ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO BE COMMEMORATED IN UKRAINE
PanARMENIAN.Net
13.04.2009 15:38 GMT+04:00
Events dedicated to the Armenian Genocide will be held throughout
Ukraine.
A press conference with participation of Armenian public figures,
screening of a documentary and a mourning liturgy are planned,
Analitika.at.ua reports.
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT PRAISES GOVERNMENT FOR PROPERLY DEALING WITH GLOBAL CRISIS
Mediamax
April 10 2009
Armenia
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said today in Yerevan that "one
should welcome the transparent work style of the Armenian prime
minister [Tigran Sargsyan], his resoluteness, and confidence in
the future".
The president made the statement today, answering a question on his
assessment of the work of Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
and the government, the Mediamax news agency reported.
Serzh Sargsyan expressed his satisfaction with the circumstance that
"we have managed to set up a capable government and chose proper
staff ahead of the global crisis".
The Armenian president said overcoming consequences of the crisis
was a major challenge faced by the authorities of the country. Serzh
Sargsyan admitted that both the reduction in the scale of financial
aid, which comes into the republic in the form of private transfers,
and the reduction in the number of Armenian citizens, who are on
seasonal work abroad, are having an impact on the economic situation
in the country.
At the same time, Serzh Sargsyan said that the crisis only
increased the authorities’ resoluteness in implementing such large
infrastructure projects as the construction of Iran-Armenia railway,
a joint Armenian-Iranian hydroelectric power plant on the Aras river,
and a pipeline to supply petrol and diesel fuel from Iran to Armenia.
"These projects will not only change our role in the region, but will
also change the regional distribution of forces", the president of
the state said.
Speaking about the devaluation of the national currency [dram]
at the beginning of March, Serzh Sargsyan said that the inflation
became a major negative outcome of this decision [to set a floating
exchange rate of dram]. The president called on appropriate entities
to closely monitor pricing and not to allow groundless price hikes. As
for positive aspects, the president said that the weakening of dram
had had a positive impact on domestic producers.
SARGSYAN HOPEFUL TURKEY BORDER WILL REOPEN
United Press International
April 10 2009
ISTANBUL, Turkey, April 10 (UPI) — Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
says he is hopeful his country’s border with Turkey will reopen by
Oct. 7, in time for a World Cup soccer qualifying match.
The border has been closed since 1993. Sargsyan would like it to
officially reopen in time for a match between the countries’ national
soccer teams, the Hurriyet Daily News reported.
The match is scheduled Oct. 7.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul was allowed to visit Armenia last
year to watch the two teams play in a World Cup qualifying match,
a move Sargsyan labeled part of his country’s "good intensions."
"We showed goodwill and I hope the Turkish side will also appreciate
our good intensions," the Armenian official said.
Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said the border should remain
closed until the two sides resolve their Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, a
dispute over Armenia assuming control of Azerbaijani territory in 1993.
Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
April 8, 2009
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
SENATOR ENSIGN REQUESTS CLARIFICATION REGARDING PHILIP GORDON NOMINATION
Asks if Designate Gordon’s Position is Consistent with that of President
Obama
Washington, DC – Yesterday, Senator John Ensign (R-NV) sent a strongly
worded letter to the Department of State Assistant Secretary Designate
for European and Eurasian Affairs, Dr. Philip Gordon, reported the
Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).
In his letter, Senator Ensign referenced the records of President Barack
Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Jr. and Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton, all of whom, while serving in the U.S. Senate, supported S.Res.
106, legislation that Senator Ensign and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL)
spearheaded to reaffirm the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide.
In 2008, President Obama issued a statement proclaiming that "an
official policy that calls on diplomats to distort the historical facts
is an untenable policy." In his letter, Senator Ensign asked Designate
Gordon if he will in any way discourage Ambassadors from using the term
Armenian Genocide, and also asks in no uncertain terms if he agrees with
President Obama’s statements on the Armenian Genocide.
"We commend Senator Ensign for his continued commitment regarding U.S.
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide," stated Assembly Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny. "As we mark Genocide Prevention Month this
April, the time has come to ensure that all U.S. Ambassadors and
officials can squarely reference the historical fact of the Armenian
Genocide," continued Ardouny.
In January, the Assembly launched a new website dedicated to affirmation
of the Armenian Genocide. The Assembly continues to encourage all people
of goodwill to send a letter to President Obama regarding this critical
human rights matters and in so doing, become an Ambassador of
Affirmation.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c) (3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#2009-028
Editor’s Note:
Senator John Ensign’s letter
040709_Nomination_Philip_Gordon.pdf
VAHAGN CHAKHALYAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON
PanARMENIAN.Net
08.04.2009 11:08 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Akhaltsikhe district court has found United
Javakhk Democratic Alliance leader Vahagn Chakhalyan guilty at all
points and sentenced him to 10 years in prison in compliance with
article 236.1 (purchase and possession of arms), article 225.2
(participation in disorders), article 226 (organization of public
disorders), article 353.2 (resistance to police officer or public
agent) and article 239.2b (hooliganism).
At that, the verdict doesn’t envisage substitution of part of the
term by a fine.
The public prosecutor demanded 14-year imprisonment and 18 000 lari
fine ($10,650) for Vahagn Chakhalyan, 4-year imprisonment and 6000
lari fine ($3550) for Ruben Chakhalyan and 3-year suspended sentence
and 3000 lari fine ($1750) for Armen Chakhalyan.
The court found Ruben Chakhalyan guilty under article 236.1 (purchase
and possession of arms) and article 225.2 (participation in disorders)
and imposed to 5,000 lari ($3000) on him.
Armen Chakhalyan will have to pay a 2,000 lari ($1,200) fine under
article 236.1 (purchase and possession of arms).
Chakhalyans are going to appeal the verdict in the court of superior
jurisdiction and European Court of Human Rights.
Yerkir Union has labeled the verdicts as a shameful outcome of the
legal procedure.
NowLebanon, Lebanon
April 5 2009
Henchag supports Torsarkissian as candidate in Beirut I
April 5, 2009
The Armenian Henchag party announced in a press release on Saturday
that it supports MP Serge Torsarkissian to be the March 14 alliance’s
candidate for the Armenian catholic seat in Beirut I district.
The Henchag Party also stated that the Lebanese Forces’ nomination of
Richard Kouyoudjian during a ceremony on Saturday in BIEL center in
Beirut was an interference into Armenian affairs.
Henchag stressed the need for the March 14 alliance to respect the
positions of Armenian forces regarding the nomination of Armenian
candidates. `Disregarding these positions will surely affect the
Armenian participation in the voting process,’ the party announced.
-NOW Staff
PanARMENIAN.Net
Armenia-Turkey border closure has been illegal
04.04.2009 14:40 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ U.S., Turkish, and Armenian diplomats have been
spreading word that an agreement between Turkey and Armenia is
imminent. The agreement would likely have the following elements:
Turkey would agree to open the border with Armenia, which it closed 16
years ago today, and to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia.
Armenia would agree to an intergovernmental commission to examine all
issues that constitute the Armenia-Turkey agenda.
The United States would refrain from dealing publicly with any of the
most contentious historical and contemporary issues on the
Armenia-Turkey agenda while the commission was in play.
If Turkey actually opens the border and agrees to establish diplomatic
relations, it would be taking steps in the right direction. The border
closure has been illegal. Both Armenia and Turkey’s eastern provinces
will see some benefits from open borders. And Turkey will gain some
credibility as a regional leader.
Furthermore, if Turkey actually opens the border, it will signal that
it no longer allows Azerbaijan-Armenia relations to determine the
nature of Turkey-Armenia relations. Such a change would be a welcome
step toward regional stability and integration.
Armenia’s challenge is to secure normal relations with Turkey while
refusing to fudge on the truth and ongoing relevance of the Armenian
Genocide.
Turkey’s challenge is that it needs to go beyond its annual pre-April
24 charm offensive and actually do something with Armenia, The
Armenian Reporter informs.
ARMENIAN FM TO HOLD FRESH TALKS WITH TURKISH COUNTERPART IN ISTANBUL
1132_4/3/2009_1
Friday, April 3, 2009
YEREVAN (Combined Sources)–Official Yerevan confirmed on Friday that
Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian will visit Istanbul early next week,
giving more credence to reports that Armenia and Turkey are close to
normalizing their historically strained relations.
The official purpose of Nalbandian’s trip announced by his press
office is to participate in the second Alliance of Civilizations
conference that begins its work in Turkey’s largest city on Monday. The
UN-sponsored forum is to be attended by heads of states and other
high-ranking representatives of some 30 countries.
Diplomatic sources in Yerevan said Nalbandian will likely meet
with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan on the sidelines of the
gathering. The two men have held a dozen face-to-face meetings since
the start of the unprecedented Turkish-Armenian rapprochement about
a year ago.
Their fresh talks will come on the heels of Western and Turkish media
reports that Ankara and Yerevan are poised to announce an agreement
that commits them to gradually establishing full diplomatic relations
and reopening their border. According to some Turkish newspapers,
the agreement could be signed during or shortly after Nalbandian’s
trip to Istanbul.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry would not comment on these reports on
Friday. A ministry spokesman, Tigran Balayan, said only that it is
"cautiously optimistic" about the normalization of Turkish-Armenian
relations. "Armenia has gone a long way in negotiating with Turkey, and
we hope to bring our constructive dialogue to a logical conclusion,"
he told RFE/RL.
Incidentally, U.S. President Barack Obama will also be in Turkey
on April 6-7. Turkish-Armenian relations are expected to be on the
agenda of his talks with President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish leaders hope that the prospect of
their normalization will discourage Obama from honoring his election
campaign pledges to recognizes the 1915 mass killings of Armenians
in the Ottoman Empire as genocide.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, however, has refused to attend
an international meeting in Istanbul, a move that can be seen as
a protest against the prospect of the border being opened between
Armenia and Turkey, the Turkish Hurriyet daily reported Friday,
citing the Azeri Press Agency.
The report said the refusal may also be connected with Aliyev’s work
schedule, adding it is likely that Ankara’s refusal to take a stance
on reports regarding the reopening of the borders between Turkey and
Armenia may be the main reason.
Azeri officials had already expressed concerns over the prospect of the
border being reopened and some media reports suggested that Baku might
even go one step further in halting the sale of natural gas to Turkey.
Azeri officials say that opening the border before the withdrawal
of Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan would
run counter to country’s national interests.
According to CNN Turk, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan said earlier
this week that the Turkish Armenian border would not be opened until
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was resolved.
MR. OBAMA AND TURKEY
New York Times
April 4 2009
President Obama has wisely decided to visit Turkey during his first
official trip to Europe. The United States needs Turkey’s cooperation
— in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as with Iran and efforts to broker
Middle East peace. But there are also very worrying trends in Turkey’s
relationship with Europe and its internal politics.
Mr. Obama must do all he can to help reverse those trends and anchor
Turkey more firmly in the West.
The Justice and Development Party scored an impressive re-election
in 2007 after pursuing market-oriented policies that brought economic
growth and more trade ties with the European Union. That conservative
Muslim party also expanded human rights and brought Turkish law closer
to European standards.
Those reforms have since stalled — partly because of opposition
from civilian nationalists and generals who still wield too much
clout. (The trial of 86 people accused of plotting a military coup
is a reminder of the dark side of Turkish politics.) But Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also seems to have lost enthusiasm
for the European Union bid and the reforms that are the price of
admission. President Nicolas Sarkozy of France has been especially
unhelpful, making clear that he will do all he can to keep Turkey
out of the European Union. Mr. Obama must persuade Mr. Sarkozy and
others that admitting Turkey — a Muslim democracy — is in everyone’s
interest. And he must persuade Ankara that the required reforms will
strengthen Turkey’s democracy and provide more stability and growth.
We are concerned about Mr. Erdogan’s increasingly autocratic
tendencies. His government’s decision to slap the media mogul
Aydin Dogan with a $500 million tax bill smacks of retaliation
against an independent press that has successfully exposed government
corruption. Ankara’s willingness to help rebuild schools in Afghanistan
is welcome. But the situation there is dire, and NATO also needs more
troops and needs access to Turkish military bases to facilitate the
transport of American soldiers and equipment into Afghanistan and
out of Iraq.
Ankara has played a positive role, mediating indirect talks between
Israel and Syria. With Washington’s encouragement, Mr. Erdogan could
also use his relationships with Iran, Sudan and Hamas to encourage
improved behavior.
Turkey’s cooperation with Iraqi Kurds has vastly improved. There are
also reports that Turkey and Armenia may soon normalize relations.
We have long criticized Turkey for its self-destructive denial of the
World War I era mass killing of Armenians. But while Congress is again
contemplating a resolution denouncing the genocide, it would do a lot
more good for both Armenia and Turkey if it held back. Mr. Obama,
who vowed in the presidential campaign to recognize the event as
genocide, should also forbear.
The Bush administration’s disastrous war in Iraq fanned a destructive
anti-Americanism in Turkey. Mr. Obama’s visit is likely to soothe
hostile feelings. But he must go beyond that to secure a relationship
with an important ally and an important democracy in danger of
backsliding.
"ACHIEVEMENT OF MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC AND THE AZERBAIJANI REPUBLIC IS NEEDED"
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2009-04-02 14:44
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrossian’s answers to the mass media
questions
These days, in a conversation with a BBC correspondent, a
representative of the Azerbaijani MFA stated that the status of
Nagorno Karabakh can be discussed only after the liberation of some
territories and return of the Azerbaijanis to Nagorno Karabakh. What
is the NKR position on this issue?
This discourse reflects the traditional approach of the Azerbaijani
policy on misinterpretation of the grounds, core, and consequences
of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict.
We believe that for creating a basis for the final settlement of the
Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict and establishing stable peace in the
region, first of all, achievement of mutual recognition of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic and the Azerbaijani Republic, as well as mutual
rejection of any attempts of a military solution to the conflict
is needed. Mutual recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and
Azerbaijan and rejection of any war gamble should become the start
point of the negotiations and not the final.
This approach will allow to create favorable conditions for solving
the most complicated issues: territories, refugees, and borders. They
must be mutual and brought into step w ith the course of the peace
process. The key issue among the noted ones is the issue of the
Armenian refugees from the former Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist
Republic. Exclusion of the Armenian refugees from the context of the
Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict settlement, suppression of their legal
rights is a way to nowhere. Without solving the issue of the Armenian
refugees from the Azerbaijani SSR, solution of the issue of any other
refugees or some other issues is impossible.
At a public meeting in Vienna on supporting the peaceful settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, with the participation of public
representatives from Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Nagorno Karabakh, OSCE
Minsk Group Co-Chairman from France Bernard Fassier stated that "a new
war can be initiated both by the recognition of Nagorno Karabakh as an
independent state, which isn’t done even by Armenia, and any attempt
of unconditional return of this territory to Azerbaijan". What is your
assessment of the discourse of the OSCE MG Co-Chairman from France?
We flatly reject the statement that a new war can be initiated also
by the recognition of Nagorno Karabakh as an independent state. A
new war can be initiated by the tolerance of the world policy centers
towards the warmonger, leading to an ironic situation that the direct
threats to peace by official Baku, in fact, don’t result in tangible
political or legal responsibility. This policy will only strengthen
the Azerbaijani elite’s conviction of its own impunity, which is just
the basic threat to the regional peace.
In due time, Azerbaijan’s aggression against the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic became, in a greater extend, possible due to the international
community’s recognition in 1991-1992 the right of Azerbaijan to
independence and non-recognition of the similar right of Nagorno
Karabakh, although the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and the Azerbaijani
Republic were formed from the former Azerbaijani SSR, basing on
general principles of law.
Continuation of this policy and especially any opposition to the
recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic represent a serious
threat to peace and stability in the region, as they encourage the
Azerbaijani party for false imagination that they can get away with
a new war gamble.
In this regard, we consider it important to emphasize that the world
policy centers’ refusal of the formula of "parity approach" to the
parties’ actions will not only allow strengthening our confidence
of their ability to fairly and impartially assess the situation, but
will also become a guarantee for progress in the negotiation process.
The OSCE MG Co-Chairman also stated that "the most real option now is
to return the Azerbaijani territories under the current control of
the Armenian armed forces, to specify a medium status for Nagorno
Karabakh, with con sideration of its security guarantees, which
would be acceptable both for Baku and Yerevan. The second part of
the issue is not solvable now, and the self-determination of the
people of Nagorno Karabakh is possible only in 5 or 10 or 15 years,
after the Azerbaijani community’s return to the region". How will
you comment on this position?
Mr. Fassier voiced the elements of the so-called "basic principles",
which the OSCE MG proposes for consideration of the Armenian and
Azerbaijani Presidents. The consultations between Armenia and
Azerbaijan on these principles take place on the formula "nothing
is agreed and solved until everything is agreed and solved". Due to
this, it seems untimely to comment now on the functional elements of
these consultations, which may not get their final shape introduced
by the mediators. Consequently, when the consultations give specific
results, then we’ll assess if they are acceptable for our people or
if they are generally realizable, because achievement of the final
settlement of the conflict and stable peace is impossible without
taking into consideration the position of Nagorno Karabakh.