Author: Antonian Lara

LEADERS OF US AZERBAIJANI DIASPORA MET WITH HEAD OF CONGRESS SUB-COMMITTEE FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS

Azeri Press Agency
April 15 2008
Azerbaijan

New York. Husniyya Hasanova-APA. On April 13, 2008, leaders of
Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA) – Tomris Azeri, U.S. Azeris Network
(USAN) – Adil Baguirov, Azerbaijani-American Council (AAC) – Javid
Huseynov, and Caucasus Jewish Community of New York- Yakov Abramov
and Nobert Yevdayev, joined the Congressional breakfast organized by
the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of New York.

APA US Bureau reports, speaking at the event, members of JCRC, Consul
General of Israel in New York – Asaf Shariv, Congressmen Steve Israel
and Gary Ackerman, Congresswomen Nita Lowey and Yvette Clarke and
Senator Ron Widen addressed the issues of security and peace in
Middle East, the interests and policies of the United States and
Israel vis-a-vis the global war on terrorism and regional threats.

Event participants greeted the representatives of Azerbaijani Diaspora.

During the event, Adil Baguirov and Javid Huseynov met with
Congresswoman Nita Lowey, the chair of the Foreign Operations
subcommittee of the U.S. Congress. They emphasized that Azerbaijan
is the only secular Muslim country besides Turkey, enjoying broad
security and economic relations with the United States and Israel, and
it’s therefore important for the U.S. to continue supporting this key
regional ally to promote peace, security and religious tolerance in the
region. Drs. Baguirov and Huseynov also informed Rep. Lowey about the
vibrant Jewish community in Azerbaijan,living in peace alongside Azeris
for many centuries. 39 pro-Armenian congressmen recently appealed
Nita Lowey to reduce financial assistance to Azerbaijan in 2009.

Azerbaijani community representatives also met with Senator Ron Widen.

AZERBAIJANI DIASPORA IN US ARRANGES PRESENTATION ON AZERBAIJAN AND NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT IN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Azeri Press Agency
April 15 2008
Azerbaijan

New-York. Husniyya Hasanova -APA. Heads of Azerbaijani Diaspora
organizations in the US made a report in 13th assembly of the "World
Convention of the Association for the Study of Nationalities" organized
by Columbia University every year, APA US bureau reports.

Tomris Azeri, President of Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA), Javid
Huseynov, President of Azerbaijani American Council, Adil Bagirov,
Executive Director of US Azerbaijanis Network, Fariz Ismayilzadeh,
Taleh Ziyadov, representatives of Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy and
other Diaspora Activists have arranged the presentation on Azerbaijan
and Nagorno Karabakh conflict. They stated that the confrontation
between Armenians and Azerbaijanis had started after occupation of
territory by Russian Empire. Armenian scientists stated that Armenian
political elite depended on Russia and any force, who settled for a
compromise was made drop out of politics. There were serious statements
on the situation of national minorities residing in Turkey during
the hearings. Armenian scientist Alla Mirzoian stressed that Ankara
should not support Azerbaijan and borders between Armenia and Turkey
should be opened. Mirzoian stated that struggle for the recognition of
so-called Armenian genocide was not against the territorial integrity
of Turkey. Javid Huseynov, President of Azerbaijani American Council
announced that Armenians occupied Nagorno Karabakh and violated
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity recognized on international
level. Armenian scientist could not answer his question on why it
was impossible to take the similar step towards Turkey under the
pretext of so-called Armenian genocide. Adil Bagirov, Executive
Director of the US Azerbaijanis Network stated that 100.000 people
had participated in the funeral of Grant Dink, Armenian journalist
in Turkey and added that Armenians’ participation in the funeral of
killed Azerbaijani or Turkish was impossible.

CHALLENGERS OUT TO BREAK PYUNIK GRIP
by Khachik Chakhoyan

UEFA.com
April 14 2008
Switzerland

FC Pyunik may have enjoyed a winning start but Armenia’s perennial
champions will need to overcome some stern competition this season
if they are to clinch the Bardzraguyn Khumb title for an eighth
consecutive year.

Five contenders FC Banants, FC MIKA and Ararat Yerevan were Pyunik’s
closest challengers last term and all three clubs have begun the 2008
campaign with renewed optimism after strengthening their squads during
the closed season. FC Gandzasar Kapan, fifth in the eight-team top
flight last year, have also recruited heavily and cannot be discounted
in what promises to be a particularly open title race.

Youthful Pyunik Pyunik remain the team to beat, yet their inexperience
could present the other contenders with an opportunity to end the
Yerevan club’s dominance. Aside from their two veteran Armenian
internationals, Sargis Hovsepyan and Karen Dokhoyan, the Pyunik side
is flushed with youth and much is expected of emerging trio Henrikh
Mkhitaryan, Gevorg Ghazaryan and Karlen Lazarian, all of whom have
been capped by the national team.

Two-point advantage A slender 1-0 win against FC Ulis Yerevan in
the season’s opening match on 6 April ensures Pyunik already have
a two-point advantage over city-rivals and last year’s runners-up
Banants, who could only draw 0-0 with Gandzasar. That stalemate,
coupled with an unconvincing penalty shoot-out win over FC Shirak
in the last eight of the Armenian Cup, has put some pressure on the
club’s new Bulgarian coach Nedelcho Matushev, who has replaced his
countryman Nikolai Kostov.

Israelyan confident Banants, the cup holders, underlined their
intentions by signing the highly-rated Armenian international Romik
Khachatryan to partner Karen Aleksanyan in midfield, and club president
Sargis Israelyan is optimistic for the remainder of the season. "We
were missing too many players during the preparation period and that’s
why our form is not good at the moment," Israelyan said. "However,
I’m confident we can challenge for the top places, as well as trying
to repeat our success in the Armenian Cup."

Comfortable victories Ararat and MIKA, meanwhile, enjoyed perfect
starts to their league campaigns, securing comfortable home
victories. Varuzhan Sukiasyan’s return to the Ararat dugout has had
a positive impact, with an impressive come-from-behind win over Ulis
in the Armenian Cup quarter-finals followed by a 5-0 league triumph
over FC Kilikia.

Arkadiy Andreasyan’s MIKA, who are also through to the cup semi-finals,
defeated Shirak 3-1 in their league encounter.

Argentinian signings Gandzasar have been eliminated from the cup,
losing on penalties to Pyunik, yet few will be taking them lightly
in the Bardzraguyn Khumb.

The Kapan outfit now have 14 foreign players on their books, an
Armenian record, after signing five Argentinian players. Yet coach
Samvel Petrosyan knows his South American newcomers – Claudio Alanis,
Aleo Jelatini, Jose Rikardo, Carlos Mavilyan and Jonatan Mavilla –
will need to settle quickly if the club is to mount a serious title
challenge.

ARMENIA’S NEW PRIME MINISTER NOT GOING TO JOIN ANY PARTY

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.04.2008 14:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s newly appointed Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan doesn’t intend to join any party. However, he did not exclude
such a possibility in future.

"I do not think that being nonpartisan, I will have less influence
on the ministers," Mr Sargsyan told reporters today.

As to the measures to be taken for improvement of the government’s
work, the PM said he will be rigid while the responsibilities of the
ministers will be outlined precisely.

"The ministers will bear responsibility for their work. If the results
do not meet their pledges, the cabinet will be administered a public
reprimand," the Prime Minister said, IA Regnum reports.

SERZH SARGSYAN: ALONE, NO ONE CAN TURN ARMENIA INTO A COUNTRY OF DREAMS

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.04.2008 20:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ I am ready to contribute all my strength for
an atmosphere of confidence to prevail in our society, for us to
overcome any polarization, rough confrontation, and discredit,
Armenia’s President-elect Serzh Sargsyan said in his speech today.

"Alone, no one can turn Armenia into a country of dreams. All
structures, various political and non-governmental forces, and civil
society need to unite. This is where the President should act as the
key actor in uniting the nation, a man who must use all the tools
and mechanisms of power available to him in order to promote the best
ideas and to preserve, develop, and put to the best use our country’s
most precious capital, our human resources.

"I shall seek ways of cooperating with all the political forces. My
efforts will focus on achieving the nation-wide objectives,
strengthening the link between generations, combining the interests
of different social groups, ensuring respect for ethnic minorities,
and preserving the Armenian identity.

"I shall encourage a change of attitude towards the intelligentsia
in our country. It is long time for the state to treat seriously our
culture, scientific and educational potential, and every individual
engaged in intellectual and creative work.

"I shall make my humble contribution to the strengthening of the
Armenian Apostolic Church, which will continue to remain a pillar of
the Armenian soul and national identity" Mr Sargsyan said.

He mentioned that the ceremony takes place about a month after painful
events, which inflicted wounds that are still fresh.

"These wounds caused pain and bitterness to all of us.

Today, I urge to look forward, together to seek and find the path of
reconciliation, that of development for the Armenia of future. I am
confident that we cannot have real and tangible success, unless we
learn lessons from the past. What happened should teach all of us a
lesson of vigilance and sobriety, compelling us to work with greater
vigor and devotion.

"Unchecked freedom can result in conflict with the public interests
and the rights of others. To prevent such conflicts and to reconcile
various rights and interests, the state may interfere with the exercise
of certain fundamental rights.

"Limitations of fundamental rights, however, cannot be absolute, as
they would simply render the fundamental right meaningless. Limitations
should not undermine the essence of fundamental rights enshrined in
the Constitution.

"For any limitation of rights and freedoms, including the right to
peaceful assembly, we must strike a fair balance between the public
order and respect for the rights and freedoms of others, on the one
hand, and the right to peaceful assembly, on the other.

"Over a short period of time, along with dozens of other laws,
we should revisit the legislation regulating the right to peaceful
assembly with a view to safeguarding everyone’s right to peaceful
assembly in accordance with European standards and precluding
any public event that is either not peaceful or does not pursue a
legitimate aim.

"Our people have given me their vote of confidence, and I must
implement my program during the next five years. Our people have
confided in me to overcome the challenges faced by our country and to
meet everyone’s expectations. Five years is a rather short period to do
all of this, hence it will be a period of everyday hard work. During
this time, we shall manage to do what is possible and beyond,
to address the development challenges faced by our country. That
is why I consider this ceremonial day a working day for me and my
political team.

So thank you, and let us get down to work!

Let us get down to work, and forward, Armenia!" the President-elect
stated.

GULBENKIAN FOUNDATION PREPARED TO EXTEND COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
April 9, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Receiving the chairman of the board
of directors of the Gulbenkian Foundation Emilio Rui Vilar and
the Portuguese ambassador to Armenia Marcelo Curto on April 9,
the Armenian president Serge Sargsian attached importance to the
Foundation’s assistance to Armenia. He especially appreciated the
agreements reached recently with the Matenadaran.

According to Emilio Rui Vilar, during the 50 years of its existence,
the Gulbenkian Foundation has always cooperated closely both with
Armenia and the Diaspora and is ready to extend this cooperation. He
said that the Foundation is currently involved in the European movement
of foundations and that he has proposed his candidature for the post
of chairman of the council of the European movement of foundations.

According to a press release of the RA president’s press
service, Armenian-Portuguese relations were also discussed at the
meeting. S. Sargsian underlined the Armenian side’s interest in
promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The interlocutors
were unanimous in the opinion that being well informed about each
other may become a good stimulus for economic cooperation.

TWO ARMENIAN SPORTSMEN COMPETE AT 9th WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP

Noyan Tapan
April 9, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 9, NOYAN TAPAN. 9th World Swimming Championship is
being held in Manchester on April 9-16. Armenia is represented
by Mikael Koloyan, who will take part in 50, 100- and 200-meter
freestyle, and Harutyun Harutyunian to compete in 50-meter swimming
race. The chief coach of the team is Misak Gabrielian. The chairman
of the Swimming Federation of Armenia Igor Safarian also left for
Manchester to participate in a congress of the International Swimming
Federation there.

AGENCY CUTS TIES WITH ADL PROGRAM
By Keith O’Brien

Boston Globe
April 9 2008
MA

The Massachusetts Municipal Association severed ties yesterday with
the Anti-Defamation League’s embattled No Place For Hate program,
reigniting a debate that had gone quiet recently over the ADL’s
position on the World War I-era Armenian genocide.

In a unanimous vote, the board of directors at the MMA, a nonprofit
advocacy group for Massachusetts cities and towns, expressed "strong
disapproval" in the ADL for failing to unequivocally acknowledge the
Armenian genocide at a national meeting last November, according
to a statement released yesterday. "Unequivocal recognition," the
MMA’s board of directors said, "is both a matter of basic justice to
its victims as well as essential to the efforts to prevent future
genocides." And without it, officials said, they could no longer
sponsor the ADL’s antibigotry program.

"We think this is an issue on which there can be no equivocation,"
said Jonathan Hecht, a Watertown town councilor and member of the
MMA’s board of directors. "My personal view," he said, "is that
No Place For Hate is not credible as long as the ADL is unable to
unequivocally recognize the genocide."

At least 12 Massachusetts communities have pulled out of the program
since last summer, beginning with Watertown, when it became known
that the ADL did not support legislation in Washington officially
recognizing the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of Ottoman
Turks between 1915-1918 as genocide. As towns began to sever ties, and
even the ADL’s regional leaders called for unequivocal recognition,
the national ADL issued a carefully worded statement calling the
deaths of Armenians at the hands of Turks "tantamount to genocide."

But critics quickly called for a stronger, clearer statement. And
when it did not come, local Armenian-Americans began lobbying other
communities, as well as the MMA, to stop participating in No Place
For Hate.

The MMA’s decision to do so yesterday will send a "clear message"
to communities that still welcome the program, said Sharistan
Melkonian, chairwoman of the Armenian National Committee of Eastern
Massachusetts. And the regional ADL conceded in a statement yesterday
that the vote was a disappointment. But Robert Trestan, the ADL’s
civil rights counsel for the Northeast, did not believe the vote
would lead to still more communities pulling out of the program.

"I think that towns that have stuck with the program have realized
that the ADL has a tremendous amount to offer them," Trestan said.
"We’re in towns all over the state, and that’s what we want to continue
to do."

OSCE CHAIRMAN’S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE: "OSCE FOCUSES ON NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS ON THE SOLUTION TO NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT"

Azeri Press Agency
April 9 2008
Azerbaijan

Yerevan-APA. "OSCE focuses on negotiations process on the solution
to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict", Heikki Talvitie , OSCE Chairman’s
Special Representative stated at the meeting with Vartan Oskanian,
Armenian Foreign Minister , APA reports quoting Novosti-Armenia.

They have discussed the prospects of settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict at the meeting.

Heikki Talvitie has visited Armenia to participate in the oath-taking
ceremony of Serzh Sarkisian.

FATHER AND DAUGHTER SHAHNAZARIANS BECOME ARCHERY CHAMPIONS OF ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
April 8, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian Archery Championship
was held in the sports base of the village of Arshaluys, Etchmiadzin
region. Father and daughter Andranik and Gohar Shahnazarians became
champions. The Armenian archers will take part in the Europe Olympic
Rating Championship to start on May 11 in the city of Vitel, France.