Nevada Armenians Join With Elected Officials To Call For Genocide Re

NEVADA ARMENIANS JOIN WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS TO CALL FOR GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

LAS VEGAS
MAY 11, 2010
NOYAN TAPAN

The Armenian community of Nevada came together to commemorate the
95th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24. The event
took placed at the Christ Lutheran Church. Senator John Ensign,
Congresswoman Shelly Berkley, Senator Harry Reid, Congresswoman Dina
Titus, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, Las Vegas City Council Member
Lois Tarkanian spoke during the event. Keynote speaker for the event
was Garbis Der Yeghiayan, President of Mashdots College in Glendale,
California. According to , the event was organized by
The Armenian National Committee of Nevada, the Armenian community
of Las Vegas, Las Vegas chapters of the Armenian American Cultural
Society, the Armenian Youth Federation, the Armenian Relief Society,
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

www.asbarez.com

Catherine Ashton: Association Agreements Are Important Instrument To

CATHERINE ASHTON: ASSOCIATION AGREEMENTS ARE IMPORTANT INSTRUMENT TO UPGRADE RELATIONS WITH EU

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 11, 2010 – 20:38 AMT 15:38 GMT

Today, Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of
the Commission, issued a statement on the adoption of negotiating
directives for Association Agreements between the EU and Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia.

"I welcome the adoption by the General Affairs Council on 10 May
of the negotiating directives for the future Association Agreements
between the EU and Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The adoption of
these negotiating directives is a clear sign of our strong commitment
to further deepen the relationship between the EU and the countries
of the South Caucasus, on the basis of shared values and principles,
including democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. The
Eastern Partnership, launched at the Prague Summit on 7 May 2009,
provides an ambitious framework for taking the relationship with the
countries of the South Caucasus to a new level. In this context,
Association Agreements are an important instrument to upgrade our
relations beyond existing commitments with a view of political
association and gradual economic integration with the EU.

The negotiation process will be guided by the principles of
inclusiveness and differentiation, as well as joint ownership.

Successful implementation of the Eastern Partnership with the active
engagement of the partner countries both in its multilateral and
bilateral track will strengthen relations on the basis of shared
values and will help advancing political and economic reforms,
consolidate governance and foster regional stability, prosperity and
confidence building. I look forward to the launch of negotiations on
these ambitious and comprehensive agreements with Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Georgia," Catherine Ashton stated, press service of Delegation
of the European Union to Armenia reported.

Ken Hachikian: It Would Be Better If Armenia Terminates Armenian-Tur

KEN HACHIKIAN: IT WOULD BE BETTER IF ARMENIA TERMINATES ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 10, 2010 – 20:13 AMT 15:13 GMT

Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Ken
Hachikian said that ANCA is pleased with the decision of Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan to suspend the process of ratification of
the Armenian-Turkish Protocols.

"However, it would be much better if Serzh Sargsyan terminates the
Protocols," Hachikian said. According to him, the Armenian President’s
decision to suspend the Protocols didn’t take much courage, because
Turkey has already introduced preconditions.

Hachikian added that the Armenian President suddenly acknowledged
that and decided to suspend them. "In my opinion, Serzh Sargsyan’s
step seemed to be a show rather than substance," he said.

According to Hachikian, Ankara’s main precondition is the Karabakh
conflict settlement. "I don’t believe there will be a short-term
settlement on Karabakh. So, right now Turkey is unlikely to ratify
the Protocols," he said.

Controversial changes to Turkey’s constitution will be put to vote

Controversial changes to Turkey’s constitution will be put to referendum

May 8, 2010 – 15:38 AMT 10:38 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

Controversial changes to Turkey’s constitution will be put to a
referendum after failing to win the support of two-thirds of lawmakers
to give them automatic effect.

The Islamic-leaning governing AK party wants more judges sitting in
the constitutional court. It also wants greater powers for parliament
and the president to appoint them. Critics say the changes amount to a
power grab. The court is seen as the guardian of Turkey’s secular
constitution. Under the changes, the military will become answerable
to civilian courts.

The current constitution was drafted in 1982 after a military coup.
The composition of the Turkish judiciary has been criticised by human
rights groups, Euronews reported.

Armenian Delegation To Participate In Festivities

ARMENIAN DELEGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN FESTIVITIES

Yerkir
07.05.2010 15:30
Yerevan

The Armenian official delegation headed by Speaker of the National
Assembly of Armenia, Hovik Abrahamyan, will leave of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic on May 8 to participate in the celebrations dedicated
to the 65th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War
and the Day of liberation of Shushi.

The delegation comprises Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan,
Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly Samvel Nikoyan, Chairman of
the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on State-Legal Issues
David Harutyunyan, MPs Karine Achemyan, Rustam Gasparyan, Ashot
Tonoyan, Ruben Gevorgyan, Artyush Shahbazyan, Bagrat Sargsyan, Larisa
Alaverdyan, Armen Martirosyan, Minister of Finance Tigran Davtyan,
Minister of Urban Development Vardan Vardanyan, Syunik Marzpet Surik
Khachatryan, other officials.

On May 8 the delegation will participate in a solemn evening dedicated
to Victory and Peace Day.

On May 9 members of the delegation will lay wreaths in Stepanakert
and Shushi and will attend a liturgy at St. Ghazanchetsots Church.

YSLU To Honor WWII Veterans

YSLU TO HONOR WWII VETERANS

Aysor
May 7 2010
Armenia

The Yerevan State Linguistic University of Bryusov will host Friday a
meeting with 75 veterans of the WWII, a spokesperson for the University
told journalists.

The event in timed to the 65th anniversary of the end of the World
War II, to be marked on May 9, and will be attended by country’s
Defense Minister, Minister of Education and Science, military and
science persons and other honored guests.

Within the event, the talented young musicians and dancers will
perform as the university’s students have prepared a programme,
including dancing, performances, music, and special entertainment.

Armenian FM To Leave For Strasbourg

ARMENIAN FM TO LEAVE FOR STRASBOURG

news.am
May 7 2010
Armenia

RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian is to leave for Strasbourg to
participate in the CE Foreign Ministers’ meeting to be held on May 11.

The press service of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed
NEWS.am that the RA Foreign Minister will later leave Strasbourg
for Beirut. On May 12, accompanied by RA Minister of Defense Seyran
Ohanyan, he is to participate in the 28+1 meeting NATO Council,
which is to discuss the implementation of the Armenia-NATO Individual
Partnership Program.

In Brussels, Minister Edward Nalbandian is also to meet the OSCE
Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

BAKU: Azerbaijani Military Expert: Armenian Army Faces The Full-Scal

AZERBAIJANI MILITARY EXPERT: ARMENIAN ARMY FACES THE FULL-SCALE COLLAPSE

Today
67390.html
May 6 2010
Azerbaijan

Interview with Azerbaijani military expert Mehdi Mehdiyev.

According to the Armenian press, recently colonel of the Armenian
armed forces, commander of a battalion of Armavir military unit was
hospitalized in a military hospital in Yerevan with four stab wounds.

He reportedly attempted to commit suicide after he was "punished for
insulting remarks against Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian." …

I assess it as a leakage of painful information for the Armenian
side which reveals depth of problems in the army of this country. The
incident mirrors the political situation in Armenia where freedom of
speech and thought is violated and where clan and lynchings, inherent
in the Middle Ages, still exists. I am convinced that such cases will
continue to occur in the Armenian army, because the collapsing process
is already underway in it. This incident is clear evidence of lack of
discipline, respect for the high ranking officers. Ordinary soldiers
are ready to humiliate their military commanders on the orders of
top brass military unit.

It is not difficult to imagine what might happen to this officer on
the front, in case of full-scale hostilities. At the same time,it
is not difficult to imagine the fate of other officers who voice
their discontent with the status quo in the Armenian army, one way
or another. Their names do not appear in media because such incidents
are hidden from the Armenian public.

It is clear that, along with the decline of morals and lack of
discipline in the Armenian army, there are also financial and staff
problems. Precisely these factors help explain increasing number
of incidents in the Armenian army similar to what occurred with the
commander of a battalion of Armavir military unit.

The gap between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the sphere economy and
living standards is growing each year. Given that the army cannot
exist in isolation from the economic indicators of the state, can it
be said that over the years, the advantage of the Azerbaijani armed
forces over the Armenian is simply overwhelming?

Of course. This is a realistic projection, which is based on an
analysis of the growing economic superiority of Azerbaijan over
Armenia.

If Armenia population leaves the country in large numbers, if the
country’s budget is formed by borrowings, and its citizens survive
due to diaspora handouts, it is ridiculous to say that the Armenian
army has remained aloof from these problems. After all, the purchase
and maintenance of military equipment and property costs much just as
much as training of military personnel. Armenia simply has no money
to do this while Azerbaijan does. We have understanding of methods to
achieve the final goal. This is restoration of territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan through political and other means. And this process is
making good progress. The growth of the power of the Azerbaijani army
and its superiority over the Armenian army is now an irreversible
process.

In your opinion, can a mutiny happen in the Armenian army which would
seriously complicate the whole political situation in this country?

This is quite possible. After all, there is a fairly serious discontent
in the remaining Armenian population. Plus, the Armenian opposition
rightly criticizes the authorities. Naturally, all this in one day
may cause the army, which still stands all the hardships of life in
Armenia, to start a mutiny.

But why a number of Armenian experts talk more and more about the
inevitability of a new Armenian-Azerbaijani war, calling the "exact
date" in advance?

This shows that the Armenian side is aware of the growing supremacy of
the Azerbaijani army over its own army. In addition, though indirectly,
Armenia indirectly admits that justice will prevail in the settlement
of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
finally and Azerbaijan’s territory will be de-occupied.

Therefore, Armenia says Azerbaijan must undertake obligation to solve
the conflict peacefully. But it keeps silent about the fact that 20%
of Azerbaijani territories was captured not through peace, but as
a result of war and genocide of peaceful population in Khojaly. But
without identifying the causes of some phenomenon, it is impossible
to deal with its consequences. And therefore, Azerbaijan has a right
enshrined in the international law to restore its territorial integrity
through all possible means.

http://www.today.az/news/politics/

ANKARA: Turkish Parliament Speaker Says 1915 Incidents Should Be Sol

TURKISH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SAYS 1915 INCIDENTS SHOULD BE SOLVED BY HISTORIANS

Journal of Turkish Weekly
May 6 2010

Turkey’s parliament speaker said on Thursday that historians should
solve the conflict over the incidents of 1915.

Delivering a speech during his meeting with Erika Forster-Vannini,
speaker of Switzerland’s Council of States, Turkish Parliament Speaker
Mehmet Ali Sahin said that Swiss authorities’ imposing punishment on
those denying the incidents of 1915, was a disappointing act.

Referring to Switzerland’s hosting an important meeting last October
for the solution of the problems between Turkey and Armenia, Sahin
said, "Protocols aiming at normalization of relations between the
two countries were signed in Switzerland. We are grateful for that.

However, Switzerland’s still imposing punishment on those denying the
incidents of 1915 is a disappointment for us. Because, incidents of
1915 is an issue that needs to be solved by historians".

Expressing the importance of inter-parliamentary relations, Sahin
said countries nowadays used parliamentary diplomacy to improve their
relations and Vannini’s visit to Turkey was of great importance in
this respect.

Guest parliament speaker Vannini said in her part that she was proud
to lead the first ever Swiss parliamentary group visiting Turkey.

Noting Turkish and Swiss parliaments should strengthen their relations,
Vannini said a Turkish-Swiss Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group would
soon be established and it would hold its first meeting on June 8.

Vannini also said Turkey and Switzerland had certain problems that
could not be neglected. "However, any MP can bring an issue to the
agenda of the parliament or submit a motion on such matter in our
system. Parliamentarians have such a right," she said.

Commenting on the incidents of 1915, Vannini said Swiss laws had an
article on punishing the individuals denying the incidents.

Pointing to the decision on the establishment of a commission of
historians on such matter, Vannini said her country was proud to have
hosted the signing process of the protocols between Turkey and Armenia.

Armenian Veterans To Participate In The Moscow Parade On May 9

ARMENIAN VETERANS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MOSCOW PARADE ON MAY 9
Alisa Gevorgyan

"Radiolur"
05.05.2010 18:06

Sixteen Armenian veterans will leave for Moscow to participate in
the parade dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Victory in the
Great Patriotic War, Chairman of the Committee of Armenian Veterans
and Armed Forces, Colonel Hrant Hovhannisyan told "Radiolur."

The Armenian veterans will participate in parades in other cities of
Russia, as well.

"The victory in the Great Patriotic War was of the same importance
for us as Sardarapat. Our people have to remember this," Hrant
Hovhannisyan said.

According to him, while heavy battles were taking place near
Stalingrad, neighboring Turkey had located 26 divisions at the Armenian
border. The Colonel does not doubt that Turkey would penetrate into
Armenia and bring the Armenian Genocide to an end, if the Soviet
forces were beaten in Stalingrad.

The contribution of the Armenians to the victory in the Great Patriotic
War has always been highly estimated, the Colonel said. "The victory in
the Artsakh War was the continuation of that of the Great Patriotic
War. It was the same spirit, the same gene, the same concept of
motherland that guided the Armenian soldier," he added.

As for Azerbaijan’s bellicose statements, Hrant Hovhannisyan does
not take them seriously. He never forgets, however, that the enemy
should not be underestimated.