Author: Virabian Jhanna

GLOBAL THAW OFFERS LEBANON A CHANCE

Daily Star – Lebanon
Wednesday, October 07, 2009

A proposed unity deal set to be signed between rival Palestinian
powers Hamas and Fatah, a truly significant occasion in itself, is
the latest in a string of similar moves toward reconciliation that
have taken place across the region in recent weeks.

Many seemingly irreconcilable disputes are beginning to show signs of
progress. In addition to the Hamas-Fatah deal, we have seen Iranians
move toward openness with the international community with re­gards
to its nuclear program, warming ties between Syria and Saudi Arabia
and between Turkey and Armenia.

The departure of a neoconservative administration from the White House,
for whom force was seemingly the primary tool of diplomacy, has seen
relations in the region take a dramatic turn for the better. It seems
unlikely that any of these encouraging developments could have taken
place during the Bush administration, which serves to illustrate
both the positive and negative influence the United States can have
on the region.

These rapprochements stand in contrast to a period of political
brinkmanship which characterized regional relations of the past few
years. For Lebanon, a country whose politics is so influenced by
external factors, they are particularly significant, not to mention
timely.

The protracted cabinet-formation saga tells us little save that
Lebanese are the ones who pay the price when super­powers and regional
heavyweights collide. It is the Lebanese who suffer from lack of a
cabinet while external power struggles between interested parties play
out. Lebanon is continually used as a postbox through which regional
powers convey messages to each other. Nearly five months have passed
since Leba­non voted in parliamentary polls, yet the country remains
deadlocked and devoid of a working government. These are all factors
which affect the Lebanese in their daily lives, and far transcend
the political arena where are born.

The moves by various powers in region toward dialogue present a
rare window of opportunity for Lebanon to make progress in its
own endeavors. The proposed visit of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah
to Syria tomorrow – the latest visit signifying better relations
between Damascus and Riyadh – makes a solution to Lebanon’s own
dilemma real possibility.

Leaders on both sides, while certainly not freed of outside influence,
would do well to make the most of this atmosphere of compromise. While
the problems that existed before have not disappeared, there is
no reason why this transition we are seeing from confrontation to
reconciliation throughout the region, cannot be replicated in Lebanon.

It remains to be seen whether Lebanon will capitalize on this golden
opportunity. This favorable atmosphere will not last forever, and
the global community facing a variety of global problems may soon
turn its attention to other issues.

OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

20 09/10/06 | 16:49

Society

Peace Dialogue NGO expresses its concern regarding the pan-Armenian
tour of the President of the Republic of Armenia. As an NGO aimed
towards the improvement of relations of Armenia with its bordering
neighbors and making efforts on the direction of peace building, our
organization is absolutely certain of the necessity of improvement
in Armenian-Turkish relations without preconditions and the opening
of the border; however, for us the idea of such a tour seems strange
and incomprehensible.

Ignoring the fact that even in Armenia and among its citizens the
process of Armenian-Turkish relations is opaque and unclear and
that there is a huge number of people for whom there are still many
questions regarding the content and appropriateness of the pending
protocol, the President of Armenia considered as rational discussion
of the issue with representatives of the diaspora during the tour
and making efforts at clarifying the issue with our fellow countrymen
outside of Armenia.

Without reducing the importance of the positions and approach of
the diaspora community, we consider it important to express that the
President of Armenia, who is directly responsible for representation
and advocacy on behalf of the citizens of Armenia, has, first of all,
an obligation towards his own society and the citizens of his own
country-only then afterward does he have any obligation towards the
citizens of France, America, Russia, or any other country who already
have someone representing their interests.

Repeating the fact that there is a great necessity for clarification of
many topics and reduction of doubts within Armenian society (ongoing
rallies by the Dashnak Party, existence of negative positions among
the political parties), we call for the following:

1.A guarantee of transparency in the process and,

2.An increase in the level of information and knowledge of the topic
among society.

In a country that is supposed to be considered democratic it is
imperative that the first duty of the President of Armenia in this
matter is ensuring that the society of his country can trust its own
government and be knowledgeable about its actions.

ANCA: IF RA PRESIDENT GOES FORWARD WITH PROTOCOLS, HIS LEGACY WILL BE DEEPLY FLAWED

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.10.2009 11:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian National Committee of America chairman
Ken Hachikian said that the ANCA stands with the overwhelming majority
of the Armenian American community in opposition to the intense
pressure by Turkey and its allies to force Armenia into accepting a
flawed and dangerous set of Protocols that threaten the security of
Armenia, surrender the rights of the Armenian nation, and insult the
dignity of the Armenian people.

"Among the ANCA’s primary concerns, in keeping with the basic American
principles of fairness and the enduring values of the Armenian nation,
is that Armenia, illegally blockaded by Turkey and under intense
economic and diplomatic pressure, is being forced into accepting
terms that threaten her interests, rights, safety, and future –
very notably in the form of a proposed "historical commission",
whatever its composition turns out to be. This provision, a tactic
long pursued by Ankara to cast doubt on the historical record of
the Armenian Genocide, is clearly intended to serve Turkey’s drive
to roll back the growing tide of international recognition of this
crime against humanity. There can be, as a matter of basic morality
and political reality, no enduring relationship between Armenia and
Turkey that is not built upon the foundation of Turkey’s acceptance
of a true and just resolution with respect to the Armenian Genocide.

Further, these Protocols outrageously surrender the historical
rights of the Armenian nation to a just resolution of the Armenian
Genocide. They also dangerously undermine the right to freedom and
self-determination for the Nagorno Karabagh Republic," he said during
the meeting with the Armenian President in New York on October 3.

"Mr. President, your actions in pursuing these protocols are
naive. They are reckless. And they are simply irresponsible. Your
assertion that they do not contain any preconditions insults our
intellige ch I might point out has been soundly rejected by the
International Association of Genocide Scholars, the formal recognition
of borders, and the acknowledgement of territorial integrity without
any mention of self-determination are all preconditions imposed and
insisted upon by Turkey, which you have unwisely accepted at the
point of their blackmail of the closed borders.

These preconditions were and are requirements of Turkey; they are
the price you are willing to pay to the Turkish blackmailers. Many
countries readily normalize relations without such one-sided
preconditions.

How dare you accede to Turkish blackmail when our forbearers sacrificed
so much and suffered at the hands of the Turks, who to this very day
deny the Genocide which the rest of the world acknowledges?

How dare you attempt to squander the political capital that so many
have, at great sacrifice, built up over the decades in capitals around
the world? And make no mistake, signing the Protocols would put at
risk that very capital. You have no moral right to do so. You have
no power to do so. And we will not allow you to do so.

You cannot take away the rights of our nation and our people simply
because you view yourself as the savior of our country. You are not
saving our country; you are relegating us to a subservient position
to Turkey while simply abandoning our rights to justice. Your efforts
are doomed to failure.

You will be remembered as the president who led our country to a
path of dependency, who foolishly bargained away our lands, whose
misjudgments led us to a weakened status.

If you go forward with these Protocols, your legacy will be deeply
flawed.

Do not attempt to hide behind the support of the minority who blindly
offer support for your initiatives. They are not the true grassroots
of the Diaspora. They simply do not represent the majority of the
community. In the face of our vigilance in confronting successive US
administrations over their blind and unwavering support for Turkey,
their default position is to support thes ate Department. They are the
same people who surrendered Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, who
supported the disastrous Turkish Armenian Reconciliation Commission,
and who supported the nomination of Richard Hoagland, a morally
reprehensible genocide denier, to be ambassador to Armenia. They no
longer have political relevance in our community. Don’t be seduced
by their meaningless support.

Mr. President, you are making a grave mistake here. I hope you have
the wisdom to listen to your countrymen and to back away from this
disastrous agreement, before you bring great harm to our country,
to our people, and to your presidency," Mr. Hachikian said.

GAS TRANSIT RESUMPTION TO ARMENIA VIA THE TERRITORY OF GEORGIA DELAYED

ArmInfo
2009-10-05 12:38:00

ArmInfo. According to the preliminary arrangement with the Georgian
party, gas transit to Armenia via the territory of Georgia will
be resumed tomorrow [6 October], CJSC ‘ArmRusgasprom’told ArmInfo
correspondent.

The gas supply of the republic was stopped on 1 October because of
repairing work at the main gas pipeline North Caucasus-Transcaucasus
at the territory of Georgia. It was planned the work would be finished
on 5 October. At present gas supply in Armenia has no limit thanks to
the reserves of the Abovyan underground gas store and to gas delivery
through the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.

V. HOVNANYAN SAYS BE READY FOR BIG TURKISH FLOOD

Panorama.am
15:48 05/10/2009

Businessman Vahagn Hovnanyan told at news conference that he did have
some concerns about the ongoing political development before.

"I didn’t think we were ready to open a border. I thought Turkey was
more ready, especially, economically. I’ve said that a big flood,
a Turkish flood is going to happen," he said.

But currently, the businessman says he thinks life is a line of
challenges and we should meet them.

"Even if not today, one day the borders will be opened. I think,
now it is the most suitable time," V. Hovnanyan said. It’s 20 years
we are living in this prison, businessman stated.

Regarding the President’s pan-Armenian tour, V. Hovnanyan said that
the Diaspora would have negative echoes.

"I think it’s the right of free speech. Two Armenias are formed –
local one and Armenia of Diaspora. Hence, the opinions should differ
either," he said adding that President’s initiative is a brave one.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Monday, October 5, 2009

AGBU Paris Summer Intern Program Successfully Wraps Up Its 7th Season

From the beginning of July until mid-August, 12 students of Armenian
descent from Armenia, Canada, France, Russia and the United States
came together to participate in the 2009 Paris Summer Intern Program
(PSIP). The program, which is concluding its seventh season, is a
unique experience for students who are able to expand their
professional knowledge and learn about their Armenian identity through
special events, lectures and outings coordinated by PSIP staff.

This year’s students worked at a number of leading French
institutions, including Association Française de la Relation Client,
France Loisirs, Institut Supérieur des Métiers, Grant Thornton,
Groupement Interprofessionnel International Arménien, Kalayciyan
Architects, Lefèvre Pelletier & Associates, Musée d’Orsay, Pierre and
Marie Curie University, and Radio France Internationale.

During the summer, students met with Hovhannes Guevorkian of the
Representation of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh in Paris, who
discussed the political fault lines in the Caucasus; historian and
author Claude Mutafian, who spoke about Armenian history; and
professor, historian and director of the AGBU Nubarian Library Raymond
Kevorkian, who addressed recent efforts at Armenian-Turkish
reconciliation. Interns also had the opportunity to visit the Embassy
of the Republic of Armenia in Paris, where they met with General
Consul Vahe Vahramyan and Diplomatic Attaché Ara Lazarian.

In addition to lectures, PSIP-organized events and activities
strengthened the networking and social component of the Paris
program. Students attended a reception organized in their honor at the
Alex Manoogian Cultural Center, where they were welcomed by AGBU
Europe Chairman Alexis Govciyan. The students also spent time with
AGBU Youth members, who showed the interns around Paris, while giving
them a taste of daily life in the French capital. Among the landmarks
visited were the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, Versailles, and two sites
in Normandy (Trouville-sur-Mer and Honfleur).

Students lived in the Maison des Étudiants Arméniens, which is a
residence hall created in 1928 by AGBU’s first president Boghos
Nubar. Since its founding, the building has housed several generations
of international Armenian college students who arrive in Paris to
complete their post-secondary education.

Business student and PSIP participant Hayek Harutyunyan, who interned
at the French Association for Client Relations, acknowledged that
leaving home allowed him to "understand the challenge of preserving
your Armenian identity outside of Armenia, and the effort it takes to
keep it." Sveta Ohyanyan, a student of Roman philology, interned at
the Musée d’Orsay, where she was "very happy to be working a
prestigious museum and greatly improve my French, especially spoken
French." Aren Manoukian, a biomedical science student at the
University of Montreal, interned at the Pierre and Marie Curie
University. The program, he said, gave him an incredible opportunity
to work hands-on in a laboratory with fellow researchers.

Every summer, PSIP director Zarouhi Odabashian sees the formative
experience PSIP can be. "An internship allows students to affirm their
career choice and helps them position themselves in their area of
specialty," she said.

After a successful session, AGBU’s Paris Summer Intern Program is
already preparing for an exciting 8th year in 2010. For more
information, visit students.agbueurope.org/psip.

Sponsored by AGBU France District, the AGBU Paris Summer Intern
Program (students.agbueurope.org/psip) was established in 2003,
placing young aspiring Armenians in seven-week internships working for
leading organizations in Paris.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.

VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian speakes at the
international conference ‘University Education for 21st Century’
dedicated to the 90th Anniversary of the Yerevan State University

2009-10-03 10:59:00

ArmInfo. – VivaCell-MTS, a subsidiary of Mobile TeleSystems OJSC,
announces that today that the General Manager of the Company Ralph
Yirikian was a guest speaker at the Yerevan State University on the
occasion of the institution’s 90th anniversary, VivaCell-MTS told
ArmInfo.

In his speech titled "Business and Education: Corporate Link" Ralph
Yirikian touched upon the role business can play in improving and
perfecting the system of higher education in Armenia by making it meet
market needs. VivaCell-MTS General Manager particularly reflected on
the two approaches adopted by the Company – the principles of Corporate
Responsibility, and Innovative Solutions, – both in business and in its
relations with the society.

These two principles serve the basis that push VivaCell-MTS to enhance
its cooperation with the educational institutions of our country. The
companies, which have skilled and highly professional employees, and
obtain a flexible system of management, win in the intensifying market
competition. But to provide that, the businesses need to be open to
progress and innovation, which is why VivaCell-MTS continues seeking
for new technological and marketing solutions.

Ralph Yirikian said: "Why should business cooperate with the education?
Among perpetually competing businesses in the modern world, companies
that go hand in hand with innovations and continuously train their
staffs, paying particular attention to novice approaches and the way of
thinking, win the race. That is one of the ways of the country’s
development. We believe we should approach problems not just from
position of a commercial organization, but as a Corporate Citizen. From
this perspective we kept and will continue to keep the higher education
sector within the focus of our special attention. VivaCell-MTS presents
the universities of Armenia its achievements, giving students and
alumni opportunity to enrich their theoretical knowledge by
familiarizing themselves with technological innovations."

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is the leading Armenian mobile operator,
providing a wide range of Voice and Data services. Since its launch on
1st July 2005, in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to
build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base.
VivaCell-MTS drives the development and offering of innovative mobile
communications products, services and features in the Armenian mobile
communications market.

Mobile TeleSystems OJSC ("MTS") is the largest mobile phone operator in
Russia and the CIS. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company
services over 95.65 million subscribers. The regions of Russia, as well
as Armenia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, in which
MTS and its associates and subsidiaries are licensed to provide GSM
services, have a total population of more than 230 million. Since June
2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange
(ticker symbol MBT).

Nagorno-Karabakh atlas presented in Stepanakert

STEPANAKERT, October 3, /ARKA/. Nagorno-Karabakh president Bako
Sahakian, other top officials, faculty and students of Artsakh State
University were present at the official presentation of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s Atlas, ARKA correspondent in Stepanakert
reported.

President Bako Sahakian emphasized the importance of the Atlas that
contains comprehensive political, economic, cultural, scientific,
geographic and other information about Nagorno-Karabakh. According to
him, the Atlas is important also in terms of ensuring the republic’s
security and it must serve as a guideline in all undertakings. He
thanked all the people who worked on the Atlas and awarded them state
orders.

All 1,500 copies of the Atlas which is in the Armenian and Russian
languages, were printed in Yerevan. It had been prepared by the
Armenian Center of Geodesy and Cartography of the State Cadastre
Committee at the order of the Nagorno-Karabakh government.

The Atlas has 70 maps of large and smaller scales and comprehensive
information about the republic’s resources, population, economy and
culture. M.M. -0-

TURKEY’S TEAM TO PREPARE FOR MATCHES AGAINST BELGIUM AND ARMENIA IN NETHERLANDS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
30.09.2009 18:54 GMT+04:00

National football team of Turkey will prepared in the Dutch village
Tegelen (near Venlo) for the upcoming qualifying games of 2010 World
Cup against Belgium and Armenia. On October 5 the Turkish national team
will fly from Istanbul to Dusseldorf (Germany) to leave for Tegelen,
the official website of the Football Federation of Turkey reports.

Upon completion of training camps trainees of Fatih Terim will travel
to Brussels, where on October 10 will hold a meeting with the Belgian
team. On October 11 the Turkish national team will fly to Bursa to
prepare for the last group round match against the Armenian team.

The Armenian team will depart on October 12 to Turkey, and on the day
of arrival in Bursa at 6:00 p.m. by local time will hold the first
training session and on October 13 at 7:30 p.m. will have a control
training at the field of future battle, Ataturk Stadium. The Armenia-
Turkey Match will start at 11:00 p.m. by Yerevan time (11:00 p.m. by
Turkish time).

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION For Justice & Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B-1000 Bruxelles
Tel/ Fax: +32 2 732 70 27/26
Website :Eafjd [1]

PRESS RELEASE

WEDNESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2009

CONTACT : VARTéNIE ECHO

TEL. / FAX. : +32 (0) 2 732 70 27

EP CONFERENCE SET TO ASSESS GENOCIDE DENIAL PROVISION: DIASPORA
CALLED TO VOCALISE SUPPORT IN BRUSSELS

The European Armenian Federation would like to remind the Armenian
community that a pivotal conference entitled DENIAL AND DEMOCRACY IN
EUROPE will be hosted by the European Parliament on October 6.

Under the aegis of German MEP Mr Elmar Brok, this event will bring
together Armenian, Jewish and Tutsi perspectives on genocide denial in
light of the adoption of the Framework Decision against Racism and
Xenophobia (2008). Article 1(c) of the Framework Decision prohibits
genocide denial in the EU.

EU Member States are legally required to incorporate the provisions
of this Framework Decision into their national legislations by 2010
and the question of how strong domestic legislation will be is now on
the table.

The event is also a rare opportunity for the Armenian communities of
Europe to show their support for legislation banning denial of the
Armenian Genocide and to reach the political sphere by voicing their
concerns in European Parliament.

In light of genocide denial in Europe and the protocols between
Turkey and Armenia that call for the establishment of a â??committee
of expertsâ?? to revisit and review the historicity of the Armenian
Genocide, it is all the more important for the Diaspora to make itself
heard.

The conference will host political personalities, historians,
experts, human rights workers, philosophers and others on the topic of
genocide denial in Europe. The speakers will explore critical
questions for Europe arising from increased genocide denial within the
EU as well as the potential benefits or drawbacks of the Framework
Decision.

There are still remaining spaces to register for this conference,
which will take place in room ASP 5G-2 at 2pm.

Those wishing to attend this conference must pre-register with the
European Armenian Federation at [4]. Final details will
be available upon registration.

Links:
——
[1] /extern/url.php?u=3332&qid=900769
[2]
http://a chkhar.eafjd.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/ url.php?u=3333&qid=900769
[3] /extern/url.php?u=3334&qid=900769
[4] /extern/url.php?u=3335&qid=900769