Author: Chaltikian Arsine

HEAD OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION OF CHARENTSAVAN POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ARRESTED UNDER VAHAN KHALAFYAN CASE

ArmInfo
2010-04-27 20:14:00

ArmInfo. Head of Criminal Investigation Division of Charentsavan
Police Department A.Haroutyunyan has been arrested under the Vahan
Khalafyan case

The special investigatory service of Armenia reports that Haroutynyan
is suspected of abusing his office and causing Khalafyan to commit
suicide. Preliminary investigation is underway.

A police investigator was arrested a few days ago under the same case
on the same suspicion.

To remind, Apr 13 after pleading guilty of theft Vahan Khalafyan
killed himself right in the office of Charenistavan Police Department.

Chief of the Police of Armenia Alik Sargsyan says that nobody beat
Khalafyan and nobody caused him to kill himself. He says that in
2005 Khalafyan was relieved of military duty because of deliberate
self-harm. Khalafyan’s relatives say that this is not true and claim
that the policemen tortured Vahan.

POLITICAL ANALYST: IF ARMENIA AGREES WITH UPDATED MADRID PRINCIPLES, STAGE OF GREAT PEACE TREATY TO BEGIN

Trend
April 27 2010
Azerbaijan

If after the forthcoming meeting of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and
Armenia in an informal CIS summit, scheduled for May 8, Armenia will
agree with updated Madrid principles, a stage of a great peace treaty
will be launched, chairman of the Center for Political Innovation and
Technologies Mubariz Ahmadoglu said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"If the Armenian side does not sign the document, the updated Madrid
principles can be delivered to the UN Security Council, where the
fifth resolution related to the Nagorno-Karabakh can be taken",
Ahmadoglu said.

Political analyst said that if this is impossible, then Azerbaijan
will have no option but war.

"The Azerbaijani President did everything for the conflict to be
resolved peacefully. Afterwards, the responsibility for war rests on
Armenia, U.S, France and Russia", Ahmadoglu said.

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 resolutions
on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied
territories.

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY REMINDS AZERBAIJAN WHO EXACTLY STARTED THE WAR IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH

ArmInfo
2010-04-27 12:20:00

ArmInfo. The Ministry of Defense of Armenia has reminded Azerbaijan
who exactly started the war in Nagorno- Karabakh and what fruits he
is reaping.

In response to Azerbaijan’s last anti-Armenian statements and threats
to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem by war, the press service of
the Armenian Defense Ministry has said that it was Azerbaijan who
started the war in Nagorno-Karabakh and now it is reaping the fruits.

As regards the allegations that Armenian DM Seyran Ohanyan has made
militarist statements, the Ministry has reminded Azerbaijan than
Ohanyan’s statements were a response to Azerbaijan’s threats to destroy
any target in the territory of Armenia. As regards the charges made
against Ohanyan, the Ministry says that they are simply ridiculous.

ARMENIA MAY STILL SELL ENERGY TO TURKEY DESPITE PROTOCOLS FREEZE

By Asbarez
Apr 27th, 2010

President Serzh Sarkisian (C) speaks at a meeting of the Council on
Atomic Energy Safety in Yerevan, April 27 2010.

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)-President Serzh Sarkisian held out hope for
Armenian electricity exports to Turkey on Tuesday just as one of
his top diplomats warned that Yerevan may still formally rescind the
Turkish-Armenian normalization agreements.

Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, meanwhile, brushed aside continuing
domestic criticism of the Sarkisian administration’s policy on Turkey
and accused Armenia’s previous leadership of committing foreign policy
"mistakes."

Sarkisian touched, in passing, upon his decision to freeze Armenian
parliamentary ratification of the agreements as he chaired a regular
meeting of his advisory Council on Atomic Energy Safety. He said
the opening of the Turkish-Armenian frontier, which he described as
"Europe’s last closed border," would give a massive boost to energy
cooperation in the region.

"Despite the fact that the process has been suspended because of
the Turkish government’s inactivity, we see a potential to export
electricity to Turkey and, by transit, on to countries of the Middle
East," the president said. He did not specify whether he thinks
Armenian power supplies could start before the Turkish-Armenian
protocols are put into effect.

An agreement on such deliveries was reportedly reached by Armenian
and Turkish energy companies during Turkish President Abdullah
Gul’s historic visit to Yerevan in September 2008. Energy Minister
Armen Movsisian and other Armenian officials repeatedly said in the
following months that power grids in eastern Turkey are gearing up
to be able to recieve electricity supplies from Armenia.

Movsisian said in October last year that the energy deal has not been
implemented because of "political problems in Turkey." The effective
freezing of the Turkish-Armenian protocols announced by Sarkisian on
April 22 seems to have made the launch of energy cooperation between
the two neighboring states even more problematic.

Speaking to RFE/RL’s Armenian service after the meeting of the
presidential council, Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosian
defended Sarkisian’s decision not to walk away from the protocols
despite Ankara’s refusal to unconditionally ratify them.

"Let us not forget that we too have an option to withdraw our
signatures [from the protocols,]" Kirakosian said. "That is a variant.

Depending on further developments in the process, we may use that
variant."

The diplomat added that such a scenario will be "definitely possible"
if the normalization process remains deadlocked. But he could not
say just how long Yerevan is ready to wait.

"If there are credible statements and actions by the Turkish
leadership, there will be adequate steps on our part," Nalbandian
told Armenian Public Television late on Monday. "But I see no need
whatsoever to start new negotiations [with Ankara.]"

Nalbandian also hit out at domestic critics of the Sarkisian
administration’s policy on Turkey. He said recent resolutions
approved by U.S. and Swedish lawmakers disproved their claims that
the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement will halt broader international
recognition of the Armenian genocide.

And in an apparent jibe at former President Robert Kocharian,
Nalbandian said: "You know, when it comes to ensuring the continuity
of foreign policy, that doesn’t mean we should continue mistakes. We
must not repeat mistakes, and it is this logic that led the president
of the republic to start this process." He did not elaborate.

Earlier on Monday, a key member of the Kocharian administration,
former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, renewed his strong criticism
of the protocols and said Sarkisian has opted for the worst possible
response to the Turkish delay tactic. "If there were half a dozen
possible exit strategies from this situation – from doing nothing to
revoking Armenia’s signature – the government has chosen the option
least beneficial to us," Oskanian said in a statement.

Kirakosian, who served as deputy foreign minister also under Oskanian,
disagreed with the claim, arguing that Sarkisian’s move has been
praised by the United States and other foreign powers. "I think it
was the right decision," he said. "Right now we are waiting to see
what developments will occur in Turkey in relation to the ratification
process."

2010-04-27EXPERIENCE EXCHANGE CONSULTATIONS CONDUCTED BETWEEN ARMENIAN AND BELARUS FOREIGN MINISTRIES

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 27, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS: Experience exchange consultations were
conducted April 26 and 27 in the Armenian Foreign Ministry between
the Armenian establishment and the Belarus Foreign Ministry.

Foreign Ministry press and information department told Armenpress
that the Belarus delegation was headed by the head of staff of the
Belarus ministry Vladimir Voronkovich. Belarus ambassador to Armenia
Stepan Sukharenko partook in the meeting.

As part of the consultation meeting with the deputy foreign minister
Shavarsh Kocharyan took place who highlighted the regular conduction
of consultations.

The agenda included a number of issues of bilateral interests.

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:

April 27, 2010

__________________________________________

AT ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL, MARTYRS DAY IS HONORED THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSIC,
AND DRAWS HOPE FROM SORROW

"Requiem and Resurrection," a concert of remembrance on the 95th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide, was held in the sanctuary of New York’s St. Vartan
Cathedral on Friday, April 23, as part of the Diocese’s commemoration of the
milestone.

Some 800 people gathered for the event, including Ambassador Garen Nazarian,
Armenia’s representative to the United Nations, along with other dignitaries
and diplomats from U.N. member nations.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America, presided and officiated at the requiem service that began
the evening.

The concert featured works by Komitas, Khachaturian, and others, as
performed by pianist Karine Poghosyan, the Merlin Virtuosi string quartet,
and the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir under the direction of Maestro Khoren
Mekanejian.

Ms. Poghosyan received a standing ovation for her stirring performance of
Khachaturian’s Piano Sonata (1961). "She made a jaw-dropping impression,"
commented master pianist Sahan Arzruni of Ms. Poghosyan’s performance. "The
three-movement Khachaturian Sonata-a rarely performed composition-is a real
tour-de-force for the virtuoso pianist. Technically pristine, Ms. Poghosyan
brought out the driven qualities of the outer movements, and the
heart-rending beauty of the middle section."

Soloists Vagharshak Ohanyan, Anahit Zakarian, Anoush Barclay, Hasmig
Meikhanedjian, and Maro Partamian also moved the audience with their
renderings of Armenian choral pieces, with the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir
lending a beautifully balanced texture and precision of tone.

The event was sponsored through the generosity of the Edward and Grace
Alexanian Fund. Floral crosses-donated by Adrienne Alexanian in memory of
her parents and grandparents-were displayed on trees surrounding St. Vartan
Cathedral.

The concert was organized by creative directors Karine Poghosyan and Maestro
Khoren Mekanejian, and the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan
Cathedral.

"We see such horrors even today"

In formal remarks to the audience after the concert, Armenia’s UN Ambassador
Nazarian noted the importance of bringing to an end Turkey’s policy of
denial of the Armenian Genocide, emphasizing the important role played by
the international community and the diaspora in this effort.

He also stressed that it is important for the international community to be
committed to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
Genocide and other international treaties on human rights, and to press
Turkey to respect the provisions of these documents.

Failure to recognize the Genocide "resulted in untold suffering for millions
others during and after World War II," Ambassador Nazarian said. To the
audience, and especially to his colleagues in the diplomatic community,
Ambassador Nazarian said he saw them all as a coalition "committed to
education aimed at the eradication, once and for all, of racism, xenophobia,
and the prevention of genocides."

The ambassador affirmed that "Throughout their history, Armenians have
experienced intolerance over and over again." But genocide was not something
that ended in the remote past: the events of 1915 find echoes in the news of
today, and "we see such horrors even today in different parts of the world."

Appealing to his diplomatic colleagues, he said: "Today the international
community is not responsible for such crimes [of genocide]. But we are
responsible for not recognizing that crime."

The story of a miracle

To close the dignified commemoration at the Diocesan Center, Archbishop
Barsamian thanked the Ambassador and visiting diplomats, the artists and
organizers, the Alexanian Fund, and the audience for taking part in the
evening’s tribute.

He reflected on the significance of observing Armenian Martyrs Day in
church-under the great Christian symbol of suffering and redemption: the
Cross.

"As we pray for the peace of our martyrs’ souls, we must also remember that
the surviving Armenians rebuilt their lives, raised families, and lived
creative lives of contribution and dignity. And they succeeded in preserving
our Armenian Christian identity," he said.

"It’s truly the story of a miracle-and we must be grateful to God for
letting us be a part of that miracle."

###

Photos attached.

Photo 1: Some 800 people gathered at St. Vartan Cathedral on April 23 for a
concert of remembrance on the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Photo 2: The Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian during the requiem service
held before the concert at St. Vartan Cathedral on April 23.

Photo 3: St. Nersess seminarians take part in the requiem service held
before the concert at St. Vartan Cathedral on April 23.

Photo 4: The Merlin Virtuosi string quartet performs at St. Vartan Cathedral
on April 23.

Photo 5: Pianist Karine Poghosyan performs Khachaturian’s Piano Sonata
(1961).

Photo 6: The St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Maestro
Khoren Mekanejian, performs Armenian choral pieces.

Photo 7: Armenia’s UN Ambassador Garen Nazarian reflected on the global
repercussions of the Armenian Genocide in remarks after the concert.

Photo 8: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian spoke about the significance of
observing Armenian Martyrs Day in church-under the great Christian symbol of
suffering and redemption: the Cross.

WE DO NOT NEED PHRASE ‘MEDS YEGHERN’: GIRO MANOYAN

news.am
April 26 2010
Armenia

"We do not need the phrase &’Meds Yeghern’, as they translate it at
their discretion. We also say ‘yeghern’ but not for avoiding the word
‘genocide’, it is dishonest of them," head of Armenian Cause office and
ARFD member Giro Manoyan told the journalists Monday. He also noted
that unlike this April 24, last year Obama had an excuse (April 23,
2009 statement on Armenia-Turkey roadmap) not to say ‘genocide’.

According to him, Woodrow Wilson’s arbitral award should be a legal
base for a demand to recognize Armenian Genocide. In case presently
suspended Protocols are ratified, Armenian side will possibly lose
this opportunity.

Manoyan stressed that Armenia as a state has no precise program on
certain moves to put forward the Genocide issue, instead it expects
Turkey’s steps to react. Dashnaktsutyun member deems that doing so
Armenia opens door for Turkey and enables Ankara to interfere with
Karabakh peace process.

He underlined that Genocide recognition process is completed and
presently we should start a new phase to switch the matter to legal
framework.

PROJECT ON PROMOTION OF ARMENIAN-BELGIAN JOINT BUSINESS PROJECTS IMPLEMENTING

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 26, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 26, ARMENPRESS: The "ArmenWal- Facilitating Industrial
Partnerships between Armenian and Walloon (Belgium) Entrepreneurs"
project, aimed at promoting the implementation of Armenian-Belgian
joint business projects, is currently being implemented by the
Foreign Trade and Investment Agency of Wallonia, Kingdom of Belgium
and Armenian Development Agency in partnership with the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and RA embassy to Belgium.

An official from the press and information department of RA Foreign
Affairs Ministry told Armenpress that the process of implementation
of ‘ ArmenWal’ is consisted of several rounds. In the first round
the organizers will make their selection from the organizations
and enterprises, interested in cooperation and joint activities in
the spheres of business and industry. For this purpose a business
conference on the issues concerning the implementation of the project,
as well as the possibilities of establishing business ties with
Armenia was held April 22 in Namur, Belgium.

During the conference some information was provided on Armenia’s
economy, economic policy and the possibilities of implementing joint
projects with Armenia. Chief executive of the Armenian Development
Agency made a report about Armenia during the conference. In this
round the Belgian side is to make the list of interested companies
from the spheres of agriculture/farming, marketing, construction,
accounting, insurance, internet providing, etc. Seminar on organizing
and preparation works with the selected companies will be held June
3 in Brussels, at which the next steps, intended to be taken, will
be discussed. Joint business meeting will be organized September in
Armenia, where the selected Belgian and Armenian companies will discuss
issues on the concrete business projects and their implementation
in detail.

The project, which is aimed at drawing the attention of investors
from Belgium, is being implemented only in Armenia and does not have
a regional importance.

"STOP PROSECUTION OF JOURNALISTS AND CALL REAL PERPETRATORS TO ACCOUNT"

BIAnet.org
glish/freedom-of-expression/121552-stop-prosecutio n-of-journalists-and-call-real-perpetrators-to-acc ount
April 26 2010
Turkey

Reporters without Borders claimed to leave aside the prosecution of
authors Å~^ener and GöktaÅ~_, who drew attention to the state’s
responsibiltiy in the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink
in their books. Instead, the ones responsible for the assassination
should be revealed, RSF said.

Erol ONDEROÄ~^LU [email protected] Istanbul – BÄ°A News Center26 April
2010, Monday The international organization of Reporters without
Borders (RSF), demanded to leave aside the prosecution of authors
Nedim Å~^ener and Kemal GöktaÅ~_. Both journalists face heavy prison
sentences for their books about the assassination of Turkish Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink.

Dink, founder and editor-in-chief of the Armenian Agos newspaper,
was killed in front of his office in Istanbul on 19 January 2007.

While justice in the murder case is being delayed, issues without
prirority like the prosecution of the journalists are taken care of
in a preferred manner, RSF emphasized. "The judiciary has not brought
light into all aspects related to the murder. During a process when
responsible people in politics and within the police have not been
called to account yet, the accusations against Nedim Å~^ener and
Kemal GöktaÅ~_ remain unreasonable and insubstantial", RSF announced.

RSF: Allegations against journalists should be withdrawn RSF reminded
that "writer Å~^ener faces up to 32.5 years imprisonment in three
different cases launched on the grounds of his book "The Dink Murder
and the Intelligence Lies"; GötaÅ~_ is facing a five years’ sentence
based on his book entitled "The Hrant Dink Murder: Media, Judiciary,
State".

RSF demanded to withdraw the allegations put up against the journalists
and to end the lack of punishment in the murder case which has been
going on for three years now.

Å~^ener stands trial at the Istanbul 11th High Criminal Court, at the
Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance and at the Bakırköy
(Istanbul) 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. RSF drew attention to
the fact that both Å~^ener and GöktaÅ~_ are threatened by possible
prison sentences because they did what was necessary in the scope of
their profession as journalists. "We hope that the decisions to be
taken related to both journalists will manifest justice".

The Dink murder case with a total of 20 defendants will continue at
the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court on 10 May. (EO/VK)

BAKU WILL SEE TWO ARMENIAN BOXERS COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER

Tert.am
26.04.10

World Junior Boxing Championship is starting today in the Azerbaijani
capital of Baku. The draw has already been conducted, and it is
already known whom the Armenian boxers will compete with.

There are six boxers in the Armenian team, but there are also Armenian
boxers who will participate in this championship on behalf of other
countries.

Koryun Soghomonyan (48kg) will compete with Nurbek Ablagov (Kyrgyzstan)
today. Should he defeat Ablagov, Soghomonyan will then compete with
the winner of Moris Ochieng (Kenya)- Charlie Edwards (England) couple.

Narek Abgaryan (51kg) will compete with Hesham Mahmud (Egypt) on
April 28.

Hovhannes Bachkov will fight with Edgaras Skurdelis (Lithuania)
in the 54 kg category.

Also today Karen Tonakanyan will in the 57 category compete with
Henry Thompson.

Among Armenians to compete today is also Hrayr Matevosyan (60kg). His
rival is Juan Karasko (Argentine).

Arthur Karajyan will in the 64 category fight against another Armenian
boxer, Araik Marutyan, who represents Germany.

Armen Simonyan, representing Ukraine will compete in the 91 category
with the Azerbaijani Haji-Baba Haji-Babaev, reports Armsport.am.