Author: Karagyozian Lena

MEETING OF SERZH SARGSYAN WITH TURKISH PM GIVES IDEA ABOUT STANCE OF ANKARA

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 14, 2010 – 19:21 AMT 14:21 GMT

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said that the meetings
of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan with the U.S. President and
Turkish Prime Minister in Washington have strengthened conclusions
of the Armenian side with respect to the decision on process of the
Armenian-Turkish normalization. This decision will be made public as
soon as the Armenian President thinks it is an appropriate time to
inform the Armenian society, Nalbandian told a briefing in Washington,
DC.

According to him, the meeting of Serzh Sargsyan with the Turkish
Prime Minister allowed Yerevan to get a clearer idea about the stance
of Ankara. The Armenian Foreign Minister stated that the meetings
provided Armenia with another opportunity to ascertain that the
Armenian side was right in its assessments of recent processes around
the Armenian-Turkish normalization. "Our ideas about and approaches
towards further actions have strengthened after these meetings,"
the Foreign Minister said.

4565 NAMES IN THE ICRC LIST OF THE LOST AS A RESULT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

ArmInfo
2010-04-13 16:21:00

ArmInfo. The total of 4565 names are involved in the ICRC list of the
lost in the action as a result of Karabakh conflict, communication
coordinator of the ICRC Yerevan Delegation Ashot Astabatsyan told
journalists today.

401 from Armenia and 457 from Nagornyy Karabakh, and 3697 from
Azerbaijan and another 10 – other nations. The ICRC employees have
already gathered information about 323 lost from Armenia. He said
that it is necessary to make a law on protection of the families of
the lost. A working group under the patronage of Armenian Foreign
Ministry has been set up for that. The ICRC is going to actively
support drawing out of this law, he said.

ARMENIA SHOULD NOT HAVE ACCEPTED ERDOGAN’S INVITATION: STEPAN SAFARYAN

Tert.am
12.04.10

"I think Armenia should not have accepted Erdogan’s invitation
to meet. Armenia should have accepted at least US’s proposal over
a tripartite meeting, as Turkey alone has nothing to tell Armenia
after the statement it made publicly," Heritage Party deputy Stepan
Safaryan told Tert.am.

According to Safaryan it was Turkey, not Armenia, that needed
the Erdogan-Sargsyan meeting in Washington, as in that way Ankara
will make sure that US President Barack Obama will not use the term
"genocide" in his April 24 commemoration address this year either
– something Obama failed to do in 2009. With the same token, the
Washington meeting is necessary also for US, which leaves no room
for Safaryan to have positive expectations.

In his words what Armenia expects from Turkey is that it withdraws
from its policy of linking the Karabakh issue to the Armenia-Turkey
normalization and, most importantly, to make it publicly rather than
in a private meeting in Washington.

"It is not in Washington that Turkey should provide answers to these
questions. It was in Ankara that the Protocols should have been
ratified and it was in Ankara that Turkey should have withdrawn from
policy of linking the Karabakh issue," said Safaryan.

SOME FORCES KEEN TO SPOIL RELATIONS BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND TURKEY

news.az
April 12 2010
Azerbaijan

Elin Suleymanov Azerbaijan has never opposed the normalization of
Turkish-Armenian relations, Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los
Angeles Elin Suleymanov said.

Azerbaijan has always stood for peace and stability in South Caucasus
region.

However, without solving the Karabakh problem the opening of the
Armenian-Turkish borders could lead to undesirable consequences, and
I do not even rule out that this would increase the risk of renewed
war, Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles Elin Suleymanov told
Turkish Hurriyet newspaper.

‘Armenians do not call us Azerbaijanis, they say that we are Turks.

They see our peoples (the Azerbaijani and Turkish people – Ed.) as a
whole. But we have recently seen some distancing from this position
in some of the Turkish media. Some forces are keen to spoil relations
between the two brotherly countries, based on the foundation that is
reflected in the phrase "one nation – two states".

For example, recent rumors have reached us that the Azerbaijani
diaspora has ceased support to the Turkish diaspora in the United
States. This is not true. These special forces spread such rumors to
drive a wedge in our relations’, said the consul general.

‘Azerbaijan is a pragmatic state. The policy laid by our national
leader Heydar Aliyev is successfully continued by current President
Ilham Aliyev. Therefore, all the regional processes are viewed
pragmatically. If the United States does not want to be interested in
the processes in our region, it is their problem. However, in such a
situation the role of Russia is increasing, and we act on the basis
of such a development of the situation’, he said.

FUNDS RAISED DURING PHONEATHON 2009 HELP REBUILD ASKERAN WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 12, 2010 – 13:41 AMT 08:41 GMT

The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund has launched a major infrastructure
project in Askeran, NKR, seeking to rebuild its crumbling potable-water
and sewer networks. The initiative is co-financed by the Fund’s French
affiliate – through donations received during the 2009 Pan-European
Phoneathon – and the government of Artsakh, the Fund said in a press
release.

Commenting on the urgent issues Askeran is facing today, Albert
Avanesyan, head of the region’s Urban Development Department,
identified the potable-water problem as the most urgent. Currently
drinking water reaches Askeran through rusted pipes and at minimal
volume – due to water loss caused by an extensively damaged network.

Askeran’s aging sewer system is also in a state of disrepair, posing
serious health risks.

Avanesyan added that another obstacle affecting development of the
town is the recent decline in the number of marriages, a phenomenon
brought on by the lack of affordable housing.

With the earthwork already completed, construction crews are now
rebuilding Askeran’s internal water-distribution system by installing
new pipes, which by the project’s end will cover the network’s close
to six-kilometer overall length. Also to be built are a 50-meter-long
embankment along the shore of the Badara River, meant to prevent
riverbank collapse, and a water-purification station. Finally,
the project will include the reconstruction of two water reservoirs
(with a total capacity of 1,000 cubic meters) and the sewer network.

"As the lack of access to water remains a critically urgent issue in
both Armenia and Artsakh, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is committed
to address the problem as a matter of highest priority," said Ara
Vardanyan, the Fund’s executive director. "We are deeply grateful to
our compatriots across Europe, whose generous contributions during
the 2009 Pan-European Phoneathon made the Askeran infrastructure
project possible."

Currently three projects financed by the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s
French affiliate are nearing completion. They include the construction
of the Chartar Village school (Martuni Region, Artsakh), construction
of an internal potable-water network in Sos Village (Martuni), and
construction of a regional cardiology center in Akner, near Goris
(Syunik Region, Armenia).

Two additional projects financed entirely or in part by the French
affiliate will be launched within the next few months. They are the
reconstruction of the Muratsan School (Shushi) and reconstruction of
the Aygehovit-Vazashen irrigation network (Tavush Region, Armenia).

The latter initiative is sponsored jointly by the fund’s French and
Argentinean affiliates.

Nestled in northeastern Artsakh, the Askeran region borders on
Azerbaijan in the east. It is home to a number of major commercial
companies including Artsakh Alco (a manufacturer of alcoholic
beverages), Artsakh Fruit (a producer of fruits and vegetables),
Varanda (a maker of barrels and hardwood flooring), as well as a
alabaster factory. These enterprises employ nearly 260 area residents.

Agriculture continues to be a vital component of Askeran’s economy.

The area produces significant quantities of pomegranates, grapes,
and cereal crops, which are packed at local food-processing centers.

Lately Askeran farmers have begun efforts to grow watermelons as well.

Notable among Askeran’s historic monuments is the 18th-century
Mayraberd fortress. Another community institution is the Surb
Astvatsatsin Church, built in 2003.

FIDH member organisations in Armenia and Turkey issue a joint declaration

armradio.am
09.04.2010 15:39

FIDH’s 37th Congress adopted a resolution, saying it pays tribute to
the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide and salutes the
efforts of its member organisations in Armenia and in Turkey (Civil
Society Institute (CSI, Armenia), Human Rights Association (IHD,
Turkey) and Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT, Turkey)) and
brings its full support to the joint Declaration that they have
concluded in the context of the 37th FIDH Congress, including
perspectives for actions identified in the Declaration.

The FIDH member organization in Armenia and Turkey concluded a joint
declaration in the context of the 37th FIDH Congress. The declaration
reads:

`We strongly believe that the protection of human rights throughout
Turkey and the South Caucasus is key in the process of peace-building,
reconciliation and good neighbourly relations between all countries in
the region, in order to ensure the safety, wellbeing and dignity of
people across borders.

We call on both countries and societies in Armenia and Turkey to join
their efforts and to create the necessary environment and processes to
compensate for any negative consequences of human rights abuses
committed in the past, including discrimination on the basis of
ethnicity, religion etc, and to adhere to the standards of human
rights protection as defined by international instruments.

As an essential component to ensure respect for human rights
throughout the region, we call for freedom of expression in all
countries, and for the abolishment of any laws and practices that
prevent free speech, including those imposing constraints on the
Armenian-Turkish dialogue, such as Article 301 of the Criminal Code of
Turkey.

We urge the political parties of the government and of the opposition
in Turkey and Armenia to fulfill their duties to take every necessary
step to normalize relations between the two countries and societies.
This includes the imminent need to implement the bilateral Protocols
on the normalisation of diplomatic relations and the opening of mutual
borders. Progress in this direction and the process of democratic
transformation in Turkey will create a favourable environment for
addressing the painful issue of the Armenian Genocide.

We denounce all forms of hostility fed by militaristic ambitions and
structures among nations in the region.

To ensure sustainable peace between Armenia and Turkey and the
prevention of mutual hostility in the future, we call on the two
governments to ratify and implement the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court.

With the aim of building bridges between the two societies, we call on
both countries to implement inclusive policies and to abolish
exclusive approaches in every sphere of life.

We call on the governments and civil societies of both countries to
promote equal and just treatment in every sphere of life, including
media, education, administration, legal practices, and public life.’

Guillermo Tolosa: Armenia’s national debt to make 50% of GDP by late 2010

April 9, 2010 – 15:55 AMT 10:55 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

Armenia’s national debt will be growing by 2012, then its gradual
decrease can be expected, according to Mr. Guillermo Tolosa, IMF
Resident Representative in Armenia.

As he told a press conference in Yerevan, by the end of 2010 the
national debt will make 50% of GDP, with the foreign debt amounting to
43% of GDP.

Mr. Tolosa said that IMF report profoundly analyzes Armenia’s national
debt and according to it the debt is stable enough in the mid-term
aspect if the main parameters envisaged within the framework of IMF
programs are fulfilled.

As of December 31, 2009, Armenia’s national debt totaled AMD 1270.7
billion. According to the RA National Statistical Service, the
domestic debt amounted to AMD 149.7 billion and foreign debt totaled
AMD 1121.1 billion.

President of Armenia refrains from any forecasts on his upcoming
meeting with Turkish Prime Minister in Washington

2010-04-09 16:11:00

ArmInfo. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan refrains from any
forecasts on his upcoming meeting with Prime Minister of Turkey Recep
Tayyip Erdogan in Washington.

During his tour of Tavush region, the president told media that
Armenia has already given its agreement to a meeting with the Turkish
prime minister. "Serious meetings are planned, but we will present
them to public only after we make sure that we have adopted the right
decision. Now is not time for that," the president said.

ARMENIAN CHURCH TO BE HOME OF CULTURE IN CENTRAL ANATOLIAN TOWN

Hurriyet
php?n=armenian-church-to-be-home-of-culture–2010- 04-07
April 8 2010
Turkey

Surp Yerotutyun, an Armenian church constructed in 1881 in the town of
Sivrihisar in EskiÅ~_ehir province and one of the largest in Anatolia,
will be restored.

Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, mayor of Sivrihisar Fikret Arslan
said they wanted to restore many historical buildings in the town,
including Surp Yerortutyun. "We want to renovate historical buildings
in Sivrihisar, and this includes an Armenian church constructed in
1881 and an Armenian bath," Arslan said.

Arslan said the church was one of the biggest ones in Anatolia and
had been used as a depot for a long time. The church was abandoned 20
years ago, he said. "Angel figures in the entrance gate of the church
draw attention. We keep these figures in a safe place because they
are in danger of being stolen. There are frescos, Virgin Mary figures
and writings in the church. It is visited even in this situation,
and the number of visitors has increased in recent years," he said.

The restoration of the Surp Yerortutyun Church will be sponsored by
the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the church will be
turned into a home of culture. Middle East Technical University and
Gazi University will make environmental arrangements, and roads to
the church will also be restored.

EskiÅ~_ehir Provincial Culture and Tourism Director Osman Gul said
the restoration project was in the final stage. "The project will
be awarded in the coming days, and works will start. The church is
expected to contribute to the district’s tourism when it becomes
a culture house, and the number of visitors is then expected to
increase," he said.

ARMENIA AWARE OF AZERBAIJAN’S WEAK POINTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 8, 2010 – 15:53 AMT 10:53 GMT

Territorial issues between the states are hardly ever resolved
peacefully, according to Karabakh war commander, Major General Arkady
Ter-Tadevosyan.

As Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan told a news conference in Yerevan, safety
of Armenia and Karabakh is guaranteed by CSTO collective forces,
which renders Azerbaijan or Turkey’s attack on Armenia unlikely.

Still, Major General did not preclude the probability of Azerbaijan’s
provocations in NKR liberated territories. "We must be realistic.

There’s a high possibility for a war, and this is the reason mediators
actively promote the agreement on non-use of force. Negotiations are
at standstill and despite OSCE MG statements, no progress is observed
in conflict settlement," the military expert noted.

As Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan emphasized, were the war start in
Karabakh, it would be waged with the use of military equipment of
new generation. Armenia is aware of Azerbaijan’s weak points, and,
should necessity arise, will strike at its strategic objects, Major
General concluded.