Author: Jilavian Emma

ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS CONTRADICT INTERNATIONAL LAW: ARA BABIAN

Tert.am
17:57 05.10.09

Armenian-Turkish Protocols contradict international law, since Armenia
and Turkey, with these Protocols, are attempting to have Woodrow
Wilson’s Arbitrary Act, with which the Armenian-Turkish border was
defined, undergo a review, said historian, diplomat and Head of Modus
Vivendi Centre Ara Babian today.

"There are also contradictions between the documents and our
Constitution, since there is a clear reference in the Constitution
to our Declaration on Independence, that the Republic of Armenia must
support the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by Ottoman Turkey in Western
Armenia and Turkey," Babian said, adding that the Armenian-Turkish
Protocols state that both sides commit themselves to refrain from
pursuing any policy which might be incompatible within the spirit of
good neighbourly relations.

"That is to say, any political step by Armenia directed to Genocide
recognition will be in contradiction with the Protocols," he
emphasized. According to Babian, if the Protocols come into effect,
then the Armenian president’s statement on Day of Genocide (April 24)
will contradict Armenia’s international commitments. "Because Turkey
will unequivocally assess the statement as destroying good neighbourly
relations," the former Armenian Ambassador to Canada concluded.

BRITISH COUNCIL, RA CYCLE RACING FEDERATION ORGANIZE RACE IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.10.2009 22:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 30 representatives of the British Council, UK
Embassy in RA, Ministry of Environment Protection and RA Cycle Racing
Federation took part in the race organized by the British Council
and RA Cycle Racing Federation.

The initiative was dated to an environment protection event.

DIASPORA ARMENIANS IN LOS ANGELES ORGANIZED PROTEST RALLY

Tert.am
05.10.09

Thousands of Armenian-Americans from throughout California converged
on the Beverly Hilton Hotel to protest the Turkey-Armenia protocols
as Armenia President Serzh Sargsyan met with representatives of
Armenian-American organizations to defend his decision to sign the
Armenian-Turkish Protocols, reports asbarez.com.The protest was
organized by the Stop The Protocols Campaign.

Blockades and guardrails contained protesters who held signs
proclaiming, "Serzh, Don’t Betray the Armenian People," "Turkey Accept
the Genocide!" and "No to the Protocols!" Meanwhile, planes overhead
were carrying banners which stated "Stop Turkish-Armenian Protocols,"
as large moving vans drove around the hotel with billboards picturing
presidents Sargsyan and Gul with the slogan "Don’t Betray Us."

During the fourth hour of the protest, several hundred frustrated
demonstrators broke through the barricades and stormed across the
street to the hotel entrance, yelling "votch, votch," stopping traffic
on Wilshire Blvd.

Meanwhile ARF Western Region Central Committee member Hovan Tashdjian,
who had just left the meeting with the President, described a
"tense" President Sargsyan faced with "overwhelming opposition" by
representatives of Diasporan organizations, "attempting to defend
the formation of a so-called ‘historical commission’ and arguing that
the Protocols would not affect the Karabakh peace process."

ATG Tour de Fresno Bike Ride Benefits Young Cyclists in Armenia
Armenian Technology Group, Inc
ATG Bike For Hope
1300 E. Shaw Ave Suite # 131
P. O. Box 5969
Fresno, CA 93755

Tel: 559-224-1000
Fax: 559-224-1002

Website:
Contact Person: Varoujan Der Simonian

Granville Homes Tour de Fresno Charity Fun Bike Ride
Experiencing Historic, Cultural Fresno like Never Before!

Some 150 cyclists enjoyed the Granville Homes Tour de Fresno — a
35-mile bicycle ride through Old Fresno — on Saturday, September 19,
2009. Participants saw over 50 cultural and scenic sites up close,
including Valley Lahvash Bakery, the McClatchy and Wishon homes on
Huntington Blvd., William Saroyan’s childhood neighborhood, the Water
Tower, and the Meux Home.

They pedaled along the shaded lanes of Old Fig Garden and cycled to
Sunnyside along Butler Ave. They returned to Fresno through
Chinatown. At the rest stop in the Old Fig Garden Women’s Club, the
riders were treated with Valley-grown fresh fruit. At the end of the
ride, artisanal ice cream and samples of local ethnic cuisine were
served. With scores of raffle prizes distributed, almost everyone left
a winner after the ride! The Granville Homes Tour de Fresno was
organized by ATG Bike For Hope. Proceeds from the ride will support
training 250 children at the Cycling Club in Armenia.

The Fresno Police Bike Unit escorted the group ride. Ten Fresno police
officers joined the cyclists on their bikes all day long, providing
them road security and safety along the way.

Cyclists brought their family and friends to Downtown Fresno to enjoy
a leisurely ride at a relaxing speed of 10 to 12 miles per hour, and
explore some of Fresno’s historic buildings and cultural sites, parks,
and unique neighborhoods. The full course was 35 miles, although
cyclists could opt out after 15 or 20 miles. The charity event started
at the Fulton Mall Clock Tower at 8 am and took the riders through
many of the streets that are the heart and soul of Old Fresno.

The cyclists enjoyed the art displayed at the Fulton Mall and
witnessed the wonderful multicultural fabric of the Fresno community
at the Courthouse Park, including the David of Sassoun statue on the
corner of "M" and Tulare Street. The riders pedaled through the
Cultural Arts District on Van Ness, cycling between the Old Fresno Bee
Building/Renovated Fresno Metropolitan Museum, Artes Americas, KVPT
Channel 18 Public TV Station, and the African-American Museum.

Some of the other highlights included the completely renovated
Historic Virginia Hotel on Kern Street, the new Federal Building, and
the Fifth District Court of Appeals. The Old Santa Fe/Fresno Amtrak
Train Station, the nearby Basque Hotel, the historic Warner’s Theater,
the Memorial Auditorium and the iconic Fresno Water Tower converted to
Visitors Center, the Meux Home Museum, and the City Hall were some of
the other sights on the itinerary.

The Fresno Police escorted the cyclists along the same road where one
of Fresno’s most well-known sons, author William Saroyan, once peddled
his bicycle on "M" street by the Convention Center and the theater
that now bears his name. They road their bikes on Broadway Street,
indicating where Saroyan was born, and passed the corner of Inyo and
"L" streets, where at the age of ten Saroyan sold the Evening Herald
newspaper, competing for customers with a young John Garabedian, whose
Foundation now funds numerous cultural programs in Fresno.

The cyclists road their bikes by nearby local bakeries — the Valley
Lahvash Bakery operating since 1922 on the corner of Santa Clara and
"M" streets, and the Hye Quality Bakery on "L" Street. Saroyan often
visited there to taste centuries-old traditional flat bread that moved
him to write "Valley Bakery, where the best bread in the World is
baked=80¦."

The tour traveled to the historic neighborhoods of Chinatown and by
the Buddhist Temple prior to returning to Fulton Mall where a
delicious lunch, artisanal ice cream, refreshments, fresh fruits, and
prizes were awaiting them..

Beyond downtown, the route took the cyclists through some of Fresno’s
most
well-
known neighborhoods, including Huntington Boulevard, passing by the
historic McClatchy and Wilson Homes. The shaded lanes of Old Fig
Garden, with a rest stop at the historic Fig Garden Women’s Club,
provided the riders with another pleasant experience.

Over 30 valley businesses and organizations sponsored the Tour de
Fresno, with Granville Homes acting as the title sponsor. Other
sponsors included the Fresno Police Department, City of Fresno, San
Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, Downtown Association of
Fresno, Convention and Visitors Bureau of Fresno, Men’s Society of the
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Pilgrim Armenian
Congregational Church, ATG Bike For Hope, Fresno County Bicycle
Coalition, Fresno Cycling Club, Women On Wheels, Central Valley
Cycling Coalition, Velo Pasadena, Champion Raisins — National Raisin
Company, Fowler Packing Company, Del Ray Packing, Western Pistachio
Association, Blue Diamond Almonds, Fig Garden Packing Company, Uncle
Harry’s Bagel and Coffee, Hero’s Restaurant, Kebab Xpress, De Alba
Travel, Jalisco Jewelers, Los Panchos Restaurant, New Millennium Nail
Services, Hacienda Grande Jewelers, Herb Bauer Sporting Goods, Rubber
Soul, Steven’s Bike Shops, Tri-Sport, and hundr! eds of ATG supporters
around the country.

With the success of the 2009 ride, Tour de Fresno Charity Fun Bike
Ride organizers are already planning for next year’s event, which will
be held on September 18, 2010.

In the meantime, organizers invite readers to explore the links below.
View a map of the 15-mile bike route.
View a map of the 20-mile bike route.
View a map of the 10K bike route — Downtown portion of the 20-mile ride.
Download a registration form.
Browse Photo Gallery
For information, call 559-224-1000.

Tert.am
15:56 ¢ 03.10.09

Diaspora Organizations Welcome Armenian President’s Positive Approach

`We welcome Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s upcoming visit to the
United States and to other Diaspora Armenian communities, which is
aimed at covering issues of common interest and concerns for future
aspirations. We pray for the success, wisdom and bravery of the
participants in this fateful initiative,’ read the joint statement
circulated today by a number of Diaspora organizations: Armenian
General Benevolent Union, Armenian Assembly of America, Union of
Vardanants Knights and the Eastern Prelacy of Armenian Apostolic
Church.

`The published Protocols on the establishment of Armenian-Turkish
relations present new occasions and imperatives to problems that have
affected generations. We welcome the Armenian president’s positive
approach in his efforts to establish relations with Armenia’s
neighbour, the Republic of Turkey. The proposals presented by various
Armenia’s leaders, one after another, on opening the Armenian-Turkish
border and establishing relations between the two countries without
preconditions were refused by Turkey, who made it a precondition for
us to give up Nagorno-Karabakh and the pursuit of Genocide
recognition. Thus, the Protocols published on August 31 bring about
significant change. Presently, Turkey has publicly stated its
intention to establish relations without preconditions, which is
considered to be progress in this process,’ the statement says.

At the same time, it is mentioned that the public statement of this
intention is greeted with doubt by many people. Also, negative remarks
made by Turkish officials are in contradiction with Turkey’s official
intention. `Contrary to these holding up phenomena, it is a reality
that Turkey’s intention to establish relations without preconditions
is ensured not only by the Swiss government, which has recognized the
Armenian Genocide, but also by Obama and the US government, France,
Russia and the European Union. This mean me, Turkey gave up the
preconditions it made to Armenia so far, which referred to
Nagorno-Karabakh issue and recognition of Armenian Genocide,’ Diaspora
organizations stated.

`We are for the public exchange of opinions and a comprehensive and
impartial debate on this historic event for Armenia and Turkey and
Diaspora Armenians. But we notice that, with respect to the mood
around the negotiated Protocols, there are a number of inaccurate
descriptions: as a possible concession. Based on those inaccurate
descriptions, the march against the negotiations process, which places
into doubt the good intentions of the Armenian president’s initiative,
sway the public’s opinion and don’t contribute to the Armenia people’s
interests. The way of resistance will not be easy surely and will have
numerous obstacles and turning points. That is why it is necessary to
understand that it’s not the time for pushing forth speculation to the
detriment of Armenia’s future,’ the statement states.

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA RECEIVES OSCE MG CO-CHAIRMEN

ArmInfo
2009-10-01 16:21:00

Arminfo. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received today the OSCE
MG co-chairmen Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard Fassier (France)
and Robert Bradtke (the USA) and personal representative of the OSCE
chairman-in-office, ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk.

As press-service of the president reported, Armenian Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandyan also took part in the meeting.

They touched on the Karabakh conflict negotiating process and possible
meeting of the president of Armenia and Azerbaijan within the frames
of the CIS summit.

RA PM RECEIVED CHI FUN CHAN

Aysor.am
30.09.2009, 18:48

Today the RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received Chi Fun Chan,
the president and chief operation director of "Synopsis" and the
delegation headed by him, reports the information and press department
of the RA Government.

Greeting the guest Tigran Sargsyan has highly appreciated the
activities and projects of the organization. The head of the
organization has mentioned that he knows about the initiations of
"Synopsis" of presenting the Armenian IT sphere to the world.

The chief operation director has touched upon the possibilities of
enlarging the activities of the organization in the Armenian Republic.

PROTEST SARKISIAN’S VISIT TO LA ON OCT. 4

-against-sarkisian-visit-to-los-angeles/
Sep 30, 2009

As part of Armenian President Serzh Sarkisians visit to Los Angeles
this weekend, a gala banquet has been organized on Sunday October 4
at the Beverly Hills Hilton.

Given the community’s overwhelming opposition to the Armenia-Turkey
protocols, the Stop the Protocols Campaign, has decided to hold
a protest rally at his event. The Demonstration will be held at
3P.M. across the street from the hotel.

The hotel is located at 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills CA., at
the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica. The demonstration will take
place on Wilshire at a park directly across the street from the hotel.

Buses are scheduled to provide transportation to the rally from various
locations throughout Southern California. They will all depart for
the rally at 2:30pm. The location is also very accessible by public
transportation. Visit Metro.net and plan your route.

Bus Schedule:

Burbank:

Arbat Banquet Hall (711 S. San Fernando Road., Burbank, CA 91502)
Pasadena:

Good Food Market (1864 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena CA 91104)
Armenian Center (2242 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107) Hollywood:

Little Armenia (Hobart & Hollywood Blvd., LA, CA 90027) St. Garabed
Armenian Church (1614 N. Alexandria., LA, CA 90027) Glendale:

St. Mary’s Armenian CHurch (500 S. Central Ave., Glendale CA 91204)
Maple Park (820 E. Maple St., Glendale, CA 91204)

Whole FOods (331 North Glendale Ave., Glendale, CA 91206) Anoush
Banquet Hall (401 W. Colorado St., Glendale, CA 91204) Anoush Banquet
Hall (1320 W. Glenoaks Blvd. Glendale, CA 91201)

Montebello:

Holy Cross Armenian Church (900 W. Lincoln. Blvd., Montebello CA
900640) Olive (Zeytun) Fresh Garden Market (12521 Oxnard St. North
Hollywood, CA 91606)

INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DAY OFFICIALLY CELEBRATED IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Sep 29, 2009

YEREVAN, September 29. / ARKA /. International Tourism Day was
officially celebrated for the first time in Armenia on Monday.

"Ministry of Economic Affairs has decided that from now on that day
should be celebrated in Armenia as well, given that the development
of tourism in the country is considered one of the priorities of
government programs," Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said, making a
welcoming speech during the event.

Welcoming and congratulating all present on behalf of the Government,
the Prime Minister said that, despite the financial and economic
crisis, there will be a growth and not a decrease in the tourism
sector in Armenia in 2009.

Sargsyan said that in terms of tourism, the indicators are mainly
formed by the vast majority of our compatriots who come to Armenia,
and it is clear that a significant proportion of these immigrants
can not be tourists in the literal sense of the word.

"In fact, indicators of tourism, which represent the number of
foreigners arriving in Armenia today do not satisfy us, but the
potential is quite high," he said.

The Ministry of Economy of Armenia forecasts that the number of
tourists visiting Armenia for the period from January to September
2009 will amount to 422,500, which is 5% more compared to the same
period last year.

"We wanted to use today’s occasion to give importance to the de
velopment of tourism in Armenia, inviting all market participants and
encouraging the ones who worked for the maximum benefit for tourism
and have made progress. These successes should also be encouraged at
the state level," Sargsyan said

In his turn, the Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan told reporters
that the event will raise the incentives for new investments, improve
the quality of work and create new products.

"We will make this an annual tradition. During such events, we will
honor those people who create value in the field of tourism," he said.

According to the minister, the sphere of tourism has been the most
inert to the global financial crisis.

"At this point in the tourism of Armenia there is a slight increase
of 2% over the same period last year," Yeritsyan said, adding that
the rates are expected to grow.

During the event, representatives of the sphere were presented with
letters of appreciation from the Prime Minister and the Minister of
Economy, as well as gold medals from the Ministry of Economy.

ARMECONOMBANK HAS APPLIED TO CENTRAL BANK FOR BORROWING AMD 100 MILLION FROM RUSSIAN BAILOUT CREDIT FOR ARMENIA

ARKA
Sep 29, 2009

YEREVAN, September 29. /ARKA/. Armeconombank has applied to the
Central Bank of Armenia for borrowing AMD 100 million as the first
tranche from the Russian bailout credit for Armenia, David Sukiasyan,
chairman of the bank’s board, said on Tuesday answering ARKA News
Agency’s question.

"This program was launched in our bank recently. Under the program,
the bank will extend dram loans at 15% interest and for five-year
maturity term", he said.

On June 12, Russia transferred $500 million to Armenia as a bailout
loan at LIBOR plus 3% preferential interest rate.

Armeconombank was registered on August 26, 1991.

Over 75% of its shares belong to EBRD (25% = one share) and SIL
Concern founders, Sukiasyan family (53.4%).

The bank has 34 branches in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.