Author: Khoyetsian Rose

DOCUMENTARY ON IRAN’S ARMENIAN COMMUNITY TO BE FILMED

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
11.02.2010 18:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Filming of a documentary on Iran’s Armenian community
was agreed on.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Armenian Diaspora
Minister Hranush Hakobyan and Adviser to the President of Iran, Head
of Iran’s Culture and Islamic Relations Organization Mehdi Mostafavi.

The meeting centred around issues on release of Armenian Language
textbooks in Iran and profound tutoring of Persian in a number of
Armenian schools, Diaspora Ministry press service reported.

In collusion, the parties emphasized their interest in the development
of bilateral relations.

GOUGARK DIOCESE PRIMATE ARRIVED IN ISTANBUL

news.am
Feb 11 2010
Armenia

February 10, the Primate of the Diocese of Gougark of the Armenian
Apostolic church Bishop Sebouh Chouldjian arrived in Istanbul,
Armenian Constantinople patriarchy informs.

On arrival, the bishop was met by the local clergy and escorted to
Patriarch’s residence.

February 11, Head of Religious Council of the Armenian Patriarchate,
Archbishop Aram Ateshyan met with Chouldjian. In the course of the
meeting, the forthcoming co-patriarch’s elections and particularly
efforts necessary for their holding were discussed.

As NEWS.am reported earlier, co-Patriarch’s elections aroused
indignation of Armenian Diaspora in Turkey.

APPOINTED NEW OFFICER OF JUSTICE

NKR Government Information and Public Relations Department
February 09, 2010

Taking into basis the application of the head of legal acts compulsory
fulfillment service Arayik Vardanyan retiring on a pension after
long-term service, Minister of Justice Narine Narimanyan today has
signed a decree according to which Arayik Vardanyan is discharged from
the office. According to another decision of the Minister the head
of the service of compulsory fulfillment of legal acts is appointed
former serviceman of NSS Samvel Shahramanyan. Ara Haroutyunyan
thanked Arayik Vardanyan for diligent work and wished the newly
appointed chief productive work.

ISTANBUL CITY HALL ONCE AGAIN VOTES AGAINST ‘HRANT DINK STREET’

Tert.am
16:16 â~@¢ 09.02.10

Istanbul City Hall denied an application for renaming Ergenekon
Avenue to Hrant Dink Street, after the slain journalist and former
chief editor of Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos.

In case this story sounds familiar, recall that last year, Istanbul
City Hall denied a different application for renaming Å~^afak Street,
where Dink was murdered in January 2007, in his name.

According to news agency Hurhaber, this recent application was put
forth by a representative of Turkey’s Democratic Society Party (DTP),
member of the Istanbul City Council, Ozgen Naman.

According to Naman, the application was denied in city council by
representatives of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party,
who comprise the majority.

Earlier, Turkey’s National Education Minister Nimet Cubukcu was in
favour of naming an Istanbul school after Dink.

EMMY AND MIHRAN’S EUROVISION ENTRY CHOSEN BY MADONNA AND RICKY MARTIN

Tert.am
11:28 ~U 09.02.10

Tert.am had a chance to speak with contestants for the 2010 Eurovision
semi-finals Emmy and Mihran, who are competing with a handful of other
local stars, to represent Armenia in the popular European song contest.

The duo’s entry is called "Hey" and, as they told Tert.am, they’ve been
preparing since last July. In fact, they had prepared four songs for
the contest and sent them to Ricky Martin and Madonna, who advised
the aspiring duo to enter the song contest with "Hey." The song’s
lyrics were written by Mihran, with the music by Vache Ter-Yeghipsyan.

Emmy and Mihran have decided to devote "Hey" to the late Michael
Jackson.

"We loved Michael very much and devote our song to his memory. The
song is dynamic, good, simple and youthful," said Emmy and Mihran,
who have already spent more than $20,000 USD for this version of the
song and staging.

The competition is tough, but the duo says they’re fully prepared.

"We haven’t listened to the other nine songs. I think that it causes
additional tension, and this is not a competition for singers,
but rather, a song and performance contest, and in that test, we’re
the best."

GIVE US REPUBLICAN ELECTIONS

Lragir.am
09/02/10

And we will turn the whole political palette

Interview with the HAK coordinator Levon Zurabyan

For a long time, a probable cooperation of the Armenian National
Congress, the Heritage and the ARF was much talked about, but the
collaboration did not work. Heritage tried to cooperate with the ARF,
but this attempt failed. What is the reason that cooperation in the
opposition does not work?

After the signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols, Congress had
an opportunity to strengthen all the forces not satisfied with the
actions of the authorities, and to join the oppositional fight. The
proposal to express themselves to the oppositional forces pursued the
aim to prove that they oppose the current regime, and point out the
flaws of the regime. Such criticism would mean a threat to the regime.

But the second option sounded: we are against only the protocols
and demand the resignation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and
no criticism of the regime’s domestic policy. Congress’s proposal
was a litmus test for the opposition because we need to understand
whether we have allies in the fight against violence, the regime of
Serge Sargsyan, in the fight for his resignation or not. Are there any
allies in the struggle for the freedom of the press and TV, against
the corrupt clan system? We have made a sincere offer to join our
fight: we provided a platform of 11 points, and we did not insist on
unquestioning acceptance of all items. They could introduce their
own proposals and to abandon some of our items. We might even find
out what the front counter can provide. But our proposals were not
heeded either by the ARF, or other forces. The main problem was the
demeanor of the ARF, which assumed the role of a force controlled by
the regime acting in the framework outlined by them, safe for it,
an opposition playing the government’s foreign game. This was a
sensational discovery of those months. This party did not pass the
delineated border of the regime, did not accept offers of cooperation,
did not raise any significant issue relating to corruption and vices
of the regime and its domestic politics. At first we thought that
they could be higher than the coalition of the past and could become
a real oppositional force, but this did not happen. They demonstrated
that they are a part of the oligarchic regime, and we can confidently
assert that the leadership of the ARF is linked by thousands of threads
with the oligarchic system, causing dissatisfaction with the ordinary
members of the ARF.

Do you think that Congress failed to extend the oppositional front?

I believe that, in any case, it was useful, because in such cases,
you can either get an ally, or tear the mask of political forces. This
is an essential guarantee of public support because the society is
easier to choose if it knows who is who.

But the ARF does not exclude the requirement of Serge Sargsyan’s
resignation, although at the moment it prefers to work in parliament.

We can state the current political realities: the ARF has proclaimed
itself opposition, accused the authorities of anti-national policy,
but it does not require its resignation. Demanding the resignation
of Minister of Foreign Affairs is simply ridiculous. ARF is trying to
create a comfortable atmosphere for the authorities. Let them pass the
delineated border of the government and to prove they are opposition.

Or they think that if there is Yerkir Media, A1 + is not needed? Or
that the circumstances of the death of 10 people on March 1 should
not be disclosed. Only by taking concrete steps, they may be counted
worthy of public trust.

But the Congress is not properly working with the Heritage either.

Moreover, the leaders of the Heritage, sometimes directly or
indirectly, accuse the Congress of the split in the party.

Do they have the same opinion? I do not know. Maybe what they said are
emotional assessments, and now regret. With regard to cooperation, we
hold public events aimed at restoring constitutional order, democracy,
and human rights protection. Mass events of such magnitude cannot
be held by other political forces. That was on December 10, on the
International Human Rights Day, on March 1 we will also hold a rally.

Political forces, including the Heritage, may accede to these events
if share these ideas. Unfortunately, they are not joining. On the
other hand, we are continuing our cooperation to reveal the crimes on
March 1 and at this time Heritage determines the amount of cooperation
Heritage.

That is, cooperation with the ‘Heritage’ you believe is possible,
but with the ARF is excluded?

We are open for cooperation. And ARF can always reconsider its
approaches. If they prove that they are ready to fight together,
we are always open. But let us recognize that even rigged elections
showed that Congress has the real support of the people. The most
important cause of the political crisis is the fact that the Armenian
National Congress, which enjoys the confidence of the people, is not
in parliament and does not have a deputy. This is an unacceptable
imbalance which will always maintain tension in the political life.

The solution is to hold extraordinary presidential and parliamentary
elections.

The feeling is that the society has grown accustomed to the situation
in any case political passions are not the same.

I think this is natural. The vast majority of people usually resides
in the state of political stagnation and is activated only during the
elections. That is the reason that, despite the fraud and frustration
of people, we believe it is important to participate in electoral
processes. We have no other way to activate people, to communicate
with them, except elections. If people do not see the prospect of
new elections, politics freezes. Give us a republican election,
and we will overturn the political palette. Give us the election,
and Armenia will rise behind the Congress.

But how are you going to achieve extraordinary elections if the people
are frozen politically?

The concept of the political crisis is not just words. It has also
difficult consequences – both economic and social, and domestic and
foreign policy. The Armenian authorities have tolerated a fiasco
because it did not enjoy the confidence of the people. If they think
that by refusing elections, they will repress the movement, they are
mistaken. People will fight in silence, which may cause an acute
crisis. We are talking about prioritizing early elections not for
the sake of our political careers. Confronting authorities leads to
the formation of an explosive situation that could lead to the fact
that they will be faced with the need of extraordinary elections,
but in very unfavorable conditions. That is how we are going to
extraordinary elections. If the power was a little more mature, it
would on its own initiative announce about extraordinary elections in
order to hold them in a controlled situation and to secure at least
a minimal presence in the parliament. If elections are held under
duress political situation, they will have no chances.

Interview By Arman Galoyan

EURONEWS PRESENTED DICTATORSHIP IN AZERBAIJAN AS REALITY: EXPERT

news.am
Feb 8 2010
Armenia

Euronews journalist’s question to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
about dictatorship in the country was loaded with an accomplished
fact, head of Yerevan Center for Democracy and Peace Armen Minasyan
told the journalists on Feb. 8 commenting on Aliyev’s recent interview.

According to him, Azeri President did not refute the assessments merely
demonstrating his negative attitude towards them. "Stumped for an
answer, Aliyev gave emotional coloring to his statements, blaming the
world of groundless criticism. And all this occurs in a European state
where audience do not have literal perception of the statements that
Freedom House or Human Rights Watch etc point to in terms of massive
human rights breaches in order to pressure Azerbaijan," Minasyan added.

Minasyan deems that after this answer Euronews journalist’s questions
became more ironic, whereas Aliyev was getting more nervous giving
inadequately replies. "For instance, the journalist asked why
opposition in Azerbaijan does not stand a fair chance, whereas Aliyev’s
opponents are silenced. Azerbaijani president replied: &’Well, it’s
up to the people to decide.’ Can you imagine journalists’ reaction
when she asks about silencing her colleagues and gets answer that it
is people’s choice. Aliyev was openly mocking at her and journalist
parried whether he thinks himself a king. Despite Aliyev replied in
the negative, neither reporter, nor audience were convinced of this
answer," Minasyan concluded.

news.am, Armenia
Feb 6 2010

Euronews wonders whether Aliyev thinks he is a king

15:33 / 02/06/2010After hullabaloo and fuss made by Azerbaijani side
over Euronews `Winds of change in Nagorno-Karabakh’ film, TV channel
leadership had to shoot another film `Forgotten victims of frozen
conflict’ about Azerbaijani refugees and make an interview with
President Ilham Aliyev in order to get rid of unceasing accusations.

However, Azerbaijani president did not manage to get out of a scrape
of European journalists’ hawk eye and vexed questions.

Commenting on the remark that he (according to some opinions) runs the
country like a post-Soviet dictatorship, Aliyev underlined that these
statements `are insulting’.

`Sometimes we become the subject for very unjustified and very biased
critical attacks, in the international media, in so-called
international human rights groups. These attempts to present
Azerbaijan as undemocratic are absolutely unacceptable. We understand
that as Azerbaijan’s importance is growing, the attempts to influence
Azerbaijan are growing from various parts of the world,’ Azerbaijani
President told Euronews, allegedly having in mind Norwegian Helsinki
committee or numerous PACE reports about violation of rights in
Azerbaijan.

In response to Azerbaijan’s `growing importance’ the journalists asked
`What about those who say that the opposition in Azerbaijan doesn’t
stand a fair chance, and that a lot of your opponents have been
silenced?’

However, Azerbaijani President said that `If opposition in Azerbaijan
is weak, it’s not our fault. And I can tell you now why opposition is
now in a very disastrous situation the people of Azerbaijan are living
better and better.’

In his turn the journalist recalled about change in the constitution,
which abolished presidential term limits. `Do you want to remain in
office indefinitely?’ he wondered.

`Well, that was not made for any kind of personal reasons. This
practice exists in many countries,’ the President replied.

Here, Aliyev made a balk and brought an example of a state headed by a
king where premier can be elected for 5 terms on end.

The journalist seemed to be surprised and even shocked asking `You
don’t consider yourself as a king, do you?’ Thereafter, realizing the
absurdity of his words, Aliyev tried to run away from facts `No, no. I
consider myself as the head of the executive branch, which is, in the
cases of your countries, the prime minister, who can be elected many
times. So why people should be deprived of this right? If they have a
choice, if they have a chance to choose.’

`If¦.,’ the journalist wondered. Trying to find the wayout, Azeri
President underlined, `We do not interfere in the internal issues of
your countries, though there are a lot of things which we can not
like, we can oppose, and we can consider being ridiculous. But we
never tell that.’ Asked to bring any example, Aliyev (failing to find
an answer) continued, `That’s because we never tell that. We behave in
a very delicate manner. Internal issues of a country, its traditions,
its history, its political system, its attitude to its national
leaders must be left for the people of that country to decide.’

Finally, journalist’s remark on the fact Azerbaijan is a member of the
Council of Europe, infuriated President. `If somebody wants to use
this factor in order to achieve something, we will not allow it!’ he
concluded.

The Canadian Press
Feb 6 2010

UEFA to keep former foes Russia and Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan
apart for Euro draw
By Nesha Starcevic (CP) ` 5 hours ago

WARSAW, Poland ‘ Russia and Georgia and Armenia and Azerbaijan will be
kept apart in the draw for the qualifying tournament for the 2012
European Championship, ensuring the former war foes will not play
against each other in the qualifying stages.

The procedure for Sunday’s draw specified that neither Russia or
Georgia or Armenia and Azerbaijan can be drawn in the same group.

"It’s precisely because we don’t want to mix sport and politics," UEFA
president Michel Platini said Saturday. "It’s a very good decision."

Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in August 2008, while Armenia
and Azerbaijan are in dispute over a contested enclave and have no
diplomatic relations.

Armenia and Azerbaijan were drawn in the same qualifying group for
Euro 2008 but did not play and Platini said then it was a mistake to
have grouped them together.

"They didn’t want to play each other and we did not want to have the
same situation again," Platini said.

Armenia and Azerbaijan had back-to-back matches cancelled in 2007
after the two failed to agree on a neutral venue. No points were
awarded for the matches and both teams failed to qualify for Euro 2008
in Switzerland and Austria.

UEFA and FIFA, which run European and world football, said then they
would try to keep nations with tense relations apart for future
qualifying tournaments.

Armenia and Azerbaijan remain in dispute over the territory of
Nagorno-Karabakh, which is inside Azerbaijan but has been controlled –
along with some surrounding areas – by local and Armenian forces since
1994.

Sunday’s draw in Warsaw’s imposing Palace of Culture and Sciences will
divide the 51 teams in the running to qualify for the tournament into
nine groups.

There will be six groups of six teams and three groups of five. The
nine winners and the runner-up with the best record qualify directly
for the final tournament. The remaining eight runners-up will go into
a home-and-away playoff round that will be played in November 2011.
Four teams in those playoffs will be seeded.

As co-hosts, Poland and Ukraine qualify for the tournament automatically.

"We are certain that we will have a very good European championship,"
Platini said of the tournament.

Although construction delays and other infrastructure problems have
plagued preparations for the tournament in four Polish and four
Ukrainian cities, Platini said the two host nations were "working
well."

"There are things to improve but we still have two years to work and
no major problems," he said. "There is a lot of enthusiasm and the
Euro will be a success."

UEFA still hasn’t decided on the venue of one quarter-final in Ukraine
because of delays in renovating airports and adding more hotel
capacity, Platini said.

Platini said both Poland and Ukraine had been severely hit by the
global economic downturn and that political instability compounded the
problems in Ukraine.

"Maybe it will be easier after the (presidential) election," Platini
said. The runoff ballot is Sunday, the day of the draw.

Qualifying for the tournament starts in September and runs until November 2011.

The draw ceremony will mark the 50th anniversary of the Soviet Union
winning the first European championship and the scene fits the
occasion. Once the tallest building in Europe, the Palace of Culture
and Sciences was a gift of the Soviet Union to the people of Poland.

Former Polish stars Zbigniew Boniek and Andrzej Szarmach will help
with the draw and will be joined by former Ukraine star Oleh Blokhin
and striker Andriy Shevchenko.

The nine top-seeded teams are led by defending champion Spain, plus
Germany, Netherlands, Italy, England, Croatia, Portugal, France and
Russia.

Seedings pots:

Pot 1: Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, England, Croatia, Portugal,
France, Russia.

Pot 2: Greece, Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Turkey,
Denmark, Slovakia, Romania.

Pot 3: Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, Northern
Ireland, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Pot 4: Slovenia, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania, Belarus, Belgium, Wales,
Macedonia, Cyprus.

Pot 5: Montenegro, Albania, Estonia, Georgia, Moldova, Iceland,
Armenia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein.

Pot 6: Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, Malta, Faeroe Islands, Andorra, San Marino.

HOVHANNES IGITYAN: GREATER HOSTILITY INSTEAD OF RECONCILIATION
Anna Nazaryan

"Radiolur"
05.02.2010 15:50

"A country that has domestic political problems cannot succeed
on foreign policy issues," member of the Board of the Armenian
Pan-National Movement Hovhannes Igityan told a press conference today.

In his opinion, starting the football diplomacy was wrong, since the
process will lead to greater hostility rather than reconciliation.

"I think that at the end of the Armenian-Turkish process, the relations
will have more hostile relations than they had before the process
started, and this is nonsense," he said.

Asked about the concerns of the US Intelligence regarding the
resumption of war in Karabakh, Hovhannes Igityan said: "Azerbaijan
is not launching war today because it considers that it has a great
political and diplomatic advantage on the issue. Azerbaijan fears
that if it starts war, it may be unable to quickly solve the issue
in a military way and lose the political and diplomatic advantage it
has today."

Igityan added that "there will be pressures on both parties in the
Armenian-Turkish process. The one, who turns out to be stronger on
the foreign policy field, will win.