Author: Harutyunian Christine

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PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, April 9, 2009

YP Northern California Winter Gala Weekend Attracts Hundreds, Raises
$6,000 for American University in Armenia Scholarships

San Francisco – Over 200 Armenian Young Professionals from around the
globe gathered in San Francisco, California for the 10th Winter Gala
Getaway Weekend on February 20, 2009. The annual affair, organized by
AGBU Young Professionals of Northern California (AGBU-YPNC), raised
$6,000 for scholarships at the AGBU-funded American University of
Armenia (AUA), an American-accredited university.

The Winter Gala is an opportunity for friends, new and old, to network
with fellow professionals of Armenian descent in a friendly social
setting. The weekend began at Cossu, a San Francisco hotspot, where DJ
Raffy spun his international beats all night long.

On Saturday, guests took advantage of the unusually sunny and warm
weather to plan city tours, visit landmarks and shop in Union Square.

After a day of relaxation and exploration, guests traveled to the
city’s SOMA district for the Gala Evening at San Francisco’s 111 Minna
Art Gallery against a backdrop of breathtaking skyline and Minna’s
edgy, contemporary artwork. Rev. Father Nercess Balabanyan of the
Armenian Calvary Church gave a heartfelt blessing, followed by a warm
welcome from Gala Chairpersons Steven Cherezian and Arsineh Ghazarian.

"The Winter Gala is, hands down, the most incredible Armenian event I
have ever attended," Ghazarian said. "It brings Armenians from around
the world together for an amazing weekend and unites them under a
shared purpose — support of an Armenian cause."

On behalf of the AGBU Central Board of Directors, AGBU YP Liaison Kim
Yacoubian from New York presented a special award to the AGBU Young
Professionals of Northern California Chairwoman Emily Kluczynski and
former Chairman Edward Minasian to mark the group’s 10-year
anniversary and a decade of extraordinary service to the Armenian
community and to AGBU. As one of AGBU’s first YP Groups established in
1998, AGBU YP Northern California has matured into a formidable
presence serving the YP community in the Bay area as well as the AGBU
family.

Back by popular request, Khatchig Jingirian and his band provided the
musical entertainment for the evening and the party continued with a
post-dance event at the world-renowned nightclub Ruby Skye. Weekend
festivities officially concluded with a private brunch at Rouge and
Blanc Wine Bar, which was catered by the chef at the neighboring Café
De La Presse.

"There is real joy in bringing Armenians together in our gorgeous city
for a really great cause," exclaimed Gala committee member, Alison
Ekizian. "It’s exciting to draw our community together and twice as
rewarding to do it in the spirit of philanthropy."

The AGBU-YPNC chose the AUA as this year’s recipient for their annual
philanthropy. The funds will go towards providing scholarships for
outstanding AUA students. "Education is one of the best ways we can
give back to Armenia," says AGBU-YPNC Chair Emily Kluczynski. "Helping
the students of today helps the Armenia of tomorrow."

The AGBU Young Professionals of Northern California are committed to
preserving and promoting the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. For more information
on YPNC, please email [email protected], or visit

For more information about the AGBU YP Network, please visit
or AGBU’s flagship website

HAYASTAN FUND PROJECT TO PROVIDE POTABLE WATER TO THREE MORE VILLAGES IN HADRUT

LRAGIR.AM
18:54:30 – 07/04/2009

The Hayastan All Armenian Fund has begun construction of a major
water-supply project in Artsakh’s Hadrut Region. Co-sponsored by
the fund’s French affiliate and the government of Nagorno Karabakh,
the initiative will provide potable-water service to three villages:
Metz Taghlar, Azokh, and Drakhtik.

Slated to be completed by the end of 2009, the project includes
water-intake and treatment facilities, which will be built on the shore
of the Ishkhanaget River, as well as a 22-kilometer water pipeline. In
addition, each of the three villages will have a reservoir and an
internal distribution network.

Metz Taghlar, Azokh, and Drakhtik – which are home to some 2,750
residents – are located on the highlands of Hadrut, one of Artsakh’s
most mountainous regions. Residents of the three villages agree
unanimously that the future vibrancy of their communities depends on
a permanent solution to the water issue. That solution is now close at
hand, thanks to the project launched by the Hayastan All Armenian Fund.

BARACK OBAMA: OPEN BORDER WOULD RETURN THE TURKISH AND ARMENIAN PEOPLE TO A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS COEXISTENCE THAT WOULD SERVE BOTH NATIONS

ArmInfo
2009-04-07 11:13:00

ArmInfo.’We have already seen historic and courageous steps taken by
Turkish and Armenian leaders. These contacts hold out the promise
of a new day. An open border would return the Turkish and Armenian
people to a peaceful and prosperous coexistence that would serve both
of your nations. That is why the United States strongly supports
the full normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia’,
US President Barack Obama declared at Turkish Parliament Monday.

‘Human endeavor is by its nature imperfect. History, unresolved,
can be a heavy weight. Each country must work through its past. And
reckoning with the past can help us seize a better future. I know
there are strong views in this chamber about the terrible events of
1915. While there has been a good deal of commentary about my views,
this is really about how the Turkish and Armenian people deal with the
past. And the best way forward for the Turkish and Armenian people
is a process that works through the past in a way that is honest,
open and constructive’, President Obama said.

He also added that it speaks to Turkey’s leadership that it is poised
to be the only country in the region to have normal and peaceful
relations with all the South Caucusus nations. ‘And to advance that
peace, you can play a constructive role in helping to resolve the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which has continued for far too long’,
Barack Obama declared.

REALITY HITS OBAMA EXPRESS
By Mike Allen

Politico.com
tories/0409/20977.html
April 7 2009

President Barack Obama, after a lightning-quick start for his agenda
on Capitol Hill, is bracing for a much slower pace and big changes
in his proposals as early urgency and excitement give way to the more
languid rhythms that are the norm for Congress.

Officials are most pessimistic about his energy and global warming
plan, with many aides doubting he will win passage of a cap-and-trade
emissions reduction system, which is strongly opposed by business
and Republicans.

The White House is most optimistic for passage this year of his plans
to overhaul the nation’s financial regulations, and aides also see
a strong chance that a gradual version of his health care overhaul
will get through Congress this fall.

Congressional and administration aides agree that none of his three
biggest agenda items is likely to achieve final passage before
this fall.

The officials said none of this is catching them by surprise: Obama
knew Congress has limited bandwidth, and he simply wanted to get
the wheels of government turning on every big issue this year. A big
part of their communication strategy will now focus on highlighting
incremental progress on the Obama agenda, to show people Washington
is working again.

The White House’s handicapping for three centerpiece proposals:
Financial-services reform has "a very good chance." Health care "has
a lot of momentum behind it." And energy "got off to a great start"
with the introduction last week of a model bill by House Energy and
Commerce Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.).

That’s a best-case scenario. Obama aides admit they don’t yet know
the answer to one of the big questions of his first year: Can Capitol
Hill swallow an agenda of this cost and heft, at a time when the
country is suffering a catastrophic economic slowdown?

"There’s no question: It’s a lot," said one administration
official. "But he’s made the point that you’ve got to at least try
to do this — and do as much as you can, now — because it’s all
interrelated and all helps the economy."

The new pace is a big change. Obama had signed twice as many bills as
his two most recent predecessors by the time he addressed Congress for
the first time, with progress being greased by his huge popularity, the
large Democratic majorities and the impetus of a crushing recession.

"I felt like we were at the hoop every day," said a top White House
official.

Now Congress will begin tackling his legislation with the usual glacial
work of subcommittees and committees, trying to solve three supremely
complex policy puzzles all at once.

The administration’s new realism is reflected in aides’ assessment of
the budgets passed by the House and Senate, which did not specifically
embrace some Obama priorities but left room to maneuver.

"It makes it possible to do things," a West Wing official said. "It
doesn’t mean we’ll get it. But we’re in the game."

Administration officials are very anxious to continue showing progress,
since Obama was elected to bring change. So they now plan to focus
on incremental victories, calling attention to committee action
on health care and energy so that the public can see the wheels of
government turning –real change at a time when so many Americans
are disillusioned by gridlock.

The White House also will trumpet smaller bills like a reform of the
government procurement process.

Obama is likely to hold major signing ceremonies for more modest
measures such as ones governing national service and tobacco. They’re
not the whole enchilada. But the White House views them as an
encouraging appetizer.

And House Democrats plan to mix in several measures to protect
consumers, including limitations on pay-day lenders and more
protections for credit cardholders.

Congressional officials say the legislative grind will help "buy
time" for the economy to recover, before the public loses patience
with Obama.

"You need credibility with the public that we get it, and we do:
It’s going to take some time," one official said. "Even though we
think that the stuff we have passed and put in place is going to work,
it’s not going to work right away, and the jobs are not going to come
back right away. That’s just the reality."

Obama officials realize that reform of the nation’s regulation of
banks and other financial institutions — the measure most certain
to pass — isn’t a particularly sexy accomplishment.

But Democrats will style it as "looking out for the consumer and
helping the little guy," one aide said. "We have to put some rules
in the road on these financial companies and try to help the middle
class and the consumers."

On health care, Obama aides are cheered by the plan in the House to
have three committees produce one bill, a more streamlined process
than was used under President Bill Clinton in 1993, when the process
famously flamed out.

So here’s the administration’s dream timetable: By the August recess,
House and Senate committees will have sent health care bills to
the floor and Waxman’s House committee will have reported out a
comprehensive energy bill.

Officials are just aiming for "substantial progress" on financial
regulations.

"I don’t know if that gets off the House and Senate floor by August,"
an aide said. "But it’ll be done this year. I just don’t know that
everything can be done in those 13 [legislative work] weeks."

One of Obama’s top aides projected the coolness that his boss was
famous for on the campaign trail.

"I try not to get optimistic or pessimistic," the official said. "I
just try to look at it as: Are we making progress? And I just
continually see progress."

After a couple of death-defying months, "no-drama Obama" tackles the
Capitol Hill slog.

National Public Radio (NPR)
SHOW: All Things Considered 8:00 PM EST NPR
April 3, 2009 Friday

Turkey Optimistic About Obama Despite Hurdles

MICHELE NORRIS, host:

President Obama will visit Turkey on Monday. And so, today, we look
ahead to the political landscape that awaits him.

Asli Aydintasbas is a Turkish journalist and a former Ankara bureau
chief for the newspaper Sabah. She joins us on the phone from
Istanbul. Welcome to the program.

Ms. ASLI AYDINTASBAS (Journalist, Istanbul): Hi, Michele, happy to be
there.

NORRIS: How has Turkey been hit in the current economic downturn?

Ms. AYDINTASBAS: We’ve been hit just like everybody else. But I
wouldn’t say we’d been hit really badly. People blame America for
other things here, but economy is not really one. We had a horrible
recession in 2001, much like the Wall Street crash that you feel this
year in the States. So, all the measures that are being implemented
now in the States and on Wall Street, that, we did in 2001. So, thanks
to that, our banking system seem to be better off than most of their
counterparts in most Western countries.

NORRIS: So it all seems relative. The president might not be engaged
in the kind of blame game that he faced in visiting some of the other
European nations, where people seem to express a certain amount of
anger at the U.S. for perhaps causing this global mess.

Ms. AYDINTASBAS: We typically do the blame game here amongst each
other.

(Soundbite of laughter)

Ms. AYDINTASBAS: So there is enough blame going around here. But I
think the fact that the banking system, the financial system is
looking okay right now is a great relief, of course.

NORRIS: The relationship between these two countries has been somewhat
tense in recent years. Where have things gone wrong? And what does
President Obama need to do to try to improve that relationship?

Ms. AYDINTASBAS: Well, that’s right. I mean Turkey is a close
U.S. ally. But if you look at figures, anti-Americanism has been
really high here over the last five years. It’s actually a great
paradox.

President Clinton used to be a very popular guy here, especially when
he visited Turkey after devastating earthquake here. And what happened
with the Bush administration – Bush presidency – was, of course, the
Iraq War. And Turks were overwhelmingly, overwhelmingly opposed to the
Iraq War. So you had this entirely toxic environment within a few
years after President Bush came to power and anti-Americanism was
really high.

Now, there’s a real window of opportunity, I would say, because Turks
watched very closely President Obama’s election process, and he’s been
a popular guy here, just like Clinton was, if not more. I mean I could
tell you anecdotes, like tribal chieftain in southeastern Turkey has
sacrificed even 44 sheep in honor of Obama being elected the 44th
president of United States. So that’s how popular he is.

NORRIS: Asli, there’s one issue that could play a bigger role here
than any other: Armenia, and whether or not President Obama might
throw his weight behind a congressional effort in this country to
recognize the deaths of thousands of Armenians in 1915 as a
genocide. What are the pitfalls for this president on that question?

Ms. AYDINTASBAS: It’s really a hot-button issue in the relationship,
and certainly I think something that makes people at the State
Department who work on Turkey to lose sleep these days. If President
Obama delivers on his campaign promise to recognize it as a genocide,
I think, there would certainly be quite a bit of backlash in Turkish
public opinion. Because don’t forget, here in Turkey, people are
brought up going through the educational system thinking this is not a
genocide and that it was a civil war, and there had been killings on
both sides.

So at least for about six, seven months, I would say it would
significantly strain the relationship and maybe make it more difficult
for Turkey and United States to cooperate on Iraq on a number of
issues.

NORRIS: Asli Aydintasbas, thank you very much.

Ms. AYDINTASBAS: Thank you.

NORRIS: Asli Aydintasbas is a Turkish journalist. She’s also the
former Ankara bureau chief for the newspaper Sabah.

CHARLES AZNAVOURS: `AS SOON AS OBAMA RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE,
TURKEY SHOULD FOLLOW HIM’

11:47 04/04/2009
Source: Panorama.am

`The Unites States of America has not yet recognized Armenian Genocide
but 35 other countries have done it,’ said famous Armenian chansonnier
Charles Aznavours. `Currently we are looking forward to hear the
U.S. President Barack Obama to recognize Amrenian Genocide. I think
that as soon as America does it Turkey should follow that country,’
said Aznavours.

ARMENIA PM MEETS KINGDOM OF SWEDEN STATE SECRETARY FOR TRADE

armradio.am
03.04.2009 11:28

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received a delegation headed by
Kingdom of Sweden State Secretary for Trade Gunnar Wislander.

Appreciative of recently activated bilateral contacts, the Prime
Minister of Armenia expressed hope that this visit of the State
Secretary-led delegation will boost economic and political exchanges
between the two countries.

Tigran Sargsyan said to be informed on those cooperation-friendly
meetings and discussions the Swedish delegation has had with Armenian
public and private sector representatives under the visit program. The
Prime Minister underscored Armenia’s readiness to develop the
Armenian-Swedish interaction in both bilateral and EU-Armenia formats.

In presenting our country’s development possibilities and programs
amidst a quickly evolving world, the Prime Minister said to be
convinced that once supported by the European Union and other
partners, Armenia will be able to overcome not only those temporary
hardships coming from the global crisis, but also any eventual
long-term challenges ahead. In particular, the Prime Minister cited
Armenia’s adherence to the GSP+ system as of January 1, 2009 as a
landmark achievement in the history of EU-Armenia cooperation as this
implies considerably lower duties on EU-bound Armenian exports. In
this respect, the Prime Minister evoked his government’s drive for
ensuring that as many Armenian producers as possible might benefit
from this opportunity.

With reference to bilateral economic ties, Tigran Sargsyan highlighted
the ongoing cooperation with the OMX which as effective since January,
2008 when the OMX was entrusted with the management of Armenia’s
Stock Market and Central Depository is seen as the key to Armenia’s
aspiration for becoming a regional financial center. Tigran Sargsyan
said to be hopeful that the successful record of a mutually beneficial
cooperation with the OMX will encourage other Swedish investors to
invest in our country.

Gunnar Wislander said to be convinced that while developing
successfully, the Armenian-Swedish cooperation, both bilateral and
in the EU-Armenia format, offers far more development opportunities
than what is used currently. Welcoming the Armenian government’s
growth-targeting ambitious programs and undertakings, the Swedish
State Secretary assured of his country’s readiness to possibly assist
Armenia with its efforts.

ARMENIA LAUNCHES ORBITAL RECEIVING STATION

armradio.am
01.04.2009 18:06

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan, accompanied by the
Ministers of Defense, Economy and Emergency Situations, the Chairman of
the State Committee of the Real Estate Cadastre, the Chairman of the
National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defense, National Security
and Internal Affairs, visited the Center of Geodesy and Cartography
of the State Committee on Real-Estate Cadastre to participate in the
launching of an orbital receiving station. The Prime minister walked
about the center, familiarized with the working conditions and talked
to the employees.

The creation of the orbital station is to receive exact data about
Armenia’s territory with the application of space technologies. The
station provides an opportunity to make use of the opportunities
of artificial satellites in the near-earth orbit and explore
the Earth. The data will be used for solving issues of geodesy,
cartography, as well as security and economic issues.

TURKISH DIPLOMATS CALL ON CONGRESS NOT TO PASS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.04.2009 13:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 154 Turkish diplomats sent a letter to U.S. Congress
calling not to pass the Armenian Genocide resolution.

A number of facts on 1915 events from various archives were presented
in the letter.

"We call for detailed study of the issue and warn that adoption of the
resolution will damage the Turkish-American relations," the diplomats
said, Sabah reports.

CENTRAL BANK: INFLATION RATE IN ARMENIA TO RANGE FROM 1,5% TO 2% IN MARCH

ARKA
March 31, 2009

YEREVAN, March 31. /ARKA/. Vache Gabrielyan, chairman of the Central
Bank of Armenia, expects inflation rate in Armenia to range from 1,5%
to 2% in March.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, he said he expected some
inflation pressure.

It means that interest rates are unlikely to go down.

On March 3, the Central Bank’s board drove interest rate 1.0 percentage
points up – to 7.75%.

As a whole, Gabrielyan doesn’t rule out decrease in interest rates
this year and connects things with inflation pressure.