Author: Basmajian Ani

DEFENSE MINISTRY ESTABLISHES COMMITTEE TO DEAL WITH MILITARY CONSCRIPTION 2010

Panorama.am
13:09 07/05/2010

Politics

Upon the order of the Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, a
committee has been established to ensure the transparency and legacy
of the spring military conscription 2010, as well as to discuss
the applications and letters of citizens addressed to the ministry
during the conscription process and provide their urgent solution,
Defense Ministry reports.

Gegham Harutyunyan, Adviser to the RA Defense Minister, has been
appointed as the Chairman of the Committee.

For reception of citizens, as well as submission of letters and
applications, the committee is available every Wednesday and Saturday
at 12-4pm, at the address 5, Moskovyan Street.

EXHIBITION ON 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORY OF GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR OPENS AT ARMENIAN INSTITUTE OF TOURISM

ARMENPRESS
MAY 7,2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS: Exhibition on the 65th anniversary of the
Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 opened today at the
Armenian Institute of Tourism. The exhibition, entitled ‘The Armenians
in the Great Patriotic War’, was organized in assistance with the
Russian Embassy to Armenia, ‘Rossotrudnichestvo’ Representation to
Armenia, as well as Moscow’s Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War.

ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS COMPLICATE WORK OF HAY DAT COMMITTEES

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 7, 2010 – 17:16 AMT 12:16 GMT

Chairman of Hay Dat Central Council Hakob Ter-Khachatryan said that a
range of priorities aimed at strengthening of the Armenian statehood
are on the agenda of Hay Dat Committees worldwide.

"Hay Dat Committees operate worldwide in four directions: development
of Armenia and NKR, solution of the issue on Armenian lands,
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, as well as
unification of the Armenian people to make a single political factor
in the world," Ter-Khachatryan told a conference of Hay Dat Committees.

According to him, steps need to be taken to oppose the anti-Armenian
policy of the Turkish and Azerbaijani lobby worldwide.

He believes that, despite statements by Armenian officials, the
Protocols on the Armenian-Turkish normalization have affected the
process of the Armenian Genocide international recognition and
complicated work of Hay Dat Committees. Specifically, he pointed
to Turkey’s rapprochement with countries of the Arab world, noting
that the Genocide recognition has become complicated also in the
Arab countries.

Thus, Ter-Khachatryan stressed that we need to start working with
international analytical centers and structure, as well as dissident
representatives of the Turkish intelligentsia whose opinion on the
Armenian Genocide differs from the official Turkish stance.

ARMENIAN PRIESTS’ ROBES TO BE SHOWN IN TURKEY

news.am
May 7 2010
Armenia

In the frames of "Alliance of Civilizations" project co-sponsored by
Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the clothing exhibition to
be held in Turkey Armenian priests’ robes will also be shown.

According to Turkish Samanyolu, the exhibition opens on May 8 in
Ottoman folk costumes and jewelry museum in Bursa.

Turkish ethnographer Esat Ulumay noted that it took three years to
make this exhibition happen, adding that Greek Orthodox, Armenia,
Catholic, Assyrian, Jewish and Islamic costumes will be shown.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

May 7, 2010
___________________

ST. JAMES CHURCH OF EVANSTON PROVES A GRACIOUS HOST FOR DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY

"It was a great experience for our parish to host the 108th Annual Diocesan
Assembly," said Dr. Larry Farsakian, who chaired the host parish committee
organizing the 108th Diocesan Assembly. "I am most proud of the fact that
our small parish united together, worked hard, and acted as one to host a
very successful assembly."

The St. James Church of Evanston, Ill., hosted the gathering for 147 clergy
and delegates representing the Eastern Diocese’s organized and mission
parishes. Most of the meetings and events convened at the Chicago Marriott
O’Hare Hotel, but St. James parishioners also organized activities for the
visiting delegates and their families, including a bus tour of Chicago and a
luncheon at the church.

"Everyone on the committee contributed in their own way to help make the
Clergy Conference and the Diocesan Assembly memorable," said Dr. Farsakian.

After the assembly adjourned on Saturday, May 1, delegates had the
opportunity to take a tour of the Windy City, including stops at the
Millennium Park and the Sears Tower and a ride along Chicago’s famous
Magnificent Mile shopping district.

In the evening, Diocesan Council chair Oscar Tatosian hosted a reception at
his historic home. Guests had the opportunity to tour the Classical Revival
style house which was completed in 1894.

On Sunday, May 2, delegates attended the Divine Liturgy at St. James Church,
where the celebrant-Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian-spoke on the
importance of maintaining the Armenian Christian faith in a secular world.
While most clergymen had departed to be at their home parishes on Sunday, a
number remained and took part in the service, with the St. James altar
servers and choir also participating.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian took the occasion to thank the host parish for a
wonderful Diocesan Assembly.

A luncheon organized by the St. James Women’s Guild took place after church
services. Deacon Levon Kirakosyan, the parish’s deacon-in-charge, expressed
his gratitude to the local community for their commitment to the success of
the Diocesan Assembly.

The executive committee for the parish included Rev. Dn. Levon Kirakosyan,
Dr. Larry Farsakian, Vartan Paylan, Sevan Krikorian, Anna Marie Norehad,
Oscar Tatosian and Sam Mikaelian. A number of people also served on the
planning committee. The parish council, chaired by Deborah Der Asadourian,
also played an important role in the assembly.

–5/6/10

* * *

PHOTO CAPTIONS

AsmblyHostParish1

Chairing the Evanston host parish’s Assembly organizing committee was Dr.
Larry Farsakian (at right), pictured here serving on the altar during the
Divine Liturgy which concluded the annual Diocesan gathering.

AsmblyHostParish2

Dn. Levon Kirakosyan, the deacon-in-charge of Evanston’s St. James Church,
addresses the crowd of visiting delegates during the annual awards banquet.

AsmblyHostParish3

As part of the host parish’s hospitality, Diocesan delegates were taken on a
tour of Chicago. Pictured is a group of delegates in the Windy City’s
Millennium Park.

# # #

QUALITATIVE CHANGE OF POWER IS REQUIRED

Lragir.am
6/05/10

On May 6, the NKR former foreign minister Arman Melikyan criticized
the behavior of Armenian National Congress in connection with the
Armenian and Turkish process. According to him, Congress, instead
of proposing alternative solutions in connection with this issue,
keeps affirming about the need of a change of power.

Hovhannes Hovhannisyan disagreed with this idea as if Congress does not
propose alternative proposals. He said Congress has dwelt on numerous
possible solutions in relation to the Armenian and Turkish, as well
as other issues. "We have suspended our political struggle for 4-5
months, just when Serge was to enter in this process", says Hovhannes
Hovhannisyan saying that they did it to save Armenia from dangers.

According to Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, the problem is that the country
needs a power formed by people because officials now decide the destiny
of people. "If there is democracy, I think, the rest of the question
will be solved", says Hovhannisyan.

There is polarization of the society and it is to be eliminated but
not through destroying one of the poles, says Arman Melikyan.

According to him, the power is afraid that persecutions will follow
the change of power, so balance mechanisms are to be secured. Such
mechanisms, according to Melikyan, can be provided by the current
neutral forces. At the same time, Arman Melikyan agreed with the
opinion of Hovhannes Hovhannisyan that there are forces within the
power to be persecuted.

Hovhannes Hovhannisyan says HAK is tolerant and in case of coming to
power, they see that there are many other vital forces the potential of
which can be used for the whole country. Even within the government,
there are forces, the hands of which are not bloody, thinks Hovhannes
Hovhannisyan. Both political figures agreed qualitative change of
power is required.

T. SARGSYAN, "CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL ENJOYS OUR SUPPORT"

ARMENPRESS
MAY 6,2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 6, ARMENPRESS: Civil Service Council of Armenia proposes
to conduct serious discussions on the issue of putting forward their
candidates in the office of civil servant by coalition parties.

At today’s session of the Armenian government Manvel Badalyan, chairman
of the council, noted that it is internationally accepted that the
main principle of the civil service is the political neutrality. In
many countries the membership of state servants with parties is
prohibited even by law.

According to him, during service examinations implemented among civil
servants, some officials refuse to cooperate and avoid displaying
their participation.

"It is distinctly defined by law that officials must give explanations,
too, and they must act corresponding to the law.

Officials are not for ignoring the law and regulations," M. Badalyan
said.

"I am sure that Manvel Badalyan will be on his height, and will not
allow interferences, and violations of the law. The Civil Service
Council has got our support," Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said.

SARGSYAN-ALIYEV MEETING IN MOSCOW NOT ON AGENDA

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 6, 2010 – 15:34 AMT 10:34 GMT

As of today, no meeting between Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev in Moscow has been
scheduled, Armen Arzumanyan, spokesman for the RA President, told a
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

Moscow will host an informal summit of CIS and CSTO leaders on May 8.

LAWYERS OF THE FAMILY OF KILLED JOURNALIST DINK SUE DEPUTY GOVERNOR

BIAnet.org
/minorities/121795-lawyers-of-the-family-of-killed -journalist-dink-sue-deputy-governor
May 6 2010
Turkey

The lawyers of the murder case of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink
sue Istanbul Deputy Governor Guran because he did not let the lawyers
have a copy of the inspectors’ preliminary investigation report. The
coming hearing of the Dink murder case is on 10 May.

Erol ONDEROÄ~^LU [email protected] Istanbul – BIA News Center06 May
2010, Thursday The lawyers of the family of murdered Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink filed a criminal complaint against Istanbul
Deputy Governor Mustafa Guran because he refused to hand them a
copy of attachments of the report regarding the murder. Dink, then
editor-in-chief of the Armenian Agos newspaper, was shot in front of
his office in Istanbul on 19 January 2007.

Joint attorney Fethiye Cetin said that they applied to the Istanbul
Public Chief Prosecution for an investigation related to allegations of
"misconduct in office" and that they requested to launch a trial.

The coming hearing in the murder case will be held on 10 May. On the
same day, the "Friends of Hrant" will come together once more at the
BeÅ~_iktaÅ~_ Pier in Istanbul to call for justice.

The Hrant Dink Murder Monitoring Group held a press conference in
Istanbul’s popular district of Cihangir yesterday (5 May) and informed
journalists about the latest developments of the case.

Full access to preliminary investigation report denied Rakel Dink,
the widow of killed journalist Hrant Dink, indicated on 25 April
2007 that the investigation into the murder lacked directions and
was insufficient. She had urged Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
to appoint the Prime Ministry Inspection Board for an efficient
investigation into the murder, including preliminary events leading
up to the incident, planning and the time after the murder.

Dink had demanded in particular to extend the investigation and
include the Police, the National Intelligence Agency (MIT), gendarmerie
officials, the Great Union Party and its youth organization.

Thereupon, the appointed inspectors had prepared a preliminary
investigation report by 10 October 2008.

Since the report revealed allegations of ‘negligence’, Prime Minister
Erdogan gave his approval for the inspectors of the Ministry of the
Interior to launch an investigation into 19 police officers, among
them President of the Police Intelligence Department Ramazan Akyurek.

The Dink family lawyers applied to the Istanbul Governorship in
order to obtain a copy of the attachments of the report. However, the
request was dismissed by Istanbul Deputy Governor Guran two days later.

The lawyers stated that they have the right to be informed about
the contents of the file they have been denied access to and that a
disadvantageous situation has been created for them regarding a fair
trial and a complete and efficient investigation. They furthermore
put forward that their right to present complete and accurate claims
and objections was restricted.

"Former Head of Intelligence Department can be heard as witness"
Lawyer Cetin indicated that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)
merged the five different cases being tried separately in Turkey into
one joint case. She said that in respect to the latest developments
and the new evidence the case should be investigated again. Former
Head of Intelligence Department Sabri Uzun could be heard as a
witness and with the issued permit decision a new investigation can
be launched into former Istanbul Chief of Police Celalettin Cerrah
and Intelligence Branch Deputy Manager Bulent Köksal.

Footage of the murder can be restored The Police apparently stated
that the disk that contained footage of the murder could not be
restored. Cetin however explained that there are ways to save the
records on the disc, "An institution in the US said that they are
able to restore the destroyed data on the disc.

Additionally, we sent the footage to the Scientific and Technological
Research Council of Turkey (TUBÄ°TAK)". (BT/TK/VK)

REAL ESTATE PRICES UP IN ARMENIA

news.am
May 5 2010
Armenia

A price rise was registered in Armenia’s real estate market this
January-March as compared with the 4th quarter of 2009.

Specifically, housing prices showed a 2.8% rise in Yerevan, and a 1.5%
rise in the Armenian regions. The prices for private houses showed a
2.9% rise in Yerevan and in Armenian regions, Arman Petrosyan, Head of
the Immovable Property Assessment Department, RA Real Estate Cadastre,
told reporters. He pointed out a lower number of rental businesses.

Petrosyan reported that the number of real estate businesses, as well
as prices, started showing a rise last September. A 22% rise in the
number of real estate businesses was registered this January-March
as compared with the corresponding period last year, with a 32% rise
registered in Yerevan. The highest rise in the number of real estate
businesses was registered in Kotayk and Ararat.

The devaluation of the Armenian dram did not have any serious impact
on the real estate market.