Author: Jabejian Elizabeth

VTB BANK ARMENIA CLAIMS LEADERSHIP IN ARMENIAN INVESTMENT SERVICES MARKET

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.04.2010 14:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ VTB Bank (Armenia), being an active participant in
the securities market of Armenia, on February 19 , 2010 was granted
the status of an Agent in the market of medium and long term government
bonds of Armenia.

As Lusine Susanyan, head of treasury of VTB Bank (Armenia) told
PanARMENIAN.Net, if until recently the bank held a leading position in
terms of lending to financial institutions through repo transactions,
since last year solid steps have been taken to enhance the trading
of securities.

"First, we have restructured our own securities portfolio, which on
31 December 2009 amounted to about 7.2 billion AMD, 30 per cent more
than in 2008.

Currently, the bank’s strategy is aimed at entering the market of
investment services and its formation, " she said. In particular,
the bank plans to form a package of integrated services combining
both traditional banking services and investment.

In addition, according to the Treasury Chief of the bank, over the
last year a qualitative change in the provision of investment services
has been recorded, creating all prerequisites for the professional
securities market participants to enter the international market.

"VTB Group and its branch network in Armenia, VTB Bank (Armenia) plan
to take leading position in Armenian investment services market, Ms.

Susanyan said.

Investment department will be opened at the bank to introduce modern
technologies in development of new products, to ensure competitive
pricing, as well as to optimize the customer service.

According to Lusine Susanyan, within the last month the bank arranged
meetings with active participants of the financial market. The bank
concluded contracts for the provision of intermediary services in
the securities market with the majority of investment companies in
Armenia, and other financial institutions operating on the territory
of the country and abroad. "Last month also was marked by the first
transaction in frames of the Agent status," she said.

PRIME MINISTER OF SWEDEN WELCOMES RETURNING OF TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO THE COUNTRY

ArmInfo
2010-04-01 14:02:00

ArmInfo. Sweden’s Prime Minister on Wednesday welcomed the Turkish
ambassador’s return to Stockholm after being recalled to Anakara over
the Swedish parliament’s recognition of an Armenian "genocide."

Fredrik Reinfeldt "welcomes that she is coming back to Sweden. It’s
good that our diplomatic relations are (maintained)," the prime
minister’s spokeswoman Roberta Alenius told AFP."We had good relations
with Turkey and want this to continue," she added.

OSCE MISSION TO OBSERVE BORDER CLOSE TO BERKABER VILLAGE

Aysor
March 31 2010
Armenia

Today, March 31, the OSCE mission is planning a regular scheduled
observation at Armenia-Azerbaijan border close to Berkaber village
of Ijevan region of Tavush province of Armenia.

The Nagorno-Karabakh (armed) conflict broke out back in 1991, when,
subsequent to the demand for self-determination of the Nagorno-Karabakh
people, Azerbaijani authorities attempted to resolve the issue
through ethnic cleansings, carried out by Soviet security forces
(KGB special units) under the pretext of the implementation of the
passport regime and by launching of large-scale military operations,
which left thousands dead and caused considerable material damage. A
cease-fire agreement was established in 1994.

Negotiations on the settlement of the conflict are being conducted
under the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen (Russia,
USA, France) and on the basis of their Madrid proposals, presented
in November, 2007.

Azerbaijan has not yet implemented the 4 resolutions of the UN
Security Council adopted in 1993, by continuing to provoke arms race
in the region and openly violating on of the basic principles of the
international law non-use of force or threat of force.

YURI MERZLYAKOV: "THE SIDES HAVE REACHED A COMMON AGREEMENT ON THE MADRID PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT FOR FOUR POINTS"

APA
March 29 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku. Lachin Sultanova – APA. "The Armenian side does not agree with
some points of the updated Madrid principles", Russia’s co-chair
of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov told in his interview to
journalists in Khankendi, APA reports quoting Armenian press.

To him, at the moment suggestions made by the co-chairs are discussed:
"The Armenian side has already expressed its disagreement on some
points. However, we do not exacerbate the situation, as a couple
of years ago the same situation emerged in respect of the Madrid
principles, which Armenia has, but Azerbaijan refused to accept them,
and we worked a long time to reach an agreed outcome" .

To co-chair, the sides reached a common agreement on the Madrid
principles, except for four points. He also said that this was his last
visit to the region as co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group. He said he would
be appointed to a new post, and he didn’t know who would replace him.

US Fed News
March 28, 2010 Sunday 7:10 AM EST

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND PROVIDENCE CAMPUS TO COMMEMORATE ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE, APRIL 1-30

PROVIDENCE, R.I., March 26 — The University of Rhode Island issued
the following news release:

The University of Rhode Island Feinstein Providence Campus has invited
Gallery Z Director Berge Ara Zobian, an Armenian who lives in
Providence, R.I., to curate a historically and artistically important
show: The Armenian Genocide – 95 Years Later, In Remembrance.

The exhibit includes original art works by more than 40 artists and
100 school children along with photographs, posters and artifacts from
ALMA Armenian Library Museum of America and, Armenian Genocide Museum
Institute of Armenia and private collections.

Today, the horrors of the Armenian Genocide are commemorated annually
on April 24th, the date in 1915 when the terrible intentions of the
Turkish government for the Armenians first came to light. On that
date, over one and one half million Armenians perished in the Armenian
Genocide, the first genocide of the 20th century. Committed by the
political party of the Ottoman Empire commonly known as the Young
Turks, the killings and abuse occurred during World War I from
1915-1918 before being continued from 1920-1923.

The Turkish government had grown increasingly suspicious of the
minority Armenian population whom they feared had become too powerful
and nationalistic, and they therefore planned a deportation and
extermination program disguised as a resettlement plan. The deported
Armenians suffered massacres, starvation, disease, torture, and
confiscation of all their possessions. The few that survived became
refugees in neighboring countries.

The exhibit includes works by the following artists. Adrienne Der
Marderosian, Armen Garo, Arpi Dadoyan, Astrid, Berge Ara Zobian, Beth
Ferreira, Carol Scavotto, Chris Gasparian, Chris Murphy, Cynthia
Motian McGuirl, David Ayirian, Medina Topalian, Emma Grigoryan, Greg
Chopoorian, Hagop B.Aprahamian, Hrair B. Aprahamian, Ian Mohon, Jason
Roberts, John Avakian, Judith Ferrara, Julian Penrose, Kevork Mourad*,
Lara B., Lidya Tchakerian, Marsha Nouritza Odabashian, Nilton Cadenas,
Norma Papazian Akkelian, Daniel Varoujan Hejinian, HAWK, Sevan
Naccachian, Nareg Haroutunian, Simon Samsonian (b.1915 d.2003), Sirapi
Heghinian Waltzer, Sossy Narcessian, Stephen Koharian, Sylva Portoian,
Taylor Manter, Yevkeen, Varky, Tigran Tsitoghdzyan, Alexander
Grigorian, Dorothy Abram, Larry Sykes. Plus over 100 childrens art
ages ranging from 6-16 and, Genocide artifacts, books and displays
from ALMA Armenian Library Museum of America and, Armenian Genocide
Museum Institute of Armenia and, private collections.

A vibrant community of Armenian citizen’s settled in the Rhode Island
area. Berge Zobian and Steven Pennell, coordinator of Urban Arts and
Culture at the URI Feinstein Providence Campus have planned to this
exhibit to celebrate Rhode Island’s Armenian Community by sharing
various aspects of Armenian culture and history. The exhibit includes
artwork, artifacts, posters, objects and photographs that illustrate
home life, community life, religious and political life to provide a
comprehensive representation of the Armenian Genocide and to show the
dynamic community that settled in this region and the contributions
they have made to the greater community.

For more information, please visit armeniangenocide95years, contact
Steven Pennell, [email protected], 401-277-5206.

Hours M-TH 9-9, F 9-4, (closed Saturday & Sunday)

Call 277-5206 for more information.

URI Providence Campus Gallery is located in the 1st and 2nd floor
lobbies, 80 Washington St. Providence RI 02903.

Armenia’s 6th National Music Awards Showcase Best of 2009

14:26 – 27.03.10

Armenia’s best musicians in 2009 have now become known. Yesterday, the
6th national music awards ceremony distributed 23 awards, 11 of which
were special awards.

Aram Merangulyan’s ensemble, Erna Yuzbashyan, and kanon-player (a
kanon is an Armenian national string instrument) Hasmik Leyloyan
received special awards.

The 2009 Hit of the Year was awarded to the band Reincarnation for
their song `Eli Lava’ (`It’s still okay’). Best Video of the Year was
awarded to Davit Sahakyan, Best Rock Group was Dorians, Best Pop Album
went to the Arshukayan sisters, Inga and Anoush, for their first album
`We and Our Mountains.’

Best Male Singer of the Year went to Razmik Amyan, while Best Female
Singer was awarded to Lilit Hovhannisyan.

Tert.am

TURKISH AMBASSADOR RETURNS TO SWEDEN

Arminfo
2010-03-25 13:34:00

ArmInfo. Ambassador Zergun Koruturk will "again take up her job
this week or early next week at the latest", Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu told Turkish television channel CNN-Turk.

The Swedish parliament on March 11th recognised the massacres of
Armenians and other ethnic groups during World War I as genocide,
immediately sparking a diplomatic row with Turkey and prompting Ankara
to call back its ambassador.

The Swedish government had opposed the resolution.

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt apologised to Ankara,
a move which his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan called
"very positive".

Foreign Minister Carl Bildt also said that the position of his
government, which supports Turkey’s entry into the European Union,
"remains unchanged".

"We think it is a mistake to politicize history," Bildt wrote on
his blog.

"Unfortunately the decision of the parliament will not facilitate the
process of normalisation between Turkey and Armenia, nor the work of
a commission which should investigate the events of 1915," he added.

Davutoglu on Wednesday welcomed Stockholm’s position and called the
vote "absurd".

A US Congress panel had branded the World War I massacre of Armenians
as genocide a week before the Swedish vote, sparking a diplomatic row,
with Turkey also recalling its ambassador from Washington.

Davutoglu said he was wary of sending the Turkish ambassador back to
Washington as the two cases were different.

"The Swedes clearly apologised," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Turkish Foreign Minister said Ankara is not
going to send its ambassador back to Washington yet.

CULTURE AND TOURISM MINISTRY OF TURKEY WILL ALLOW WORSHIP AT A CHURCH IN VAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.03.2010 16:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Culture and Tourism Ministry of Turkey will
allow worship once a year at a church in Van, according to a statement
released Thursday.

The historical Surb Khach (Holy Cross) Church on Akdamar Island in
the eastern district of Van was renovated and opened as a museum
in 2007 by former Culture Minister Atilla Koc. Since then, debate
has centered on whether the church would once again be opened for
prayer. Buildings designated as museums are not allowed to host
religious services under Turkish law.

In an interview with the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review in
January, Culture Minister Ertugrul Gunay said the ministry was making
the final legal arrangements to allow the church to open for prayer
once a year.

Surb Khach Church remains a topic of considerable debate especially
around speculation surrounding whether a cross would be set atop the
church. The decision on the cross is still pending, Hurriyet Daily
News reported.

SCHIFF AND HACHIKIAN TO HEADLINE LIVE ANCA TELE-TOWNHALL ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

armradio.am
25.03.2010 17:48

Congressional Armenian Genocide Resolution author Adam Schiff (D-CA)
will join ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian for a nationally televised
Townhall meeting on Sunday March 28th to discuss ongoing efforts to
secure the adoption of this genocide-prevention measure by the full
U.S. House of Representatives.

"As a grassroots group devoted to empowering our community, we are
truly excited to offer this opportunity for Armenian Americans to take
part in this Sunday’s live, televised townhall meeting on the Armenian
Genocide Resolution," said ANC-WR Chairwoman Aida Dimejian. "We
especially look forward to hearing Representatives Schiff and Sherman
discuss their efforts to pass this legislation and to answering the
questions submitted online by viewers across the United States."

Introduced in March of 2009 by lead sponsors Adam Schiff and George
Radanovich (R-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-chairs Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), H.Res.252 currently has 141
cosponsors. A parallel Senate measure, spearheaded by Senators Bob
Menendez (D- NJ) and John Ensign (R-NV), has 14 cosponsors.

The Armenian Genocide resolution calls upon the President to ensure
that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate
understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human
rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States
record relating to the Armenian Genocide.

CSTO: MOSCOW-LED SECURITY GROUP HARBORS ASPIRATIONS OF GOING GLOBAL
Sergei Blagov

Eurasianet

3/24/10

Russian officials want to establish a global presence for the
Collective Security Treaty Organization in the wake of the signing of
a cooperation pact between the Moscow-led group and the United Nations.

The UN-CSTO pact was signed in Moscow on March 18 by UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Nikolai Bordyuzha, the CSTO’s
secretary general.

A joint declaration issued in Moscow suggested the CSTO could
become involved in UN operations covering "conflict prevention and
conflict resolution, [as well as] combating terrorism, trans-national
criminality [and] illegal arms trafficking." Cooperation would take
into account "the respective spheres of competence and the procedures
of either organization," the joint declaration added.

Bordyuzha portrayed the pact as the UN’s "recognition of our
organization’s authority and its ability to contribute to safeguarding
global security." Russian officials have long expressed interest in
raising the CSTO’s international profile. Bordyuzha, accordingly,
indicated that CSTO forces could participate in UN missions in
different parts of the globe in the not too distant future. The
CSTO comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Russia and Uzbekistan.

Any CSTO force deployed under UN auspices would likely be drawn from
the organization’s rapid deployment forces (KSBR), which currently
comprises 10 battalions (five from Russia, two each from Kazakhstan and
Tajikistan and one from Kyrgyzstan). The KSBR is due to be replaced
soon by the Russian-led Rapid Reaction Force (KSOR). [For background
see the Eurasia Insight archive].

The UN cooperation pact marks a potential watershed in the
CSTO’s long-standing quest to bolster its legitimacy as a security
organization. Russian officials are especially eager for the CSTO to
be seen as NATO’s equal. Since the CSTO’s inception in 2002, NATO
has kept the Moscow-led group at arm’s length. Russian officials,
including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, have been increasingly
vociferous in complaining about NATO’s stance, accusing the Atlantic
Alliance of maintaining "ideological" stereotypes.

While the UN cooperation pact may make it more difficult for NATO
to avoid engagement, alliance officials in Brussels remain plainly
reluctant to work with the CSTO in any meaningful way. On February
22, Bordyuzha voiced hope that the CSTO could cooperate with NATO on
combating narcotics trafficking out of Afghanistan. NATO officials
have not publicly responded to the CSTO proposal, but Bordyuzha still
suggested that joint cooperation remained a possibility.

With or without NATO’s cooperation, Russia appears intent on getting
involved in anti-trafficking efforts concerning Afghanistan. During a
meeting in Moscow on March 16 between Russian Deputy Foreign Minister
Alexei Borodavkin and visiting Afghan security officials, both sides
stated that the CSTO could play a role in containing the trafficking
problem. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Editor’s Note: Sergei Blagov is a Moscow-based specialist in CIS
political affairs.