Author: Nargizian David

US MUSICIANS SING SUPPORT FOR IRANIAN PROTESTERS
By Shaya Tayefe Mohajer

AP
28 June 09

CAIRO (AP) — They wouldn’t be allowed to perform in Iran, but singers
Joan Baez and Jon Bon Jovi are showing their support for protesters.

In videos carried on YouTube, the artists perform songs — with a
few lines in Farsi — that call for peace.

Bon Jovi sings "Stand By Me" alongside Armenian-Iranian pop star Andy
Madadian. The New Jersey rocker adds, in surprisingly good Farsi,
the line: "Hand in hand, with one voice, you and me, countryman,
your pain, my pain, be with me."

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora provides the licks in the June
24-dated video, which opens with an image of Bon Jovi holding a sign
that reads "We are all one" in Farsi.

A comment posted to Bon Jovi’s Web site Saturday thanked him for
the performance, adding hopes that Bon Jovi would "be the first
legendary American singer who will perform in Iran … one day in
the near future."

Folk singer and activist Joan Baez’s version of "We Shall Overcome"
includes a portion in Farsi. Strumming an acoustic guitar in her
kitchen, the 68-year-old singer trills the song made famous as an
anthem of the American civil rights movement.

"In you the world sees the power of nonviolence," Baez said in a
statement on her Web site. "We hear it in the roar of your silence
and see it in your eyes as you sit down p eacefully in the face of
terror. We are moved by your courage and inspired by your sacrifices."

Other musicians are the soundtrack for videos and slideshows protesting
alleged fraud in the June 12 election whose result gave a landslide
victory to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

One collection of photos is set to the late pop star Michael Jackson’s
"Beat It" — with the song’s key lyrics appearing in red over images
of Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Politically charged rock band Rage Against the Machine serves as the
soundtrack for another such video that splices protest photos with
video from the pre-election debate in which Ahmadinejad holds up the
intelligence file of the wife of rival candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi.

ARMENIA AND INDIA TO ESTABLISH A JOINT IT CENTER

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
26.06.2009 20:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA Deputy FM Karine Kazinyan and Indian Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Reena Pandey have today have singed
an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding for establishing
India-Armenia Centre for Excellence in Information and Communication
Technology.

HOT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM WITH SUN WATER HEATERS PUT INTO OPERATION AT VAZGENIAN SPIRITUAL SEMINARY

Noyan Tapan
June 25, 2009

SEVAN, JUNE 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The ceremony of putting into operation
hot water supply system with sun water heaters took place on June
24 at Sevan Vazgenian Spiritual Seminary, under the chairmanship of
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The
SolarEn speciliazed company implemented the system installation works.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Information Services of the Mother
See of Holy Echmiadzin, hot water supply needs of Sevan Vazgenian
Seminary were covered by means of the sun water heating collectors
with the total surface of 60 square meters, set in the territory of
the seminary.

RPA SPOKESPERSON: TODAY THERE IS NO DOMESTIC TENSION IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
June 24, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Irrespective of the fact what part of
society thinks, by granting an amnesty, the ruling Republican Party
of Armenia, ruling coalition and the President showed a political
will, the goal of which was to create an atmosphere of dialogue and
tolerance in society. RPA Spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov stated on
June 24. According to him, it was the first amnesty of such a large
scale in Armenia’s modern history. In response to the question of
whether the authorities would show such a political will if discussion
of the issue of Armenia were not expected at the PACE sitting, he
said that everything the authorities do is first of all done for
country’s society.

E. Sharmazanov did not share the apprehension that the release of the
persons accused on the 2008 March 1 cases will increase the domestic
tension. In his words, March 1 is one of the most notorious pages in
Armenia’s history, which has not been finally closed yet. However,
according to him, there is no tension in society today, and the times
when tension could be created artificially have passed. According to
him, Yerevan Council of Elders elections showed that the opposition
is inclined to use civilized ways of struggle and is preparing for
the 2012 parliamentary elections at present.

E. Sharmazanov considers rather vague the possibility of unification
of three opposition forces, Armenian National Congress, ARFD and
Zharangutiun, as he does not think that they have ideological
communities. According to him, Zharangutiun can cooperate
with Dashnaktsutiun at the parliament and with ANC outside the
parliament. However, it is obvious that any attempt of Zharangutiun
to be independent receives a counterblow by the Congress, which is
understandable in consideration of the inevitable competition between
opposition forces in the coming parliamentary elections.

CHEMICAL PLANT EXPLOSION IN YEREVAN, MAY 14

US State News
June 22, 2009 Monday 5:13 PM EST

YEREVAN, Armenia, May 15 — The U.S. Embassy issued the following
press release:

As most residents of Yerevan are aware, a series of explosions on
May 14, 2009 at the Nairit chemical plant in Yerevan resulted in
the tragic deaths of several workers and a significant number of
injuries. There was some initial concern that the fire caused by
the explosions resulted in toxic substances being released into
the air, thus creating a danger for residents of the city. The
U.S. Embassy Yerevan has been in close contact with the Armenian
police and officials from the Ministry of Health to discuss these
concerns. These officials have assured us that there is no danger to
the community. We also asked local authorities to assess the potential
risks given the substances that the Embassy understands were being
produced at the plant. Based on the initial information we received,
it appears that the only significant health risks would be faced by
those in the immediate vicinity of the fire. Others who were not
in the immediate vicinity could experience minor symptoms such as
watery eyes or respiratory irritation, but are not at significant
risk. The U.S. Embassy Yerevan will continue to monitor the situation,
and provide further information as necessary. Americans traveling
abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy’s website, and
the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website,
, where the current Worldwide Caution,
Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can
be found.

The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens
to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at
ty_1747.html ,
which includes valuable security information for those both
living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the
Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security
conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and
Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at
1-202-501-4444. The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan is located at 1 American
Avenue, tel. 10-46-47-00 and fax 10-46-47-42. The Consular Section
is open from 9:00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m., with time reserved for
American citizen services from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except for official U.S. Embassy holidays. For more
information, see the Embassy’s website at the Embassy’s website at
more information please contact:
Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- [email protected]

PRIME MINISTER OF ARMENIA HOPES BRIDGES WILL BE BUILT BETWEEN NAGORNO KARABAKH AND BUSINESS CIRCLES OF ARMENIAN DIASPORA

ArmInfo
2009-06-22 10:27:00

ArmInfo. Prime Minister of Armenia hopes bridges will be built between
Nagorno Karabakh and business circles of the Armenian Diaspora.

‘The tradition on holding of such forums, having been formed in
Tsakhkadzor, moved to Nagorno Karabakh, and I welcome this’, Prime
Minister of Armenia Tigran Sarkisyan said during BRIDGE ARTSAKH
economic forum in Nagorno Karabakh, ArmInfo special correspondent in
Stepanakert reports.

He expressed hope that bridges will be built between Nagorno
Karabakh and business circles of the Armenian Diaspora all over the
world. T. Sarkisyan emphasized the importance of acquaintance of the
Armenian businessmen from the different countries with the economic
situation and investment opportunities of the NKR. He added that
the government of Armenia should do its best for the NKR economy to
develop at higher rates and the living standard in Nagorno Karabakh to
be higher than in Armenia. Talking of the prospects of development
of the economy branches in the NKR, T. Sarkisyan emphasized the
necessity of tourism development. According to him, this branch has
great prospects, however, it is necessary to create the relevant
infrastructure for the republic to be able to receive a great number
of tourists. Moreover, the Armenian PM said with regret that about
90% of Armenia’s population has never visited Nagorno Karabakh. He
explained this by expensiveness of the conducted tours to Nagorno
Karabakh. T. Sarkisyan spoke for the necessity of creation of a long-
term programme of tourism development with attraction of the private
business, that was supported by Chairman of the Union of Industrialists
and Businessmen of Armenia Arsen Kazaryan and others present.

To recall, the prime minister of Armenia and a number of members
of the Armenian Cabinet partake in BRIDGE ARTSAKH economic
forum in Stepanakert organized by the Union of Industrialists and
Businessmen of Armenia and MASTER Center of International Integration
Support. The forum is held under the auspices of the NKR president
and government. Artsakh Investment Fund is the official partner of
the forum.

AZERBAIJANI INTELLIGENTSIA CALLS FOR DIALOGUE WITH ARMENIA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
19.06.2009 10:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Union of Azerbaijani Intelligentsia considers it
possible to create a joint commission out of Azerbaijani and Armenian
intelligentsia or the Union of Elders for implementation of public
diplomacy in the solution to the Nagorno Karabakh problem.

"The main condition is that both sides really need to make efforts to
solve the problem. The contribution to the solution of this problem
can make not only intelligentsia but also people sincere acting
in the interests of the people. These people regardless of their
nationality do not trample justice," Union Chairman Eldaniz Guliev
said on Thursday.

At the initiative of Ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Armenia to Russia –
Polad Bulbuloglu and Armen Smbatian- intelligentsia of both countries
visited Stepanakert, Yerevan and Baku in June 2007. The Azerbaijani
delegation included Polad Bulbuloglu, Farhad Badalbeyli, Kamal
Abdulla, Azer Pasha Nemat and Ilham Fataliyev. Next visit is planned
for July 2009.

"The conflict can not last forever. There are refugees and internally
displaced persons who suffer from this conflict," he said.

According to him, if the conflict between the two countries can not
be resolved, then intelligentsia and other active members of society
must increase their efforts towards settling this problem. "In this
case, it would be possible to move forward," Guliev said.

The Movement of Azerbaijani Intelligentsia was established in 2003. In
2007, it was to be officially registered in the Ministry of Justice
as an association of intellectuals in Azerbaijan. The purpose of the
organization is to protect the rights of intellectuals of Azerbaijan
and achieve reconciliation between opposition and the authorities,
Trend News reported.

SYRIA NOT WANTS WORSENING OF KARABAKH PROBLEM: PRESIDENT

Trend Daily News
June 17, 2009 Wednesday 5:20 PM GMT +4
Azerbaijan

Syrian does not want worsening of the Karabakh problem, Syrian
President Bashar Asad said at a joint news conference with his
Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan in Yerevan on June 17, News
Armenia reported.

"Of course, this is a difficult problem, but we do not want its
worsening, as from the Middle East experience, we know that it will
be difficult to solve this issue in this case," the Syrian president
noted.

The president said he wanted to know Armenia’s position in the Karabakh
problem before his visit to Azerbaijan.

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.

BASHAR ASSAD: "SYRIA DOES NOT WANT THE NAGORNO KARABAKH PROBLEM TO BE COMPLICATED"

APA
June 17 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. "Syria does not want the Nagorno Karabakh problem to
be complicated," Syria’s President Bashar Assad said at the press
conference with his counterpart Serzh Sargsyan in Armenia, APA reports
quoting Novosti-Armenia agency.

He said Nagorno Karabakh conflict was a difficult problem.

"Of course this is a difficult problem, but we do not want the
situation to be complicated. We know from Near East that in this case
the solution to the conflict becomes complicated, too," he said.

Bashar Assad underlined that he wanted to know Armenia’s position on
Nagorno Karabakh conflict before his visit to Azerbaijan.

Syrian President said they welcomed the steps towards the normalization
of Armenia-Turkey relations.

"I told Armenian President that we were ready to support the
improvements," he said.

Bashar Assad said his country had close relations both with Turkey
and Armenia.

MURR: DID THE ARMENIANS USE FAKE IDS IN THE ELECTION?

YaLibnan
ves/2009/06/murr_did_the_ar.php
June 17 2009
Lebanon

Beirut – During a press conference on Tuesday MP Michel Murr expressed
skepticism over the Metn election results, wondering where all those
additional 4,000 Armenian votes came from. "I wonder where the increase
in number of voters came from and whether Armenians voted with the
fake IDs uncovered by the interior ministry," Murr asked during a
press conference.

Murr revealed that the number of Armenians who voted in Metn
for Camille Khoury and Amin Gemayel in 2007 was 9,200 with full
mobilization of voters.

Murr said that according to MP Hagop Pakradounian the number of
Armenian voters in 2009 reached 13,700 in Metn while only 9,300 voters
were eligible to vote.

"This raised suspicion given the increase in the number of Armenian
voters by more than 4,000," Murr argued.

He said the "suspicious Armenian votes" affected outcome of the Metn
poll, adding that contacts with Tashnag cease to exist for now.

Murr criticized Tashnag for pledging to vote for him during polls,
"but a day ahead of elections it succumbed to pressure from MP Michel
Aoun and others."

He demanded that the interior ministry, the general prosecution and
the constitutional council cancel the fake votes "which exceeded the
normal Armenian voting rate."

The Metn MP said his "Salvation" electoral list will contest the
elections once documents required for the appeal are completed.

Murr pointed that in the event the controversy over the election fraud
story was settled, the result would be six winners from his list and
one from Aoun’s.

Turning to father Elias Akari of the Syriac Orthodox church without
naming him, Murr said: "Let the judiciary take its course. I don’t
want to go into stories fabricated by this small broker."

An audio tape broadcast on Aoun’s OTV said to be from Murr in which
he threatened Syriac Akari by making use of his son’s position as
defense minister has sparked tension.

Murr had filed a lawsuit with the Prosecutor’s General Office against
OTV, accusing it of forgery, usage of forged documentation as well
as instigating hatred.

The Archbishopric of Mount Lebanon for the Syriac Orthodox Church has
also filed a lawsuit against father Akari, accusing him of embezzlement
and stealing of money as well as of fabrication, forgery and bribery.

On the new government, Murr said he supports the nomination of MP
Saad Hariri for the premiership and Speaker Nabih Berri for the
speaker’s post.