Author: Frangulian Shushan

ARMENIA IS INTERESTED IN BILATERAL RELATIONS

A1+
04:44 pm | June 11, 2009

Official

On June 11 the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, had a
meeting with the Foreign Minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, currently
in Armenia on an official visit.

Greeting the Estonian Foreign Minister and his delegation, Edward
Nalbandian expressed appreciation for the dynamically developing
bilateral relations and underlined that Armenia was interested in
deepening and reinforcing the mutually beneficial cooperation with
Estonia.

Urmas Paet also hailed the friendly relations established between the
two countries and noted that Estonia intended to take steps towards
development of multifaceted cooperation with Armenia.

The parties attached importance to the effective cooperation between
the Foreign Ministries of the two countries and agreed to hold the
next political consultation in Yerevan this autumn.

Touching upon the steps taken to promote the economic relations,
Ministers Nalbandian and Paet noted that the Armenian-Estonian economic
forum that kicked off in Yerevan today would create new opportunities
for the cooperation between Armenian and Estonian businessmen.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Estonia discussed the process
of cooperation between Armenia and the European Union and the steps
to be taken in that field. Reference was made to issues related to
the EU’s Eastern Partnership Program.

At the request of the Estonian Minister, Edward Nalbandian presented
the latest developments in the Karabakh conflict settlement and the
process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations. Reference
was made to a number of regional and international issues.

ARMENIA AND BELARUS

A1+
09:08 pm | June 09, 2009

Politics

The biannual debate on "the state of human rights in Europe", addresses
by Irish President Mary McAleese and Slovenian Prime Minister Borut
Pahor, and debates on Belarus and Armenia are among highlights of
PACE’s summer session in Strasbourg on 22-26 June.

Parliamentarians are also due to decide on the creation of a "partner
for democracy" status within the Assembly, aimed at the parliaments
of countries neighbouring Europe, and will consider a challenge to
the credentials of the Ukrainian delegation. There has also been a
request for an urgent debate on the election process for the Secretary
General of the Council of Europe.

ACCIDENT AT THE GAS STATION

A1+
12:47 pm | June 09, 2009

Regions

On June 8 at 5:55 p.m. an accident took place at the gas station
belonging to "PSHSVS" located on Ter-Gabrielyan Street in Gyumri.

A firefighting crew left for the scene and it turned out that the
cooling system’s water tube valve had burst from being under pressure
and damaged the gas pipeline tube, which led to a gas outflow.

A fire did not break out and there was no explosion, as reported by
the Armenian Rescue Service.

SERZH SARGSYAN: ARMENIA HIGHLY APPRECIATES ENHANCED TIES WITH US

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
09.06.2009 18:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia highly appreciates enhanced ties with United
States, emphasizing the efforts and resources invested in spheres of
developing economy, strengthening nationality and ensuring stability
in the region, RA President Serzh Sargsyan said during the meeting
with Philip Gordon, US Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasian
Affairs. Congratulating the diplomat on his new appointment, President
characterized his visit as a proper occasion for discussing further
development of Armenian-American relations. In his turn, Philip Gordon
said it was his first foreign visit after assuming the new post. With
regard to Armenian-Turkish relations, he noted that Ankara attaches
great importance to further extension of Armenian-American ties,
focusing particularly on regional development issues.

Parties also focused on Armenian-Turkish ties normalization process,
noting its historic importance and mutual advantage. Touching upon
Karabakh settlement process, President Sargsyan introduced the history
of the problem, reiterating Armenia’s commitment to peaceful decisions
and Madrid proposals, RA President’s press service reports.

HIGH-RANKING OBAMA OFFICIAL REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GENOCIDE
By Harut Sassounian

AZG Armenian Daily
10/06/2009

Armenian Genocide

Pres. Obama continues to disappoint the Armenian-American
community. After breaking two promises in a row on key Armenian issues
— not acknowledging the Armenian Genocide and proposing reduced
U.S. aid levels to Armenia — he appoints Philip Gordon Assistant
Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.

Dr. Gordon, a former Director of the Brookings Institution —
a think thank partially funded by Turkish sources — has written
several pro-Turkish books and articles. He has been an opponent
of congressional acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide and a
critic of Greek Cypriot leaders rather than the occupying Turkish
forces. Gordon served in the Clinton administration as Director for
European Affairs at the National Security Council. During the last
presidential campaign, he served as head of the Europe team in Obama’s
group of foreign policy advisers.

During his confirmation hearing by the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee at the end of March, Gordon was grilled by Sen. Robert
Menendez (D-N.J.) on his views on Armenian and Cypriot issues. Several
Senators pointed out that Gordon’s answers contradicted Pres. Obama’s
campaign promises. Little did the Senators know that a few weeks
later the President himself would not keep his word on these
issues! Sen. Menendez submitted over two dozen questions which were
to be answered by the nominee in writing after the hearing.

Sen. John Ensign (R-Nevada) wrote a scathing letter to Gordon
on April 7, expressing his dismay that the nominee, during his
confirmation hearing, had used the word "tragedy" to refer to the
Armenian Genocide. Sen. Ensign demanded to know if Gordon’s position
on the Armenian Genocide was consistent with those of Pres. Obama,
Vice President Biden, and Secretary of State Clinton all of whom, as
Senators and presidential candidates, had strongly acknowledged the
Armenian Genocide. Furthermore, referring to the early termination
of the career of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans for saying
Armenian Genocide, Sen. Ensign asked if Gordon would "discourage
Ambassadors or other Foreign Service personnel from using the term
‘Armenian Genocide.’" Sen. Ensign, not satisfied with Gordon’s
answers, surprised everyone by placing a hold on his nomination,
temporarily blocking his approval by the full Senate. However, just
as surprisingly, Sen. Ensign lifted his hold, paving the way for
Gordon’s Senate confirmation.

In the meantime, Gordon answered in writing all 28 questions sent
to him by Sen. Menendez, even though his responses were evasive and
non-responsive. Regardless of the nature of the question, he mindlessly
repeated the same answer over and over again, using just about every
word in the dictionary, except "Armenian Genocide," to describe the
mass killings of Armenians.

Only one of Gordon’s answers was particularly revealing, as he put
the blame for the Armenian Genocide on the "officials and soldiers of
the Ottoman Empire," thus inadvertently acknowledging that it was a
state sponsored genocide. Here is the verbatim text of that particular
exchange: Sen. Menendez: "Who was responsible for the death of over
1.5 million Armenians during WWI?"

Philip Gordon: "This administration, like those before it, does not
deny the facts — 1.5 million Armenians were murdered, starved, or
deported by civilian officials and soldiers of the Ottoman Empire,
some of whom were sentenced to death for committing these crimes. The
United States mourns this terrible chapter of history and recognizes
that it remains a source of pain for the people of Armenia and of
Armenian descent, and all those who believe in the dignity and value
of every human life."

Gordon also disclosed to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that
the Brookings had received a total of $700,000 from the following
Turkish sources 2006-2008: — $200,000 from the Turkish Industrialists
and Businessmen’s Association; — $190,000 from Sabanci University;
— $150,000 from the Eksiogullari Group (construction company); —
$100,000 from the Dogan Yayin Holding Company (media-entertainment
conglomerate); — $30,000 from Nurol Construction and Trading Company;
— $30,000 from Hedef-Alliance Holding (Pharmaceutical Company).

A large number of pro-Turkish officials, such as Philip Gordon, can be
found throughout the American government. Some of these Turkophiles
are leftovers from the cold war era. Others, motivated by personal
gain, serve in the government for a while, and then go to work at
Washington Think Tanks, some partially funded from Turkish sources,
or end up as lobbyists for Turkey.

Armenian-Americans will continue to face great resistance in their
lobbying efforts from pro-Turkish elements in Washington — regardless
of which party is in power and who is president — unless they can
expand their political influence beyond Congress into the Executive
Branch, Think Tanks and the media.

Amesbury News, MA
June 6 2009

In downtown Amesbury, new business is booming

By Pamela Canning
Fri Jun 05, 2009, 01:46 PM EDT

Amesbury, Mass. –

A period of reduced economic activity. That is the definition of
recession, which we are reminded of daily. But the country’s current
financial woes don’t appear to be scaring new businesses from opening
up in downtown Amesbury. Whether it’s jewelry, clothing or a coffee
shop, new ideas and new energy are becoming a reality in this eclectic
town.

Just ask Aram Zemanian of Zemanian Jewelers.

In January 2008, Zemanian moved his business from the Jewelers
Building in Boston to 40 Main St. in Amesbury. Asked why he chose
Amesbury, he responds with enthusiasm.

`I began thinking of the North Shore and started checking out
Amesbury, which is an up-and- coming town,’ he says. `The town is
simply beautiful.’

A grandson of two grandfathers who survived the Armenian Genocide,
his work ethic is simple.

`Honesty and trust is needed in my business. I do all of my work in
house and have built a work area enclosed in glass so that the
customer can see what I am doing,’ he says. `I understand that it
takes a while to build up trust.’

`Many of my Boston clients have followed me to Amesbury and they
enjoy coming here and walking around,’ he adds. `A playground is
needed in the town. I see many mothers walking with their children
and it would be nice to have a central place to meet.’

Another new business owner, Nancy White of Real Bodies ‘ Clothing from
Bali, started her business in 1998 in Milford, N.H., and moved it to
Amesbury in December 2008.

Real Bodies ‘ Clothing from Bali is just that: the designs are made
for a normal-sized women and they are made in Bali. White frequents
Bali at least once a year to check on her crew.

`We make all of our clothes and have even made fabrics when needed,’
White says.

`We batik many of our creations, and each image on our pieces
symbolizes something significant,’ she adds. (Batik is a fabric
design process using wax and dyes.)

`As soon as I drove into Amesbury I realized what an amazing town it
was,’ says White.

`Amesbury has really chosen me. I was told Amesbury was looking for a
women’s clothing shop and I was just drawn here,’ she continues.

White is a strong advocate for the Sustainable Business Network,
which emphasizes the importance of local businesses.

According to its Web site, `The Sustainable Business Network of
Greater Boston (SBN) is an organization of business leaders committed
to changing the way the world does business. SBN has 20 years of
experience in bringing business leaders together along with others
interested in topics such as business ethics, the multiple-stakeholder
model, and sustainable workplaces to share information and take
action. Today, we are building on that history in a new, intense
effort to make significant progress toward a sustainable world.’

White believes strongly that businesses cannot only survive but can
thrive collectively during this time.

`I stand by the motto, `Live Free or Die.’ Working together,
supporting each other in a collaborative way, is what I am all about,’
White says.

Deb Pagley, owner of the gift shop Park Place and also president of
the Amesbury Downtown Business Association, makes it very clear why
businesses are opening up in Amesbury.

`The owners of the buildings, being rented, are offering fair and
reasonable rents,’ she says. `I left Newburyport three years ago
because the rents became too high and it was clear I was being pushed
out.’

`Businesses also feel they are on the fringe of something big here in
Amesbury,’ Pagley adds. `We are a family and we are not being
smothered by chain stores.’

`We are also surrounded by people in key positions who care about our
town and want businesses to be successful,’ Pagley says.

Pagley, who is also involved in the Sustainable Business Network,
notes that if a consumer spends 10 percent of his or her annual total
budget in their hometown, the businesses will be able to sustain
themselves.

Stefanie McCowan, executive director of the Amesbury Chamber of
Commerce, is optimistic and sincere in her wanting the best for these
people she has come to admire.

`The positive vibe coming from the Chamber and the ADBA is also
fueled by the business owners. We all want the same thing ‘ success
for each other and our town,’ says McCowan.

Other new recent additions to the local business community include
Davis Jack’s Restaurant at 36 Main St., Plum Island Coffee Roasters at
32 R Elm St. Amesbury (and 54 R Merrimac St., Newburyport) and Trend
Setters Boutique at 85 Main St., opening the middle of June.

And the Trendsetter’s Boutique is opening on Main Street in the old
Bob’s Shoe storefront, according to Pagley. Grand opening will be
Saturday, June 27, with a `sneak peak’ June 25 and 26, from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. The shop will offer new and gently used clothing and
accessories, on consignment.

`Now that the Chamber and the ADBA are working closely together again,
there is a beautiful game of telephone going on. No one is left out of
the loop and everyone’s opinion is valued,’ McCowan says. `It’s
unfortunate that other cities and towns have trouble with this concept
as it clearly works.’

ARMENIA-IRAN TIES INTENSIFY DUE TO "TENSE" GEORGIAN-RUSSIAN TIES

168 Zham
May 23 2009
Armenia

Armenian-Iranian ties have recently intensified due to "tense"
relations between Russia and Georgia on the one hand and change of
the US administration on the other, an article in the pro-opposition
Armenian daily 168 Zham, authored by Robert Ghazinyan, has said.

The article said that the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, completed a year
ago, was put into operation in April 2009 due to "current extremely
tense" Georgian-Russian relations, which could lead to a situation
where Russia, Armenia’s main gas supplier, would stop gas supplies
via Georgia.

Ghazinyan said that commissioning of the planned Iran-Armenia railway
would help Russia solve two issues: it could now stop its gas supplies
to Georgia "at any moment" without having Armenia suffer great losses
and at the same time it would not lose Armenia as a gas consumption
market as gas supplies from Iran are still "very limited".

The article said that by offering recently to Armenia a preferential
loan for construction of the Iran-Armenia railway, the Iranian side
proved "how important Armenia is against the background of challenges
faced by Iran". Ghazinyan believes that with this railway Iran will
gain access to Europe through Armenia and will "finally acquire a
new strategic route".

Ghazinyan said that according to a few analysts, such intensification
in Iran’s policy in the region has to do with the change of the US
administration. The article cited the example of Iran’s intensification
in the region, noting that Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has
welcomed the Turkish-proposed Caucasus Stability and Security Platform,
saying that the platform will be incomplete without Iran. Ghazinyan
added that no "abrupt changes" are expected in Iran’s foreign policy
before the presidential election in June.

BAKU SLAVIC UNIVERSITY RECTOR: VISIT OF AZERBAIJANI INTELLECTUALS TO NAGORNO KARABAKH IS A POSITIVE EVENT

Today.Az
52901.html
June 5 2009
Azerbaijan

"I praise the visit of Azerbaijani intellectuals to Nagorno Karabakh
and Armenian intellectuals to Azerbaijan.

I believe this visit is important. Probably, these visits will be
effective, said rector of the Baku Slavic University Kamal Abdulla.

He also regarded Azerbaijan’s proposal about co-existence of
Azerbaijani and Armenian community in Nagorno Karabakh as a concession
to Armenia.

"The world community is ready to discussions at the round table with
Azerbaijani community of Nagorno Karabakh", added Abdulla.

He also noted that the next meeting of the Azerbaijani community of
Nagorno Karabakh will be held in one of the regions of Karabakh.

SEMINAR ON BUILDING UP INVESTOR RELATIONS TO KICK OFF IN YEREVAN ON JULY 17

ARKA
June 5, 2009

YEREVAN, June 5. /ARKA/. A seminar on building up investor relations
will take place in Yerevan on July 17, NASDAQ OMX Armenia Stock
Exchange reports.

The event aims at explaining to participants the importance of shrewd
business relations and with investors and sharing international
experience with local companies.

Specialists from the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) will introduce
participants to the requirements on information disclosure.

The organizers of the seminar are the USAID-based Partners for
Financial Stability program and East-West Management Institute,
a leading non-profit organization promoting market laws globally.

Leading offshore specialists will speak about various issues during
the seminar.

CONGRESS PRESSES OBAMA ON AFRICAN CONFLICTS

National Journal
02_8891.php
June 4 2009
DC

Despite Obama’s Campaign Pledges, Action Has Been Slow; Lawmakers
And Activists Are Pushing For Moreby David Herbert

President Obama promised to take a hard line on genocide and other
war crimes during the campaign, but since then he has been slow to
tackle some of Africa’s most intractable conflicts, leaving many
activists impatient and Congress calling for more action.

Most recently, lawmakers have focused on the two-decade-long insurgency
in northern Uganda, where the Lord’s Resistance Army has kidnapped and
conscripted thousands of children and displaced more than 2 million
people. Obama talked tough on such atrocities during the campaign
last fall, pledging to resolve the crisis in Darfur and recognize the
Armenian genocide. And sure enough, the administration features some
heavy hitters from the anti-genocide community, like Samantha Power,
author of A Problem from Hell: America in the Age of Genocide and
now an adviser on the National Security Council, and Ambassador to
the U.N. Susan Rice.

But in April, Obama avoided bringing up the Armenian genocide during
and after a trip to Turkey to avoid offending a key regional ally. With
a growing to-do list of other issues, Obama has been slow to act on
current crises as well, and some activists are tapping their fingers.

"They’re realizing that there aren’t easy answers, that there needs to
be bold action, and they haven’t taken it." — Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif.

"I think some of us are pretty antsy to have this administration get
their ducks in a row, and while you have these champions in government,
it may take time," said Julia Spiegel, a Uganda-based field researcher
for the Enough Project, an anti-genocide effort of the Center for
American Progress.

A bill introduced two weeks ago by Sens. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and
Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Reps. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., Brad Miller,
D-N.C., and Ed Royce, R-Calif., would require Obama to develop a
comprehensive strategy to end the brutal two-decade-long war in Uganda.

The U.S. has collaborated with Kampala to take out Lord’s Resistance
Army leader Joseph Kony before, with disappointing results. In
December, the U.S. Africa Command provided financial and logistical
support to the Ugandan army in a botched cross-border raid that
failed to catch Kony and indirectly led to the slaughter of hundreds
of Congolese villagers by retreating LRA fighters.

The Uganda bill is just the latest prod from Congress encouraging
Obama to take action on African conflicts.

Five representatives publicly chided the president in March for not
having appointed a special envoy on Sudan. A week later, Obama tapped
former Air Force Major Gen. Scott Gration for the post.

Despite the president’s perhaps understandable focus on other domestic
and international issues, Royce sees the reliance on Congress
for encouragement and leadership problematic. And at a time when
the administration doesn’t appear to have the appetite to pursue
aggressive solutions, the California Republican worries that Obama
is considering loosening sanctions on the Sudanese government as a
sign of good faith, something he considers a mistake.

"I noticed that candidate Obama was very critical of [George W.] Bush’s
Sudan policy," said Royce, who has been active in resolving conflicts
in Liberia and Sierra Leone. "Now they’re realizing that there aren’t
easy answers, that there needs to be bold action, and they haven’t
taken it."

Obama’s early moves on Darfur haven’t been a hit with activists either,
particularly the fact that there was no envoy yet in place when the
International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese
President Omar Al-Bashir in March. The military strongman expelled
13 aid organizations in retaliation, worsening the humanitarian
crisis. Jerry Fowler, president of the Save Darfur Coalition, said he
and others had unsuccessfully lobbied the administration for months
to appoint an envoy before the widely expected warrant was handed down.

Gration’s belated appointment also raised some eyebrows among activists
— the general had previously lobbied for the top job at NASA — and
they are anxious for the president to follow through on a campaign
pledge and present a plan to end the genocide in Darfur.

"There’s a critical need for the administration to articulate what
their strategy is on Sudan," Fowler said. "[For Obama,] just using
his voice would be of huge importance."

The Enough Project had hoped that Obama would mention Darfur in his
Cairo speech today, and he did, if fleetingly. Northern Sudan is
overwhelmingly Muslim, as is most of Darfur.

Regardless of complaints that the administration isn’t making these
conflicts a priority, there are signs that the administration and
Congress aren’t communicating well enough with African leaders. In
Uganda, many government and military officials were caught off guard
by the recent bill, which they learned about from belated local press
accounts, according to Angelo Izama, a Ugandan political reporter and
founder of a think tank on security issues in the Great Lakes region.

"It took everyone by surprise," he said. "If anything, it shows you
how removed some of this activism is from the players here."