Author: Virabian Jhanna

TER-MATEVOSYAN DISCUSSES REGIONAL SECURITY AT ALMA
By Andy Turpin

evosyan-discusses-regional-security-at-alma/
April 16, 2009

WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.) – On March 1, Vahram Ter-Matevosyan, head of
the Strategic Research Analysis Center at the Armenian Ministry of
Defense and director of the Institute of National Security Studies,
spoke at the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) about
"Regional Security Issues: The Armenian Perspective." Ter-Matevosyan
was in Boston representing Armenia at the Organization of the Black
Sea Economic Cooperation’s annual summit.

Ter-Matevosyan presented PowerPoint slides regarding Armenia’s
regional security and economic stability challenges-in particular,
Armenia’s role as a member of different international organizations,
such as the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the
World Bank, the IMF, and NATO. He also spoke about Armenia’s economic
development in the face of the current global economic crisis, as well
as Armenia’s floating currency exchange rate against the US dollar.

Asbed Kotchikian, a lecturer at the Global Studies Department at
Bentley University and editor of the academic peer-reviewed journal
The Armenian Review, moderated the discussion.

ALMA executive director Mariam Stepanyan introduced Ter-Matevosyan and
his topic of discussion, saying, "In these interesting political times,
Armenia’s fate, as it always is, is linked to its regional neighbors."

Ter-Matevosyan began, "I’m truly honored to be here. I’ve studied
abroad in many countries, but I know the power of the Armenian
Diaspora."

He spoke of Armenia and the role the Defense Ministry played recently
in the Harvard Black Sea Security Program (HBSSP), stating, "The
aim is using U.S. military and civilians to welcome any initiative
that brings more security, prosperity, and stability to our
region… Unfortunately, some regional projects bypass Armenia. But
in its recent seventh meeting, more than 60 Armenian and foreign
experts on our regional security met in Yerevan."

He turned to speak of those Armenians in the Javakhk region of Georgia
and the recent five-day war. "As you know, the Armenians in Georgia
have had a hard time since Georgia’s independence. Many find it very
hard to integrate into Georgian society."

Regarding Azerbaijan, Ter-Matevosyan spoke of the hard-line most likely
to prevail in the government there. "Aliyev has recently gained the
right to be the lifetime president of Azerbaijan."

He also touched on Armenia’s close ties with Russia. "We take Russia
for granted as our strategic partner, but we now see that have to be
more vigilant as to what the Azeri government is doing with propaganda
in Russia."

Of the Institute of National Security Studies, where Ter-Matevosyan is
director, he said, "Our institution was founded in 2005 by then-Defense
Minister Serge Sarkisian. We have the Analytic Center as well that
prepares the appendix of "working notebooks," which presents our
security studies to the country’s leadership."

"We also have the Academic Publishing Center and the
Electronic Library. The Armenian army also has 15 years of
publications. Forthcoming with the Noravank Foundation, we have reports
on ‘The Contemporary Problems of Armenian Information Security,’"
he said. "We also have my book, Islam in the Socio-Political Life in
Turkey, 1970-2001."

"My findings, surprisingly, were that Armenians in Turkey feel safer
voting for Islamic parties, particularly Erdogan’s AKP party. Hrant
Dink was integral to my research and the work is dedicated to his
memory."

Regarding the possibilities for the opening of the Turkish-Armenian
border in the near future, Ter-Matevosyan said, "It is highly possible
in the next few years that we’ll see an open border. But there are
many definitions of an ‘open border’ as well."

He added, "But we’ll have a problem if we [Armenia] don’t diversify
those food markets of sugar, salt, etc. We’ll have problems later."

Ter-Matevosyan ended saying of Armenia’s status in recent
internationally circulated reports, that "according to Transparency
International, Armenia is doing quite well in combating corruption."

EUROPE MUST STOP PLAYING GAMES

A1+
07:12 pm | April 17, 2009

Politics

The Armenian authorities must stop kidding themselves and Europe has
to stop playing games with small countries," said today NA Deputy,
leader of the "Heritage" party Raffi Hovhannisyan.

Hovhannisyan also stated:

"I don’t want any privilege. I want Armenia to secure human rights,
civil freedoms and its own standard of democracy. I also demand the
PACE to apply its values equally."

Talking about the Armenian delegation to the PACE, Raffi Hovhannisyan
said that there are many good delegates, but they are biased. If they
stop defending what cannot be defended, things will go more smoothly
for Armenia.

The Armenian delegation currently reflects our small interests and
our reputation in the world. Hovhannisyan also said that although he
has not been participating in the PACE plenary sessions in the past
couple of months, he has been "fighting on the front".

Raffi Hovhannisyan went on to say that this time Armenia’s issue
may be discussed with Azerbaijan. Zaruhi Postanjyan will represent
"Heritage" in the PACE April plenary session, but she will not be
able to participate in the monitoring session.

SPRING ARMY ENLISTMENT UNDERWAY

A1+
12:04 pm | April 17, 2009

Official

Serzh Sargsyan issued a decree for army enlistment and dismissal
in 2009.

According to the decree, in April-June 2009 all 18-year old male
citizens will be enlisted for compulsory army service and alternative
services. Among those to be enlisted are citizens who in the past
have lost their army enlistment postponement right.

Soldiers who have already undergone the compulsory army service will
be dismissed in April-June.

FIRE ALMOST BURNED DISTRICT

A1+
08:52 pm | April 14, 2009

Regions

A fire broke out on April 14 at around 5:30 p.m. after a child left
unattended played with fire. The four-year old grandchild of Gohar
Ghazaryan (resident of Gyumri) secretly burned papers in the yard and
threw them in the shack full of wood. The child informed the adults
and they made their way to the shack just when the fire had started
to burn inside.

Before the adults managed to stop the fire, it had already spread
towards the roofs of the two neighboring homes. Thanks to firefighters,
the fire did not penetrate into the neighbor’s house, but the latter
suffered material damage. The neighbors weren’t at home when the fire
broke out.

"We opened the door and saw smoke in the house. My neighbor told me
that it was his grandchild’s fault," says neighbor Gohar Koghpetsyan.

The fire left only material damage and based on preliminary data,
the burnt surface area is 100-120 square meters.

"LET’S GO TO SAVE THE CAT"
Nano Arghutyan

LRAGIR.AM
11:50:38 – 13/04/2009

This famous phrase from the film "Office Romance" comes to your mind
when you follow the world leaders express their worry in connection
with the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. It is so bad the conflict is not
settled, people suffer, and shootings are often at the frontier, "let’s
hurry to settle everything" the compassionate larders state. Then,
at the same moment they state that the only way for a settlement
is compromising. And no one knows why, Armenia, which is the less
interested in such a settlement of the, receives the great part of
the compromises.

The Nagorno-Karabakh settlement becomes the number one topic in the
region. After Barack Obama’s visit to Turkey the president and the
prime minister of that country stated that until the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue is not settled no progress is to be expected in the Armenian and
Turkish relations. In other words, this "old question" is announced
to need a quick solution. "The most serious problem in the Caucasus
is the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, and I believe this question will be
settled by the end of the 2009", stated Gyul.

Now, everyone will consider their duty to have an input in the
settlement of this conflict, and those who will contradict this
or affirm that the conflict is settled long ago, will be terribly
blamed of not wanting the Armenian and Turkish border to be open. A
"peace" propaganda wave is expected. Not only an international but
also an Armenian wave. And all possible measure will be exercised in
this regard.

For example, while in Yerevan, the CoE parliamentary member Anne
Mary Isler-Begen said to be happy that there are no disagreements
in connection with the measures to be used for the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict solution.

Let alone the question, that if there are no disagreement why the
conflict is not being settled, and let us just note, that one of
the favourite methods of the propaganda is used, in announcing
something positive at the fist sight, to which Armenia either will
have to give a negative answer or will have to get adapted to what
they say. The mediators are likely to make such "optimistic", but
in reality obligatory statements, which will "unnoticingly" decide
the terms for the settlement negotiations, its frameworks and the
tone. The Minsk group "shuttle" propaganda will be restored, even
other systems are probable to be restored, but the essence of the
proposed principles will not be changed in its afterwards.

And Armenia? Perhaps, this time Armenia refused the proposal of the
settlement based on the "principle of Madrid". Or, Azerbaijan did not
agree, which according to these principals completely loses his power
on the Nagorno-Karabakh. That is why the official Ankara stated that
until the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is not settled, the Armenian and
Turkish frontier opening is impossible. In this situation the most
important is not be caught by the propaganda tricks and project the
proposals proceeding from your own interests.

RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN RECEIVED NEWLY APPOINTED IMF REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR MIDDLE EAST AND CENTRAL ASIA MASOUD AHMED. THE MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY IMF REPRESENTATIVE IN ARMENIA NIENKE OOMES

Friday , 10 April 2009

Pleased with the current status of bilateral cooperation, the Prime
Minister noted that the global crisis will be easier to cope with
through close cooperation with international financial institutions
inclusive of the IMF.

The IMF regional director, too, stressed that the Fund appreciates
the cooperation with Armenia and is prepared to back our country in
its anti-crisis efforts.

At the request of Masoud Ahmed, Tigran Sargsyan briefed him on
recent economic developments and the current situation in Armenia,
as well as on the government’s anti-crisis action. The head of
government stressed that social expenditure – wages, pensions and
benefits, educational and health care spending – are protected in
the State budget. At the same time, a special focus is placed on GDP
growth-oriented measures. The Prime Minister further advised that an
arrangement is up with the World Bank to set up a task force to work
out macroeconomic forecasts and eventual scenarios for Armenia.

The Regional Director said to be appreciative of those steps taken in
Armenia towards the maintenance of financial stability and the return
to the floating rate policy. In his words,20the IMF is trying to keep
by more flexible approaches in providing State assistance allowing
for actual requirements instead of the quotas applicable. In this
context, Masoud Ahmed said should the Government’s social policy and
the Fund’s flexibility prove effective, the IMF might look at the
possibility of providing Armenia with additional support.

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT TURKEY IN MAY

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.04.2009 18:13 GMT+04:00

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is planning to visit Turkey
in May to discuss American-Turkish, Armenian-Turkish relations and
the Nagorno Karabakh problem.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is also expected to pay a visit to
Turkey while Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Washington
is scheduled for late May, Hurriyet reported.

Prelate Mardirossian’s Easter Message

Thursday, April 9, 2009
4/11/2009_1

The Resurrection of Our Lord Brings Renewal to Our Lives
`Christ is risen from the dead!
He trampled down death by death,
and by His resurrection He granted life to us.
Glory to Him for all ages. Amen.’ (Hymn)

The enlivening spirit of rebirth and renewal resonates throughout the
world once again as we Christians prepare to celebrate Christendom’s
greatest and most important feast, the Glorious Resurrection of our
Lord Savior Jesus Christ, and join together to exclaim
`Christ is risen from the dead! Alleluia.

Come ye peoples, sing unto the Lord! Alleluia.’ (Hymn)

The Resurrection of our Lord brings to us a profound message of
rebirth and renewal. It starts with death, the crucifixion and
entombment of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, and ends with life, the
Glorious Resurrection on Easter Sunday. It is the conquering of death
and the dawn of a new life, a reassurance that good will always
triumph and hope will abound.

It is very fitting that Easter comes in springtime, a season marked by
the blossoming of life when the dark, harsh winter ends and the sun
shines bright again. We witness the workings of nature with the death
of the old and the birth of the new. As we too undergo this natural
cycle of life, we will not be facing an end, but beginning a new life,
a rebirth into a new state, for the Resurrection gives us this
promise, `He saves us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by
the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus
Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we
might become heirs having the hope of eternal life’ (Titus 3:5-7).

One need not die physically to experience resurrection. The broader
message of the Resurrection is that after pain and suffering comes
redemption and hope. Many times in life we are overcome with
obstacles, but these obstacles are just steps, passages to achieving
enlightenment. Jesus Christ had to die on the cross to be
resurrected, as St. Peter proclaims, `Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy has
begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead’ (1 Peter 1:3-4).

The promise of the Resurrection raises us from the depths of our
darkest hours by giving us freedom from our burdens, granting us
strength, and hope for a renewed heart, a renewed soul, and a renewed
life.

Dear faithful,

Easter is an awakening; a time of revitalization and rejuvenation.

It is a spiritual rebirth, a journey towards a higher purpose that
starts internally within ourselves when we accept Jesus Christ as our
Savior with an open and pure heart, a journey whose significance
cannot be overstated for in the words of our Savior, `Most assuredly,
I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of
God’ (John 3:1-3).

The Easter message is for all mankind. It is a transformative message
that is needed now more than ever in a world that has become more
despondent. The Resurrection of our Lord is a miraculous gift that
restores faith to the faithless and gives hope to the hopeless; it
allows us to pass from death to a life, from despair to optimism, and
invites us to be reborn to be worthy of His abundant blessings and
promises.

Two thousand years ago Jesus brought His Light to the world. That
light still shines brightly as a call to faith, love, and hope and it
is just as, if not more, inspiring and meaningful today.

For centuries, our ancestors not only comprehended the mystery and awe
of the Resurrection they lived it through their faith and deeds, thus
renewing the life and spirit of the Armenian people and nation.

As His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
proclaimed 2009 the `Year of the Youth’, let us heed this call to pay
special attention to the needs of our youth. Let us impart to them the
uplifting and life-giving message of the Resurrection and commit
ourselves to their spiritual nourishment and development not just
during this time but throughout the year. Let us bridge our youth to
our religious and national heritage and through them, and for them,
renew and reinvigorate our mission for the survival and prosperity of
our Church and nation.

Let us reflect on the Easter tidings of love, hope, faith, and
renewal, reaffirm our faith, and undergo spiritual rebirth and revival
to live a richer and deeper quality of life.

Emboldened by the message of the Resurrection, let us `put on the new
man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who
created him’ (Col. 3:10), and allow the good tidings of this glorious
Feast to lift us to new life and new heights.

With these sentiments, let us pray for the Lord to `Create in me a
clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me’ (Psalms
51:10).

We extend our best wishes to our Clergy, Executive Council, Delegates,
parish representatives, educators, sister organizations, our faithful
parishioners, and to all those who labor for the splendor of our
Church and nation, and join you in proclaiming,
"Christ is risen from the dead.

Blessed be the Resurrection of Christ."

Prayerfully,

Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States

"TRADITIONAL AND MODERN MEDICINE INTEGRATION" INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO LAUNCH IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.04.2009 19:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Traditional and Modern Medicine Integration"
International Conference, organized by Traditional Medicine University
will launch on Apr. 28 in Yerevan. The conference will be attended
by specialists from Iran, Georgia, Russia and Tajikistan

PROSECUTOR DEMANDS TO FINE SHAMSHYAN

A1+
02:16 pm | April 08, 2009

Politics

Today in the Court of General Jurisdiction of Kentron and Nork-Marash
districts, Prosecutor Levon Charkhifalakyan demanded to impose s fine
of 500000 drams on photojournalist Gagik Samshyan.

Remind that the photojournalist is charged with Article 343 of the
Armenian Criminal Code (disrespect for court).

Judge Gagik Avetisyan had banned Gagik Shamshyan to photograph
defendant Smbat Ayvazyan, member of the Hanrapetutyun Party’s board,
during a trial. In reply, Shamshyan demanded a decision on the ban.

Registrars and the secretary of the court sittings stated during
the investigation and court sittings that Gagik Shamshyan called the
judge an "idiot, dolt and calf," but the words weren’t recorded.

Lawyer Hovik Aresnyan says his client’s pretrial evidence fully
corresponds to the audio records of an August 5, 2008, court sitting.

The evidence given by the registrars and the secretary run counter
to the records. Generally, the material evidence, the audio-records,
must correspond to the subjective evidence. Only Shamshyan’s evidence
meets the requirements in this case.

The defence is due to make a speech at 10.00, April 15.