Author: Nahapetian Lilit

IRAN FELICITATES GUINEA-BISSAU, ARMENIA ON NATIONAL DAY

Fars News Agency
15:16 | 2009-09-28

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his
First Deputy Mohammad Reza Rahimi in separate messages on Monday
congratulated Guinea-Bissau and Armenia on their National Days.

"I hope the good cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and
Guinea-Bissau will be expanded and boosted in all different fields,"
Ahmadinejad said in his message to his Guinean counterpart.

Also, Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi in a separate
message expressed the hope that the two countries would witness
expansion of relations in bilateral and international levels through
mutual cooperation between Iran and Guinea-Bissau officials.

Meantime, Rahimi in a separate message felicitated Armenia on the
country’s National Day, and stressed the need for the further growth
in bilateral relations in all the various fields.

"I hope the existing relations and ties between the Islamic Republic
of Iran and the Republic of Armenia, which have been always based on
mutual respect, will boost and progress in all fields of cooperation
and in line with the interests and advantages of the two nations,"
he added.

Animator Ruben Sahakiants passed away
12:00 pm | Today | society

bert-sahakiants

After lengthy illness and serious operation, Armenian renowned
animator Robert Sahakiants died yesterday evening at the age of 59.

Sahakiants had a heart operation on September 23.

Robert Sahakiants graduated from Yerevan State Pedagogical
Institute. In 1970, he started working at Hayfilm (Armenfilm) Studio
as an animation artist and later as an animation director. He authored
around a hundred films and 33 animation films

A1+ extends its deepest condolences the animator’s family, relatives
and friends.

ARMENIAN LEADER, MEDIA CHIEFS DISCUSS NORMALIZATION OF TIES WITH TURKEY

Public Television of Armenia
Sept 22 2009

[Presenter-read report over video of a meeting] In the context of
the ongoing public discussions [on normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations] President [Serzh] Sargsyan invited heads of over 30 Armenian
media outlets to exchange thoughts regarding the current stage of
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations at the end of last week
[13-19 September].

President Sargsyan told the heads of media outlets that he expected
an open and sincere conversation on the current stage of normalization
of Armenian-Turkish relations, ascribing importance to their point of
view considering them both as people who hold an active civic position
and people who shape the public opinion. Sargsyan also emphasized the
importance of the participation and support of the public in the two
countries in this process. He said it would be impossible to resolve
the issue without this.

The president yet another time ascribed importance to the comprehensive
coverage of the process and of different opinions about it in the
media.

During an interesting and open discussion, which lasted over two
and a half hours, the heads of mass media outlets put forward their
opinions and observations on the process and the initialled protocols
[on the normalization of ties], exchanged thoughts on possible risks
and concerns. The president of the republic made clarifications for
the participants in the meeting to major opinions and issues raised
on the process in the media. He said that Armenia had entered a
difficult but at the same time a necessary process. The leader of
the country considered the Armenian-Turkish initialled documents
on the normalization of relations as initial steps aimed at the
normalization of relations, the major aim of which is ensuring a
minimum environment, a platform to begin a dialogue with Turkey and
to discuss issues starting from numerous economic and political ones
to cultural and historical issues.

AZERBAIJAN:ACUTE PARANOIA OCCURS

Aysor
Sept 23 2009
Armenia

Yeni Cag agency posted an article titled "The secret Armenians
issue in Azerbaijan" which appeared after journalist investigation,
reports Panorama.am.

"Great Heydar Aliyev himself spoke about 30 thousand of Armenians
living in Baku. If given their born-children it can be argued that
the number of Armenians is more than 100 thousand nowadays, herewith
many of them work at government and on very high positions. So we set
out to find out where "secret Armenians" work and which directions
of Azerbaijani management they hold.

According to our trustworthy sources, in Azerbaijan’s government work
quite a lot senior officials with Armenian roots. In fact everywhere
but Ministry of National Security one can find out people whose blood
is Armenian and this is a very serious threat for our country as we
think. Milli Mejlis’s 12 MPs are Armenians, and if we consider those
whose wives are Armenians then their number will increase three times,"
Azerbaijanis alarm.

Unable or unwilling to understand the true causes of their own
country’s problems, the Azerbaijani media are trying to shift
responsibility to their citizens, while there is a sense to go through
corrupt and authoritarian government of Azerbaijan.

"You ask what for to investigate and find out anything? Today in
Azerbaijan such things happen and the authority’s reaction on them
is so incomprehensible that we unwittingly think whether Armenians’
are involved."

No comments…

Another example of paranoia is withdrawal of motto "One nation –
two states" in relation to Turkey and Azerbaijan. "Fraternal" Turkey
or rather its credibility is jaundiced by current leadership of
Azerbaijan. Thus, Ilham Aliyev made broadcasters to translate Turkish
movies into Azeri. Moreover he didn’t visit Turkish soldier grave in
Baku neither at 90th nor the 91st anniversary of city’s liberation
by Turkish troops and there wasn’t a single wreath from government.

The list can be continued for a long time, however, Azerbaijani media
prefer to continue "witch hunt" searching for Armenian trace.

YUSHCHENKO POINTS SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN UKRAINE-ARMENIA RELATIONS

BSANNA NEWS
Sept 21 2009
Ukraine

President Viktor Yushchenko has congratulated his Armenian counterpart
Serzh Sargsyan on Independence Day, the presidential press-service
reports.

Yushchenko noted a significant progress that Ukraine and Armenia have
reached in developing bilateral relations based on the principles of
partnership, neighborhood and mutual respect. "I am deeply convinced
that a common desire to deepen friendly relations between Ukraine
and Armenia opens new opportunities for the future development of
a mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of our people,"
he added.

Yushchenko wished Sargsyan good health and success in the public
activity and the friendly Armenian people – peace, stability and
prosperity.

THE PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT OVER MARCH 1 CONTINUES

Aysor
Sept 17 2009
Armenia

In today’s 6th session of the National Assembly of the forth
convocation Samvel Nikoyan, the acting Chair of the Committee
investigating the events of March 1-2 will go on presenting the final
report. After that the members of the committee too, Aram Harutyunyan
and Gurgen Arsenyan, will have the opportunity of presenting their
approaches and observations, each will have 10 minutes.

After the presentation of the report there will be also a discussion
during which S. Nikoyan will answer the questions of the deputies.

The report consists of introduction, 6 chapters and the suggestions of
the committee. It is based on the reports of the human rights defender
of Armenia, some international organizations, press publications, etc.

Today Samvel Nikoyan will speak about the deaths of the victims,
about the circumstances of declaring "Emergency situation" and will
present suggestions and conclusions concerning this subject.

ARMTV AND PUBLIC SHOCKED BY EBU’S STAND

oikotimes.com
ndex.php?file=articles&id=6430
Sept 17 2009

The Armenian broadcaster as well as many viewers are shocked after the
announcement of the EBU decision not to impose sanctions to Azerbaijan
over the voting probe.

The broadcaster is about to examine all possible options among them to
submit a protest to the EBU as well to examine possible withdraw from
the 2010 edition, something that seems to be just a first reaction
under the pressure of the news announcement.

Reactions on the web are definitely against the EBU decision while
the decision of the Union to make better rules on televoting seems
to be interesting no one who reads this announcement.

On the other hand early articles published in Azeri newspapers,
applause the EBU decision, having an actual party over the
justification of their case, which we have to remind was created by
their own government!

On a personal view, one thing is weird. How come international press
hasn’t got the names of those involved and arrested for voting Armenia
and why European Union hasn’t brought the case to the International
Court of Human Rights? A possible answer might be: it’s in no one’s
best interest I guess to attack Azerbaijan at the moment…

BELARUSIAN TRADING HOUSE TO OPEN IN ARMENIA

National Legal Internet Portal
Sept 18 2009
Belarus

MINSK, 18 September (BelTA) – The Belarusian Trading House is expected
to open in Armenia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of Armenia to Belarus Oleg Yesayan told reporters in Minsk on 18
September.

According to the diplomat, at present, the sides are discussing an
opportunity to open the trading house in Armenia.

Oleg Yesayan also noted that the sides are discussing the
implementation of several serious projects. "There are no obstacles
to establish close cooperation between Belarusian and Armenian
businessmen," the Ambassador underscored.

Speaking about the trade turnover between the two countries, the
diplomat noted its positive dynamics. Despite the global financial and
economic crises, since September last year Belarus and Armenia have
managed to increase the trade by 20% to $30 million. The Belarusian
export makes up more than 80% of the total Belarusian-Armenian
trade. All in all, over the three years, the bilateral trade increased
more than two times. According to the Ambassador, the trade turnover
between Belarus and Armenia does not correspond to the potential of
the two countries. The successful implementation of the bilateral
projects will help both the countries increase the mutual trade,
Oleg Yesayan said.

The Armenian Ambassador also noted that the Armenians have trust
in Belarusian products. There are five joint Belarusian-Armenian
companies in Armenia. New production facilities to assemble Belarusian
agro-industrial, road-construction, automotive equipment and parts
for them are expected to set up in Armenia.

The Ambassador noted the successful development of the regional
cooperation between the two countries, the cooperation in science
and education, banking area. According to him, Armenia is expecting a
return visit of a delegation of the National Academy of Sciences of
Belarus. During the visit, both the sides are expected to sign the
agreement on cooperation in science, education, discuss the issues
related to security and operation of nuclear power plants.

ARMENIAN LEADER HOLDS CONSULTATIONS WITH POLITICAL PARTIES ON TIES WITH TURKEY

Public Television of Armenia
Sept 17 2009

[Presenter-read report over video of a meeting] At the initiative
of the head of state [Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan], the
third thematic consultation on the topic of the current stage of
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations has been convened. At a
meeting with the heads of political parties Serzh Sargsyan said that
after the publication of a joint statement and initialled protocols on
the normalization of relations between Yerevan and Ankara, a really
positive and important process started. The president stressed that
he had already familiarized himself in detail with the most different
opinions voiced by the public, had listened to positive, encouraging
calls, and also to criticism and concerns.

[Sargsyan speaking at a meeting] By inviting the Turkish president
to Armenia [to attend a football match between national teams in
September 2008] and by initiating this whole process I pursued the
goal of opening a window of opportunity for Armenia and Turkey to
normalize bilateral ties, showing that people, who passed through
the calamity of the genocide [killings of Armenians in the Ottoman
Empire in 1915], the country of Armenia, which is on its feet and
takes care of the pain of its people, in fact, has enough strength
to extend its hand first and to point to senselessness of moving
opposite the course of development of the world.

[Presenter] The president drew the attention of those present to the
circumstance that many said that it was necessary to hold talks with
Turkey, but that this should not be done publicly and openly.

[Sargsyan] You all remember that during the whole course of the history
of our independent Armenia there have always been such attempts. And
really, the latest process differs from previous attempts by the fact
that it is open to the public. I believe that it was really necessary
to make the process public, because tension that is between us is not
imaginary. This tension is not situational, this tension is not the
so-called war of social elites, this tension is between our societies,
and this tension, saying frankly, this hostility is a consequence of
the darkest page of our history – the genocide which took place in the
Ottoman Empire. And if we ever normalize our relations with Turkey,
then the participation of our societies is necessary apart from the
political will of the leaders of Armenia and Turkey.

[Presenter] The president said that no opinions of any political force
against opening the [Armenian-Turkish] borders could be heard these
days. There are no or few positions against establishing diplomatic
relations with Turkey. If we start building our logic on these starting
points, then we must be able to understand at what point we are now,
where we are going and what is our agenda, Sargsyan said. The president
believes that explanations of some parts of the protocols may not be
really convincing for some people, however he is sure that in case of
comprehensive introduction and impartial study [of the protocols],
this is almost impossible. The head of state suggested reflecting
jointly on what these documents give or take away.

[Sargsyan] These days many people ask me a question and the question
is – What is you minimum or maximum programme? I do not consider
the establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkey and opening
of the borders either as a minimum or maximum programme. I view
the end of these processes merely as a chance to ensure a minimal
environment which will provide an opportunity to start dialogue
with Turkey. Where are we going? We have many issues to solve in the
plane of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations – from economic,
political to historical ones.

[Presenter] While summarizing, the president said that he,
personally, goes the way of solving issues, and if we have closed
any door for solving any issue, I ask you to point this out[,
the president said]. Let us understand these issues together, the
president said. After the speech of the president of the republic,
the discussion continued behind closed doors and lasted for about
five hours. We will broadcast a report on the consultation in our
main bulletin [at 1600 gmt].

PARLIAMENT HEARINGS ON ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 1

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
18.09.2009 12:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On October 1, NA Standing Committee on Foreign
Relations is organizing parliamentary hearings on Armenian-Turkish
Protocols. Hearings aim to spark comprehensive discussion among
representatives from public and political organizations and analytical
centers, RA NA Press Service reports.