EU High Rep Says Nagorno Karabakh Parliamentary Elections are Illega

EU High Representative Says Nagorno Karabakh Parliamentary Elections
are Illegal

12:08 – 22.05.10

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in a statement that the EU
"does not recognize the constitutional and legal framework within
which the parliamentary elections in Nagorno Karabakh will be held."

"I would like to recall that the European Union does not recognize the
constitutional and legal framework within which the "parliamentary
elections" in Nagorno Karabakh will be held this Sunday. This event
should not prejudice the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. I reiterate our firm support to the OSCE Minsk-Group, and
the work of the three Co- chairs and their efforts towards a
settlement of the conflict, and call on the parties to redouble their
efforts to find a negotiated solution to the conflict. I recall the
EU’s readiness to offer further support to this end," said Ashton.

Parliamentary elections in Nagorno Karabakh are set to take place on
May 23. Four parties will participate in the elections – Free
Homeland, Democratic Party of Artsakh, Communist Party of Artsakh and
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun, ARF-D).

Tert.am

Armenian Apostolic Church to mark the Feast of Pentecost May 23

Armenian Apostolic Church to mark the Feast of Pentecost May 23

14:51 22/05/2010 » Society

The Armenian Apostolic Church will mark the Feast of Pentecost May 23
this year. The feast is the commemoration of the descent of the Holy
Spirit upon the Apostles on the fiftieth day following the Feast of
the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Armenian
Church celebrates this feast 50 days following Easter Sunday.

The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons in the Holy Trinity
coexisting with, and equal to, the Holy Father and the Holy Son.
During His earthly life and ministry Christ spoke to the Apostles
about the coming of the Holy Spirit. Recording the words of Christ,
St. John writes, `The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will
send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all
that I have told you.’ (John 14:26).

The descent of the Holy Spirit is described in the Acts of the
Apostles: `When the day of the Pentecost came, all the believers were
gathered together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from the
sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole
house where they were sitting. Then they saw what looked like tongues
of fire which spread out and touched each person there. They were all
filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as
the Spirit enabled them to speak. (Acts 2:1-4).

In the book of Acts, St. Luke further records the names of various
countries, and that men from those countries were surprised, when each
of them heard his native language. Among the mentioned places are
Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia (Acts 2:9). Two of the saints of the
Universal Church, both of Roman origin, Tertullian and Augustine, have
written that the word `Armenia’ should possibly be substituted instead
of `Judea’, as it is more logical that Armenia would be mentioned
among those as a `foreign’ country, as the apostles were living in
Judea. Moreover, with regards to geographical position, Armenia was
situated between Mesopotamia and Cappadocia. Therefore, the people
living in Armenia may have been among the first witnesses of the gifts
of the Holy Spirit.

Among the Armenian Church songs and hymns, two are dedicated to the
Feast of Pentecost: `The Sent Dove’ (referring to the Holy Spirit in
the form of a dove that descended upon Christ during His Baptism) and
`Indivisible Trinity’. These are sung during the Morning Service on
the feast day. Also, during the Evening Service, the `Andastan’ rite
of the blessing of the four corners of the world is conducted. It is
during this service that a prayer written by 12th century Armenian
Church father Nerses of Lambron, is read.

In the Christian Church the teaching of divine grace is related to the
Holy Spirit. According to that instruction, each virtue is a divine
grace granted to the faithful by the Holy Spirit. Thus, ascribing any
virtue to one’s own self, and not to God, is a grave sin and can be
manifested in another, which is pride. Hence, commemoration of
Pentecost is also an appeal to the faithful to avoid pride and
instead, use the divine graces in life for righteous purposes and
moral goals.

Source: Panorama.am

Median Nominal Monthly Wage In Armenia Rises By 7.5% To 104,058 Dram

MEDIAN NOMINAL MONTHLY WAGE IN ARMENIA RISES BY 7.5% TO 104,058 DRAMS

ARKA
May 20, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, May 20, /ARKA/. Median nominal monthly wage in Armenia rose
by 7.5% in the first four months of 2010 to 104,058 Drams, compared
to the same time span last year, the country’s National Statistical
Service reported.

According to its data, public sector wage rose by 3.9% to 83,695
Drams. In April it however dropped by 0.7% from March. Private sector
median wage rose by 10.8% to 133,568 Drams. In April it rose by 4%
from March. ($1 – 384.48 Drams).

Armenian Youth Football Team Wins In Tallinn

ARMENIAN YOUTH FOOTBALL TEAM WINS IN TALLINN

Aysor
May 21 2010
Armenia

Armenian youth football team played against Estonian team on May 20
within the qualifying games for the Youth Football Euro Championship.

The game took place at the Kadrourg Stadium in Tallinn; Armenian team
won 3:2 over the Estonian team with the fist goal on the 18th minute.

This is the second victory in a row, which resulted in total of
10 points for the Armenian team, seeded together with the Turkish
team the second in the tournament table. The Turkish team played two
less marches, and is reported to play on May 23 against the Estonian
team and then on May 26 against the tournament’s leader — the team
of Swirzeland.

BAKU: ‘Turkey, US Opens A New Page In Relations’

‘TURKEY, US OPENS A NEW PAGE IN RELATIONS’

news.az
May 21 2010
Azerbaijan

Zafer Caglayan Turkish State Minister for foreign trade Zafer Caglayan
said on Friday that Turkey and the United States opened a new page
in relations.

Caglayan, currently on a visit to Washington D.C., said his visit
achieved its goals, "we have a timetable now and we drew a road map
with that timetable. We did not have road map before."

Caglayan who met with the executives of the leading US companies and
finance institutions, said the executives told him that Turkey would
be a very important power in its region.

"The executives of US companies said 8 of every 10 refrigerators
used in houses in Britain were manufactured in Turkey. Investment
opportunities in Turkey should be explained well to the other
countries. We should very well explain labor force costs and Turkey’s
logistic and geographical advantages to them," Caglayan said.

Caglayan said he met with the executives of United Technologies company
and the company expressed eagerness to open maintenance and operation
section in Turkey’s Sabiha Gokcen airport. He said the company also
thought of making investment in manufacturing of helicopters.

"The company wants to manufacture aircraft engines in Turkey. They also
want to invest in Turkey to sell some models of Sikorsky helicopters
to the whole region," he said.

Caglayan said he also thanked the US companies for the support and
lobbying activities they extended to Turkey during the Armenian
resolution.

Caglayan said, "when we were asked about Turkey’s trade with Iran,
we told them that it was more than the trade with US" He said Turkey
would become peaceful transition corridor in case the deal in Tehran
was put into effect.

Caglayan said they also assessed the problems between the two
countries, adding that actual process would start from now on.

Responding to a question, Caglayan said Turkish Coalition of America
(TCA) fulfilled important social responsibility project and within
the scope of the project it sent indians, minorities in the United
States and children of Armenians to Turkey.

Caglayan said TCA supported increase in investments in several like
fields mine, construction, infrastructure and education in places
like Arizona where indians were overwhelmingly populated.

Caglayan later left Washington, D.C. for Turkey.

One Of Persons Involved In Case On Terrorist Act In Armenian Parliam

ONE OF PERSONS INVOLVED IN CASE ON TERRORIST ACT IN ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT DIES IN NUBARASHEN CRIMINAL-CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

ArmInfo
2010-05-17 12:42:00

ArmInfo. One of the persons involved in the case on terrorist act in
Armenian parliament dies in Nubarashen criminal-correctional facility.

According to Arsen Babayan, spokesman of the Criminal-Executive Office
of Armenia’s Justice Ministry, Hamlet Stepanyan, convicted within
the frames of the case on terrorist act in the Armenian parliament,
died suddenly in Nubarashen criminal-correctional facility on May 15
at about 7:00 PM. The preliminary body examination did not reveal any
signs of violence. Forensic-medical examination has been appointed,
and investigation of circumstance of Stepanyan’s death is underway.

To recall, H. Stepanyan was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment. He
was charged under several articles of Armenia’s Criminal Code: p. 1
Article 300, Article 34-305, i. 2 p. 2 Article 217, i. 1, 2 and 6
p. 2 Article 133 of Armenia’s CC. Prime Minister of Armenia Vazgen
Sarkisyan, Parliament Speaker Karen Demirchyan, both vice-speakers
and a number of parliamentarians were killed in the Parliament of
Armenia on October 27, 1999, as a result of a terrorist act.

Main issues between Greece and Turkey unresolved

Main issues between Greece and Turkey unresolved despite "big step
forward" in relations

May 16, 2010 – 16:00 AMT 11:00 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

The Greek and Turkish governments hailed a "big step forward" in their
relations on Friday, the first day in Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan’s stay in Athens, which he said marked "a historic
moment".

The two governments agreed to set up a council to hold regular
meetings between the two countries’ leaders and their cabinet
ministers, and inked pacts on the economy, immigration, energy and
other issues.

"I am confident that the novel and courageous step we are attempting
today can pay off because the will is there," Greek Prime Minister
George Papandreou said at a joint news conference with Erdogan on
Friday.

The two countries also signed a number of deals, including an accord
allowing illegal migrants coming from Turkey to Greece to be sent
back, an issue that has been a major source of discord between the
arch-rivals.

Still, calls to reduce arms in both countries were left unanswered on
Friday during Erdogan’s first official visit to the Greek capital
since 2004, AFP reported.

No Progress On Armenian-Turkish Reconciliation Possible Until Next P

NO PROGRESS ON ARMENIAN-TURKISH RECONCILIATION POSSIBLE UNTIL NEXT PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN TURKEY: EXPERT

ARKA
May 13, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, May 13, /ARKA/. An Armenian expert in Turkish studies said
today progress on Armenian-Turkish reconciliation is possible only
after next parliamentary elections in Turkey.

Speaking at a news conference Ruben Melkonian said this process has
entered a protracted stage of pause, linked with political processes
in Turkey, more specifically, with expected constitutional changes
and upcoming general elections.

He said no progress should be expected in efforts to advance the
Armenian-Turkish process until Turkey has parliamentary elections and
forms a new government. He said judging by some statements in Turkey
the normalization process would not be halted altogether and will most
likely continue on the level of people diplomacy, non-governmental
organizations and through backstage contacts.

Ruben Melkonian said uncertainty over Turkey’s politics rose earlier
this week following the resignation of the opposition Republican
People’s Party (CHP) leader, the veteran Deniz Baykal, following the
release of a videotape on the Internet purporting to show him and a
woman in a bedroom.

‘The CHP’s rating was tarnished, but if this party undergoes radical
changes and more younger leaders take the steer, Turkey will have a
differed situation before the elections,’ he said.

The CHP is the oldest Turkish party founded by Ataturk and has a
pronounced anti-Armenian stance. If it gets a bigger role in political
processes, the normalization process may be affected, he said.

Six High Schools Receive Genocide Education

SIX HIGH SCHOOLS RECEIVE GENOCIDE EDUCATION
Tom Vartabedian

Armenian Weekly
Wed, May 12 2010

Merrimack Valley, Mass.-Better late than never.

Albert S. Movsesian of the Merrimack Valley Armenian Genocide Education
Committee gives a presentation to one of six high schools this spring
in conjunction with a curriculum being proposed by the Governor’s
Council on Education.

Six high schools throughout this region north of Boston received a
heavy dose of Armenian Genocide education this spring in conjunction
with a curriculum proposed by the Massachusetts Governor’s Council
on Education in 1998.

Members of the newly-formed Merrimack Valley Genocide Education
Committee have covered the area, offering classes, presentations and
panel discussions on the subject, looking to get a formal curriculum
established.

Schools that have welcomed the talks include: Haverhill, Westford
Academy, Lowell, Chelmsford, Bedford and Wilmington. Others are also
being approached during the next school year in an effort to reach
every community. North Andover and Tewksbury also reciprocated last
year. The area boasts some two dozen high schools.

The 1998 law allows for the development of a curriculum framework to
teach the genocide alongside the Irish Potato Famine, Jewish Holocaust,
African Slave Passage and other crimes against humanity.

The organization Facing History and Ourselves based in Brookline
developed a curriculum in conjunction with various genocide experts
which has proved a valuable resource to educators involved.

Founded in 1976, it is an international educational and professional
development non-profit organization which interacts with students of
diverse backgrounds to promote a more open-minded and informed society.

Three years ago, a small group of Armenian community activists formed
the Merrimack Valley committee whose mission it was to prevent future
crimes against humanity through education. Members have worked with
local school districts to help teach students about the Armenian
genocide and the effects it had upon survivors, the community and
rest of the world.

"By studying the historical development of genocides, it will help
students make the connection between history and the moral choices
they may deal with in their own lives," said Dro Kanayan, committee
chairman. "We have the full support from state officials, university
professors and all facets of community life, including the churches."

During this time, members have appeared before individual and combined
classrooms with lectures first, followed by panel discussions in
subsequent visits. The panels have included a genocide scholar,
along with survivors of the Jewish Holocaust, Cambodia and Rwanda.

"These sessions have had an immediate impact upon the students since
many of them have experienced genocide in their own communities,"
added Kanayan. "More saddening is the fact that many of the students
had never heard of the Armenian Genocide and had an awakening to this
horrific event and the long-term effects it has upon society."

In conjunction with the presentations, classrooms were invited to
take a pro-active stand against genocide through collective action,
beginning with a halt to bullying and other forms of peer abuse in
their schools, including ethnic diversity.

Students at Wilmington were so moved by the subject, they initiated a
letter-writing campaign to the Postmaster General for a commemorative
stamp in memory of the Armenian Genocide.

"The world would be a better place if we all learned to live in
harmony," said a student named Marting. "The Armenian Genocide was
an event in history that should set a precedent among other troubled
nations. It’s important for students like us to raise awareness
and maybe someday get Turkey to repay the Armenians for the crimes
they committed. An admission of guilt would be a step in the right
direction."

Another student named Nira equated the genocide with similar turmoil
in her native India.

"The cultural and religious ties with Armenia intensified the feelings
I have for my own Indian culture," she said. "Although I was born
and raised in India, I, too, am struggling to keep my identity intact
as I assimilate into the American mainstream. The Armenian Genocide
must not go unpunished and coincides with the problems that face our
society today."

At Chelmsford, Holocaust education attracts a number of students.

Instructors at that school also incorporate other genocides, including
Armenians, but only in a superficial nature. The fact that outsiders
were willing to come into their school and donate their services
boded well with the staff.

Former Principal George Simonian was instrumental in setting up that
contact. At Lowell, 12-year world history instructor Lisa Menasian
laid out the groundwork at that school and got other Armenian teachers
involved.

At Bedford, two full days of classes evolved with only a break
for lunch. Armenian educators stood up to the challenge and walked
away with a feeling of accomplishment. In several cases, the school
principal will observe and offer thanks.

When word of the school visits hit the media, other speaking
invitations cropped up from service clubs in the cities. A presentation
to the Haverhill Rotary Club on Armenian Genocide conjured up several
questions from the audience which offered its support.

International Wrestling Championship To Commemorate Great Patriotic

INTERNATIONAL WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP TO COMMEMORATE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR

Panorama.am
14:05 10/05/2010

Sport

International youth free-style wrestling championship after Marshal
Bagramanyan was held on May 7-9 in city of Vanadzor to commemorate
the victory in the Great Patriotic War. 114 Armenian sportsmen from
Yerevan and the regions, as well as two teams from Georgia attended the
championship, Armenian ministry of sport and youth affairs reported.

Find the names of the champions in different categories.

42 kg- Agajanyan Hamlet 46 kg – Davtyan Robert 50 kg- Shavelyan Arshak
54 kg – Kobelia Beka 58 kg – Gogrichiani Davit 63 kg – Gurgidze Omar
69 kg – Atyan Shamir 76 kg – Modebadze Georgi 85 kg – Aganyan Arthur
100 kg – Mkrtumyan Van