Author: Felekian Ara

INTERNATIONAL PROCESS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION WILL CONTINUE

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 23, 2010 – 16:07 AMT 11:07 GMT

On the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy joins
all the democratic forces and the European Armenian communities
to pay homage to the 1,500,000 victims of the 20th century’s first
genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman government, the EAFJD said in a
press release.

Although it has been attested by a huge majority of historians and
recognized by tens of Parliaments and international institutions
in the world, this genocide still remains unpunished and denied by
successive Turkish governments.

The European Armenian Federation states that, whatever the political
and economic threats Turkey makes on the countries which recognize
this genocide, the international process of recognition will continue
until the recognition by the Turkish State itself.

Aware of the moral and material prejudices generated by the genocide,
the European Armenian Federation affirms that as for any crime against
humanity, the process of reconciliation between the Armenian people
and Turkey will have to pass by the re-establishment of the truth,
the recognition and the morals and material reparation.

On April 24th, the truth of the extermination of the Armenian people
will be commemorated in Armenia, throughout the world and in Europe
in particular, where a big number of survivors have found refuge for
more than 90 years.

ARMENIAN FREEZES TURKEY PACT RATIFICATION

The Associated Press
April 22, 2010 Thursday 03:47 PM GMT
YEREVAN, Armenia

Armenia is freezing its ratification of an agreement to normalize ties
with Turkey and reopen their shared border, the Armenian president
said Thursday dealing a setback to efforts to end the countries’
long-standing enmity.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 to protest the
Armenia-backed war by separatists in the Nagorno-Karabakh region;
the region is an enclave within Azerbaijan but under the control of
Armenian and ethnic Armenian forces.

The border closure exacerbated tensions already high over the issue
of whether the killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians during the
final days of the Ottoman Empire amounted to genocide.

Neither Turkey nor Armenia have ratified the October agreement to
restore diplomatic ties. Armenia’s governing coalition accuses Turkey
of dragging its feet by demanding the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute be
settled first.

President Serge Sarkisian said Thursday he was not abandoning the
normalization process, but instead would "suspend the procedure of
ratifying the protocols."

"We shall consider moving forward when we are convinced that there
is a proper environment in Turkey and there is leadership in Ankara
ready to re-engage in the normalization process," he said in a
televised address.

In Turkey, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Armenia was free
to decide how it wanted to proceed. "I have expressed our loyalty to
the protocols on numerous occasions," he said. "We will press ahead
with the process on the principle that treaties are binding."

Mediation efforts by Russia, France, the United States and the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to resolve the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute have made little visible progress.

SEYID KAZIM MOUSAVI: "NAGORNO KARABAKH IS NOT A DISPUTED ZONE AND THE OWNER OF THIS ZONE IS AZERBAIJAN"

APA
April 22 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku. Suleyman Farzaliyev – APA. "Azerbaijan is a country which we
love as our homeland. Its affable and hospitable people are native for
us", said Iranian deputy from Ardabil and head of Azerbaijan-Iran
interparliamentary friendship group Seyid Kazim Mousavi in his
exclusive interview to APA.

He noted that the development of relations in political, economic and
cultural spheres would be discussed during the forthcoming visits to
Azerbaijan: "Azerbaijan is a developed and independent country in the
region. Azerbaijan is famous for its inexhaustible natural resources
and wise people. There is no doubt about the further development and
strengthening of this country".

Mousavi said that they wanted to mediate between Azerbaijan and
Armenia in the Nagorno Karabakh problem and works had started in this
direction: "We try to solve the conflict soon. Of course, we protect
the just position of Azerbaijan. Nagorno Karabakh is not a disputed
zone. It has a concrete owner, and the owner is Azerbaijan. We don’t
want the conflict to stir up".

To him, there is no place for US in this region: "They want to do
their works by exploiting nations in different ways. Aggressive state
as the US has to protect Armenia not Azerbaijan. No country except
Armenia creates atmosphere for America in the region. Azerbaijan’s
non-participation at the Nuclear Summit in Washington and participation
of Armenia is an obvious evidence for it".

Note that members of Iran-Azerbaijan interparliamentary friendship
group will pay visit to Azerbaijan on April 26.

ARABIAN TALKS VETERANS ISSUES AT TOWN CLUB THURSDAY

Belmont Citizen-Herald
April 20 2010
MA

Belmont, Mass. — The next monthly meeting of the Belmont Town Club is
scheduled for Thursday, April 22, at Verona’s restaurant, 18 Main St.
in Watertown. Membership is again reminded that Verona’s restaurant
is also accessible from its Spring Street entrance. Dinner is planned
for 7:30 p.m.

Guest speaker, Gregory Arabian, a Belmontian and attorney, a retired
Air Force combat pilot, a long time community activist, Veteran’s
Services supporter and issues addressing Armenia’s expansive
sovereignty implications, will be sharing his ongoing community
interactions and oversight interests.

Town Club’s officers and its membership again extend to former
members and friends an invitation to join us on this evening. An
opportunity to rekindle, to renew, old friendships. Remember —
citizen participation, truly an endowed American heritage. Let’s not
only continue to collectively welcome in 2009-2010 seasonal activities,
but also reinforce and expand community services.

Dinner is preceded by a social hour, commencing at 6:30 p.m. Guest
are always welcome. Admission is by reservation only.

For reservations, contact Robert Hart, president, 617-484-3809,
Vincent DeNovellis, 617-489-2430, Lou Contini, 617-484-6838 or Charles
Hasékian, 617-484-6412.

ASH CLOUDS REACHED OUT TO GEORGIA

news.am
April 20 2010
Armenia

The ash clouds emerged after eruption of Eyjafjallajokull volcano
in Iceland reached out to Georgia, Georgian Rezonans newspaper
reports. According to the experts, there is no cause for panic —
the ash cloud invites danger to the aircrafts, but not to health.

At the moment, it is moving across the Caucasus Mountains. The airflow
stretches to the north thus the ash cloud will not threaten Georgian
airspace in the next three days, Georgian hydro-meteorological
department informs.

In addition, it will not affect air chart in Armenia till April 22,
Armenian Meteorological Service told NEWS.am.

The eruption of Eyjafjallajokull volcano started on Wednesday, April
14. Formed ash cloud might wax aircraft engine. European flight
security services decided to close airspace in a number of European
countries.

On April 20, European Union Transport Ministers allowed resumption
of some air traffic.

TCA Arshag Dickranian Armenian School
1200 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Tel: 323-461-4377
Fax: 323-461-4247
E-mail: [email protected]

MR RAFFI HOVSEPIAN VISITS TCA ARSHAG DICKRANIAN SCHOOL

Los Angeles, April 20, 2010: Mr. Raffi Hovsepian, Board Chairman of the TCA
Vahan Tekeyan School of Beirut, Lebanon, visited the TCA Arshag Dickranian
School (ADS), on Thursday morning, April 15, 2010. Upon arrival, the
distinguished guest was greeted by George Mandossian, Chairman of the ADS
Board of Trustees, Vatche Semerdjian, Member of the TCA Board of Directors,
Parsegh Kartalian Vice-Chairman of the ADS Board of Trustees and Principal
Vartkes Kourouyan.

Mr. Hovsepian was first led to the Principal’s Office where the two chairmen
had an hour long exchange of information about their respective schools’
daily life, educational programs and budgetary issues. Being a long time
graduate of Vahan Tekeyan School, Mr. Hovsepian informed his hosts that he
was elected chairman last November after serving on the Board of Trustees
for several years. Since then he has made a habit of visiting the school
every morning on weekdays prior to going to work. Since his tenure of office
the school has taken major steps towards improving educational standards and
gaining financial stability. He also reported that at present 165 students,
ranging from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade attend the school, the
majority of which are on full or partial scholarships, making the school
widely dependent on personal contributions from philanthropists and the
goodwill of charitable organizations.

Mr. Hovsepian then took the time to visit several classrooms and meet with
teachers and students. At the end he was presented with a copy of the ADS
2009 Yearbook and other memento as tokens of his memorable visit.

Located at 1200 North Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, the TCA Arshag Dickranian
Armenian School is a federally tax exempt, Pre-K to 12th grade private
educational institution. Visit
<http://www.dickranian school.org/> for more information.

###

news.az, Azerbaijan
APril 17 2010

Italia backs Azerbaijan’s position on Karabakh
Sat 17 April 2010 | 08:22 GMT Text size:

Riccardo Migliori The existing conflicts in the South Caucasus region
poses a serious threat to the international security.

Italia supports Azerbaijan`s constructive position on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Italian MP, head of the country`s
delegation to the OSCE PA Riccardo Migliori said during a meeting with
deputy speaker of Azeri parliament Bahar Muradova.

Migliori, who is here to attend an international conference ‘2010
parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan: more democratic, more
transparent’ said the existing conflicts in the South Caucasus region
poses a serious threat to the international security.

He also stressed the necessity of development of the parliamentary
diplomacy to contribute to settling the conflict.

On the conference Migliori praised it, which he said, shows that the
Azerbaijan government is determined to conduct the upcoming
parliamentary elections in a free, transparent and democratic
atmosphere.

Bahar Muradova, in turn, spoke of the history of relationship between
Azerbaijan and Italia. She said thanks to efforts of the two
countries` leaders, bilateral relations had reached the level of
strategic partnership.

She also underlined the role of the two countries` legislative bodies
in boosting bilateral cooperation.

Muradova also thanked the Italian government for supporting
Azerbaijan`s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Italian ambassador to the country Mario Giorgio Stefano Baldi was
present in the meeting.

AzerTaj

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TO BE REPRESENTED AT DIGITEC BUSINESS-FORUM IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 15, 2010 – 20:21 AMT 15:21 GMT

Management Consultant of the Union of Information Technologies
Enterprises Vahan Hovsepyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter that
Armenia’ program was endorsed at a business summit of IT companies
in Macedonia. According to him, the Armenian program was chosen out
of eight programs submitted to the summit and European organizations
will facilitate its implementation. The program foresees participation
of a range of IT companies from Eastern or Southern Europe in DigiTec
business-forum in Armenia, as well as Armenia’s participation in IT
exhibitions in Europe.

"Armenia’s increasing role in this structure is another achievement.

Besides, our companies have found partners and signed agreements with
European companies, which will participate in DigiTec business-forum,"
Hovsepyan said.

RCI IT B2B Matchmaking Summit took place from April 6-11 in Macedonia.

The Armenian delegation comprised of the Union of Information
Technologies Enterprises (UITE), Nork information-analytical center,
as well as Essential Solutions, CHS Vericel Service and Margasoft
companies. The summit with participation of representatives of
business-circles from over 10 countries was organized by Initiative
of Regional Competitiveness program.

PALESTINIAN PRIME MINISTER: EU CAN PLAY EFFECTIVE ROLE IN RESOLVING NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend
April 15 2010
Azerbaijan

If the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict sides – Azerbaijan and Armenia –
provide the European Union certain conditions for the solution of
the conflict, the EU can play an effective role in its solution,
the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Salam Fayyad, said.

"The EU plays a positive role in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict. It can play the same role in resolving the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," said Fayyad on
April 15.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the
occupied territories.

WHY RUSSIA IS EXTENDING AN OLIVE BRANCH TO TBILISI AND OTHER RESTIVE REGIONS.

Newsweek
April 16 2010

Peace Breaks Out in Georgia

Moscow and Tbilisi are still officially at war a year and a half
after Russian troops rolled into the breakaway Georgian republics of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia and declared them independent. But quietly,
with minimal fanfare on both sides, peace is breaking out. A crucial
border crossing reopened last month, direct flights have recommenced,
and Russians have begun issuing more visas to Georgian nationals.

The reason for this sudden warming of relations? In large part, the
Olympic spirit of peace–or at least Russia’s fervent desire to make
the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi a trouble-free success. With the
Olympic banner now passed from Canada to Russia, the Kremlin wants
to do everything possible to ensure that there won’t be any more
flare-ups over Abkhazia, just 25 miles away from Sochi.

That means soothing differences with Georgia and giving Tbilisi an
economic stake in keeping the peace by allowing cross-border trade,
once a mainstay of the Georgian economy. Opening the border also
helps Russia’s main Caucasian ally, Armenia, whose only road access to
Russia is via Georgia and which found itself also blockaded by default.

Yerevan has been begging Moscow to open the Georgian road, as the
prospects of an opening of the Armenian-Turkish border are receding
despite an agreement reached last year. At present, landlocked Armenia
can trade only with two of its four neighbors, Iran and Georgia, with
the borders closed to Turkey and Azerbaijan since 1992. Turkey has
dialed back on its commitment to open the border in part because of a
U.S. congressional Foreign Affairs Committee resolution recognizing
the Armenian genocide, as well as pressure from Azerbaijan, which
wants an Armenian withdrawal from the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

But of more immediate concern to Moscow is the prospect of
terror attacks from the North Caucasus, which is also in Sochi’s
neighborhood. Last week the International Olympic Committee expressed
confidence that Russia would be able to make the games secure, and
on Monday Prime Minister Vladimir Putin formed a security committee
to oversee preparations for Sochi’s Olympics. This week the chief of
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that it had arrested
or killed 170 militants in the region this year, and had identified
the masterminds of the recent suicide bombings on the Moscow metro
and in Dagestan.

But to really ensure a peaceful Olympics, President Dmitry Medvedev
will have to do a lot more than let Russian security forces continue
business as usual in the Moscow-controlled North Caucasus, arresting
and murdering suspects at will. Medvedev’s challenge is not only
to pacify his empire’s most restive corner but the whole explosive
neighborhood as well. Making a quiet peace with Georgia is one
important step toward that goal.