Author: Nalbandian Eduard

Erdogan in Greece: Turkish flag burnt in Athens

14:27 15/05/2010 » Politics

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan is paying an official visit to Greece.
Early reports said Greeks, Armenians and the supporters of Kurdistan
Worker’s Party (PKK) were planning to boycott Erdogan’s visit.

According to CNNTurk, Greek protesters have burnt Turkish flag in a
street of Athens Saturday. The protesters were holding posters
reading: The Aegean Sea Belongs to the Greeks. The police prevented
further expansion of the protest action. According to the source, the
protest action was organized and backed by the Nationalist Party of
Greece.

Source: Panorama.am

Topics of the week: Karabakh and visits of European and U.S.
high-ranking officials to Armenia
Review of May 10-14 political events.

The political week in Armenia started with debates on the Nagorno
Karabakh problem.

May 15, 2010
PanARMENIAN.Net –

According to Aram Safaryan, secretary of Prosperous Armenia
parliamentary group, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s refusal to
attend the informal summit of CIS leaders in Moscow as well as
unwillingness of Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to meet with the
OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs appeared as an attempt to screen
unreadiness to resolve the Karabakh problem peacefully. `Turkish and
Azeri propaganda machines have united to work out a large-scale
anti-Armenian policy. As a matter of fact, this policy aims to
frustrate the ongoing Karabakh talks. The current stage of
negotiations requires de jure recognition of Nagorno Karabakh, a move
Azerbaijan is not ready to make. Armenia should be prepared for more
violent propaganda attacks,’ Mr. Safaryan said.

Meanwhile political scientist Sergei Minasyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter said that the resumption of hostilities in Karabakh will be
fatal for British Petroleum (BP). `The catastrophe in Gulf of Mexico
has resulted in huge losses. And if Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline’s
operation is terminated, BP will be on the verge of bankruptcy. AIOC
(Azerbaijani International Operating Company) shareholders, including
BP, are the main lobbyists aiming to prevent hostilities in Karabakh.
Baku is well aware of this situation, thus, Ilham Aliyev’s statements
are mere words,’ Minasyan said.

Former national security advisor to the first President of Armenia,
Ashot Manucharyan, said a new war in Karabakh is possible
theoretically but impossible in practice. `In response to proclamation
of Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Azeri authorities launched a racist war
against the Armenian population in NKR and Azerbaijan. So, Baku should
hold talks on territorial concessions not with Armenia but with
Armenians expelled from Azerbaijan,’ he said. `Both in Armenia and
Azerbaijan the power is in the hands of several people. Such governing
philosophy produced the following result: Baku threatens while Yerevan
ignores the threats.’

ARF Dashnaktsutyun parliamentary group refrained from participation in
the meeting between RA parliamentary groups and PACE President Mevlut
Cavusoglu, citing the latter’s refusal to visit the Armenian Genocide
Memorial.

Heritage Party and its parliamentary group also issued a statement
labeling Cavusoglu’s decision to not visit the Armenian Genocide
Memorial as `a behavior that is unbecoming of the head of this
prestigious European organization.’

The delegation led by the PACE President was received by Armenian
leader Serzh Sargsyanm who said that this visit `will promote
strengthening of PACE-RA NA relations.’

Armenian Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan also met with the delegation to
discuss challenges faced by Armenia and the region in human rights
protection field.

RPA parliamentary group secretary Eduard Sharmazanov stated that
reasons behind President Medvedev’s visit to Turkey are
understandable, with Russia pursuing certain interests in the region.
Armenia should not have concerns over Russian President’s visit to
Turkey. With both countries vying for regional influence, Russia will
not allow for Turkey’s increased influence in South Caucasus,
according to him.

Member of Heritage parliamentary group Larisa Alaverdyan said that
signing the first document on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Armenia
accepted that NKR is a part of Azerbaijan. `Due to this blunder, NKR
was mentioned a part of Azerbaijan in all other documents, including
the Bishkek ceasefire agreement, though it records Arstakh as a party
to conflict. Armenia provoked exclusion of NKR from talks,’ Mrs.
Alaverdyan told reporters on May 12.

Leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia Aram Sargsyan is confident
that the region is witnessing processes which will inevitably affect
both Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. He also emphasized that Armenia
should renounce Madrid Principles, which envisage surrender of
territories and conduction of a referendum. `The Madrid Document is
the worst of all those offered before,’ he said.

Armenian National Congress coordinator Levon Zurabyan told journalists
that the ANC representatives slammed the work of PACE monitoring
committee and that of Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
during a meeting with PACE President Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Armenian President met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Tina S. Kaidanow, who
arrived in Yerevan on May 14. The Armenian President thanked the U.S.
administration for the efforts aimed at establishment of peace and
stability in the South Caucasus.

Arshaluys Mghdesyan / PanARMENIAN News

UKRAINE ACCUSING ARMENIA OF VIOLATING WTO RULES

Tert.am
14.05.10

Ukraine is accusing Armenia and Mongolia of violation the rules
set by the World Trade Organization, reports local Ukrainian
Kommersant-Ukraine.

The newspaper mentions that Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy has found
out that the tax for Ukrainian cigarettes is levied in the countries
under discussion through discriminatory ways.

Further the paper mentions that Kiev is going to solve the problem
through WTO leverages that had earlier helped it defend its rights
in a similar case in Georgia.

According to Kommersant-Ukraine Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy has
already started unofficial consultations with Armenia and that it is
ready to hold similar consultation with Mongolia too.

FRENCH UNIVERSITY VERSUS ANANIA SHIRAKATSY LYCEE: PASSION FOR CHESS AND MUTUAL RESPECT WIN

NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 14, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The Chess House in Yerevan hosted a chess
tournament between the teams of Anania Shirakatsy Lycee and the French
University in Armenia. Initiated by the chairs of physical education
of the two educational institutions, the tournament aimed to develop
chess in Armenia as well as to promote large-scale participation in
chess competitions and bring students and pupils closer together.

Among the participants were six eighth, ninth, and tenth graders who
had been the winners of the Lycee chess competition, and six students
of the French University in Armenia. Zaven Andreasian – the winner of
the under-20 world chess championship, conducted a multi-board chess
play with them. The young Grand Master was playing simultaneoulsy
against all the participants on 14 chessboards.

The play lasted for almost two hours. The students and schoolchildren
were stubbornly resisting Z. Andreasian’s attacks, but only 2 out of
the 14 participants managed to defeat him, namely David Barghutian, a
first-year student of the Management Faculty of the French University
in Armenia, and Gegham Vardanian, a first-year student of the Faculty
of Trade and Marketing of the same university. Tenth grader Gor
Chobanian upheld the honor of the pupils: he was the last participant
to lose. At the end of the play Zaven Andreasian confessed that there
were good chess players among the competitors, and he was surprised
at and pleased with this fact.

Then a short competition was held between the pupils and the students.

The participants’ passion for chess and their mutual respect won.

Susanna Hoveyan, Head of the Healthy Lifestyle and Physical Education
Chair of Shirakatsy Lycee, told NT correspondent that in the course of
a year, they conduct physical culture lessons (102 hours), in addition,
many pupils are involved in out-of-school groups (table tennis and
chess). Each school year the Lycee organizes sporting events on 5
kinds of sports: table tennis, chess, vollleyball, basketball, and
track and field athletics.

S. Hoveyan said that the difference in age and experience among
the participants certainly play a considerable role, but their
participation and closer ties are no less important than the results
of a contest.

In the opinion of Yervand Hakobian, an instructor of Physical Education
and Sports Chair of the French University, the aspiration to uphold
the sport honor of their own educational institution has a special
moral significance for the rising generation.

The French University has a good tradition of participating in such
contests: about two months ago, a similar tournament was held with
the team of Yerevan State University (YSU). The YSU team won by a
slim margin (6.5-5.5). According to Y. Hakobian, from the second year
of their studies, the students of the French University choose some
or another kind of sports and attend the respective group. The chess
group is one of the most popular ones: it includes over 60 students,
with girls being quite active.

Director of Anania Shirakatsy Lycee Ashot Alikhanian welcomed the
fact of holding such tournaments: "I am glad to see a student playing
chess with a pupil: it means that the student considers that pupil
as an equal rival. This is exactly what we strive for. We want our
pupils to realize that they are future students. They should try to
resemble the students of Armenia’s leading universities".

PACE NOT TO SEND OBSERVERS TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Panorama.am
18:51 13/05/2010

Politics

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will not
send observers to Nagorno-Karabakh over the upcoming parliamentary
elections due May 23, PACE Turkish President Mevlut Cavusoglu told
reporters in the National Assembly, Yerevan.

Note that the NKR addressed a letter to the PACE with an offer to
conduct observation mission during the parliamentary elections.

PACE President said, they have received the letter, discussed it at
April sitting and resolved not to send an observation mission to the
conflict region.

OFFICIAL CEREMONY OF "AWARD 2009 OF PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC" HELD

Panorama.am
13/05/2010

The official award giving ceremony of the "Award 2009 of President of
the Republic" took place in President’s Residence today. It’s worth
mentioning that the event is supported by "Poghosian" Foundation
(France).

Today at 20:00 concert will be performed in Chamber music hall after
Komitas with the participation of laureates, best singers and musicians
who received President’s award in "Classical music" category.

21 best performers out of 137 have been awarded in 13 categories.

President Serzh Sargsyan handed awards to the winners and released
speech saying:

"Dear laureates, I congratulate you on receiving RA President’s Award.

Today it’s pleasing for me to implement this responsibility, since this
ceremony is jubilee. It’s the 10th time we award the representatives of
science and art. This is truly a beautiful and important idea. Being
founded by Poghosian family it regularly encourages our laureates
and rules the attention of our people to the event.

In this respect I say my word of appreciation to Poghosians’ family.

All those competition achievements are of great significance for us.

But I’d like to point those two laureates whose activities directly
concern the scientific motivation of Armenian Genocide and has a
mission to counteract with the rejection. I think the significance
and innovation of our successes recorded in this sphere are obvious
for everybody.

With special warmth I’d like to congratulate our young laureates –
the painters, musicians, writers, whose debut is marked by an award.

I hope this event will be a contribution for them and will mark new
stage in their creative life. I wish our scientists to continue their
achievements. I’m sure that kind of creations would contribute to
improvement of competency of our scientists in the modern world. Both,
the achievements of science and art are necessary components of any
peoples’ living and development.

By creating and educating we pass the breath of new era to our
centuries-old path. And we’ll record good results if we don’t lack
trust, energy, respect towards work and creation. Your successes
smooth country’s path. I don’t doubt that future will be bright and
light. Once more I congratulate you, I wish you further creative
achievements."

The President of "Poghosian" Foundation Jean Poghosian also took
the floor.

"This is a very important award ceremony and I’m very happy to be here
and mark the 10th jubilee of this award. I wish the laureates will,
talent to face the challenges and make success. Mr. President, since
the previous year you have made considerable efforts to promote the
dialogue with Turkey. This is a very significant and courageous step.

Evidently, the Turkish side did not duly appreciate your efforts. All
of us know that today’s Turks are not those having committed the
Genocide. The past cannot be changed but the future can be. When the
Armenian people called the events Mets Yeghern, the term genocide
didn’t exist then. But, as I have always stated, I’m optimistic that
a leader will appear beyond the border and will be illuminated one
day to make the reality available for their own people and on this
very day, they will find the solution, will heal the scars. I’m sure,
one day Turkey will recognize the Armenian Genocide. Thus, we are
thankful to all the brave scholars in Turkey who are making efforts
towards the recognition of the Genocide. They will help find the
solution of our problem so that crimes against the humanity don’t
reoccur. We are thankful to all the persons and organizations who
promote the international recognition, as well as the states having
recognized the Genocide.

"Suisse-Armenie" Association has celebrated a serious victory in the
struggle against genocide rejection. And here among the laureates is
also William Shabas, the President of the international association.

He has made a significant contribution to the Armenian Genocide
recognition. I thank all the laureates for the achievements, talent
and the work done. Hopefully, many will follow you," he said.

Armenian President’s Awards 2009 have been conferred in the spheres
of natural sciences, technical sciences and information technologies,
physics, medicine, art, literature, humanities.

Government members, "Armenia" All-Armenian Fund Board members,
representatives of local bodies, Foundation benefactors, intellectuals,
honorary guests from Armenia and abroad were attending the ceremony.

"Suisse-Armenie" Association (Switzerland) the International
Association of Genocide Scholars (Ireland) were granted awards for
their significant contribution to Armenian Genocide recognition.

"Armenia" All-Armenian Fund has been organizing the award ceremony for
10 years. 161 intellectuals and arts critics, including 40 talented
youths well-known both in Armenia and abroad, have been awarded so
far. Among them are writers Razmik Davoyan, Alexander Topchyan, Aghasi
Ayvazyan, arts critics Henrik Igityan, Robert Elibekyan, scholar Vazgen
Melikyan, singers Arsen Soghomonyan, Gevorg Hakobyan, and others.

ARMENIA, TURKEY TO CONTINUE BEHIND-THE-SCENES NEGOTIATIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 13, 2010 – 17:15 AMT 12:15 GMT

The Armenian-Turkish dialogue is in standstill, an Armenian expert
said.

"The situation will persist till the parliamentary elections in
Turkey. Nevertheless, the two countries will continue behind-the-scenes
negotiations. A public dialogue is also possible," Turkologist Ruben
Melkonyan said.

Analyzing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Turkey though
the prism of Armenian-Turkish relations, he said that neither the
Armenian-Turkish rapprochement nor Karabakh conflict settlement was
prior on the agenda.

"As a OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairing country, Russia had to touch on
the Karabakh issue, but it doesn’t mean that the process will be
intensified after it," Melkonyan said.

As to PACE President’s visit to Armenia, he said Cavusoglu will try
to use his post to gain advantages for Turkey.

YEREVAN, VAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY TO SIGN MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 12, 2010 – 18:20 AMT 13:20 GMT

Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Yerevan and Van will sign
a memorandum of cooperation on May 13.

Armenian side will be represented by Yerevan CCI chairman Andranik
Alexanyan; chairman of Van CCI Board of Directors Zahir Kandasoglu
will represent Turkey.

A delegation of Turkish entrepreneurs and Van CCI representatives
are currently on a visit in Yerevan, Armenian CCI spokesman Vrezh
Sarukhanyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

RECONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGE BETWEEN ARMENIA AND TURKEY MATTER OF TIME

Panorama.am
19:09 11/05/2010

Politics

If the efforts of a group of Armenian architects and culture figures
prove successful, the main bridge of the Armenian medieval capital
of Ani between Armenia and Turkey will be reconstructed.

"This is matter of time," the head of the Union of Architects of
Armenia Mkrtich Minasyan says. He is one of the initiators of the
project and he is convinced that the reconstruction of the bridge
would be of symbolic significance. "This bridge does not just connect
the two banks but the two countries, and through time people, the
representatives of the two nations, will be able to communicate,"
the architect explained.

It’s the Armenian party that has raised the reconstruction of the
medieval bridge, connecting the Armenian Kharkov and Turkish Ani
bordering residences. The project has been filed to the Turkish side
and the latter expressed willingness to restore the bridge, though,
have taken no steps towards it by now.

Former Deputy Culture Minister of Armenia and current ICOMOS
(International Council on Monuments and Sites) Armenia President
Gagik Gyurjyan says "the bridge is half-heritage."

"Both Turkey and Armenia have joined lots of conventions on the
preservation of the cultural heritage and are obliged to contribute to
the joint preservation of this very heritage. So, as half-heritage,
we have initiated to restore the bridge, irrespective of borders,"
Gyurjyan said.

According to the Turkish media, the Economic Policy Research Foundation
of Turkey, TEPAV, has submitted the project to Turkish high authorities
and the latter have approved it.

"This damaged bridge, built by the Armenian Kingdom, is associated
with the total absence of economic and political relations between
the two countries and its reconstruction could symbolize the new era
of bilateral relations," Turkish media wrote.

The capital of Ani, founded by the Bagratids in 961 A.D., was one of
the outstanding cities of historical Armenia, known for its temples,
churches, walls. Historians evidence that 5 stone bridges, over 30
m long, on Akhuryan River tied Ani with the outer world.

Monument specialist Samvel Karapetyan has not been informed about
the initiative and he is not involved in the works. "This is a unique
bridge, we have had few such bridges," he said.

"Ani is a collection of pearls: both religious and architectural,
like this bridge. Ani has such a school of architecture, any monument
here is a pearl," Karapetyan said.

"After reconstruction it may serve for pedestrians and can be best
sample of cultural heritage at the same time," ICOMOS President says.

"Tourists will use the bridge to get to Ani from Shirak," this is
what Mkrtich Minasyan thinks.

However, Samvel Karapetyan is more interested why restore the bridge,
for in Ani there are thousands of monuments worth reconstruction. "The
words on establishing connection are hollow. Any building can be a
way of establishing connection. The bridge has no stressed identity
for the Turkish, that is to say, they are afraid to touch an Armenian
church or monastery, while, about bridges they could say: how on earth
it comes to be Armenian? Only religious constructions – khachkars,
cemeteries, churches – highlight the national identity and they are
afraid to approach these," he said.

Anyway, Minasyan says, a bid has been submitted with ICOMOS to back
the reconstruction of the bridge.

TIGRAN SARGSYAN HANDS OUT JUBILEE MEDALS TO GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR VETERANS

Tert.am
10:30 10.05.10

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received a group of 1941-1945 Great
Patriotic War veterans. Congratulating them on the Day of Victory
and Peace, the head of government stated in part: "It is a great
honor for me to welcome you to the House of Government and convey
words of appreciation for your life story and the path covered by
you. My father was a war veteran like you. He was injured at the
Belarusian front. I can still remember him getting more enthusiastic
as the May holidays approached. He deemed that May 9 was the holiday
of our people’s pride for the people of Armenia made a significant
contribution to the cause of victory. Armenian soldiers are known
for their numerous heroic deeds.

I am convinced that the WWII veterans went a long way toward
inspiring our freedom-fighters during the war of Karabakh leading to
new victories. I am taking this opportunity to congratulate both you
and our Karabakh war veterans.

Dear Veterans, we highly appreciate your heroic deeds and the path
covered by you. Under RA President’s high patronage, the government
of the Republic of Armenia is implementing a multifaceted program of
anniversary events in effort to pay the tribute we owe to you, as well
as to communicate your victorious spirit to the rising generation. I
am greatly honored to be able to offer to you Republic of Armenia
high State awards. I wish all of us a good holiday."

During the meeting, the Prime Minister also handed out presidential
awards – "1941-1945 Great Patriotic War Victory 65th Anniversary"
commemorative medals – to 14 Great Patriotic War veterans.