Dialogue Between Yerevan And Tel Aviv Should Not Depend On Azeri-Isr

DIALOGUE BETWEEN YEREVAN AND TEL AVIV SHOULD NOT DEPEND ON AZERI-ISRAELI OR ARMENIAN-IRANIAN RELATIONS
Aram Araratyan

ArmInfo
2010-05-04 16:08:00

Interview of Artak Grigoryan, member of the Republican Party of Armenia
Board, expert for Armenian-Israeli relations, with ArmInfo news agency

Mr. Grigoryan, the Israeli Knesset has recently decided to include
the issue of the Armenian Genocide recognition in the agenda. How
much probably will the parliament vote "for", taking into account
the current geopolitical situation?

Inclusion of this issue in the Knesset agenda was not unexpected;
however, its possible discussion by the Israeli parliament will really
be unexpected. I suppose the fact that, unlike the past few years,
more pro-Armenian statements have been made over the debates, can be
considered progress. Moreover, Speaker of the Knesset Reuven Rivlin,
who abstained from voting over the previous years, this time voted
for including the Armenian Genocide issue in the Knesset agenda. We
have no serious lobby in that country, and one of the key reasons
is the lack of Armenian embassy in Israel. In addition, Israel is
not inclined to recognition of the Genocide because of geopolitical
factors. Possible rising of the Armenian Genocide issue in the Knesset
does not mean changing of the foreign political course of Tel Aviv.

Despite the opinion that the relations between Tel Aviv and Ankara
are currently suffering a crisis, the bilateral trade and economic
ties keep on developing.

After Armenia had proclaimed independence, Yerevan and Tel Aviv
found themselves on the opposite sides of geopolitical barricades
for no special reasons. What are the main problems between the two
countries and what can Armenia and Israel do to establish full-fledged
cooperation?

If one looks at the context of Armenian-Israeli relations in general,
Yerevan and Tel Aviv are building their relations with due regard
for a number of various geopolitical factors. First and foremost,
this is the Turkish-Israeli aspect. Turkey is a quite important
country for Israel. One should not forget that this was the first
Islamic country to recognize the independence of Israel in 1948. For
Israel surrounded by hostile Muslim countries, Turkey was the only
country to serve as an outlet to the outer world for a long time,
and this was really a big mission provided to Tel Aviv by Ankara. In
addition, trade and economic relations were and are still developing
between the two countries. Another serious factor influencing the
Armenian-Israeli relations is the negative attitude of Israel and
Iran towards each other, and it is no secret to anybody that these
relations are hostile. Israel even sees more problems related to the
relations with Iran than with the Arab countries that are hostile
towards Tel Aviv.

The fact that the relations between Armenia and Iran are at a high
level also has its impact.

Israeli-Azeri and Azeri-Armenian relations are a quite serious factor.

The relations between Baku and Tel Aviv have been dynamically
developing over the past few years, and among the CIS countries
Azerbaijan has the closest relations with Israel. They in Israel
are even going to name a street after Heydar Aliyev and are already
building a park after Heydar Aliyev in one of the Israeli cities.

Israel is one of the biggest importers of Azeri oil and gas
via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. Naturally, the high level of
Azeri-Israeli relations is having an effect on Armenian-Israeli
relations. Armenia’s good relations with a number of Arab countries,
particularly, Syria and Lebanon, i.e. the countries with which Israel
is at odds, are another big factor for Armenian-Israeli relations.

Armenia has rather big and well-organized communities in Syria and
Lebanon, and its friendly relations with those countries are having
their impact on Armenian-Israeli ties. The presence of Armenian
historical representation in Jerusalem – Armenian community and
Armenian Patriarchate – is also having an effect on the bilateral
relations. Moreover, the Armenian factor is often discussed over
Arab-Israeli peace talks.

Even though Armenia and Israel are currently representing unfriendly
camps, they can find common grounds for developing their cooperation.

Israel should stop being jealous of Armenian-Iranian relations
while Armenia should review its attitude towards Israel’s ties with
Turkey and Azerbaijan. If Israel wants to develop its partnership
with Azerbaijan, it should be allowed to do it. The dialogue between
Yerevan and Tel Aviv should not depend on Azeri-Israeli relations or
vice versa on Armenian-Iranian relations. Armenia is surrounded by
unfriendly states and Iran is one of the two outlets for the country
into the outside world. Armenia has no alternative to its relations
with Iran. Israel should understand this, and I think it does. I think
that our good relations with Iran are hardly an obstacle to developing
cooperation with Israel. The same is true for the Israelis for whom
good relations with the Azeris should not be a deterrent for improving
relations with Armenians. Unlike other countries, Armenia does not
have a big Jewish community while Azerbaijan is home to 50,000 Jews,
which is a strong factor for development of Israeli-Azeri relations.

How does Serzh Sargsyan’s statement that Armenia supports Palestinian
people’s right to self-determination via creating an independent
state comply with the above-mentioned context?

The Armenian president has said nothing new, as today the international
community demands supporting the Palestinian people in creating an
independent state. Israeli political forces are not against this
either. Ariel Sharon and Ehud Barak, who held the prime minister’s
post at different periods of time, did not come out against this,
and the only problem is how to do this, within what limits, and what
status Jerusalem should have. That is to say, the parties’ approaches
are different here, as except the Zionist reaction forces, nobody
objects to provision of statehood to Palestine, even the incumbent
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel keeps on carrying out
capital construction in the occupied territories of the Western bank
of the river Jordan and settling these territories with Jews. Netanyahu
thinks this is a correct step, supposing that the Palestinian statehood
may be formed on the other bank. Naturally, Palestine disagrees with
this, like the world community does. Barack Obama demanded suspending
the construction, as according to the UN resolution, the Western bank
is a region envisaged for creation of the Palestinian statehood. So,
the Armenian president made his statement in the correct context,
having expressed the position of the international community.

Will Israel benefit from opening of the Armenian-Turkish border?

I think it will. Anyway, normalization of the Armenian-Turkish
relations does not disturb Israel. Actually, the Armenian-Turkish
normalization process is neither good nor bad for Israel, but if
this process is completed successfully, Tel Aviv will get rid of
some problems.

Why are there no Israeli and Armenian embassies in Yerevan and Tel
Aviv so far?

I have repeatedly stated the significance of opening of the two
embassies. And if Israel can take time with opening its embassy in
Armenia, it is vitally important for Armenia to have an embassy in
Tel Aviv. There are a number of geopolitical factors forcing Armenia
to refrain from doing it, particularly, relations with Iran, Syria
and Lebanon – relations that cause Israel’s displeasure. The key
reason why Israel is not eager to open an embassy in Armenia is a
possible negative response from Turkey and Azerbaijan. As an expert
for Armenian-Israeli relations, I think that Armenia should not wait
for Israel and should try to open its embassy in that country in the
very near future as the Armenian factor in Israel and Jerusalem is
getting increasingly important.

What is your view of development of Tel Aviv-Tehran relations? May
the current mutual antagonism lead to escalation of an armed conflict?

I think it is early to say that Israeli-Iranian relations may
develop into an armed conflict. Some Israeli politicians and the
Jewish lobby in the United States seek conflict with Iran as they
believe that Israel cannot be at ease while Iran exists. However,
I think the USA is not interested in aggression against Iran unless
Tehran starts the first. Anyway, despite long confrontation over the
Iranian nuclear program, Tehran is acting rather wisely in the matter
and is not crossing the Rubicon. I don’t think that things may end
in an armed conflict, especially that Russia, the EU and the United
States advocate peaceful dialogue. At the same time, I believe the
situation will continue to be tensed for a long time.

Armenia To Work Out A System Of Reduction Of Disaster Risks

ARMENIA TO WORK OUT A SYSTEM OF REDUCTION OF DISASTER RISKS
Lilit Muradyan

"Radiolur"
04.05.2010 17:44

The Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations and the UN Development
Programme initiated a discussion today on issues of reducing disaster
risks. The event featured representatives of different agencies,
international organizations and research institutes.

Secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia Arthur
Baghdasaryan attached importance to the development of the national
platform of reducing disaster risks, since Armenia is situated in a
seismically hazardous region.

According to Arthur Baghdasaryan, today we are trying to heal the
wounds of the 1988 earthquake that claimed the lives of thousands of
people and caused over $14 billion harm to the country.

"Therefore, we must be able to establish an effective system of
reduction and management of disaster risks that will help the state
protect its citizens, since it is the number one task of any state,"
he said.

"The formation of the system of reduction of disaster risks is not only
of economic, ecological and social importune. It’s also directly linked
to the stable development of the country," Arthur Baghdasaryan added.

KfW German Bank Will Provide 120 Million Euro Funding To Armenia In

KFW GERMAN BANK WILL PROVIDE 120 MILLION EURO FUNDING TO ARMENIA IN 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 3, 2010 – 15:02 AMT 10:02 GMT

KfW German bank will provide 120 million euro funding to Armenia in
2010, KfW first vice-president Roland Siller stated upon conclusion
of a 19.5-million financing agreement with CBA president.

KfW first vice-president noted that 20 million euro was already
provided for mortgage credits during the current year.

According to Mr. Siller, 30 million euro will be allocated to
reconstruction of water supply in Vanadzor and Gyumri; 51 million euro
will be provided for Vorotan hydroelectric power plant restoration.

Turkish-Israeli Political Consultations In Jerusalem

TURKISH-ISRAELI POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS IN JERUSALEM

Panorama.am
14:42 03/05/2010 " Politics

The delegation chaired by the Undersecretary of the Turkish Ministry
of Foreign Affairs Feridun Sinirlioglu left for Jerusalem Sunday. As
scheduled, Israel’s and Turkey’s Foreign Ministers held political
consultations. According to Radikal, Sinirlioglu positively assessed
the meeting with the Israeli side. Turkish and Israeli delegations
discussed joint projects. Turkish MFA Undersecretary expressed concern
over the Armenian Genocide Resolution vote at the Israeli Parliament.

Chinese President Meets with Armenian President

CRIENGLISH.com, China
May 2 2010

Chinese President Meets with Armenian President
2010-05-02 20:13:52 Xinhua Web Editor: Zhao Lixia

Chinese President Hu Jintao met with his Armenian counterpart Serzh
Sarkisyan Sunday in a string of high-level meetings with foreign
dignitaries on the sideline of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

China and Armenia have become trustworthy friends and sincere partners
since they established diplomatic relations 18 years ago, Hu said.

He said the two countries have always treated each other as equals,
supported each other and sought mutual benefits in their cooperation.

China is willing to work with Armenia to enhance communication and
consultation by increasing exchanges between the governments,
parliaments and political parties, and cement coordination and
cooperation in international and regional affairs to safeguard their
mutual interest, Hu said.

He said the two countries should seek concrete cooperation in energy,
telecommunication and power industries, and keep expanding cooperation
in a bid to promote their economies.

Hu also called for more people-to-people exchanges, such as exchange
of visits between their artistic troupes and other non-governmental
organizations, to enhance understanding and friendship between the two
peoples.

Sarkisyan spoke highly of the all-round cooperation and trade
relations with China.

The president said he admires China for its constructive role in
international and regional affairs and feels grateful for China’s
support to Armenia.

Armenia and China enjoy immense potentials for further cooperation,
said Sarkisyan, adding that his country is willing to work with China
to complement each other, expand cooperation and increase exchanges.

1881s567163.htm

http://english.cri.cn/6909/2010/05/02/

Today is the International Labor Day

Aysor, Armenia
May 1 2010

Today is the International Labor Day

Labor Day is an annual holiday celebrated in many countries worldwide,
including Armenia. The holiday resulted from the labor union movement,
to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. The
majority of countries celebrate Labor Day on May 1, and it is
popularly known as May Day and International Workers’ Day.

The celebration of Labor Day has its origins in the eight-hour day
movement held in Chicago on May 1, 1886, which advocated eight hours
for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
According to Kalend.ru, the strike and the demonstration to follow it
brought about a clash with the police.

Three years later, the International French Congress passed an act
making May 1 of each year a holiday.

According to the source, the Labor Day was first celebrated in 1890 in
Austro-Hungary, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, the USA,
France and a number of other states. Today, 66 countries worldwide
celebrate May 1 as International Labor Day.

President Sargsyan’s congratulation on May Day

President Sargsyan’s congratulation on May Day

armradio.am
01.05.2010 13:11

`Dear compatriots,

I congratulate you on International Workers’ Day.

This internationally celebrated day is called to honor diligent labor
and the worker, contribute to the protection of workers’ rights.

These are questions directly linked to the economic life of the
country. The global economic crisis has left its trace in Armenia. The
Armenian authorities have taken and continue taking steps targeted at
minimizing the negative impacts of the crisis and encouraging quick
revival.

In this period we have been paying special attention to the social
sector. The government has paid all kinds of social allowances and
wages.

The social indices of the first months of this year are higher than we
could expect. It means that the economic growth will result in the
opening of new jobs and improvement of the living conditions.’

Armenia, Finland To Develop Cooperation

ARMENIA, FINLAND TO DEVELOP COOPERATION

news.am
April 30 2010
Armenia

Vice-Speaker of the RA Parliament Arevik Petrosyan held a meeting
Apr. 30 with Finnish Ambassador to Armenia Petri Salo.

The RA Parliament’s press service informed NEWS.am that during the
meeting, Vice-Speaker A. Petrosyan pointed out that the Armenian
delegation returned to Armenia greatly impressed with Finland.

At Ambassador Salo’s request, Chairman of the Committee on Finance,
Credit and Budgetary Affairs, RA Parliament, Gagik Minasyan, who is
also Head of the Armenian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), informed him of the
Parliamentary Assembly’s work. The sides exchanged views on the
possibility of cooperation between the BSEC Parliamentary Assembly
and its counterpart in the Baltic States.

The sides also discussed issues of bilateral economic cooperation,
as well as cooperation within international agencies. The sides
addressed the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and
global financial crisis.

AGBU Montevideo Choir Performs for Gomidas Vartabed’s Anniversary

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, April 29, 2010

AGBU Montevideo Choir Performs for Gomidas Vartabed’s Anniversary and
Major Multicultural Festival

AGBU Montevideo’s polyphonic choir group, Grung, performed at two
moving concerts in November. The first concert, held on November 12,
honored the 140th birthday of Gomidas Vartabed. A priest and genocide
survivor, Gomidas Vartabed was a renowned musicologist who saved
several thousand Armenian folk songs from extinction and composed
music that reflected the deep feelings of the Armenian people. The
Montevideo concert took place at the Sodre "Nelly Goitiño" Auditorium,
with the Grung Choir performing under the direction of Maestro Alvaro
Hagopian.

Conductor Daniel Magarian opened the show with a thoughtful
introduction in Armenian. He spoke about the choir’s roots and
emphasized the value of Armenian singing and composing as a means of
preserving the ancient culture. Accompanying the 33-member choir were
flutist Ester Kouyoumdjian and Austrian-trained pianist Alejandro
Sarkissian.

The musicians played pieces ranging in style from popular to religious
and nationalist, along with a set composed by Gomidas Vartabed. A
group of a cappella singers also performed, and there were solos by
soprano Stella Capote Kordjian and tenor Diego Krikorian of songs "Lur
Knatz" and "Hairení Tashderum." As the concert came to a close, Grung
paid tribute to another legendary Armenian, poet Hovannes Tumanian,
who, like Gomidas Vartabed, was born in 1869.

On the heels of this successful evening, Grung participated in the
Annual Festival of Choirs of Communities on November 22 at the Clara
Jackson de Heber College. With the intention of presenting an eclectic
mix of cultures, the festival included performances by choral groups
belonging to several ethnic communities living in Montevideo,
including those with Armenian, English, German, French, Spanish,
Italian, Israeli, Russian, Belarusian, Brazilian and Uruguayan
roots. The Grung choir impressed non-Armenian audience members, who
seemed to enjoy the immersion in Armenian music and culture.

Today, amid a busy schedule, Montevideo’s choir group’s biggest
ambition is to reach Armenia and finally perform in their motherland.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please
visit

www.agbu.org
www.agbu.org
www.agbu.org.

26 PACE Members Signed Statement On Armenian Genocide

26 PACE MEMBERS SIGNED STATEMENT ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

news.am
Armenia
april 30 2010

Overall, as many as 26 members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE) already signed the document on the recognition
of Armenian Genocide, NEWS.am correspondent reports from Strasburg.

According to the statement, the recognition of Armenian Genocide
will assist the honoring of human dignity and prevention of crimes
against humanity. Referring to the recognition of genocide by different
countries, the Assembly members urge to take the necessary steps for
the recognition of Armenian Genocide, perpetrated in Ottoman Empire
in 1915. These moves contribute to the recognition of Genocide by
Turkey, as well as furthering Armenia-Turkey normalization process
and establishment of peace in the region, the statement says.

In the beginning of April 29 PACE plenary session, French deputy
Jean-Claude Mignon read out a statement, denouncing Armenian Genocide.

The day before, Armenian delegation to PACE introduced the draft.