Author: Antonian Lara

PROTEST ATTEMPTED OUTSIDE US EMBASSY IN AZERBAIJAN

news.az
Dec 22 2009
Azerbaijan

USA flag A group of members of Muasir Musavat Party attempted to
picket outside the US embassy in Azerbaijan.

The party’s press service told. The picketers protested against
the allocation of $8 million by the U.S. Congress to the separatist
Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

The police prevented the picket and several members of the party were
taken to Nasimi district police office.

They gave explanation and were released.

FORMER U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER ACCUSED OF SPENDING TAX DOLLARS LOBBYING FOR TURKEY

Tert.am
14:47 ~U 22.12.09

Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert serves as a foreign agent
for the Turkish government to lobby against the Armenian Genocide
Resolution while spending over $40,000 a month of U.S. taxpayers’
money on office space, staff, cell phones and a leased SUV, reports
Politico, a political journalism organization based in Arlington,
Virginia, and disseminated by the Armenian Council of America.

In 2005, allegations arose that Hastert may have been previously the
recipient of tens of thousands of dollars of secret payments from
Turkish officials in exchange for political favors and information.

"As an American tax payer and descendent of Armenian Genocide
survivors and victims, I find it highly repugnant and despicable on
many levels that my tax dollars are possibly funding a Turkish lobbyist
who works feverishly to deny the historical tragedy of my ancestors,"
stated Vasken Khodanian, Chair of the Armenian Council of America.

THE NKR MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ADDRESSED A LETTER TO THE OSCE CHAIRPERSON-IN-OFFICE

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2009-12-22 17:14
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
addressed a letter to the OSCE CiO George Papandreou in connection
with an incident on the Line of Contact between the armed forces of
NKR and Azerbaijan on December 20, 2009.

The letter, in particular, reads that on December 20 of this year
a woman was shot dead from the Azerbaijani positions in the Aghdam
direction of the Contact Line, as she was moving ahead towards a
military outpost of the NKR Defense Army.

"It is not the first time that local residents, forcibly settled in
frontier areas and used for military purposes, are trying to come
over to the Nagorno Karabakh side due to intolerable conditions", –
the letter says.

The NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the attention of the Office
of the Personal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office to the fact
that the specified incident had occurred as a result of violation of
the cease-fire by the Azerbaijani party, while servicemen of the NKR
Defense Army tried to undertake all possible measures to prevent the
tragic death of the elderly woman.

A copy of the letter was sent to the Personal Representative of
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk and the
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, Ambassadors Yury Merzlyakov of Russia,
Bernard Fassier of France, and Robert Bradtke of the United States.

SCHIFF RESPONDS TO LETTER FROM LEADING TURKISH-AMERICAN INTEREST GROUPS BY CALLING FOR HOUSE PASSAGE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

Yerkir
21.12.2009 12:47
Yerevan

Yerevan (Yerkir) – Yesterday, Congressman Adam Schiff sent a response
letter to Gunay Evinch of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations
and Kaya Boztepe of the Federation of Turkish American Associations
regarding the necessity to pass the House Armenian Genocide Resolution
(H. Res. 252). Mr. Evinch and Mr. Boztepe recently wrote to Congressman
Schiff asking that he withdraw his Armenian Genocide Resolution in
light of the recently signed Turkey – Armenian Protocols.

The protocols call for a commission to review the historical dimensions
of the enmity between Armenia and Turkey. In response, Congressman
Schiff states it is imperative that the Congress pass the Genocide
Resolution to prevent Armenia from being forced to accept an historical
whitewash in order advance relations with Turkey.

"In recent months, some, including some in our own government
have suggested that the commission is not intended as a vehicle to
review the history of the Armenian Genocide. Your letter honestly
characterizes it as a vehicle to continue Ankara’s decades of
denial, supporting my own interpretation of the Protocols’ commission
provision," Congressman Schiff wrote in his letter. "The best way to
ensure that the truth about the Armenian Genocide is recognized is
for the United States Congress to act to commemorate the victims now,
while a handful of survivors are still with us."

ARMENIAN GROUP BLASTS US FOR ‘GENOCIDE RECOGNITION FAILURE’

Hurriyet Daily News
Dec 21 2009
Turkey

The ANCA’s strong criticism of Washington came nearly a few days after
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and U.S. President Barack
Obama met at the White House.

The largest and most radical Armenian-American group has criticized
the United States of failing to formally recognize the World War
I-era killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as "genocide."

"It is truly astonishing that the United States has … pursued
a policy of complicity in Turkey’s state-sponsored denial of the
Armenian genocide and has even gone to the lengths of assisting Turkey
in covering up a crime," said Kate Nahapetian, government affairs
director of the Armenian National Committee of America, or ANCA.

Nahapetian’s remarks came in written testimony she submitted to the
U.S. Senate’s Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law for
a hearing titled "The Law of the Land: U.S. Implementation of Human
Rights Treaties" late last week.

"Turkey’s success in silencing one of the most powerful countries in
the world on one of the best documented cases of genocide emboldens
other states to commit genocide and undermines the ability of the U.S.

and the international community to prevent crimes against humanity,"
Nahapetian said, according to an ANCA statement.

She urged the U.S. administration and Congress to reverse this
situation.

The ANCA’s strong criticism of Washington came nearly a few days
after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Barack
Obama met at the White House. Their agenda included Turkey’s relations
with Armenia.

Reconciliation process

The Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers met Oct. 10 and signed a
set of agreements under which Ankara and Yerevan would reestablish
diplomatic relations and reopen their land border.

Obama, who as a candidate pledged to recognize the Armenian killings
as "genocide," during last year’s election campaign, reversed his
position as president this year and fully backed the Ankara-Yerevan
normalization process, saying he would refrain from any move that
would jeopardize this process.

Presently, two identical "genocide recognition" resolutions introduced
by pro-Armenian lawmakers are pending in the Senate and the House
of Representatives, the upper and lower chambers of Congress,
respectively.

Analysts suggest that as long as the Turkey-Armenia normalization
process remains on track, chances for congressional adoption of these
resolutions remain slim.

However, there are signs that the reconciliation process is facing
obstacles on both sides. The Turkey-Armenia accord of Oct. 10 needs to
be ratified by the parliaments of both countries before implementation,
and there is no indication of when the two nations may bring the deal
to their respective parliaments.

The problem that lies at the root of the problem is the unresolved
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Turkey’s
close ally.

Turkey first wants to see progress toward the solution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute before opening its border with Armenia. And
according to Turkey, Armenia is hinting no sign of this.

Nagorno-Karabakh, a mostly Armenian-populated enclave inside Azerbaijan
as well as other parts of Azerbaijan proper, have been under Armenian
occupation since a war in the early 1990s. As a result of this war,
Turkey has kept the land border with Armenia closed since 1993.

About 30 000 Armenians live in Azerbaijan

news.az
Dec 21 2009
Azerbaijan

Tural Kerimli News.Az interviews Tural Kerimli, a Baku based
independent political scientist.

On December 18 the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of
Azerbaijan held a roundtable discussion on "The Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict over Nagorno Karabakh: outcomes of 2009 and further
perspectives". During the event you suggested the re-opening of the
Armenian Church in Baku. What motivated you to make such a statement?

In my opinion, there is a great chance to show the tolerance of
the Azerbaijani people to the world. About 30 000 Armenians live in
Azerbaijan today and they do not have any problems.

The re-opening of the church will be a perfect answer to Armenians,
especially those who live in Karabakh, who have been saying for
many years that they can’t live together with Azerbaijanis, claiming
Azerbaijanis are threatening them and reminding us about the fabricated
disorders in Sumgayit.

The fact is that Azerbaijan is, perhaps, the only country in the
world where ethnic minority – Armenians – committed massacres against
ethnic majority – Azerbaijanis. That’s why I think Armenians who live
in Azerbaijan should have an opportunity to pray in their Church
as it will show the entire world who is right in the Azerbaijani –
Armenian conflict.

If Armenians who will visit the Church state that there is no threat
for Armenians in Azerbaijan, the myth about impossibility of peaceful
coexistence of Armenians and Azerbaijanis will be broken.

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web:

Western Diocese e-Newsletter

Dear Reader

We were profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of Rev.
Archpriest Fr. Kourken Mouradian, Father Confessor of St. Peter
Armenian Church ` Youth Center in Glendale, California, on December
18, 2009.

In our prayers let us beseech the Lord to welcome into His Kingdom of
eternal peace and joy this tireless servant of His, and to grant
consolation and comfort to all those who mourn Fr. Kourken’s passing.

On Tuesday December 22, 2009, at 7:00 PM, the Home Service for
Fr. Kourken will be held at St. Peter Armenian Church-Youth Center in
Glendale.

On Wednesday December 23, 2009, starting at 10:00 AM, the celebration
of the Divine Liturgy by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate, assisted by the Diocesan Clergy will take place. According to
the traditions of the Armenian Church the Last Unction Rite for the
deceased Clergyman will be performed by the Primate and the Diocesan
Clergy during the Divine Liturgy.

ARCHPRIEST FR. KOURKEN MOURADIAN

Archpriest Fr. Kourken Mouradian was born on May 1, 1928 in
Etchmiadzin, Armenia. From 1945 to 1951 he has studied at the
Theological Seminary of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

On May 9, 1951 he was ordained a deacon by His Eminence Archbishop
Roupen Drampian.

In 1957 he married Miss Vartouhi Derderian and they became blessed
with three children.

On July 31, 1978 he was ordained a married Priest by His Eminence
Archbishop Gomidas Der Stepanian at the Monastery of St. Keghart.

On March 5, 1980 he was assigned as the Abbot of the Khor-Virab
Monastery by His Holiness Vazken I, Catholicos of All Armenians and on
December 18, 1981 he was granted the title of "Archpriest."

In March of 1994 they moved to United States of America and settled in
the Los Angeles area. In 2003 he was assigned by the newly elected
Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian as the Father
Confessor of St. Peter Armenian Church of Glendale, California.

The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, providing
spiritual guidance and leadership to the Armenian Apostolic community,
is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization comprised of more
than 50 churches in 16 western states. It was established in 1898 as
the Diocese of the Armenian Church encompassing the entire United
States and Canada. In 1927 the Western Diocese was formed to
exclusivly serve the western United States.

3325 North Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474 Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

8countnews.com
Dec 20 2009

Martirosyan Ready For A Title Shot

December 20th, 2009

Rising junior middleweight star Vanes "The Nightmare" Martirosyan
(26-0, 17 KO’s) backed up his call for a title shot in 2010 by
stopping Willie Lee (17-6, 11 KO’s) in the third-round on the Kelly
Pavlik-Miguel Espino undercard in Youngstown, Ohio on Saturday.

Martirosyan picked up two regional 154-pound titles for his efforts
last night.

In the opening round Vanes acurratly pin-poined a series of straight
rights and hooks that continued into the third round where he dropped
Lee with a solid right counter. Lee recovered from the blast but
Martirosyan’s relentless preasure forced referee Randy Jarvis to stop
the bout at 2:13.

Trainer Freddie Roach is very confident that his Armenian contender is
now ready to seek a junior middleweight belt with his eyes set on WBA
title holder Yuri Foreman.

LE/2161/2009-12-20.html

Public Television of Armenia
Dec 11 2009

US official, Armenian leader discuss ties with Turkey, Karabakh – state TV

[Presenter-read report] The USA will continue its consistent support
in the direction of the speedy normalization of relations between
Armenia and Turkey without preconditions, US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton told the Armenian president in a phone conversation
initiated by her in the evening of 10 December. Ms Clinton informed
[Armenian President] Serzh Sargsyan about details of the Washington
meeting between US President Barack Obama and Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

President Sargsyan asked Ms Clinton to express his gratitude to
President Obama for stable support in the issue of normalization of
relations with Turkey. The president of our country reconfirmed yet
another time Armenia’s willingness – in connection with the process –
to respect its international commitments and to advance in the
direction of the normalization of ties with Turkey, expressing the
hope that the Turkish side will show same willingness and
responsibility as well.

Issues connected with the process of settlement of the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict were also discussed during the phone conversation.
The US Secretary of State reconfirmed the support of her country for a
peaceful and long-term settlement for the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict,
emphasizing at the same time that the US administration considers the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict and normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations as processes separate from each other, and
that progress in the direction of each of the individual processes
will contribute to the strengthening of peace and stability in the
region.

[translated from Armenian]

news.am, Armenia
Dec 19 2009

Charity trade fair in Yerevan

14:38 / 12/19/2009Dec.19, Diplomats’ Spouses Association of Armenia
`Welcome to Armenia’ chaired by Natalia Nalbandian, spouse of the RA
Foreign Minister organized a charity fair in Yerevan City Hall.
National dishes and souvenirs from Russia, the U.S., India, Iraq,
Turkmenistan, Georgia and other countries were presented. The proceeds
from trade fair will go to the repair of kindergartens No. 5, 73, 95
in Shengavit district of Yerevan.

`Traditionally, all countries organize charity events for children or
the needy on Christmas eve. With the assistance of Yerevan City Hall
we found 3 kindergartens in want of repair and decided to aid them,’
FM’s spouse Natalia Nalbandian said, adding that she did not buy
anything in the fair yet.
Beyond Ambassadors’ spouses, the ambassadors also attended the event.

Head of Yerevan City Hall Cultural Department Lusine Martirosyan
informed that the fair is on the list of festive events initiated by
the City Hall.

K.M.