Author: Karagyozian Lena

SHOUSHI IS MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN EVER

Asbarez
-significance-is-more-crucial-than-ever/
May 8th, 2009

The liberation of Shoushi was the most significant turning point in
the Karabakh movement, and today, 17 years later, its significance
is even more crucial to the Armenian reality as we live in uncertain
political times.

The last two weeks have been fraught with developments that have shaken
the Armenian reality as we know it. The announcement of a "roadmap"
agreement by Armenia, Turkey and Switzerland, speculation on whether
the Karabakh conflict resolution will be a precondition to normalizing
relations with Turkey, the dual disappointment from President Obama-no
to Genocide and slashing of aid to Armenia-and the vague announcement
that Armenia and Azerbaijan are "inching closer" to an agreement have
made the Karabakh liberation movement, and especially the victory
in Shoushi more than just a bright page in modern Armenian history,
but a crucial element in our national self-preservation.

It goes without saying that any peace agreement that will alter the
current status of Karabakh (save its reunification with Armenia) will
critically endanger the population of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
and pose a threat to the national security of not just Karabakh but
also Armenia.

The victory in Shoushi ensured an imminent end to the war and
guaranteed the liberation of all of Artsakh. The sheer resilience
of the people of Karabakh and their unwavering commitment for
self-determination and freedom were the hallmarks of a movement marred
by bloodshed, war and oppression. Their heroism became a lesson for
all Armenians regardless of their proximity to Karabakh or Armenia
and proved that the decades-long struggle for justice was not in vain.

As we are thrust in a new political reality, where foreign forces
are pressuring Armenia to give up its hard-won freedoms, we-as a
nation-must come together to ensure that the heroism as a result of
which Shoushi was liberated and Karabakh was won also was not in vain.

As the late Nobel laureate Andrei Sakharov declared at the height of
the Karabakh movement, for Azerbaijan Karabakh is a matter of prestige,
whereas for Armenia it is a matter of survival.

Almost two decades later, the losses incurred by Azerbaijan are still
a matter of prestige-emasculation-whereas the preservation of Karabakh
remains, now, more than ever, a matter of life and death.

We honor those who fought hard to liberate Shoushi and Karabakh as
we mark this momentous anniversary.

ARRANGEMENTS DEDICATED TO TRIPPLE HOLIDAY-NKR DEFENCE ARMY, 17TH ANNIVERSARY OF LIBERATION OF SHOUSHI AND VICTORY DAY

NKR Government Information and
Public Relations Department
May 9, 2009

11.00 The sate and governmental delegation’s start from Rebirth Square
to Memorial Complex of Stepanakert. Placing of wreaths and flowers
to monuments by delegation members and laying flowers on graves by
leadership and public representatives.

11.45 Visit of the state and governmental delegation to Shoushi.

12.00 Laying flowers and wreaths on pedestal of memorial-tank.

12.15 Placing wreaths and flowers to Commander Vazgen Sardsyan’s
monument.

12.30 Visiting the Ghazanchetsots Church.

13.00 Organization of a solemn arrangement in view of a new building,
constructed for the officers’ staff of the NKR DA, house – warming.

17.00 A solemn meeting in the Officers’ House of Stepanakert.

19.00 The NKR President’s reception in the session hall of the NKR
Government.

20.00-23.00 Festive concert in the Rebirth Square.

22.00 Festive firework.

13.00-20.00 Concerts, sport competitions, shows, and folk outdoor
merrymakings will take place in public gardens, parks and squares
of Stepanakert.

RA MFA TAKES ITS BEST EFFORTS TO PROTECT RA CITIZENS NO MATTER WHAT COUNTRY THEY’RE IN

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.05.2009 19:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Every Armenian is safe regardless of country he is
in, RA Deputy Foreign Minister, Karine Kazinyan told a news conference
today. "RA MFA always conducts negotiations with different countries
and takes its best efforts to provide RA citizens security, though
accidents might happen."

"RA MFA takes its best efforts to protect RA citizens no matter what
country they’re in, not only in Georgia," RA Deputy Foreign Minister
emphasized.

EFFICIENCY AND OBSTACLES TO INTEGRATION OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN MEDICINES
Nana Petrosian

AZG Armenian Daily
05/05/2009

Two-day international conference under heading "Integration of
traditional and modern medicines" was held on April 28-29 in Yerevan
on the initiative of the University of Traditional Medicine (UTM).

The conference aimed at giving opportunity to the specialists in
both practical and theoretical spheres to be informed directly of
their achievements.

"The modernization of traditional and modern medicines’ integration is
evident and explicable, as the technological achievements of modern
medicine afford opportunity for more accurate diagnoses, besides;
the traditional medicine is inexpensive providing treatment without
secondary after-effects. And it is obvious that in many cases the
traditional medicine can substitute the modern one and because of that
it is often called alternative", Head of UTM International Relations
Department Ali Namavar informed. According to him, the mentioned
integration and spread of the traditional medicine is hampered by the
modern medicine, as the specialists of the modern medicine are not
properly informed of the traditional one. "Holding of international
conferences with active participation of specialists and publication
of their results can contribute to solution of this problem", Ali
Namavar mentioned.

University of Oriental Medicine founded by Norayr Saribekian
(UOM Rector) in 1991 is the first and the only institution in the
region that organizes various conferences and forums in direction
of development and spread of oriental medicine. It was the first
institution that organized conferences under heading "Integration of
traditional and modern medicines".

The first conference was held in 2007, and the second one – in
2008. April 28-29 conference was the third one with participation of
specialists from Russia, Tajikistan, Georgia, Iran and Armenia.

Five specialists from Armenia – Elionora Minasian (physiotherapist),
Hasmik Davtian (reflexotherapist), Vahe Vardanian (reflexotherapist),
Petros Ghazarian (Dr. of Biological Sciences) and Ashot Ashotian
(surgeon, phitotherapist) – delivered speeches within the framework
of the conference’s theme.

Chairman of Tajikistani Traditional Medicine Association, Associate
Member of Russian Academy of Technological Sciences Tokhiri
Mulozakhur, Chairman of Georgian Traditional Medicine Association
Tornike Alashvili, Director of Iranian Institute of National Phlebotomy
Studies Heyrandish Hussein and International trainer of yoga, Editor
of Iranian magazine "Yoga" Kazemir Nadir also participated in the
conference. 24 Iranian specialists participated in the conference
presenting their scientific articles.

Speaking of the conference’s results, Head of UTM International
Relations Department Ali Namavar mentioned, "Thanks to international
cooperation long-lasting working relations are established with the
equivalent institution in Iran that is organizing a seminar dedicated
to reflexotherapy this year in Tehran where Armenian representatives
will also participate".

The following specialists from the Islamic Republic of Iran delivered
speeches at the conference "Integration of traditional and modern
medicines" – Mahdi Askarfarashar, Mohammad Yusef, Ali Javadi, Hamid
Reza, Khoshnezad Azam, Abdullah Baharlui, Abas Musavi, Rasul Daleb,
Reza Rezayidaregyanar, Aligo Naseri, Rahman Ebrahimi, Gholamreza
Carimi, Akram Falah, Sharare Dustirezai, Mamak Hashemi Habibabadi,
Hasan Sarbazhusein, Masud Balaghatnia, Aldas Tahebnejad, Amolbanin
Tavakoli, Mohsen Dehlan, Gholamreza Salsali, Masud Purmehrab,
Shokoola Mirkafari.

FITCH RATINGS AFFIRMS VTB BANK ARMENIA AT ‘BB+’ AND ACBA-CREDIT AGRICOLE BANK AT ‘BB’

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.05.2009 15:02 GMT+04:00

Fitch ratings has on April 30 affirmed two Armenian banks, VTB Bank
Armenia (VTBA) and ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank (ACBA), at Long-term
Issuer Default (IDR) ‘BB+’ and ‘BB’, respectively.

The outlooks on both banks are Stable. The Individual Ratings of VTB
A and ACBA have been also affirmed at ‘D/E’ and ‘D’, respectively. A
full list of rating actions is provided at the end of this commentary.

The IDRs of both banks reflect Fitch’s view of the moderate probability
of support being forthcoming, if required, from their owners. Fitch
believes Russia’s JSC VTB Bank (VTB; ‘BBB’/Negative) would have a
strong propensity to support VTB A, in case of need, due to its 100%
ownership, the strategic importance of CIS markets for VTB and the
small size of VTB A relative to its parent.

In respect to ACBA, the probability of support being forthcoming
from Credit Agricole (CA; ‘AA-‘ (AA minus)/Stable) is undermined by
CA’s minority stake (28%) and the fact that the Armenian market does
not appear to be of high importance for CA; these considerations
are reflected in the lower Long-term IDR of ACBA, relative to VTB
A. Nevertheless, support is factored into the ratings of ACBA due to
brand association, the close involvement of CA in establishing and
supervising ACBA and ACBA’s relatively small size.

The Individual Ratings of both banks reflect rapid loan growth in
recent years, the high proportion of foreign currency loans and
the high-risk operating environment, but also take into account
the solid capitalisation of both banks and their broad domestic
franchises. However, the high concentration of VTB A’s loan book, its
relatively high exposure to the vulnerable construction sector, the
somewhat higher current loan impairment level, larger tier 2 component
in capital and much higher reliance on shareholder funding/liquidity
support make the bank weaker on a standalone basis, which is reflected
in its Individual Rating of ‘D/E’. The Individual Rating of ACBA at
‘D’ considers the high granularity of its loan portfolio, diversified
funding base and stable liquidity position, high profitability and
good corporate governance.

ACBA is Armenia’s largest bank by assets and loans, with market shares
of 12% and 13%, respectively, at end-2008. It has a leading position
in agricultural lending with a 71% market share. The biggest stake
in the bank is owned by CA and the remainder is distributed among 10
regional agricultural unions.

VTBA held 11% of sector loans and 5.9% of retail deposits at
end-2008. The bank has an extensive branch network covering all
regions of Armenia and is 100%-owned by VTB, finchannel.com reported.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Any attempt to question historical fact of Armenian Genocide can be
characterized as atavism
02.05.2009 19:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In connection with the information on the
press-conference of Genocide Museum Director Hayk Demoyan (30
Apr. 2009), the speaker himself turned to PanARMENIAN.Net saying that
the term `genocide’ gives way to manipulations. Mr. Demoyan said that
as a result of editing the text, some of his statements were cut from
context, acquiring a new sense. As a matter of fact, the statement
sounds as follows:

`I want all of us to avoid emotions. It’s unclear why we get
disappointed ahead of time and try to demonstrate complexes that have
already fallen out of use.’

With regard to Barack Obama’s April 24 address, I see both positive
and negative consequences. As Director of Genocide Museum-Institute
and researcher studying Genocide issues I find that exploiting the
term `genocide’ contains a serious danger. It establishes a precedent
for further manipulations. `Genocide’, as a legal term, means a
gravest crime. Such manipulations, I mean, promise to use or not to
use the term or the language trainings are extremely dangerous. I
don’t view the issue in the Armenian context; I view it in a broader,
global context. Unfortunately, mankind will survive genocides in the
XXI century as well. As to me, I’d rather Obama hadn’t promised
anything. In such case, I would have realized everything. But when
everything is obvious¦ to avoid saying a broken promise, I would
characterize it as an attempt to devalue to term. In the history of
mankind, genocide means a gravest crime. Hence, any manipulation of
the term is extremely dangerous. And I don’t view the problem in the
Armenian context. I view it in a broader, global context.

With regard to positive consequences, I would first of all mention
that Obama is a quite charismatic personality. I think, the rumors
about his statement, i.e. that Obama didn’t use the word, swaying his
electoral pledge, will attract more public attention to the Armenian
Issue and Armenian Genocide Studies. In this respect, I find it a
positive phenomenon, as it may help raise international community’s
awareness of Armenian Genocide. I don’t only mean the American
community; I speak about the international community on the whole.

Besides, if we look back to the past 20 years, and draw comparisons
with the present-day reality, we’ll see an unprecedentedly high level
of awareness, a greater number of scientific studies and, of course,
international recognition. Currently, any step and even dream or hope
to question the historical fact of Armenian Genocide can be
characterized as atavism, reversion to a more primitive state, which
may but arouse irony and nothing more".

THREE CHARGED IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY ON SUSPICION OF GOING TO AL-QA’IDAH CAMP

Anadolu Agency
April 28 2009
Turkey

Van: Three people, one of them a Syrian citizen, who had been
apprehended in an operation conducted in Van on allegations that
they intended to go to Al-Qa’idah camps in Afghanistan, have been
arrested. It is stated that one of these individuals, Minur Hayal,
is a relative of Yasin Hayal, who is a suspect in an ongoing trial
for the murder of [Turkish Armenian journalist] Hrant Dink.

According to information obtained by and Anatolia correspondent,
teams from the Counter-terrorism and Intelligence Sections of the
Van Security Directorate put Minur Hayal, Ozgur Usta and Syrian
citizen Serhan Ahmed, all of whom had come from Istanbul to Van,
under surveillance.

The suspects, who sought to cross into Iran with false identity
documents and passports, boarded a minibus that was departing for
the border.

The suspects, who wanted to go to the Yuksekova district of Hakkari
Province, and from there to cross into Iran, were taken into custody
in an operation conducted against the minibus by police teams at the
exit of Kurubas village, on the road from Van to Hakkari.

Hayal, Usta, and Ahmed, who were brought before the Van Court following
two days of questioning in the Counter-terrorism Section, were charged
by the Fourth Court for Serious Crimes with "membership in a terrorist
organization" and "falsification of documents".

It is stated that, of the suspects, who it has been learned wanted
to go to Al-Qa’idah’s camps in Afghanistan, Minur Hayal is related
to Yasin Hayal, one of the suspects in the trial for the murder of
journalist Hrant Dink.

GEN. BASBUG: WE HAVE TO GET CONCRETE RESULTS REGARDING ELIMINATION OF PKK

Anadolu Agency
April 29
Turkey

ANKARA (A.A) – 29.04.2009 – Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker
Basbug said on Wednesday that local administration in the north of
Iraq must actively be involved in to eliminate the presence of PKK
terrorist organization in the north of Iraq.

"We have to get concrete results about this issue within this year,"
added Gen. Basbug who held a meeting with journalists of several
press organs in Ankara.

Noting that Turkey’s Iraq policy was obvious, and territorial integrity
had a vital importance, Gen. Basbug said that elimination of PKK in
the north of Iraq was very important for Turkey.

Gen. Basbug also said that he recently held meetings with Admiral Mike
Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. National
Security Advisor James Jones. He added that neither Mullen nor
Jones had any concrete demands from Turkey regarding Afghanistan and
Iraq issues.

Gen. Basbug said that he exchanged views about the recent developments
in Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq with Adm. Mullen.

He said that there were very serious developments in Pakistan, adding
that the U.S. and Turkey were uneasy about those developments.

Gen. Basbug also said that the U.S. considered to support the region
with military force prior to the elections that would take place in
Afghanistan in August.

Regarding Turkey’s sending additional military force to Afghanistan,
Gen. Basbug reminded that NATO undertook the responsibility of securing
Afghanistan as of 2006. He added that Turkey currently had 795-800
military forces in Afghanistan within the scope of International
Security Assistance Forces (ISAF), and they were working with Italian
and French units to extend support to Afghan government by contributing
to the safety of Kabul and surrounding regions.

Gen. Basbug said that normally Turkey would undertake Kabul Regional
Command as of August but it might be delayed to November because
elections would take place in Afghanistan in August. He added that
forces of Italy and France would be withdrawn from the region in
August, and the number of Turkish units might be increased if there
was a need.

Regarding problems between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Gen. Basbug
said that Armenia’s withdrawal (from the lands which it occupied in
Azerbaijan) was important.

Gen. Basbug said that Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan explained
Turkey’s views about the issue twice by saying that Armenia’s
withdrawal and opening of Turkey-Armenia border gate should be made
simultaneously. Gen. Basbug said, "we completely agree with this
statement."

FOREIGN MINISTRY OF ARMENIA NOT ACQUAINTED WITH ALI BABACAN’S PROPOSAL

ArmInfo
2009-04-30 11:33:00

Foreign Ministry of Armenia is not acquainted with the proposal
sounded by Foreign Minister of Turkey Ali Babacan on April 29.’We are
not acquainted with such a proposal’, Head of the Department for Mass
Media Relations of Armenia’s FM press service Tigran Balayan said when
commenting on Babacan’s statement, on ArmInfo’s request, saying that
‘new diplomatic process for normalization of the relations of Turkey
and Azerbaijan with Armenia will start in the coming days’.

"New diplomatic process for normalization of the relations of Turkey
and Azerbaijan with Armenia will start in the upcoming weeks with
participation of the US, Russia and Switzerland. Presidents of
Azerbaijan and Armenia achieved significant improvements in the
negotiations. Messages we received from both countries show that the
political will make the solution to these problems available. There
is a spark of hope, there is probability of solution. This is
not the process to last for many years. If both sides demonstrate
will, OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Russia and US demonstrate will,
the problems can be solved. The question is the multilateral and
bilateral dialogue among Russia, US, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Turkey
and Armenia. Our target is to achieve win- win results. We will start
large-scale process in the upcoming weeks. All the details of these
issues will be discussed in these countries. The term of the process
will be determined as a result of the diplomatic talks held among
six countries," A. Babacan said.

ARONIAN OF ARMENIA WINNER OF THE FOURTH GRAND PRIX FIDE TOURNAMENT IN NALCHIK

armradio.am
30.04.2009 16:37

Grand Master Levon Aronian of Armenia became the winner of the
fourth Grand Prix FIDE tournament which has come to the end in
Nalchik. Having won in last round against Hungarian Peter Leko, the
Armenian grandmaster scored 8.5 points out of 13 and on bypassing
Leko and the compatriot Vladimir Akopian with one point, who shared
2nd and 3rd 3 places with 7.5 points each.

After this tournament Aronian moved tothe third place in the general
Grand Prix standings following Teimur Radzhabov and Alexander Grischuk
and became one of the main applicants for a victory in the series.

The winners of the 4th FIDE Grand Prix tournament were celebrated
in the Music Theatre of the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, ChessBase
news reports.

The chief arbiter Vyacheslav Namruev announced the official results of
the tournaments. He pointed out that the 14 chess players of the 20
strongest grandmasters of the world gathered in Nalchik. The events
of this round of the FIDE Grand Prix were watched in many countries
of the world. The last day the Grand Prix site was visited by users
from 150 countries of the world. The uncompromising battle was going
on up to the last day. The winner of the 4th round of the FIDE Grand
Prix is Levon Aronyan from Armenia.

The large plastic check with the prize sum was pre sented to the
winner by FIDE Vice-President Geoffrey Borg, the head of the KBR
government Andrew Yarin and the minister of sport and tourism of KBR
Aslan Afaunov. Levon Aronian in his turn thanked the organizers of
the contest and said: "I have spent wonderful days here. When I was
going to Nalchik my parents told me that people are very friendly
and hospitable here. Nalchik is a perfect place for holding chess
tournaments."