Author: Tamamian Anna

WHO WRITES SARGSYAN’S SPEECH

s16828.html
13:03:08 – 15/02/2010

On February 15, the former NA Speaker Tigran Torosyan issued his
opinion in connection with Serge Sargsyan’s speech in London saying
that he had already had a chance to voice his opinion in connection
with Serge Sargsyan’s international speeches and now he has the
same opinion.

Tigran Sargsyan said that neither the content nor the form of that
speech corresponded to the audience because those who write speeches
for the president do not have a clear idea of the audience. According
to him, the title did not correspond to the content. Not accidentally,
the title in future was presented differently.

Tigran Torosyan notes that Serge Sargsyan dwelt on the Karabakh
conflict, then genocide issue, in the third part of the speech, Serge
Sargsyan no one knows why dwelt on the Armenian -British relations.

Tigran Torosyan reminds that the title of the speech was "Values and
security in the Southern Caucasus" and stresses that the Armenian
and British relations do not correspond to the topic of values and
security of the Southern Caucasus.

The situation according to Tigran Torosyan was not saved by the list
of British people who were said to be people presenting the essence
and issues of the genocide. Torosyan mentions Arnold Toynbee saying
that his opinion in his late works in connection with the genocide
issue changed much.

Torosyan says that dwelling on the Karabakh issue, which is natural in
the context of security of the Southern Caucasus, he had to present
Armenia’s approaches to the issue. "For example, Armenia’s ideas on
the territorial integrity and self-determination of nations were to
be presented. Unfortunately, no such a clear formulation was heard
in the speech but only already known opinions", says Tigran Torosyan.

Russian president approves new military doctrine

MOSCOW, February 5 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
has approved the country’s new military doctrine which allows
preventive nuclear strikes against potential aggressors.

"The president informed the members of Russia’s Security Council on
Friday that he has approved two documents – the military doctrine and
the Fundamentals of the state policy on nuclear deterrence until
2020," said presidential press secretary Natalia Timakova.

According to Russian officials, the adjustment of the country’s
military doctrine was prompted by real threats and challenges faced by
Russia.

Russia’s nuclear triad comprises land-based ballistic missile systems,
nuclear-powered submarines equipped with sea-based ballistic missiles,
and strategic bombers carrying nuclear bombs and nuclear-capable
cruise missiles.

Under the new doctrine, Russia will continue developing and
modernizing its nuclear triad, increasing its capability to overcome
missile defenses of a potential enemy.

The new military doctrine also aims to transform the Armed Forces into
a more effective and mobile military force. Their structures will be
"optimized" through the use of combined arms units performing similar
tasks.

The previous document was adopted in 2000. It outlined the role of the
Russian military in ensuring the defense of the country and, if
necessary, preparing for and waging war, although it stressed that the
Russian military doctrine is strictly defensive.

Russia’s military expenditure has of late been steadily growing, and
the country reportedly plans to increase the current defense budget of
$40 billion by 50% in the next three years.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Feb 13 2010

Turkey’s Armenians question election process of co-patriarch

Photo: Bishop Chuljyan, a candidate for the position of co-patriarch
from Armenia, arrived in Ä°stanbul on Wednesday to meet with members of
the Armenian community in Turkey.

As the Armenian Patriarchate in Ä°stanbul tries to designate a
co-patriarch in light of the illness of Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan, or
Mesrob II, Turkey’s Armenians are questioning the election process for
their co-patriarch as they think the community has not been informed
by the patriarchate well.

According to the Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos, which has been debating
the issue in detail in its pages in recent weeks, the patriarchate’s
Spiritual Board has not remained neutral in its position on the
candidates.
The weekly indicated that Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, the head of the
Spiritual Board and a candidate for the position of co-patriarch,
aimed to strengthen his own base and desired quick elections to reduce
the chances of other candidates who live abroad.

In its Jan. 22 edition, Agos called on the patriarchate officials to
be transparent in their approach and inform the community about the
steps that they take. The weekly stated that the community will watch
the manner in which the patriarchate officials host Bishop Sebouh
Chuljyan, a candidate for the position of co-patriarch from Armenia.
They also noted problems during the January visit of another
candidate, Bishop Karekin Bekjyan, the religious leader of Germany’s
Armenian community. They are both qualified to take up the position
since they were both born in Turkey as required and have impressive
religious qualifications.

Bishop Bekjyan was quoted in Agos as saying, `I am going to come to
Ä°stanbul again,’ after his 10-day visit. He also promised to maintain
close contact with the community.

The Turkish Armenian community recognizes Mesrob Mutafyan as their
community’s spiritual leader until the end of his life. Influential
members of the community have been critical of the patriarchate
officials because they were secretive about Patriarch Mutafyan’s
condition and were therefore late in arranging the election of a
co-patriarch. Patriarch Mutafyan, 54, has been diagnosed with
frontotemporal dementia.

An announcement on the patriarchate’s Web site in December stated that
they had submitted an application to the relevant authorities
regarding the selection of a co-patriarch. The statement noted that
until the emergence of his health problems, Patriarch Mesrob II had
served in the position for 11 years and that on Dec. 24, 2008, the
patriarchate decided that he would be the community’s spiritual leader
until his death.

The patriarchate has forwarded a request to the ministry that
elections for the co-patriarch be held on May 9.

`We should follow Hrant’s way’

Bishop Chuljyan, who is the primate of the Gougark diocese in Armenia,
arrived Ä°stanbul on Wednesday evening to meet with members of the
Armenian community in Turkey.

A close friend of Hrant Dink, the former editor-in-chief of Agos who
was assassinated in 2007, Bishop Chuljyan visited Dink’s grave on
Friday.

`The road that Hrant Dink started down is the way to dialogue between
Turks and Armenians. We should support this way and we should
strengthen it,’ he said, speaking to a group of journalists on Friday.

Bishop Chuljyan, who is staying at the patriarchate and says he is
being treated very well, is making contact with the Armenian community
in Ä°stanbul. He will leave on Feb. 17 and said that he will come back
to Ä°stanbul following Easter in April.

13 February 2010, Saturday
YONCA POYRAZ DOÄ?AN Ä°STANBUL

-web/news-201416-102-turkeys-armenians-question-el ection-process-of-co-patriarch.html

TURKEY PUTS ON THE PRESSURE: TOP OFFICIAL GOES TO US TOMORROW

Tert.am
10:45, 12.02.10

A senior Turkish official will hold talks in Washington to mainly
discuss the Turkish-Armenian reconciliation process. The visit of
Undersecretary of the foreign ministry Feridun Sinirlioglu, set to
start on February 13, will take place under the shadow of the pending
resolution on Armenian genocide claims in a committee of the U.S. House
of Representatives, reports Turkish daily Hurriyet.

Howard Berman, the Democratic chairperson of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee, said last week he intended to call a committee vote March
4, on the resolution urging President Barack Obama to recognize the
1915 Armenian Genocide in the fall of Ottoman Empire.

Sinirliogu is expected to tell the U.S. officials that the vote will
further damage the Turkey-Armenia reconciliation process that has
already seen some tension, caused, as Turkish side puts, due to the
recent decision of the Armenia’s constitutional court.

The court’s ruling that the interpretation and application of the
protocols signed between the two countries to normalize relations
should be in compliance with the Armenian constitution is a cause
of concern for Turkey since Turkish government argues that the court
has impaired the spirit of these agreements. The Turkish government
insists that the decision prevents the discussion of Armenian genocide
claims by a committee of historians that will be established according
to the articles of the protocols.

In this sense, Sinirlioglu is expected to seek assurances from the
U.S. administration that the court’s ruling will not legally prevent
the discussion of Armenian claims of genocide.

Turkey believes the pending resolution is aimed at putting pressure
on the government to pass the protocols through Parliament. In an
interview over the weekend, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu denounced
the committee for scheduling a vote on an Armenian Genocide resolution
at this time, saying that its passage would seriously harm Turkey’s
relations with both the United States and Armenia.

LENDING BY BANKS UP 87% FOR JAN 2010 IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
12.02.2010

ArmInfo.Lending by Armenian commercial banks Jan 2010 versus the same
period of 2009 was up 87% to 32.1 billion drams.

ACRA Credit Bureau told ArmInfo the commercial banks provided 44572
loans for Jan 2010 which was 17.7% more than a year ago.

As of February 1 2010 ACRA Credit Bureau had databank on 2.6 million
redeemed and 635,000 current loans as well as nearly 942,2 thousand
credit histories (including 18,000 histories of legal entities and
924,2 thousand individuals).

As of February 1 2010 the banking system of Armenia encompassed 22
commercial banks.

"ACRA Credit Reporting" CJSC, the first private credit bureau
in Armenia, was founded in January 2004 by Credentials Inc. The
shareholders of the company are the Central Bank of Armenia (10%),
17 commercial banks, First Mortgage Company, Dun & Bradstreet
International LTD and other companies. All the 22 commercial banks
in Armenia and most of the loan companies use ACRA’s services.

ARMENIA: RICKY MARTIN SUPPORTS EMMY & MIHRAN

esctoday.com
Feb 12 2010

One of the acts to compete at the 2010 Armenian Eurovision national
final, Emmy & Mihran have received the support of one of the most
famous latin music icons in the world: Ricky Martin.

Emmy & Mihran seem to be the hot favourites to represent Armenia in
Oslo, having behind not only Armenian supporters but also the famous
pop singer Ricky Martin, who wished Emmy and Mihran best of luck in
representing Armenia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. You can
see the video below. Eva Rivas follows them by popularity.

Watch Ricky Martin supporting Emmy and Mihran:

T he draw for the running order at the Armenian national final took
place yesterday evening.

NATIONAL WOMEN’S POLITICAL CAUCUS ENDORSES NAHABEDIAN FOR GLENDALE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER

NOYAN TAPAN
FEBRUARY 11, 2010
GLENDALE

GLENDALE, CA, FEBRUARY 11, NOYAN TAPAN-ARMENIANS TODAY.The National
Women’s Political Caucus announced its endorsement of Glendale School
Board Member Nayiri Nahabedian. Nahabedian’s got her endorsement for
her work, both as a School Board Member and as an educator, as well
as her work on the Glendale Commission on the Status of Women. "I’ve
always worked mindful of women’s issues throughout my career. I’m
pleased for my new job and I hope that, once I am in the Assembly.

ARMENIANS ONCE AGAIN PRESENTED THE PRODUCTS BROUGHT FROM THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES OF AZERBAIJAN IN A MOSCOW CITY EXHIBITION

APA
Feb 10 2010
Azerbaijan

Moscow. Roman Agayev – APA. In the international exhibition called
"ProdEkspo", which is traditionally held in Moscow city on 8-12
February, Armenians once again presented the products brought from
the occupied Azerbaijani territories.

So called Armenian "Artsax investment fund" demonstrated alcohol and
alcohol-free beverages, which included "Stepanakert Cognac Company".

"Asrtsaxfrut" company presented to the guests a great number of
Azerbaijani products, which included fruit juices, different jams,
cornel, nuts and other jams along with mulberry, boiled juice and
various types of pickles.

Furthermore, "Stepanakert Cognac Company" also includes such products
(wines, vodka, cognac) on which it’s clearly written Shusha or other
names and scenes of Azerbaijani cities occupied territories.

The most interesting thing about this exhibition is that the current
stand was presented as of Armenian stand in the exhibition catalogue.

"Asrtsaxfrut" spokesman, who insisted not revealing him, said that
their company presents Armenia and pointed out that the producing
factory is in Xhankendi.

Exhibition’s food industry department rep Galina Malkova embezzled
to bring explanation whether how can they present the products which
are not produces on their territories.

Malkova said that "Artsax frut" company applied from Nagorno Karabakh.

"First, we did’nt pay attention to it. Then, after this uproar we
corrected our mistakes, taking the name of Nagorno Karabakh everywhere
and republishing all the catalogues. But we cannot inspect all the
companies. Even ambassador visited us, she said. (Refusing to tell
which country’s envoy was it) The problem is already done, she added.

Malkova even accused Azerbaijan media in exaggeration of problem which
is already settled. "How can the problem finished, if the companies
representing Armenian is still continuing to present our products
brought from the Azerbaijani occupied territories? Mrs Malkova declined
from answering this question, saying that "Artsaxfrut" has paid for
participation at the exhibition. As she said, the participation of
the company located in the occupied territory of Azerbaijan in the
international exhibition shows whether exhibition organizers are
interested in legitimacy of the Armenian company."

Note that, area around of 80 000 kv 2 of exhibition brought together
1800 companies from 57 countries.

TURKEY CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO RATIFY PROTOCOLS EVEN IF ARMENIAN DOES IT

news.az
Feb 10 2010
Azerbaijan

Mustafa Kabakchi Turkey will further remain loyal to the promises
it gave to Azerbaijan, chairman of the Turkish-Azerbaijani group of
friendship said.

If the Armenian parliament ratifies the Armenian-Turkish protocols, it
cannot be expected from the Turkish parliament without the resolution
of the Karabakh conflict, said Mustafa Kabakci, chairman of the
Turkish-Azerbaijani group of friendship.

"Even if the Armenian parliament ratifies the protocols, the Turkish
parliament will not pass them without the settlement of the Karabakh
conflict as Azerbaijan is more important for Turkey than Armenia",
Kabakci said.

According to him, Turkey will further remain loyal to the promises
it gave to Azerbaijan.

"The fact that Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has decided to send
Armenian-Turkish protocols for ratification in the parliament, does
not mean that the procedure will be conducted, he considers.

ARMENIA’S OMBUDSMAN NOT PREPARING TO TAKE OVER GENERAL PROSECUTOR POSITION

Tert.am
14:14 ~U 10.02.10

Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Armen Harutyunyan is not preparing
to take over the post of General Prosecutor in Armenia.

"No one has made such a proposal to me. I can’t imagine the Ombudsman
[referring to himself] leaving without completing his term," said
Harutyunyan, while speaking to journalists today.

This, in response to recent news in local media which stated that
Harutyunyan had received a proposal to, and it was quite possible
that he would, take over the post of General Prosecutor.