Author: Boshkezenian Garik

COMPARING AOUN AND MURR
Hazem al-Amin

NowLebanon
ArticleDetails.aspx?ID=165748
May 4 2010
Lebanon

The two men are of a different influence and mood, not to mention
the lack of cordiality and chemistry between them. However, one can
identify many similarities between their positions and what they
represent. The men in question are General Michel Aoun and MP Michel
al-Murr. One should not rush to deny such an assumption, which is
bound to draw denial… Indeed, a huge distance separates the two men
from one another, but this hypothesis is certainly tempting even if
promoting it requires a fair dose of imagination and adventure.

The two men hail from Christian social backgrounds that look anything
but similar. However, these backgrounds have granted those hailing
from them convergent views regarding their social, political and
sectarian relation with the Metn.

The relation with Armenian voters, important though it is in this
context, is not the only element that is shared by Michel Aoun
and Michel al-Murr. In fact, this relation bears witness to their
troubled positions in their respective religious communities and to the
drive toward an internal clash with the Armenian community. It also
represents an attempt to gain control of the Armenian community from
outside regardless of its particularity and its traditional position.

Murr’s Greek Orthodox identity may have weakened his "Maronite"
ambitions in the Metn, but he made up for it by his presence in the
state institutions. For decades, he used a vast network of relations,
which extended beyond Lebanon’s borders, to build himself a leadership
of an ambiguous sectarian and party identity in the northern Metn.

In contrast, Michel Aoun is nowadays trying – and has somewhat
succeeded in his endeavor – to bridge the gap with the Christian
public by using similar methods. He thus countered the receding
Christian support for him by tapping into Armenian votes in the Metn,
and Shia ones in Baabda and Jbeil. Today, he is trying to bolster his
status in the equation by being represented in state institutions,
including ministries and various departments, to make up for his weak
presence among the Christian masses.

If the weakness of the relation with their respective religious
communities is due to a willful decision to steer away from such a
sectarian structure, then this would be a good sign in Lebanon.

However, this is not the case for Aoun and his Metn rival, Michel
al-Murr, for they have preserved the Christian aspect in their
daily social output while striking bargains regarding the political
content of their respective messages. Both want to control the share
of Christians in the state in return for relinquishing this share
when it comes to the true meaning and function of the state.

Taking the comparison to other levels, other similarities can be
pointed out. Let us, for instance, imagine a televised interview
with Aounist MP Nabil Nicolas. Do his presence and statements not
give the impression that his "Aounism" is inspired by a chronic
"Murr-ism" that is deeply set in his mind and etched on his face? Is
MP Ghassan Mokheiber’s "realism" – which, for the past ten years,
has characterized this politician coming from the purity of the
academic milieu – not an example of the political culture shared by
Aoun and Murr?

We live today in a time of settlements and consensuses, and Michel
al-Murr is a symbol – or at least one of the symbols – of this period.

This article is a translation of the original, which was published
on the NOW Arabic site on Friday April 30, 2010

ELINA DANIELYAN LEFT AT THE BACK

Panorama.am
05/05/2010

FIDE Women’s Grand Prix is currently led by Russian Tatyana
Kosintseva. Russian chess player scored 6,5 points from possible 8
ones leaving behind her four rivals – Chinese Hou Yifan, Swedish Pia
Cramling, Georgian Nana Dzagnidze and Qatari Zhu Chen.

Lilit Lazarian-Baira Kovanova set ended with Armenian chess player’s
defeat. Another Armenian chess Elina Danielyan managed to end her
set in draw though she is still left at the back of the ranking table.

8th round Results Yildiz – Kosintseva 1/2 Koneru – Cramling 1/2
Dzagnidze – Hou Yifan 1:0 Munguntuul – Zhao Xue 0:1 Kovanova –
Mkrtchian 0:1 Zhu Chen – Danielian 1/2

Standing 1. Kosintseva, Tatiana 6½ 2. Dzagnidze, Nana 5 3. Hou
Yifan 5 4. Zhu Chen 5 5. Cramling, Pia 5 6. Mkrtchian, Lilit
4 7. Koneru, Humpy 4 8. Zhao Xue 3½ 9. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag 3
10. Kovanova, Baira 3 11. Yildiz, Betul Cemre 2½

RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN : L’ARMENIE JOUE AUX ECHECS, TANDIS QUE LA TURQUIE FAIT UN SHOW
Stephane

armenews
5 mai 2010
ARMENIE

"L’Armenie joue aux echecs, tandis que la Turquie fait un show "a
declare le Directeur du Centre armenien pour des Etudes Nationales
et Internationales Richard Giragosian lors d’une conference de presse.

" Dans les echecs il y a un gagnant et nous pouvons gagner. Dans le
theâtre il n’y a aucun gagnant. C’est ou bien un bon divertissement
ou bien un mauvais. Et nous jouons bien aux echecs " a-t-il dit.

Selon Giragosian, l’Armenie a eu deux victoires strategiques
dans le processus armeno-turc. " L’une est les relations entre
l’Azerbaïdjan et la Turquie. Le concept d’une nation deux etats est
mort. La deuxième victoire strategique regarde le Nagorno Karabakh,
où meme les Americains et les Russes disent a la Turquie " non. " Le
Karabakh n’est pas directement lie avec les relations armeno-turques
" a-t-il il affirme.

" La meilleure option pour l’Armenie est de demontrer de la dexterite
politique et de ratifier les protocoles maintenant ce qui augmentera
les pressions sur la Turquie. Pour moi c’est la bonne politique "
a dit Richard Giragosian.

" La rencontre Sarkissian-Erdogan a Washington etait le premier
pas, pas le dernier. Nous pouvons attendre la seconde reunion
Sarkissian-Erdogan fin mai ou au debut de juin a Moscou " a dit Richard
Giragosian qui a explique que la reunion pourrait devenir possible
grâce a la prochaine visite du President russe Dmitry Medvedev en
Turquie en mai.

Il est convaincu que la Russie continue a jouer un rôle actif dans
le processus Armenie-Turquie. " La chose interessante est, cependant,
que la Russie et les Etats-Unis reconnaîssent que le Nagorno-Karabakh
ne peut plus etre une condition prealable " a dit l’analyste.

CHINESE, ARMENIAN LEADERS DISCUSS CHINA’S PARTICIPATION IN ARMENIA-IRANIAN RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

Trend
May 3 2010
Azerbaijan

Chinese leader Hu Jintao and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
has discussed China’s participation in a construction of a railway
between Armenia and Iran, Armenian state’s press-service said Sunday,
RIA Novosti reported.

Last year the Armenian and Iranian transport ministers signed an
agreement to build a railway linking Armenia with Iran’s Persian Gulf
ports. The construction of the 470-kilometer long railway, with 410
kilometers passing through Armenian territory, is expected to last
for at least five years and to cost $1.5-$1.8 billion.

"Sargsyan said that a development of the relations with China is
a priority of Yerevan foreign policy, and noted that bilateral
relations do already have a good dynamic of their development,"
the statement said.

The sides also noted with satisfaction the successful implementation
of various joint projects in energy, chemical industry, agriculture,
science and technology, defense, culture and education, stressing
that an exploitation of the Shanxi-Nairit joint Armenian-Chinese
chloroprene rubber production plant is an important evidence of the
development of Armenian-Chinese economic cooperation.

Last year Armenia reached an agreement with Iran on a $400 million
loan for the construction of a railway between the two countries.

An agreement on the construction of the strategic route was signed
by the Armenian transport minister, Gurgen Sargsyan and his Iranian
counterpart, Hamed Behbahani, in April 2009 in Tehran.

The construction of the 500-kilometer (310-mile) railway, with 60
kilometers (37 miles) in Iranian territory, is expected to take at
least five years and cost $1.5-$1.8 billion.

The railway, with the Armenian section connecting the northern city
of Sevan to the southern city of Meghri on the border with Iran,
will ensure the transportation of energy supplies and other goods,
and increase trade between the countries.

Landlocked Armenia has rail links with other countries only through
the territory of Georgia, which is complicated by Tbilisi’s often
fractious relations with Moscow.

Russia and Ukraine had also expressed interest in financing the
project.

THREE PARTIES MAY GET SEATS IN BREAKAWAY KARABAKH’S PARLIAMENT – ARMENIAN SURVEY

Mediamax
May 3 2010
Armenia

Yerevan, 3 May: Following parliamentary elections in the Nagornyy
Karabakh republic [NKR] due on 23 May, three political forces may be
represented [in parliament], Director of Sociometer Aharon Adibekyan
said in Yerevan today.

Referring to the data of a public survey held on 8-10 April in the
NKR, he said that the Free Homeland Party may get 39 per cent of the
electors’ votes at the elections, the Democratic Party of Artsakh 36
per cent, and [Armenian Revolutionary Federation -] Dashnaktsutyun
25 per cent.

According to Aharon Adibekyan, the turnout on election day may make
up to 57.5 per cent.

The NKR president’s work was positively assessed by 92.5 per cent
of the respondents, the work of the prime minister by 76 per cent,
and the speaker of parliament by 73.5 per cent.

The survey was held in Stepanakert [Xankandi], six regional centres
and 28 villages of Nagornyy Karabakh with the participation of
1,408 people.

BRITISH AMBASSADOR TAKES A RUN IN YEREVAN

news.am
May 3 2010
Armenia

British Ambassador to Armenia Charles Lonsdale raised U.S. $700-800 as
a result of the May 2 Sport Relief Mile. About 50 people, including
Ambassador Lonsdale, took a run from the Institute of Ancient
Manuscripts (Matenadaran) to Republic Square in Yerevan.

The goal of the run was raising funds for the Para-Olympic Committee of
Armenia. Talking to NEWS.am, Ambassador Lonsdale said his companions
promised him U.S $700-800 for the run. Maria Sandoyan, Head of the
Press Service, British Embassy in Armenia, pointed out that the final
sum has not yet been specified, as each runner has his sponsor.

"Personal contributions are the focus of the event," she said.

Chairman of the Para-Olympic Committee of Armenia Hakob Abrahamyan
said that the funds will be used to hold a conference for disabled
people. "The main goal of the run was to draw public attention to
disabled people’s problems. Sport for disabled people is not financed
in Armenia, and we are trying to draw the Government’s attention,"
he said.

This is the first charity event of this kind in Armenia. The Sport
Relief Mile initiative was proposed by the Comic Relief charitable
institution (Great Britain).

This year about 500,000 people have participated in the events in Great
Britain – famous people, young and old, sportsmen and disabled people.

DAVUTOGLU: WE WANT ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN BORDER TO BE OPENED

Panorama.am
03/05/2010

"Surely, Turkey wants to open border with Armenia, since we want
friendly ties with all our neighbors. But opening of Armenian-Turkish
border isn’t enough. We want Armenia-Azerbaijan border to be opened
as well," Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu declared at "Turkey’s role in
changing world" conference, Turkish Zaman reported.

According to the source, scientists, mass media representatives and
officials as well attended the conference.

Davutoglu states Ankara wants to see trustworthy and secure neighbors
in the Middle East, Caucasus, Balkans. "Why do you think we’re so
active in Iran’s nuclear project? No, we don’t want to defend Iran. We
want secure region here. We don’t agree with Iran to have a nuclear
weapon, but at the same time we don’t want armed disorder here in
our region," Turkish FM said.

ARMENIAN NATIONALIST POLITICIAN CLOSES DOORS ON DIALOGUE

Hurriyet Daily News
May 2 2010
Turkey

Claims of sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh are threatening to
draw Armenia and Azerbaijan into a new conflict at the slightest
provocation.

Although international peacemakers are actively working to settle the
disputes, political experts are worried that the slightest wrong step
could fuel antagonism between the two parties.

Manvel Sargsian, who organized the Karabakh movement against Azerbaijan
in Yerevan in 1987, told the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review
that Russia was fueling the problem by "supporting the Azeris" in
the policy to "remove the Armenians from the region."

Sargsian was Armenia’s Nagorno-Karabakh representative after the
armed clashes came to an end in 1994.

The Armenian politician also said it is not possible for Armenia
to make "the smallest concession" in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue,
comments that show how mired the region’s problems are in nationalism.

Blaming Turkey due to preconditions

Noting that Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 because
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Sargsian said Turkey is "imposing
preconditions" on the reopening of the border. "Karabakh cannot be
a precondition in the [Turkey-Armenia] border issue," he said. "Not
the smallest piece of land can be sacrificed."

The nationalist politician also had a different view on the Khojaly
massacres, in which hundreds of ethnic Azerbaijani civilians were
killed Feb. 25 and Feb. 26, 1992, during the Nagorno-Karabakh war. The
Armenian politician claimed Aziz Muttalibov, the former president
of Azerbaijan, had himself said the massacre was committed by the
"Azerbaijani opposition."

"The bodies of innocent Azeris murdered by the soldiers in the city
of Agdam city 15 kilometers away were carried away to Khojaly by
those soldiers themselves," Sargsian said.

Azerbaijan, along with the Memorial Human Rights Center, Human Rights
Watch and other international observers, say the massacre was committed
by ethnic Armenian armed forces.

These international sources also say the killings were carried out
with the help of Russian soldiers in the region. The official death
toll provided by Azerbaijan stood at 613 civilians, of whom 106 were
women and 83 were children.

"Everyone in Turkey says Russians aided the Armenians, but this is
a lie," said Sargsian. "On the contrary, they helped the Azerbaijanis.

We supplied our weapons from the Tashnaks."

Sargsian insisted on Russia’s role in the present stalemate in
Nagorno-Karabakh, claiming that the Soviet Union had strived hard to
remove Armenians from the region, thus fuelling the conflict.

Saying that during the conflict, Russian forces handed over Armenian
civilians to Azerbaijan, Sargsian claimed the number of such civilians
had reached 700 by the end of the clashes.

Génocide arménien et loi criminalisant l’esclavage et la traite des Noirs

INTERNATIONAL

dimanche2 mai 2010, par Stéphane/armenews

Le Sénégal a choisi l’année de ses 50 ans d’indépendance pour déclarer
l’esclavage et la traite négrière, crime contre l’humanité.

Une loi en ce sens vient d’être adoptée successivement par l’
Assemblée nationale et le Sénat, faisant du Sénégal un des tout
premier pays du monde à criminaliser ces pratiques dégradantes.

Mais aux yeux des spécialistes, il s’agit simplement d’une loi
symbolique qui n’a pas de portée significative au niveau
international.

La traite négrière, dont le Sénégal garde des stigmates, avec île
historique de Gorée au large de Dakar, désigne le commerce des
esclaves dont ont été est victimes des millions de Noirs africains
pendant près de quatre siècles.

Cette pratique a "fondamentalement" changé l’ordre économique
mondiale, estime le ministre sénégalais de la Justice, Me El Hadj
Amadou. Par conséquent, ajoute-t-il, "le devoir de mémoire impose à
tous les peuples d’Afrique et de la diaspora de ne rien laisser dans
l’oubli"

Pour le Sénégalais Karfa Diallo, membre fondateur de la fondation
européenne du Mémorial de la traite négrière, Diverscités, "cette loi
arrive tardivement mais elle est quand même la bienvenue". Sa
fondation avait convaincu le président Wade de faire adopter cette
loi, au cours d’une rencontre avec lui en février dernier.

Analysant la portée juridique de cette loi, l’avocat sénégalais Assane
Ndioba Ndiaye renseigne qu’il se pose un problème "d’ opposabilité, de
reconnaissance internationale".

"C’est une loi qui restera symbolique au niveau national et qui
servira de repère historique dans la conscience collective des
Sénégalais. Mais elle n’aura pas d’effet au niveau international. Un
peu comme la loi sur le génocide Arménien", affirme-t-il.

Selon lui, cette loi déclarant l’esclavage et la traite négrière crime
contre l’humanité peut avoir beaucoup plus d’effet au niveau
international si elle est portée par des institutions internationales
comme les Nations Unies, l’Union africain. Néanmoins, estime l’avocat,
elle servira sur le "principe de réconfort moral pour des générations
à venir".

L’historien Ibrahima Seck de l’Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar
abonde dans le même sens. Pour lui, il est important d’un point de vue
des principes de voter une telle loi qui "participe au combat pour la
mémoire".

Mais, "sur le plan juridique va-t-on pousser la lutte jusqu’à arriver
un jour à la question de la réparation?", se demande l’ universitaire
qui rappelle que la traite se faisait à travers des réseaux
d’approvisionnement bien "organisés et intégrés".Donc, quelque part,
les conséquences sont partagées à propos de ce crime. Car "il y a des
chefs africains qui ont collaboré à ce commerce", souligne-t-il.

Quoi qu’il en soit, les populations africaines ont besoin de leur
mémoire pour construire leur avenir, relève Karfa Diallo car "un
peuple sans mémoire et un peuple sans avenir".

C’est pourquoi, renseigne-t-il, "la fondation Diverscités a décidé de
lancer cette campagne en direction des Etats africains pour déclarer
l’esclavage et la traite r crime contre l’humanité".

Le choix du Sénégal par la fondation Diverscités dans cette campagne
de sensibilisation est stratégique.

"C’est un pays qui est à l’avant-garde des questions de développement
et de droit de l’homme en Afrique. C’est pourquoi nous avons estimé
que le Sénégal ferait une bonne porte d’entrée en Afrique et, une fois
qu’il vote la loi, ça peut faire tche d’ huile en direction des
autres pays africains" confie M.Diallo.

La France est le seul pays au monde à avoir légiféré en 2001 sur
l’esclavage et la traite négrière, avec la loi Taubira, du nom de la
députée Guyanaise, Christian Taubira (candidate du parti radical de
gauche en 2002).

KIM KARDASHIAN POSES TOTALLY NAKED IN UNRETOUCHED PIC

Us Magazine
April 2010

Jessica Simpson went unretouched on the cover Marie Claire, but Kim
Kardashian is taking it one step further.

In May’s Harper’s Bazaar, Kardashian, 29, poses totally nude —
without airbrushing, the magazine claims — to encourage girls to
"embrace your curves and who you are.

"I feel proud if young girls look up to me and say, ‘I’m curvy,
and I’m proud of it now,’" Kardashian says.

She wasn’t always so proud of her body.

"I was wearing a C cup by the time I was 11. I would go to bed and
pray, ‘Please, Lord, don’t let my boobs grow any bigger,’" Kardashian
laments. "I hated what was happening."

Now, she doesn’t "get why everyone is always going on about my butt.

"I’m Armenian. It’s normal," she says. "My butt is probably not as
big as you might think, because I have small legs and a small waist,
which makes it appear bigger."