Author: Boshkezenian Garik

UN ANCIEN RESPONSABLE DU PARTI DACHNAK REJOINT LE PARTI HERITAGE
Gari

armenews
30 avril 2010
ARMENIE

L’ancien responsable de la FRA Dachnkatsoutioun, Ruben Hakobian, a
annonce le 28 avril qu’il rejoignait les rangs du parti Jarankoutioun
(Heritage), l’autre formation de l’opposition au Parlement affichant
une ligne plus dure face aux autorites. R. Hakopian avait ete exclus
des rangs du Parti dachnak il y a deux ans, pour avoir critique
sa decision de collaborer avec le president Serge Sarkissian, elu
sur fond de controverses le 19 fevrier 2008. Le Parti dachnak allait
integrer, quoique avec reticence, la coalition gouvernementale, qu’il
quittera finalement en 2009 en raison du processus de normalisation
engage entre le president Sarkissian et la Turquie. Depuis, le Parti
dachnak se situe dans une opposition moderee au pouvoir, Mais R.

Hakopian, qui avait rallie la FRA en 1990 et qui a occupe des postes
importants au sein de la direction de ce parti, n’est manifestement pas
convaincu par l’evolution du parti, auquel il n’a pas pardonne l’accord
de cooperation passe avec le pouvoir en 2008, accord qu’il avait
denonce comme " immoral " et faisant le jeu du leader de l’opposition
non parlementaire, Levon Ter-Petrossian. Il a egalement appele a la
tenue de nouvelles elections presidentielles et parlementaires.

R.Hakobian a refuse de commenter sa decision de rejoindre Heritage,
un parti farouchement oppose aujourd’hui a M. Sarkisian comme hier a
M.Kocharian. Il a indique qu’il allait s’exprimer publiquement sur
ses motivations "dans les prochains jours." Selon Stepan Safarian,
un responsable du parti Heritage, " la decision n’a pas ete prise
en un jour" et elle procède d’un long dialogue entre sa formation
et M.Hakobian, qui " partagent les memes vues sur les questions
essentielles qui se posent au pays ".

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA: ARMENIA HAS ENOUGH POTENTIAL TO EXPORT ELECTRIC POWER TO TURKEY AND TRANSIT IT TO NEAR EAST

ArmInfo
2010-04-27 14:00:00

ArmInfo. Despite suspension of ratification procedure of the
Armenian-Turkish Protocols because of inactivity of the Turkish
Government, Armenia has enough potential to export electric power to
Turkey and transit it to Middle East countries, President of Armenia
Serzh Sargsyan said at the 11th session of the Nuclear Energy Safety
Council, an advisory body to the Armenian President, on Tuesday.

The president said that Armenia has made certain steps to normalize
relations with Turkey. Opening of the last closed border in Europe
would give an opportunity to establish economic ties, also in the
energy sector. At present, he said, the electric power market in
the region is at the stage of establishment and implies creation of
a ring energy system of the Black Sea countries and synchronization
of the energy systems of Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran and others.

Sahak Abrahamyan, Director General of High Voltage Electric Networks
of Armenia CJSC, told ArmInfo the company has made contracts with
two Turkish companies, Unit International and Birenerji, for supply
of electricity to Turkey. S. Abrahamyan said that Armenia is now
expecting a proposal from Turkey with a request for the date and
volume of Armenian electric power supply to Turkey. Earlier Minister
of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan said that in 2010
Armenia would be able to start electric power supply to Turkey via
the operating power transmission lines Guymri-Kars (200MW). Armenia
supplied electricity to Turkey in Soviet times. At the initial stage
Armenia will supply 1.5bln kWh electricity to Turkey yearly. In future,
the supply volume may be increased to 3.5bln kWh yearly.

BUSHRA HALEPOTA: "RECEPTION CAPACITY FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS IN ARMENIA HAS BEEN EXPANDED"

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 27, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS: The UNHCR Armenia Office has been
functioning in Armenia since 1992. "Armenpress" news agency spoke
with the Representative of the UNHCR in Armenia Bushra Halepota about
its activity.

Ms. Halepota, what issues the UNHCR is solving and since its
establishment in Armenia in 1992 what activity has it carried out
for helping the refugees?

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) is mandated to lead and coordinate international actions for
the world-wide legal protection of refugees and asylum seekers and
solutions of their problems.

UNHCR’s primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and the well being
of refugees and asylum seekers, as well as to seek durable solutions
to their plight.

The main focus of UNHCR’s activity in Armenia is to promote local
integration of refugees in the society, i.e. their social, economic
and cultural integration in Armenian society.

UNHCR established its presence in Armenia as a response to the request
of the Government of Armenia for its assistance in order to deal with
the mass influx of ethnic Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan.

Since the end of 2004, Armenia has also registered a steadily growing
number of asylum seekers and refugees from Iraq. Furthermore, Armenia
also hosts a limited number of asylum seekers and refugees from other
countries than Iraq and Azerbaijan.

Nowadays what kind of programs are fulfilled by the office for creating
favorable conditions for the refugees?

UNHCR, together with the Government of the Republic of Armenia
and its implementing partners, the Armenian Red Cross Society and
Mission Armenia, provides assistance to vulnerable refugees and
asylum seekers. The comprehensive intervention strategy aims at
ensuring that basic health care and social counseling is provided to
extremely vulnerable refugees, including naturalized former refugees
(ethnic Armenians from Azerbaijan), refugees from Iraq as well as
from other countries.

UNHCR, through its implementing partner, The Armenian Centre for
Health and Education, also addresses the need of an adequate response
to post trauma syndrome and signs of serious distress suffered by
many asylum seekers and refugees by providing psycho-social support,
counseling and referral to specialized institutions.

With regard to shelter, UNHCR is implementing a social housing program
with the funding provided by the Japanese government for sustainable
livelihoods. The former factory building in Kasakh village of Kotayk
marz, kindly donated by the local authorities, is being reconstructed,
through UNHCR’s implementing partner YMCA/Shelter, into a residential
building with around 20 social apartments to be allocated to vulnerable
refugees, naturalized former refugees, internally displaced persons
and locals. UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA and UNIDO are also participating in
the joint project, with an integrated approach to find sustainable
livelihoods for the vulnerable families in Gegharkunik Marz including
Kasakh in Kotayk.

Furthermore, in the current and coming years, UNHCR will ensure that
the refugee perspective is integrated into governmental, UN Agencies’,
local and international organisations’ on-going and future development
programs.

UNHCR will gradually focus on capacity building activities aimed at
the inclusion of refugees in state policies for social welfare and
universal health care systems.

UNHCR will also work with GoA on strengthening the social worker’s
network and outreach services by building the capacity of civil
society.

Armenia has ratified the Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, as
well as all relevant Human Rights instruments. In 1999 the Armenian
Law on Refugees was adopted. In your opinion, is the legislative
field sufficient?

The new Law on Refugees and Asylum entered into force in January
2009, which is in close compliance with European and International
standards. Further implementation modalities and drafting of bylaws
are being done in cooperation with SMS.

Furthermore, refugee law studies have been integrated in the curricula
of eight universities in Armenia and four Legal Aid Clinics (Yerevan
State University, Open University of Armenia, Gavar University and
Gyumri University) have been established in order to provide free of
charge legal assistance to asylum seekers, refugees and the vulnerable.

Reception capacity for asylum seekers in Armenia has been expanded
and partnership with the government on border management has
been strengthened. Training and awareness raising activities on
asylum-sensitive border management are also on going.

CATHOLIKOS OF ALL ARMENIANS: SPIRITUAL LEADERS’ MISSION WILL STRENGTHEN INTERETHNIC COMMUNICATION IN INTERESTS OF ALL MANKIND

Trend
April 26 2010
Azerbaijan

"The principles of humanism are one in all world peoples and spiritual
leaders’ mission is to strengthen interethnic relations in the
interests of all humanity," Catholikos of all Armenians Karekin II
said speaking at the Baku World Religious Leaders’ Summit today.

"Being in Baku, we give praise to the God for that the peace talks
to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continue," Karekin II said.

He also noted the mediation efforts of the Russian Orthodox Church
and Patriarch Cyril in this matter.

"The authorities of our countries [Azerbaijan and Armenia] continue
the negotiation process to resolve the conflict, and the two countries
religious leaders’ duty is to support our presidents’ efforts in a
peaceful settlement," Karekin II added.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the
occupied territories.

Karekin II offered to hold the next summit of world religious leaders
in Armenia, and invited Caucasus Muslims Organization (CMO) head
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade to participate in this meeting.

TURKEY SHOULD WITHDRAW FROM THE TERRITORIES AND RETURN THEM TO ARMENIA: JIRINOVSKI

Panorama.am
16:13 26/04/2010

"We will liberate Western Armenia and return to Armenia," said Vladimir
Jirinovski, vice-president of the State Duma and the president of
the Liberal Democrat Party, according to Echo of Moscow.

"Armenians, I address to you. We will liberate Western Armenia
and return to Armenia. Turkey should withdraw from the occupied
territories; we should make it do so. North-eastern Turkey belongs
to Armenia, the south-eastern Turkey – to Kurdistan. Turkey has not
existed in this territory, here was ancient Armenian state. I declare
openly: Turkey should withdraw from the territories and return them
to Armenia and you should back the return of Crimea to Russia," V.
Jirinovski said.

ARMENIA ASSEMBLY ANNOUNCES MEDIA CAMPAIGN ON IMPORTANCE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AFFIRMATION

Tert.am
26.04.10

On the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian Assembly
of America (Assembly) launched a nationwide media campaign to educate
the public and explain the importance of affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide, announced the Assembly.

"Given Turkey’s ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide, the Assembly
is redoubling its efforts to ensure that the lessons of the Armenian
Genocide are not forgotten and urges passage of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution in the House and Senate," stated Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny.

"These videos, which started airing nationally today, promote genocide
education, affirmation and prevention," Ardouny continued.

The first video, Armenian Assembly Urges U.S. Affirmation of the
Armenian Genocide, aired earlier today (April 24th) and will be aired
again tonight (April 25th) at EST/8:15pm PST and at EST/8:57pm PST on
the Fox Business Network, which reaches nearly 60 million households.

The second video, Armenian Assembly: Education and Affirmation,
distributed to Public Television stations across the country was made
available for airing on April 24th.

Illinois Armenian American Community to honor 1.5 million victims of
Armenian Genocide

ILLINOIS, APRIL 24, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian
National Committee of Illinois will host a series of events beginning
on Friday, April 23 and continuing through April 25 to honor the 95th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

On April 23 a demonstration titled "Against Turkish DENIAL" took place
in front of the Turkish Consulate.

On April 24 a commemorative program will take place in Armenian
Community Center Shahnasarian Hall.

On April 25 requiem will service to the memory of the victims of the
Armenian Genocide, wreath laying Ceremony will take place at Martyrs’
Monument.

Obama does not differ from presidents criticized by him for
non-recognition of Genocide

April 24, 2010 – 22:51 AMT 17:51 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

The non-usage of the word genocide by the U.S. President is a failure
to honor his own pledge, Head of the ARF Bureau’s Hay Dat and
Political Affairs Office Director Kiro Manoyan said. `Though Barack
Obama used all the synonyms characterizing the Armenian Genocide,
except for that word, it proves that the he does not differ from the
presidents criticized by him for non-recognition of the Genocide. This
time he had no reasons for refraining from using the term genocide,’
Kiro Manoyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

U.S. President Barack Obama addressed the Armenian community of the
U.S., again using term Meds Yeghern with respect to the Armenian
Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.

Interfax, Russia
April 22 2010

Armenia-Turkey normalization process collapses

YEREVAN April 22

Armenia announced on Thursday that it was cutting short efforts to
normalize its relations with Turkey, unilaterally ending a
normalization process launched in October 2009 and accusing Turkey of
being "unprepared to continue the process and move forward without
preconditions."

"We consider the current phase of Armenian-Turkish negotiations to be
over," President Serzh Sargsyan said in an address to the nation.

"Turkey is unprepared to continue the process and move forward without
preconditions. What can be seen as a ‘reasonable timeframe’ has taken
too long. Their position is unacceptable," he said.

He thanked Russia, the U.S. and Switzerland for trying to help the two
countries develop a normal relationship.

The process began in Zurich on October 10 as the Armenian and Turkish
foreign ministers signed protocols mapping out measures that included
establishing diplomatic relations.

NBC Bay Area , San Francisco
April 25 2010

Armenians March For Their Slain Fathers

Hundreds flow across the Golden Gate
By JESSICA GREENE

Hundreds of Armenians gathered in San Francisco Saturday for the "Walk
for Remembrance" across the Golden Gate Bridge commemorating the 95th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. They were part of a worldwide
rememberance of the mass killing of their fellow countrymen by Ottoman
Turks.

The killing began on April 24, 1915 with the murder of 800 Armenian
intellectuals. Ottoman leaders then evicted Armenians from thier homes
— an action that spiraled into the killing of an estimated 1.5
million people.

Hundreds of thousands of people lay flowers at a monument to the
victims in Armenia as part of the ceremonies. Ethnic Armenians also
gathered in cities across the world, including Moscow and Paris.

In East Jerusalem, Armenians protested outside the Turkish consulate.
Turkey has long denied that the deaths were genocide and claim the
death toll is exaggerated.

l-beat/Armenians-March-For-Fallen-Fathers-92026099 .html