Author: Vanyan Gary

REP. BERMAN CONDEMNS GENOCIDE DENIAL

Targeted News Service
April 14, 2010 Wednesday 10:26 PM EST

Rep. Howard L. Berman, D-Calif. (28th CD), issued the following
news release:

Earlier this week, Congressman Berman sent a strongly-worded letter
to his House colleagues rejecting what he called a "morally-blind"
argument denying the indisputable historical evidence of the Armenian
Genocide. The full text of the letter is available below.

Dear Colleague,

As you may be aware, members of the Turkey caucus are circulating a
sign-on letter to Speaker Pelosi urging that the Armenian Genocide
Resolution (H. Res. 252), recently passed by the Foreign Affairs
Committee, not be brought to the full House for a vote. The authors
argue that passage of the bill by the House would do "irrevocable harm"
to U.S. national security, "derail ongoing efforts" by Armenia and
Turkey to normalize relations, and harm the U.S. economy by putting
American exports to and investment in Turkey at risk.

I disagree with many points in the letter, but I take particularly
strong exception to the use of the phrase "so-called ‘Armenian Genocide
Resolution’", which casts doubt on the historicity of the Armenian
Genocide. In doing so, it flies in the face of the overwhelming weight
of unimpeachable historical evidence and the virtually unanimous
opinion of genocide scholars. In fact, the man who coined the term
"genocide," Rafael Lemkin, considered the World War I-era massacres
of the Armenians to constitute genocide, and he cited that genocide
as the event that triggered his interest in genocide.

I also reject the various national-security arguments cited by
opponents of the Armenian Genocide resolution. I believe that
US-Turkish security relations are founded on mutual interests and that
Turkey is not about to discard the immense benefits it derives from
bilateral security relations for the sake of "punishing" the US for
a non-binding resolution, however much it may resent that resolution.

For example, would Turkey risk losing real-time intelligence on PKK
movements in northern Iraq? Highly doubtful. Moreover, the history
of Turkish responses to acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide by
other governments and parliaments suggests that negative fall-out
would be limited and short-lived, at most.

In addition, I dispute the argument that passing H. Res. 252 would
derail the Turkish-Armenian protocols. The protocols have been
gathering dust in the Turkish parliament since they were signed in
October, and particularly in light of the preconditions established
by the Turkish leadership, there is little likelihood that they will
be ratified any time soon.

Finally, I take issue with the assertion that passing the resolution
would harm the U.S. economy. It strains credulity to believe that
Turkey would reject U.S. investment and stop buying all U.S. products
in the event that the House adopted H. Res. 252. In a more general
sense, I am deeply disturbed by this morally-blind line of argument,
as it could be used to justify inaction on any number of human rights
issues around the world.

Although I don’t accept the arguments of those who anticipate potential
harm to U.S. national security should the House pass the Armenian
Genocide Resolution, I respect those arguments. What I can neither
accept nor respect is any claim, direct or implied, that one of the
greatest crimes of modern history did not happen.

Sincerely,

HOWARD L. BERMAN Chairman Committee on Foreign Affairs

JAVAKHQ ARMENIANS PROPOSE ARMENIA SEND ENGLISH TEACHERS

Tert.am
17.04.10

Georgian authorities invite volunteer English teachers to their
schools. The new program launched by the Ministry of Education and
Science of Georgia plans inviting 1000 teachers for 2010-2011 school
year. The teachers will receive an average of 500 Georgian laris in
salaries per month (about 112,000 Armenian drams).

Russia-based Javakhq Armenians have issued a statement calling
on Armenian organizations in Javakhq to turn to the Ministry of
Education of Armenia and ask them sending English teachers to the
Samtskhe-Javakh-Tsalka villages and towns.

Russia-based Javakhq Armenians are sure that there will be people
who would agree coming and teaching in Javakhq schools with the
amount mentioned.

‘CYNICISM’ OVER KARABAKH SETTLEMENT PROSPECTS INEVITABLE

news.az
April 15 2010
Azerbaijan

Thomas Goltz News.Az interviews Thomas Goltz, visiting scholar of
geography at Montana University (USA).

In his speech to the cabinet on 14 April the Azerbaijani president
accused the OSCE Minsk Group mediators of supporting Armenia. What do
you think is the reason for the lack of interest among the superpowers
in resolution of the Karabakh conflict?

I cannot answer this in any rational manner aside from saying that
this sort of behaviour by the international community, including my
country, the USA, is yet another example of rewarding the aggressor
and punishing the victim. Sadly, for Azerbaijan, this is nothing new –
please recall the entire story of Article 907.

Will Armenian-Turkish relations be normalized any time soon,
considering the unwillingness of the Armenians to make concessions
on Karabakh or to stop seeking international recognition for the
‘genocide’?

Once again, I was not there to hear or try and understand the nuances
of diplomatic speech, so I am reluctant to speculate. That said, for
years I have openly wondered about the dynamic between the Armenians
of Armenia and the Armenians of the diaspora, and those who want to
live in the real world and those who choose to live in a fantasy world.

Is the clash between the principles of territorial integrity and
self-determination destructive for a Karabakh settlement?

Armenia conveniently insists on ‘Self Determination’ for Karabakh,
while Azerbaijan continues to insist on ‘Territorial Integrity’. The
contradiction between these two opposed standards goes back to
at least the Treaty of Westphalia of 1637, or whenever – I do not
have my notesheet in front of me right now. In current terms, the
theoretic issue has extreme resonance: do ALL member states of the
UN get to enjoy ‘territorial integrity’ (including diverse freedoms
for national minorities), or not? If the answer is ‘no,’ then the
entire international system/concept of states will be overturned. The
ramifications of this go FAR beyond Azerbaijan.

What are the prospects for progress in the Karabakh conflict? Can
progress be made this year?

I am not close enough to the diverse players involved to make
any fact-based assessment on this issue. That said, I have heard
far-too-many ‘breakthrough!’ announcements to NOT be cynical on
this issue.

ARMENIAN CITIZENS HAVE BECOME VICTIMS OF ELECTRONIC AND SMS FRAUD

ArmInfo
2010-04-15 17:01:00

ArmInfo. Recently more and more Armenian citizens have become victims
of electronic and SMS fraud. This is part of a global fraudulent
scheme, reports the press service of the Central Bank of Armenia.

The "attractive" messages can be divided into four groups: excellent
terms (people are offered commercial, investment and other deals with
very attractive terms); assistance (people are asked for assistance
under some business projects with very promising yields); inheritance
or win (people receive messages alleging that they have inherited or
won some big money); work at home (people are offered to earn money
without even leaving their houses by just sending copies of their
passports or sighing notarized documents).

Moreover, in all the enumerated cases the swindlers demand in their
first message that the citizens should send some amount to them
allegedly for settlement of "organizational problems".

The Financial Monitoring Center of the Central Bank of Armenia
calls on the citizens not to respond to such kind of proposals and,
in case of essential information about similar fraudulent schemes,
dial the following telephone numbers 54-50-88 or 56-16-01, or send
a message to [email protected]. The Central Bank of Armenia guarantees
information privacy.

ARMENIA TO TAKE PART IN THE CANNES CINEMA MARKET IN 2010

ArmInfo
2010-04-13 16:17:00

Arminfo. Armenia will take part in the Cannes Cinema Market on 12-22
May 2010 for the second time.

As director of the National Cinema Centre Gevorg Gevorgyan told
journalists today, more than 30 movies will be presented at the market,
made since 2008.

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF GEORGIA URGES GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES TO CONSIDER RECOGNIZING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ArmInfo
2010-04-13 08:08:00

ArmInfo. The Armenian community of Georgia has urged the Georgian
President and Parliament to consider recognizing the Armenian Genocide
in Ottoman Empire.

The press service of the Armenian community of Georgia reports that
the letter has been sent to the Georgian President, Speaker of the
Georgian Parliament, the heads of parliamentary factions and MPs of
Armenian origin.

The Georgian Armenians have asked the latter to speak during the
Apr 24 parliamentary session and to urge the Georgian Parliament to
pay tribute to the memory of the people massacred in 1915-1923. The
authors of the letter are the Armenian Community of Georgia, the
Armenian Center for Cooperation with Georgia and the Association of
Armenian Students of Georgia.

Apr 24 2010 is the 95th anniversary of the first genocide of the 20th
century – the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire. These massacres
claimed almost 2,000,000 lives. Genocide is classified as crime against
humanity. Over 20 countries and many international organizations have
recognized the Armenian Genocide to date.

NEW TEXTBOOKS TO BE INTRODUCED IN ARMENIAN SENIOR SCHOOLS

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 12, 2010 – 14:23 AMT 09:23 GMT

Armenian Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan said that
the Ministry will protect senior schools against using new textbooks,
which haven’t been approved by specialists.

"The Ministry assumed responsibility to prevent usage of improper
textbooks in educational process," he said during a press conference
on April 12.

The Minister also said that a positive conclusion has been already
drawn on 12 or 13 new textbooks.

PRESS RELEASE
Africa Services Committee
429 West 127th
New York, NY 10027
Contact: Stephanie Kaplan
Tel: 212-222-3882, ext. 130
Fax: 212-222-7067
Email: [email protected]
Web:

Armenian Photographer, Haik Kocharian, Takes Viewers Through A Window in
Positive Kids 3: Through Their Eyes

African Services Committee, in collaboration with Armenian-born
photographer, Haik Kocharian, is proud to present Positive Kids 3: Through
Their Eyes, a photographic exhibition and cocktail reception benefiting
African Services Pediatric HIV programs in Ethiopia.

In collaboration with African Services Committee and The James Cohan
Gallery, Kocharian will present a photographic exhibition of from his recent
trip to Ethiopia. In the event’s third year, African Services Committee has
teamed up with Kocharian to put a face to the widening circle of children
and their families who against all odds are now thriving thanks to access to
HIV treatment and small business loans from African Services’ Positive Kids
events. Attendees will get a raw and inspiring look at the families
benefiting from the work of African Services’ through the lens of Kocharian,
and through the lens of the children – our `Positive Kids.’

`I have long had an interest in Ethiopia,’ Kocharian explains when asked
about his involvement in the project. `It has a lot of similarities to
Armenia, where I was born…the strong Christian Orthodox influence, its
similar alphabet, and land-locked geography. When I joined with African
Services a long-time dream and desire became a purpose.’

Since 2003, African Services Committee has worked on the frontlines of the
global HIV pandemic in Ethiopia. With three community-based HIV clinics in
operation, ASC has provided testing and care to over 80,000 people. The
success of these events has allowed them to dramatically scale-up Pediatric
HIV Programs; providing increased access to HIV testing, prevention,
treatment and care to the most vulnerable children living in areas with
little or no access to health services.

I would like people to have an opportunity to look through a window with
me,’ explains Kocharian about the exhibition. `We are showing simple stories
of children and their families as they struggle, yet they are looking
optimistically toward the future. I hope people will make an emotional
connection, and realize that at the core we are all the same, and we all
need each other. By reaching out and helping, we are all improving our own
lives, and ultimately creating a better world.’

Haik Kocharian is a multimedia artist working in photography, film and
music. Born in Armenia, he moved to New York in 1994 to pursue his artistic
aspirations. Kocharian’s work has been exhibited in notable venues around
the city including New York’s 92YTribeca, Robin Rice Gallery, Galerie
Mourlot, Village Quill Writer’s Space, Soho Photo Gallery, and the legendary
Puck Building. Additionally, his images have also been widely published in
international magazines such as Smithsonian Magazine, Elle, and Madame
Figaro.

For more information about Haik Kocharian visit
For information about Positive Kids 3 visit
veKids3.html, or contact:
Stephanie Kaplan, Communications Director at 212-222-3882, ext. 130.

——————————————– ——————-

African Services Committee is a non-profit organization founded in 1981 and
dedicated to improving the health andself-sufficiency of the African
community in New York City and beyond. African Services provides health,
housing, legal,educational, and social services to over 10,000 newcomers
each year with programs that focus on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatmentand
support.

Trend, Azerbaijan
April 9 2010

Azerbaijani FM: Turkey confirms invariability of its position on
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
09.04.2010 20:39
Azerbaijan, Baku, April 9 /Trend, U.Sadikhova/

Turkey has confirmed the invariability of its position on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar
Mammadyarov briefed the media on April 9, answering a question about
today’s meeting with Firudin Sinirlioglu, Turkish Foreign Ministry’s
adviser and special envoy of the Turkish Prime Minister.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister described the meeting as
"comprehensive," which, firstly covered the question of negotiations
scheduled in Washington between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan and Armenian President Serj Sargsyan at the summit on nuclear
safety.

With regards to Turkey’s position on the impossibility of opening the
border with Armenia without any tangible progress in resolving the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Mammadyarov said that Ankara remains
committed to its promises.

On Friday, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister and Special Envoy of
Turkish Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting which firstly focused
on the negotiations and meetings planned in the framework of nuclear
summit in Washington. Mammadyarov had a conversation with his Turkish
counterpart in the morning, where were also discussed these topics.

"The Turkish side confirmed that it will take steps in matters that
bring peace and stability to the South Caucasus, and will try to get a
result from the meeting in Washington to begin progress, marked by the
adoption of updated Madrid principles [by Armenia] and creating the
possibility that we continue to work over a larger agreement,"
Mammadyarov said to joint press conference with EU Commissioner for
Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Füle, on April
9.

In his turn, the Commissioner Füle, who made his first official visit
to Azerbaijan under his current mandate, highlighted the European
Union’s commitment to peaceful solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict and the work of the OSCE Minsk Group in this regard.
According to him, the EU plans to take several important steps to
resolve conflict and achieve peace in the region.

"Certain time ago, I spoke with the President of Armenia Serj
Sargsyan, and today held talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev, they both expressed their commitment to peaceful resolution of
the conflict," said Füle.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.

World Markets Research Centre
Global Insight
April 8 2010

Armentel Plans to Triple 3G Capacity by End-2010

BYLINE: Michael Lacquiere

VimpelCom’s Armenian unit Armentel has announced plans to triple its
3G network capacity by the end of 2010. The operator launched 3G
services in October 2008, and reports that it currently has more than
100,000 mobile internet subscribers to its mobile internet services,
including 3G. No details have been given of the likely investment in
network expansion.

Significance:Although Armentel saw very little movement in its overall
subscriber base, which remained at around 545,000 at the end of 2009,
its fixed broadband subscribers numbers have increased almost
threefold, to 26,200, and the addition of 100,000 mobile internet
subscribers in just over the first year of operation is indicative of
the group’s attempts to broaden its portfolio. By establishing a base
of both fixed and mobile internet subscribers Armentel gives itself
the option of cross-selling products that will be targeted at higher
end-users. There is limited room for continued mobile growth in
Armenia, with penetration just nudging the triple-digit level at the
end of 2009, so the push into the mobile internet sphere is
well-timed, but strong competition is offered by Vivacell and Orange.