Author: Karagyozian Lena

TURKEY’S POLITICAL TRENCH WARFARE
Ralph Boulton

Reuters
009/05/19/turkeys-political-trench-warfare/
May 19 2009
UK

With court charges of corruption against President Abdullah Gul,
Turkey’s conservative establishment opens a new front in what amounts
to a form of trench warfare between the AK Party and its opponents. One
way or another, a showdown of sorts appears to be approaching.

You’re a Turkish patriot. You’re a hardline general, civil servant,
judge or a militant nationalist politician. Like everyone you met
at the cocktail party last night, you’re convinced Turkey’s AK Party
government is turning your country into an Islamist state; backward,
oppressive and isolated.

You despair. The population voted for AK in their millions in 2002. As
if that weren’t bad enough, they re-elected them by a landslide five
years later, disregarding the dire warnings of the General Staff. Worse
still, those ‘modern’ secular middle classes of Istanbul, the mainstay
of military influence, joined the religious conservatives of Anatolia
in backing AK. They were lulled by the country’s economic success,
EU-inspired democratic and financial reforms, and by stability. The
West, in its embrace of the AK, is either naïve or hell bent on
the end the West always sought – the humiliation or dismemberment
of Turkey. Extraordinary how many times, I’ve heard that last one at
dinner parties and receptions.

So what can you do, you worried ranks?

When the East Germans rose up against communism in 1953, the Party
leaders, after crushing the revolt with Soviet tanks, told the
population in no uncertain terms how badly the working classes had
failed them. Writer Bertolt Brecht, speaking ironically on behalf of
the communist masters, suggested they dissolve the people and elect
a new one.

In the absence of that as a realistic option, the course for the
Turkish hardliner seems to me to be clear enough. Discredit, undermine,
sow division in the AK Party, by whatever channels available – the
military, the courts, parliament, the streets.

The Justice and Development Party (AK), after all, is not really a
party, at all.

AK emerged more as an ’emergency coalition’ months before 2002
elections and just as the entire structure of the Turkish party system
was collapsing.

Years of petty personal feuding and coalition squabbling, economic
incompetence, corruption and general self-destructive folly had robbed
the traditional parties of all credibility.

The cracks in a coalition are always vulnerable to an insistently
probing knife.

Many labelled the Justice and Development Party, which likes to be
known by initials that spell out the word for pure and clear, an
Islamist party, pure and simple. Leaders Tayyip Erdogan and Abdullah
Gul had a well-documented past in the Islamist movement. But it
wasn’t that simple. AK rallied together centre-right politicians and
economists as well as nationalists and the conservative religious
core. Erdogan and Gul declared their Islamist days over and pledged
loyalty to secularist state founder Ataturk; a blasphemous crime in
itself for some.

AK in 2002 was for many simply the last political home standing,
as it remains for many.

For the first time in ages the country was ruled by one parliamentary
party, held together firmly by the towering figure of Tayyip
Erdogan. It pushed through an IMF programme where so many had failed
before, reformed rights legislation, promoted business. The AK people
were for many Westerners, diplomats, businessmen and journalists
alike, a breath of fresh air. You could talk to them about sensitive
subjects like the Kurds, Armenia, Cyprus or clashes with the EU without
that haunting feeling they would march out in pique. They were more
"pro-Western" in their dealings than an ambivalent military, the
civil service or the judiciary of those times.

The sceptics would say they were just pulling the wool over our
eyes. For those who feared the worst — for the general, the judge —
AK provided ample evidence of fickleness from the start. There were
the silly things. There was that impromptu prayer meeting in the lobby
of the Hilton, local restrictions here and there on drinks licences
for restaurants. Then the ill-fated move to lift a ban on Islamic
headscarves for women in public buildings.

What has followed is a form of trench warfare, the battle lines being
the constitutional strongholds of state.

When AK nominated Gul as president in 2007, the armed forces
commander posted a warning on his website that secular democracy
was in danger. Surrender of the presidency to an AK leader would
remove one of the last checks to its power, allowing it to appoint
senior judges and exert influence even over that holy of holies —
the armed forces. Not only did AK publicly defy the General Staff,
but the electorate had the audacity to back them with a landslide
general election victory soon afterwards.

The months passed. There were mass demonstrations in Istanbul warning
of a Sharia state. The battle continued in the courts, where AK
narrowly evaded a ban on accusations of Islamist activity. A fine
however was imposed, the sense of the accusation may have stuck.

The ‘Ergenekon’ coup plot scandal is seen by some as an
attempt to discredit AK enemies and the army as power-hungry and
anti-democratic. Hundreds, including senior retired officers, have
been arrested over alleged plans for a campaign of demonstrations,
bombings and assassinations that would clear the way for a military
coup. AK holds up its hands, denying any involvement, and says the
judicial process must take its independent course.

The courts, though, are arguably the second trenchline, following the
military’s failure to bring AK to order. The outright military coups
of the 20th century, no-one wants to contemplate, not least against
a government with broad popular backing. Parliament, where AK faces
only a weak and inept opposition, can play no real role; that is,
for the moment.

So, what’s new?

A court’s ruling that Gul should face trial in a case dating back over
a decade, involving millions of dollars in political funds, opens a
new chapter in the book. Whether there is a case or not, the move will
probably founder on Gul’s immunity. Supporters will see it as another
attempt by the judiciary to persecute AK, sceptics will see a coverup.

The AK Party, Pure and Clear, came to power promising to sweep away the
graft and corruption of the ancient regime. So endemic is corruption
in public life, this was always going to be a tall order. If clouds of
corruption gather over AK, real or illusory, the party’s and Erdogan’s
authority could be seriously undermined.

AK must remain AK, to retain its raison d’etre.

The party’s support fell at recent local elections, but it remains
hugely popular.

The Islamist accusations, the military warnings, the court cases,
the demonstrations, any suggestion of corruption or instability,
all whittle away at this emergency coalition. They test its unity,
holding it in check until, as the script might run, it can be prized
apart or it disintegrates of its own accord. New parties could form,
as nervous middle classes desert, or the old parties, now languishing
in disregard, could re-emerge. Parliament might become again a true
political battlefield.

For those who would wish away AK, though, whether by attrition or by
some cataclysmic events, one poignant question arises in a country
still strewn with the political ruins left by the hurricane of 2002:
"If not AK, then who? If not Erdogan, then who?"

(Demonstrators shout slogans during a protest at the mausoleum of
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern and secular Turkey, in Ankara
May 17, 2009. Thousands of anti-government protesters marched in
Turkey’s capital on Sunday, calling on Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan
to resign for what they say are violations of the country’s secular
principles. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY CONFLICT POLITICS))

(Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan answers questions during a
news conference at the Prime Ministers Chancellery in Warsaw may 14,
2009. REUTERS/Peter Andrews (POLAND POLITICS))

(Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul review a honour guard at al-Shaeb
presidential palace in Damascus May 15, 2009. REUTERS/ Khaled al-Hariri
(SYRIA POLITICS))

ARMENIA’S KARABAKH PROPAGANDA ON EUROVISION

Hurriyet
May 19 2009
Turkey

ISTANBUL – Armenian politics intervened with Eurovision this
weekend. When the live feed shifted to Yerevan, a gigantic statue
that is the symbol of Nagorno-Karabakh appeared onscreen.

The 54th Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow on Saturday turned out
to be an arena of politics. When the host from Moscow turned the
live feed to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, striking pictures were
reflected to television screens worldwide.

Sirusho, the Armenian pop star who represented the country last year
with the song "Qele Qele," was onscreen to report the Armenian votes
when she lifted the card she was holding to cover her face. There was
a photograph of "Menk Yenk Mer Sarerı" (We Are Our Own Mountains),
in another name, "Dad u Bab" (Grandmother and Grandfather), the
gigantic statue that is the symbol of the Armenian administration
of Nagorno-Karabakh, on the card. The same picture was also on
barcovision.

Azerbaijan complained, Russia censored video Sisters Ä°nka and Anuysh
Arsagian, Armenian representatives with the song "Jan Jan," who landed
in 10th place, had images of Nagorno-Karabakh, alongside the cultural
beings of Armenia, in their video that was shown in the semifinals. The
mentioned images were cut from the video with Russia’s intervention
after Azerbaijan complained. The Armenian press put the matter on the
agenda after the contest. The press had two different approaches: Some
said Eurovision, as usual, was overshadowed by politics, and others
argued that Armenia presented its stance on Karabakh clearly once more.

Criticizing Armenia’s stance Levon Barseghian, president of a
journalists’ club called Asparez from Gyumri, the second biggest city
in Armenia, said: "The Eurovision is not a contest; it is baloney
in the strictest sense of the word. It is lacking seriousness and
integrity; that is why I do not even take it seriously."

Barseghian also criticized the images on television screens: "I am
aware of Karabakh’s importance to Armenia, but you cannot get results
to political problems with such simple solutions."

‘Armenia presented its determined stance on Karabakh’ Aram Abrahamyan,
editor-in-chief of Aravot, Armenia’s best-selling newspaper, said he
thinks Armenia’s stance is right. He believes Armenia presented its
stance on Karabakh clearly once more to the world. "Russia had the
Karabakh images cut from the video due to the acts of Azerbaijanis. I
do not believe they have a right to this kind of intervention. The
mentioned statue is the symbol of Karabakh; therefore it is ours, too."

Antranik Tevanyan, editor-in-chief for "7or" (Seven Days) newspaper,
also found Armenia’s stance appropriate: "The act of Armenia was
right and in its place."

18TH SESSION OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF "HAYASTAN" ALL-ARMENIAN FUND HELD

ARMENPRESS
May 18, 2009

YEREVAN, MAY 18, ARMENPRESS: Today the 18th session of Board of
Trustees of "Hayastan" all-Armenian fund took place chaired by the
head of the Board, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

Presidential Press office told Armenpress that before passing to the
agenda Samvel Karapetian, Sergey Hambardzumyan, Gagik Tsarukyan,
Seyran Karapetian, Genadi Stepanian, Edik Khachatryan, "VivaCell"
and "ArmRusgasprom" companies, who have supported the projects of
"Hayastan" all-Armenian fund and granted more than a million USD have
been awarded with certificates of honorary members of the fund.

"Karabakh Telecom" which donated 500 000 USD to the Fund has got a
certificate of a philanthropic member.

According to the first agenda point changes have been made in the Fund
Charter and an office of Assistant to the Head of Council of Trustees
has been established also involving him in the staff of directorate of
the council of trustees. Former Nagorno Karabakh President, Ambassador
of Armenia for special assignments Arkadi Ghukasyan has been elected
on this post.

The newly established office of Armenian Diaspora Minister has also
been involved in the staff of council of trustees.

According to their office the NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, Diaspora
Minister Hranush Hakobyan, Head of the Central Bank Arthur Javadyan,
head of Government-affiliated state Revenue Committee Gagik Khachatryan
have also been involved in the Council.

Staff of the Fund Council has been enhanced involving the
representative of Russia in it. President Sargsyan said that it is
justified taking into consideration the fact that the biggest Armenian
Diaspora is in this state. Philanthropist, well known entrepreneur
Samvel Karapetian has been involved in the staff of Armenian Board
of Trustees as the representative of Russian Federation. He has been
decided to be included in the directorate of the Board of Trustees.

Because of being very busy philanthropist Luis Simon Manukyan went
out of the directorate of the Board. President Sargsyan expressed
gratitude to Ms. Luis Simon Manukyan for collaborative efficient
work. It has been decided to award Ms. Luis Simon Manukyan with a
title of honorary member of the Board of Trustees.

The Council has appointed Ara Vardanyan a head of executive board of
"Hayastan" all-Armenian fund.

At the end of the session noting that "Hayastan" all-Armenian fund
staff involves heads of all the core institutions of Armenia and
the Diaspora and representatives of biggest Armenian communities,
President Sargsyan said: "Nevertheless our sessions have mainly been
limited with the discussion of current fund projects. I have decided
from now on to use the occasion of the session of trustees to present
you the existing developments of issues of all Armenian importance".

Afterwards the President referred to the efforts exerted towards the
regulation of Armenian- Turkish relations and the negotiation process
of Karabakh conflict regulation.

ANCA CHAIRMAN SHARES COMMUNITY’S SHARP DISAPPOINTMENT WITH OBAMA

nca-chairman-shares-communitys-sharp-disappointmen t-with-obama/
May 18, 2009 ~U

You failed to honor your commitment to lift our nation’s response
to genocide to the level of our shared American values, choosing,
instead, to allow America’s willingness to respond forcefully to this
horrific crime to remain hostage to Turkish threats and intimidation."

-ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian

WASHINGTON-In a May 18 letter, Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) chairman Ken Hachikian shared with President Barack Obama the
Armenian American community’s disappointment with the administration’s
failure to honor his campaign pledges to recognize the Armenian
Genocide and to foster the growth and development of Armenia.

Hachikian addressed both the president’s decision not to honor his
repeated promises to recognize the genocide, as well as his recent
proposal to cut aid to Armenia by 38 percent, even as he increases
overall foreign aid spending and the level of assistance he seeks to
the regions of Europe, Eurasia, and South and Central Asia.

The full text of the ANCA letter is provided below.

***

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing on behalf of the Armenian National Committee of America
to voice the Armenian American community’s profound disappointment
with your decision not to honor your pledge to recognize the Armenian
Genocide.

In breaking your clearly stated and unambiguous commitment, you
bitterly disappointed all those who believed in your solemn word to
change a flawed U.S. policy on the Armenian Genocide, a policy that
you yourself, in a letter you sent to your constituents last year,
sharply criticized as "inexcusable." More broadly, you failed to honor
your commitment to lift our nation’s response to genocide to the level
of our shared American values, choosing, instead, to allow America’s
willingness to respond forcefully to this horrific crime to remain
hostage to Turkish threats and intimidation. This failure continues
the morally flawed policy of allowing Turkey to veto our stand on
human rights by effectively imposing a "gag" rule on U.S. recognition
of the Armenian Genocide.

Your broken pledge represents both a grave offense to Armenian
Americans and a disservice to all Americans who understand that our
nation’s leadership in confronting genocide should never be reduced
to a political issue that can be traded away, retreated from under
pressure, or used to advance a political agenda, of any kind. The
ongoing dialogue between Armenia and Turkey should have no bearing
on your willingness to speak the truth about the Armenian Genocide;
our stand against all instances of genocide should be unconditional.

What is so particularly disturbing about your reversal is that,
in the course of your service in the United States Senate and your
candidacy for the Presidency, you articulated a thorough knowledge
of the facts of the Armenian Genocide, a firm grasp of the practical
geo-political implications of proper American recognition of this
atrocity, a comprehensive view of the value of Turkey’s relationship
to the United States, and a clear understanding of the profound moral
issues at stake in the condemnation and commemoration of this crime
against humanity. Nothing has changed since you gave your word except
your failure to uphold it.

I respectfully call upon you to act quickly to correct your stand
on the Armenian Genocide by properly and immediately condemning and
commemorating this crime, and by working publicly toward the adoption
of the Armenian Genocide Resolution before the U.S. Congress.

The Armenian American community is also troubled that, despite
your pledge to maintain aid to Armenia and to foster her growth
and development, you have called for a 38 percent cut in economic
aid to Armenia. This represents the sharpest cut, by a significant
margin, among all the recipient nations of Europe, Eurasia, and South
and Central Asia, and takes place with the context of substantial
proposed increases to each of these three regions and a roughly 9
percent overall escalation in international affairs spending.

The singling out of Armenia, which has sent troops to Iraq and Kosovo,
appears set to contribute to our operations in Afghanistan, and hosted
the first NATO exercise in the region following the Russia-Georgia
war, for such a dramatic cut, even as it endures dual Turkish and
Azerbaijani blockades and an acute economic crisis, is profoundly
troubling to our community. Compounding this disappointment was
your decision to breach the Armenia-Azerbaijan military aid parity
agreement in favor of Baku, a move that tilts the regional military
balance and sends a dangerous signal to Azerbaijani leaders who have
made no secret of their intent to use force of arms to settle the
Nagorno-Karabagh issue.

I appreciate your attention to the concerns of the Armenian American
community and remain hopeful that you will, consistent with your
campaign commitments, revise the course your Administration has
chosen on issues of special concern to Armenia Americans. We would,
of course, welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss these
matters personally and in greater detail.

Sincerely,

Kenneth V. Hachikian Chairman

RUSSIA IS NOT AGAINST OSCE PRESENCE IN S CAUCASUS-CHIZHOV

ITAR-TASS
May 18 2009
Russia

MOSCOW, May 18 (Itar-Tass) – The issue of security in the South
Caucasus will be discussed at the Russia-EU summit in Khabarovsk,
Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the European
Communities Vladimir Chizhov said during a video bridge between Moscow,
Khabarovsk and Brussels on Monday.

"The situation in the South Caucasus will be discussed both in
connection with the aftermath of the Georgian aggression against South
Ossetia and Abkhazia and in connection with other regional aspects,
including Nagorno Karabakh," the diplomat pointed out.

Touching upon the situation with observers of the Organisation for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the region, Chizhov
noted that it "is not causing optimism." "Russia is not against the
OSCE presence in the region," he said. "We support this presence,
but on the conditions acceptable for all the sides involved in the
conflict. I mean the creation of two administrations present in Georgia
and South Ossetia, the consultations continue," the diplomat stated.

Touching upon the implementation of the Medvedev-Sarkozy plan, Chizhov
noted that it "has been successfully implemented in the part concerning
Russia." "If questions arise regarding its fulfilment, they should be
referred to the Georgian side," he stressed. "Thus one of the clauses
envisages the pullout of the Georgian forces to their permanent base,
but instead we observe concentration of the (Georgian) forces in the
areas adjoining South Ossetia," the official stressed.

"The recent tricks of the Georgian side have impaired the work of
the adjusted mechanisms for the prevention of incidents," Chizhov
indicated. "The meeting that was held in the border village Ergneti
in late April was apparently the last, because the second one never
took place," the RF ambassador to the EU noted.

The second meeting of officials of Russia, South Ossetia, Georgia and
the European Union on the normalisation of the situation in Georgia’s
border region with South Ossetia was disrupted through Georgia’s fault,
a representative of the command of the Russian military base in South
Ossetia told Itar-Tass earlier.

"The planned for today (May 7) second four-sided meeting on matters
of preventing incidents in the border zone has been indefinitely
postponed due to unconstructive position of the Georgian sided," he
said. "The Georgian side, contrary to the earlier reached agreement,
refused to hold this meeting in its territory in the Ergneti village
near the border with South Ossetia, but proposed to hold it in the
city of Gori located far from the border. This proposal for a number
of reasons, including security considerations, was not satisfactory
to the South Ossetian side that refused to go to Gori," the Russian
military base official explained.

"Thus the second four-sided meeting on the normalisation of the
situation in the Caucasus has been indefinitely postponed through
the Georgian side’s fault," he said.

First Deputy Chief of Russia’s Land Troops Main Staff,
Lieutenant-General Sergei Antonov told Itar-Tass on May 5 that the
second quadripartite meeting was to be held in the Georgian territory
near the South Ossetian border. He represented Russia at the first
meeting that was held on April 23. Antonov noted that pursuant to
the agreement reached on April 23, quadripartite meetings on the
normalisation of the situation in the region should be held at least
twice a month or as often as may be necessary.

On the night from 7-8 August 2008, Georgia launched a large-scale
military attack against South Ossetian territory. The following day
Russia reacted and deployed combat troops in South Ossetia. Russian
and Ossetian troops clashed with Georgians in the three-day Battle for
Tskhinval, the largest battle of the conflict. Russian naval forces
blocked Georgia’s coast and landed ground forces and paratroopers on
the Georgian coast. After five days of heavy fighting, the Georgian
forces were ejected from South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

After mediation by the French presidency of the European Union,
the parties reached a preliminary ceasefire agreement on 12 August,
signed by Georgia on 15 August in Tbilisi and by Russia on 16 August
in Moscow. On 12 August, RF President Dmitry Medvedev had ordered a
halt to Russian military operations in Georgia. After the signing
of the ceasefire Russia pulled most of its troops out of Georgia
proper. However, "buffer zones" were established around Abkhazia and
South Ossetia and Russia created checkpoints in Georgia’s interior
(Poti, Senaki, Perevi).

On 26 August 2008 Russia recognised independence of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia. Following international agreements, Russia completed its
withdrawal from Georgia on 8 October. As of 2009 Russian troops remain
stationed in Abkhazia and South Ossetia under bilateral agreements
with the regional governments. Georgia considers Abkhazia and South
Ossetia "Russian-occupied territories."

EUROVISION 2009: BAKU ASSUMES THE RIGHT TO ARMENIAN MONUMENT, IRANIAN MAUSOLEUM OF POETS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
18.05.2009 15:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijan which urged Eurovision 2009 organizational
committee to remove We and Our Mountains Armenian monument from
the video representing Armenia, has assumed the right to an Iranian
mausoleum.

It is not enough that Azerbaijan showed indignation over the monument
We and our Mountains which is situated in Nagorno Karabakh, this
country was not ashamed of showing Iranian Maqbaratoshoara (mausoleum
of poets in Tebriz) in a video representing Aysel and Arash.

Iranian media and diplomatic coops have been already notified of it.

Besides, during the voting in the contest, measures were taken
to prevent Azeris from voting for Inga and Anush Arshakyans. The
extension to be dialed in case for voting for Armenia was blocked.

ZE09051508 – 2009-05-15
Permalink:
Pop e Meets With Greek Orthodox, Armenian Churches

Expresses Joy at Signs of Ecumenical Unity

JERUSALEM, MAY 15, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI met with
representatives of Christian communities in the Holy Land, and is
affirming the Catholic Church’s desire to work toward common goals of
unity.

The Pope said this today, the final day of his Holy Land pilgrimage,
in the presence of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of
Jerusalem and All Palestine, Theophilus III, in an ecumenical meeting
at the patriarchate.

The Pontiff expressed the hope that the meeting will "give new impetus
to the work of theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and
the Orthodox Churches, adding to the recent fruits of study documents
and other joint initiatives."

"Such ecumenical experience bears clear witness to the link between
the unity of the Church and her mission," he noted.

The Holy Father affirmed the necessity of the witness of Christian
communities, to testify to "what our faith proclaims: the eternal
Word, who entered space and time in this land, Jesus of Nazareth, who
walked these streets, through his words and actions calls people of
every age to his life of truth and love."

Benedict XVI recognized the work of the community leaders who meet
regularly together, and encouraged them in the task of upbringing and
educating "a further generation of well-formed and committed
Christians."

"This common pastoral concern," he added, "will ensure that your
regular meetings are marked by the wisdom and fraternal charity
necessary to support one another and to engage with both the joys and
the particular difficulties which mark the lives of your people."

The Pope expressed a prayer that "the aspirations of the Christians of
Jerusalem will be understood as being concordant with the aspirations
of all its inhabitants, whatever their religion: a life of religious
freedom and peaceful coexistence and — for young people in particular
— unimpeded access to education and employment, the prospect of
suitable housing and family residency, and the chance to benefit from
and contribute to economic stability."

Significant growth

After this meeting, the Pontiff went to visit the Holy Sepulcher
nearby, and then went to the Armenian Apostolic patriarchal church of
St. James.

In the presence of Archbishop Torkom II Manoukian and members of the
Armenian Church, the Holy Father affirmed that the meeting "is another
step along the path towards the unity which the Lord desires for all
his disciples."

He acknowledged the recent "significant growth in the relationship
between the Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church,"
thanking the latter for its commitment in furthering theological
dialogue between the former and the Eastern Orthodox Churches.

Benedict XVI recalled his previous visits with Karekin II, Catholicos
of All Armenians, and Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenians.

He continued, "A particular sign of hope is the recent document on the
nature and mission of the Church produced by the Mixed Commission and
presented to the Churches for study and evaluation."

The Pope entrusted this effort to prayer "so that it can bear abundant
fruit for the growth of Christian unity."

After the meeting, he departed Jerusalem for Tel Aviv airport, where
he bade farewell to the Holy Land leaders and boarded a plane for
Rome.

— — —

On ZENIT’s Web page:

Full text of address at Greek Orthodox patriarchate:
nglish

Full text of address at Armenian patriarchate:
nglish

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SAYS NAIRIT TRAGEDY SERIOUS TRIAL FOR ARMENIA’S RESCUE SERVICES

ARKA
May 15, 2009

YEREVAN, May 15. /ARKA/. The tragedy at Nairit plant was a trial for
Armenia’s rescue services, RA President Serzh Sargsyan said.

An explosion in Armenia’s rubber producing giant Nairit plant on
Thursday at around 6:00 pm local time took lives of four workers.

"The rescuers risked their lives to extinguish the fire without a
delay," the president said as he visited today the enterprise.

Sargsyan has charged relevant agencies to launch an investigation
into the accident, expressing condolences to the families of the
dead workers.

"Though the owner of the enterprise and state agencies are ready
to recompense the losses, it will not console them," Sargsyan was
quoted saying.

The president urged other enterprises to take lessons from the tragedy
and become more cautious.

A lawsuit filed against the explosion at the Yerevan-based Nairit
chemical plant for violating safety rules in highly explosive areas,
causing human losses, as well as for careless utilization of hazardous
chemical and biological agents and toxins.

The police have launched preliminary investigation into the case.

Established in 1949, Armenia’s leading rubber producer Nairit chemical
pant manufactures chloroprene rubber marketing its products under
the Nairit brand.

AZERBAIJAN DISPLEASED WITH OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
16.05.2009 14:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-chair Matthew Bryza and
head of international relations department at Azerbaijani president’s
administration Novruz Mammadov continue a battle of words.

In an interview with Azeri Press Agency, Mr. Bryza refuted Mammadov’s
statement that the Prague talks ended in a fiasco.

"I am a mediator and I assess the ongoing processes. Mammadov was not
present at any of the meetings and can’t know how these proceeded,"
Bryza said.

Mammadov’s response followed immediately. At that, he did not
restrict himself to slamming Bryza. Mammadov accused the entire Obama
administration of pro-Armenian mood.

AN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM OF ART FIGURES UNDER "GENDER CONCERN" SLOGAN TO OPEN IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
May 8, 2009

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS: An international symposium of art figures
under "Gender Concern" slogan will open today in Yerevan in which
works presenting the gender issues will be presented.

During today’s press conference the project coordinator Susanna
Gyulamirian noted that the symposium objectives are to point out to
the issues of gender equality, once more to uncover the issues of
the sphere which are very up to date and worrying.

The project coordinator informed that five young art figures
from Germany, Iran, Finland, Turkey and USA will take part in the
symposium. From Armenia three art figures representing painting,
video art, performance and photo will take part. During the five-day
event photos and documentary films on gender issues will also be shown.

"Symposium peculiarities will be that the presented works will be
accompanied with the comments of the authors; they will present their
works and answer to the questions", – she added.

According to S. Gyulamirian, the researches in the sphere of gender
issues have long become a culture, different cognitive events are
organized and conferences invited.

"Day by day the public understands that gender does not only refer
to the equality of men and women but also the homosexuals, age and
other differences", – she added.