Author: Karapetian Hovik

LINK BETWEEN ERGENEKON, DINK MURDER SUSPECTS, POLICE SAY

Hurriyet
May 10 2010
Turkey

The defendants in the Hrant Dink murder trial had connections to
six suspects in the ongoing Ergenekon coup plot case, news agencies
reported Monday.

In a statement sent by Istanbul police for Monday’s hearing of the
Dink trial, authorities said infamous Ergenekon suspects Veli Kucuk,
Kemal Kerincsiz, Mustafa Levent GöktaÅ~_, Muzaffer Tekin and Erbay
Colakoglu spoke on the phone to the suspects in Dink’s murder. Dink
was a Turkish journalist of Armenian origin.

Kucuk and Kerincsiz were closely linked to a case in which Dink
was tried for insulting Turkishness in one of his articles; before
his death, the journalist said he had felt threatened by the pair’s
presence at the hearings.

Alleged members of the suspected Ergenekon gang are accused of plotting
to overthrow Turkey’s government by sowing chaos in society.

Dink’s friends ask for justice

Prior to the start of Monday’s 13th hearing at the BeÅ~_iktaÅ~_
courthouse, friends of the murdered journalist gathered to issue
another demand for justice in the long-running case.

Dink was gunned down in broad daylight on Jan. 19, 2007, in front of
the offices of his bilingual daily, Agos.

Roughly 200 people gathered Monday in BeÅ~_iktaÅ~_ and held posters
saying "For Hrant for Justice," in Turkish and Armenian. Dink’s wife,
Rakel Dink, and his brother, Hosrof Dink, were also present on Monday.

"This case has been taking place for three-and-a-half years now,
and we will be here as long as it takes," said Tulin Ozen, reading
a press statement on behalf of Dink’s friends.

"Those who protest the public officials involved in Dink’s murder,
should know that the number of people who ask for justice will increase
in this country," she said.

Ozen said the state could help serve justice by bringing to light the
damaged video recordings of security cameras around the crime scene.

"The Internet café the murderer entered turned out to be related to
a security company – they can investigate that," she said. "They can
investigate who encouraged the security forces in Samsun that took
pictures with the murderer smiling following the killing."

She also said a special prosecutor for the case should be nominated.

"The state officials said ‘this case is an honor case’ at the
beginning. We call them to protect their honor."

The families of others killed in political assassinations were also
present to support the Dink family and watch the trial. The families
included murdered journalist Ugur Mumcu’s son and daughter, Ozgur and
Ozge Mumcu, murdered Public Prosecutor Dogan Oz’s wife, Sezen Oz, as
well as murdered journalist Metin Göktepe’s mother, Fadime Göktepe.

CAVUSOGLU TO MEET WITH RA PRESIDENT

news.am
May 10 2010
Armenia

May 12, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE) Mevlut Cavusoglu will arrive on a working visit to
Armenia. He will be received by RA President Serzh Sargsyan, National
Assembly press service informed NEWS.am.

May 13, PACE President intends to meet with Parliament Speaker Hovik
Abrahamyan in the RA National Assembly. He also plans to have meetings
with the head of Armenian delegation to PACE Davit Harutyunyan,
members of parliamentary factions, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian,
Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan, Ambassadors of CoE member states and
the Chairman of the Armenian National Commission on Television and
Radio Grigor Amalyan.

Mevlut Cavusoglu’s meetings will be followed by press conference. He
will leave Armenia on May 14.

ARMENIAN POET TAKES PRIZE IN ISTANBUL POETRY FESTIVAL

Panorama.am
16:31 07/05/2010

Society

International Istanbul poetry festival iiristanbul (Poemistanbul)
has been organized for the fifth time this year, April 19-26, Armenian
poet Artem Harutyunyan, a festival participant, told reporters Friday.

He received prize for "Reflecting the century in poetry". Note that
the festival has been held since 2006. This year Istanbul has been
declared a center for the world culture.

The poet said he presented his poems on the Armenian genocide.

These, of course, were not accepted unilaterally, though, the poet
said, Turkey has changed. The participation and prize of the Armenian
poet have been covered by the Armenian and Turkish media.

ARMENIAN, CHINESE PRESIDENTS AGREE TO ENHANCE BILATERAL BUSINESS TIES
Lilit Gevorgyan

World Markets Research Centre
Global Insight
May 5, 2010

Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan’s press service stated today that he
has held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao during his
visit to China where Sargsyan has already taken part in the opening
of the Shanghai Expo-2010. The Chinese president has stressed that
since Armenia’s independence in 1991 the two countries have become
trustworthy friends and sincere partners. During the high-level meeting
the two leaders stated their determination to increase bilateral
commercial ties. In a bid to promote Armenian-Chinese business ties,
Sargsyan also met with Lin Rui Chi, the chief executive officer
of one of the world’s leading Chinese telecoms companies, Huawei,
and Liron Shi, head of ZTE. Sargsyan expressed his hope that both
companies would enter the Armenian market in the near future.

Significance:Armenia and China have traditionally maintained friendly
relations that have been consistently growing. China sees Armenia as
part of the larger market made up by the former Soviet republics.

Chinese business presence has been increasingly growing in almost
all the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, including
Armenia. Armenian businesses have been successfully engaged in joint
projects with Chinese companies that involve agriculture, defence,
science and technology and most notably the chemical industry. The
Armenian-Chinese Shanxi-Nairit joint venture in China’s Shanxi Province
has been successful for some time now, setting an example for both
Armenian and Chinese businessmen to set up similar ventures.

Armenia desperately needs foreign investors who would be willing
to ignore investment impediments such as the ongoing blockade of
the country’s borders by Azerbaijan and Turkey, the limits of the
Armenian market and the oligarchic nature of the economy. Sargsyan
hopes that Chinese companies will be willing to continue working with
Armenia regardless of the business environment problems. Furthermore,
the Armenian leadership is trying to encourage Chinese involvement
by providing high-level guarantees for improved business operation
conditions. Given the commitment on both sides to improve political
and business ties, Armenian-Chinese commerce is set to see a further
boost in the near future.

TURKISH ANALYST TO AZERBAIJAN: DON’T UNDERESTIMATE ARMENIA
Armen Hareyan

HULIQ.com
May 5 2010
SC

The worst thing that can happen if Azerbaijan starts aggression
against Armenia is "to underestimate the enemy," said Dr. Burcu
Gultekin Punsmann, a senior foreign-policy analyst at the Turkish
think tank TEPAV.

Dr. Punsmann’s comments are published in today’s Hurriyet, one of the
leading newspapers in Turkey. The background of her comments is the
story, according to which Turkey has prevented and stopped Azerbaijan
for considering a military option to solve the human rights and
self-determination issue with Armenia over Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

Apparently Azerbaijan considered a military action against Armenia
right before the latter was about tot sign the historical protocols
with Turkey aimed at normalizing relations. The signing of the
protocols took place in Zurich in October of 2009. Foreign ministers
of Russia, France and the United States were also present, showing
their support.

We said apparently because no government organization in Turkey has
released any statement that supports the claim made by one of the
top opposition party newspapers in Azerbaijan. Yeni Musavat made the
claim and Hurriyet published the news as well.

Yeni Musavat writes that Turkey stopped Azerbaijan by hosting a very
high level reception of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic’s Parliament
Speaker Vasif Talibov at the highest level in Turkey.

Turkey and Armenia are guarantor countries for Nakhchivan Autonomous
Republic (in Azerbaijan) and the name of the autonomous republic is
also written in Armenian on the official flag. However, no Armenian
is left in Nakhchivan because of the ethnic cleansing throughout the
past 80 years.

Dr. Punsmann is quoted in Hurriyet saying that while another war in
the region may be devastating for the entire region, Azerbaijan is
the country that benefited the most from the stability in the past
16 years. She also said the worst could happen is the underestimation
of the opposite site.

"Beyond a doubt, Azerbaijan is the country that has benefited the
most from the return of stability to the South Caucasus region in
the second half of the 1990s," Punsmann said. "With the resumption
of war, energy investment projects will stop overnight. There will
be no winner of this war."

H. ABRAHAMIAN: THE ISSUE OF RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CANNOT AND WILL NOT BE PUT TO ANY POLITICAL AUCTION OR BE BARGAINED

NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 4, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. On May 4 the 23rd forum of the European
region of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie organization
began its 3-day work in Yerevan, in the National Assembly of Armenia.

More than 80 representatives from various European countries are
participating in the forum entitled "The Problems and Challenges of
Educational Systems in Our Societies in the Context of Socioeconomic
and Cultural Developments".

Welcoming the participants, Speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly
Hovik Abrahamian in particular said that for the National Assembly,
it is a gratifying fact that the holding of the forum in the capital
of Armenia coincides with a significant event: along with all the
other member states of La Francophonie international organization,
Armenia, which has status of an associated member, also celebrates
the 40th anniversary of the organization this year.

He said that French has the status of a foreign language in Armenia,
but over the centuries French has been more than a language of
communication for a wide section of the Armenian people. "As a result
of the genocide committed against the Armenians in the Ottoman Turkey
in 1915-1923, the French language became a language for creation
of works for those sons and daughters of the Armenian people who
took refuge in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, and Middle
East countries: for Charles Aznavour, Vahe Katcha, Henri Verneuil,
Garzou, Jeansem, Alice Sapritch and many other famous figures of
Armenian descent. In the Soviet time, French was not forgotten in
Armenia and got a new lease of life after the 1945-1947 repatriation
when our compatriots brought accents of Paris, Marseilles and the
Mediterranean region to their historic homeland," the NA speaker said.

He spoke about two issues of importance to Armenia, "which are
directly or indirectly related to member states of La Francophonie
international organization". He declared that Armenia is ready to
honor its international obligations, but this readiness does not
imply subordination of its own interests.

"As is well known, Armenia and Turkey signed protocols on normalization
of their relations in Zurich, and after their ratification by
parliaments, these protocols envisage the establishment of diplomatic
relations and the opening of borders that, by the way, Turkey has
kept closed for more than 17 years. Armenia has repeatedly stated its
readiness to honor its obligations, whereas Turkey has maneuvered
from the very first, putting forward various pretexts and reasons,
going back from its word, linking the protocols to the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, delaying their ratification, thus hindering the normalization
process," he noted, adding that the stipulation of such preconditions
is unacceptable to Armenia. He also said that the Armenian president
has signed a decree on suspension of the protocols’ ratification and
that Armenia has not yet withdrawn from the process and it expects
"Turkey to display the will for a constructive approach".

"The issue of recognition of the Armenian Genocide cannot and will
not be put to any political auction or be bargained. Declaring that
it is ready to establish relations with Turkey without preconditions,
Armenia at the same time says that it is faithful to its principles
of national and state importance and will not take any step to the
detriment of the interests of the Armenian people. The Armenian
authorities have repeatedly said that our country has not and will
not call into question the fact of the genocide and the importance
of its international recognition," H. Abrahamian declared.

Addressing the Nagorno Karabakh problem, the National Assembly
speaker said that in parallel with cease-fire violations by Azerbaijan
that have recently become more frequent, Azerbaijan is also taking
disinformation steps. "Azerbaijan is aware that its army is unable to
solve any military problem to result in its victory so it is making
belligerent statements. But irrespective of everything, the Nagorno
Karabakh problem will never get a not pro-Armenian solution," H.
Abrahamian said.

In his words, the most important thing for the Armenian side is
the status of Nagorno Karabakh and the security of its people, and
the Armenian authoriies’ efforts during the negotiating process are
aimed at that. He said that in this issue Armenia will never take
steps to the detriment of the interests of Armenia, Artsakh, and the
Armenian nation. "Nagorno Karabakh cannot be part of Azerbaijan,"
H. Abrahamian declared. It was stated that the Nagorno Karabakh
problem has no relation to the Armenian-Turkish normalization not
only because the protocols do not contain even a word about it and
these are two different processes, but also because "the protocols
in Zurich were signed by Armenia and Turkey, and not by the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan".

H. ABRAHAMYAN, "NAGORNO KARABAKH CANNOT BE A PART OF AZERBAIJAN"

ARMENPRESS
MAY 4, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 4, ARMENPRESS: Irrespective of everything, Nagorno
Karabakh issue will never find an anti-Armenian solution. The most
important for us are the status of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and
the security of Nagorno Karabakh people, toward which the efforts
of Armenian authorities are directed in the negotiation process,"
Armenian National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan said at the 23rd
four-day forum of the Parliamentary Assembly of Francophonie of the
European region kicked off today in Yerevan.

According to him, in this issue Armenia will never go to such steps
which will be against the profits of Armenia and Artsakh, against the
profits of all the Armenians. "Nagorno Karabakh cannot be a part of
Azerbaijan," the head of the Armenian legislative body stressed.

He said in parallel to ceasefire regime violations by Azerbaijan,
which have become of frequent nature, hot disinformation steps are
undertaken by that country. "Azerbaijan is well-aware that its army
is not able to solve any military issue which will bring a victory,
and as a result, it has been infected with the epidemic of military
rhetoric," H. Abrahamyan said.

US POLICY ON BORDER OPENING ‘ABSOLUTELY SENSELESS’

news.az
May 4 2010
Azerbaijan

Mubariz Gurbanly ‘I think the United States must take all these
factors into account.

There are issues in the relations between Azerbaijan and the United
States which we must analyze and we must also discuss their results’,
said Mubariz Gurbanly, deputy executive secretary of the New Azerbaijan
party and Milli Majlis deputy.

He said there has recently been observed some deviation of the US
democratic power and Obama’s administration from the previously set
frames in the Armenia issue.

‘First, the United States applies a completely senseless issue about
opening borders between Armenia and Turkey which does not mean the
interests of the country. Turkey is subjected to pressures in the
attempt to force it open borders with Armenia, while Azerbaijan’s
position which is against this process is not considered by the
United States that does not understand that the opening of borders
between Armenia and Turkey will further complicate the resolution of
the Karabakh issue.

On the other hand, representatives of the US working authorities,
leaders of the Democratic Party, members of the Congress and the
Senate openly demonstrates its pro-Armenian position. For example,
the recent actions of the speaker of the House of Representatives
of the US Congress, Nancy Pelosey, their statements on Azerbaijan
and other factors cause bewilderment in public opinion and press of
Azerbaijan which affects the society.

I think the United States must take all these factors into account. At
the same time, I do not think these factors are the signs of tension.

This is just a sign of the public resentment over the established
situation. In other issues our government conducts programs envisioned
by the cooperation with US’.

OVERNIGHT CREDITS VOLUME GROSSES AMD 16.24 BILLION IN FIRST MONTH AFTER CREDIT MARKET LAUNCH

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 3, 2010 – 19:35 AMT 14:35 GMT

The volume of interbank overnight credits provided via the NASDAQ OMX
Armenia credit market since its launch on April 2, 2010 stood at AMD
16.24 billion. A total of 96 deals were concluded during 21 trading
sessions held in April, with the average daily trading over AMD 770
mln reaching its maximum-AMD 4 billion-on April 29. The weighted
average credit interest rate was 10.43 percent per annum, ranging
from 3 to 12 percent per annum throughout the period.

Credits provided in the NASDAQ OMX Armenia credit market are
denominated in Armenian Drams, with lenders and borrowers being the
Armenian banks. As of today, 21 banks have been awarded the status
of participants in this market.

The successful trading month following the launch of the credit market
gives reasonable grounds to believe that the launch of the service
was timely and is up to the market participants’ needs. NASDAQ OMX
Armenia hopes that the volumes of trading in this market will continue
to grow as the Armenian banks increasingly employ this instrument in
their assets and liabilities management systems, NASDAQ OMX Armenia
press service reported.

RESEARCH ON NANOSCIENCE DESCRIBED BY E.M. KAZARYAN AND COLLEAGUES

Nanotechnology Business Journal
May 3, 2010

NANOSCIENCE

"For the regime of strong quantization the interband transitions in
narrow-gap InSb cylindrical quantum dots are theoretically investigated
in the presence of homogeneous magnetic field. In the frame of two-band
Kane model for electrons (light holes) and parabolic dispersion for
heavy holes, the absorption coefficients of non-interacting quantum
dot ensemble are calculated," scientists in Yerevan, Armenia report.

"The absorption threshold frequencies are defined. It is shown that
these frequencies correspond to infrared range. The influence of
Coulomb interaction between electron and hole on the energetic spectrum
of the mentioned system is discussed in framework of perturbation
theory," wrote E.M. Kazaryan and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "Quantitative calculations are performed
using the recent experimental data on the growth of InSb quantum dots."

Kazaryan and colleagues published their study in the Journal of
Computational and Theoretical Nanoscience (Interband Absorption
in a Narrowband InSb Cylindrical Quantum Dots in Presence of the
Magnetic Field. Journal of Computational and Theoretical Nanoscience,
2010;7(2):486-491).

For additional information, contact H.A. Sarkisyan, Russian Armenian
University, 123 Hovsep Emin St., Yerevan 0051, Armenia.

The publisher’s contact information for the Journal of Computational
and Theoretical Nanoscience is: American Scientific Publishers,
25650 North Lewis Way, Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381-1439, USA.