Author: Torgomian Varazdat

ianyan magazine
Feb 26 2010

CBS News to Air Armenian Genocide Report

By Liana Aghajanian on February 26th, 2010

The greater Armenian Diaspora is abuzz as CBS’ 60 Minutes prepares to
air `Battle Over History,’ a program highlighting the Armenian
Genocide and the decades long battle for its recognition on Sunday,
Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. EST.

Although CBS has uploaded a short, 42-second preview of the program,
the comments – which are typical banter you would find on any internet
forum where the Genocide is up for debate – are more interesting,
than the sneak peek.
`Just tell me how you could have acted so blind in acknowledging this
human tragedy, all this time?!.. Where is your conscious?’ writes
Sevak-S. `Shame on you who participated in the denial policies of the
perpetrators¦ by doing so, you’ve stained your own humanity.’

Another reader named Harmik offered this in an opposite vein: `This is
a bunch of smoke and mirrors. No more than a few thousand Armenians
died.’

The comments also reveal the personal stories from the descendants of
Armenian Genocide victims and survivors.

The program’s description reads, `The Armenians call it their
holocaust – the 1915 forced deportation and massacre of more than a
million Armenians by the Turks. But the Turks and our own government
have refused to call it genocide.’ It will feature best-selling author
and Armenian Genocide scholar Peter Balakian, according to Armenia
Now.

The program’s timely airing comes days before a U.S. Congressional
committee vote on March 4 of House Resolution 252, which seeks
affirmation of the U.S. Record on the Armenian Genocide.

It also `calls upon the 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 also asks the President to `accurately
characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1,500,000
Armenians as genocide’ in an annual message issued on or about April
24.

An article by Manhattan business lawyer Mark Meirowitz on History of
Truth, a Turkish, anti-Armenian Genocide website highlights why the
resolution should be opposed, including that `U.S. strategic interests
would be severely disrupted’ and that `the practical effect of this
Resolution will be to paint a very negative picture of all Turks
around the world.’

Watch a preview of `Battle Over History’ below:

ACCORDING TO LAWYERS, MANY VIOLATIONS WERE COMMITTED DURING PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION ON SARIBEK SUKIASIAN’S CASE

Noyan Tapan
Feb 26, 2010

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. Many violations were committed
during the preliminary examination on the case of Armeconombank
Board Chairman Saribek Sukiasian and Ayrarat fair Director Artashes
Stepanian. Their lawyers Lusine Sahakian and Yervand Varosian declared
at a February 23 press conference.

Opposing to the opposite assertions of Chief of Yerevan Police Nerses
Nazarian the lawyers, in particular, mentioned that S. Sukiasian and
A. Stepanian were illegally kept at the Police station for 9 and 10
hours, respectively, for 4 hours were deprived of the possibility of
meeting their lawyers as the latters were not permitted to enter the
police station.

Besides, the address was mentioned wrongly in the court judgement
on holding a search at S. Sukiasian’s office and the investigator
blotted out it with his hands, wrote in his opinion a right address
and said "I corrected the address." That is, according to the lawyers,
obviously an illegal search was held. Investigator Artur Petrosian
confiscating the text of declaration on the violations in the case
being a legal secret prohibited the lawyers to copy that declaration.

And breaking the office doors by several dozens of policemen,
according to the lawyers, is nothing else but damaging the property
deliberately and abuse of official position as the chief entrance of
the office was open and the policemen could easily enter the office
through that entrance.

"Since the day of filing the case I have never seen even if one
document made up by the preliminary examination body that corresponds
to the law," L. Sahakian declared adding: "And under the circumstances
to assert that the case has no violations means that either Chief of
Yerevan Police was deceived or he deceives society." And the final
goal of all this turmoil, according to the lawyers, is taking away
from S. Sukiasian the Byuregh factory belonging to him and giving it
to a concrete person, Ruben Hayrapetian.

AMERIABANK: ARMENIA CAN RECORD HIGHER-THAN-EXPECTED ECONOMIC GROWTH IN 2010

ARKA
Feb 26, 2010

YEREVAN, February 26. /ARKA/. Tigran Jrbashyan, development director
of Ameriabank finds the 1.2% economic growth outlook for Armenia in
2010 pessimistic.

He thinks that the economic growth can be far higher.

Jrbashyan told journalists on Friday that Armenia’s economic
development will be contingent on how quick Armenia’s partners will
recover from the crisis.

Oil prices and dollar/euro ratio will influence the development
as well.

That is why it is necessary to take into account the global situation
for making forecasts.

"The latest world outlooks show that the global economy is coming out
of the first stage of the crisis, but there is a threat of a double-dip
crisis. This threat is mainly depend on things in China and on whether
this country will manage to retain the current trend," Jrbashyan said.

He thinks that inflation will be among Armenia’s biggest troubles in
the first half of 2010, and the central bank has already embarked on
relevant monetary policy and has raised refinancing rate.

Jrbashyan said that in the second half of 2010, the impact will
be softer.

In the 2010 state budget, GDP growth is planned at 1.2%.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and International
Monetary Fund predict a two-percent economic growth.

UN OFFICE IN ARMENIA SUPPORTS DISCUSSION AMONG AUTHORITIES AND NATIONAL MINORITIES

Noyan Tapan
Feb 25, 2010

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, NOYAN TAPAN. On the occasion of International
Mother Language Day on February 25 was held an event with the support
of the UN Department of Public Information where partook 11 national
minorities, government and legislature representatives. According
to the report of UN Office in Armenia they gathered at a round table
discussion to talk about issues of equal rights, equal opportunities
for national minorities in Armenia.

UN Department of Public Information Representative Maria Dotsenko
stated: "Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and
developing our heritage. Promotion and protection of mother tongues
serves not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual
education but also to develope fuller awareness of linguistic and
cultural traditions and to inspire solidarity based on understanding,
tolerance and dialogue."

"The situation in Armenia is unique in the sense of celebrating
this UN Observance. Since 2006 International Mother Language Day
has been announced as a National Holiday. Moreover, 2010 has been
announced a Year of Mother Language. However, we are going to continue
supporting the development and promotion of national minorities and
their languages in Armenia", said Vardan Astsatryan, head of the
Government Department of National Minorities and Religious Affairs.

IRAN – ARMENIA OIL PIPELINE
By Nairi Muradyan

Azg
Feb 25 2010
Armenia

According to Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Noureddin Shahnazi-Zadeh,
Armenia and Iran have agreed on a contract for a 350-km pipeline that
will export oil products to Armenia.

Armenia will receive 70,000 barrels of oil products through the
proposed pipeline, he said.

The Iranian Deputy Minister noted that Iran is planning to build a
terminal on Armenian-Iranian border to increase the volumes of the
oil-products’ export.

According to Iranian media, the construction of the oil pipeline
needs a 350-mln -dollar investment.

FC GANDZASAR UNSUCCESSFUL AT TURKMENBASHI CUP

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.02.2010 12:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ FC Gandzasar, representing Armenia at Turkmenbashi
Cup traditional international tournament, were defeated 1:2 by Tajik
Vahsh. The only goal was scored by Artak Oseyan.

The prize fund of the annual Turkmenistan President’s Cup totals $35
000. The winners will be awarded $20 000. Silver and bronze winners
will get $10 000 and $5 000 respectively.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE BEST MEDIATOR ON KARABAKH – LEGAL EXPERT

news.az
Feb 25 2010
Azerbaijan

Bill Bowring News.Az interviews Bill Bowring, professor of law,
director of the LLM/MA in human rights, School of Law, Birkbeck
College, University of London.

Do you think US-Russian collaboration can ensure security in the
South Caucasus or are other mediators needed?

I would be very concerned at either of them "ensuring security" – they
are both far too much interested parties. The best mediators will be 1)
the Council of Europe, since all the South Caucasus states are members,
and have ratified the European Convention on Human Rights and other
treaties; and/or 2) the United Nations; and/or 3) the OSCE. But I
think the Council of Europe would be the best.

The principle of territorial integrity is higher in international
law than the right to self-determination. Why in that case do the
super-powers (the USA and Russia in particular) seek independence
for some minorities at the cost of the territorial integrity of
other states?

No, it isn’t. The right to self-determination is jus cogens, i.e.

there is no higher law. Its exercise is limited by territorial
integrity, and this is set out in UN General Assembly Resolution 2625
of 1970, on Principles of International Law – i.e. sovereignty and
territorial integrity break down if there is oppression, discrimination
etc. Self-determination is also limited by the uti possidetis juris
principle [that newly created states should have the borders they
had before independence].

Can the right to self-determination be ensured by the occupation of
territory and the ethnic cleansing of other nationalities?

Yes – and a good example would be Bangladesh – and possibly Eritrea.

Azerbaijan proposes a high level autonomy for the Armenians of Karabakh
but Armenia wants Karabakh to be independent. In light of the situation
in Kosovo, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, what is the current state of
play for Karabakh?

Independent Karabakh is even less likely to obtain recognition than
Abkhazia or South Ossetia. The reality is that Armenia will not permit
the territory to revert to Azerbaijan, and to my surprise both states
were allowed to join the Council of Europe despite the unresolved
issues between them. It seems to me that the process of reconciliation
will take a long time. The Council of Europe will play a key role.

According to official statistics, there are over 20,000 Armenians
living in Baku. Is this not a guarantee of security for the Armenians
in Karabakh if it is returned to Azerbaijan?

I’m afraid that won’t persuade the Armenians!

Aliyah Fridman News.Az

1800 PEOPLE WISH TO NAME ISTANBUL STREET AFTER HRANT DINK

news.am
Feb 25 2010
Armenia

1800 people signed a petition to change the name of Safak Street
to Hrant Dink. The street is located in the Sisli Municipality of
Istanbul. However, the Municipality twice rejected the request,
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News reports.

According to the source, the number of initiative supporters reached
1800 as of Wednesday. Many intellectuals backed the online petition
on website.

The daily also quotes the representatives of "Art for Peace" campaign
who replaced the sign for Ergenekon Avenue with the one saying Hrant
Dink on January 19 – the day of commemoration of Dink’s assassination.

"Ergenekon has always been a symbolic name that says, ‘Everyone
here is a Turk and others can only live on streets named by Turks,’"
Ragip Incesagir, spokesperson for the Art for Peace stated.

The source reckons that campaigners "see connection between the
Ergenekon case and Dink’s murder."

ARMENIA PICKS REPRESENTATIVE FOR EUROVISION 2010, TURKS REACT
By Nanore Barsoumian

24/armenia-picks-representative-for-eurovision-201 0-turks-react/
February 24, 2010

On Feb. 14, ARMTV, Armenia’s public television company, held the
country’s national final to select the winner(s) that will represent
Armenia at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, Norway from May
25-29. The event took place in the National Opera Theatre in Yerevan
and was broadcast live. Nine contestants vied for the position. The
winner was determined by a panel of jurists and SMS text voting. The
Grant Thornton Amyot Audit Organization monitored the votes on behalf
of Armenian public television and InterMob CJSC.

The performances ranged from ballads to rock, pop, and R&B songs.

"Another Story," a four-member rock band, performed first. Their song,
"Ays Dzmer" ("This Winter"), was the only entirely Armenian-language
song. The rest of the songs performed that evening were in English.

Some, however, incorporated Armenian elements, such as a duduk player,
Armenian background vocals, or traditional costumes.

Since 1999, Eurovision contest rules allow contestants to sing in any
language. In the past, Eurovision has had language restrictions in
place. From 1966-72 and 1978-98, contestants were required to perform
their songs in their national languages. Now, many of the songs are
performed partially or entirely in English to reach broader audiences.

Some contestants have even opted to perform in entirely made-up
languages. (In 2003, Belgium’s "Urban Trad" sang "Sanomi" in an
entirely fictional language.)

In any case, Rivas, the 22-year old Russian-Armenian, claimed the
winning spot with her song "Apricot Stone" (lyrics by Moscow-based
Karen Kavaleryan, music by Armen Martirosyan). The performance started
with a cloaked man, face hidden, playing the duduk, soon accompanied
by a guitarist and a pianist (the composer himself). Rivas took the
stage-wearing a white gown with a chiffon wrap floating about her,
her wavy black hair reaching well below her waist-and began singing
her already-controversial song:

"Many, many years ago when I was a little child, mama told me you
should know our world is cruel and wild, but to make your way through
cold and heat love is all that you need…"

According to Rivas and her producer, "Apricot Stone"
() speaks of the need for world
peace and love. It is also a song that symbolizes the Armenian
Diaspora, to which Eva belongs. It is about yearning for her homeland.

Rivas enjoys the support of Andre, the first Armenian representative
to Eurovision (2006), and Lys Assia, the first ever winner of the
Eurovision Song Contest (1956). Contestants Emmy and Mihran duo had
the support of Ricky Martin, the Puerto Rican pop singer, who wished
them good luck in a YouTube clip.

Armenia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 with Andre’s
song "Without Your Love," which came in 8th place. In 2007, Hayko
represented Armenia with his song "Anytime You Need," and came in 8th.

In 2008, Sirusho’s "Qele, Qele" came in 4th. In 2009, Inga and Anush
Arshakyans performed "Jan Jan," and came in 10th.

Accusations of Foul Play at National Finals

Eva’s victory is contested by some who believe the results were
rigged. Nadezhda Sargsyan, the mother of pop icon and contestant Emmy,
has threatened to take the matter to court. Sargsyan claims that
soon after the 15-minute SMS voting started, some names were blocked,
and consequently some of the contestants, like her daughter Emmy, lost.

Rivas received 5,000 SMS votes, while the Emmy and Mihran duo
received 1,400.

During a press conference on Feb. 20, Nadezhda Sargsyan claimed that
ARMTV’s chairman, Alexan Harutyunyan, had reassured her that Emmy
and Mihran would "definitely" represent Armenia at Eurovision. Her
lawyer, Vrej Giragosyan, questioned the legality of the results due
to the blocked SMS votes. According to him, Eurovision rules do not
give any guidance on how to deal with a situation in which the SMS
voting system gets disrupted.

Turkish Composer Accuses ‘Apricot Stone’ of Being Political

Meanwhile, the Turkish composer Yagoub Mutlu, who was present at
Armenia’s national finals, has accused "Apricot Stone" of having a
clear political message. Mutlu, who assures the public that "I am not
an enemy of Armenians," has claimed that the song’s first seven lines
(see above) refer to the Armenian Genocide He believes that the term
"motherland" refers to Turkish territories, while the rest of the
song is a clear message directed at Turkey. The story has appeared in
numerous Turkish and Azerbaijani newspapers, such as the Anadolu Ajansi
(Anatolian News Agency), the Azeri Press Agency, CNN Turk, and Radikal.

Eurovision bans songs that have a political message. Last year,
Georgia’s representatives, Stephane and 3G, were instructed to change
the lyrics of their song "We Don’t Wanna Put In," which apparently
took a jab at Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Georgia refused
to participate in the contest.

"Apricot Stone" was written by Karen Kavaleryan, an experienced
Russian-Armenian lyricist familiar with the Eurovision Contest world
and their rules. In 2002 and 2006, he co-wrote the lyrics for the
Russian entries (which placed 10th and 2nd place, respectively),
the Belarusian lyrics in 2007 (6th place), the Armenian lyrics in
2007 (8th place), the Georgian lyrics in 2008 (11th place), and the
Ukranian lyrics in 2008 (2nd place).

Rivas’ public relations manager, Hayk Markosyan has told ArmeniaNow
that "the song has nothing to do with the Armenian Genocide, and
it does not have a political context. The song simply presents the
Armenian culture, the Armenian traditions, the apricot, which is just
an Armenian fruit and it is the symbol of Armenia, and the thoughts
of a young (Armenian) woman who lived far from the homeland for years."

Meanwhile, following the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, Azerbaijani
authorities launched a campaign tracking and interrogating dozens of
individuals who had voted for Armenia’s Inga and Anush Arshakyan
sisters and their song "Jan Jan." Forty-three individuals had
reportedly voted for the song. (The European Broadcasting Union
(EBU) found that the Azerbaijani broadcaster, Ictimai Televiziya,
had distorted the TV signal when the Armenian contestants were up,
blurring the telephone number.) According to the Azeri Press Agency
(APA), EBU fined the TV station ~@2700 and gave them a warning. APA
claims that Armenia also received a warning from EBU, since "Armenia’s
Eurovision 2009 spot contained political points."

Eva’s Background

Rivas was born on July 13, 1987 in Rostov-na-Donu, Russia, to an
Armenian mother and an Armenian-Greek-Russian father. Her real name
is Valeriya Reshetnikova-Tsaturyan. She left Rostov in 2006, and
soon adopted her Greek great-grandmother’s name, Eva Rivas, as her
stage name.

According to her website, from 1996 to 2004 she was a soloist in the
Arevik ensemble in Rostov, through which she earned recognition,
awards, and medals. In 2003, she graduated from Image Elite, a
modeling studio. She has earned titles such as "Little Beauty of
Rostov," "Golden Voice of Rostov," "Miss Pearl of Don," and while
in Yerevan, "Vice-miss of the Caucasus." After leaving Arevik,
Eva continued to enter contests, and in 2008, signed a contract
with Armenian Production. She gained even more popularity when in
2009 she chose to sing Sayat Nova’s "Tamam Ashkharh" at the Tashir
2009 Music Festival. That same year, Eva released a music video for
"Tamam Ashkharh," which was directed by Bookhadir Yuldeshev and shot
in Armenia, Afghanistan, Algeria, and Uzbekistan (watch video here:
). She has also appeared
in Armenian TV shows.

Nanore Barsoumian is a staff writer for the Armenian Weekly.

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

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Deadlines Approaching For Moscow and Yerevan Summer Intern Programs

AGBU is still accepting applications for the recently launched 2010
Moscow Summer Intern Program and for the 4th season of the AGBU Yerevan
Summer Intern Program. Both programs combine professional, cultural,
educational and social experiences to provide students with an
invaluable and memorable summer. As for the New York Summer Intern
Program, the deadline for applications was December 1, and all places
have been filled.

The Thrill of Moscow

Home to the largest Armenian diasporan community in the world, Moscow
will be the location of AGBU’s newest summer intern program. The first
Moscow program is scheduled to begin on June 26, 2010, and will continue
for five weeks, concluding on July 31.

The Moscow Summer Intern Program will offer students of Armenian descent
from around the world a once-in-a-lifetime professional experience in
this global hub of trade, commerce, diplomacy and innovation.
Participating students will be immersed in the exhilaration of the
Russian capital, home to hundreds of international corporations and
leading organizations. They will stay at the dormitories of the
internationally renowned Moscow State University with the best and
brightest Armenian students.

Students will explore the Armenian character of the city and meet local
Russian Armenians who are a driving force in the revitalization of this
former capital of the Soviet Union. In addition to local outings,
educational seminars and cultural workshops, participants will travel to
St. Petersburg to explore the cultural riches of czarist Russia. Among
the treasures they will encounter during their trip to Russia’s second
city will be the famed Hermitage Museum and St. Catherine’s Armenian
Apostolic Church. Students are not required to know Russian to
participate as they will be placed in English-language work
environments.

Discovering Modern Yerevan

AGBU’s Yerevan Summer Intern Program kicks off on June 25, 2010, and
will go through August 6. The Yerevan Program, which is supported by the
Levon Nazarian Foundation set up by AGBU Central Board member Dr. Levon
Nazarian, offers university students of Armenian descent from around the
world an opportunity to connect with their cultural heritage while
providing them with hands-on work experience and a program of cultural,
social, and professional activities.

Participating students are encouraged to interact with their peers in
Armenia and develop a deeper understanding of their backgrounds in an
everyday setting. In 2009, students interned at a number of positions at
leading institutions and organizations in Yerevan, including: Academy
for Educational Development, American Bar Association/CEELI, Armenbrok
Company, Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS),
AUA Public Health Research Center, Deem Communications, The Future is
Yours NGO, Golden Apricot International Film Festival, HSBC Bank
America, Karagheusian Children’s Clinic, Medical University Hospital,
Ministry of Diaspora, the Republic of Armenia’s Ombudsman’s Office, Ter
Tajatian Law Firm, and the United Nations’ Yerevan Office.

In addition to their work and social experiences, interns participate in
a number of educational and cultural events. They attend Armenian
language, history and folk dance classes, and visit historical monuments
throughout Armenia and Karabakh.

For applications and more information on the Moscow Summer Intern
Program, please visit, agbu.org/msip, or email, [email protected].

For more applications and more information on Yerevan Summer Intern
Program, please visit, agbu.org/ysip, or email, [email protected].

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