Armenia-Turkey Border May Open Before Ratification Of Protocols:

ARMENIA-TURKEY BORDER MAY OPEN BEFORE RATIFICATION OF PROTOCOLS: GALUST SAHAKYAN

Tert.am
15.04.10

The Armenia-Turkey rapprochement is not limited to the ratification of
the Armenian-Turkey Protocols, Head of the Republican Party of Armenia
parliamentary faction Galust Sahakyan said at a press conference today.

"The border may open before the ratification of the Protocols," said
Sahakyan, adding that it is his own version of political developments.

Sahakyan highlighted the importance of Sargsyan’s meetings in
Washington, saying they were "exclusively efficient."

He also said he was sure that under these circumstances the
international community may respond to the Armenia-Turkey normalization
positively and that those responses may be of a new quality.

Moscow’s Armenian Theater To Perform Luys Marie. Ode To Joy Play

MOSCOW’S ARMENIAN THEATER TO PERFORM LUYS MARIE. ODE TO JOY PLAY

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 15, 2010 – 14:53 AMT 09:53 GMT

On April 20, the story of Genocide survivor, a young Armenian girl
will be told on the scene of Vladimir Vysotsky Theater Center by
Moscow’s Armenian Theater, reported the press service of the Union
of Armenians of Russia.

Luys Marie. Ode to Joy play is set in 20th century to portray the
fate of a little Armenian girl, who moved to her rich U.S. aunt,
having lost her parents during the Genocide.

The play will be performed in Russian.

Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan To Leave on an Official Visit to Lebanon

National Assembly (Parliament.am), Armenia
April 10 2010

RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan To Leave on an Official Visit to Lebanon

At the invitation of the Speaker of the National Assembly of Lebanon
on the evening of April 11 the parliamentary delegation led by RA NA
Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan is to leave for Lebanon to pay a three-day
official visit. The delegation is comprised of the RA NA Chief of
Staff Gegham Gharibjanyan, deputies Vhana Hovhannisyan, Hovhannes
Margaryan, Armen Martirosyan, Martin Sargsyan, Vahe Enfiajyan, Araik
Grigoryan.

In Beiru RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan will have meetings with the
President of Lebanon General Michel Sleiman, the Speaker of the
National Assembly Nabih Berri, the Prime Minister Saad Hariri, the
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Shami, as well as the members of the
Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Meetings are schedules with the Catholicos-Patriarch of the Armenian
Catholic Church Nerses Petros XX, the Chairman of the Armenian
Evangelical Church Union Mkrtich Karagyozian of Near East and the
representatives of the Armenian traditional parties and Armenian
community of Lebanon. RA NA Speaker will also meet with the
representatives of the Armenian community in Aynjar.

On April 14 the official delegation led RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan
will return to Yerevan.

L’Union europeenne pour la normalisation sans conditions

L’Union européenne pour la normalisation sans conditions des relations
Arménie-Turquie

ARMENIE

dimanche1 1 avril 2010, par Stéphane/armenews

La Fédération Euro-Arménienne pour la Justice et la Démocratie a
enregistré avec satisfaction que, par la voix de sa Haute
Représentante des Affaires Etrangères, Mme Catherine Ashton, l’Union
européenne demeure attachée à la normalisation sans pré-conditions des
relations entre l’Arménie et la Turquie.

La Fédération constate la prise en considération au plus haut niveau
de l’Union européenne du déséquilibre entre l’attitude de l’Arménie
qui a soumis les protocoles au parlement, et celle de la Turquie, qui
n’a pas renoncé à imposer des pré-conditions pour la ratification de
ces derniers, tout en faisant des déclarations de bonne volonté.

Elle prend acte avec intérêt de la phase actuelle de renforcement des
relations, dans le cadre du partenariat oriental, avec en perspective
l’association politique et l’intégration économique de l’Arménie avec
l’Union européenne.

« Nous déplorons que les récentes menaces du premier ministre Erdogan
de déporter les Arméniens de Turquie n’aient pas provoqué une
condamnation ferme et unanime de la part des instances européennes »,
a déclaré Hilda Tchoboian, Présidente de la Fédération
Euro-Arménienne.

« Le blocus de l’Arménie et la politique négationniste de la Turquie
devraient inciter l’Union européenne à prendre toute la mesure de la
politique agressive de la Turquie » a poursuivi Hilda Tchoboian.

Les Arméniens d’Europe attendent des dirigeants européens de rester
fermes dans leur refus de toute condition préalable ; et de
s’impliquer clairement dans la levée du blocus de l’Arménie.

Armenian President On A Visit To Tavush Region

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ON A VISIT TO TAVUSH REGION

Aysor
April 9 2010
Armenia

Within the framework of a visit to Tavush Region of Armenia, Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan will attend the newly-reconstructed medical
center in Ijevan to learn the works, carried out here. President
Sargsyan is also reported to attend the construction zone of the
Finance Center ‘Dilijan’.

President is expected to attend ‘Old Dilijan-Toufenkian’ Complex,
and the newly-constructed ‘Rotond’ outdoor Amphitheater. He will hold
a range of meetings at the International Business College, which will
open today in Ijevan. In particular, he will meet with president of
‘Troika Dialog Group’ Ruben Vardanian and Armenia’s Minister of
Science and Education Armen Ashotian.

President Sargsyan will guest on the College’s opening ceremony and
will participate in a tree planting event.

Western Prelacy News – 04/09/2010

April 9, 2010
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

ON NEW SUNDAY PRELATE WILL DELIVER THE SERMON AT HOLY CROSS CATHEDRAL

Sunday, April 11, 2010, is the first Sunday after Easter, which is
called New Sunday.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over
Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello and deliver the sermon.

"YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN WOMAN" SECOND LITERARY LUNCHEON TO BE HELD AT THE
PRELACY

The second literary luncheon in celebration of the Year of the
Armenian Woman will be held at the Prelacy "Dikran & Zarouhie Der Ghazarian"
Hall on the afternoon of Thursday, April 15th, 2010.
The luncheon is being held under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and is organized by the Prelacy Ladies
Auxiliary.
The luncheon will feature Dr. Ida Karayan, who will speak on "The
Role of Arm. Women in Childhood Education"

PRELATE TO ATTEND ACF ANNUAL BANQUET

The annual banquet of the Armenian Cultural Foundation will take
place on the evening of Sunday, April 11th, 2010, at "Bagramian" Hall in
Montebello.
The Prelate will attend and convey his blessings.

90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HEROIC RESISTANCE OF AINTAB

The Aintab Compatriotic Cultural Society has organized a 90th
anniversary commemoration of the heroic resistance of Aintab, to take place
on the afternoon of Sunday, April 11th, 2010, at "Taglyan" banquet hall in
Hollywood.
Very Rev. Fr. Muron will attend and convey the Prelate’s blessings.
Fr. Muron will be accompanied by Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian.

PRELATE CELEBRATES EASTER DIVINE LITURGY AT
ST. MARY’S CHURCH

On Sunday, April 4th, 2010, the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord
Jesus Christ was ceremoniously celebrated with a special Easter Divine
Liturgy and joyful proclamations of "Christ is risen from the dead, blessed
be the resurrection of Christ".
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine
Liturgy at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale and delivered his message on this
most joyous occasion. The Prelate reasserted that Easter is a reminder of
the boundless love of our Lord Almighty as He sent His only-begotten Son to
die on the Cross to cleanse us of our sin and grant us redemption and
salvation.
On Saturday evening, the Prelate celebrated Easter Eve Divine
Liturgy at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood and delivered the sermon.

EASTER DIVINE LITURGY CELEBRATED AT THE
"ARARAT HOME" CHAPEL

On the morning of Thursday, April 8th, the Prelate presided over
Easter Divine Liturgy at Ararat Home in Mission Hills. Prelacy clergy
members participated in the Divine Liturgy, which is celebrated each year on
this occasion.
Clergy members first visited the nursing facility where the Prelate
presided over a prayer services and offered Holy Communion to the residents.
The Prelate then presided over Divine Liturgy at the Chapel, which
was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Avedis Torossian. Former Prelate H.E. Archbishop
Sumbat Lapajian participated in the service.
At the conclusion of the service, the Prelate and clergy were hosted
to a lunch by the directors, in which residents also participated.
The Prelate commended the directors and staff for the care they
offer to the elderly, and wished the residents good health.

www.westernprelacy.org

Armenian Authorities Ready To Make Concessions To Foreign Authoritie

ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES READY TO MAKE CONCESSIONS TO FOREIGN AUTHORITIES, BUT NOT TO OPPOSITION: ANAHIT BAKHSHYAN

Tert.am
07.04.10

The first responses to the round table proposal by the Heritage Party
addressed to the country’s ruling authorities and opposition give food
for thought, Heritage Party faction member Anahit Bakhshyan said at
a April 6 parliamentary session.

According to Bakhshyan, the response creates the impression that the
ruling authorities are ready to make any concessions whatsoever to
foreign powers only to make none to their own country’s opposition,
to civic society, and to private citizens, which would strengthen
the state and make it more realistic that Armenia will not make any
concessions in foreign policy that would put its national interests
under threat.

On the one hand, according to Bakhshyan, some opposition members,
in turn, are ready to encourage the authorities to make foreign
concessions during this dangerous period, and on the other hand,
they might incite a "social explosion."

"Unfortunately, Armenia, at the hands of these two uncompromising
powers, may find itself on the edge of a disaster similar to the
handing over of the Kars castle in 1920, the next scene of which
was the loss of the state. I call on everybody to be sober," said
Bakhshyan.

Armenia’s Yezidi Farmers "Face Ruin"

ARMENIA’S YEZIDI FARMERS "FACE RUIN"
By Samvel Avagyan

Eurasia Review
April 6 2010

Yezidi sheep farmers say they face ruin after a sudden surge in demand
from Iran, which saw a third of the country’s flock exported last year.

The Yezidis, a minority who speak a language similar to Kurdish,
traditionally dominate the lamb and mutton trade in Armenia but say
the resulting sheep shortage is forcing them out of business.

Qamil Shadoyan lives near Yerevan and, until last year, had 50 sheep.

His sons looked after his flock, while he sold the meat to picnickers
or pilgrims on the Yerevan-Garni-Geghard highway. In a normal week,
he slaughtered seven or eight sheep, and even visited distant villages
to buy lambs.

But in August last year, it all changed. An Iranian trader offered to
buy his whole flock, offering 25,000 drams (70 US dollars) for each
sheep. This seemed like a dream come true, until he tried to replace
his animals in nearby villages and realised their livestock had been
bought as well.

"The prices for sheep were rising from one day to the next. We thought
at the beginning that the situation would stabilise, but it became
worse and worse," he said.

According to official figures, in the final three months of last year,
Armenia exported 140,000 sheep, compared to a total of 13,000 exported
in the previous five years put together.

Gevorg Sahakyan, an expert in regional trade, said the boom appeared
to be a side-effect of a sudden sharp collapse in exports from Syria,
which had hit Saudi Arabia – a major sheep importer.

He assumes, therefore, that the sheep exported to Iran were actually
intended for re-export to Saudi Arabia since Iran is already a major
exporter and was unlikely to need them for its internal market.

"Essentially, with the help of the sheep imported from Armenia, Iran is
trying to restore the disrupted balance in the regional sheep market,"
he said.

The sharp increase in exports shocked Armenia’s Yezidi community,
especially those whose sheep were among the 32,500 exported in
September, at the start of the boom. They are furious and feel they
lost out on the higher prices later in the year. After November,
the average sheep cost 70-80,000 drams (220-240 dollars).

By the end of the year, Armenia was suffering from a dearth of sheep
and was forced to import them from Georgia.

Omar Mamoyan, a member of the National Council of the Union of Yezidis,
and a consultant for minority issues in the Agrarian-Farmer Union of
Armenia, said that half of the ewes in Armenia had been exported, so
there would be a very low amount of lambs born for the next few years.

"We oppose the fact that they removed our sheep, and that the prices
rose. Maybe this benefited ten Yezidis, but for the whole nation –
for Armenians, as well as Yezidis – it was bad," he said.

Aziz Tamoyan, the official leader of the world’s Yezidis, was also
concerned by the export surge.

"We will need ten years to restore the previous size of the flock.

Armenia’s sheep-rearing has had a crisis, and most sheep belong to
the Yezidis. There are Yezidi villages, when the number of sheep has
reduced tenfold," he said.

He said that the Yezidis who lost out in their deals have been forced
to leave the country, and Shadoyan was considering such a step himself,
now he has lost his livelihood.

"Armenians do not want to buy mutton now, because it is twice as
expensive as beef," he said.

He and many of his fellow Yezidi sheep-dealers blame the government for
failing to regulate the market. They say they would not have sold their
breeding-age ewes had they known the surge of demand would continue –
a position also held by Tamoyan.

"The agriculture minister promised me that only rams would be exported,
but this did not happen. What the minister said does not correspond
with reality," he said.

The agriculture ministry is considerably more relaxed about the issue,
however, saying that the Yezidis are overstating the significance
of what happened for commercial reasons. Ashot Hovhannisyan, head
of the ministry’s livestock department, said mostly ewes too old to
breed had been exported.

"When the sheep began to be exported, the Iranians began to deal, not
with Yezidi middlemen, but directly with farmers. They found Armenian
peasants and told them they would buy at once 40 of their 100 sheep.

Our Yezidi colleagues were removed from the process. This is the
whole reason for their dissatisfaction," he said.

All the same, the Yezidis are not happy. They fear that, when the
lambing season finishes at the end of May, Iranian traders will
once more start buying up the lambs, leaving them squeezed out of
the market.

The agriculture ministry has planned to develop sheep farming by
increasing the size of the national flock to 1.5 million from a
million, and by importing new breeds from the North Caucasus, from
Austria and from Germany.

But this is not enough for many Yezidis, who demand that all exports
should be banned for at least two years to allow numbers to recover.

Samvel Avagyan is a correspondent from the Capital newspaper. This
article originally appeared in Caucasus Reporting Service, produced
by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting,

/33111-armenias-yezidi-farmers-face-ruin.html

http://www.eurasiareview.com/2010/04
www.iwpr.net

Secretary General Of OIF Due In Armenia

SECRETARY GENERAL OF OIF DUE IN ARMENIA

Aysor
April 6 2010
Armenia

Secretary General of the International Organization of the Francophonie
(OIF) Abdou Diouf will arrive in Armenia tonight for an official visit.

As the Press, Information and Public Relations department of the
Armenian Foreign Ministry informs, during the visit Abdou Diouf
will hold meetings with the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan,
the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Garegin II, Speaker of
the National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan and Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian.

The OIF Secertary General will visit also Tsitsernakaberd to lay a
wreath at the Memorial of the Armenian Genocide victims.

4-year-old Armenian girl in need of bone marrow donor

4-year-old Armenian girl in need of bone marrow donor
Sunday, April 04, 2010

Charlotte Conybear (KGO Photo)

Several Bay Area churches are part of a nationwide effort to find a
bone marrow match for a 4-year-old girl.

Charlotte Conybear and her parents live in the Philadelphia area where
doctors have been searching for a bone marrow match for her since last
year. Charlotte is part Armenian, an ethnic group with distinct DNA
features.
Five Bay Area Armenian churches agreed to take part in an Easter
registration drive.
"It’s a very simple process, they have to fill out a form, they have to be
between the ages of 18 to 61, they have to be healthy, and we just do
a cheek swab right now," said Karim Premji with Bethematch.org. "If
they are a match, there is another process that happens."
The National Bone Marrow Registry is especially in need of potential
donors who are members of minority groups.
For more information, visit

(Copyright ©2010 KGO-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

www.bethematch.org.