Author: Karagyozian Lena

YEREVAN: TADIC AND SARGASYAN FOR PEACEFUL AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

Radio Srbija
m_content&task=view&id=8022&Itemid=26
July 28 2009
Serbia

Serbia and Armenia believe that all regional conflicts, such as
Kosmet and Nagorno-Karabakh must be solved without force, solely
through negotiations and in line with the international law, it has
been jointly assessed by presidents Boris Tadic and Serge Sargasyan
during the talks in Yerevan. While pointing that their countries are
facing similar challenges, Tadic said that the Belgrade authorities
are appreciating the formula of peace negotiations that the officials
in Yerevan are leading to decrease the tensions in the Caucasus. Only
the talks can be a base for the sustainable and stable solutions,
stressed the Serbian President. Sargasyan has pointed out that there is
no universal way to overcome the ethnic conflicts, since every one has
its prior history, but he added that it is possible to find a solution
in peaceful manner and in line with the international law. Armenia
has not recognized the independence of Kosmet and is supporting the
stance of Belgrade in all international forums. During the two-day
visit to Yerevan, Boris Tadic will also have talks with Prime Minister
Tigran Sarkisyan and leader of the Armenian Orthodox Church Karekin II.

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]

22 July 2009

SPECIAL REQUIEM SERVICE FOR VICTIMS OF FLIGHT 7908

Sydney, Australia – The tragedy of the air disaster of Caspian Air Flight
7908 last Wednesday has gripped the Armenian Community of Sydney having lost
two of its promising and finest youth in the tragedy. A number of local
families too lost loved ones among the 168 people killed on the flight bound
from Tehran to Yerevan which soon after take-off reportedly crashed in
north-western Iran.

The death of siblings, Arin and Ani Abcarian from Sydney has devastated
family and friends as well as the Armenian Community at large that is
mourning their loss along with the reported 40 Armenians on board this fatal
flight, 5 of which have been reported to be citizens of the Republic of
Armenia.

This evening, a special requiem service presided by His Eminence Archbishop
Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia
and New Zealand was held at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy
Resurrection in Sydney for the community to unite in prayer, share their
sorrow and console their grief.

Present at the service were members of the Abcarian family with close
relatives and friends as well as those families who lost relatives that were
citizens of Iran. At the invitation of the Primate, Mr Gholamali Rajabi
Yazdi, Deputy Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Australia
representing the Ambassador, His Excellency Mahmoud Movahhedi was in
attendance as were representatives of community organisations and members of
the community who wished to pay their respects to the victims of the air
crash tragedy.

The requiem service began with prayers for the repose of the souls of those
killed after which the names of the 168 victims were announced in respect to
their memory. The message of condolence of His Holiness Karekin II Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians was read and in honour of the
Iranian dignitary, Mr Gholamali Rajabi Yazdi, a communiqué extending the
sympathy of the Armenian Community to the Republic of Iran was presented in
Farsi by a local community member.

Archbishop Baliozian delivered his sermon in which he spoke so fondly of the
two Armenian-Australian youth whom he has warmly embraced and regrettably
got to know more closely as a consequence of this tragedy. He articulated
the quiet achievements of both Arin and Ani as outstanding young members not
only of the Armenian community but broader, particularly with Arin’s high
standing as a medical researcher and PhD student at Sydney University. Ani,
a university student herself, was greatly admired for her active
contribution to community life. He also conveyed his deep condolences to
the families who lost relatives in the tragedy.

Following the service, the congregation gathered in the church hall for
requiem coffee service which provided an opportunity for community members
to share their grief and comfort each other. The Deputy Ambassador of the
Islamic Republic of Iran to Australia met personally with families directly
affected by this tragedy and collaborated with other community members with
expressions of sympathy.

In times of such exorbitant tragedy, solace can be found in the unifying
force of community bonding but particularly for the Armenian people, solace
is found foremost in the presence of our Church and in the grace of our
Almighty Father.

COMMITTEE CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A1+
07:30 pm | July 22, 2009

Politics

The Armenian Committee for the Protection of Political Prisoners
issued a statement today.

"The health condition of Zhamanak Yerevan’s editor-in-chief Arman
Babajanian is periled. He needs high-quality medical treatment. All
motions for the political prisoner’s conditional release have
been rejected. With their ungrounded and unlawful refusals the
Armenian authorities again proved that they wreak vengeance upon
Arman Babajanian and that the criminal proceedings and unprecedented
verdict are connected with Babajanian’s professional activities. "
The Committee is concerned about Arman Babajanian’s health condition
and demands the latter’s immediate release," says the statement.

EUROCOMMISSION TO ALLOCATE 70 MILLION FOR ENP INVESTMENT PROJECTS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
22.07.2009 11:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ By the end of 2009, EuroCommission will allocate
~@ 70 million to key investment programs implemented within ENP
frameworks. The allocations will help ENP member states to increase
funding of main investment projects in such spheres as energy,
transport, environment and social sector.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations
and European Neighborhood, expressed satisfaction with INP’s positive
results.

"This year, INP’s increased funding obliges us to support neighboring
countries’ reforms in key sectors. I am very happy that during
the first year of its existence, INP approved 15 projects aimed at
enhancing such basic segments of population’s life as water, health
and urban transport," she said.

Officially launched in May 2008, INP was elaborated upon the initiative
of Ferrero-Waldner. The project aimed to intensify grant support to
European Union and counties involved in operations implemented by
European financial institutions in ENP member states.

INP’s activities apply to countries that have signed ENP Action
Plan. Those countries are Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova,
Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Armenia.

EuroCommission has already allocated ~@ 170 million, out of the total
sum of ~@ 700 envisaged for 2007-13 (~@ 50 million was allocated in
2007 and 2008, and ~@ 70 million was allocated this year), Commission’s
press service reports.

CONGRESSMEN SEND LETTER TO OBAMA NOTING THAT ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS AND GENOCIDE RECOGNITION SHOULD BE SEPARATED

Noyan Tapan
July 22, 2009

WASHINGTON, JULY 22, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Four pro-Armenian
American congresssmen wrote a new letter to USA President Barak Obama.

According to the Marmara daily, in the letter of the congressmen it
was noted that the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations
and Armenian Genocide recognition should be separated as different
problems.

It was also stressed in the letter that Armenia is true to the road-map
agreement signed between the two states while Turkey has broken it.

It is possible that other congressmen will also sign under the letter.

NO PLACE FOR TURKEY’S MEDIATION IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

Panorama.am
17:28 22/07/2009

Turkey’s mediation in this process is not possible, OSCE Minsk Group
French co-chair Bernard Fassier told "Today’s Zaman".

Ankara says the Turkish-Armenian and Azerbaijani-Armenian processes are
separate, although progress on one will positively affect the other.

Recalling that Azerbaijan and Turkey consider themselves "one nation,
two states," Fassier ruled out the possibility of Turkey’s mediation in
the process, indicating that Turkey was actually a party in the issue.

"Turkey’s mediation in this process is not possible. Common sense
demands this," he said, while reiterating that the Nagorno-Karabakh
process and the normalization efforts between Ankara and Yerevan
should be considered two independent processes. Fassier, nonetheless,
called the two issues "two processes within the same regional area"
and admitted that any progress in one of the two processes might have a
"positive and useful" impact on the other process.

The Nagorno-Karabakh issue has sometimes been used in domestic policy
in Turkey, and linking the Turkish-Armenian and Azerbaijani-Armenian
processes might lead to no resolution for either of the problems,
he also warned.

ANCA WELCOMES ARMENIAN CAUCUS CO-CHAIR MARK KIRK’S US SENATE BID

Asbarez
Jul 22nd, 2009

Congressional Armenian Caucus CoChair Mark Kirk (R-IL) announces
his bid for the U.S. Senate, pictured here with former Illinois
Gov. Jim Edgar.

Washington-Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) National Board
member Ari Killian joined with some 100 friends and supporters to rally
support for Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Mark Kirk’s (R-IL)
bid for the Illinois U.S. Senate seat once held by President Obama,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

With the backdrop of his boyhood home in Kenilworth, Kirk pledged to
"restore ethics and integrity to Illinois government," and focused on
the economy and ending the war in Iraq. During his remarks, Rep. Kirk
also expressed his appreciation to the Armenian American community
for its steadfast support throughout his nearly decade-long service
in the House and the importance of genocide recognition.

In 2000, the ANCA endorsed Rep. Kirk in a hotly contested twelve-person
Republican primary, and he has subsequently been reelected to serve
the people of Illinois’ 10th congressional district with the full
engagement of ANCA activists in Illinois.

"Rep. Kirk has been an outspoken champion of Armenian American
concerns," stated Killian. "As a member of the Subcommittee on State,
Foreign Operations and as the Republican co-chair of the Armenian
Caucus, he has worked tirelessly for U.S. recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, advocating for strong levels of foreign aid for Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh, and seeking an end to Azerbaijan’s warmongering
over Nagorno Karabakh."

Rep. Kirk began his career on the staff of his predecessor, John
Porter, who along with Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) co-founded the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues in 1995. He later served
in the World Bank, the State Department, the law firm of Baker &
McKenzie, and the U.S. House International Relations Committee.

Rep. Kirk, who holds the rank of Commander, is a Naval Reserve
intelligence officer and has served during conflicts in Afghanistan,
Iraq, Haiti, and Bosnia. The U.S. Navy named Kirk "Intelligence
Officer of the Year" in 1999 for his combat service in Kosovo.

Representing the largest Armenian American constituency in Illinois,
Rep. Kirk has been a strong advocate on behalf of core community
concerns. He is a lead sponsor of H. Res. 252, the Armenian Genocide
resolution, and serves on the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations
and Related Programs of the Committee on Appropriations, where he
worked with his colleagues to adopt language strengthening Section
907 restrictions on U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan.

In appreciation of his ongoing support of Armenian American concerns,
Rep. Kirk was recently presented with the 0Spirit of Armenia" award
by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan at the 2009 National
Representative Assembly of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America.

NKR PRESIDENT AND RA FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSED THE KARABAKH SETTLEMENT PROCESS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2009-07-17 12:35
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Edward
Nalbandian arrived July 16 in Stepanakert.

The same day, NKR President Bako Sahakian received the RA Foreign
Minister.

According to the Central Information Department of the NKR President’s
Office, issues related to the current stage of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh
conflict settlement were discussed at the meeting.

Both parties emphasized that restoration of the full-fledged format
of the negotiation process was a precondition, as no agreement could
be implemented without Artsakh’s approval.

The head of state noted once again that the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
was an existing state and its independence and security were not
debatable.

"Armenia insists on Nagorno Karabakh’s being an equal party to
the conflict, which is a necessity and guarantee for the peace
process. Surely, Nagorno Karabakh’s views on certain issues can
differ, but NKR’s position and view are extremely important for
Armenia. Armenia will not conclude any arrangements or agreements
without the approval of Nagorno Karabakh’s people and authorities",
stated Edward Nalbandian to journalist after the meeting.

According to the RA Foreign Minister, his visit to Stepanakert was
aimed at exchanging opinions20with the NKR leadership, which had been
repeatedly done before or after meetings on the Karabakh settlement.

RELATIVES TO TU-154 AIRLINER CRASH VICTIMS TO GET EUR 32,000-42,000

Focus News
July 16 2009
Bulgaria

Yerevan. The relatives of the people who died in the airplane crash
in Iran will get an insurance worth between EUR 32,000 – 42,000,
RIA Novosti reports, citing statement of chief of Department of Civil
Aviation of Armenia Artiom Movsisyan. In his words, the possibility of
rendering aid for the funeral of the victims is also being discussed
with the relatives.

An Iranian Tu-154 airliner, owned by the Caspian Airlines, flying
on a regular run form Tehran to Yerevan, crashed into farmland in
the northwest of the country on Wednesday. All 168 people on board
are dead.

July 16 is declared Day of National Mourning in Armenia.

ALEXANDER MANASIAN: ARMENIAN SIDE NEVER OCCUPIED ANY TERRITORY BEYOND NKR BOUNDARIES TO RETURN THEM NOW

NOYAN TAPAN
JULY 15, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 15, NOYAN TAPAN. "The Armenian side has never
overstepped the boundaries of Nagorno Karabakh to create a security
zone around it," Alexander Manasian, the Head of YSU Theoretical
Philosophy and Logic Chair, Chairman of the Academy of Political
Studies NGO, interpreted some Madrid Principles at a July 15 press
conference. Moreover, he mentioned that Nagorno Karabakh’s northern
and central parts were occupied by Azerbaijan, while by the 1921
decision of Russian Communist (Bolshevik) Party’s Caucasian Bureau
these territories also make part of the Nagorno Karabakh region. "In
1923 Baku violating that arbitrary decision made by a non-competent
body as it is, created the region on only part of Nagorno Karabakh,"
A. Manasian explained.

Discussing the positive and negative sides of Madrid Principles, the
speaker tried to disperse the existing apprehensions: according to him,
these principles have no binding force, but are only a package, on
the basis of which further negotiations can be continued. According to
him, if any of the sides extremely interpretes one of the principles,
the whole package can be rejected. In his opinion, the most exact one
among the principles is that it is mentioned for the first time: in the
future Nagorno Karabakh’s final legal status will be decided through
a referendum, which will have legally binding consequences. Though
among Madrid Principles some attach importance to the principle of
determining NKR’s final legal status, A. Manasian attaches importance
to the territorial principle. In his words, the greatest achievement
is that the problem of Azerbaijani Republic territorial integrity
is not mentioned with a direct text among Madrid Principles. "The
NKR people has been a self-determination subject long ago. The very
Baku recognized its self-determination right by the 1920 December
1 declaration."

According to A. Manasian’s characterization, we need to be anxious
until the Nagorno Karabakh problem is settled, and, according to him,
we still have a long way to pass.