‘VIVACELL LAUNCHES MOBILE INTERNET PACKAGE FOR PREPAID USERS’
Digital Media Asia
May 12, 2010 Wednesday
DMASIA-12 May 2010-‘VivaCell launches mobile internet package for
prepaid users’
Armenian mobile operator VivaCell-MTS has launched a mobile internet
package for prepaid customers. The ‘Internet Package’ bundles start at
AMD 400 for 10 MB, and range to AMD 1,500 for 50 MB, to AMD 2,500 for
100 MB, and AMD 6,000 for 500 MB. The validity period of all bundles
is thirty days.
INSIDE THE TURKISH-RUSSIAN COOPERATION PACT
Sandy Smith
HULIQ.com
May 13 2010
SC
Turkey and Russia yesterday signed 17 agreements to cooperate on a
number of energy projects, including an oil pipeline from the Black
Sea to the Mediterranean and Turkey’s first nuclear power plant. The
deal is the latest move in a multidimensional international chess
game involving not only Russia and Turkey, but Europe, the larger
Caucusus region, and even American interests.
The New York Times reported yesterday that the deal is the latest in a
series of agreements between Turkey and Russia that ensure continued
Russian control of vital energy transport routes between Asia and
Europe. Since Vladimir Putin’s rise to power, Russia has used its
control of both vast supplies of oil and natural gas and the means
of getting those supplies to energy-hungry Europeans as a political
weapon, seeking to obtain policies favorable to Russian interests
from countries receiving energy from it by threatening cutoffs for
displeasing the Kremlin.
While some Turkish sources cited by the Times argue that the energy
pacts will benefit Russia more than Turkey, and others fret that the
deals will make Turkey overreliant on Russia, Turkey — like Russia,
a country with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia — has its own
reasons for seeking Russian partnerships. One possible reason is the
stalled status of Turkey’s application for membership in the European
Union. Some EU members, most notably Austria and France, have raised
objections to Turkey’s accession into the EU, and a number of policy
and diplomatic obstacles, including Turkey’s continued support of
the breakaway Turkish government on Cyprus established a few years
after Turkey invaded the island in 1974, have made Turkish entry
into the EU highly unlikely by the previously announced 2013 target
date. Cooperation with Russia could give Turkey some leverage to move
further integration into Europe forward on terms it prefers if this
theory is accurate.
Another is the joint interest both countries have in the Caucusus. Both
Turkey and Russia have a keen interest in the political situation
between Azerbaijan and Armenia, in particular the dispute over the
Nagorno-Karabakh region, a majority Armenian area within Azerbaijan’s
borders. Tensions between the two countries remain high, and while
Armenia would prefer a peaceful settlement to the dispute, some
policy analysts have stated that the prospect of rapprochement between
Turkey and Armenia — an outcome public sentiment in both countries
appears to favor increasingly — might drive Azerbaijan to declare
war. Increased cooperation between Turkey and Russia may well only
increase that sentiment within Azerbaijan.
YEREVAN HAILS ADOPTION OF DIRECTIVES FOR ASSOCIATION AGREEMENTS BETWEEN EU AND ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 12, 2010 – 21:09 AMT 16:09 GMT
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan said that Yerevan hails
the adoption of negotiating directives for the future Association
Agreements between the EU and Armenia. According to him, it will
provide with the opportunity to establish a new level of relations
between the EU and Armenia.
According to Edward Nalbandian, this is good news on the eve of the
Armenian President’s visit to Brussels that will allow conducting
efficient consultations with the EU.
ARMENIAN STATE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA TO PLAY CONCERT IN YEREVAN
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 12, 2010 – 13:01 AMT 08:01 GMT
Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, Yerevan ,will host a concert of State
Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia under the guidance of conductor
Ruben Asatryan on May 21. The program features works by Joseph Haydn,
Arno Babajanyan and George Enescu. Pianist Sona Barseghyan will be
the soloist.
The concert is sponsored by the RA Ministry of Culture, VivaCell-MTS
and the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).
ARMENIA MUST WITHDRAW FROM KARABAKH TALKS, SAYS ANALYST
Aysor
May 12 2010
Armenia
Armenia must withdraw from the talks on settlement to the Karabakh
conflict, said at the press conference Director of the Sociometer
Sociology Center Aharon Adibekian.
"It’s necessary to recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh
and withdraw from negotiations," Adibekian said. He added that if
so Azerbaijan will have to negotiate with Nagorno Karabakh. "In this
case Armenia will act as a mediator and peace and security guarantor,
like Turkey acts over the Cyprus conflict," said analyst.
95ÈME COMMEMORATION DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN : DISCOURS DE RICHARD MALLIE
par Stephane
armenews
jeudi13 mai 2010
FRANCE
Madame le 1er Adjoint representant le Senateur-Maire, Monsieur le
Conseiller General, Mesdames Messieurs les elus, Mesdames Messieurs
les representants de la communaute armenienne, Chers amis,
Vous le savez, c’est toujours avec une grande emotion que je suis a
vos côtes pour commemorer le genocide armenien de 1915.
Dans le sens des valeurs republicaines, par l’intermediaire de
Madame le 1er Adjoint, je tiens a saluer M. Roland Povinelli,
le Senateur-Maire d’Allauch. Au-dela de toute consideration de
sensibilite politique, nous retrouvons aujourd’hui, ici au Logis
Neuf, pour dire a la communaute armenienne toute notre amitie et
notre indefectible soutien.
Pour cette 95ème commemoration, je voudrais vous dire combien je suis
choque d’entendre des personnes contester, en toute impunite, jusque
sur le territoire francais, la realite horrible du genocide armenien.
Cela n’est pas admissible,
Cela ne doit plus etre tolere !
A l’occasion du recent Sommet sur la Securite nucleaire aux Etats
Unis, le Premier ministre turc Erdogan, n’a pas manque de nier une
fois de plus le genocide des Armeniens.
Il etait l’invite d’un presentateur vedette, Charlie Rose, dans une
emission de grande ecoute diffusee aux Etats Unis.
Le presentateur Charlie Rose n’a pas hesite a evoquer la question
du genocide armenien. " Franchement, de quelle preuve historique de
plus a-ton besoin en ce qui concerne le genocide ? " lui a demande
le presentateur
Quand on voit les images de l’emission, on voit bien que cette
question irrite au plus haut point le premier ministre. Il interrompt
le journaliste vedette de la television – je le cite – : " Tout d’abord
laissez-moi dire que c’est vous qui dites genocide. Je suis desole de
vous entendre dire ca. Pour etre très clair, nous n’acceptons pas le
genocide. C’est un mensonge total. J’invite les gens a le prouver. Je
dis que ca n’incombe pas aux hommes politiques.
Il incombe aux historiens de voir ca. ". Fin de citation
C’est justement pour cela, qu’en 2006, j’ai fait partie des cinq
parlementaires des Bouches-du-Rhône qui, en dehors de toutes
considerations partisanes, ont redige en commun une proposition de
loi pour reprimer penalement le negationnisme concernant le genocide
armenien.
(outre moi-meme, il s’agit des deputes Christophe Masse, Roland
Blum et des Senateurs Jean-Francois Picheral et Robert Bret) Mais
aujourd’hui ce texte attend toujours un vote conforme du Senat pour
devenir une loi de la Republique.
Avec vous, ici, a Allauch, j’appelle avec force mes collègues Senateurs
a inscrire ce texte a l’ordre du jour, car il est impensable de rester
au milieu du gue.
Je le fais ici, a Allauch, d’autant plus volontiers que mon excellent
collègue parlementaire Roland Povinelli est Senateur.
Alors, comme Roland Povinelli n’hesite jamais a venir trouver le
depute de la circonscription quand il y a une question qui le chagrine,
aujourd’hui c’est – gentiment – a mon tour !
C’est a mon tour de dire avec amitie a Roland, " allez Monsieur le
Senateur, je compte sur ta voix forte pour faire inscrire au Senat
cette proposition de loi a l’ordre du jour ".
Pourquoi ? Pourquoi est-ce que tu continues a te battre autant,
me demande-t-on parfois ?
Parce que, j’entends ici ou la, et meme en France, certains qui nous
disent : " ce n’est pas a la loi d’ecrire l’histoire ".
Alors, pour tous ceux qui essayent de faire croire que nous voudrions
reecrire l’histoire avec une loi, je voudrais simplement faire une
citation, rien qu’une citation.
Voici le texte d’un telegramme transmis par le ministre Talaat Pacha
aux cellules de Jeunes-Turcs, je le cite : " Le gouvernement a decide
de detruire tous les Armeniens residant en Turquie. Il faut mettre fin
a leur existence, aussi criminelles que soient les mesures a prendre.
Il ne faut tenir compte ni de l’âge, ni du sexe. Les scrupules de
conscience n’ont pas leur place ici ".
Quand on lit cela, on voit bien qu’il n’y a pas besoin de reecrire
l’histoire : l’histoire est ecrite !
La Turquie de 1915 a bien ete le theâtre d’une extermination methodique
et planifiee du peuple armenien.
Depuis le tribunal de Nuremberg, c’est ce que l’on appelle un genocide.
L’Etat turc s’est toujours efforce de nier la realite du Genocide
armenien et de se derober a toute action qui pourrait attenuer les
consequences de 1915.
Alors, pendant plus de 90 ans, l’Etat turc a continue a effacer les
traces des crimes commis contre les Armeniens, en detruisant des
centaines d’antiques eglises armeniennes et de vieux monastères,
en demolissant des ~uvres d’art culturelles, en recrivant l’histoire.
Le gouvernement turc actuel s’est embarque dans une politique continue
de negation du Genocide armenien, aussi bien a l’exterieur qu’a
l’interieur de la Turquie.
Aussi, je le dis souvent, je le redis ici très clairement et sans
nuances : j’etais, je suis et je resterai donc contre l’adhesion de
la Turquie a l’Union Europeenne.
A l’assemblee, j’ai depose avec mon collègue Claude BODIN un amendement
au projet de loi de finances pour 2010, cosigne par plusieurs dizaines
de deputes, visant a diminuer de manière drastique les credits de
preadhesion accordes a la Turquie, estimes d’ici 2012 a près de –
tenez vous bien – 4 milliards d’euros ! Rien que cela !
Mais, nous voyons bien que le lobbying en faveur de l’adhesion de la
Turquie a l’union europeenne se renforce.
Alors, permettez-moi d’honorer avec vous la memoire de ceux qui ont ete
extermines pour la seule raison qu’ils etaient Armeniens et chretiens.
Je terminerais mon propos en disant que certains ont pense se moquer
de moi en m’appelant jusque dans la presse : " Mallie l’armenien ".
Eh bien, qu’on se le dise, je suis fier que l’on m’appelle " Mallie
l’armenien ". C’est pour moi un honneur !
Je suis et je resterai inlassablement et, si vous me le permettez,
affectueusement, aux côtes de la communaute armenienne
Merci de votre attention.
INVESTMENT PROJECT ON CREATION OF ARPI LAKE NATIONAL PARK WITH BUDGET OF 2.2 MLN EURO ‘THREATENS’ WITH SOCIAL-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF SHIRAK REGION
ArmInfo
2010-05-12 14:22:00
ArmInfo. The investment project on creation of Arpi Lake national park
in Ashotsk district of Shirak region with budget of 2.2 mln Euro is not
only of ecological but also of social-economic importance. Within the
frames of this project, it is envisaged to create a unique ecological
corridor in the territories of three neighbouring countries: Armenia,
Georgia and Turkey. According to Armenian Minister of Nature Protection
Aram Harutyunyan, the negotiation process on near-border cooperation
with Georgia is at quite an advanced stage.
Implementation of a project on creation of Arpi Lake national park
may become a catalyser in solution of numerous problems the regional
authorities face, such as preservation of the unique biodiversity,
development of the transport infrastructure, bee breeding and cattle
reeding as a primary business of residents of the whole Ashotsk region,
as well as creation of a favourable business atmosphere.
However, implementation of such projects is difficult without
political support, German Ambassador to Armenia Hans-Jochen Schmidt
said. He expressed hope that the project will assure social-economic
development of Ashotsk region and will allow to solve such important
problems as creation of transport communication. The ambassador’s
optimism and hope was shared by Head of KfW German Bank in Armenia
Karapet Gevorkyan. "I attach special importance to the social-economic
component of this programme and I hope that its implementation will
allow to enhance the living standards of the local population",
Gevorkyan emphasized. Construction of the administrative building
in the territory of Arpi Lake national park, the foundation-stone of
which was laid on May 11, has become the first step in creation of the
park. It is scheduled to complete construction of this building in June
2011 and develop Ashotsk region’s social- economic development plan.
To note, the project on creation of Arpi Lake national park is carried
out within the frames of a regional agreement on creation of reserved
areas in the Armenian district of Javakhk (Ashotsk), signed in October
2005 among Armenia’s Ministry of Nature Protection, Economy Ministry,
Finance Ministry and KfW German Bank. The programme is implemented
by Armenia’s Ministry of Nature Protection, Economy Ministry, Finance
Ministry and KfW German Bank. The programme is implemented by Armenia’s
Ministry of Nature Protection and the World Wildlife Foundation.
AZERBAIJANI LEADERS OF WORLD WAR LL EQUAL TO STALIN – HISTORIAN
Leyla Tagiyeva News.Az
news.az
May 11 2010
Azerbaijan
Eldar Ismaylov News.Az interviews Eldar Ismaylov, head of the Center
"For civil public", professor of the Baku State University and famous
historian.
How should Azerbaijan treat the ideas of reviewing results of the
Second world war, as well as countries and organizations proposing
such initiatives?
Azerbaijan is a participant of war and as he is a participant of the
anti-Hitler coalition, it can be considered that the war led with the
countries of anti-Hitler coalition was fair and its results feature
the people’s efforts in the struggle for victory. In addition, the
issue is about the degree the Patriotic war can be applied to the
history of Azerbaijan. Can Azerbaijan consider this war patriotic?
Undoubtedly, it can. Naturally, this war was patriotic for the people
before my generation, for the people of my generation and for the
people of the generation following mine. As the Azerbaijani population
took the war as a struggle for justice, this influenced the position
of the Azerbaijani government too.
Meanwhile, how can the state and the society treat the Azerbaijani
legion partaking in the war on the side of fascist Germany?
This is an important issue for Azerbaijan. At the same time, it
should be taken into account that the war was patriotic for the whole
population of Azerbaijan. It is necessary to confess this for a part
of the Azerbaijani population did not feel links to the history of the
Soviet state, a part of the population was insulted and resented with
the Soviet system. The population was seriously wounded, therefore,
it could not perceive this war as its own, that is as the war of its
people. In this connection, the war was perceived as a struggle for
restoration of violated rights by a greater part of the Azerbaijani
population, as well as Russians, Ukrainians, Byelorussians, Georgians,
Armenians and other peoples. Therefore, the legion formation cannot
be connected only with some subjective reasons. Its creation cannot
be connected with objective reasons, as a struggle of a part of the
population against Bolsheviks.
The Azerbaijani legion created in 1943 and Azerbaijani battalions
fighting before than in 1942 on the Caucasus front consisted of people
mostly not accepting the Soviet power or socialistic system. They
could not reconcile with the occupation of Azerbaijan by the Russian
troops. At the same time, it should be taken into account that there
was a polarization of opinion within the Azerbaijani society. But
mostly, a greater part of the population sympathized to the socialistic
system.
Is there a need to assess and define the role of Azerbaijan in this
war and how can be feature this war in Azerbaijani historiography?
I think the war for Azerbaijan was Patriotic like for the whole
Soviet Union. It can hardly be said that Azerbaijanis fighting for
Germany were struggling for freedom and independence of Azerbaijan,
since if Germany had won in that war, Azerbaijan would hardly gain
independence. Nevertheless, most people considered like that and fought
on the side of Germany. I knew most of those people, therefore, I would
like to note that probably they were persuaded of the righteousness
of their actions. But this does not mean they were right.
How can the public treat war participants fighting on the side of
the Soviet Union and Hitler Germany?
The present generation does not know anything about this war. They
have the only homeland-Azerbaijan. Naturally, in these conditions that
war seems alien to the young people, that is the war of a different
state. We should admit that. Therefore, Moscow is not closer to them
than Washington or Berlin. I have been teaching at a high school for
many years and I can say that the Soviet Union is not home for the
present generation of young people who were mostly born after the
90’s. Therefore, Patriotic war cannot be patriotic for them. We were
born in the Soviet Union and it was our homeland. But this does not
mean that the next generation should also treat this issue like this,
they have a right to think differently.
Which can be the attitude to Stalin in the light of the recent demands
to rehabilitate this historical personality including in Azerbaijan?
My attitude to Stalin is clear. Before war, he committed genocide of
the Soviet people, including Azerbaijanis. We cannot reject this. The
soviet union was based on the principle of class struggle, that is
provision of welfare of people envisioned termination of another
part of the people. In this connection, I would like to repeat that
Stalin committed genocide of his own people regardless of their
ethnic belonging.
As for Stalin’s activity during war, he demonstrated himself as
a real commander and a leader of the state. Speaking about it, we
should adhere to the principle that history cannot be treated equally,
it request objective analysis.
And how can the Azerbaijani leaders of the period of war be assessed?
The then leaders of Azerbaijan must be assessed the way Stalin war.
They all followed Stalin’s policy and thus promoted genocide. On
the other hand, in definite periods of life they played a great
role in consolidation of people. First of all, I imply Mirjafar
Baguirov. He played his role in the development of Azerbaijani
national self-identification. These processes were going on par,
though contradicting to each other. But we cannot judge the dead,
this is not real. Therefore, the events and behavior of people should
be treated in terms of that period.
Is it correct to raise the issue of granting the status of hero city
to Baku today?
Yes, the issue is legitimate. Undoubtedly, Baku and the overall
Azerbaijan played a great role in resisting fascist aggression. But
if this problem cannot be settled today, I think it is senseless to
raise this issue.
I would like to note that the status of a hero city was for the
first time granted to four cities including Sevastopol, Stalingrad,
Leningrad and Odessa. Then, considering political conjuncture it was
granted to different cities, in particular, Minsk, Kiev, Moscow and so
on. These were the subjective wishes of different leaders. However,
after granting this status to the aforementioned four cities,
addition granting of the same title to other citizens was senseless,
especially, raising this issue after the USSR collapse in order to
grant the status of a hero city to Baku is impossible, because it is
unclear who will grant the status of the hero city, which stats will
grant the status to the cities that are not part of a single state.
BELGIAN GOVERNMENT WELCOMES EFFORTS AIMED AT ARMENIA-TURKEY RAPPROCHEMENT
NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 11, 2010
YEREVAN
Newly appointed Ambassador of Belgium to Armenia Stephan de Locker
handed over his credentials to RA President Serzh Sargsyan on May
11. Congratulating S. de Locker the RA President expressed hope
that he will make a considerable contribution to development of
Armenia-Belgium relations. S. Sargsyan said that Armenia is deeply
interested in deepening Armenia-Belgium collaboration by bilateral
and many-sided formats.
According to the RA President’s press office, the interlocutors
also exchanged thoughts over regional problems. S. de Locker said
that the Belgian government welcomes efforts aimed at Armenia-Turkey
rapprochement and expresses readiness to support in that complicated
process.
At diplomat’s request S. Sargsyan also presented Armenia’s approaches
on the Nagorno Karabakh peace process current stage.
VIOLENCE AGAINST CHAKHALYAN
Lragir.am
10/05/10
On April 30, 2010 violence was used against Vahagn Chakhalyan and this
is the second time violence is used against him in the Georgian jail.
Hence, the Council coordinating the protection of the rights of
Armenians of Javakhk affirms this incident is determined by the
upcoming election in Georgia on May 30.
The Council, condemning the incident, calls upon international
organizations to properly assess this outrageous step of the Georgian
government which cynically violates its duties in direction of
prevention of violence and other inhuman attitude.