Author: Tadevosian Garnik

ANC PLANNING PROTEST AGAINST RISE IN PRICES

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.04.2010 15:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian authorities provoke panic around
Karabakh in order to distract attention from urgent social problems
and continuous rise in prices, said a representative of the Armenian
National Congress.

"The ANC is planning a protest against the rise in prices on April 6,"
Levon Zurabyan told reporters on Friday.

He also said that the Congress will continue pressing for conduction
of early elections, a necessity for Armenia.

As to Karabakh process, Zurabyan did not exclude resumption of
hostilities. "The negotiation potential has been already exhausted. If
Armenia agrees to a framework agreement on Karabakh, some progress
may be expected in the Armenian-Turkish dialogue. If Armenia doesn’t,
relations with Turkey will not be normalized," he said.

ARARAT GHUKASYAN: NO ABRUPT FLUCTUATIONS EXPECTED THIS YEAR
Hasmik Dilanyan

"Radiolur"
02.04.2010 15:28

Chairman of the Union of Armenian Banks (UBA) Ararat Ghukasyan believes
no abrupt fluctuations of the currency rate are expected this year and
the exchange rate will be within the range of 380-400 AMD per 1 USD.

The recent devaluation of national currency was conditioned by the
inability of economy to absorb additional pouring of AMD liquidity
by the Central Bank, Ararat Ghukasyan told a press conference today.

According to Ararat Ghukasyan, devaluation and inflation are the
natural constituents of the extensive monetary-credit policy, without
which it is impossible to provide for post-crisis revival of economy.

ARFD: INCOMPETENCE OF SOME LOCAL POLITICAL EXPERTS AND HISTORIANS REASON OF PANIC IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2010-04-02 12:59:00

ArmInfo. As long as Armenia and Azerbaijan fail to make a peace treaty,
there is danger of a new aggression by Azerbaijan, Hrayr Karapetyan,
Head of the Parliamentary Commission for Defense, Interior and National
Security, told media on Friday.

Nevertheless, he said, it does not mean that new aggression is possible
already tomorrow like some political experts and historians are used to
say. Such statements have caused groundless panic among the population,
he said. Karapetyan believes that Azerbaijan’s militarist rhetoric
intensified as the Turkish authorities tried to draw groundless links
between the Armenian-Turkish negotiations and the Karabakh process.

"Nevertheless, I see no preconditions for a new aggression against
Artsakh. I think that the constantly growing military budget of
Azerbaijan is not a precondition for that. In early 90s the Azerbaijani
Army was larger and was armed better than our forces, but it did not
hold us from winning the war. Now the Azerbaijani Armed Forces have
no actual overbalance to our army," he said.

ITU SECRETARY GENERAL TO VISIT ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.04.2010 19:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The visit of International Telecommunication Union
(ITU) Secretary General Hamadoun Toure to Armenia is scheduled for
April 5.

As the head of PR department at RA Ministry of Transport and
Communication, Ruzanna Bagratunyan told PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, ITU
Secretary General will visit Armenia on the invitation of Transport
and Communication Minister Manuk Vardanyan.

Meetings with RA President, Prime Minister and Transport and
Communication Minister are on Hamadoun Toure’s visit agenda. Round
table discussions, covering Armenian’s situation in telecommunications
sphere as well as possibilities for its development are also scheduled.

The International Telecommunication Union is the eldest organization in
the UN family still in existence. It was founded as the International
Telegraph Union in Paris on 17 May 1865 and is today the leading United
Nations agency for information and communication technology issues,
and the global focal point for governments and the private sector in
developing networks and services.

OPEN FORUM: THE RIGHT TIME TO CONDEMN GENOCIDE
By Roxanne Makasdjian

San Francisco Chronicle
March 30 2010

A recent vote in a congressional committee to simply reaffirm America’s
stand against genocide became, instead, a legislative referendum on
a broader fundamental question: Who decides when the United States
speaks about genocide?

Earlier this month, the House Foreign Affairs Committee considered
a resolution calling on the president to properly characterize the
Ottoman Turkish government’s centrally planned and systematically
executed campaign of race extermination against the Armenian
people from 1915-1923 as "genocide" and to ensure that U.S. foreign
policymakers put the lessons of this crime to work in preventing
future atrocities.

The decision should have been easy enough. The International
Association of Genocide Scholars, the pre-eminent group of independent
scholars who have studied the matter, is on record in support of
congressional affirmation. Our own U.S. archives are replete with
eyewitness testimonies by U.S Foreign Service officers stationed
in the Ottoman Empire at the time. U.S. Ambassador Henry Morgenthau
referred to the mass murder of 1.5 million Armenians as a "campaign
of race extermination."

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed similar legislation
honoring the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide in 1975
and 1984, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed similar
measures in 2000, 2005 and 2007. Yet despite these resolutions,
today’s committee spent almost six hours debating the measure, and
approved it by only one vote.

So what was it that forced the vote to be so close? What prompted the
Obama administration’s last-minute opposition, even though as senators
and candidates, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Hillary Rodham Clinton
had all — repeatedly — called for Armenian Genocide recognition?

The answer is both sad and clear: foreign intervention in the U.S.

political process in the form of outright bullying by the Turkish
government. Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and their multimillion-dollar Washington,
D.C., lobbyists, including former House Speaker Dennis Hastert and
former Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, led a full-blown offensive
against the measure. Along the way, Ankara, using its purchasing
power, blackmailed a number of profit-hungry but ethically challenged
corporate and defense firms into supporting its shameful campaign to
cover up the Armenian Genocide.

In the wake of the U.S. House panel’s vote, Turkey withdrew its
ambassador and threw what amounts to a diplomatic temper tantrum – very
loud, but not very lasting. They did so again, less than a week later,
when Sweden’s Parliament voted to recognize the Armenian Genocide. In
fact, Prime Minister Erdogan went so far as to threaten the impending
deportation of some 100,000 Armenians currently in Turkey — a chilling
reminder of their Ottoman forefathers’ genocidal campaign.

Thankfully, Chairman Howard Berman and the House Foreign Affairs
Committee he leads refused to give in to Turkey’s threats, joining
more than 20 other countries, including 11 of Turkey’s NATO allies,
which have recognized the Armenian Genocide.

The supporters of the Armenian Genocide resolution understand that
bowing to Ankara’s threats today only helps perpetuate the denial
and the diplomatic bullying, and opens the door to similar pressures
tomorrow to deny other genocides.

Here in San Francisco, we know the answer. Each year, our Board of
Supervisors and I pass a resolution affirming the Armenian Genocide
and calling on Congress to end U.S. complicity in Turkey’s genocide
denial. It’s time for Congress — led by our own Speaker of the
House Nancy Pelosi — to finally stand up to Ankara’s bullying and
do the same.

Roxanne Makasdjian is the chairwoman of the Armenian National Committee
of the San Francisco Bay Area.

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LES DASHNAKS DERRIERE LES CRITIQUES DE KOCHARIAN A L’ENCONTRE DU GOUVERNEMENT
par Stephane

armenews
mardi30 mars 2010
Armenie

Un leader de la Federation Revolutionnaire Armenienne (Dashnaktsutyun)
a defendu jeudi l’ancien president Robert Kocharian dans sa critique
de la politique economique du gouvernement armenien et ses appels a
l’appui par le gouvernement a soutenir le secteur de la construction.

Dans une interview a l’agence de presse Mediamax, Robert Kocharian a
rejete une vue repandue que l’economie armenienne s’est contracte
brusquement l’annee dernière parce qu’elle trop dependante du
developpement trop rapide du secteur de la construction.

Il a pointe que des facteurs objectifs avaient conduit au boom
de la construction mais que ces derniers ont pris fin en dans le
dernier quart de 2008. Robert Kocharian a aussi pretendu que le
gouvernement aurait pu prevenir la recession de 2009 dans le secteur
de la construction s’il avait maintenu la demande "enorme" de nouveaux
logements et espace de bureau.

Armen Rustamian le leader de facto du parti Dashnaktsutyun en Armenie,
a dit que Kocharian a presente " des faits irrefutables " et a suggere
un remède correct quant a la possibilite du pays de sortir de la crise
economique. " Il dit la verite " a affirme Armen Rustamian a RFE/RL. "
Ce sont la des chiffres reels. Les autorites actuelles le nient-elles
? Non "

" Il est vrai que chaque personne peut se permettre d’acheter un
appartement. Mais il y avait une demande et il fallait l’employe "
a-t-il dit. Robert Kocharian a raison de presser que l’administration
du President Serge Sarkissian soutienne la demande de logement
et prenne d’autres mesures qui augmenteraient le secteur de la
construction, a ajoute Armen Rustamian.

Hrant Bagratian, un ancien Premier ministre et membre du Congrès
National Armenien (HAK), a reaffirme jeudi son rejet des declarations
de Kocharian. " La crise economique en 2009 etait si aiguë c’est
a cause de sa politique de construction irresponsable et inutile "
a dit Hrant Bagratian lors d’une conference de presse.

Hrant Bagratian a soutenu que la crise du boom de la construction est
dû a sa concentration dans le centre d’Erevan et resulte principalement
a la construction d’appartements de luxe et d’espace de bureau cher
d’un coût total de 3 milliards de $. " Ce 3 milliards de $ n’ont pas
servi a stimuler le developpement du pays, " a-t-il dit, alleguant
de nouveau que Kocharian en a personnellement profite.

Le chef du HAK a de nouveau pretendu que 12000 nouveaux appartements
doivent encore trouver des acheteurs. " En jugeant l’interview on
comprend que le souci principal de Kocharian est de les vendre,
" a-t-il dit.

Les remarques de Kocharian ont chauffe la speculation sur un possible
retour politique de l’ex-president.

Armen Rustamian a affirme que le Dashnaktsutyun ne complote pas
pour retourner au gouvernement ensemble avec Kocharian. " Nous ne
conditionnons absolument pas notre politique et nos decisions avec
cela " a-t-il dit. " C’est a Kocharian de decider que faire. Nous
decidons nos propres actions et les effectuerons nous-memes. "

RA NA SPEAKER HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN MEETS WITH THE AMERICAN ARMENIAN STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHERS

National Assembly of RA
March 30 2010
Armenia

On March 29 RA National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan within the
framework of the Open Doors of the National Assembly programme at
the Session Hall of the National Assembly met with over 100 Armenian
American students and their teachers, who visited the parliament
led by the editor-in-chief of the "California Courier" newspaper
Harout Sasounian.

Hovik Abrahamyan presented the structure, problems, role and functions
of the National Assembly. He highlighted such meetings, which give
opportunity to get familiarized with the works of the legislative body.

RA National Assembly Speaker answered the Diasporan students’ and
teachers’ questions, which more referred to the Armenian-Turkish
relations and Nagorno Karabakh problem.

The editor-in-chief of the "California Courier" newspaper Harout
Sasounian thanked for the given opportunity, noting that the children
were the first Armenian American students that were hosted in the
parliament.

Expressing his gratitude for the visit the RA National Assembly Speaker
considered it important with respect to getting familiarized with
the Motherland and the people and expressed willingness to support
such visits in future.

TURKEY, ARMENIA CAN IMPROVE TIES ‘WITHOUT KARABAKH SETTLEMENT’

news.az
March 29 2010
Azerbaijan

Paul Kubicek News.Az interviews Paul Kubicek, chair of the Department
of Political Science, Oakland University, Michigan.

What are the main threats to stability in the South Caucasus and to
the region’s integration into Europe?

There remain numerous sources of instability in the region, not
the least of which is the situation in Georgia and the uncertainty
about the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. While I would not
expect Georgia to attack the Russian positions, I do not think the
international community will recognize the independence of these
regions and I expect the Russians to remain there. As for Azerbaijan,
the continued struggle to resolve Nagorno-Karabakh remains a major
problem, of course, even if the fighting is less pronounced than it
once was.

As for European integration, those states that want to cooperate
with the EU can do so within the European Neighbourhood Policy, which
could bring aid and access to European markets. However, I doubt any
of the states will become a candidate country in the near future.

How would you describe Turkey’s regional role?

Turkey wants to assume a more pronounced international role and to
have good relations with all its neighbours. The opening to Armenia,
the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, and Turkish diplomacy on Iran demonstrate
this. However, I do not think Turkey is strong or credible enough to
forge peace settlements, e.g. between Georgia and Russia. However,
I expect Turkish investment and involvement to remain very visible.

Armenia still demands recognition of ‘genocide’ from Turkey and
the international community. As a result, the normalization process
between Turkey and Armenia seems to have stopped. How do you see the
future of bilateral relations?

This is a very difficult question. Ideally, middle ground could be
found, maybe one that would stop short of using the word genocide
but still acknowledging the great loss of life of Armenians. I think
the Turkish government and the Armenian government were very brave to
open normalizing relations, because there is opposition in to it in
both countries. Perhaps if scholars on both sides could take a lead
in fostering dialogue and research, this would help.

Azerbaijan talks about a direct link between Armenia-Turkish relations
and a Karabakh settlement. What is your opinion?

I can understand the position of Baku, but Turkey may want to
demonstrate good relations with Armenia as it eyes EU membership. I can
imagine Turkey and Armenia improving ties without a final settlement
of Karabakh.

MEDVEDEV WANTS TO SOLVE KARABAKH PROBLEM DURING HIS PRESIDENCY – EXPERT

news.az
March 29 2010
Azerbaijan

Mike Hancock News.Az interviews Mike Hancock, a Member of British
Parliament, PACE and the European Security and Defence Assembly of
the Western European Union.

What do you think about the prospect of the Karabakh settlement?

I was in Moscow recently. I was speaking to the co-chairman of the
OSCE Minsk group. He felt there’s the best opportunity now to start to
move things together. He said that President Medvedev in particular
was now very keen to make some sort of settlement. He wants this
issue to be solved by the time when his presidency finished. And
he was more optimistic he said that he hade been for a long time,
which was good news to my opinion.

What we really need is some movement on the Armenian side. I think
Armenia itself, internally people I think would want some sort
of settlement now. But it is ongoing problem of the Diaspora that
is putting so much pressure both emotionally and historically on
this issue now. And I think there is a need to prevent the outside
influences particularly on Armenia.

I think Armenia and its ally Russia both would like to see this
conflict settled soon rather than later knowing this advantage.

You have mentioned your meeting with the co-chairman of the OSCE
Minsk group. Which one?

Russian co-chairman.

By the way what do you thing about Russia’s activity towards the
Karabakh settlement?

Well I think their attitude has changed. There is a shift in the
Russian thinking on Karabakh. I think they do not want the Caucasus to
be a serious of ongoing problems for them. They have enough problems
in the North Caucasus. So the sooner they can solve the issues around
the area generally I think it’s to their advantage. And it’s taken a
long time for them to see that it is generally now in their interests.

I don’t know how the solution will be forthcoming but I do feel
(probably over optimistic) that it is good time than any to see this
changes made.

There is an opinion that since the war with Georgia Russia has been
playing more positive role in the Karabagh settlement. Do you agree
with this?

I think Russia saw the conflict in Georgia as a necessary evil. But
I don’t think they will rush to repeat it. I think they realize that
it costs them a lot. Diplomatically, economically, all sorts of things.

It really destabilization of that was very bad for the Russian economy,
people started be nervous again about Russians particularly about
investments. So I think Russia would now wants to be seen very much
as a shaper of events rather than a reactor to events. It is in their
political interest now to work very hard to find the solution.

And I certainly hope so.

By the way, Turkey is very active as well in the Caucasus security
issues…

I think it would be very good think for Turkey. Turkey itself is
going through difficulties. And they are very much interested in being
seen as a player. I think they want to as helpful as it possible. I
actually think mistakenly they thought unlocking things with Armenia
would help the issue of Karabakh. I don’t have that in myself. But
I think they generally thought that this would be a helpful move.

Do you thing that Turkey and Russia can cooperate trying together to
bring peace and stability in our region?

I think that Russia and Turkey working together would make a
powerful combination to try to solve these issues out. They both have
significant roles to play both in the Black sea and in the Caucasus.

So I really do feel that. It Russia and Turkey could spend more time
together and act as a joint force for good in the region. It would
be good for Azerbaijan and for the region generally.

State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
March 26, 2010 Friday

RESOLUTIONS ON SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE SPARK PROTEST WORLDWIDE

Baku March 26

Officials from a number of countries voiced their protest against
resolutions on the so-called Armenian genocide passed by the US House
Committee on Foreign Affairs and Swedish Parliament,

US congressmen Michael McMahon, Mike Pence, the National Director of
the Anti-Defamation League Abraham Foxman and other diplomats issued
statements claiming Turkey is an ally for the US. They said the
resolution have a negative impact on Turkey-Armenia rapprochement and
solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stated the resolution is false
and the congress would not take any step to pass it.

Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu said in an interview to CNN Turk TV channel
that 1915 events should be judged fairly and openly.

He noted the Turkish Government is alongside Azerbaijan with respect
to peace talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.