Author: Tambiyan Samvel

TURKEY, AZERBAIJAN’S MAIN GOAL TOTAL EXTERMINATION OF ARMENIANS

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.12.2008 15:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It’s not a secret that the main goal of Turkey and
Azerbaijan is total extermination of Armenian ethno-political entity
in the Caucasus, an Armenian expert said.

"The leadership in both countries never concealed that Baku want
to wage a new war with a purpose to completely destruct Armenian
manpower, gene pool and even to seize some Armenian regions,
specifically Syunik," Vardan Hovsepyan, expert at Mitq analytical
center told PanARMENIAN.Net.

"Baku is building up its military capacity, what proves that Azerbaijan
strives for war. With Turkey’s help, Azerbaijan is planning to launch
production of offensive arms – missiles, bombs, tanks, etc. Under
the circumstances, Armenia should strengthen its defense sector and
prepare for new hostilities," Hovsepyan said.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE NOT TO SUCCUMB TO PRESSURES

Hayots Ashkharh Daily
24 Dec 2008
Armenia

The media supporting the Armenian Pan-National Movement have
long ago fallen into the habit of distorting the statements of
politicians and disseminating misinformation. GALOUST SAHAKYAN,
Head of the RPA parliamentary faction, has also become a target of
such speculations. In an interview with the correspondent of "Hayots
Ashkharh", Mr. Sahakyan yesterday touched upon the "accusations"
addressed to him.

"Even if the Council of Europe deprives our delegation of the right
to vote, it will not mean that Armenia does not have a European system
of values. The path towards the European development is beneficial to
our nation and state. Besides, we are the participant of such positive
progress, and have had our investment in the process over centuries.

At different stages of our history, the foreign forces have tried
to coerce us into adopting the European system of values, but they
never succeeded in their efforts. They didn’t even manage to reach
their goal by committing massacres and Genocide.

Europe has to realize that Armenia is not solving technical problems
by joining different European structures. The thing is that the system
of Armenian values in major part coincides with the European ones. We
ourselves have undertaken certain commitments, and we do not renounce
them . The neighboring Muslim states have closed the borders and roads
and encircled our country. Therefore, Europe should not continue the
practice of isolating our country.

It’s not accidental that only 10 out of the 80 members of the PACE
Monitoring Committee are participating in the discussion devoted
to Armenia.

At the same time, it is visible how many of them succumb to the
foreign pressures and to what extent the task of depriving the Armenian
delegation of the right to vote is valued in the Council of Europe.

I do believe that the Council of Europe is a sensible organization
and will not succumb to the pressures of the Muslims, as it did last
year and in 1915.

DECREASE TENDENCY OF NUMBER OF CHILDREN LIVING IN ORPHANAGES NOTICED IN ARMENIA

NOYAN TAPAN

Dec 24, 2008
YEREVAN

RA National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamian, on December 24,
visited Yerevan’s Zatik orphanage. According to him, everything
possible should be done to preserve orphanage’s warm atmosphere and
to create better conditions for children.

According to orphanage Director Ashot Mnatsakanian, currently nearly
80 children aged from 8 to 18 live in the orphanage. In his words,
a decrease tendency of the number of children living in orphanages is
noticed in the past years. He said that it is also due to the improval
of population’s social condition. He also reported that 118m drams
(nearly 400 thousand USD) was allocated to the orphanage from the
2008 state budget.

RA Minister of Labor and Social Issues Arsen Hambartsumian said that
the amount of funds allocated to orphanages from the state budget
increases year by year. According to him, in 2009 it is envisaged
to raise orphanages employees’ salaries by about 20%, the amount of
money allocated for food will be also increased by 20%.

ARMENIA’S "THANK YOU" AFTER 20 YEARS FOR TURKEY’S HELP

Dec 23 2008
Turkey

Sarkisyan sent an appreciation letter to Turkish President Abdullah
Gul for the 20th anniversary of Spitak earthquake, Anatolian news
agency reported.

Armania President Serj Sarkisyan thanked to Turkey and Turkish citizens
for their help after the 1988 earthquake in his country.

Sarkisyan sent an appreciation letter to Turkish President Abdullah
Gul for the 20th anniversary of Spitak earthquake, Anatolian news
agency reported.

Sarkisyan stated that all world paid attention to Armania’s tragedy
after the earthquake and proved that "one’s suffering is not just
about them but all".

He expressed his country´s gratitude to everyone who stood with them
during hard times, and added that Armanian citizens are grateful
for the help and support from Turkey and Turkish citizens after
the earthquake.

In his letter, Sarkisyan said: ‘We are sure that humane actions
will always be remembered, they increase kindness and light the
world. Best Regards"

–Boundary_(ID_LpaZMNEG2LuFo7QkI+wE 4Q)–

"I MIGHT NOT REACH THE SQUARE"

A1+
[06:43 pm] 22 December, 2008

Today the Court of General Jurisdiction of Kentron and Nork-Marash
districts resumed the trial of ex Deputy Prosecutor General Gagik
Jhangiryan. At the beginning of the trial the presentees congratulated
Gagik Jhangiryan on a new-born grandson.

Today Judge Jora Vardanyan rejected the petitions filed by the
defendant’s advocates. The advocates had petitioned the court to
invite Smbat Ayvazyan, Artak Sisakyan and Vardan Kirakosyan to the
court hearings. Remind that the three had been taken to the Police
6th Department after Jhangiryan’s detention on February 23.

Then the advocates suggested attaching their evidence to the
case. According to Smbat Ayvazyan, Artak Sisakyan and Vardan
Kirakosyan, they had been advised in the sixth department to thank
God for not being treated the same way as was Jhangiryan.

The judge rejected the petitions saying they lack reliable sources.

"If once I said you are not impartial and unbiased today I announce
that you are partial, biased and corrupted. Actually, there is no
difference between you and Prosecutor Piloyan," indignant Jhangirtyan
said to Judge Jora Vardanyan.

Jhangiryan reminded him of international rights, particularly of the
European Convention on Human Rights. "Armenia has always violated the
5th and 6th provisions of the convention. You violate all moral and
legal norms and rights and burden us with your indictments hoping
to end your sufferings in this way. Let me disappoint you as your
sufferings are just beginning."

Finally, the advocates asked the court to invite policemen Samvel
Asatryan, Karen Babakekhyan and Tigran Hovhannisyan to the next court
sitting. This time Jora Vardanyan upheld the petition.

The court is scheduled to question these policemen at 1:00, December 27

At the end of the court sitting Gagik Jhangiryan advised Jora Vardanyan
to resign office. "And why didn’t you resign then?" Koryun Piloyan
remarked from his place.

If I did, I might not reach the square," replied Jhangiryan.

Panorama.am

14:39 20/12/2008

PEOPLE IN PANIC: PRICES GETTING HIGHER

`For the first time ever the prices in the local market decreased in
the eve of New Year, like in other European countries,’ a week ago
announced the President of the State Committee for Economic
Competition Ashot Shahnazaryan.

But according to the results of the monitoring conducted by
Panorama.am reporter in these days the prices of eggs, meat, cheese,
dairy products and other food became higher. If a few days ago beef
was 1700-1800 drams, now the price is highered ` 1900-2000, pork meat
was 2500-3000, now it costs 3500-4000. `Lori’ cheese cost 1500-1600
drams, now it costs 1800 drams.

According to the committee representative they continue their
monitoring. What will the committee find out, this is a big question?

Our monitoring showed that people is in panic. Some did not get their
salaries; the others did not get their money which relatives send from
abroad. They keep going shops to get acquainted with the new prices
which get higher every day.

Source: Panorama.am

ARONYAN HAS 4.5 POINTS

Panorama.am
15:30 19/12/2008

The eights round of Super GM Tournament in Nanjing finished. In this
round Levon Aronyan met with another Amenian chess player Sergey
Movsisyan who presents Slovakia in the tournament. The game ended
in draw and Armenian chess players have their half points after
this round.

Svidler – Bu Xiangzhi meeting ended by the victory of Svidler. In
Topalov – Ivanchuk pair Topalov defeated his rival.

To conclude, after this round Aronyan has 4.5 points.

AAA: AN IRREVERSIBLE TREND HAS COMMENCED IN TURKEY

armradio.am
18.12.2008 11:20

"An irreversible trend has commenced in Turkey," said Bryan Ardouny,
Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Executive Director. "Over
12,000 people in Turkey want history to be recorded truthfully,
having already signed the internet-based petition apologizing for
what they call the ‘Great Catastrophe’ that befell the Armenians of
Ottoman Turkey in 1915. This public apology is a first step in that
direction and will inevitably lead to Turkey coming to grips with
its genocidal past."

This movement arose in response to the January 2007 assassination
of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, a strong advocate of
Turkish-Armenian reconciliation, who publicly spoke in Turkey of the
"Great Catastrophe" that Ottoman Armenians suffered in 1915, as the
Armenian Genocide. Dink was prosecuted under Article 301 of Turkey’s
Penal Code for "insulting Turkishness" by raising the issue.

As a first step on the path toward affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide, these intellectuals have asked the public in Turkey to sign
a petition stating, "My conscience does not accept the insensitivity
showed to and the denial of the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman
Armenians were subjected to in 1915. I reject this injustice and
for my share, I empathize with the feelings and pain of my Armenian
brothers and sisters. I apologize to them."

News accounts report that Turkish President Abdullah Gul has not
opposed the campaign, while Turkey’s Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip
Erdogan has stated that he will not join the group of Turkish
intellectuals who issued the apology, adding "if there is a crime,
then those who committed it can offer an apology. My nation, my
country has no such issue."

However, momentum is building and support continues to increase
dramatically. Within a few hours of the apology’s release, over 2,500
people added their signatures and made encouraging comments. Cengiz
Aktar, professor at Istanbul’s Bahcesehir University said that it is
"our aim to empathize with the grief of our Armenian brothers," calling
on all Turks to "think and talk openly about how, and why, the Armenian
people disappeared from a land they inhabited for 4,000 years."

This process was encouraged in 2003 by the International Center
for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), which concluded that "the Events
[of 1915], viewed collectively, can thus be said to include all of
the elements of the crime of genocide as defined in the Convention,
and legal scholars as well as historians, politicians, journalists
and other people would be justified in continuing to so describe them."

Noting the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice
President-elect Joseph Biden next month and Obama’s statement from
October which read, "Joe Biden and I believe that the Armenian Genocide
is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but
rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body
of historical evidence," Ardouny said, "They are both on record as
supporting Turkey’s reconciliation with its past, and affirmation
of the Armenian Genocide. Coupled with Obama’s recent selection
of Senator Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, the Obama-Biden
Administration has an opportunity to clearly affirm the Armenian
Genocide and, at the same time, help Turkey reverse its policy of
denial. It will also send a message that the U.S. will no longer
shelter Turkey from criticism if it continues to persecute leading
intellectuals by invoking Article 301 of its Penal Code."

BJNI FACTORY’S CLOSURE UNEQUIVOCALLY HAS A POLITICAL IMPLICATION, VAHAGN KHACHATRIAN ASSERTS

Noyan Tapan

Dec 17, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the evaluation of
Armenian National Congress representative Vahagn Khachatrian, the
closure of the Bjni factory unequivocally has a political implication:
the problem is not economic. As V. Khachatrian mentioned at the
December 17 dispute with RA NA ARFD faction member Artsvik Minasian,
if the problem were economic, that issue would have raised long ago,
as it is not the first year Bjni is operating.

According to A. Minasian, it is possible that there is an economic
basis, but he did not exclude, either that Bjni’s closure is also
connected with political activity. "I think it is one of the worst
phenomena in our independent republic we have dealt with since 1991,
when any problem existing on the political plane also brings to
economic redistributions," A. Minasian said.

In response to the question of how much Bjni factory’s closure affected
country’s economy, V. Khachatrian emphasized that 500 people worked at
Bjni, and now these people are unemployed. According to A. Minasian’s
estimation, closure of any enterprise or alienation of the main assets
has a negative impact on economy, though, according to him, now it
is very difficult to value the extent of that impact. As to Bjni
property’s alienation, according to A. Minasian, it is a procedure
established by the law, and if the director is not aware that his
property is put on sale, he has the right to apply to the court and
demand that the decision of the Service of Compulsory Execution of
Legal Acts be invalidated or at least be suspended.

SOME BRAVE TURKS UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

The Fresno Bee
.html
Dec 17 2008
CA

An encouraging small sign emerged this week in the decades-long Turkish
denial of the Armenian genocide: A group of Turkish intellectuals
published a letter of apology for the World War I-era massacres of
Armenians in Turkey.

The apology, posted on the Internet, reads in part: "My conscience
does not accept that [Turkey] remain[s] insensitive toward and deny
the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians were subjected in
1915. I reject this injustice, share in the feelings and pain of my
Armenian brothers, and apologize to them."

It isn’t the official recognition of the genocide that Armenians
have long sought — in fact, the apology doesn’t use the word
"genocide." But making the gesture comes at some risk to the signers —
others have been prosecuted for similar statements, and Hrant Dink,
an ethnic Armenian journalist, was killed in 2007 for expressing
the truth.

And truth it is: Some 1.5 million Armenians were murdered in the
waning years of World War I and thereafter, as the Ottoman Empire
collapsed. The killings were planned and orchestrated, the 20th
century’s first genocide. Armenians and others who value truth and
justice have sought recognition of those crimes for years.

Turkey has resisted, even though the blame for the genocide doesn’t lie
with today’s Turkish government or its people. That denial has come
with a price; Turkey is still struggling to join the European Union,
and its intransigence on the genocide question is a major obstacle
to that effort.

Some small thaws have recently been seen in relations Turkey’s
relations with neighboring Armenia. The Turkish president joined his
Armenian counterpart in Armenia’s capital in September to watch the
two nations’ soccer teams play for a spot in the World Cup.

There is still a strong nationalist sentiment in Turkey to deny the
genocide, and that won’t be overcome easily. But the courageous step
of these Turkish intellectuals — and some 2,500 other Turkish citizens
who signed the apology — is welcome.

Out of such small steps great strides are sometimes fashioned. In
time, we hope, a full reconciliation will be possible based on an
honest acknowledgment of historical facts and a determination to work
together for a peaceful future.