Author: Chilingarian Babken

Americans for Artsakh
c/o NKR Office
1334 G St, NW
Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 223-3440

Americans for Artsakh Extends Leadership Program to Youth

Following a series of successful government training programs, Americans
for Artsakh has just completed the first in what will be an annual
series of youth leadership programs in Artsakh. AFA brought an
outstanding team of experienced trainers to Stepanakert and Shushi to
provide valuable leadership skills to the most gifted and motivated
university students in the area. Students were selected from a range of
local tertiary-level institutions, and training space was generously
provided by Artsakh State University and the Naregatsi Art Institute in
Shushi.

The course provided leadership, negotiation, and cognitive effectiveness
(or "lateral thinking") training, based on methodology developed by the
Harvard University/Mercy Corps Conflict Management Group. The material
focused on using the ideas of prominent authors to bring these concepts,
vital to success in the modern world, to the area. A total of 30
students received an intensive (eight hours a day), eight-day training
session that was broken up into four components based on which author
was being presented at a given time. Each of the trainers – Arshak
Balayan, Tigran Bertizyan, Hamazasp Danielyan, and Gayane Vardanyan –
taught one section of the course. Class activities included games, role
plays, and various types of team-building exercises that helped
reinforce the ideas and foster a sense of camaraderie among the group.
In addition to the course itself, the team was featured on a national
television show based in Shushi.

Another component of the program involves the provision of special
grants to select students who will conduct their own community service
projects using the methods they learned in the course. The grants will
be given on a competitive basis, based on which students write the best
proposals.

Although the training team has conducted similar projects in other parts
of the Armenian world, they had a unique experience in Artsakh. Upon
completion of the course, team leader Balayan commented, "People in
Artsakh need us. They really need what we teach and I feel that I am
doing more than I have done teaching two years in Yerevan." Participant
Alexander Badalov concurred. "This is the first long-term youth
training ever organized in Artsakh.I am impressed. I hope [the
trainers] will be back for more."

Since AFA began organizing training courses in 2008, most of the
trainers have taken note of the great need in the area and deep
appreciation that they receive from the beneficiaries in Artsakh.
Because of its unrecognized political status and comparative lack of aid
it receives, Artsakh’s particular disadvantage affects its ability to
implement programs such as these. As a result, the enthusiasm of the
participants, penetration into the local population and overall impact
are far greater than in many other places.

AFA plans to continue its training courses at both the government and
university level, and also offer more subject-specific courses to
students and professionals in Artsakh.

MICROSOFT OFFERS LICENSED WINDOWS 7 HOME EDITION IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo.
2010-02-10 20:47:00

ArmInfo. Microsoft offers a licensed Windows 7 home edition in
Armenia. Head of Microsoft Office in Armenia Grigor Barseghyan told
ArmInfo the given product is available at computer shops for 23500
drams ($65).

He said Windows 7 includes in it Microsoft Security Essentials –
free package of anti-virus applications to detect spies, rootkits and
Trojan programs; Windows Movie Maker, Windows live photo gallery as
well as panoramas and other effects, Windows live family safety;
Windows live messenger; Microsoft Office 2007 beta version. In
addition, the new product offers 5 programs teaching computer skills,
internet and others.

"This is rather a favorable offer for users who have already felt
advantage of licensed programs. There is already high demand for
such programs in the country," G. Barseghyan said. State structures
and big business prefer licensed programs in Armenia unlike many
small enterprises and privates. Windows 7 is designed for SMEs and
privates, he explained. As for piracy, it makes 92% in Armenia,
G. Barseghyan said.

SWISS COURT BACKS INITIAL RULING OF SWISS-TURKS CONVICTED OF GENOCIDE DENIAL

Tert.am
15:51 â~@¢ 10.02.10

Yesterday, February 9, Zurich’s Court of Appeal confirmed the initial
verdict of a Swiss district court which ruled that three Swiss
citizens of Turkish descent were guilty of Armenian genocide denial,
writes French-Armenian freelance journalist Jean Eckian.

On 30 June, 2007, the defendants, Ali Mercan, Hasan Kemali and Ethem
Kayali participated in a Turkish nationalist meeting in the Swiss
district of Winterthur organized by Dogu Perincek, leader of the
Turkish Workers’ Party. During the meeting, they declared that the
Armenian Genocide was not a genocide, but an "international lie"
orchestrated by France, the UK and Russian tsarists.

The principal defendant, Ali Mercan, was condemned to a fine of 4,500
CHF (about $4,230 USD), while Hasan Kemali and Ethem Kayali were both
fined 3,600 CHF.

In March 2007, Perincek was similarly found guilty by a Swiss district
court of conscious violation of Swiss laws against genocide denial with
a racist motivation and was fined 12,000 CHF. The verdict was confirmed
by the Vaud cantonal appeal court on June 19 of the same year, and
by the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland on December 12, 2007.

Perincek is noted for being the first person to be convicted by a
court of law for denial of the Armenian Genocide.

Sarkis Shahinian, President of the Switzerland-Armenia Association,
was pleased with the latest Swiss court ruling, writes Eckian, noting
that it breaks the Turkey’s chain of denial.

LAYOUT OF VERBIER TO BE USED TO TURN JERMUK INTO TOURIST CENTER

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.02.2010 15:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On February 8, 2010 Armenian Minister of Economy
Nerses Yeritsyan accompanied by Narek Sargsyan, the RA Deputy Minister
of Urban Development and Vardan Hovhannisyan, the Mayor of Jermuk
city left for Verbier (Switzerland) on a four-day visit.

During the visit the delegation will discuss the ways of development,
engineering and architectural solutions for the Armenian resort city
of Jermuk to be transformed into a tourist center, press office the
economy ministry reported.

The Armenian delegation will get familiar with the layout of Verbier.

AZTV BROADCASTS NEW EXCERPTS FROM PRESIDENT’S EURONEWS INTERVIEW

news.az
Feb 8 2010
Azerbaijan

I.Aliyev gives interview to Euronews On 7 February, the Hefte program
on state-owned Azerbaijani TV commented on the president’s remarks
about the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.

The commentary included parts of the president’s interview not
broadcast by Euronews.

The president said that there are great hopes for resolving the
conflict peacefully.

Noting that the peace talks depend on two important conditions,
the president said these are Armenia’s compliance with international
norms and the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the internationally
recognized territory of Azerbaijan.

Aliyev said: "We have expectations related to the settlement of
this conflict, because, as you have pointed out, the long-standing
process must result in the peaceful resolution of the conflict. Our
lands are under occupation for already about 20 years. Armenia
violated the fundamental principles of international law. As you
know, the UN Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding
immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from the
occupied territories. However, unfortunately, these resolutions are
not implemented.

"Currently, negotiations are at the stage of completion.Various options
have been considered and not adopted throughout the whole period of
negotiations. And now we are discussing the Madrid principles, which
may be, shall we say, the basis for settlement. But, of course,
this will depend on the willingness of Armenia to withdraw its
troops from the internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan
and to respect international law. Peace will be possible only after
this. This conflict will end sooner or later. Our citizens must
return to their homes. But we want to do this as soon as possible,
because our people have been looking forward this for many years."

The president said that the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is
the main principle fixed in the mediators’ proposals, AzTV’s Ibrahim
Mammadov commented. The president said the other principles are:
territorial integrity; the non-use of force; and self-determination
of peoples.

The president said that territorial integrity and self-determination
are not mutually contradictory.

President Ilham Aliyev said, "I am optimistic about the 2010 activities
of the leading countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group aimed at
resolving the conflict. It gives grounds for optimism. At the same
time, as I have noted, the proposals we are considering at present
are based on the fundamental principles of international law.

They are based on the principles of territorial integrity of countries,
non-use of force and self-government of peoples. These principles do
not contradict each other, because the principle of self-government
can be achieved within the framework of territorial integrity.

"We are optimistic in this sense. However, to turn that optimism
into real results, the Armenian side should demonstrate realism and
constructivism and withdraw from our lands which it has been illegally
occupying for many years."

news.am, Armenia
Feb 6 2010

Armenia has highest GDP slump amid CIS states

19:30 / 02/06/2010Summarizing 2009 results, Armenia has the highest
GDP slump among CIS states with 14.4%.

According to CIS Interstate Statistical Committee, 9.3% GDP growth was
registered in Azerbaijan, 8.1% ‘ in Uzbekistan, 2.3% ‘ in Kyrgyzstan,
while 7.9%.- in Russia. On average, GDP reduced by 7% throughout CIS
states.

The overall production in Armenia fell by 7.8%, in Belarus ‘ by 2.8%,
in Kyrgyzstan ` 6.4%, in Moldova ` 22.2%, in Russia ` 10.8%. In
Azerbaijan overall production increased by 8.6%, Uzbekistan- by 9%,
Kazakhstan ` by 1.7%. On the average, overall production reduced by
10% in CIS states.

In Armenia retail turnover increased by 1%, whereas in Uzbekistan by
16.6%, in Tajikistan ‘ 10.4 % and in Azerbaijan ‘ 8.9%.

Average turnover in CIS countries as of Jan.- Dec. 2009 reduced by 6%.

A.G.

U.S. READY TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

Noyan Tapan
Feb 4, 2010

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. On February 4, RA President Serzh
Sargsyan received U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg
and the delegation accompanying him. U.S. Assistant Secretary of
State Philip Gordon, Ambassador of U.S. to RA Marie Yovanovitch,
other high-ranking officials are included in the delegation.

Greeting high-ranking guest’s visit to Armenia S. Sargsyan said:
"The Armenian-American relations are traditionally warm and friendly,
and such visits are very important from point of view of continuing
the dialogue between our countries."

Mentioning that a long time has passed since the previous meeting
S.Sargsyan stressed that important events have taken place in this
period, and this meeting is a very good occasion to sum up some
results and to move forward. In his words, a certain progress has been
recorded in the economic sphere. "In this period the U.S. has become
our fifth trade partner and the third partner on export, which is
too important for us. We have made certain legislative amendments,
which should also contribute to deepening of bilateral relations,"
S. Sargsyan emphasized.

James Steinberg, in his turn, mentioned that it is his second visit
to Armenia since he became Deputy Secretary of State. He reaffirmed
American side’s "readiness and wish to continue working over bilateral
and many-sided issues, including regional issues."

S. Sargsyan and J. Steinberg positively assessed the current condition
of Armenian-American relations in the respect of both volume and
efficiency mentioning that cooperation develops dynamically in
security, educational, cultural and other spheres. They also held
the same opinion that serious work should be done to expand trade
and economic contacts.

According to the RA President’s Press Office, the sides exchanged
thoughts over the normalization process of Armenia-Turkey relations.

The First U.S. Deputy Secretary of State highly assessed the efforts
Armenia made to solve the regional problems. He reaffirmed the fact
that the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations is very important
for the United States, and the U.S. is ready to continue supporting
the process. J. Steinberg once once more emphasized American side’s
position over RA Constitutional Court’s decision mentioning that it
is a positive step for continuing the process. The American diplomat
considered necessary manifestation of sides’ political will for
pushing forward the process.

INDIAN AMBASSADOR: INDIA WANTS FAIR SOLUTION FOR NAGORNO-KARABAKH (INTERVIEW)

Trend
Jan 25 2010
Azerbaijan

Trend News: Mr. Ambassador, what is your estimation of the current
level of bilateral relations between India and Azerbaijan. What are
the major priorities of your activities in the country?

Show: The current level of bilateral relations unfortunately does
not correspond with the existing potential. Over the past few years,
namely after 2007, there was decline in bilateral relations. There
were no official visit or contacts. We decided to change the situation.

Last year New Dehli hosted the fist meeting of an intergovernmental
commission on trade and economic, scientific and technical cooperation
between Azerbaijan and India. The co-chair of the intergovernmental
commission from Azerbaijan is Ecology and Natural Resources Minister
Huseyngulu Bagirov. The commission includes representatives from
different ministries and departments in Azerbaijan.

Such meetings contribute in the development of bilateral ties in the
fields of trade, economy, tourism, and culture.

Cooperation between our two countries in the economic field has
intensified in recent years.

Since India has launched oil imports from Azerbaijan, our trade
relations have developed. Despite the global financial crisis in 2009,
stability was observed in our trade and economic relations. Regular
visits by businessmen from both our countries testifies to this fact.

This year we, as an embassy, initiated expanding bilateral ties,
and the results will be seen in subsequent years.

Q: What is the level of trade and economic relations between our two
countries? What could India offer Azerbaijan as a trade and economic
partner?.

A: Trade relations between out countries considering our geographical
position are realized via other countries. We purchase chemical
products from Azerbaijan, including iodine.

In the near future, Azerbaijan will build a new plant to produce
chemical products, which India is hoping to import.

Presently, India exports to Azerbaijan tea, medical supplies, textiles,
and meat. The list is still growing. India has also supplied Azerbaijan
with manufacturing equipment and electric appliances.

India and Azerbaijan can successfully cooperate in the IT sector.

Several India companies are now involved in creating software solutions
for Azerbaijani banks.

India is also interested in Azerbaijan’s experience in the
development of the oil and gas sector. Even in the 1950s-1960s,
Azerbaijani engineers took part in the exploration of India’s oil
and gas resources. I believe we will be able to continue successful
cooperation in this field in the future.

In 2005-2006, goods turnover between Azerbaijan and India was low.

Since 2006, growth has been observed. For instance, goods turnover
in the oil sector has reached $100 million per year.

After the exploitation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in 2006,
India began importing Azeri Light oil. Indian imports were $2 billion
in 2008, and the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee reported that
year that India was fourth among the country’s trade partners.

A definite decline was observed in the goods turnover between our
countries last year. Indian companies are presently implementing
plans to purchase Azerbaijani oil on the basis of long-term contracts,
which will have a positive impact on the amount of our goods turnover.

Q: Is Azerbaijani business represented in India?

A:I cannot say that Azerbaijani business operates in India directly.

Basically, this is done through the local Azerbaijani embassy.

However, the number of the Azerbaijani citizens who have received
a business visa to India has increased. One Azerbaijani company has
opened a representative office engaged in dairy production in India.

Azerbaijani businessmen should get more familiar with the Indian
market.

Q:You have proven yourself as a very active person from the early days
of your activity in Azerbaijan. Of course, you also have future plans.

Can you tell uus about them?

A: From the first days of my activities in Azerbaijan, I tried to
revive the old projects, which previously had been agreed upon,
but which, for some reason, had not materialized. For example, an
intergovernmental commission on trade-economic and scientific-technical
cooperation was established in 2007, but no meetings were held. We
managed to hold its first meeting last year.

I regard the development of political dialogue as a second activity.

Last year, we were able to organize political consultations. There are
areas in which cooperation depends on the availability of the legal
framework between the two countries. We have already begun work on
expanding the legal framework.

Presently, work on two draft agreements on consultations between the
foreign ministries of both our countries and the activities of the
intergovernmental commission are underway.

Draft agreements on consular activities and the provision of legal
assistance to the citizens of our countries in the territory of
Azerbaijan and India is also under development.

Regarding the economic sphere, we are developing a draft agreement on
the avoidance of double taxation, which is already nearing completion.

We also plan to develop cooperation in such fields as tourism,
agriculture, education and others. Recently, the Azerbaijani State
University of Languages opened the Indian Language Center. We are
working to facilitate cooperation between our respective centers for
strategic studies.

In 2009, our countries significantly stepped up cooperation in the
cultural sphere. A dance troupe from India visited Azerbaijan and an
Indian singer participated in the world Mugam festival.

We have great plans and we hope to implement them.

Q: How do you think, are there favorable conditions for cooperation
between the two countries in the political sphere, particularly,
in solving Azerbaijan’s main problem – the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

What does Delhi think about the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

A: India supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and this position
remains unchanged. India has repeatedly presented its position at
the international level.

TURKEY TO EXPRESS CONCERNS DURING SWITZERLAND-US VISITS

Feb 3 2010
Turkey

Turkish official said, that Armenia’s Turkey initiative was in trouble
after a verdict of the Armenian Constitutional Court.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that there
was no problem in Turkey’s Armenian initiative.

Burak Ozugergin, the spokesperson of the ministry, told reporters
that Armenia’s Turkey initiative was in trouble after a verdict of
the Armenian Constitutional Court.

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia has declared
its decision of constitutional conformity on the Protocols between
Turkey and Armenia signed on 10 October 2009 with a short statement
on January 12, 2010.

Turkey thinks the fifth article of Armenian Constitutional Court’s
verdict regarding the protocols signed between two countries is
against the target and basis of the protocols.

"Turkey has not changed its views, and it is still in the same
position," Ozugergin said.

Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu of the ministry will visit
Switzerland and the United States in coming days.

"Sinirlioglu will express Turkey’s concerns over this matter during
his meetings," Ozugergin said.

On Upper Karabakh dispute, Ozugergin said there had been a progress
in this issue in recent days.

"It seems that there is a light of hope for concrete steps aiming to
solve the issue in coming days," Ozugergin said.

Ozugergin also said a concrete step depended on political will and
courage of concerned parties, and Turkey was monitoring the process.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Assembly of America
February 2, 2010
Contact: Press Department
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

CONGRESSIONAL OUTREACH INTENSIFIES

Assembly Meets with California Delegation Members, Including Reps.
Baca, Napolitano,
Roybal-Allard, Sanchez and Waters

Pasadena, CA – With the 95th anniversary year of the Armenian Genocide
well underway, the Assembly is actively pressing ahead on a range of
issues important to the Armenian-American community, including passage
of the Armenian Genocide resolution pending in the House Foreign
Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

To garner increased support, Assembly Western Region Director Yeghig
Keshishian conducted a series of congressional meetings last month
with members from the California delegation, including the offices of
Representatives Joe Baca, Grace Napolitano, Lucille Roybal-Allard,
Linda Sanchez, and Maxine Waters. Keshishian discussed the importance
of U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide as reflected in H.Res.
252, and also focused on aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, as well
as Turkey’s backtracking of its public commitment to normalize
relations with Armenia without preconditions.

"With a strong and vibrant community in California, coupled with key
leadership positions held by Members of the California delegation, we
are uniquely positioned to advance our goals," stated Keshishian.
"Each meeting affords an opportunity to reiterate the importance of
passage of H.Res. 252 and the need to combat denial of the Armenian
Genocide. It also serves as an opportunity to discuss the current
dynamics in the South Caucasus, including Armenia’s bold steps to
normalize relations with Turkey without preconditions,’ added
Keshishian.

In addition to the Assembly’s Congressional outreach, the Assembly
also reached out to community supporters and friends last month at a
200 person-plus event at the home of Assembly hosts, Margaret and
David Mgrublian. With Assembly Board Members Lisa Kalustian, Peter
Kezirian, and Joyce Stein on hand along side Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny and Keshishian, the evening was a resounding success, and also
attended by numerous elected officials, including Congresswoman Judy
Chu (D-CA), who has since cosponsored H.Res. 252 and also joined the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

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NR# 2010-008