Author: Chakrian Hovsep

ARAM SARGSYAN: ARMENIA HAS DIFFUSED THE MYTHS ABOUT TURKEY’S CUNNING DIPLOMACY
Lena Badeyan

"Radiolur"
16.04.2010 16:32

"At this point Armenia has managed to achieve its place and role on
the international arena, simultaneously diffusing the myths about
Turkey’s cunning diplomacy. This was the outcome of President Serzh
Sargsyan’s visit to Washington." Leader of the Democratic Party of
Armenia Aram Sargsyan told a press conference today.

Aram Sargsyan says, however, that this achievement may be temporary
if Armenia fails to solve domestic problems.

Armenia should withdraw its signature from the Protocols on
normalization of relations with Turkey, Aram Sargsyan considers.

"Reasonable terms for ratification of the Protocols have expired. It’s
time to start a new Armenian-Turkish process," he told reporters.

"Being a small country, Armenia has become a cornerstone in resolution
of regional issues and it should be the one who leads but not the
one who is led," he said.

As to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, he said, "The 100th
anniversary will be the Rubicon for recognition of the Genocide.

Therefore, Armenians should pursue an efficient policy to gain maximal
results during the next five years."

AZERBAIJAN QUESTIONS US ROLE IN KARABAKH CONFLICT

Hurriyet
April 16 2010
Turkey

A top Azerbaijani official questioned Washington’s neutrality as a
mediator in the conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region
and accused the U.S. of increasingly siding with Armenia.

"We are not happy with the activity of the United States in the
process of settling the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan,"
Ali Hasanov, the head of the political department of the Azerbaijani
presidential administration, told journalists in Baku.

"Unfortunately, some institutions and parties in the United States,
under the influence of the Armenian lobby, are losing their neutrality
and openly supporting Armenia," he said. "We think this is not in
accord with the mission of the United States, especially the American
mission as co-chair of the Minsk Group."

The United States is one of three co-chairs, along with France and
Russia, of the so-called Minsk Group, which is trying to negotiate
a resolution to the longstanding conflict.

Tensions over Karabakh have risen in recent months amid U.S.-backed
efforts by Armenia and Turkey, a close ally of Azerbaijan, to establish
diplomatic ties and reopen their border after decades of hostility.

Azerbaijan insists that the reconciliation process should not
move forward without progress on Karabakh and has accused Western
governments and Ankara of ignoring its interests. The energy-rich
country is a key Western partner in strategically important projects
to ship oil and gas from the Caspian Sea region to Europe through
Turkey, bypassing Russia.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in a show of solidarity
with Azerbaijan – with which it has strong ethnic, trade and energy
links – against Yerevan’s support for Karabakh.

The two former Soviet republics have cut direct economic and transport
links and failed to negotiate a settlement on the region’s status.

Armenian and Azerbaijani forces are spread across a cease-fire line in
and around Nagorno-Karabakh, often facing each other at close range,
and shootings are common.

Turkish MFA: Armenian-Turkish Normalization Possible With Participation Of Armenian Diaspora.

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 15, 2010 – 17:57 AMT 12:57 GMT

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who is on a visit to the U.S,
urged Turkish ambassadors and consuls general to boost dialogue with
all ethnic groups of Northern America, including the Armenian Diaspora.

Davutoglu met with ambassadors in Ottawa and Washington, D.C., as
well as consuls general in Toronto, Houston, Los Angeles, New York,
Chicago and Boston, where a consulate general will be opened.

The Turkish Foreign Minister paid attention to the necessity of
boosting dialogue with representatives of all foreign missions and
presenting the Turkish stance to them. The positive atmosphere and
the Armenian Diaspora’s reaction caused by the Armenian-Turkish
normalization were emphasized during the meeting.

Diplomatic sources indicate that the Armenian-Turkish normalization
is possible with participation of the Armenian Diaspora. Thus,
it is necessary to boost dialogue with different groups. Turkish
consuls general will deliver reports to universities, at the Foreign
Minister’s instruction. Besides, meetings of academicians of the two
sides will take place, TRT-Russian reported.

CRAYFISH RESERVES DECREASED BY 370T IN LAKE SEVAN IN 2009

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 15, 2010 – 14:41 AMT 09:41 GMT

The Department of Natural Sciences of the Armenian National Academy
of Sciences has summarized the results of 2009. According to data
provided by the Institute of Hydro-ecology and Fish Breeding, the
crayfish reserves reduced by 370t (from 1370 to 1000t) in Lake Sevan.

According to representatives of the Institute, this figure does not
threaten the lake’s ecology, but if this trend continues, we may be
deprived of crayfish.

Head of the Agency on Bio-resources Administration of the RA Ministry
of Ecology Artashes Ziroyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter that this
figure does not threaten the lake’s ecology: "To the contrary – the
less crayfish is present in the lake, the more we will gain. However,
we have established a limit of 250t for crayfish capturing this year."

He added that the state will allocate AMD60mln for purchase of winter
and summer trout to preserve its endemic type in the lake.

PACE PRESIDENT TO BE CHAIRMAN OF SUBCOMMITTEE ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend
April 14 2010
Azerbaijan

Being the Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe, Movlud Chavushoglu will be the new chairman of the Assembly’s
subcommittee on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"The subcommittee has not yet been established, but it is expected
that I will be its chairman, Chavushoglu told journalists on April 14.

It is a quite normal practice that a subcommittee is headed by the
chairman of PACE. Former chairman of the subcommittee was also chairman
of PACE."

PACE hopes that the subcommittee, which will begin its activities soon,
will help resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

"We want the subcommittee to be attended by the Azerbaijani and
Armenian delegations, and hope that its work will contribute,"
said Chavushoglu.

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 United
States – 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.

Chavushoglu is on his first official visit to Azerbaijan after
his appointment last year. In Baku Chavushoglu met with Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, the Speaker
of the Parliament Oktay Asadov, representatives of political parties
represented in parliament, as well as with heads of NGOs.

Chavushoglu described as successful his first visit to Baku. "We
saw the desire of Azerbaijan to approach the criteria of the Council
of Europe. There is hope that this will be during my chairmanship,"
said Chavushoglu.

In addition to Azerbaijan’s 10-year membership to the PACE, during his
visit, Chavushoglu discussed the upcoming parliamentary elections. He
expressed satisfaction that the Azerbaijani side assured him of
holding free and democratic elections.

"We believe in the promises given to us. We were persuaded of holding
free and democratic elections," PACE President said.

ARMENIA-CHINA FRIENDSHIP GROUP REPRESENTATIVES MEET ARMENIA’S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER

Aysor
April 13 2010
Armenia

Mrs Karine Kazarian met Monday with Armenia-China Friendship Group of
the Chinese Congress of Popular Representatives, the Foreign Ministry
spokesperson said.

Parties discussed a range of issues, related to the Armenia-China
cooperation as well as organisation of the bilateral meetings
between delegations of the two nations, item of holding the regular
Armenian-Chinese Intergovernmental Council, Shanghai Expo 2010
International Exhibition, and item of putting into operation
Chancy-Nairit joint enterprise.

ARMENIAN AND TURKISH LEADERS PUSH FOR CLOSER TIES

EuroNews
April 13 2010
France

Taking advantage of both being in Washington for the nuclear summit,
the leaders of Armenia and Turkey have met to try and breath new life
into efforts to improve ties.

The get together between President Serzh Sarksyan and Turkey’s Prime
Minister Reccep Tayyip Erdogan follows months of little progress
since agreeing in principle, to open their border.

Last October, under the auspices of the US, the two countries signed
accords which should lead to the normalising of relations, and thus
hopefully end a century of hostility.

But the protocols need parliamentary ratification which neither side
has yet sought.

The deal would bring big economic gains to landlocked Armenia and
would improve Turkey’s credentials as a potential EU member.

AZERBAIJAN NOT TO RECONCILE WITH OCCUPATION OF ITS LANDS – MINISTER

news.az
April 13 2010
Azerbaijan

Safar Abiyev Armenia should understand: Azerbaijan will never reconcile
with occupation of its lands, minister said.

Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister, colonel general Safar Abiyev has
received a delegation headed by Reiner Stiner, chairman of the
subcommittee on NATO partnership of the political committee of the
NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

According to the news service for the Defense Ministry, the meeting
will discuss issues of mutual interest.

The minister informed the guests about the recent achievements of
Azerbaijan in economic, political and military spheres and noted and
our country attaches a special importance to integration with European
structures and cooperation with NATO and development is observed in
this direction.

The defense minister informed the members of the assembly about the
strained military and political situation in the South Caucasus. He
said the protraction of the peace settlement of the Karabakh conflict
creates conditions for the escalation of tensions.

Safar Abiyev noted that Armenia should understand: Azerbaijan will
never reconcile with occupation of its lands. The minister added
that there is an international law and four resolutions adopted by
the Council of Ministers are enough for the peace settlement of the
problem. In conclusion, the minister answered the questions concerning
the guests.

BILINGUAL YEARBOOK "INDIAN ARMENIANS" PUBLISHED IN KOLKATA

NOYAN TAPAN-ARMENIANS TODAY
APRIL 12, 2010
KOLKATA

KOLKATA, APRIL 12, NOYAN TAPAN-ARMENIANS TODAY. With the blessings
of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, the bilingual (Armenian & English) yearbook "Indian
Armenians" was published in Kolkata, India. The founder of the yearbook
is V. Rev. Fr. Khoren Hovhannisyan, Pastor of Armenians in India and
Manager of The yearbook begins with the letter of blessing of His
Holiness Karekin II.

His Excellency Ara Hakobyan, Ambassador of Republic of Armenia to
India, Richard G. Hovannisian, Professor of History and Armenian
Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History, UCLA and by
Rev. Dr. Nerses Nersessian, British Library, London welcomed "Indian
Armenians" yearbook.

It further bears a letter of appreciation addressed to Fr. Khoren by
Hranush Hakobyan, Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia for
his determination in preserving and enriching the Armenian cultural
and spiritual traditions in India.

The "Indian Armenians" yearbook is the first of its kind, an
unparalleled achievement. It illustrates the daily life of the
community and ACPA in 2009 including Pastor’s meetings, pilgrimages
and various functions held at the Armenian College. Moreover, the
yearbook contains articles about the rich and glorious past of the
Indian Armenians.

According to the report of Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy
(ACPA) the yearbook will be annual and each year it will present the
daily activities of the Indian Armenian Community and ACPA.

AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
April 8 2010

Garabagh status `key’ in conflict settlement – Armenian FM

08-04-2010 05:35:12
Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian has claimed that the
status of Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh, an Azeri region under Armenian
occupation, remains a key issue in settling the Garabagh conflict.
`Without a solution of the main issue regarding the Garabagh problem `
Upper Garabagh’s status ` it is difficult to talk about resolving
other problems,’ Nalbandian maintained at a press conference
Wednesday. `Recognizing and enforcing the right of Upper Garabagh to
self-determination remains the main issue of a conflict settlement.’
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the
signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper
Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of
international law. Baku says the status of Upper Garabagh could be
determined strictly within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and only
after Armenian forces have pulled out of the occupied land and
Azerbaijani refugees displaced during the hostilities have returned
home.
Nalbandian added that the Madrid principles, a peace outline proposed
by the mediators in November 2007, are the basis for the ongoing peace
talks.
`The [mediating] OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs continue offering working
options for the conflict resolution, and this will be ongoing until a
rapprochement in the sides’ positions is achieved,’ the Armenian
minister said.*