Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

BIN LADEN STATEMENT TO AMERICAN PEOPLE

Panorama.am
11:31 14/09/2009

An audio message purportedly from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden
emerged on radical Islamist Web sites on Sunday, just two days after
the United States marked the eighth anniversary of the September 11,
2001, terror attacks, "France Press" reports referring to Intel Center
American organization.

The message, entitled "a statement to the American people", was about
10 minutes long and was accompanied by a still image of Bin Laden
but no video.

The 10-minute long audio message was posted by As-Sahab Media —
al Qaeda’s production company.

SEN. ROBERT MENENDEZ TO RECEIVE 2009 ANCA-ER FREEDOM AWARD

Asbarez
en-robert-menendez-to-receive-2009-anca-er-freedom -award/
Sep 11, 2009

NEW YORK-The Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region
will be honoring United States Senator Robert Menendez with its highest
honor, the prestigious Freedom Award, at the Third Annual ANCA Eastern
Region Banquet hosted by the Armenian Cultural Association of America
on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Espace in New York City.

"We are proud to be honoring Senator Menendez," commented ACAA
Board Member George Aghjayan. "The Senator from New Jersey acted with
distinction when he placed a hold on Richard Hoagland’s nomination and
has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to the Armenian American
community."

For more than 16 years, Robert Menendez has been an ardent advocate
of Armenian American concerns in the State of New Jersey and
nationally. From ensuring that the United States honestly addresses
the issue of the Armenian Genocide to speaking out on the right
of self-determination for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, Senator
Menendez has championed truth, justice, and the principles of freedom
so cherished by the Armenian American community.

During the 109th Congress [2005-2006], Senator Menendez received
nationwide attention after making history by placing a hold on the
appointment of Ambassador designate to the Republic of Armenia,
Richard Hoagland. The Armenian American community had overwhelmingly
expressed its concern regarding Hoagland’s testimony before the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee in which he used language denying the
Armenian Genocide. Throughout 2006, the Armenian National Committee
of America led a nationwide campaign to call attention to this matter
and demand that the State Department remove the Hoagland nomination,
offer a complete explanation surrounding the controversial firing
of former Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans, and clarify the
Turkish Government’s influence in the removal of Ambassador Evans.

When the 110th Congress convened in January 2007, President Bush once
again nominated Hoagland to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia without
addressing any of the concerns outlined by the ANCA and the Armenian
American community. The very next day, Senator Menendez placed a second
hold on the nomination. On August 3, 2007, the Hoagland nomination
was withdrawn by President Bush.

When asked about his motivation for placing a hold, Senator Menendez
stated, "I believe that the United States, Armenia, and all who are
committed to human rights should support an ambassador to Armenia who
recognizes the genocide that took place there more than 90 years ago."

In a statement released when he placed the hold on Richard Hoagland in
2006, Senator Menendez said that, "the State Department and the Bush
administration are just flat-out wrong in their refusal to recognize
the Armenian Genocide. It is well past time for American diplomacy to
drop the euphemisms, the wink-wink, nod-nod brand of foreign policy
that overlooks heinous atrocities committed around the world. If
there is any sincerity behind the Bush administration’s rhetoric about
‘liberty on the march’ – if ‘never again’ is to be more than a bumper
sticker slogan – then American diplomacy should consist of nothing
less than unvarnished honesty with our friends and enemies alike. And
we must call genocide by its name."

In June 2008, Senator Menendez led the effort in questioning
the Administration’s nominee, Marie Yovanovitch, to serve as
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia during a Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations confirmation hearing. Senator Menendez forcefully questioned
the Administration’s policy on the Armenian Genocide and submitted
numerous questions concerning the Armenian Genocide, Turkey and
Azerbaijan’s blockades of Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh, and foreign aid
to Armenia. Several months later, in September 2008, Sen. Menendez led
the effort in questioning the Administration’s nominee, James Jeffrey,
to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Turkey during his confirmation hearing.

Most recently, in January 2009, Sen. Menendez questioned President
Obama’s nominee, Senator Hillary Clinton, to serve as Secretary
of State during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation
hearing. During the nationally televised hearing, Sen. Menendez stated
"I hope that the support that you gave while you were a Senator to
the question of the Armenian Genocide, that the President-Elect has
himself supported, recognition of that. You know, if we are to say
never again, part of that is ultimately the recognition of what has
happened so that we can move forward. And I hope that you will be an
advocate of having us get off of where we have been and move forward
to a recognition of that part of history that is universally recognized
so that we can move forward in that respect."

Robert Menendez grew up the son of Cuban immigrants in Union City,
New Jersey. He has served as a school board member, a mayor, and a
state legislator. In 1992, he was elected to the United States House of
Representatives. Sen. Menendez has cosponsored every Armenian Genocide
resolution introduced in Congress since his arrival in 1993. He served
on the House International Relations Committee where he twice voted
for passage of the Armenian Genocide resolution in 2000 and 2005. He
became the highest-ranking Hispanic in Congressional history and
the third-highest ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives
when his colleagues elected him the Chairman of the House Democratic
Caucus in 2002. While serving as a Representative, Senator Menendez
repeatedly offered remarks on the floor of the House in commemoration
of the Armenian Genocide.

Senator Menendez was appointed to the United States Senate
by New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and sworn in on January 18,
2006. In November of that year, he was elected by the people of New
Jersey to serve a full six-year term as United States Senator. He
currently serves on the Senate Committees on Banking, Housing and
Urban Affairs; Energy and Natural Resources; Budget; Finance; and
Foreign Relations. Senator Menendez is also the Chairman of the
Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance,
Economic Affairs, and International Environmental Protection of the
Committee on Foreign Relations.

As a mark of his longstanding bond with the Armenian American
community, in 2005 then-Representative Menendez joined hundreds of
Armenian Americans at a reception in New Jersey honoring His Holiness
Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. In April 2008,
Senator Menendez met with His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
America. For his outstanding commitment to the community, Senator
Menendez was honored in 2007 by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Dro Gomideh of New Jersey and the ANC Western Region, and most recently
in 2009, by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).

Every year, close to 400 Armenian American community members and
leaders join prominent Members of Congress, statewide officials, and
state legislators for the ANCA Eastern Region Annual Banquet. The
2009 Banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and
silent auction, with the formal program beginning at 8 p.m. For more
information about the Banquet, please contact Nairee Hagopian at
(312) 615-7698 or visit to purchase tickets.

Established in 1969, the Armenian Cultural Association of America
(ACAA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that assists and supports
impoverished people of Armenian origin; welfare institutions that aid
those of Armenian origin; and educational and charitable organizations
that encourage and develop the Armenian cultural heritage. The ACAA
also aids students, authors, artists and researchers who are pursuing
intellectual efforts in Armenian culture and education, and publishes
educational, scientific and literary books that raise the educational,
cultural and intellectual standards of the community. The ACAA sponsors
projects both in the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora. It
also serves as a repository of historic Armenian national documents
and archives.

"Armenian-Turkish Protocols must be discarded"

/09/11/ara-papian
05:25 pm | September 11, 2009 | Politics

Orientalist Ara Papian has found scores of preconditions in the
Protocols between Armenia and Turkey.

The diplomat says the fifth provision is enough to discard the whole
document.

It suggests "confirming the mutual recognition of the existing border
between the two countries as defined by the relevant treaties of
international law" and implies that the sides should connect
establishment of diplomatic ties with the mutual recognition of the
existing border

"Obviously, the negotiators have exceeded their liabilities and
violated the president’s instructions. They have stepped a field which
is beyond their competence," Mr. Papian said to A1+.

"Armenia must be consistent and reconfirm its readiness to better
diplomatic ties with Turkey without preconditions and to open common
frontier points," said Mr. Papian.

"Both President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian
have said many times that normalization of relations suggests opening
of the Armenian-Turkish border and establishment of diplomatic ties
between the two countries. Naturally, we have some expectations from
Turkey and therefore we shall seek cooperation. But after we open the
border we shall find our expectations frustrated. But I think it won’t
matter as Armenians are used to disappointments."

Any attempt to violate NKR border will be suppressed
12.09.2009 13:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Ministry of Defense refuted media reports
about violation of contact line by Azeri helicopters on September
11. Quoting NKR Defense Ministry spokesman, colonel lieutenant Senor
Hasratyan, the RA Ministry informed that the NKR defense army fixed
Azeri helicopters at a distance of 6-7 km from the contact line.

As the flights were exercised over the Azerbaijani territory, the
Armenian side did not take any action.

As RA Defense Minister’s spokesman, colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan told
PanARMENIAN.Net, NKR airspace is under control of the defense army and
any attempt to violate NKR border will be suppressed.

Ministry of Diaspora and Handyuc team sign memorandum on creation of
pan-Armenian portal

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The RA Ministry
of Diaspora and Hanguyc team on September 8 signed a memorandum, under
which the sides will contribute to the creation of a pan-Armenian
portal of national significance. Being aimed at preserving the Armenian
identity, the portal will become an important tool for regulating
Armenian information flows, Information and PR Department of the RA
Ministry of Diaspora reported.

The Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobian attached importance to the
use of high technologies for unifying the Armenians scattered around
world, and to the full use of the nation’s potential for the purpose of
strengthening the Homeland. In this respect she pointed out the
necessity of certain programs, in particular those related to the use
of Armenian in the Internet, making translations from other languages,
as well as translations from Western Armenian into Eastern Armenian and
vice versa. She said that the Armenian people can be informed about any
project, news, problem through the Internet and expressed her
satisfaction with the availability of Internet tools which enable to
regulate information flows from Armenia to the Diaspora and in the
opposite direction. "I am convinced that we will have an Armenian
Google, but as the minister of Diaspora I dream of having an Armenian
CNN," she noted, adding that the establishment of an Armenian search
system will contribute to the creation of all-Armenian television. "It
is time for our powerful high-tech organizations to unite and solve
numerous problems related to preservation of the Armenian identity,"
she underlined, noting that 3rd forum ArmTech 2009 will be held in San
Francisco on November 6-10, an event of great signifiance for the
organization of experts’ repatriation.

The purpose of the memorandum is to unify the Armenians around
Armenia’s independent statehood by encouraging Homeland-Diaspora
cooperation.

The Ministry of Diaspora and Hanguyc team () will also
help with the establishment of an Armenian Internet search system that
will later assume the role of a national local regulator by uniting all
Armenian websites into a single system and reducing the gradually
increasing outflow of money in this sphere.

The sides will also carry out work on the creation and active
development of an Armenian Internet with Armenian contents, thanks to
which Armenians living in Homeland and Diaspora will have the
opportunity to be in constant contact via various means of
communication and overcome the existing time, linguistic, distance and
other barriers. This network may form a basis for a virtual "Armenian
world" which will include a number of professional networks allowing to
consolidate the intellectual, cultural and scientific potential of
Armenians living in various countries and use the joint activities of
the professional network’s members for the welfare of the nation.

The memorandum was signed by Head of the Ministry’s Information and PR
Department Tigran Harutyunian on behalf of the Ministry and by the team
head Mher Abrahamian on behalf of Hanguyc.

Public sector has to participate in RA-Turkish rapprochement discussion
12.09.2009 16:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Both Armenia and Turkey are currently conducting
internal political discussions on normalization of RA-Turkish
ties. Both political and public sector in RA have to take active
participation in discussions, Stability Social Movement Co-Chair
Sargis Harutyunyan told PanARMENIAN.Net at news conference in Yerevan.

`Political forces are conducting discussions over rapprochement and I
believe that in near future RA President will assemble all political
forces in RA to discuss the issue,’ Stability Co-Chair noted, adding
that it would be right for RA President to meet public sector
representatives.

According to Sargis Harutyunyan, protocols on RA-Turkish rapprochement
should be submitted to RA parliament for ratification after such
discussions.

SUREN SURENYANTS: ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES "SERIOUSLY LACK INTELLECTUAL POTENTIAL"

PanARMENIAN.NET
11.09.2009 20:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian authorities seriously lack intellectual
potential, Republic party’s political board member Suren Surenyants
told a news conference in Yerevan. Commenting upon FM Edward
Nalbandyan’s recent press conference, speaker stressed that Foreign
Minister was justifying himself in front of journalists instead of
explaining the essence of Armenian-Turkish relations.

Turkey, unlike Armenia, pursues rather flexible diplomacy, Surenyants
noted, adding that the quality of Armenian authorities’ work is a major
task for all Armenians vs. United States or Turkey. "Authorities’ work
should to create a quality complying with international standards,"
he stressed.

SUKHOI SUPERJET 100 ARRIVES IN ARMENIA FOR HIGH-ALTITUDE TESTS

Interfax
Sept 10 2009
Russia

The third prototype of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ 100) aircraft
landed at Shirak airport in Gyumri, Armenia, on Thursday, Sukhoi Civil
Aircraft said in a press release obtained by Interfax-AVN on Thursday.

SSJ 100 will undergo an inspection of its takeoff and landing
characteristics and its ascending characteristics in high mountainous
conditions, the company said.

"These tests should demonstrate whether the aircraft is capable of
performing safe takeoffs and landings with an option of executing a
go- around in difficult conditions. Also, the tests will assess the
aircraft’s main systems and characteristics of its main and auxiliary
engines," the statement said.

Armavia, an Armenian airline company, will become the first foreign
operator of the Sukhoi Superjet 100. The first planes are due to be
supplied in late 2009.

ARMENIA CAUSES SHOCK WITH VICTORY OVER BELGIUM IN FOOTBALL WORLD CUP

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.09.2009 01:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia caused a shock with their first victory in
World Cup qualifying Group Five as goals from Hovhannes Goharyan and
Sargis Hovsepyan saw off Belgium.

Armenia ended Belgium’s World Cup hopes when they beat the visitors
2-1 on Wednesday.

Prior to this evening’s game in Yerevan the hosts had only taken one
point from seven previous games in the group and still remain a point
behind Estonia in the fight to avoid the wooden spoon.

Bayern Munich defender Daniel van Buyten pulled one back for Belgium
in second-half stoppage time but it was not enough to prevent the
1986 World Cup semi-finalists’ miserable campaign sinking to a new low.

Belgium made the better start and Standard Liege forward Igor de
Camargo was the first to go close before the hosts carved out their
first opportunity in the 17th minute.

Goharyan played in Arman Karamyan who advanced through on Jean-Francois
Gillet, and the goalkeeper did enough to turn his close-range effort
onto the post.

The chance gave Armenia confidence and BATE Borisov forward Goharyan
put them in front six minutes later when he fired in a rebound after
Gillet had parried Henrykh Mkhitaryan’s shot.

The home team could have added a second before the break, with captain
Hovsepyan missing the best of the chances they created between scoring
the opener and the half-time whistle blowing.

Pyunik player Hovsepyan made amends in style by doubling Armenia’s
lead five minutes into the second period.

Belgium finally stepped up their efforts but Van Buyten and Tom de
Sutter missed good opportunities to halve the deficit. Gevorg Kasparov
did brilliantly to save a close-range header from De Camargo in the
86th minute before Van Buyten scored right at the death, too late to
rescue even a point.

It was an incredible result for Armenia, who had only scored three
goals in their previous seven qualifiers.

HEIFER ARMENIA 10 YEARS OLD

NOYAN TAPAN
SEPTEMBER 10
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. A conference titled Safe and
Prosperous Armenian Village was held in commemoration of 10th
anniversary of Heifer program in Armenia at Erebuni Plaza Business
Center on September 10.

Within this period in virtue of Heifer Armenia’s activities, networks
of youung agronomists, leavers of youth clubs, leaders of village
communities and NGOs cooperating with Heifer were created and now act.

Only in 2009 fiscal year, within the framework of Heifer Armenia
program (2008 July 1-2009 June 30) 365 families got aid and 496
family got donations. At the end of the fiscal year 5327 families
were included in the acting programs of the Heifer Armenia program.

Heifer International is a non-profit, humanitarian organization which
provided assistance to (animals, plants, knowledge and other resources)
to 7 million vulnerable families in more than 125 countries during 65
years of its work. What makes Heifer unique is the practice known as
"passing on the gift (POG)," when, particularly, the families getting
the animals agree to pass on the first offspring or an appropriate
equivalent to another family in need.