the line of contact with NKR armed forces in case of Turkey’s opening
the border with Armenia. "Repeated violations of the ceasefire are
the evidence of Azerbaijan’s hostile attitude," he said. "Azerbaijan
behaves like a pouty child, flaunting a dangerous weapon."

In conclusion, Mr. Manoyan urged vigilance, avoiding, though, excessive
panic Azeri statements may cause.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out in
1988 as result of the ethnic cleansing the latter launched in the
final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from
1991 to 1994. Since the ceasefire in 1994, sealed by Armenia, NKR and
Azerbaijan, most of Nagorno Karabakh and several regions of Azerbaijan
around it (the security zone) remain under the control of NKR defense
army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the
OSCE Minsk Group up till now.

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

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:

THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF NAGORNO KARABAKH IN ANTELIAS

On Wednesday 10 February 2010, H.E. Kevorki Bedrossian arrived in Lebanon to
meet with the representatives of Armenian Political Parties, Social and
Cultural Associations, as well as the community. The Minister was hosted by
His Holiness Aram I in Antelias.

The visit began with official discussions between Catholicos Aram I, the
Ambassador of Armenia to Lebanon H.E. Ashod Kocharian, and the Foreign
Minister of Nagorno Karabagh.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission 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.

WHOEVER AND HOWEVER PRESENTS…

ArmInfo
2010-02-11 12:52:00

ArmInfo. The National TV and Radio Commission of Armenia will
timely respond to the citizens’ statements, Chairman of the Armenian
parliamentary Commission on Science, Education, Culture, Youth and
Sport Artak Davtyan said when commenting on the standards being
developed by the National TV and Radio Commission.

"The Commission will timely respond to the all the requests of citizens
and give explanations on the questions related to the broadcast of TV
and radio programmes. Everyone may freely express his opinion about
the state of the domestic air", A. Davtyan said. The MP also touched
on the limitation of broadcast of erotic scenes at night.

"Materials were broadcasted by Euronews over the last several
days about the necessity to limit viewing of TV programmes for the
children. This topic was also touched on by many well-known experts.

So, whoever claims of the necessity of "correct" erotic for aesthetic
education of children, I am inclined to believe in the experts I have
mentioned", A. Davtyan said.

SECRET WITNESS ON DINK’S CASE — ARMENIAN

news.am
Feb 10 2010
Armenia

Another oddity occurred in the court trial on murder of Agos daily
chief editor and renowned Armenian publicist Hrant Dink.

The regular hearing started February 8 was adjourned. Secret witness
was not brought for the hearing. According to the judge, policeman
forgot to invite the secret witness into the courtroom.

According to Aksam daily, policemen forgot about both a witness and an
interpreter. Hearings were already adjourned for such neglects several
times, however no one admits the fault. Istanbul police claimed they
received no instruction to invite the witness in.

Attendance of secret witness will definitely register significant
breakthrough in the case, as he testified that was at crime scene
and saw the murderer and his accomplice, plus other details. It has
become known that the witness was Armenian.

Chairman of 14th Istanbul court on grave crimes Erkan Canak informed
that they forgot to find interpreter as witness does not speak Turkish
well, adding that both the witness and interpreter will undoubtedly
attend the next hearing.

TURKISH GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WENT FLOP, SAYS BAYKAL

Aysor
Feb 10 2010
Armenia

April 24 is coming soon with Turkey to be suppressed again and again.

This means that government’s policy, ‘Zero Problems Plan’, went flop.

Nothing gained, while much was lost. Friendly relations with Azerbaijan
were lost. Announcing "Zero Problems Plan" the government didn’t
solve problems in relations with Armenia, but gained problems with
Azerbaijan," said leader of the oppositional Republican People’s
Party of Turkey, Deniz Baykal, APA agency reports.

"Armenia – is our neighbor. Turkey was one of the first countries
who had recognized Armenian Republic," he said adding that the
Armenia-Turkey border was closed after those heavy losses that
Azerbaijan suffered in the war when the NKR Armed Forces had defeated
Azerbaijani soldiers.

"The government again says of ‘zero problems’ with neighbors. But if
we have got a solution to the conflict then it means that the problem
was either challenged by us or that we swallowed a problem which had
been created by other side."

NUMBER OF CRIMES COMMITTED BY FOREIGNERS INCREASED IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.02.2010 18:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The number of crimes committed by foreigners has
increased in Armenia, according to RA Police chief.

"The crimes are mostly committed by Romanian and Iranian citizens,"
Major General Alik Sargsyan told reporters on Wednesday.

"There was an attempt to smuggle 4 kg of opium and 6 kg 700 grams
of heroin in Armenia recently," he said. "I met with the Iranian
Ambassador to Armenia last week and do not rule out a meeting with
Iranian counterpart to discuss the issue."

TURKISH FM COMMENTS ON ARMENIAN LEADER’S MESSAGE

news.am
Feb 9 2010
Armenia

Following the Turkey-Serbia-Bosnia meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu answered journalists’ questions concerning RA
President Serzh Sargsyan’s latest message to his Turkish counterpart
Abdullah Gul.

Haberturk quotes the Turkish FM as saying: "It is a custom to send
messages like that while flying over other states. The leaders of
all states do so. Mr. Sargsyan expressed his positive attitude,"
Davutoglu said.

On February 9, the Armenian President addressed an open message
to his Turkish counterpart. He pointed out that the Armenia-Turkey
reconciliation is the focus of international attention. "This is a
really historic moment. And not only we, but also the while world
are aware of it. The political powers present in the region have made
invaluable contribution to the improvement of bilateral relations. I am
sure that we would be difficult for us to move forward without their
mediation. On the other hand, I think that however much the friendly
states are interested in the positive results, they cannot do what
our two nations can," the Armenian leader stated in his message.