Author: Dabaghian Diana

Letter To The Boston Globe 2

Boston Globe
Oct 22 2009

STEPHEN KINZER’S Oct. 15 op-ed "A new role for Turkey" suggests that
that nation is poised to assume leadership of the Islamic world. He
cites the recent accord signed by Turkey and Armenia as having resolved
the dispute between the two countries. Turkey, in fact, has many
continuing problems to resolve. Internally it tolerates an extreme
right-wing nationalist element that targets both moderate Turkish
and non-Turkish journalists. It continues to persecute its Kurdish
minority despite their being co-religionists. It still denies the
veracity of the Armenian genocide, as it dismantles, stone by stone,
those magnificent monuments that Kinzer envisions Armenians crossing
the border to visit.

Kinzer cites as "bizarre" the protests of diasporan Armenians
against the accord, for which recognition of the genocide was not
a precondition. He is dead wrong in assuming that most Jews would
"accept happily" Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s or anyone else’s proposal
to have "impartial historians" examine the question of whether the
Holocaust actually happened. The Holocaust is not up for questioning,
nor should it be. The same should apply to the Armenian genocide.

In its quest to be a leader and peacemaker in the region, Turkey
indeed has a long way to go. Free speech, minority rights, and finally
accepting the historical fact of the genocide of 1.5 million of its
citizens 94 years ago must come first.

POWERFUL KEYNOTE LINEUP AT ARMTECH CONGRESS ’09 TO FEATURE ARMENIA’S PRIME MINISTER

Reuters
Oct 22 2009

ArmTech Congress links Armenian professionals from around the world
to focus on high technology and business development

SILICON VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ — The global Armenian
high-tech industry and strategic business forum and conference,
ArmTech Congress, today announced details of its 2009 conference,
which includes a keynote speech from His Excellency Tigran Sargsyan,
Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia. The event will showcase the
global high-tech industry capabilities of the Republic of Armenia (RA)
by bringing together professionals interested in engaging the global
Armenian community and the rapidly rising high tech sector in Armenia.

This is the third annual ArmTech Congress conceived under the theme
of "learning from the past and inventing the future." The event
will be held November 5 to 8 at the Fairmont Hotel in the heart of
Silicon Valley, San Jose, California. More information is available
at

The lineup of presenters highlights an interest in the fast-emerging
Armenian high tech economy, with speakers representing high tech
industry executives and high level officials from the government and
academia in Armenia, the U.S.

and elsewhere. Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo will be a featured speaker
from the U.S. government.

ArmTech Congress’09 keynote speakers include: — His Excellency Tigran
Sargsyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia — The Honorable
Nerses Yeritsyan, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia —
Mr. Vahram Nercissiantz, Chief Economic Advisor of the President of
the Republic of Armenia — The Honorable Anna G. Eshoo, Congresswoman,
Fourteenth Congressional District of California — The Honorable Joe
Simitian, California State Senator — Dr. Chi-Foon Chan, President
and Chief Operating Officer of Synopsys, Inc.

— Mr. Daniel M. Mahoney, President and CEO of Renesas Technology
America, Inc.

— Mr. Gregory K. Hinckley, President of Mentor Graphics, Inc.

— Lisa Kalustian, Chief Deputy Director, Office of Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger

— Mr. Andre Andonian, Director, McKinsey & Company, Inc.

"The achievements of Armenia’s high tech industry in recent years,
as well as the essential need to advance the technological Armenian
community, urge us to improve communication and cooperation among
professionals in high tech, establish international business
skills and perfect advanced high tech industry composition. We
must also develop new contacts and business opportunities to create
compatible, comprehensive operations that improve Armenia’s business
and information high tech industry environment," said RA Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan.

Through an intensive program, ArmTech Congress provides a venue for
representatives from business, government and academia to discuss the
Armenian high tech economy and develop a platform for its further
development. By using a ‘town hall meeting’ format to conclude the
conference, the Congress reaches consensus on a platform that defines
the direction of Amerian’s high-tech economy for 2010 and beyond,
as well as identifies opportunities for the participants to support
ArmTech Congress’s long-term goals and objectives. The conference’s
first session provides a review of progress against the platform
adopted the previous year. This process helps enable rapid progress
and provides a value proposition unique to Armenia.

The three-day program addresses critical high-tech industry topics
by featuring parallel track sessions in the following areas: —
Software Industry and Services — Telecommunications and Internet —
Renewable and Green Energy — Microelectronics Design and Test —
Investment Projects — Higher Education and Research — Digital
Media — Biotechnologies — Engineering/Instrumentation Design —
Advanced Materials

— Professional Networking

About ArmTech Congress Headquartered in Silicon Valley, ArmTech
Congress, a global high-tech industry strategic business forum,
platform and conference, was founded by industry and business
professionals to foster professional growth in the worldwide Armenian
high-tech community, and to promote the growth of Armenia’s rapidly
rising high-tech industry. The organization welcomes liaisons with
other entities that are similarly aligned and has no political
affiliations. Building on the success of ArmTech ’07 and ArmTech
’08, the development of recurring international conferences is
the current focus of the organization. ArmTech’s goals include:
providing networking and community resources for Armenian high-tech
professionals worldwide; showcasing the global contributions of
Armenian professionals in high-tech and allied fields; attracting
global participation by individuals and entities that can benefit
from involvement with the Armenian high-tech community; promoting
opportunities to do business, recruit and invest in Armenian high-tech;
highlighting the rise of Armenia’s strategic high-tech industry;
and promoting international interactions and investments for further
growth. For more information, please visit

About ArmTech Congress ’09 The third annual ArmTech Congress conceived
under the theme "learning from the past and inventing the future,"
is designed for professionals interested in engaging with the global
Armenian community and the rapidly rising high-tech industry sector
in Armenia.

ArmTech Congress ’09 will take place under the patronage of the
prime minister of Armenia. The government of the RA stresses the
importance of ArmTech Congress as a platform to discuss, plan and
execute policies and actions to keep Armenia on its current path of
steady technological and economic achievement. The conference also
serves to increase global recognition of Armenia as one of the fastest
growing high-tech destinations in the world.

ARMENIAN DEPUTY FM HIGHLIGHTS IN BAKU THAT NORMALIZATION OF TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS AND SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT – TWO DIFFERENT PROCESSES

ArmInfo
2009-10-22 14:13:00

ArmInfo. Normalizations of the Turkish-Armenian relations and
settlement of the Karabakh conflict are two different processes,
says Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Armen Kirakosyan at the
session of OBSEC in Baku, Interfax-Azerbaijan reported. "These are two
quite different processes. Armenian-Turkish relations are relations
between two sovereign states and they have nothing in common with
the negotiations around Nagorny Karabakh in the legal aspect," Armen
Kirakosyan said.

A. Kirakosyan mentioned that Armenia and Turkey have signed two
documents and submitted them for ratifications by their parliaments.

"After ratification the border between the two states will open in 2
months if everything is normal and the intergovernmental commission
will launch activity in 3 months," he said.

RADIO FRANCE INTERNATIONALE NAMES RA PRESIDENT "EUROPEAN OF THE WEEK"

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.10.2009 18:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Radio France Internationale named RA President
Serzh Sargsyan the "European of the Week", nominating him among the
most influential RA politicians.

French Radio dedicated a special program to Serzh Sargsyan and his
role in RA-Turkish rapprochement issue, acknowledging the President
as the most pragmatic politician of post-Soviet period.

Previous Radio France Internationale programs featured French President
Nicolas Sarkozy, British Conservative Party Leader David Cameron as
well as other high ranking politicians, artists and public figures.

EVENTS DEDICATED TO THE 140TH ANNIVERSARY OF KOMITAS HELD IN FRANCE

ARMENPRESS
Oct 20, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS: The week devoted to the 140th
anniversary of Komitas in France has wrapped up with the big concert
held October 18 in Parisian famous "Gavo" hall. French Culture Minister
Frederic Miteran, Armenian Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan, political
and public, as well as scientific and cultural figures of France,
distinguished individuals were present at the concert.

Media and information department of the Armenian Foreign Affairs
Ministry told Armenpress that pianist Svetlana Navasardyan, singers
Barsegh Tumanyan (bas), Julieta Galstyan (metso soprano), Hasmik
Torosyan (soprano), "Nairi" group conducted by Hayk Davtyan (France),
"Arpejion" quartet (France) have performed Komitas’s works. The core
of the concert was the Armenian State Chamber Orchestra conducted by
Robert Mlkeyan, during which wedding and peasant songs and dances
composed by Komitas, as well as Arthur Aharonyan’s "Lonely" series
of songs written specially on this occasion were performed.

The week dedicated to the 140th anniversary of Komitas has kicked
off October 13 by lecture-concert held in House of World Cultures,
Paris, during which musicologists Mher Navoyan (Armenia) and Antoni
Zhirar (France) presented Komitas’s life and work, his role in the
development of Armenian and world music. Komitas’s works sounded
October 15 in the hall of Sen Lui temple of Parisian Invalids by the
performance of Armenian State Chamber Orchestra.

Komitas week has been conducted under the sponsorship of French and
Armenian Culture Ministries.

TURKEY’S NEW FOREIGN POLICY
Cuneyt Ulsever

Hurriyet Daily News
Oct 19 2009
Turkey

The "agreement protocol" signed last week between Turkey and Armenia
has presented the opportunity for an analysis. I have reached the
following conclusion:

Turkey will re-open the Armenian border. On the other side, Russia
will pressure Armenia to solve the "Karabakh issue."

All of these developments are the initial winds of change in U.S.

foreign policy under the Obama administration. Russia, being blocked
by the George Bush administration in the Black Sea through developing
relations with Ukraine and Georgia, is now regaining the sphere of
influence in the Obama period and is paving the way for the United
States to be the only active imperialist country in the Middle East
in return.

I am of the opinion that the region that the imperialists focused
over the Cold War period comes back to the global relations this time
through a partnership with Russia.

Turkey is trying to be the United States’ "Representative in the
Middle East" in this sharing.

By signing the protocol with Armenia, Turkey has helped the United
States, an ally, but has mainly left Azerbaijan to Russian influence.

***

I have written repeatedly that I am frightened by Turkey’s
multi-dimensional foreign policy, which is not directly anchored
anywhere or to any alliance. I have also said the "zero-problem with
neighbors" policy is arithmetically impossible.

What I want to say is this: You may seek "zero problems" with your
neighbors. But foreign policy is not a linear equation; it is a
complex matrix. For instance, as you reach an agreement with one of
your neighbors, you may fall into a matrix of problems between your
two neighbors.

As a matter of fact, Azerbaijan is awfully disturbed by Turkey’s
efforts to iron out problems with Armenia.

I think defending Azerbaijan’s rights and mediation between Azerbaijan
and Armenia become Russia’s responsibility.

It seems the United States is leaving its sphere of influence over
Ukraine, Georgia and Azerbaijan to Russia. Therefore, Turkey, as a
U.S. ally, should act according to this change of roles.

***

But I think Turkey is already anchored.

As I put Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, "Turkey’s political
choices and priorities fully correspond to that of Obama," since
Obama has become the new U.S. president and Davutoglu the new Turkish
foreign minister.

If Turkey is a boat, it will anchor itself to the U.S. first but its
rear will float in Middle Eastern waters.

U.S. might also try the "zero-problem" approach in the Middle East
in this period and seek "new and peaceful" attempts with Iran, Syria,
Lebanon, Hamas and Hezbollah. Turkey may help the U.S. a lot.

Northern Iraq may be completely entrusted to Turkey.

This is Turkey’s new role. Moderate Islam has come to an end. But new
ways of reconciliation with adverse Islamic countries are being sought.

Turkey will play an endless number of mediation roles between the
said countries and the U.S. in this period.

Turkey will anchor to the U.S., but we will usually see Turkey floating
in the Middle East!

As it was in the Bush period, the role Turkey is assigned and agrees
to is in the Middle East.

***

We will see how much this role is in harmony with "multi-dimensional
policy," to what extent we will go back to a "one-dimensional policy,"
which the governing Justice and Development Party, or AKP, criticizes,
how deep Turkey’s desire to become a part of modern civilization or
how well it will play the role of "new Ottoman."

THE SCIENTISTS OF ANKARA AND BAKU TRY TO CHEAT THEIR PEOPLE

Today.Az
Oct 19 2009
Azerbaijan

"Both the scientists of Baku and Ankara try to cheat their people which
shouldn’t be allowed", – announced Bakur Karapetyan the director of
the beneficial fund "Shushi".

For presenting the reality to the neighboring two nations B. Karapetyan
has sent two open letters to the authorities of Azerbaijan and Turkey.

I have sent an open letter to Ilham Aliev at the beginning of the year,
in which I have told him who they are and which is their origin", –
said B. Karapetyan and stressed "We have medieval records and they
should know about it."

Besides I. AlievB. Karapetyan has also sent a letter to the Tirkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaking about the origins of the
Turks. He mentioned that he has no expectations for getting an answer
from the officials of the two countries "being inform is enough".

"Why can’t we help the neighboring countries in orientation", –
underlined B. Karapetyan and informed on this occasion that "Coming and
settling down on the territory of Byzantium the Turks have realized
genocide against more than 50 tribes and only at the end against the
Armenians. The human race has lost more than 50 cultural heritages,
and this crime is on the conscience of the Turkish nations."

NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA DISSATISFIED WITH INTERNET CONNECTION SPEED IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.10.2009 10:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ To provide economy growth in post crisis period,
Armenia has to diversify its economy and invest in infrastructure
development, WB Managing Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala believes.

According to her, Armenia has to work towards rising the level
of intellectual possibilities, specifically, through IT sphere
development.

Adjacent spheres also have to be developed, including improvement of
internet connection speed, WB MD added.

ANS TV, Azerbaijan
Oct 13 2009

Azeri pressure group pickets Turkish embassy over Armenia accord

Several dozen activists of an Azerbaijani pressure group attempted to
stage a picket outside the Turkish embassy in Baku on 13 October in
protest at the Turkish-Armenian accord but were dispersed by police,
ANS television reported.

ANS showed members of the Karabakh Liberation Organisation (KLO)
marching towards the Turkish embassy and chanting "Shame on the
Turkish authorities!" and "Karabakh or death!". They also held banners
reading "Turkey, do not sell Karabakh to Armenians!" and "Betrayal".

The chairman of the KLO, Akif Nagi, and several other members of the
group were detained by police, as the picket had not been authorised
by the Baku Mayor’s Office, the report said.

Interfax, Russia
Oct 14 2009

Diplomat: Armenia-Turkey relations should not be linked to N.-Karabakh issue

BAKU Oct 14

A senior Russian diplomat argued that it is the wrong policy to make
any warming-up between Armenia and Turkey conditional on progress
toward the settlement of the two-decade Armenian-Azeri conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed Armenian- speaking enclave in Azerbaijan.

"We believe that the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border shouldn’t
be allowed to slow down the process of settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vladimir
Dorokhin told Interfax.

"When we say there is no interconnection between those two processes,
we have in mind that the process of rapprochement between Turkey and
Armenia should not be allowed to hamper the process of resolution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," he said.

The Armenian and Azeri presidents, Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev,
had their latest meeting on Nagorno-Karabakh on the fringes of a
Commonwealth of Independent States summit in Chisinau, capital of
Moldova, last week.