Author: Kafian Jirair

YOUTH RALLY IN CALIFORNIA AHEAD OF ANNUAL GENOCIDE PROTEST

armradio.am
18.04.2009 13:29

With a week left to the annual day of commemoration for the Armenian
Genocide, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) and the ARF Shant Student
Association (SSA) are once again joining to organize an annual youth
rally to unite and ignite the community around the memory of its
martyred ancestors and their longing for freedom.

The keynote speaker of the evening will be California State Assemblyman
Anthony Portantino, who has been a long time supporter of the Armenian
community and works closely with the Armenian National Committee
in Pasadena. The Rally will also feature musical performances from
local artists, as well as speeches by various community and student
group leaders.

"The evening’s goal is to raise awareness of the injustices that exist
in the world, focusing on the first genocide of the 20th century,
the Armenian Genocide," said Armen Aboulian, the chairman of the SSA.

"We use this opportunity and this date not only as a day to renew
our struggle for justice, but also as a day to take a solid stance
in investing in the future of the Armenian people."

"We are true believers that the only way to predict our future, is to
make it ourselves," he added. "In looking at our past and considering
what our forefathers have endured, we feel a responsibility, almo st
an obligation to make our future in such a way that makes the dreams
of the Armenian people come true."

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE

April 16, 2009
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER PROCLAIMS APRIL 19-26 "DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE OF
THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE"

Washington, DC – Earlier today, California Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger issued a Proclamation designating April 19-26, 2009, as
"Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide," reported the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly).

In part, the Proclamation reads, "On the night of April 24, 1915, more
than 200 leaders in the Armenian community, in the city known today as
Istanbul, were arrested. Sent to prison, most were executed, beginning a
horrible, systematic killing and forced relocation of the Armenian
people that would last until 1923. During these years, the government of
the Ottoman Empire claimed the lives of 1.5 million Armenians and forced
500,000 more from their homeland."

Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill four years ago that permanently
recognized the Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide and "this
week," the Proclamation reads, "we honor that commitment as we stand
with our Armenian friends and neighbors here and across the world in
remembering and acknowledging the genocide, the families it destroyed
and the history it changed. We do not like to recall such sorrows, but
we must, so that we can learn from history and renew our efforts to make
sure nothing like this ever happens again."

"We commend Governor Schwarzenegger and the State of California for
reaffirming the Armenian Genocide and standing on the side of truth in
the face of denial," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
"California’s consistent affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and its
state-wide human rights curriculum that introduces students to the
lessons of history through the example of past and current genocides
furthers the cause of prevention," added Ardouny.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c) (3)
tax-exempt membership organization.

###

NR#2009-034

Editor’s Note:

"Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide" Proclamation
California_Armenian_Gen
ocide_proc_09.pdf

TURKEY – NO CULTURAL COOPERATION WITHOUT KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

hetq.am/en/politics/7623/
2009/04/14 | 11:26

Region politics

Turkish Minister of Culture Ertugrul Gunay, in an interview with
Hurriyet Daily News, has stated that Turkey and Armenia should
cooperate to restore the ancient town of Ani, but added that any such
effort would require a resolution of the problems between Azerbaijan
and Armenia.

Mr. Gunay stated that the ministry’s plans for cooperation between
the two countries are not limited to restoration work. He said he
hoped to undertake many joint cultural projects with both Armenia
and Azerbaijan.

According to Gunay, cultural efforts to establish peace in the
Caucasus region cannot be maintained if they ignore Azerbaijan. "We
cannot treat the people of Azerbaijan as if they don’t exist while
trying to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia," he said. "We
should never forget that the province of Nagorno-Karabakh is still
under Armenian occupation."

The culture minister said the current restoration efforts in Ani
would soon turn their focus to the town’s cathedral and that Armenian
experts had recently attended a meeting on the project. The World
Monuments Fund would support the restoration of the cathedral, he said.

Mr. Gunay added that the ministry was also ready to contribute to the
Turkish-Armenian community in efforts to find the funds to restore
the 500-year-old Surp Giragos Church in the southeastern province
of Diyarbakir.

But the community fears any application for help would result in the
church being restored as a museum rather than a place of worship that
would serve the community, as happened with the Holy Cross Church on
the island of Aghtamar, Lake Van.

"ANTI-COMPETITIVE AGREEMENTS: MONITORING RULES AND EVALUATION OF AVAILABLE METHODS" PROGRAM TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN ARMENIA SUPPORTED BY OSCE YEREVAN’S OFFICE

Noyan Tapan
Apr 14, 2009

YEREVAN, April 14, Noyan Tapan. With support of the OSCE Yerevan’s
Office the Armenian State Commission on Protection of Economic
Competition will carry out the "Anti-Competitive Agreements: Monitoring
Rules and Evaluation of Available Methods" program. The program
is aimed at improving the Commission’s monitoring and evaluation
mechanisms and increasing the effectiveness of competition law.

The program intends to raise the public awareness of business
community, told the chairman of the Commission on Protection of
Economic Competition, Ashot Shahnazarian during press-conference on
April 9.

Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, attaching
importance to the launch of the program, told to journalists, that
the key to the development of economy is in creating equal competition
conditions. "It is impossible to establish democracy without ensuring
fair competition. We actively and efficiently cooperate with Armenian
authorities in this area.

Within that period Commission, certainly observed progress, however
there is much to be done, " told S.Kapinos.

OSCE expert Dr. Ioannis Kokkoris, who Arrived Armenia a week ago,
presented his observations. According to him, Armenian laws resemble
European ones; simply Armenia’s people do not realize the value
of competitive market and do not help their government to improve
economic competition.

According to him, continued monitoring of prices is necessity in
the condition of financial crisis, since this measure will enable to
ensure a stable competitive environment. In Armenia short and long-term
measures should be carried out, which will enable Commission to impose
fines on businesses providing misleading information, said the expert.

The expert also suggests implementing information campaign to promote
the idea of competition. "The pace of economic growth in Armenia
depends on competition conditions," told Ioannis Kokkoris, adding
that he prepares a comprehensive expert assessment to be submitted
to the Commission soon.

THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT COUNCIL (ITDSC) MET UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF OF COUNCIL HEAD, RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN

Fri day, 10 April 2009

The Council discussed the course of implementation of the assignments
given at the previous session, the objections raised by the
working group on legal regulation concerning Article 9 of the RA
law on defense, the package of proposals on customs legislation and
administration reform.

Information on the course of implementation of over ten assignments
given at the previous session was presented by RA Minister of Economy
Nerces Yeritsyan and the heads of working groups of the Council. In
particular, the Council took notice of the report submitted by the head
of the Strategic Policy working group stating that the realization
of those programs stipulated in the 2010-2011 program of action on
introduction of a system of electronic government in state agencies has
been discussed with the corresponding working groups. It was proposed
to transfer part of the programs into the list of 2009 and prepare a
3-year program on decision of the mentioned question. According to the
speaker, it will enable to have by the end of this year a functional
system of electronic government with real development opportunities
in line with international standards. The council also took note of
the report submitted by the head of the working group o n science and
education on the creation of an ethnic Armenian business-specialized
network. The prime minister instructed to prepare a corresponding
analytical report on this issue which should also be sent off to the
National Competitiveness Council for consideration as it enables to
mobilize municipalities quickly and without great charges, which
is especially important amidst the global financial and economic
crisis. As for another assignment concerning the establishment of
an international presidential award for significant discoveries and
best works in the sphere of information technologies, it has been
reported that the question has been given a favorable consideration
which is supposed to promote development in the sphere of information
technologies in our country.

As a result of discussions, the Prime Minister stressed the need for
continuing the debates on a number of agenda items and called for
consistency in their decision.

On the second question of the agenda concerning the objections
regarding Article 9 of the law on defense, it was decided to continue
discussing the question with the public services regulatory commission
and to report back the results to the Council.

The Council also discussed a package of proposals on reforming the
customs legislation and administration, prepared by the Union of
IT Enterprises on the basis of the EIF-drafted analysis – report
entitled "The IT sector business and regulatory framewo rk in the
Republic of Armenia" and the proposals of IT companies. The package
which comprises import/export-related issues was said to have been
discussed with about 50 enterprises, as well as with the State Revenue
Committee by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

The prime minister instructed Director of the Union of IT Enterprises
Karen Vardanyan in a week’s time to collect and present all those
questions of concern to IT companies and forward them to the State
Revenue Committee. The latter was charged to present in a week’s time
official comments on the questions raised in order to hold an extra
discussion at the next meeting, if necessary.

Among other agenda items, the Council discussed actions aimed at
enhancing the international rating of our country in the sphere of
information technologies. It was noted that despite the large amount
of work done over the last few years, Armenia’s rating has fallen
according to the World economic forum. As a remedy, the speakers
pointed out the need for improving coordination of information flows,
enabling greater access to information technologies for the public at
large, taking into effect the Computer for Everybody Program, improving
the quality of services provided in this sphere. The RA Minister of
Science and Education was told to examine the Estonian experience and
submit opinion for discussion at the next council session. Also, the
Public Se rvices Regulatory Commission was proposed to discuss the
possibility of establishing a mandatory electronic payments system
for public service providing entities.

At the end of the session, Minister of Economy Nerces Yeritsyan advised
that a representative forum on the shaping of the electronic society
will be organized in the third quarter of this year with the view of
stimulating the IT sector and making it more accessible to the society.

SERZH SARGSYAN IS NOT OPPOSED TO THE MEETING WITH ILHAM ALIEV

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.04.2009 19:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ NKR conflict settlement negotiations continue
within the framework of OSCE MG, RA President Serzh Sargsyan told a
news conference in Yerevan.

According to the President, OSCE MG Co-Chairs suggested a meeting
with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev on May 7 in Prague.

"I’m not opposed to the meeting with Ilham Aliev," RA President
stated , adding that the meeting can take place in some other place
and time. The president stressed that there’s no military resolution
to NKR conflict.

Next week MG OSCE Co-chairs will arrive in the region to continue
NKR conflict settlement negotiations.

WE MUSTN’T PRACTICE SELF-DECEPTION IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH TURKEY

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.04.2009 17:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Due to Armenian diplomacy NKR conflict no longer
determines normalization of Armenian-Turkish ties, which greatly
raises Azeri’s concerns, Hay Dat Bureau Director Kiro Manoyan told
a news conference today.

"Turkey was Baku’s only lever of influence on Armenia. Despite
Ankara’s declarations that Turkey won’t abandon Azerbaijan in NKR
conflict, I believe that Karabakh issue is no longer a precondition in
Armenian-Turkish negotiations, " Kiro Manoyan noted adding "Otherwise,
Ilham Alivev would have attended "Alliance of Civilizations" project
meeting in Istanbul."

Still, abandoning "Karabakh precondition" doesn’t mean Ankara has
altered its position on NKR conflict settlement. "Turkey will still be
an ally to Azerbaijan and its protector in Karabakh conflict issue. We
mustn’t practice self-deception here," Kiro Manoyan emphasized.

ARMENIAN FM TO HEAD FOR TURKMENISTAN

ARKA
Apr 9, 2009

YEREVAN, April 9. /ARKA/. Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan
is to visit Ashkhabad on April 9-10 to participate in the meeting
of the CIS foreign ministers’ council, the Press Service of Armenian
Foreign Ministry reported.

After the meeting, Nalbandyan is to meet with high ranking officials of
Turkmenistan in the scope of his official visit, says the report.

EU OFFICIAL – COMPROMISE A NECESSITY IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
Shushan Stepanyan

hetq.am/en/politics/karabakh-conflict-a nd-eu/
2009/04/08 | 15:28

Important politics

At a press conference Marianne Isler Beguin, Co-President of the
EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, had some difficulty
when asked by reporters to list some of the political issues discussed
by the delegation while in Armenia.

The co-president answered, "We focused mainly on economic problems
related to the crisis, an issue being tackled on the European Union
level. This is also political, political economic. You asked your
question and this is my answer."

She then added that, of course, the Karabakh conflict settlement
issue was the most interesting issue to be discussed. "I am saddened
that we haven’t come up with a solution in ten years.We have urged
the European Union to take a more active role in the issue. What is
most important for us is to know whether the peoples on both sides
are ready to make compromises.

The co-president stated that she raises the issue both in Armenia
and in Azerbaijan, adding that, in her view, mutual compromise is a
necessity and that the status-quo cannot continue.

Regarding the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, Ms. Isler Beguin
noted that, "This issue has often been raised within the framework
of the European Union. We have asked that a serious review of the
consequences, both economic and social, be undertaken as to what will
transpire if the border is opened. We want the border to be open at
all costs. We were even ready to go and meet with our partners on the
other side of the border but were advised to adopt a lower profile,"
she commented.

She stated that she was confident that opening the border wold not
only have positive results for Armenia but that Turkey would benefit
as well. "In particular, in the border region are located some of
Turkey’s poorest regions and thus the border openinng can also be of
benefit to them," Ms. Isler Beguin concluded.

MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION DOESN’T FINANCE ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.04.2009 15:52 GMT+04:00

Millennium Challenge Corporation has upheld the decision on suspension
of financing of road construction in Armenia.

"This is the result of Armenia’s failure to resolve human rights
problems," Levon Barseghyan, Asparez Club chairman told reporters
today. "The program was suspended although the Armenian government
allocated $16,8 million to reach the index envisaged."

He informed that 60 non-governmental organizations offered a plan
to improve political and economic situation in the country and help
resume MCA financing.