Author: Jagharian Tania

HAK: KOCHARYAN’S 4 BILLION TO KARABAKH

os17003.html
10:52:20 – 02/03/2010

The Armenian National Congress issued a statement which in particular
runs that recently, the Russian Versia and Vek news portals have
released reports on the property of current and former Armenian
officials. According to them, these people gathered their property
of several millions through abuse of their position because they
had nothing in common with business. The sources of the richness
are noted to be drug-business, trafficking, money laundering,
international terrorism.

According to the statement, the HAK has repeatedly said that by October
27, 1999, in Armenia, a corrupt predatory system was established, which
is a cynical denial of the dignity of people and a blatant challenge
to all the people. Under the published lists of marauders hid hundreds
of murders, broken destinies, the roots of emigration, demographic and
social problems. The motives for the crime of March 1, the threat of
the collapse of the Armenian state and the future of Nagorno-Karabakh,
the renunciation of the genocide are to be looked for in this list.

Here are the names of those people: Robert Kocharyan, Serge Sargsyan,
Hovik Abrahamyan, Tigran Sargsyan, Yervand Zakharyan, Sashik Sargsyan,
Grisha Harutyunyan, Arthur Baghdasaryan, Armen Gevrogyan, David
Harutyunyan, Vardan Ayvazyan, Gagik Khachatryan, Suren Khachatryan,
Harutyun Pambukyan, Alexan Harutyunyan Bagrat Sargsyan, Andranik
Manukyan.

The Armenian National Congress raises the question why the Armenian law
enforcement bodies did not respond to these publications containing
references to the commission of the crime. None of the officials
mentioned in the list responded. What would be the solution of the
Karabakh problem, if only some part of the 4 billion looted by Robert
Kocharyan was aimed at the settlement of Karabakh issue?

Congress proposes to establish, by the example of the fact-finding
group, a joint commission of representatives of government and
the opposition to test the facts disclosed in the aforementioned
publications.

TURKISH MFA: CONGRESSMEN SHOULD REJECT RESOLUTION CAPABLE TO HURT TURKISH-U.S. RELATIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.03.2010 11:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey expects the Foreign Relations Committee of
the United States House of Representatives to reject the Armenian
Genocide resolution, H.Res.252, which can "hurt Turkish-U.S. relations
and harm efforts to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia".

"Adoption of such a resolution would be a blow to not only
Turkish-U.S. relations but also efforts to facilitate peace and
stability in the Southern Caucasus," said Burak Ozugergin, spokesman
for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

"We want to believe that members of the Foreign Relations Committee
of the U.S. House of Representatives will act with a sense of
responsibility," he said, Turkish Press reported.

The Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res. 106) was submitted to the
House of Representatives by Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), on
January 30, 2007, during the 110th United States Congress. It was
a non-binding resolution calling upon the US 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, and for other purposes. Upon
its introduction it was referred to United States House Committee
on Foreign Affairs where it passed a 27-21 vote and was sent back
for a full house vote. On October 26, 2007, in a letter addressed
to the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, four key sponsors of the bill,
requested a debate on the bill in full House to be postponed.

Another resolution affirming the U.S. record on the Armenian
Genocide (H.Res.252) was formally introduced in the U.S. House of
Representatives by Reps. Adam Schiff (D.-CA), George Radanovich
(R.-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D.-NJ), and Mark Kirk (R.-Ill) in 2009.

It currently has 137 co-sponsors.

HACKERS FROM BAKU ATTACK XOCALI.NET

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.03.2010 13:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Xocali.net website, containing archive of documents
on Khojaly events, was hacked early on March 2. When the site
administrators started investigating who is attacking their network,
they detected Baku’s IP-address 81.17.90.144 of the Bakinternet
Network.

Xocali.net aiming to reveal the lies and false interpretations by the
Azeri media and various propaganda organizations has been subjected
to attacks since the very first day of its presentation. Attacks
intensified after the media reports openly called to hack Xocali.net.

In addition, spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Elkhan
Polukhov called on the population "to involve in different social
networks on Internet to resist Armenians."

"Regardless of all these attacks, the truth about Khojaly and other
information about Azerbaijan’s falsifications will be spread through
all available resources," Xenophobia Prevention Initiative said in
a statement.

CONTROVERSIAL ’60 MINUTES’ AIRS AHEAD OF MARCH 4 VOTE

Hurriyet
php?n=controversial-821760-minutes-ahead-of-march- 4th-vote-2010-03-01
March 1 2010
Turkey

Turkish associations are protesting a private U.S. television channel
after it broadcast a program Sunday night discussing the tragic events
of 1915.

The "Battle over History" segment aired on CBS and was presented
by "60 Minutes" correspondent Bob Simon. Simon acknowledged at
the beginning of the segment that there is an Armenian "genocide"
resolution currently moving through both sides of the U.S. Congress.

The segment was partly shot in Dey-el-Zor, in Syria, and according
to Peter Balakian, who was the most featured scholar on the program,
the place is a cemetery, where 450,000 Armenians were killed and
buried during World War I by Ottoman forces.

Turkey’s former ambassador to the United States, Nabi Sensoy, was
also interviewed on the program, though his remarks were aired very
briefly and interrupted by several questions. Sensoy stated during the
segment that there were no intentional killings and argued therefore
it was not a genocide. He said the tragic events during World War
I happened as a result of mass deportation and there were many more
killings during the war years.

In the cemetery, Simon, along with a guide who was described as an
Armenian dentist, Balakian and several children were seen gathering
joints of bones from desert terrain, allegedly bones of those Armenians
who were killed during the episode.

Both Balakian and Simon compared the Jewish population under the Nazis
with Armenians under the Ottoman rule several times. The assassination
of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was also recalled in the
segment, and Dink’s daughter was interviewed by the "60 Minutes" team.

Simon said past U.S. administrations have fought against similar
resolutions each year, and that Obama did not use the word "genocide"
during his visit to Turkey in April or in last year’s April 24
commemoration statement, even though he openly promised to do during
his campaign.

Ahead of March 4, when the "genocide" resolution will be put to a
vote at the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the program was seen as
another venue to pressure U.S. lawmakers, according to many leaders in
the American-Turkish community in the U.S. They called on the Turkish
diaspora to protest CBS and "60 Minutes" for the segment before and
after the program aired.

Meanwhile, two Turkish organizations reacted on Sunday to CBS for
broadcasting a program regarding the incidents of 1915, Anatolia news
agency reported. The Federation of Turkish American Associations,
or FTAA, and the Assembly of Turkish American Associations, or ATAA,
sent a letter to CBS executives to show their reaction to the biased
broadcasting of the channel.

Also, Turks living in the United States have launched a campaign to
protest the TV channel by letters, fax and email messages. "We are
sorry to see that a program that will lobby for the Armenians has
been broadcast on a TV channel in a period when Turkey and Armenia
are trying to ease their diplomatic relations with mutual protocols,"
FTAA’s President Can Kaplan said. ATAA’s President Ali Cınar said
they would continue their campaign against CBS until the TV channel
apologized.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Monday, March 1, 2010

AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York and Los Angeles Donate
$2000 to American University of Armenia’s ACM Digital Library

By Aleen L. Khanjian

Los Angeles – The AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York (YPGNY)
and the Young Professionals of Los Angeles (YPLA), along with many YP
Groups around the world, have embraced various fundraising projects that
they subsidize and support annually. In 2009, YPGNY and YPLA continued
their tradition of supporting one of these key fundraising projects by
donating to the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Digital
Library in Yerevan’s American University of Armenia (AUA).

As Dr. Barry Levine, Director of AUA Computer and Information Science
Program, states, "ACM is the flagship computing organization supporting
research and educational activities on an international scale. It is
essential for our program, faculty, and students to have access to the
latest publications to support their research and educational efforts.
To this end, we are indebted to young professionals in New York and Los
Angeles for their continuing financial support towards the costs of
institutional membership in ACM, including the Digital Library
subscription." In response, YPLA Chair Narine Zardarian says, "As the
oldest YP board in the world, YPLA is committed to supporting one of the
AGBU Young Professionals’ nearest and dearest fundraising projects. This
is why our board did not hesitate to donate another $750 for this term."

As a staunch supporter, YPGNY also proudly continues its efforts toward
this worthwhile cause. "Each year, YPGNY hosts a specific fundraising
event, whose proceeds benefit the ACM Digital Library. On October 30,
2009, young Armenians filled Manhattan’s Canal Room for a Halloween Eve
"Rocktoberfest" featuring a musical showcase of Armenian artists. The
generous support of the young Armenian-American community in the greater
New York area helped raise $1,250 for the ACM Digital Library at the
AUA," proudly exclaimed YPGNY chair and Rocktoberfest organizer Aline
Markarian.

To date, AGBU YP contributions to this cause total over $10,000. In
appreciation of the generosity and true partnership represented by the
numerous fundraising activities of the various groups, the AGBU YPs were
recognized by AUA with an inscription of the organization’s name on the
marble AUA Honor Wall at the entrance of the campus, joining the
longstanding list of donors who share in this vision.

Satenik Avakian, AUA Library Director, says, "In the long-term history
of nations, the wealth of intellectual products is more consequential
and significant than material wealth. An informed and knowledgeable
society is what most nations are striving for and we as a university
have an important role to play in the development of such a society. ACM
Digital Library advances education through initiatives that address the
changing needs of students and professionals in computing and
information technologies. It is so important that the library provides
computer-based databases that allow students to conduct much of their
research without setting foot in the library."

There is no doubt that this cooperative effort is of tremendous value to
the university. AUA President Dr. Haroutune Armenian adds, "Your very
important contribution…provides a valuable technical resource for our
Computer and Information Science (CIS) students and others in the
community. In so doing, you are assisting AUA in providing American
accredited graduate education in Armenia. The thoughtfulness of AGBU
Young Professionals is helping to transform the lives of our students,
shape their communities and advance the development and well being of
Armenia."

The AGBU Young Professionals (YP) are a growing network of groups and
supporters around the world who are committed to preserving and
promoting the Armenian identity and heritage through educational,
cultural and humanitarian programs for young Armenians between the ages
of 22 to 40. For more information, please visit

For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit

AMENDMENTS ALLOW RA PRESIDENT TO SUSPEND RATIFICATION: TELEGRAPH

news.am
Feb 26 2010
Armenia

Passing amendments to the RA Law on International Agreements, Armenian
parliamentarians adopted "exit strategy" from Armenia-Turkey Protocols,
the British Telegraph reads. According to the daily, this will allow
President Serzh Sargsyan "to suspend ratification and withdraw from
previously signed international agreements."

"The need for these amendments obviously stems from the current
situation with the process of ratification of the Armenia-Turkey
protocols," Telegraph quotes Armen Rustamyan — Chairman of the
Standing Committee on Foreign Relations.

The source recalls that the step undertaken by Armenian side occurred
in the light of Turkish Parliament’s protraction to ratify the
documents, however adding that both sides "traded accusations of
trying to modify the deal."

ARISTOMENE VAROUDAKIS: ARMENIAN ECONOMY IS STABILIZING BUT THE CRISIS IS NOT OVER
Siranush Muradyan

"Radiolur"
26.02.2010 17:58

Diversification of Armenian economy is necessary in order to stir it
up, Head of Yerevan Office of World Bank (WB) Aristomene Varoudakis
told a press conference today.

According to him, the government is already realizing the corresponding
steps, in particular, on developing tourism and healthcare.

"The World Bank welcomes the steps of the government; however more
resolute steps are necessary, which will lead to eradication of
oligopoly," Aristomene Varoudakis stated.

Speaking about the 2.2% economic growth registered in January, the
head of WB Yerevan office noted that it speaks about the stabilization
of Armenian economy, but it does not mean that the crisis is over. He
stressed that the Armenian economy needs 3-4 years to return to the
level of 2008. According to him, WB forecasts economic growth in
Armenia following the results of 2010 at the volume of 2%.

Touching upon the level of Armenia’s state debt as compared to GDP,
Aristomene Varoudakis noted that following the results of 2010 it will
make about 50% of GDP. According to him, this is not a dangerous index,
since the majority of loans are provided for the term of 25 years with
the period of grace of 10 years. He believes that the most important
is to improve the process of collecting taxes by the time we have to
repay the loans.

Touching upon the possible opening of Armenian-Turkish border,
Aristomene Varoudakis noted that "it will open significant
opportunities not only for Armenia, but also for the entire South
Caucasus region." According to him, WB supports any initiative,
which contributes to interborder trade.

"This will attach an impulse to diversification of Armenian economy,
will reduce transport expenses, and will increase the competitiveness
of Armenian goods", Aristomene Varoudakis stated.

INSURANCE COMPANIES OF ARMENIA RETURN TO PRE-CRISIS LEVEL IN LATE 2009

ArmInfo
25.02.2010

ArmInfo.Twelve insurance companies in Armenia returned to the
pre-crisis level in late 2009 and even ensured positive dynamics. In
particular, the premium collection grew 4% per year to 8.1 billion
drams, including 4 billion drams was invested in reinsurance, the
quarterly report by the Armenian Central Bank says.

The source reported that the companies provided 1.9 billion drams
compensations for 2009, and the share of reinsurance was 890.6
million drams.

Total assets of insurance companies reached 17 billion drams on Dec
31 2009, growing 45% per year. The share of fixed assets in total
was 624 million drams and cash assets – 238 million drams.

Summary total capital of the 12 insurance companies amounted to
12.3 billion drams growing 64% per year. Aggregate retained profit
of 12 insurance companies grew 25% over the year under review to
776 million drams. As a result, retained profit totaled 1 billion
drams. Insurance reserves of the local insurance companies grew 27%
per year to 2,7 billion drams.

The source reported that the valid contracts numbered 50646 on Dec
31 2009 and the amount of coverage totaled almost 4 trillion drams.

AMERICAN ANALYSTS URGE OFFICIAL WASHINGTON TO BE ATTENTIVE IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS POLICY

Today
491.html
Feb 25 2010
Azerbaijan

The Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington
conducted a conference devoted to interests of the USA in the South
Caucasus region.

During discussions on the situation in region from the point of view
of security and energy cooperation, the conferees focused on the
unresolved conflicts on South Caucasus, collision of the interests
of regional authorities, and also the energy security.

Famous scientists on Eurasia, including the general analyst of the
Heritage Foundation Ariel Kohen, the general analyst of Jamestown
Foundation Vladimir Socor, professor of the USA Military College Steven
Blank, the employee of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Thomas de Waal have underlined that, contrary to interest of foreign
policy of the USA in the South Caucasus region, last years official
Washington`s attention weakened to this region.

And it, in turn, let other interested regional forces to penetrate to
the South Caucasus. According to analysts, the government of President
Barack Obama should reconsider the foreign policy pursued on South
Caucasus and in the Caspian basin, put forward a new strategic idea,
and raise authority in region.

Representative of the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy Fariz Ismailzade
and Azerbaijan`s consul general in Los Angeles Elin Suleymanov noted
the position of Azerbaijan, saying that despite the complexity in
the South Caucasus region, Azerbaijan is hopeful.

"We are for friendship with all neighboring states. But, despite it,
realities show that the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
is the most basic obstacle in establishment of peace and cooperation
in region".

At the conference, deputy vice-president of the State Oil Company of
the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) Vitaly Beylarbayov reported on the role
of Azerbaijan as producer of oil and gas in energy security, and also
on the energy projects having important strategic value for Azerbaijan,
and the modern Silk Road connecting the European Union with the East.

IRANIAN PARLIAMENT’S VICE SPEAKER MOHAMMADREZA BAHUNAR: "I EXPRESSED THE NATION’S OFFICIAL POSITION ON THE SOLUTION TO NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT" – EXCLUSIVE

APA
Feb 23 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku. Suleyman Farzaliyev – APA. "I am saying once again that Iran is
together with Azerbaijan either on the solution to Nagorno Karabakh
conflict or other issues", vice Chairman of the Islamic Council Mejlis
Mohammadreza Bahunar told APA exclusively.

The Vice Speaker said it was official position of the Azerbaijani
government. "I am not first expressing this position. The president
of the country also made statements for many times that Iran and
Azerbaijan are close friends and fraternal countries and we are always
ready to help Azerbaijan. This is our official position".

Bahunar expressed opinion about the statement by spokesman for the
Iranian embassy in Armenia Ardashir Javad: "The people are sometimes
talking off hand. Take no notice of them. I don’t know Ardashir and
I don’t regard to his words".

In his meeting with the speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament Ogtay
Asadov, Bahunar said Iran supported territorial integrity of Azerbaijan
and would continue its international efforts for returning Nagorno
Karabakh to Azerbaijan. Iranian embassy’s spokesman in Armenia Ardashir
Javad said it was Bahunar’s personal opinion and the nation’s position
was expressed by the President, Foreign Minister or the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.