Author: Nahapetian Samvel

SERZH SARGSYAN OPENS ARMENIA’S PAVILION AT EXPO 2010 SHANGHAI

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 30, 2010 – 15:10 AMT 10:10 GMT

The Armenian delegation led by President Serzh Sargsyan arrived in
Shanghai on invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao to open the
republic’s pavilion at Expo 2010, the presidential press office
reported.

The RA President opened the Armenian pavilion and then attended those
of China, Russia and U.S.

The Armenian delegation includes Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian,
Economy Minister Nerses Yeritsyan, Energy and natural Resources
Minister Armen Movsisyan and other officials.

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION ISSUE INCLUDED IN KNESSET AGENDA

ArmInfo
2010-04-29 11:22:00

ArmInfo. As a result of April 28 voting, with 12 pros and 8 cons
the Israeli Knesset has pushed the Armenian Genocide issue into the
parliament agenda, IzRus portal reported.

In his speech the leader of the Israeli "Meretz" Party Haim Oron, who
initiated the voting, tried to prevent the arguments of his opponents.

According to him, he was asked why he raised this topic. Let the
history clarify the facts. Let everything halt down by itself. He said
the point is that they do not come out with some specific statement,
do not discuss the issue of compensations or recovery of someone’s
rights. According to him, major topics are discussed directly with
Turkey and Armenia. "It is appropriate that the Israeli Knesset,
which represents the Jewish people, recognize the Armenian genocide,"
Oron said. According to him, the Armenian people need for Knesset to
be among the parliaments which recognized the Armenian Genocide.

According to Haim Oron, some of his opponents say he allegedly
"belittles the historical significance of the Holocaust" by his calls
to recognize the Armenian Genocide. However, Oron thinks that thus
he enhances its significance. The Holocaust of the Jewish people is
one-of-a-kind. Therefore, he said, they have no right to turn a blind
eye to massacre of another people and must not stand off hiding behind
some other interests.

During the voting, Oron was supported by parliamentarians from Meretz
party, former journalist from "Jewish House" and Arab MPs. The main
opponents were parliamentarians from Israel is Our Home party headed
by Foreign Minister of Israel Avigdor Lieberman.

When commenting on this information, member of RPA Council, expert on
Armenian-Israeli relations Artak Grigoryan said that the fact that the
issue was included in Knesset’s agenda was not a surprise, however,
it will be unexpected if the Israeli Parliament actually discussed
the Armenian Genocide issue. According to him, the fact that there
were more pro-Armenian speeches during the debates unlike the previous
years, is a progress. A. Grigoryan also said that the Armenian party
has difficulties in lobbying of its interests in Israel. He thinks this
is first of all connected with the fact that Tel- Aviv has no Armenian
Embassy. Along with it, he attached importance to development of the
Armenian-Israeli relations. According to A. Grigoryan, cooperation
with Israel may be just of benefit for Armenia.

NKR PRESIDENT MEETS RUSSIAN CO-CHAIR OF THE OSCE MINSK GROUP

armradio.am
29.04.2010 16:42

On 29 April President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan
received a newly appointed Russian co-chair of the OSCE Minsk group
Igor Popov, Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR
President reported.

Bako Sahakyan congratulated Mr. Popov on his appointment and wished
him fruitful activity.

The meeting covered a wide range of issues related to the Karabakh
conflict settlement. The parties emphasized the necessity of peaceful
settlement of the conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk
Group and the participation of Artsakh in the negotiation process.

Foreign Minister of the Artsakh Republic Georgy Petrosyan partook in
the meeting.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE BACKS OSCE ON KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS

news.az
April 29 2010
Azerbaijan

Thomas Hammarberg The Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner
has reiterated that it is the role of the OSCE Minsk Group to mediate
a Karabakh settlement.

Thomas Hammarberg was asked about the issue yesterday at the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

A member of the Azerbaijani delegation, Ganira Pashayeva, asked:
‘The basic rights of the Azerbaijanis, who were displaced as a result
of the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia, have been
violated. These people have not been able to return to their native
lands for 15 years and want help from the Council of Europe. Can the
Council of Europe take steps so that these people return to their
native lands? Armenia has been violating their rights for 15 years.’

Commissioner Hammarberg replied: ‘The right of these people to return
is one of the basic and very significant rights. In any case efforts
should be made to gain these rights. There should be a sensitive
attitude towards people, who long for their native lands.

‘During my visit to Azerbaijan I felt positive improvements. But the
main problem of the displaced persons – their return – is still on
the agenda. Unfortunately, it has become a political issue, rather
one of human rights protection. I wish the problem were solved, but,
as I have said, the resolution of this political issue is in the
hands of the [OSCE] Minsk Group. The Council of Europe commissioner
for human rights has very few opportunities to bring any pressure to
bear on this issue. I hope the conflict will be solved in the near
future and justice will win with respect to these people.’

Hammarberg had earlier presented his report on human rights in 2009
to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He raised the
spectre of the economic crisis and a resulting rise in extremism in
his speech and report.

Talking about the published conclusions in his report, he said:
"Some of these are of course controversial and may sometimes irritate
some of the readers – and that is as it must be. Truth telling is an
integral part of honest human rights work.’

Other issues he raised included the failure of the European Union to
coordinate its migration and refugee policies and protecting children
in minority communities. "When I have pleaded that rich European
countries should not deport Roma migrants to Kosovo, I have been
thinking about the children among them,’ he added.

The report does not cover specific Azerbaijani issues.

ARMENIAN FAMILY GIVEN LEAVE TO RESIDE IN TURKEY

Anadolu Agency
Apri 27 2010
Turkey

Istanbul, 27 April: An Armenian family is glad to stay in Turkey
after they were granted residence permit with direction of Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In an interview with the Anatolia correspondent, Hasmik Manukyan,
mother of 22-year-old Arthur, who suffers from moya-moya disease, said
that she was glad that her son could continue his treatment in Turkey.

Manukyan said they came to Turkey in 2005 and Arthur worked at a
jewellery shop in Kapalicarsi and she baby-sat.

"Arthur had chronic headaches and we went to Sirp Pirgic Hospital.

Doctors diagnosed him with moya-moya disease (an inherited disease in
which certain arteries in the brain are constricted)," Manukyan said.

She said they were granted residence permit on Monday [26 April]
and they were really happy to stay in Turkey. Manukyan said they
appreciated Prime Minister Erdogan’s efforts for their permit.

"We hope that Turkish and Armenian people will live together like
friends. I hope that one day borders will be opened," she said.

Manukyan said she also felt deep sorrow that Turkish flags were burned
in Armenia.

Turkey has granted a five-year residence permit to Manukyan family
on Monday.

Thousands of Armenians are living illegally in Turkey, most of them
in Istanbul. The exact number is unknown but they are usually known
as undocumented Armenians who are working illegally in Turkey.

EVENTS ON COMMEMORATION OF VICTIMS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE HELD IN MOSCOW

Azg
April 27 2010
Armenia

On April 24, a wreath was put at a cross-stone placed next to a
newly-built church in Moscow on commemoration of the victims of the
Armenian genocide.

Armenian Foreign Affairs Ministry press service reported that a
service for repose was held within the frameworks of the ceremony.

Afterward Armenian Apostolic Church Primate of New Nakhijevan and
Russia His Holiness Yezras delivered a speech.

A commemoration evening was held as well, at the opening of which O.

Yesayan noted that the year of 1915 has become the dividing line
of the fate for the Armenian people. According to him, the genocide
committed against the Armenians 95 years ago in the Ottoman Empire
is the most painful wound of the fate of the Armenians. The 2/3rd
part of the Armenian people currently live outside their historical
homeland because of the genocide. Chairman of the Association of the
Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamyan, representatives of Armenian NGOs
of Moscow, political and public figures of Russia and of the Armenian
community in Russia partook in the event. Different cultural groups
came forward with performances as well, Armenpress reports.

YEREVAN’S NAIRIT FACTORY TO REOPERATE WITHIN 10-15 DAYS

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 28
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS: ‘Nairit’ factory of Yerevan will
reoperate within 10-15 days, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Armen Movsisyan stated today at the National Assembly when answering
the question of Ara Nranyan, member of ARF faction. According to the
minister, the issue had been discussed several days earlier. After
the discussion it was decided that the factory would go on operating
in accordance with the events program drawn up earlier.

‘The issue will not be solved only by making the factory operate. Such
measures should be undertaken, which will allow the factory to achieve
the economic efficiency; this will ensure rhythmical work. It was
also decided that Nairit would go on producing butadiene rubber. This
will give an opportunity to produce rubber at a lower cost price,
but of higher quality. We set a goal to finish the whole process of
investing butadiene technologies and start the production at the end
of the year,’ he said.

The Minister says reduction in jobs is not expected. As to the
debts of Nairit, Mr.Movsisyan said the Government of Armenia does
not intend to pay them off. ‘The Government is willing to provide
support to the factory for the latter reoperated and settled its
debts,’ Armen Movsisyan said. The operation of Nairit was stopped
because of unsettled debts of electricity.

ARMENIA CONSIDERS ENERGY EXPORT TO TURKEY TO BE DEMANDED

Aysor
April 27 2010
Armenia

"Despite the omission by Turkish government, which resulted in a
suspension of the process of normalisation of relations, we consider
there is a potential in exporting the electricity to Turkey and to
the Middle East countries via Turkey," said Armenia’s President Serzh
Sargsyan to the 11th Atomic Energy Security Council Session.

"The opening of the last blocked in Europe border would have provided
an opportunity for establishing the economical ties, including those
in the sphere of energy," said Sargsyan.

He stressed the importance of Armenia’s involvement and integration in
the world energy sector as well as the importance of the participation
in the regional energy projects.

Serzh Sargsyan pointed out at the construction by Iran, Georgia and
Armenia of the new 400kW Power Line in Armenia, the construction of
the Iran-Armenia pipeline, and operation of the Yerevan Thermoelectric
Power Station.

CAMPAIGNER IN CHIEF
By A.B. Stoddard

The Hill
inistration/94501-campaigner-in-chief
April 27 2010
DC

I don’t know about you, but I am surprised to see President Obama
wade into the midterm elections in such a direct way, and such
accountability will no doubt hamper him should things go badly for
Democrats this fall.

Obama taped a video message for supporters, urging them all to
help turn those 2008 voters out — Obama surge voters, as they are
known — on Nov. 2. We all know young voters, first-time voters
and African-American voters aren’t likely to show up in force for
a midterm election where an older, mostly white electorate usually
decides the outcome. But Obama is making a personal appeal, claiming
he can deliver on the promise of change if they come to the polls.

Here it is: "Hello, everyone. Today, I’d like to talk with you about
the important role each of us will play in 2010 — a role that began
more than three years ago, when we set out on an incredible journey
to change this country for the better.

"A few months ago, we asked you to help us set our priorities for 2010,
and let us know how you thought we could win elections at all levels
of government. You told us your first priority was to make sure the
same people who were inspired to vote for the first time in 2008 go
back to the polls in 2010. So that’s what we’re going to do.

"It will be up to each of you to make sure that the young people,
African-Americans, Latinos and women who powered our victory in 2008
stand together once again. … If you help us do that — if you help
us make sure that first-time voters in 2008 make their voices heard
again in November — then together we will deliver on the promise of
change, hope and prosperity for generations to come."

So with Obama’s numbers dangerously low in the swing districts that
will decide control of Congress, it will take quite a number of surge
voters to turn the tide against Democrats this fall.

One thing is for certain: Obama won’t be turning out the Armenians,
after remarks he made this weekend. According to The New York Times,
Obama’s refusal to use the term "genocide" to describe the killings
of 1.5 million Armenians at the turn of the 20th century is a change
since his presidential campaign, when he sponsored legislation using
the term and said "as president I will recognize Armenian genocide."

Though back then it was "not an opinion, or a point of view, but
rather a widely documented fact," and he added that "an official
policy that calls on diplomats to distort the historical facts is an
untenable policy."

Untenable no more. Obama’s policy of trying not to alienate Turkey
prompted the Armenians to condemn him. The Armenian National Committee
of America said this weekend that Obama’s "euphemisms and evasive
terminology" were "yet another capitulation to Turkey’s threats."

Obama’s broken promise to Armenians could count in pockets of
California, where Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) is in the fight of her
career. We certainly know Republicans everywhere are mad and energized
to vote. Will Obama help get those surge voters fired up and ready
to go?

Can he?

DES DOUZAINES D’ARRESTATIONS APRÈS DES HEURTS ENTRE GANGS A EREVAN
par Stephane

armenews
mardi27 avril 2010
ARMENIE

Plusieurs douzaines de personnes ont ete arretes a Erevan après que
deux groupes d’hommes armes se sont battus dans une dispute lie au
contrôle des affaires.

L’incident est arrive dans le district de Nor Nork. Bien que cela ait
rapidement pris une tournure violente, il n’y a eu aucun echange de
coups de feu ou de graves blessures.

Une forte presence policière est intervenue sur le lieu de
l’affrontemente. Selon la police armenienne, 55 hommes ont ete
apprehendes sur place et 36 d’entre eux ont ete par la suite places
sous mandat de depôt.

" Les circonstances de l’incident sont clarifiees " a declare
le porte-parole en chef de la police Sayad Shirinian. "L’enquete
continue. "

Shirinian a dit que l’enquete est conduite en vertu des articles du
Code penal armenien traitant "du vandalisme" et la possession illegale
d’armes. La police a trouve et a confisque 12 pistolets, a-t-il dit.

Shirinian a ajoute que " les perturbations de masse " ont ete suscitees
par " des questions financières. " Des articles des medias armeniens
ont parle de deux gangs rivaux en conflit sur un titre de propriete
appartenant a un residant bien connu repute pour etre une figure du
crime. Selon quelques articles quelques membres des gangs ont fait
part de leur adhesion au parti Armenie Prospère (BHK).

Shirinian a insiste, cependant, qu’aucun des hommes retenus
n’est affilie au moindre parti politique ou l’organisation non
gouvernementale. " Ceux qui ont commis ces actes de voyou sont
principalement d’anciens prisonniers et des drogues " a dit le
porte-parole de la police.

Un representant du BHK, Naira Zohrabian a de meme assure qu’aucun
membre du parti mene par Gagik Tsarukian, un des hommes d’affaires
les plus riches et les plus influents dl’Armenie, n’a ete implique
dans les violences.