Author: Torosian Aram

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
Dec 20 2008

Araz Alizade: "Turkey will agree to ignore Azerbaijan’s interests if
Armenians renounce demands for contributions for events in the Osman
empire in 1915"

20 December 2008 [12:22] – Today.Az

Turkey will agree to ignore Azerbaijan’s interests if Armenians
renounce demands for contributions for events in the Osman empire in
1915, said chairman of the Social-Democratic Party of Azerbaijan Araz
Alizade.

"The mentality of Turkish and Azerbaijani peoples is similar. Once
Azerbaijan had a mistaken opinion that after it becomes independent
and gets a right to control its oil revenues as it wishes, the
population of the country will have excellent living conditions.
Present day Turkey also has the mistaken opinion that as soon as this
county joins the European Union, ordinary Turks will sink in
wealth. But as is known in order to become the EU member, Turkey must
recognize "the Armenian genocide" in the Osman empire. It is also
known that in a strife for EU membership President of Turkey Abdullah
Gul attended the football match Armenia-Turkey in Yerevan. During this
match, he got the promise that Armenians will not demand compensations
for 1915 events in Turkey. That is why the Turkish leadership decided
to ignore its people and now it hopes for the EU membership, expecting
the so-called money rainfall, which the accession to this organization
would lead to.

But Armenians will definitely attain from Turkey not only the
recognition of the "Armenian genocide" but also the repayment of a
great compensation", said he.

According to him, in this case despite the numerous statements of the
Turkish leadership that this country does not wish the opening of
borders with Armenia as the latter occupied 20% of Azerbaijani lands,
money is more important.

"If Turkey, which has an external debt of more than $160 bln, will
also be bound to pay contributions to Armenians for 1915 events in
Osman empire, the future of Turkey as a state will be difficult to
imagine".

He said, therefore, it will agree to ignore Azerbaijan’s interests if
Armenians renounce demands for contributions for events in the Osman
empire in 1915.

"I know from my life experience that for the population of Turkey, a
person with the passport of the Turkish citizen in his pocket,
regardless of his nationality, is above all citizens of the world. If
someone in Azerbaijan hopes that Turkey will strive for returning
Karabakh to Azerbaijan, he is deeply mistaken. Karabakh is our land
and we ourselves should do everything possible for its return",
concluded Alizade.

/Day.Az/

URL:

PACE COMMITTEE DEMANDS SUSPENSION OF ARMENIA’S DELEGATION VOTING RIGHTS

Trend
Dec 18 2008
Azerbaijan

Declaring it "unacceptable" that persons could be charged and deprived
of their liberty for political motivation in Armenia in relation to
the events of 1 and 2 March 2008, the Monitoring Committee of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recommended
suspending the voting rights of Armenia’s eight-member delegation to
the Assembly until the authorities "have clearly demonstrated their
political will to resolve this issue." The co-rapporteurs would visit
the country in January 2009, with a view to reporting back to the
Committee on the first day of the January 2009 part-session on any
progress with respect to the release of these persons, reported A1+.

In two earlier resolutions, the Assembly had made several demands
following the post-electoral violence of March 2008, including the
holding of an independent, transparent and credible inquiry into what
happened, and the release of persons detained on "seemingly artificial
and politically motivated charges" in connection with those events.

In its draft resolution, adopted in Paris, the Monitoring Committee
welcomed the Armenian President’s creation of a fact-finding group of
experts to look into the March events as an important step towards
meeting the Assembly’s demands, but cautioned that its credibility
would depend on how it conducts its work. They also expressed
satisfaction at efforts to initiate reforms in the media, electoral
legislation and the judiciary.

However, the parliamentarians said that "notwithstanding positive
developments in some areas" the limited progress with regard to the
release of the above mentioned persons meant the Armenian delegation
should be deprived of its vote, if no further progress is reached in
this request before the January 2009 PACE plenary session.

The Assembly is due to decide on the matter on Thursday 29 January
during its forthcoming Winter plenary Session (26 – 30 January 2009).

ARMENIAN DEPUTY: "MOSCOW, WHICH HAD BECOME "THE GODFATHER" OF THE MOSCOW DECLARATION, WILL BE RESENTED OVER THE RECOGNITION OF KARABAKH"

Today.Az
politics/49688.html
Dec 19 2008
Azerbaijan

"By signing the Moscow declaration on Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia has
lost the opportunity to recognize independence of Nagorno Karabakh",
said deputy of Armenian parliament from the Heritage opposition party
Stepan Safaryan.

"The Moscow declaration states clearly that Armenia and Azerbaijan
will hold bilateral direct talks for the peaceful resolution of the
Karabakh conflict, in the framework of the Minsk Group proposals. The
unilateral recognition of independence of Karabakh will be a risky
step, which would mean, first, that Armenia does not respect the
documents, it undersigned, second that we renounce the previously
welcomed peaceful process", explained Safaryan.

The deputy noted that Moscow, which is a "godfather" of the
declaration, will be resented.

"Russia was not interested in the deterioration of another conflict,
especially after the August war, which could have created additional
problems for it, especially because its interference in the context
of the Karabakh conflict was not substantiated in any document",
noted he and stressed that Russia can view any violation of the Moscow
declaration as actions against its interests.

TURKEY HOPES OBAMA WILL BE ADVISED NOT TO CALL THE EVENTS OF 1915 GENOCIDE

armradio.am
18.12.2008 16:40

Turkey believes aides of U.S.-president elect Barack Obama would
advise him to refrain from using the word genocide in defining the
1915 incidents.

A delegation from the Turkish Foreign Ministry had paid a recent
visit to Washington to hold a series of talks with the teams of
U.S. president-elect Barack Obama and his Foreign Minister Hilary
Clinton, Hurriyet daily reported.

The Turkish delegation got the impression that his team would advise
Obama to refrain from using the term genocide to describe the 1915
incidents in the U.S: President’s commemoration message to be issued
on April 24.

The Turkish side delivered a message to the new administration.

"Bringing the Armenian claims (regarding the 1915 incidents) to
Congress would not only hurt seriously Turkish-American relations
but also the new period of dialogue started between Yerevan and
Ankara. Such a situation would have a negative reflection on the
cooperation of the two countries on resolving regional issues,
including Iraq," Hurriyet quoted the Turkish delegation as informing
the officials from the new administration.

The Turkish delegation consisted of Foreign Ministry Undersecretary
Ertugrul Apakan and Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Feridun
Sinirlioglu. he Turkish officials held talks with the aides of Obama,
as well as Clin ton.

ACCORDING TO RA FOREIGN MINISTER’S EVALUATION, EUROPE NEEDS NEW SECURITY ARCHITECTURE

Noyan Tapan

Dec 16, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian during the meeting with OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin
de Brichambaut held in Yerevan stated that Europe needs new security
architecture, which should take into account all current concerns.

According to the information received from the RA Foreign Ministry,
Minister Nalbandian said that Armenia as an OSCE member-state is
interested in continuing cooperation in all three spheres of OSCE
activity and in that respect attaches importance to organization’s
reformation to make it more efficient.

Speaking about the possibilities of Nagorno Karabakh settlement, Edward
Nalbandian emphasized OSCE’s role in the process of problem settlement
and attached importance to OSCE Foreign Ministers’ statement adopted
in Helsinki and OSCE MG co-chairing countries’ Foreign Ministers’
statement on Nagorno Karabakh settlement.

December 13, 2008

Armenian Rights Council of America, Western Region
1901 N. Allen Ave.
Altadena, CA 91001
Contact: Mr. Ara Aharonian
Tel: 626-296-2921
Fax: 626-296-2922
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

Argentine-Armenian Legislator Sergio Nahabetian Pays Homage at the
Armenian Martyrs Memorial Monument in Montebello, California

ALTADENA, CA ` On Saturday afternoon November 22, 2008, the Armenian
Rights Council of America (ARCA), Western Region organized a solemn
ceremony at the Armenian Martyrs Memorial Monument at Bicknell Park in
Montebello, on the occasion of Argentine-Armenian legislator Sergio
Nahabetian’s official visit to California.

Accompanied by his gracious wife Susanna, the lone member Argentina’s
Chamber of Deputies (or Camara) of Armenian descent and representative
of the Province of Buenos Aires, the Honorable Sergio Nahabetian,
visited the Golden State in late November upon the official invitation
of outgoing State Senator Jack Scott, who represents the 21st Senate
District of California. During their week-long sojourn, the
Nahabetians held meetings with state and local public officials, and
visited a number of Armenian day schools throughout Southern California.
In addition, they were kindly hosted by various California-based
Armenian institutions, ranging from the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church of North America to the Armenia Fund U.S. Western
Region. During this year’s annual Thanksgiving Day Armenia Fund
international telethon, Mr. Nahabetian was afforded the privilege of
appearing live on television to appeal to viewers to donate generously
to the Armenia Fund, which incidentally raised a record-breaking $35
million for humanitarian and infrastructure development initiatives in
the Republic of Armenia (RA) and in Artsakh.

The solemn vigil at the Armenian Martyrs Memorial Monument in
Montebello, California commenced with a wreath-laying ceremony
involving the Honorable Sergio Nahabetian, newly-appointed RA Minister
for Diaspora Affairs, the Honorable Hranush Hakobyan, and the State
Assembly member representing the 44th Assembly District of California,
the Honorable Anthony Portantino. After the American, Argentinian and
Armenian national anthems were presented, Mistress of Ceremonies Rita
Aharonian and Master of Ceremonies Carl Bardakian welcomed all in
attendance, in Armenian and in English respectively. During her
remarks, Mistress of Ceremonies Rita Aharonian acknowledged the
presence of the following elected officials and dignitaries in
attendance: Representing the Primate of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, was the Vicar
General of the Western Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian; Pastor
of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church of Pasadena,
Very Rev. Fr. Baret Yeretzian; Pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Catholic
Church of Glendale, Rev. Fr. Antoine Saroyan; Pastor of St. Nareg
Armenian Congregational Church of Whittier, Rev. Sarkis Karaminassian;
Member of Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies, the Honorable and
Mrs. Sergio and Susanna Nahabetian; RA Minister for Diaspora Affairs,
the Honorable Hranush Hakobyan; RA Consul General in Los Angeles, the
Honorable Armen Liloyan; representing the 21st Senate District of the
State of California, the Honorable Jack Scott; representing the 44th
Assembly District of the State of California, the Honorable Anthony
Portantino; the Mayor of Montebello, the Honorable William
M. Molinari; the City Clerk of Glendale, the Honorable Ardashes
Kassakhian; RA Consul in Los Angeles, Mr. Mesrob Shaloyan; RA Ministry
for Diaspora Affairs Press Secretary, Mr. Tigran Harutiunyan; ADL
Central Committee Assistant Secretary Ara Aharonian; ADL Western
Region Chairman Hagop Nazerian; AGBU Southern California District
Committee Chairman Vahe Imasdounian, as well as lay leaders
representing Armenian political, benevolent, cultural and educational
institutions throughout Southern California.

During his opening remarks, Master of Ceremonies Carl Bardakian
provided an appropriate and important correlation between Saturday’s
solemn ceremony and a similar vigil which occurred 40 years ago when
His Holiness Vasken I of Blessed Memory, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, based in Holy Etchmiadzin, visited the
Armenian Martyrs Memorial Monument in Montebello on May 18, 1968 and
delivered the following remarkable statement:

`My dear people, we consider it to be our sacred duty to express our
gratitude in your name and in the name of the entire Armenian
community of America and the Armenian Church to the Honorable Mayor of
Montebello and to the representatives of the American government who
cooperated with you and supported you in your noble project, making
the erection of this monument possible on the hospitable soil of
America. We will gladly carry with us to Holy Etchmiadzin the key of
the city of Montebello which the Honorable Mayor gave us as a gift,
and place it among the treasures of our Cathedral, so that it will
enjoy the blessings of Holy Etchmiadzin. And we shall always be
praying for peace in this great America as well as for the peace,
prosperity and happiness of the city of Montebello.’

Mr. Bardakian then invited one of the founding members and President
of the Armenian Martyrs Memorial Monument Council, Mr. Michael
Minasian, who welcomed the honorary guests to the Armenian Martyrs
Memorial in Montebello and provided a brief history of the
conceptualization, construction and present-day status of the only
monument dedicated to the Armenian Genocide yet built on public land
in the United States.

Mr. Bardakian then invited RA Minister for Diaspora Affairs, the
Honorable Hranush Hakobyan, to the podium. Fresh from a visit to
Armenian communities throughout South America, including Argentina,
Minister Hakobyan first thanked the ARCA Western Region board for
inviting her to attend the solemn ceremony. Further, she emphasized
the necessity of continuing efforts throughout the Armenian Diaspora
to educate public officials and the mainstream media about the history
and veracity of the Armenian Genocide. Moreover, Minister Hakobyan
acknowledged the successful work of elected officials in attendance,
including Argentine legislator Sergio Nahabetian, California State
Senator Jack Scott and California State Assemblyman Anthony
Portantino, among others, in their distinct yet like-minded quests to
introduce, advocate and ratify legislation reaffirming the Armenian
Genocide.

Next to speak were California State Senator Jack Scott and California
State Assembly Member Anthony Portantino. Both expressed their
gratitude to the ARCA Western Region board for the invitation to
attend and address the audience at the solemn ceremony in Bicknell
Park. Both officials affirmed their long-time friendship with the
Armenian community, reminded the audience about their unforgettable
visits to Armenia, and pledged to continue to raise awareness of the
Armenian Genocide both in Sacramento and in their respective
districts. Finally, Senator Scott and Assemblyman Portantino paid
tribute to the significant work of Argentine legislator Sergio
Nahabetian by presenting him with a joint California State Senate and
State Assembly Resolution on the occasion of Mr. Nahabetian’s historic
visit to California.

Ms. Aharonian followed by providing a brief biography of the honored
guest and keynote speaker, Mr. Sergio Nahabetian, and invited the
latter to the podium. On behalf of the Camara of the Province of
Buenos Aires, Mr. Nahabetian expressed his appreciation to California
State Senator Jack Scott for spearheading the effort, on behalf of the
California State Legislature, to officially invite him and
Mrs. Nahabetian to visit the Golden State. As the current Chairman of
the National Assembly of Argentina’s opposition RECREAR (or Rebirth)
Party, and as Chairman of the Provincial Executive Board of the
RECREAR party, Mr. Nahabetian provided an overview of the political
and economic situation in Argentina, in general, and in the province
and city of Buenos Aires, in particular. Further, he presented a
summary about the Armenian community in Argentina, which is highly
respected and much loved by the majority of fellow Argentinians. With
80% of the Armenian population living in the city of Buenos Aires, the
community gains spiritual sustenance via three religious
denominations, namely the Armenian Apostolic Church (subordinate to
Etchmiadzin), the Armenian Catholic Church, and the Armenian
Protestant Church. Moreover, the Armenian community is fortunate of
having seven day schools, several Armenian-language weekly newspapers,
and a number of cultural, theatrical and artistic
institutions. Mr. Nahabetian praised the Argentine-Armenian
community’s united effort in pursuit of Argentina’s official
recognition of the Armenian Genocide on the federal (on January 15,
2007 it became the law in Argentina), provincial (on June 15, 2006 in
the Province of Buenos Aires Legislature, and on September 6, 2006 in
the Province of Cordoba Legislature), and municipal (City of Buenos
Aires) levels. Striving for the noble goal of achieving justice,
Mr. Nahabetian pledged to continue efforts to educate the masses and
fellow legislators in Latin America, via new publications and the
media, about the Armenian Genocide. Mr. Nahabetian also appealed to
the audience to focus on the economic development and national
security of the Republic of Armenia by working closely with the newly
established Ministry for Diaspora Affairs. Finally, on behalf of the
Camara of the Province of Buenos Aires, Mr. Nahabetian presented gifts
to California State Senator Jack Scott, California State Assemblyman
Anthony Portantino, and to the Mayor of Montebello, William Molinari,
for their service and dedication in strengthening Argentine-American
relations.

Mr. Bardakian thanked Mr. Nahabetian for his inspiring call to action,
and stressed how blessed Armenians ought to be for having such an
exemplary yet modest steward of the Armenian nation as Mr. Sergio
Nahabetian. Mr. Bardakian next invited Ms. Tamar Poladian, Esq. to
address the audience on behalf of the Armenian Rights Council of
America, Western Region. By way of background, Ms. Poladian provided
an outline of local, state-wide and national initiatives for the
Armenian Cause pursued by the ARCA Western Region over the past five
years, and pledged to continue to work robustly for the reaffirmation
of the Armenian Genocide by the Obama Administration and the 111th
United States Congress.

The hour-long public ceremony was followed by a solemn requiem service
before the Armenian Martyrs Memorial Monument, lead by the Vicar
General of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, Very
Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian.

STARTING FROM JANUARY 1, 2009, ANY CASH REGISTER COUPON TO BE EQUIVALENT TO TICKET OF CASTING OF LOTS IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan

Dec 15, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. Starting from January 1, 2009, any
coupon of a cash register in Armenia will be equivalent to a ticket
of casting of lots. The deputy head of the RA State Revenue Committee
Armen Alaverdian announced at the December 11 press conference that
coupons received from a trade point will have 8-digit numbers on
them. Duirng the first week of each month, a casting of lots will
be held by Public Television of Armenia, and in case of coincidence
of 4 or more numbers, the holder of the given coupon will win from
5 thousand to 5 million drams (from 16.2 dollars to 16.2 thousand
dollars).

A. Alaverdian said that in this way citizens will be more interested
in requesting their coupons after a purchase. As a result, the cash
register introduction process will be more efficient and tax revenues
will grow about 4 times.

It was mentioned that there are about 45 thousand cash registered in
Armenia, including 7,200 at fairs.

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION DEVELOPS SUCCESSFULLY, RF COMMERCIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO RA SAYS

Noyan Tapan

Dec 11, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. Trade and economic relations between
Armenia and Russia continue developing successfully. Alexander Zaytsev,
the commercial representative of Russia in Armenia, stated at the
December 11 press conference. According to him, in 2008 commodity
circulation between the two countries amounted to 860m USD, which
exceeds previous year’s index by 19%. Besides, according to A. Zaytsev,
export from Armenia to Russia amounted to 187m USD, import 680m
USD. Over the past 9 months the amount of Russian investments in
Armenia almost doubled reaching 570m USD. A. Zaytsev emphasized that
Russia has made investments of 1bn 800m USD in Armenia since 1991.

Touching upon the world economic crisis, the RF commercial
representative said that it has not had an impact on Armenia’s economic
system yet.

According to him, it has two reasons: the first is that Armenia
has not completely integrated to international economy yet and the
second, the Armenian government undertakes proper steps to avoid
the consequences of the crisis. "Certainly, the crisis will have an
impact on our bilateral programs, but no project has been delayed or
failed so far," A. Zaytsev said.

He found it difficult to answer journalists’ question of whether it
is possible that due to fall in prices for energy carriers in the
whole world Russia will also decrease the price for gas supplied to
Armenia. A. Zaytsev only assured that if indeed price fall is noticed
in the world, Russia will also reconsider its price policy. However,
according to him, today prices decrease not in the whole world,
but in some countries.

December 12, 2008
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE RETURNS FROM ANTELIAS

On Tuesday, December 9th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
returned to Los Angeles from a two week trip to the Vatican and Lebanon.
The Prelate had departed for the Vatican on November 22nd to join the
entourage of H.H. Catholicos Aram I on an official visit with H.H. Pope
Benedict XVI. Alongside the official meeting with the Pope, the delegation
participated in various events.
The Prelate then headed to Antelias, Lebanon for the General
Assembly of the Catholicosate. The Prelates and lay delegates from all of
the Prelacies of the Catholicosate gathered in Antelias for the Assembly,
during which a wide range of issues were discussed. Delegates from the
Prelacy also participated in the General Assembly.
The Prelate resumed his duties at the Prelacy on Wednesday, December
10th, and on Sunday, December 14th will preside over Divine Liturgy at St.
Sarkis Church in Pasadena.

35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WESTERN PRELACY

On Sunday, December 21st, the 50th anniversary of spiritual service
and growth of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in North America and the 35th
anniversary of the Western Prelacy will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church
in Glendale. The event begins at 6:00 p.m.
The celebration is being held under the auspices of the Prelate and
is organized by the Religious and Executive Councils.
The event will feature keynote speeches by Central Executive member
Mr. Khajag Dikijian in Armenian and Mr. Armand Keosian, Esq. in English. An
artistic program will also take place with the participation of the Armenian
Society of Los Angeles Choir as well as singers Razmig Mansourian and Anahid
Nercesyan.
Admission is free and open to the public.

ROSE AND ALEX PIILBOS SCHOOL STUDENTS VISIT THE PRELACY

On Wednesday, December 10th, eighth grade students from Rose and
Alex Pilibos School, accompanied by Principal Dr. Viken Yacoubian and
teachers, visited the Prelacy.
The Prelate welcomed the students at the "Dikran and Zarouhie Der
Ghazarian" Hall where he explained to them the work that is carried out by
the Prelacy and its general mission.
The students were then led on a tour of the headquarters, starting
at the "St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen" Chapel, during which they were
familiarized with the various departments and structure of the Prelacy.

ARMENIA SETS UP AGENCY TO HELP PREVENT FINANCIAL CRISIS

Mediamax
Dec 4 2008
Armenia

Yerevan, 4 December: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan stated
in Yerevan today that the government should carry out operative work
within the framework of the crisis-prevention program.

Mediamax reports that, speaking at the session of the government today,
Tigran Sargsyan stated that to coordinate the works, a corresponding
committee is set up, headed by the Prime Minister, and it will work
in an operative headquarters mode.

Prime Minister stated that the year of 2009 will be difficult and
will require hard work from the leadership of the country.

"December and January will be months of hard work: we should take
all programs, started in 2008, to their logical conclusion and get
ready to overcome negative consequences of the global financial and
economic crisis," Tigran Sargsyan stated.

The Prime Minister charged the ministries with summarizing the
proposals, received from entrepreneurs. Tigran Sargsyan stated that
the management of enterprises should present a clear program with
description of existing problems and proposals for state assistance
to overcome those problems. The government also expresses readiness
to help enterprises in elaboration of business-programs and render
assistance for their realization.

"In this case we do not rule out share participation of the government
in those enterprises. Due to this, we will receive levers for efficient
realization of programs," the Prime Minister stated.

According to him, the tools, proposed by the government, are very
flexible and diverse. "We expect that the private sector will also
make efforts to get ready to withstand negative consequences of the
crisis," Tigran Sargsyan stated.