Author: Nahapetian Zhanna

REID STATEMENT IN RECOGNITION OF THE 95TH COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

armradio.am
24.04.2010 11:46

Nevada Senator Reid made the following statement in recognition of
the 95th Commemoration of Armenian Genocide.

"In recognition of the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
I honor the memories of the more than 1.5 million men, women and
children who perished in this unthinkable genocide.

"The time has come for our government to identify these organized
acts of mass violence for what they really were – genocide. In my
ongoing efforts to encourage our country to recognize the genocide,
I have co-sponsored the Armenian Genocide resolutions in the last
three Congresses.

"I believe that paying tribute to those affected by this tragedy is a
necessary step to combat future forms of violence and intolerance. I
am glad Nevada is included among the 40 states that have recognized
the Armenian Genocide, and hope our entire government soon follows."

ZDZISLAW RACZYNSKI: BY RECOGNIZING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE, TURKEY WILL COME TO TERMS WITH ITS PAST

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 23, 2010 – 14:56 AMT 09:56 GMT

A time will come for Turkish nation to recognize the 1915 Armenian
Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire, Polish Ambassador to RA
Zdzislaw Raczynski said.

As he stated at Eurasia University-initiated "From Der Zor to Katyn"
event in Yerevan: "Realization and reconciliation with its own history
is a lengthy process, which, still, can’t be expedited. By recognizing
the Armenian Genocide, Turkey will come to terms with its past."

"1915 atrocities signaled the era of horrible tragedies like Holocaust
and Katyn massacre," Ambassador Raczynski said.

Polish parliament recognized the Armenian Genocide in June 2005.

SUSPENSION OF PROTOCOLS: A WELCOME YET INCOMPLETE MOVE

Armenian Weekly Staff
Fri, Apr 23 2010

On April 22, President Serge Sarkisian made a televised announcement on
the process of normalization between Armenia and Turkey. The president
said that Turkey was not ready for the normalization process, that the
preconditions set forth by Turkey were unacceptable, and that "the
pointless efforts of making the dialogue between Armenia and Turkey
an end in itself" were also unacceptable. He stated, however, that
Armenia will not exit the process, but will suspend the ratification
of the protocols.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) has reason to approach this
development with guarded optimism. Armenia’s decision to effectively
suspend discussions until a change in attitude from the Turkish side
is the most open acknowledgment to date of the dangers inherent in
this process.

Sarkisian’s announcement also makes it clear that the voice of the
Armenian people both in Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora has had
an effect on the Armenian government. This is, therefore, also an
opportunity for us to redouble our efforts to make our voices fully
heard. Hopefully, the Armenian government has also learned to listen
to its people before embarking on such adventures in the future.

It must have become abundantly clear to official Yerevan by now that
Ankara has no intention to normalize relations with Armenia without
preconditions, and is simply using the negotiation process to stall
genocide recognition. To steer clear of this ongoing maneuvering
by Turkey, Armenia must fully disengage from the process, namely by
rescinding its signature from the protocols.

The announcement by Sarkisian also comes two days before President
Obama’s statement on the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Last year, also on the eve of April 24, the "roadmap" to the
Turkey-Armenia normalization process was announced, and Obama
consequently refrained from using the term "genocide" in his annual
statement, citing " efforts by Turkey and Armenia to normalize their
bilateral relations."

"The two governments have agreed on a framework and roadmap for
normalization," Obama had noted. "I commend this progress, and urge
them to fulfill its promise." Now that Ankara has dragged its feet
for a year, it is time for Obama to fulfill his promise to properly
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, paving the way for an honest and
open discourse and dialogue that does not hold history hostage

ARMENIAN PUBLIC SECTOR WAGES TO BE FROZEN UNTIL 2013: MINISTER

/ARKA/
April 22, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, April 22, /ARKA/. Armenian finance minister Tigran Davtian
said today the government has developed a three-year mid-term spending
program that calls for suspension of public sector salaries rise up
to 2013.

Addressing Cabinet members he said public sector wages funds will not
change until then. He said the government will also freeze spending
on purchase of equipment and property. Tigran Davtian said this
is the conservative scenario that may be revised in future. Prime
minister Tigran Sarkisian said the measures are aimed at reducing
budget deficit.

"In 2009 we increased our budget deficit bringing it to 7.7% of the
GDP, now we have to reduce it. This means that we must cut on budget
spending to reduce the deficit to 3% of the GDP,’ he said.

The prime minister described this scenario as ‘extremely cautious,’
saying if the current macroeconomic trends are maintained the
government may reconsider its mid-term spending program. -0-

U.S. RISKS TO LOOSE KEY ALLY IN CAUCUASUS- AZERBAIJANI OFFICIAL

Yerkir
22.04.2010 16:04
Yerevan

Yerevan (Yerkir) – It is high time for the United States and Europe
to adopt a fair position and to prevent the narrow interests of
their Armenian lobbies from prevailing over justice and their own
national interests, Novruz Mammadov, the head of the Foreign Relations
Department of the presidential administration of Azerbaijan, has said
in his commentary published by the RFE/RL.

"In any event, attempts to pressure Ankara to abandon Azerbaijan
are shortsighted and likely to backfire. Azerbaijan and Turkey are
strategic allies with deep historical ties. Turkey has played an
important role in Azerbaijan’s partnership with the West on key
security and energy projects. Azerbaijan spearheaded the opening of
Caspian energy resources to the West and insisted that major oil and
gas pipelines be routed through Georgia and Turkey," he wrote.

Baku has also wholeheartedly supported U.S. security initiatives
by sending troops to Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Azerbaijan also
provides supply-transit support for the NATO effort in Afghanistan.

Those who know the region understand the significant risks Azerbaijan
took and the pressure it overcame in order to pursue close cooperation
with the West on energy and security issues.

Long-term peace and normalization of relations in the South Caucasus
cannot be achieved by rewarding aggression and by excluding the
region’s strategically most important country. By pushing Turkey
to abandon Azerbaijan, the United States risks alienating one of its
most important and reliable partners in a critical region of the world.

ARMENIA TO PRESENT AMBITIOUS "THE CITY OF THE WORLD" AT EXPO 2010
Amy Munday

HULIQ.com
April 21 2010
SC

Armenia will introduce their ambitious "The City of the World" project
at the international Shanghai Expo 2010 starting May 1. The expo’s
theme is "Prosperous City, Prosperous Life," making the innovative
global city idea not only relevant, but revolutionary in its positive
stance to reach international nations around the globe.

Nerses Yeritsyan, the Minister of Economy for Armenia as well as the
country’s commissioner general signed the contract to include Armenia
in Expo 2010. The future of the Armenian people will be a main focus,
along with the "influence of ancient civilizations on contemporary
urban life."

The global city would be set the beautiful Ararat valley of Armenia.

International representatives will build their national district
project within the city and create an environment that is favorable
for all nationalities.

The project focuses on advanced technologies by reinstating the role of
Armenian culture as a nation of creators. The city’s construction will
also be available virtually as part of their idea being consistently
marketed toward today’s technological advances.

The virtual model of Armenia’s "The City of the World" project will
be shown online at , as well as at Armenia’s
pavilion at Expo 2010.

The Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia stated "[the
project] is expected to build from 5 to 7 multi-functional zones
which will include hotels, houses, trade centers, recreation and
health camps and cultural centers."

World Expos have been occurring for over a century, with the first
being London in 1851. The Expo 2010 is open to the public. Tickets
can be purchased online.

EDUARD ABRAMYAN: ARMENIANS OF JAVAKHK ARE IN POLITICAL AND CULTURAL VACUUM

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 20, 2010 – 19:31 AMT 14:31 GMT

Today, a protest action took place near the Georgian embassy in
Armenia, at the initiative of the National Non-conservative Movement
(NNM). NNM leader Eduard Abramyan said that this action is not just
a demand of a political force for the sake of coming to power; it
rather pursues all-Armenian goals.

Abramyan criticized the Georgian authorities, who do not allow
Armenians to take Armenian literature through the Armenian-Georgian
border, without providing any explanations. "It turns out that an
Armenian is subjected to spiritual hunger and has to live under
conditions of information blockade in the Motherldand – Javakhk,"
Abramyan stated during the action.

He added that the Georgian authorities force Armenians of Javakhk to
use only Georgian language, as they have no legal status. "Armenian
public, cultural, youth and political organizations are being closed
consistently, as a result of which Armenians of Javakh are in a
political and cultural vacuum," Abramyan noted. He also condemned the
Georgian authorities for destruction of Armenian historical monuments
and churches.

At the same time, Abramyan said that Armenians will not continue
keeping silence and enduring such attitude. NNM has already sent
a letter to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Speaker of the
parliament David Bakradze and Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze.

JOHN MCLAUGHLIN AND ARTO TUNCHBOYAJYAN TAKE SAME STAGE IN YEREVAN

Panorama.am
21/04/2010

Armenian national academic theatre of opera and ballet will host on
April 28 the best guitar player of all times John McLaughlin and his
4th Dimension jazz-fusion quartet concert.

The concert is organized by "Vibrographus" company; information
partner is "Mediamax". "Music is wonderful and nice, and that wonder
just can’t be separated from the celestial. That is the music of 4th
Dimension. I ensure that kind of wonder expects Armenian audience,"
John McLaughlin said.

Famous guitar player talked about Arto Tunchboyajyan, who is going
to share the same stage with the group on April 28.

"I’ve known him for long time. Arto is a perfect musician, but
can evaluate his human qualities first. He is a person of kind and
wonderful soul," John McLaughlin said.

The tickets are available in the ticket house of opera and Ballet
academic theatre.

DOZENS ARRESTED AFTER ‘GANG CLASH’ IN YEREVAN

RFE/RL
Monday, 19 April 2010 17:47

Several dozen people were detained in Yerevan over the weekend after
two groups of armed men clashed in an apparent business dispute.

The extraordinary incident occurred in the city’s northern Nor-Nork
district on Saturday evening. Although it quickly turned violent,
there were no reports of multiple gunshots or major injuries suffered
by its participants.

Scores of police were quick to arrive at the scene and prevent a
further escalation of the dispute. According to the Armenian police,
55 men were detained on the sport and 36 of them were subsequently
placed under arrest. None of them was formally charged as of Monday.

"Circumstances of the incident are being clarified," the chief police
spokesman, Sayad Shirinian, told RFE/RL’s Armenian service. "The
investigation is continuing."

Shirinian said the investigation is being conducted under articles
of the Armenian Criminal Code dealing with "hooliganism" and illegal
arms possession. The police found and confiscated 12 pistols, he said.

Shirinian added that the "mass disturbances" were sparked by
unspecified "financial issues." Armenian media reports spoke of two
rival gangs clashing over a plot of land belonging to a well-known
Nor-Nork resident reputed to be a crime figure. According to
some reports, some gang members wore lapel pins indicating their
membership in the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), a junior partner
in the governing coalition.

Shirinian insisted, however, that none of the detained men is
affiliated with any political party or non-governmental organization.

"Those who committed hooligan acts are mainly former convicts and
drug addicts," said the police spokesman.

A senior BHK representative, Naira Zohrabian, likewise assured RFE/RL
that no member of the party led by Gagik Tsarukian, one of Armenia’s
wealthiest and most influential businessmen, was involved in the
violent standoff.

BHK activists bitterly clashed with fellow government loyalists
from President Serzh Sarkisian’s Republican Party of Armenia (HHK)
on several occasions in the run-up to last May’s municipal elections
in Yerevan.

The HHK on Monday also denied any involvement in what a party spokesman
called a "hooligan crime."

Trend, Azerbaijan
April 18 2010
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Turkey won’t open its border with Armenia while Azerbaijani lands’
occupation continues – Erdogan
18.04.2010 20:58

Turkey will not open its border with Armenia while it continues to
occupy Azerbaijani lands, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said
Sunday to Turkish ATV channel, the newspaper Sabah reported.

"The reason for closing of our borders in 1993 was the occupation of
Azerbaijani lands. As long as the occupation persists, we will not
open our borders", Erdogan said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are
currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the
occupied territories.