Author: Nanijanian Alex

‘ARMENIA FAITHFUL TO ITS COMMITMENTS TOWARDS NEIGHBORS’

Panorama.am
28/04/2010

"The Azerbaijani deputy contradicts himself stating that Iran actively
backs Armenia and then states that the US makes pressure on Azerbaijan
over establishing an American military base there," Armenian NA ARP
deputy Gagik Melikyan told Panorama.am referring to Azerbaijani deputy
Eldar Ibragimov’s statements as if the US is planning to establish
a military base in Armenia to fire Iran.

"However, I should mention that Armenia is CSTO member and as compared
to Azerbaijan, has many times proved it’s faithful to its commitments
towards neighbors," the NA deputy said.

PERFORMERS COMMEMORATE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WITH SOLD OUT BENEFIT CONCERT

Asbarez
Apr 27th, 2010
LOS ANGELES

More than 700 people crowded into the El Rey Theatre on Saturday April
24 for a social justice concert featuring community artists Visa,
Element, R-Mean and the Dirty Diamond. The concert, which capped off a
day of emotional commemorative events throughout Southern California,
will benefit the Armenian Relief Society’s "Armenia-Artsakh Orphan
Project" and the Bird’s Nest Orphanage in Lebanon.

The annual "Silence the Lies! Rock the Truth!" concert, now
in its second year, is dedicated to exposing the denial of the
Armenian Genocide and raising awareness of this crime against
humanity. This year the event was co-hosted by the Armenian Youth
Federation-Western Region, Armenian National Committee-Western Region,
with the participation of Serjical Strike Records, Knoup Presents,
Alpha Gamma Alpha Sorority and the AGBU.

"April 24, 95 yeas ago is not just a day for us to commemorate the
Armenian Genocide," said Arek Santikian, Chairman of the AYF-WR,
who took to the stage to address the crowd. "It is a day for us to
stand up, silence the lies, rock the truth, because 95 years later,
we as Armenians are still here, and we will continue to be here day
in and day out, year after year."

Featured speakers and community leaders during the concert were
California State Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-44) and James
Lafferty, KPFK host and Executive Director of the National Lawyers
Guild, Los Angeles Chapter. Speaking to a crowd of over 700 youth,
Portantino and Lafferty highlighted the importance of perseverance,
determination, and activism in the struggle to end Turkey’s gag rule.

"The fact that Turkey is an ally is no excuse for immorality,"
stated James Lafferty. "There are some truths that are so potent,
so powerful, and so undeniable, that you can bury them for 10, 20,
and even 95 years, but you can’t bury them forever. If you keep
marching, if you keep raising your voices, if you keep strong, and
if you remember that history is on your side, the truth will prevail."

"The State of California officially recognizes and commemorates the
Armenian Genocide," said Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-44).

"Now we have to get Washington to do the same thing, and we have to
get Turkey to do the same. Because what affects one of us, affects
all of us," he added.

The concert took place hours after more than 10,000 Armenian-Americans
poured out onto the streets as part of an AYF-organized protest
that forced the closure of Wlishire Blvd at McCarthy Vista. Many
participants from the protest headed directly down Wilshire following
the demonstration to stand in line for the concert.

Emotion filled the El Rey the entire night, as the sell-out crowd
relentlessly cheered for the artists and various speakers. Andrew
Kzirian, a member of headlining band Viza and long-time activist,
explained the importance of commemorating culture and activism.

"Events such as this speak out to the youth and to the public very
clearly, especially when the messaging is so significant to the
Armenian people," said Kzirian. "

Kzirian said the mission of the concert is to bring socially conscious
people together to celebrate culture, life, activism and justice. Last
year, organizers donated proceeds to the Orran Charity, which works
to prevent the spread of destitution and begging among Armenia’s
children and elderly.

Mehr News Agency (MNA)
April 25, 2010 Sunday
Iran

TEHRAN, April 25 (MNA) — The Islamic Culture and Relations
Organization (ICRO) Mehdi Mostafavi announced that the organization
is ready to hold a joint literary festival of Iran and Armenia in a
border city in September.

Mostafavi met with the Center for Armenian Writers Director Leon
Ananian here on Saturday and they discussed several issues.

He pointed to the good relationships between the two nations, saying,
"We make our best efforts to develop our cultural relations with
other countries."

He also stressed that Tehran International Book Fair opening next week
can help boost cultural and literary activities in both countries,
adding, "The activities of the Center for Armenian Writers can
encourage our young writers toward increased mutual cooperation."

Mostafavi also talked about the religious freedom of the Armenian
nationals in Iran and said, "Freedom in holding religious ceremonies
and their good relations with Iranians indicate that Armenian nationals
enjoy the freedom to pursue their specific interests within Iran."

Leon Ananian expressed his interest in visiting the country and said
that they are willing to increase the number of Armenian cultural
centers in Iran helping their nationals become more familiar with
the rich culture of Iran.

He expressed his gratitude to Iran’s cultural office in Armenia,
and said, "I visited a few cities in Iran and became acquainted with
several Iranian cultural dignitaries. I am planning to write a book
on Iranian cultural figures in the future."

"KAMURJ" FOUNDATION CREATES THE SIMILAR NAME CREDIT COMPANY

ArmInfo
27.04.2010

ArmInfo. A decision was adopted at today’s sitting Central Bank Council
to register "Kamurj" credit company, press-service of Armenian Central
Bank reported. The sitting was held by the head of CB Artur Javadyan.

"Kamurj" credit company within "Kamurj" charitable foundation, created
in 2000, will deal with financing of small enterprises, a reliable
source told Arminfo correspondent and added that at present "Kamurj"
foundation has 8 offices in Yerevan and the regions of the country.

To note, as of 1 April 2010 27 credit companies were acting in Armenia,
4 of which are leasing companies and 22 – universal credit companies
and 1 – credit union.

PROTEST AT ARMENIAN CHURCH LEADER ATTENDING BAKU SUMMIT

news.az
April 26 2010
Azerbaijan

A protest has been held outside the Gulustan Palace which is hosting
the Baku summit on inter-religious dialogue.

The action involved Karabakh war veterans, refugees and internally
displaced persons from the occupied lands, as well as representatives
of the Azerbaijani community.

The picket was held as a sign of protest at the attendance of Armenian
Catholicos Garegin II at the Baku summit on inter-faith dialogue.

Hurriyet, Turkey
April 24 2010

Ceremony in Istanbul’s Taksim Square honors Armenian deaths

More than 200 people gathered in Istanbul’s Taksim Square on Saturday
evening to honor the Armenians who died during the events of 1915.

About 75 intellectuals and 200 supporters attended the demonstration,
which was organized by Initiative to Say Stop to Racism and
Nationalism.

Armenians claim that the 1.5 million of their kin were killed under
Ottoman rule and that the events constitute genocide. Turkey rejects
the genocide label, saying that thousands were killed on both sides
during civil strife.

The event on Saturday was overseen by almost a thousand police
officers, who were called to secure the area because of threats
received from nationalist circles.

A counter-demonstration that numbered in the dozens was stopped by a
police barricade. The group booed the other gatherers, who clapped in
return.

The demonstration was silent during the commemoration in Taksim
Square, where they lit candles and threw flowers in the air. But the
protesters began to chant ‘ "The brotherhood of Armenians, Turks and
Kurds" and "Shoulder to shoulder against fascism" ‘ as they marched
down Ä°stiklal Avenue.

They dispersed a few hundred meters later.

gather-in-istanbuls-taksim-square-to-commemorate-a rmenian-deaths-2010-04-24

BEST WAY TO IMMORTALIZE THE MEMORY OF GENOCIDE VICTIMS IS BUILDING INDEPENDENT AND POWERFUL STATEHOOD. BAKO SAHAKYAN

Tert.am
24.04.10

On 24 April President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan delivered
an address in relation to the 1915 Genocide of Armenians.

It reads as follows:

"Dear compatriots,

"95 years ago a monstrous and unprecedented crime, the Armenian
Genocide, was committed. It was the first genocide of the 20th
century; millions of Armenians fall victim to it, thousands of Armenian
churches and monasteries, schools and colleges were plundered, a unique
civilization was destroyed. The Armenian nation was deprived from the
great part of its historical Motherland and spread all over the world.

"For our people these 95 years have been years of struggle and
creation, survival and restoration of historical justice. However,
we have not been alone in this struggle; the progressive mankind has
been standing side by side with us. We are grateful to all those who
offered a helping hand and shelter to the Armenian refugees having
escaped from slaughter.

"Many countries have recognized and condemned the Genocide. It
is important both for us and the whole mankind because in this way
future massacres could be prevented and excluded. Impunity is an evil
in itself generating new crimes. The Jewish Holocaust organized by
the Nazis, Armenian pogroms in Sumgait, Bako and a number of other
crimes are just a few testimonies of that.

"Dear friends,

"Today let’s bow before the memory of innocent victims of the
Genocide. The best way to immortalize their memory is to build
independent and powerful statehood, to further strengthen the
Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity realizing nationwide programs and
goals. Every single Armenian must do everything possible to make our
Motherland powerful and invincible, flourishing and prosperous."

ALEXANDER ISKANDARYAN: TURKEY CAN’T BE OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRING COUNTRY

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 23, 2010 – 16:01 AMT 11:01 GMT

Director of Caucasus Institute, political analyst Alexander Iskandaryan
said that Turkey’s becoming the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing country
is ruled out.

"This is a format, to which Armenia will never agree, while one hand
cannot clap," Mr. Iskandaryan said when answering a PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter’s question concerning the Russian Foreign Ministry’s
consideration of Turkey’s possible participation in the OSCE Minsk
Group as a co-chairing country.

"The OSCE MG does not adopt decisions without consensus. Thus, this
issue should not be eyed as a real political outlook," he added.

NO RESULTS YET RECEIVED FROM EXPERT EXAMINATION OF THE CASE ON A YOUNG MAN’S DEATH AT CHARENTSAVAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

ArmInfo
2010-04-22 16:48:00

ArmInfo. No results have yet been received from the expert examination
within the frames of investigation of the case on a young man’s death
at Charentsavan police department, the Special Investigation Service
told ArmInfo.

According to the source, no charges have yet been arraigned against
a police investigator, however, he is suspected of power excess and
incitement to suicide. "It will be possible to speak of the specific
bodily injuries on the young man only after receiving the official
results of the expert examination",- said the Special Investigation
Service.

Earlier Head of the Armenian Police Alik Sargsyan said at a press
conference that Khalafyan was detained on April 13 together with 5
people, who were suspected of theft. The detainees admitted their
guilt. After the testimonies had been given, V.Khalafyan, 24, who
acknowledged himself the organizer of the theft, was taken to the room
of the head of the department for preventive measures. Khalafyan took
advantage of the detain escort officers, snatched out a knife of the
closet and disemboweled himself. Khalafyan died at hospital. Head
of the Armenian Police Alik Sargsyan expressed his condolence to
the young man’s parents. He said that official investigation was to
be conducted. At the same time, Alik Sargsyan stressed that the only
fault of the detain escort officers was that they were not attentive
enough towards the detainee. Nobody beat, offended or forced him
to commit a suicide. According to Sargsyan, in 2005 Khalafyan was
exempted from military service because of the behavioral disorder
and inclination to inflict bodily injuries to himself. However,
the relatives of Vahan Khalafyan, who died at police department of
Charentsavan, accuse the police of torturing Khalafyan.

AZERBAIJANI MP SPECIFIES REASONS FOR ARMENIA BEING A "TOOL" TO U.S.

Today
4.html
April 21 2010
Azerbaijan

"Given the U.S. has significant interests in Armenia, the country’s
policies towards Armenia can be understood," member of the Azerbaijani
Milli Majlis (Parliament) Nizami Jafarov said commenting on U.S.
tolerant attitude to Armenia’s occupation policy.

"Russia and the United States render great support to Armenia. In
Russia’s case, it can be attributed to the strategic partnership
between the two countries, while Washington’s policy in respect
of Yerevan is rather strange. The White House does not have any
pressure on Armenia and turns a blind eye to violations of rules
of international law. In this regard, Azerbaijan does not hide its
discontent. We are not enemies of the United States, but this does
not mean that we must agree with lawlessness," the MP said.

"It is hard to specify reason for the U.S. actions. Armenia makes
overtures towards it trying to gain support of the influential state.

But the two countries have no strategic partnership. Nevertheless,
influence of the Armenian diaspora can be a reason for such a strange
policy of the United States."

"Another reason for U.S. turning a blind eye to Armenia’s occupation
policy is that at the moment Washington has a tactical interest in this
country. This short-term interest may be to use Armenia as a "tool"
to achieve certain goals. Unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan cannot be anyone’s
"tool" because our policies are very different," Jafarov added.