Author: Chatinian Lara

TURKISH OPPOSITION DEMAND WITHDRAWAL OF PROTOCOLS

Panorama.am
15:00 27/04/2010

Region

Turkish mejlis has referred yesterday to the Armenian-Turkish
protocols. Turkish FM Ahmet Davutgolu expressed his observations
underscoring that the normalization process with Armenia isn’t
completed and that it is supposed to be continued. The oppositional
forces have critically condemned the authorities for signing those
protocols.

According to Cumhuriyet, the deputies of CHP and MHP parties condemned
the authorities and demanded the withdrawal of the protocols. Turkish
opposition is sure the process with Armenia is aborted.

Opposition deputy Onur Oymen said unless the Armenians haven’t returned
the "occupied" lands and haven’t rejected the global recognition of
Armenian Genocide, no protocols should be ratified.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN RECEIVED THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE RA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

armradio.am
26.04.2010 18:00

President Serzh Sargsyan received the members of the Governing Council
of the RA Academy of Sciences and Heads of the scientific and research
institutes of the Academy, Presidnet’s Press Office reported.

President Sargsyan said that after the annual general meeting of the
Academy it was necessary to discuss with the scientists the problems
that hinder Armenia’s scientific development and find the means
to eliminate them. "Previous discussions regarding this issue have
set the right course. I believe our priority should be to closely
connect science with the education and economy," the leader of the
country said.

Serzh Sargsyan highlighted three main avenues for developing education
and science in our country. "The first avenue we should take is
to reorganize the existing educational and scientific institutions
and use them more efficiently, i.e. to carry on with the process of
reformation. The second avenue is the creation of a new generation
of the educational and scientific institutions, like the one created
in Tavush – a modern boarding school, where teaching is conducted
in foreign languages, with the application of the newest teaching
methodologies. The third avenue is to provide our students and young
scientists with the opportunity to study in the best educational and
scientific establishments abroad," the President of Armenia noted.

President Sargsyan informed that the rites of the Luys Foundation,
which provides funds for the Armenian students’ to study at the world’s
best establishments, would be doubled so that a greater number of the
Armenian students could study abroad. Serzh Sargsyan stressed also
the necessity of creating opportunities for the young scientists to
get training abroad, noting that corresponding steps would be taken
on that direction as well. "I know that there is a problem of housing
for the young scientists, and to solve the problem we are ready to
make serious investments. However, support will be provided only to
those young scientists, who are going to seriously work in science,
but not to those who after receiving master’s degree spend couple
of months in a scientific institution and then leave to do something
else," President Sargsyan said.

The academicians conversed with the President of the Republic about
a number of problems hindering the development of sciences in Armenia.

The absence of relevant testing and production structures and
facilities in the Academy was mentioned as the most pressing issue. As
a result, scientific achievements cannot be fully employed in the
economy. According to the academicians, the absence of necessary
structures and facilities also prevents the flow of private investments
into science which is imperative for conducting new research and
obtaining scientific results. It was also noted that it would be
necessary to create mechanisms for the enhanced cooperation between
the institutes of the Academy and relevant economic structures.

Participants to the meeting spoke also about the necessity of
developing humanitarian sciences, particularly those related to
the Armenian studies. The President of Armenia said that it is also
necessary to create conducive conditions for the scientists involved
in the Armenian studies abroad. The importance of publishing the works
of the Armenian scientists in foreign languages and presenting them
in electronic format was also underlined.

Along with the science development issues, the academicians reflected
also on the much debated issue of the Armenia-Turkey normalization
process. They expressed their support to the President on this issue
and expressed confidence that his actions have been efficient.

Representatives of the scientific community proposed to conduct such
meetings regularly, noting that obviously such discussions proved to
be very useful.

The President of Armenia approved the proposal and thanked the
scientists for a candid and interested discussion, noting that it
helped not only identify the problems but also to find concrete ways
to overcome them.

Manuk Balian: we want historical justice to triumph

April 24, 2010 – 19:43 AMT 14:43 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

`I had visited Armenia earlier, but this is the first time that I am
here on April 24,’ member of the Armenian ice hockey team Manuk Balian
told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. He added that his ancestors were from
Western Armenia.

According to him, a protest action dedicated to the 95th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide will be organized also in Los Angeles on
April 24. American youth will join the event.

Balian was in difficulty to comment over Turks’ reaction to such
events, as the number of Turks is small in Los Angeles. He added that
during a tournament a Turk told him that Armenians are taught at
school to hate Turks. `Actually, this is not true; we just want
historical justice to triumph,’ said Balian.

Doctor Mihran Balayan, who arrived in Armenia from Boston, noted that
this is his first visit to Armenia and he could not refrain from
visiting the Genocide Memorial to commemorate the Armenian Genocide
victims.

`My ancestors are from Western Armenia – Marash,’ said Balayan, noting
that events in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide victims are due
this day also in Boston. `Youth of different nations will join
Armenians during them. We work on familiarizing them with the history
and events of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire,’ said Balayan.

In addition, Balayan is going to give lectures to students of Yerevan
Medical University.

Interfax, Russia
April 23 2010

France urges Armenia, Turkey to continue diplomatic discussions

YEREVAN April 23

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called on the Armenian and
Turkish authorities to continue their discussions on settling
bilateral relations.

"France is calling on Armenia and Turkey to continue discussions and
to double their efforts to implement the Armenian-Turkish protocols,
which would be a significant contribution to the cause of bringing
peace and safety to the region," Sarkozy was quoted as saying in a
statement by the French Embassy in Armenia.

Sarkozy welcomed the Armenian leader’s willingness to stabilize
Armenian-Turkish relations despite the difficulties both sides faced
during the ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols signed in
Zurich on October 10, 2009.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsian signed a decree last Thursday,
terminating the ratification of the protocols on establishing
diplomatic ties and bilateral relations.

In addition, in his address to the people of Armenia, Sargsian
announced that the country would withdraw from the process of
stabilizing relations with Turkey at its current stage.

States News Service, USA
April 24, 2010 Saturday

STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ON ARMENIAN REMEMBRANCE DAY

WASHINGTON

The following information was released by the White House:

On this solemn day of remembrance, we pause to recall that ninety-five
years ago one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century began. In
that dark moment of history, 1.5 million Armenians were massacred or
marched to their death in the final days of the Ottoman Empire.

Today is a day to reflect upon and draw lessons from these terrible
events. I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in
1915, and my view of that history has not changed. It is in all of our
interest to see the achievement of a full, frank and just
acknowledgment of the facts. The Meds Yeghern is a devastating chapter
in the history of the Armenian people, and we must keep its memory
alive in honor of those who were murdered and so that we do not repeat
the grave mistakes of the past. I salute the Turks who saved Armenians
in 1915 and am encouraged by the dialogue among Turks and Armenians,
and within Turkey itself, regarding this painful history. Together,
the Turkish and Armenian people will be stronger as they acknowledge
their common history and recognize their common humanity.

Even as we confront the inhumanity of 1915, we also are inspired by
the remarkable spirit of the Armenian people. While nothing can bring
back those who were killed in the Meds Yeghern, the contributions that
Armenians have made around the world over the last ninety-five years
stand as a testament to the strength, tenacity and courage of the
Armenian people. The indomitable spirit of the Armenian people is a
lasting triumph over those who set out to destroy them. Many Armenians
came to the United States as survivors of the horrors of 1915. Over
the generations Americans of Armenian descent have richened our
communities, spurred our economy, and strengthened our democracy. The
strong traditions and culture of Armenians also became the foundation
of a new republic which has become a part of the community of nations,
partnering with the world community to build a better future.

Today, we pause with them and with Armenians everywhere to remember
the awful events of 1915 with deep admiration for their contributions
which transcend this dark past and give us hope for the future.

Today, Azerbaijan
April 25 2010

Azerbaijani MP: Armenia not to achieve any result with pressure on Turkey

25 April 2010 [10:55] – Today.Az

Freezing the Zurich protocols once again demonstrated the real essence
of both Serzh Sargsyan and Armenia as a state, said Ganira Pashayeva,
a member of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe (PACE).

"Armenia itself knows that the establishment of peace and stability in
this region passes through the liberation of Armenian-occupied
territories. The main desire of Armenia is that the United States and
the EU countries strengthen pressure on Turkey. I think that the
Armenians will not achieve their goals, and without solving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turkey will never start discussing the
protocols signed with Armenia and will continue keeping the borders
closed," the member of Azerbaijani delegation to PACE, MP Ganira
Pashayeva told Trend.

"Armenia has demonstrated its essence, which shows how it is sincere
in restoring peace and stability, partnership in the region. I expect
that Turkey will accelerate its efforts to bring to the world the true
face of Armenia," the MP said.

According to Pashayeva, the guilty for the tense situation in the
region is Armenia.

"Azerbaijan will continue its fair position as before. Unless Armenia
withdraws from the occupied territories, there will be no partnership
with it in the region. Armenia will not participate in any project
where Azerbaijan plays a major role. Turkey has also demonstrated its
position that the borders closed because of the occupation of
Azerbaijani lands will not be opened until the Azerbaijani lands are
liberated from occupation. Azerbaijan and Turkey will continue their
fair position in the future as well," she said.

According to Pashayeva, the international organizations, OSCE and
large forces must demonstrate their attitude towards this step of
Armenia.

"Because with this step, Armenia demonstrated how it is interested in
establishing peace and stability in the region. Now the main issue
facing international organizations is to exert pressure on Armenia to
withdraw from the Azerbaijani lands," said Pashayeva.

/Trend/

URL:

ARTHUR ABRAHAM SAYS KESSLER’S CAREER ON LINE AND HE WILL WIN

Panorama.am
23/04/2010

German based Armenian boxer Arthur Abraham says he thinks Kessler
will win Froch: "I think Kessler will win," Abraham said. "This
basically is his last chance. His career and his future – at least
in the Super Six – are on the line. It would be a huge surprise if
someone of his class would be eliminated that early. As my teammate,
I do, of course hope he will beat Froch – although it will be a very
tough and exciting fight. All Super Six fighters are very strong,
so I look forward to an exciting evening in Herning."

ARMENIAN OVERSIGHT CHAMBER TO GET 700 000 EUROS’ ASSISTANCE

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 23, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS: Chairman of the Armenian Oversight
Chamber Ishkhan Zakaryan and co-chairman of the Dutch Calculation Court
Heis de Vries announced today officially in Tsakhkadzor the launch of
the technical assistance program within the framework of the 700 000
euros which will be provided to the Armenian Oversight Chamber. The
program will last until 2013. As part of the program joint oversight,
study tours of the Armenian specialists to Netherlands, visits of
experts will take place. The agreement has been reached last year
in summer when the chairman of the Armenian Oversight Chamber was in
Netherlands on a working visit.

Ishkhan Zakaryan highlighted the implementation of the program, noting
that the institution has new thing to say today and three years after
when the results of the program will be summed up, a brilliant end
will be registered which will be of great benefit for the Oversight
Chamber. Among the priorities of the program he mentioned the tax
and customs, environment, science and educational systems. Ishkhan
Zakaryan expressed hope that though the cooperation is intended for
three years it will not be limited to it and the bilateral cooperation
and experience exchange will be of continuative nature.

Heis de Vries said that the Dutch Calculation Court not always
agrees to participate in such programs as it is not a consulting
organization. But it agreed to participate in this program which is
being assisted by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank as they
were convinced that the Oversight Chamber wishes to apply the best
international practice of audit to increase the level of financial
management of the Armenia’s state sector.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian National Committee of Toronto
Contact: Ms. Ani Garabedian
Tel: (416) 219-7178

April 23, 2010

Armenian Community of Toronto Commemorates
95th Anniversary of Armenian Genocide

What: The Canadian-Armenian Community of Toronto will be commemorating the
95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915.

When: Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Armenian Youth Centre, 50 Hallcrown Place, Toronto (major
intersection Victoria Park Ave. and Highway 401).

Details: Middle East Correspondent of The Independent, Robert Fisk, will
be the keynote speaker. Representatives from all major Canadian political
parties and all levels of government will be participating.

Over 1.5 million Armenians perished in a systematic effort by the Turkish
government of the Ottoman Empire to eliminate the indigenous Armenian
population living peacefully on its historic homelands. It was the Armenian
Genocide, which introduced the spectre of holocaust to the 20th Century; a
crime that has since been duplicated in various forms in Nazi Germany,
Rwanda and Darfur.

It is expected that 800 members of the Canadian-Armenian Community of
Toronto will attend.

For further information on the Armenian Genocide, please see the Armenian
National Committee of Canada website at or contact
us at 416-219-7178.

Armenian National Committee of Toronto
45 Hallcrown Place
Willowdale, ON M2J 4Y4
Phone: (416) 491-2900
Fax: (416) 491-2211

US AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY RESPONDS TO YEREVAN DECISON OVER SUSPENDING THE RATIFICATION OF ARMENIA-TURKEY PROTOCOLS

Panorama.am
23/04/2010

US Ambassador to Turkey James Geoffrey referred to the official Yerevan
decision on suspending the ratification of Armenia-Turkey protocols
meeting the reporters at a reception on Israel’s 62nd anniversary.

According to CNNTurk, highlighting that the normalization of ties
is up to Armenia and Turkey, the Ambassador said: "Hopefully, the
process will continue."

Citing its sources, CNNTurk says, the US Ambassador convened a
consultation with Turkish authorities as soon as he got the news on
Yerevan decision, and informed the US disposition over the issue to
the Turkish side.

The US diplomat urged the Turkey to make efforts towards the
ratification of the protocols.