Author: Chavushian

KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT IS IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR THE EU

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.03.2010 20:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The settlement of the Karabakh conflict is a very
important issue for the European Union, Onno Simons, Charge d’Affaires
of the European Commission delegation to Armenia said in Yerevan,
addressing the 73 NATO PA Rose Roth Seminar "Regional Processes in
the South Caucasus: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects".

According to him, the EU is ready to support Armenia either in the
Karabakh settlement or in the Armenian-Turkish normalization. "The more
Armenia is ready to do, the more the EU will assist the country,"
said Onno Simons. The region is very important for the EU, the
official said.

AZERBAIJANI OFFICIAL: NAGORNO-KARABAKH PROBLEM IMPACTS EUROPEAN SECURITY

Trend
March 11 2010
Azerbaijan

European Union, being the most authoritative organization in Europe,
is interested in ensuring peace and security in EU. Azerbaijan is a
part of Europe. The conflicts in the South Caucasus region, including
Nagorno-Karabakh, have a direct impact on European security," Deputy
Chairman and Executive Secretary of the New Azerbaijan Party Ali
Ahmedov said, the party’s official website reported. He was commenting
on EU’s role that it could play in resolving the Armenian -Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"Azerbaijan that is located in the South Caucasus region plays
an important role in European energy security and the country’s
significance is increasing every day. Therefore, the question of
stability in the region becomes more apparent," he 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.

"In this sense, EU began to openly speak about its interest in
the rapid resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. In particular, a number of problems that have arisen over the
past years in ensuring Europe’s energy security greatly increased the
role of Azerbaijan from this point of view. I believe that European
Union has mechanisms to influence the settlement of the conflicts in
South Caucasus. However, this structure should consider the forms of
these mechanisms," he added.

According to him, today’s reality is that the OSCE Minsk Group is
involved in the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.

"Most of the OSCE Minsk Group’s representatives are members of
EU. In this case, it is clear that European Union has leverage to
influence the process. But the question is how states are ready to
restore justice. I think that if the organization’s member-states are
interested in this, then problem can be solved quickly, "Ahmadov noted.

CYCLING THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA: PHOTO EXHIBIT IN YEREVAN

Tert.am
17:34 ~U 09.03.10

Tom Allen, a British cyclist now living Yerevan, will be showcasing
about 40 photographs from a series called "Cycling the Middle East and
North Africa" at the Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art
(ACCEA, or NPAK in Armenian) in Yerevan.

This, his first ever solo exhibit, features photos from his 10,000
km bicycle journey through 11 countries in 2009. According to a press
release issued by Allen himself, he hopes to raise money for Armenian
and international charities through the sale of these works.

The exhibit officially opens at 5 pm on Friday, March 12, and runs
for three weeks.

For more information, visit Allen’s website at

US CONGRESS’LL DISCUSS GENOCIDE RESOLUTION TILL NOV. 2010

Aysor
March 9 2010
Armenia

Armenian delegation’s presence at the vote over the Resolution 252,
declaring that the 1915 massacres of more than a million and a half
of Armenians by Ottoman Turks was Genocide, makes clear that Armenia
keeps commitment to the process of the international recognition of
the Genocide of 1915, said at the press conference Armenian deputies
Artak Zakarian and Koryun Nahapetian.

According to Artak Zakarian, Congressional Committee’s approval of
the Resolution 252 should be considered from the point of view of
the U.S.-Turkey relations as well as the foreign policy of Turkey.

"This was a stick-like object, that the U.S. raised," said Zakarian.

"It’s difficult to say now whether it will influence Turkey, or
whether the U.S. Congress will continue to hold vote on resolution,
all these issues depend on the further steps by Turkey," he added.

Koryun Nahapetian, in his turn, said that the passage of the
resolution was complicated because of pressure of Turkey and the Obama
administration. He added that despite all these the U.S. Congress
will discuss issue of Genocide till November 2010.

CRIMINAL APPEAL COURT REJECTS COMPLAINTS OF PROSECUTION AND DEFENCE IN NIKOL PASHINIAN’S CASE

Noyan Tapan
March 9, 2010

YEREVAN, MARCH 9, NOYAN TAPAN. By the March 9 decision of the Criminal
Appeal Court of Armenia, the decision of the general jurisdiction
court of Yerevan’s Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative regions on
the case of Haykakan Zhamanak daily’s editor-in-chief Nikol Pashinian
was left unchanged, and the complaints of the prosecution and the
defence were rejected.

To recap, the general jurisdiction court of Kentron and Nork-Marash
administrative regions had found Pashinian guilty of organizing mass
disorder in Yerevan on 1 March 2008, but acquitted Pashinian of the
charge of committing violence (not dangerious for life or health)
against a representative of the authorities on 23 October 2007. N.

Pashinian had been sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment.

The Appeal Court exmained N. Pashinian’s case based on the complaints
of both the prosecution and the defence: the first demanded quashing
the verdict of his partial acquittal and returning a verdict of guilty
regarding this charge as well, whereas the latter demanded acquittng
N. Pashinian due to the absence of corpus delicti.

According to RA Cassation Court’s spokeswoman Alina Yengoyan, the
Appeal Court applied Clause 7 Part 2 of the National Assembly Decision
on the Declaration of General Amnesty, under which the unserved part
of the prison term was reduced by a half.

N. Pashinian’s lawyer Lusine Sahakian told NT correspondent that the
defence will appeal the Appeal Court’s decision in the Cassation Court.

Interfax, Russia
March 5 2010

Yerevan hails adoption of Armenian Genocide resolution by U.S. House’s
Foreign Affair Committee

MOSCOW March 5

The Armenian Foreign Ministry has welcomed the adoption of Resolution
252, recognizing the genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in
1915, by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign
Affairs.

"We greatlly appreciate the adoption of Resolution 252 recognizing the
genocide of Armenians by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S.

Congress’ House of Representatives," Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian said in a statement.

"That showed the adherence of the people of the United States to
panhuman values and is an important step on the way to stopping crimes
against humanity," the statement reads.

Ecofriend
March 6 2010

OFIS Architecture proposes a solar-powered earthquake-proof tower for Armenia

OFIS Architecture has proposed a next-gen `All Seasons Tent Tower’ as
a part of the Mercedes-Benz hotel tower competition for the city of
Yerevan, Armenia. The tower features two terraced cylindrical towers
where the higher tower will be used as a restaurant, pool, spa and
fitness center and bar.

The towers will also house a hotel and apartments along with a
business center, shops and garage. Since the region is prone to
earthquakes, the deciding factor was a building that can be safe
during the next strike. The structure has been designed in a fashion
that resists gravity load and the forces resulting from earthquakes.
The towers are positioned in a way that creates a dominant view from
the city.

Photovoltaic cells are integrated into the atrium roof to generate
power for the tower. The façade skin covers the terraces of the
towers. During summer the metal mesh of the towers is covered by
greenery, while during winter it is white and partially covered with
snow.

The designers have focused on energy conservation by optimizing the
environmental conditions. The external facades are incorporated with a
high performance skin that reduces solar gain during summer. A
concrete slab embedded pipe system has also been included to provide
cooling without draft problems and provide heating during the cold
winter months.

see photos at roposes-a-solar-powered-earthquake-proof-tower-for -armenia/

President Gul: Genocide Resolution Disrespects Turkey
2010/03/05 | 17:25

region

On the heels of Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s stinging cricism of
yesterday’s passage on HR 252 in the U.S. House Foreign Affairs
Committee, Turkish President Abdullah Gul has expressed his
displeasure as well and with equal intensity.

`I consider the decision unreasonable. It does not belittles the
Turkish nation,’ stated President Gul. `I strongly condemn it. It does
not mean anything to Turkish people. Turkey will not be responsible
for the negative consequences of this vote.’

The Sun (England)
March 3, 2010 Wednesday
Edition 1; Ireland

TALKING IT UP TO THE TOP;
IRELAND U21 v ARMENIA U21 ; Séamus keeps it real

by DAVID FIELD

EVERTON full-back Séamus Coleman will not allow himself to be carried
away despite being tipped for the top.

The 21-year-old Donegal native is seen by many as Ireland’s future
right-back but he will not let that talk go to his head.

Coleman is in line to win his 10th cap at Under-21 level in tonight’s
European Championship qualifier against Armenia at Tallaght Stadium.

He seems a sound bet to make the transition into Giovanni Trapattoni’s
plans at full international level before very long.

For now, though, Coleman will simply allow the future to take care of itself.

He said: "I heard my name mentioned in relation to the senior squad,
but I wasn’t thinking about it.

"I knew myself that I’d be with the Under-21s for another while yet as
I’ve only played a handful of games for Everton.

Boost "Even to get mentioned was a compliment, to know that assistant
manager Marco Tardelli was aware of me and speaking about me was a
great boost.

"But I won’t get carried away, I know my career will start to dip if I
let this little bit of success go to my head, so I am happy to be with
the Under-21s."

Coleman was handed his senior debut for Everton in the 5-0 Europa
League defeat by Benfica on October 22.

And he has made a further six appearances since as a regular member of
David Moyes’ matchday 18.

He lost his place on the bench for Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat
at Tottenham.

But with Phil Jagielka back and Joseph Yobo also among the subs, he
had few complaints.

Coleman will hope to erase his disappointment by helping Don Givens
(below) and his Under-21s to a first qualifier victory of the campaign
tonight.

Ireland head into the game sitting at the foot of Group Two despite
having lost only two of their six fixtures to date.

A weakened team was soundly beaten in Armenia in November as the hosts
that day recorded their own first success of the qualifying
competition with a 4-1 win.

Coleman and Ipswich midfielder Owen Garvan both missed that game,
which came three days after a 1-1 draw in Georgia, but are expected to
return.

The ex-Sligo Rovers full-back added: "I missed the Armenia game last
year. I played in the first game, but got injured, so I wasn’t there
for the 4-1. "We have had a mixed run with the Under-21 team, so we
are keen to get a win here against Armenia and move up the table."

The match also sees a return to international action for Terry Dixon.

The ex-Spurs underage hotshot was called into Ireland’s senior squad
by Steve Staunton in 2006 at the age of 16.

Once regarded as among the most promising talents in the game – and
compared to Wayne Rooney – a series of injuries almost caused Dixon to
call time on his career.

But the striker is now back playing for West Ham and is hoping to
recover his previous form.

Tickets for the match are ‘5 for adults and ‘2 for Under-16s. IRELAND
UNDER-21 (squad v Armenia): Shane Redmond (Darlington), James McKeown
(Peterborough), Séamus Coleman (Everton), Kevin Long (Burnley), Callum
Morris (Newcastle), Olanrewaju Oyebanjo (Histon), Darren Dennehy
(Gillingham), Cian Hughton (Lincoln), David Meyler (Sunderland),
Séamus Conneely (Galway United), Owen Garvan (Ipswich Town), Scott
Davies (Reading), Conor Clifford (Chelsea), Alan Judge (Plymouth
Argyle), Cillian Sheridan (St Johnstone), Ian Daly (Aris
Thessaloniki), Seán Scannell (Crystal Palace), Terry Dixon (West Ham).

news.am, Armenia
March 6 2010

Armenia-Turkey reconciliation and Karabakh conflict not interrelated: Freizer

13:07 / 03/06/2010Armenia-Turkey reconciliation and Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict cannot be interrelated and impede each other, Europe Program
Director of International Crisis Group Sabine Freizer stated in the
interview with Zhamanak newspaper.

According to her, Turkey can use this rhetoric for Karabakh peace
process to achieve a pro-Azerbaijani solution. `It is difficult for
Turkey to get a vote of confidence in the Parliament on Protocols’
ratification without a significant breakthrough in Karabakh issue.’

Asked to what we are closer-war or peace, she replied: `Unfortunately,
the war probability is always high. Armenia and Azerbaijan in
particular increase their military budget. Meanwhile, I can’t help but
pointing out the last year’s dynamics in the process, particularly now
that Azerbaijan has agreed with the updated version of Madrid
Principles. I hope Armenia will do so, which will entail ease of
tension in the process,’ Freizer said.

L.A.