Author: Nadirian Emma

CITY HALL ALLOWED ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS APRIL 6 RALLY AND MARCH

Tert.am
15:24 ~U 02.04.10

Yerevan City Hall gave permission for opposition group Armenian
National Congress (HAK) to hold a rally on April 6 near the Matenadaran
(the Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts), followed by a march,
said HAK coordinator Levon Zurabyan at a press conference today.

"City hall has permitted both the rally and the march, even though
that had no significance for us whatsoever, because that’s our
constitutional right, which we always invoke," said the HAK
coordinator.

‘GREEN LIFESTYLE’ PROPAGANDA TO START IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2010-04-02 12:10:00

ArmInfo. On April 1-14, 2010 within the framework of "Earth Day 2010
Armenia" Campaign, signature-gathering campaign promoting the "green
lifestyle" in Armenia will take place. Corresponding suggestions
will be forwarded to the Government of the Republic of Armenia and to
representatives of the private sector. The proposals include: increase
of the number of ecologically pure transport means; encouragement
of trade organizations which use bags from the processed paper
instead of cellophanes; assistance to implementation of alternative
approaches for electric power generation; institution of an annual
prize for the organizations and individual persons which contributed
to the propaganda of the "green lifestyle". In order to join the
campaign and sign it, visit the "Aarhus" Ecological Information
Public Centers.

"Earth Day 2010 Armenia" Campaign is organized by the Young Biologists
Association NGO, Aarhus Centers, "The Armenia Tree project", YSU
Student Scientific Society Armenian Society for the Protection of
Birds under assistance of the Congress Hotel, OSCE Office in Yerevan
and British Council-Armenia.

BAKU ACCUSES YEREVAN OF DELIBERATELY PROTRACTING KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

Interfax
March 29 2010
Russia

The Armenian leadership should review its policy of "pointless
protraction of the Karabakh settlement process," Azeri Deputy Foreign
Minister Araz Azimov said.

"If the Armenian president really cares about (his) ordinary citizens
who want to live in peace and cooperate and co-exist with Azeris
for centuries, he must take a serious approach to the available
opportunities," Azimov told the ANS Azeri television channel on Friday.

The diplomat was commenting on a statement by Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan who said that Armenia is not going to make unilateral
concessions in the Karabakh issue and expects reciprocal proposals
from Azerbaijan.

"The clock is ticking. In my view, Armenia is trying to use up this
time by resorting to unproductive means that have no real goal or
value, but it will gain nothing on this path," Azimov said.

Yerevan should abide by international law and adequately assess Baku’s
real preparedness for peace and compromises, he said. Otherwise
Azerbaijan will again "have to restore its territorial integrity,
but will of course ensure the security of its citizens of Armenian
ethnicity," the deputy minister said.

"This matter is very serious and there is no space here for hollow
claims," Azimov said.

Hurriyet, Turkey
March 26 2010

Armenian leader presents challenge to diaspora after meeting with PM

Friday, March 26, 2010
ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News

A leader of the Armenian community in Turkey has rebuffed diaspora
claims of an Armenian `genocide’ and urged that the focus instead be
placed on restoring relations between the two countries.

Bedros Å?irinoÄ?lu made his remarks in a statement following a meeting
that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an hosted in his residence
Friday within the scope of his party’s "democratic initiative."

The leader of Turkey’s Syriac community, Kenan AltınıÅ?ık, also met
with ErdoÄ?an in a seperate meeting.

`The 1915 events were the disruption of two close friends,’ Å?irinoÄ?lu
said. `As a result of seeds of discord, these two friends fought each
other. It was a fight that ended tragically.’

The Armenian leader urged both groups to focus on the future.

`There is lack of trust. This fight was 100 years ago. We need to
forget it and look to the future,’ Å?irinoÄ?lu said. `That is also what
[Armenian President Serge] Sarkisian suggested, looking to Armenians’
future and the happiness of the people.’

`Both Turkish and Armenian people suffered,’ he added. `I don’t say
nothing happened, but digging up the dark will not enlighten our
future.’

Noting that his grandfather died during the events of 1915, Å?irinoÄ?lu
said: `I don’t think we need to describe it as `genocide.’ Two close
friends believed in a dissension and afflicted each other. There is no
need to keep up the hatred.’

NO ISSUE OF CHANGING THE GOVERNMENT

ahos17281.html
17:22:53 – 24/03/2010

Interview with NA RP faction head, RP deputy chair Galust Sahakyan

In his interview to Mediamax, Robert Kocharyan criticized the economic
policy led by Tigran Sargsyan. Why is Robert Kocharyan making such
statements?

I would like to note, that when there was economic progress during
Robert Kocharyan’s tenure, we were the most powerful force to support
it. As to the criticism of the government, the opposition has always
criticized it and we responded. I have to say that Armenians and
Armenia will no longer have black days.

Is Kocharyan not trying to come back to politics and assume the office
of prime minister, as press writes, criticizing the economic policy
of the acting premier?

For a team opinion, we need to discuss the issue. But I can say
my personal opinion: assessments will be different if I see Robert
Kocharyan’s statement as one of a member of our team, from the one
of a person who just expresses worry.

Were his statements accidental?

I did not go into details. Perhaps, a field was formed for him to
issue such a statement.

What RP reaction will be if he decides to return into politics and
become prime minister?

It is not within my authorities, it is not a problem to discuss.

However, will you support it?

We assess the years of Kocharyan’s tenure as positive, in which we
also took part. The appointment to premier is not connected with only
the person but also discussions.

RP Deputy Chair Razmik Zohrabyan recalled lately that the party and
the ruling coalition have enough force to lead the country, so they
do not need new people.

Of course we have serious candidates. Ideas to change the premier
will arouse only when there is need to change the government. Such
an issue is not discussed at all now.

What do you think about an internal revolution?

It is impossible, there is no such a political situation. Such a
thing could happen if the situation is like the one during Levon
Ter-Petrosyan’s tenure.

Robert Kocharyan comes out to have presented an application for
returning to politics and being appointed to prime minister’s office.

It is difficult. It is not even polite as Serge Sargsyan is not
in the country now and such an opinion is issued. In order to give
assessments we need to find out whether Kocharyan speaks as a team
members or as a second president who is worried.

You think it is impolite of Robert Kocharyan to issue such statements
in absence of Serge Sargsyan. They come out to have serious
disagreements.

I cannot say and no one can say these disagreements are formed. For
me, disagreements are unbelievable.

Interview by ARMAN GALOYAN

TURKEY MUST RESTORE ‘TRUST’ FOR ISRAEL-SYRIA MEDIATION
Fulya Ozerkan

Hurriyet
March 24 2010
Turkey

Turkey must regain Israeli trust to resume the indirect negotiations
between Israel and Syria that were halted by last year’s Gaza war,
according to the former leader of an influential pro-Israel lobby in
the United States.

"Until the flare-up between Ankara and Jerusalem last year, the
indirect talks were proceeding in the direction of a conclusion. Trust
must be re-established for Turkey to play its rightful regional
leadership role," Tom Dine, former executive director of the American
Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, told the Hurriyet Daily
News & Economic Review in an interview late Tuesday.

AIPAC, a high-profile, pro-Israel lobbying organization, will hold
a major convention this week in Washington, with over 7,000 people
expected to attend.

Turkey hosted four rounds of indirect talks between Israel and Syria
in 2008 but they were suspended following the resignation of Israeli
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in September that year and the Gaza war.

Dine, an advocate of U.S. engagement with Syria, sought to establish
networks in Washington and conducted intense meetings in Damascus to
lay the groundwork for improved relationship between Syria and the U.S.

"I was publicly supportive of Turkey’s role as the host and mediator
of the previous indirect talks. Because I was deeply involved in a
U.S.-Syria Track II diplomatic effort at the same time, I was close
to what was taking place, traveling several times to both Syria and
Israel to encourage the two governments and their elites to move
forward toward a long-awaited conclusion," he said.

‘Wrong direction’

Damascus is warm to Turkish mediation but the current Israeli
government has aired reservations about Ankara’s impartiality as
bilateral ties soured due to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan’s withering and repeated criticism of Israeli policies in Gaza.

"Turkish-Israeli relations are currently moving in the wrong
direction. There is so much in common between the two societies,
so it is a shame that the direction is off course," according to Dine.

As two stable democracies in the same region, Dine said the two
neighbors share similar concerns and interests as two strong,
political-military establishments that are highly professional.

Turkey and Israel could help each other achieve two elusive but
critical goals, he said; namely, a final settlement creating two
states, Palestine and Israel, as well as a peace treaty between Syria
and Israel.

"Right now, because of current tensions and personal hurt and anger
among leaders, the two publics are feeling the strain and Turkey is not
helping push the parties [involved]," Dine said, adding that this state
of affairs has resulted in a disconnect in the eastern Mediterranean.

"I would be optimistic if both sides re-found the needed common ground
that does exist and worked on a positive, not negative, future agenda.

That is hard work but I would be optimistic if that labor were
happening," he said.

Asked if Turkey had received the Israeli lobby’s support during the
passage of an Armenian "genocide" resolution in a U.S. House panel
earlier this month, Dine said he could not speak for the "lobby,"
suggesting only that U.S.-Turkish relations should be the priority.

"U.S.-Turkey relations currently need lots of repair work and
rebuilding, bilaterally and multilaterally. Those of us who work
and participate in matters of contemporary foreign policy confront
this fact everyday in our efforts to achieve a close and trusting
relationship," he said.

CONCESSION, ACCORDING SERGE SARGSYAN

hos17264.html
16:47:45 – 23/03/2010

Syrian Al Vatan daily held an interview with Serge Sargsyan in which he
dwelt on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. In answer to possible concessions
in the NKR issue, Serge Sargsyan said, "In order to provide security,
a security zone was formed around Karabakh. So happens during wars
but war was not our preference. Despite Azerbaijani affirmations,
that zone is neither populated nor used by Armenia. If the Karabakh
people are given the right to self-determine, a concession of the
Armenian side could be the return of those zones to Azerbaijan of
course preserving the corridor connecting Armenia and Karabakh.

We need to realize unilateral concessions deepen the current dangers
and threats", said Serge Sargsyan.

LET HIM PROMOTE HIS CANDIDACY

hos17258.html
14:03:10 – 23/03/2010

The Chair of the Armenian Liberal Party Hovhannes Hovhannisyan says
Armenia faces a hard situation concerning the Karabakh issue. "If
during Robert Kocharyan’s tenure, at least no document was signed,
Sargsyan signed a document in Moscow in favor of Azerbaijan", says
Hovhannisyan.

According to him, Kocharyan wasted all the resource of the NKR
settlement and Sargsyan does not have any resource to solve the
conflict.

He dwelt on the statement of the Armenian former foreign minister
Vardan Oskanyan who recalled the 1998 change of power. "The same
political team tolerated him as a foreign minister for 10 years. Now
when he says a right thing, they attack him like wolves. RP does
not tolerate any criticism the proof of which is Gagik Tsarukyan’s
criticism in address of the Minister of Economy Nerses Yesritsyan.

Dwelling on Kocharyan’s possible return, he said Kocharyan is the
most to be ashamed in this country. "He is the only person who has
no right to return into the political field. If there are elections,
let him promote his candidature, and not to be appointed prime minister
by someone", says Hovhannes Hovhannisyan.

HNCHAKS ADDRESSED THE BULGARIANS

3/hnchak
03:36 pm | March 23, 2010

The Social-Democratic (Hnchakyan) Party sent a letter to the Bulgarian
parliament’s Social-Democratic and Socialist Parties.

"Dear friends, the Bulgarian parliament will soon discuss the
bill on recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide. Bulgaria
and the heroic Bulgarians must know us Armenians very well because
Bulgaria has also suffered numerous deprivations under the dominance
of Ottoman Turkey for hundreds of years. However, the Bulgarian and
Armenian nations are lucky because they have never broken down and have
continued to fight to be liberated from Turkish dominance. The Haytoug
movement that sparked in Bulgaria gradually moved toward the Armenian
highland where the Armenian nation also raised the flag of liberation.

Dear friends, with the purpose to implement pan-Turkism, Turkey
perpetrated a monstrous crime against a nation that had been living
in its historical Homeland since ancient times.

Turkey’s anti-Armenian policy at the highest level of government
continues to this day. What’s more, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s
announcement regarding the deportation of illegal Armenians in Turkey
is the silent witness of the fact that Turkish state officials still
haven’t forgotten the genocidal character of their ancestors and can
take that step at an appropriate moment.

As an ideological political party that has been fighting for liberty
and justice since 1887, the Social Democratic (Hnchakyan) Party is
calling on you to take advantage of your opportunities to pass the bill
on condemnation of the Armenian Genocide in the Bulgarian parliament.

Genocides are a crime not only for one nation, but for all nations
and countries and condemnation of those crimes may prevent genocides
from happening in any corner of the globe," as stated in the letter
of the Social-Democratic (Hnchakyan) Party led by Gevorg Perkuperkian.

‘RESOLUTION WILL HARDLY BE INCLUDED IN CONGRESS’S AGENDA’

Aysor
March 22 2010
Armenia

Armenia faces some challenges, according to Armenian Parliament’s
deputy and member of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Artsvik Minasian,
who pointed out mechanism and ratio of voices at the voting by
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the United States House of
Representatives over Resolution 252.

"It’s obvious that hearings on Resolution at Congress will demand for
some additional initiatives and conditions by our fellow countrymen
both in Diaspora and Armenia," he said at the press conference.

"I think the Resolution will hardly become an item of agenda of the
Congress; this depends on the US policy in the region, and especially,
on the US-Turkey relations," said Artsvik Minasian. He referred to the
statement by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, who threatened to expel
100,000 Armenians from Turkey: "It’s obvious that Turkey’s approach
to ‘Armenian issue’ hasn’t changed, and it was to no purpose to hope
that Turkey became a civilized nation."