Author: Torgomian Varazdat

BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS INITIATES SECOND READING ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY BILL APRIL 30

Panorama.am
18:00 04/03/2010

Politics

The British House of Commons initiated discussions on the Armenian
Genocide Remembrance Day bill introduced in the Commons in January;
the bill is to be read a second time on Friday 30 April, Anka reported.

The bill has been presented to the House of Commons by Labour MP
Andrew Dismore January 6, while the House scheduled a second reading
of the bill April 30.

To become a law, the bill should be approved by the House of Lords
and deserve Queen’s approval. Note that the British authorities have
not recognized the Armenian Genocide yet.

LARSI CHECKPOINT REOPENS: SO WHAT?

The Messenger
March 3 2010
Georgia

The Larsi checkpoint reopened on March 1, following more than 6 months
of negotiations between Russia and Georgia under Armenian mediation.

Nothing is known about the content of these negotiations: what
was discussed and who asked for what? There has been no convincing
explanation of why this checkpoint has been opened at all, but the
one thing we know for sure is that Georgia will gain nothing from
the reestablishment of a land connection with Russia.

Georgia maintains that the checkpoint has been opened for the sake of
Armenia, under some international pressure. The administration assures
us that opening the checkpoint does not compromise Georgia’s security.

However some analysts challenge this, insisting that under the
existing circumstances an open border with Russia is extremely
dangerous for Georgia.

There are no diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia. Moscow
occupies 1/5th of Georgian territory and the Russian President has
declared Saakashvili persona non grata. Despite all this the only land
connection between Georgia and Russia, which Moscow closed unilaterally
in 2006, has been reopened. While the negotiations were being conducted
some Georgian analysts hoped that Russia would lift its embargo on
Georgian agricultural products if it was also prepared to open the
checkpoint, but others stated that territory cannot be exchanged
for the chance to sell wine and mineral water. The checkpoint is
open, the Russian embargo is still in force, Russia still occupies
the breakaway regions. Nor have any special benefits been given to
the Georgians living near the border. Georgia receives almost zero
economic profit from the reopened checkpoint. Maybe the lorry drivers
will stop and eat in a Georgian restaurant, buy goods here or fill
their tanks with petrol on this side of the border. But that’s it.

We are told that if cargo can pass between Armenia and Russia through
this checkpoint Armenia will be friendlier to Georgia. A possible
separatist outbreak among Georgia’s ethnic Armenians in Javakheti
will be avoided, Armenia will refuse to recognise Abkhazia and South
Ossetia and the Armenian media will stop broadcasting anti Georgian
material. However Georgian analysts suppose, not without serious
grounds, that Russia will use the newly opened road to send military
hardware, logistics supplies and spare parts to the Russian military
base in Armenia. After the Russian aggression against Georgia in
August 2008 this base and the rest of Armenia could only be supplied
by plane. So it could be said that this is a very controversial deal.

Is it not strange to be helping the enemy supply its bases in a
neighbouring country? Analysts ask this question and express their
utmost surprise and concern.

Some Georgian analysts expect further Russian provocations in the
Kazbegi region now the checkpoint has been opened, as Russia has
designs on occupying this region as well if the recent ‘historical
analysis’ is to be believed. The Ossetian media has started saying
that Kazbegi was historically Ossetian territory and should therefore
belong to the Kokoity regime. A couple of hundred Ossetian families
do live there, so the more pessimistic analysts think that these
Ossetians might ask the Russians to help them and Russia will send
its troops in response. The West, as is traditional, would express its
concern about this but do no more, and more Georgian territory would
therefore be lost. This is a very pessimistic scenario, and hopefully
things will not turn out to be that bad, but it is a possibility.

It would have been more realistic for Georgia to ask for some
conditions in return for opening the checkpoint, for example OSCE
observers being allowed to enter the occupied territories or at least
be based at the Larsi checkpoint. The administration may try and calm
the population by saying there is no threat whatsoever in reopening
Larsi, but most Georgians doubt the ability of the authorities
to assess long term developments logically and realistically,
having experienced the August 2008 war and the obvious provocations
beforehand.

AZERBAIJANI OFFICIAL: I DON’T BELIEVE THE U.S. CONGRESS WILL ADOPT RESOLUTION ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Trend
March 4 2010
Azerbaijan

"The activities of the Turkish delegation that is on a visit to
the United States will be effective," Nizami Jafarov, Azerbaijani
Parliamentary Culture Committee chairman and head of the
Azerbaijan-Turkey Inter-Parliamentary Working Group, told Trend News.

"The U.S, Congress will not accept the resolution on the so-called
Armenian genocide," he said.

U.S. Congress International Relations Commission Chairman Howard
Berman proposed to submit the issue for consideration March 4.

Armenia claims that the Ottoman Empire committed genocide against
Armenians living in Anatolia in 1915. Making greater efforts to promote
the issue internationally, Armenians have achieved its recognition
by parliaments of some countries.

Azerbaijan also took steps to prevent the adoption of the resolution
by the U.S. Congress.

"Given all this, I can say that the resolution is unlikely to be
adopted by the U.S. Congress. However, even if the document is adopted,
it is not so radical," he added.

Turkey and Azerbaijan can influence the U.S. Congress.

"Despite the fact that these opportunities are currently quite limited,
they are gradually increasing. So I do not believe that the resolution
on the Armenian genocide can be easily adopted in the U.S.

Congress," he said.

H.RES.252 PASSAGE MAY DRAW FORTH NEW PROCESSES IN CAUCASUS

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.03.2010 13:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Adoption of the Armenian Genocide resolution by
the U.S. Congress will damage Ankara-Washington relations, former
NKR Foreign Minister said.

"Adoption of the resolution may draw forth new processes in Caucasus.

It may promote consolidation of Russian-Turkish ties and also hamper
Karabakh talks," Arman Melikyan told a news conference in Yerevan
on Wednesday.

He also noted that Washington’s current policy is alienating Ankara.

Member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia Rafik Petrosyan
said, for his part, that if Ankara doesn’t ratify the Protocols on
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations until April 24, Yerevan
can withdraw its signature and freeze the reconciliation process.

The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of
the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet
Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks
held through Swiss mediation. On January 12, 2010, the Constitutional
Court of the Republic of Armenia found the protocols conformable to
the country’s Organic Law.

The Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res.106) was submitted to the
House of Representatives by Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), on
January 30, 2007, during the 110th United States Congress. It was
a non-binding resolution calling upon the US President to ensure
that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate
understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human
rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States
record relating to the Armenian Genocide, and for other purposes. Upon
its introduction it was referred to United States House Committee
on Foreign Affairs where it passed a 27-21 vote and was sent back
for a full house vote. On October 26, 2007, in a letter addressed
to the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, four key sponsors of the bill,
requested a debate on the bill in full House to be postponed.

Another resolution affirming the U.S. record on the Armenian
Genocide (H.Res.252) was formally introduced in the U.S. House of
Representatives by Reps. Adam Schiff (D.-CA), George Radanovich
(R.-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D.-NJ), and Mark Kirk (R.-Ill) in 2009.

It currently has 137 co-sponsors.

NEW PROSPECTS OPEN FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND EGYPT

Noyan Tapan
March 3, 2010

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Receiving on March 3 Egypt-based
ARTOC Group’s delegation headed by the company chairman Shafik Gabr,
the Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan stated that he has been
informed and has a high opinion about the investment projects that
ARTOC Group for Investment & Development plans to implement. Speaking
about the prospects of promoting bilateral cooperation and implementing
investment projects, he attached great importance to the development
of a knowledge-based economy, in which the creation of technoparks
is of special importance. The interlocutors underlined the necessity
of founding technical business parks which should include all the
necessary services in the IT sector and science.

The RA Government Information and PR Department reports that the
sides considered it important to implement projects on free economic
zones and discussed the opportunities of building a broadband Internet
network. According to T. Sargsyan, the Armenian government approved
the concept of forming e-society, which involves the prospects of
continuous development of e-governance. He expressed a hope that the
envisaged joint projects will be implemented successfully and invited
the guests to visit Armenia in October in order to attend the opening
ceremony of the Tatev funicular ropeway – the longest one in the world.

ITALIAN DUO EL TANGO TO LAUNCH ALBUM IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.03.2010 15:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A concert of the Italian duo Duo el tango to be
held between March 2 and 4 in Yerevan at the Chamber Music Hall
after Komitas with Virtuoso accordionist (bandoneon) Mario Stefano
Pietrodarchi and a guitarist Luca Lucini.

"A new joint album "Tango" by the Italian duo will be also held in
Yerevan," Armen Mazmanyan, artistic director of the Goy Theater told
a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. The concert will be organized with the
assistance of RA ministry of culture.

On March 4 the duo will perform another music program in the Armenian
capital in a more private setting of the Mezzo music club.

ARMENIAN EMBASSY MAY OPEN IN SPAIN

Aysor
March 2 2010
Armenia

Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said at today’s meeting
with Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Miguel Angel
Moratinos that Armenian administration intends to open an embassy in
Spain. The opening is expected in the course of 2010, according to
announcement by Minister Nalbandian.

"We’ve held talks with the Spanish counterpart and discussed
Armenia-Spain relations. I said that Armenian administration indents
to open an embassy in Spain and hopes the Spanish diplomatic mission
will be found in Armenia," said Foreign Minister Nalbandian.

Miguel Angel Moratinos, who is on a visit to Armenia in the framework
of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union,
said that the EU seeks for cooperation with Armenia and intends to
add wings to process of signing the Agreement on Association.

"Armenia considers the EU as a reliable political and economical
partner," said Edward Nalbandian. He added that the Eastern Partnership
Program, which launched last year, creates great opportunities for
cooperation in several spheres.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

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"THE CHURCHES OF INDIA LIVE AS ONE FAMILY IN A BROADER MULTI-RELIGIOUS
COMMUNITY"

Said His Holiness Aram I

Concluding his visit to the Indian Orthodox church, His Holiness Aram I said
that "The Churches of India live as one family with a strong sense of
togetherness as integral part of a broader inter-religious community". He
warmly welcomed the Churches growing commitment to working together and
moving forward to the visible unity of the church: "The Churches of India
share a common tradition and values. They all venerate ST. Thomas as the
founder of Christianity in India. This sense of belonging to the same
tradition must become a driving force in the churches endeavors to give
fuller manifestation to the communion of faith" said His Holiness Aram I.

Aram I was speaking at the farewell diner given in his honor by His Holiness
Dydimos I. Attending the diner were the bishops of the Indian Orthodox
Church, representatives of the churches, state ministers and deputies and
representatives of civil society.

Catholicos Aram I also stressed the vital importance of living together as a
community with other religions, considering India "a model of community of
inter- religious diversities". He said that "a community of inter-religious
diversities must be built on common values and sustained by tolerance and
mutual trust".

According to His Holiness, globalization is a "hope and progress", at the
same time it may become a source of "evil if its values are taken blindly".
He said that we must have "a critical and realistic approach to
globalization. The local traditions and identities must not be destroyed by
the forces of globalization. Religions have a special role to play in this
respect".

The concluding remarks of Aram I was preceded by the greetings of Catholicos
designate of the Indian Orthodox Church, metropolitan Gregory of Trivandrum
Dr. Ninon Koshi, the former director of the World Council of Churches
International Affairs Department and minster of cultural and education.

##
View the photos here:
c/Photos/Photos448.htm
http://www.armenianorthodox church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos448-.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

THREE HOUSE LAWMAKERS ENCOURAGE THEIR COLLEAGUES TO STOP GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.03.2010 13:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A trio of House lawmakers is encouraging their
colleagues to stop the Armenian Genocide resolution before a key
committee vote this week. In a February 22 letter to House Foreign
Affairs Committee members, Reps. Steve Cohen, Kay Granger and Ed
Whitfield ask their colleagues to reject a resolution that would
recognize the killing of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians by the
Ottoman Turks during World War I as Genocide, The Hill reported.

"A vote on this resolution will do nothing to rectify the tragedies
of the past, but it will most certainly have significant negative
consequences on current and future relations with Turkey," the
letter says. Cohen, Granger and Whitfield are all co-chairs of the
Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkey Relations.

The three lawmakers are also working on a separate letter to Reps.

Howard Berman, the committee chairman, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
the panel’s ranking member, opposing the resolution. The trio is
gathering members’ signatures and 14 lawmakers have signed onto the
letter to Berman and Ros-Lehtinen. Aides are expecting many more to
sign on before that letter’s release on Tuesday.

Turkey lobbies heavily against the resolution every Congress it is
introduced, hiring some of K Street’s biggest names in lobbying and
public relations. In turn, Armenian-American groups push for the
resolution’s passage and, like Turkey, are trying to bolster their
support on the House Foreign Affairs Committee before the key vote
next week.

Leaders of four groups – the Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian
General Benevolent Union, the Eastern Diocese Armenian Church of
America and the Western Diocese Armenian Church of America – wrote
a February 25 letter to Berman, urging him to support the resolution.

Doing so will "send a powerful message that America is committed to
the fundamental principles of human rights and basic freedoms around
the world," the letter says.

The resolution has a good chance of passing the committee with Berman
already supporting it. Including the California Democrat, there are
16 lawmakers on the 46-member committee that are listed as co-sponsors.

Overall in the House, the measure has 137 co-sponsors.

The question remains as to what happens to the resolution if it passes
the committee. In 2007, the resolution squeaked by the panel with
a close vote of 27-21 in its favor. But after intense pressure from
Turkey, Speaker Nancy Pelosi decided against bringing the resolution
to the House floor after originally promising to do so.

A spokesman for Pelosi did not say whether or not the House leader
would bring the resolution to the floor for a vote if it passed the
committee again.

"It’s important to take it one step at a time and see what the
committee does next week. Following their action, we can have
a discussion with the chairman and others about next steps," said
Nadeam Elshami, Pelosi’s spokesman.

95th anniversary of Armenian Genocide to be commemorated in Times Square

26.02.2010 12:24

Yerevan (Yerkir) – On Sunday, April 25, 2010, for the 25th year,
thousands of Armenian Americans and people against genocide will
gather in Times Square from 2-4 PM to commemorate the first genocide
of the 20th Century, the Armenian Genocide, Asbarez reported.

This year’s commemoration will underscore the theme: `Turkey is the
Question, America is the Answer.’
This historic event will pay tribute to the 1.5 million Armenians who
were annihilated by the Young Turk Government of the Ottoman Empire
(1915-1923) and address the consequences plaguing humanity till this
day.

The commemoration will come amid heightened attention on Armenia and
Turkey. Government leaders and the news media have recently been
preoccupied with Turkish-Armenians relations and the prospects for
opening the closed borders in the Caucasus.

Major political figures will speak at the memorial event as well as
civic, humanitarian, and educational leaders.

This event is sponsored by the Knights & Daughters of Vartan, a
national fraternal organization, and co-sponsored by the Armenian
General Benevolent Union, Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian
National Committee of America, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, and
the Armenian Council of America.

Participating Organizations include the Diocese of the Armenian
Church, Prelacy of the Armenian Church, Armenian Missionary
Association of America, Armenian Missionary Association, Armenian
Evangelical Union, Armenian Catholic Eparchy, and several national
Armenian youth organizations.