Author: Vardapetian Ophelia

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT CRACKS DOWN ON SMOKING

/ARKA/
April 7, 2009
YEREVAN

The Armenian Parliament has adopted in their second reading draft
amendments to the RA Law on Restrictions to Sales and Use of Tobacco
Products, RA Code on Administrative Offences and to the RA Law on
Motor Transport.

One of the authors of the draft amendments, Chairman of the Standing
Committee on Health Care Ara Babloyan reported that the amendments
oblige employers to organize smoking areas or smoking rooms.

"No smoking" posters must be put up to prevent smoking outside smoking
areas, Babloyan said.

He pointed out that the amendments to the RA Code on Administrative
Offences provide responsibility for violations. Specifically, a 5,000
AMD fine will be imposed for smoking outside smoking areas at the
airport and while using public transport.

The amendments prohibit smoking in taxis even if passengers do not
mind the drivers’ smoking.

SERZH SARGSYAN: NO SINGLE ARMENIAN DOUBTS THE FACT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ArmInfo
2009-04-08 01:05:00

ArmInfo. No single Armenian doubts the fact that the Armenian
Genocide did take place, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said in
an interview to German sociologist T.Alert.

Public Television of Armenia quotes Sargsyan as saying that for the
Armenians the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Turks is not
an end in itself. The Armenians do not need additional confirmation of
the Armenian Genocide. They need justice. What Armenia and the Armenian
society want most of all is restoration of justice, Sargsyan said.

WHO HAMPERS GENOCIDE WITHOUT COMMENT DOCUMENTARY SCREENING IN ARMENIA?

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.04.2009 15:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Genocide Without Comment documentary was shot
over 2 years ago. It’s a brainchild of director Alexander Sardoury,
assistant director Vardan Pap and Der Spiegel editor Wolfgang Gust.

"The film features non-Armenian documentation presented by Wolfgang
Gust and any accusation of partiality is ungrounded," director
Alexander Sardoury told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

The film was screened 6 times, public discussions were organized in
various press clubs but grand premiere has not taken place yet.

"I have sent a letter to Armenian officials with a request to
assist organization of premiere and dubbing-in. No response has come
yet. Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan once came to watch the film
but said she is too busy. We can understand position of some German TV
channels but the silence of Armenian officials is at least surprising,"
Alexander Sardoury said.

However, despite difficulties the authors of the film are going to
ensure professional dubbing in 7 languages.

hwart_TurkishArmenian_Rapprochement/1603256.html

Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Caucasus Report
Azerbaijan Seeks To Thwart Turkish-Armenian Rapprochement

Turkey has been one of Azerbaijan’s firmest allies, and backed plans
for bringing its oil and gas to Western markets.

April 06, 2009

Senior Azerbaijani officials have reacted with anger and threats to
media reports that Turkey will soon sign a landmark protocol with
Armenia paving the way to the establishment of formal diplomatic ties
and the opening of the two countries’ shared border.

Baku has long insisted that any such formal agreement by Turkey on
closer relations with Armenia should be contingent on key concessions
by the latter on the terms for a solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, who assured the Turkish
parliament last November that "today Turkish-Azerbaijani unity is a
stabilizing factor in the region," was quoted by the Turkish daily
"Hurriyet" as threatening on April 1 to suspend natural-gas exports to
Turkey, a threat tantamount to cutting off his nose to spite his face
in light of the fall in world oil prices to half the $80 per barrel on
which Azerbaijan’s state budget expenditure for 2009 was predicated.

Then on April 6, "Hurriyet" confirmed a report published two days
earlier in the online daily zerkalo.az that Aliyev has cancelled his
participation in the NATO Dialogue of Civilizations conference in
Istanbul on April 6-7, despite efforts by Turkish President Abdullah
Gul and the U.S. State Department to persuade him to attend.

Baku’s anger derives in large part from the perception that it has
been stabbed in the back by the country that it has, despite periodic
disagreements, long regarded as its closest ally, partner, and
protector. That perception is rooted partly in the very close ethnic
and linguistic ties between the two states, and partly in their close
cooperation over the past 15 years in the export to Western markets of
Azerbaijan’s Caspian oil and gas. (Both main export pipelines run via
Georgia to Turkey.) In addition, Ankara has provided guidance and
advice to the Azerbaijani military.

But most crucially of all, it has until now unequivocally backed
Azerbaijan’s hard-line position with regard to resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, pegging any real rapprochement with Armenia
to a solution of that conflict on Azerbaijan’s terms. Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov was quoted as telling journalists
in Tbilisi on April 2 that if Turkey does not insist as a condition
for opening the border that Armenia first withdraw its troops from at
least some of the seven districts of Azerbaijan they currently occupy
contiguous to the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic, "this would
be detrimental to Azerbaijan’s national interests."

Informed analysts have identified as one of the reasons why Ankara has
responded positively to repeated overtures over the past two years by
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian frustration that Turkish foreign
policy was being held hostage by Azerbaijan’s unyielding position with
regard to the Karabakh conflict. On April 5, Interfax circulated a
question-and-answer with Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian,
who said that "the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations should
have no preconditions, and it is with this mutual understanding that
we have been negotiating with the Turkish side. Normalization of
relations has no linkage to the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict."

On April 6, however, "Hurriyet" reported, quoting unnamed "reliable
sources," that the Turkish-Armenian draft protocol contains the
wording "sufficient progress on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is required before the opening of the [Turkish-Armenian]
border," and that President Aliyev is seeking clarification of what
precisely is meant by "sufficient progress."

The Azerbaijani presidential administration told RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani
Service on April 6 they have no idea what the "Hurriyet" article was
referring to. But as of mid-afternoon Baku time on April 6, Aliyev had
not left for Istanbul.

Speculation that Azerbaijan is out to thwart the signing of the
anticipated Turkish-Armenian protocol was fuelled by the unexpected
visit to Baku on April 3 by U.S. Assistant Deputy Secretary of State
Matthew Bryza for talks with President Aliyev and Foreign Minister
Mammadyarov. Bryza was quoted as telling journalists on his arrival
that Washington believes that "the positive changes in the region,
that is achieving results in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
and the warming in Turkish-Armenian relations, should proceed parallel
with one another."

Bryza also reaffirmed the prediction made in late February by
Ambassador Bernard Fassier, the French co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk
Group that seeks to mediate a solution to the Karabakh conflict, that
President Aliyev is likely to meet with his Armenian counterpart Serzh
Sarkisian on the sidelines of the EU summit in Prague on May 7-8. When
that time frame was first made public, it seemed probable that the
meeting between the two presidents was intended to finalize the
so-called Basic Principles for resolving the conflict that have been
on the table for the past three years.

During their talks in Moscow in early November with Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev, Aliyev and Sarkisian reaffirmed their shared
commitment to reaching a solution to the conflict that would reflect
those principles. Bryza, who is the U.S. Minsk Group co-chairman, told
RFE/RL in late January that the co-chairs were hoping that the Basic
Principles would be signed in early summer, possibly in June. The
Basic Principles entail a withdrawal of Armenian forces from five of
the seven occupied Azerbaijani districts; "special arrangements" are
to be instituted for the strategic Lachin Corridor that links the NKR
with the Republic of Armenia, and for the district of Kelbacar that
similarly lies between them.

Bryza’s estimated time frame for the signing of the Basic Principles
may, however, be derailed if Azerbaijan continues either to try to
pressure Turkey, or to insist on a separate agreement on the
withdrawal of Armenian forces as a preliminary to endorsing (or not)
the remaining Basic Principles.

Not that Aliyev has any real leverage he could bring to bear.
Speculation that Azerbaijan might withdraw its support for the planned
Nabucco export pipeline for Caspian gas (from which Turkey would
derive considerable profit in transit fees) and opt instead for the
planned White Stream pipeline (the brainchild of Ukrainian Prime
Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, it would run across the Black Sea bed from
the Georgian terminal at Supsa to a Ukrainian port) seems far-fetched,
although it cannot be ruled out completely. The Georgian government
signed a memorandum of mutual understanding on April 3 with the White
Stream Pipeline Company in which the two sides affirmed their
commitment to that project, Caucasus Press reported.

OBAMA TELLS TURKS THAT US IS NOT AT WAR WITH ISLAM
By Tom Raum – Associated Press Writer

Fresno Bee
17.html
April 6 2009
CA

ANKARA, Turkey — Barack Obama, making his first visit to a Muslim
nation as president, declared Monday the United States "is not and
will never be at war with Islam."

Urging a greater partnership with the Islamic world in an address to
the Turkish parliament, Obama called the country an important ally in
many areas, including the fight against terrorism. He devoted much of
his speech to urging a greater bond between Americans and Muslims,
portraying terrorist groups such as al-Qaida as extremists who do
not represent the vast majority of Muslims.

"Let me say this as clearly as I can," Obama said. "The United States
is not and will never be at war with Islam. In fact, our partnership
with the Muslim world is critical … in rolling back the violent
ideologies that people of all faiths reject."

The U.S. president is trying to mend fences with a Muslim world
that felt it had been blamed by America for the Sept. 11, 2001,
terrorist attacks.

At a news conference earlier with President Abdullah Gul, Obama
dealt gingerly with the issue of alleged genocide committed by Turks
against Armenians during World War I. He urged Turks and Armenians
to continue a process "that works through the past in a way that is
honest, open and constructive."

Al Jazeera and Al Arabiyia, two of the biggest Arabic satellite
channels, carried Obama’s speech live.

"America’s relationship with the Muslim community," he said, "cannot
and will not just be based upon opposition to terrorism. We seek
broader engagement based on mutual interest and mutual respect."

"We will convey our deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which
has done so much over the centuries to shape the world, including in
my own country," he said.

The president spoke for about 25 minutes from a small
white-marble-and-teak rostrum in the well of a vast, airy chamber
packed with Turkish lawmakers in orange leather chairs.

Except for a few instances of polite applause, the room was quiet
during his speech. There was a more hearty ovation toward the end when
Obama said the U.S. supports the Turkish government’s battle against
PKK, which both nations consider a terrorist group, and again when
he said America was not at war with Islam. Lawmakers also applauded
when Obama said the United States supports Turkey’s bid to join the
European Union.

Earlier, Obama said he stood by his 2008 assertion that Ottoman Turks
had carried out widespread killings of Armenians early in the 20th
century, but he stopped short of repeating the word "genocide."

Gul said many Turkish Muslims were killed during the same
period. Historians, not politicians, Gul said, should decide how to
label the events of those times.

In his 2008 campaign, Obama said "the Armenian genocide is not an
allegation," but rather "a widely documented fact supported by an
overwhelming body of historical evidence."

Now that he is president, the genocide question may not be Obama’s
best issue for taking a tough stand that antagonizes an ally. It is
important in U.S. communities with large numbers of Armenian-Americans,
but it has a low profile elsewhere.

In his speech to the parliament Monday, Obama said the United States
strongly supports the full normalization of relations between Turkey
and Armenia. He also noted that the United States "still struggles
with the legacies of slavery and segregation, the past treatment of
Native Americans."

The president also urged Turkey to help Israel and Palestine live
"side by side in peace and security."

Obama’s visit is being closely watched by an Islamic world that
harbored deep distrust of his predecessor, George W. Bush.

H. DEMOYAN: "U.S. PRESIDENT’S ADMINISTRATION HAS NO DEFINITE POSITION"

Panorama.am
15:29 06/04/2009

Currently the U.S. President Barack Obama is in Turkey; hence
the U.S. President’s Administration does not have any definite
position regarding the Armenian Genocide and 24 April, Hayk
Demoyan, the director of Genocide Museum Institute said in a press
conference. According to him that message has different versions
but the final version will be defined tomorrow. "I am trying to be
careful. One thing is important for me – if the Presidents of this
powerful country make their annual records on 24 April it is a great
achievement," he said. Hayk Demoyan notified that Barack Obama has
once expressed his position regarding the Armenian genocide. According
to the expert official Ankara should be concerned that a person who
has recognized Armenian Genocide is the U.S. President.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Geronti Talalyan’s 2nd Republican Cello Festival to launch in Yerevan
04.04.2009 17:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Geronti Talalyan’s 2nd Republican Violoncello
Festival will launch in Yerevan on Apr. 4. The festival aims at
popularization of violoncello. The festival features 12 concerts, some
of them to be held in Charentsavan, Abovyan, Vanadzor,
Stepanakert. Violoncello master classes will be conducted by Cellist
Aram Talalyan within the framework of the festival.

According to Aram Talalyan, 4 Armenian cellists, participants of last
year’s festival became laureates of International Competitions in
Riga, Leipzig, Minsk and Moscow. One of them was accepted into LA
Conservatory.

This year’s festival will host 23 Armenian musicians featuring works
of Komitas, Klengel, Bach, Shuman and other composers. Festival will
last until Jun. 26.

"AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS FOR YOUTH "STATE TARGET PROGRAM IS LAUNCHED

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.04.2009 17:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Affordable Apartments for Youth" , State Target
Program, organized by RA Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs will
offer state assistance to young families.

The program provides for interest-free crediting of 30% of the whole
sum required, with 10-15 maturity period.

In case the family has underage children, crediting of 10% (per child)
of the whole sum required will be added.

RA citizens aged 18-30, including young single parents can become
program recipients.

STABLE PEACE IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT TAKING NKR POSITION INTO CONSIDERATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.04.2009 21:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE MG Co-Chairman also stated that "the
most real option now is to return the Azerbaijani territories
under the current control of the Armenian armed forces, to specify
a medium status for Nagorno Karabakh, with consideration of its
security guarantees, which would be acceptable both for Baku and
Yerevan. The second part of the issue is not solvable now, and the
self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh is possible only
in 5 or 10 or 15 years, after the Azerbaijani community’s return to
the region". How will you comment on this position?

"Mr. Fassier voiced the elements of the so-called "basic principles",
which the OSCE MG proposes for consideration of the Armenian and
Azerbaijani Presidents. The consultations between Armenia and
Azerbaijan on these principles take place on the formula "nothing
is agreed and solved until everything is agreed and solved". Due to
this, it seems untimely to comment now on the functional elements of
these consultations, which may not get their final shape introduced
by the mediators. Consequently, when the consultations give specific
results, then we’ll assess if they are acceptable for our people or
if they are generally realizable, because achievement of the final
settlement of the conflict and stable peace is impossible without
taking into consideration the position of Nagorno Karabakh," NKR MFA
cited Foreign Affairs Minister Georgi Petrosyan as saying.

NEW MANDATORY NOTEBOOKS IN ARMAVIR COST MORE

200 9/04/02|13:46

Important society

This year pupils throughout Armavir Marz have to mandatorily carry
notebooks made specifically for the region. The new note books
feature the words "For High Schools in Armavir Marz" emblazoned on
their covers.

We weren’t able to find out the reason for the new notebooks. The
only difference between these and the ones sold in the shops is the
price. Those found in the shops cost 300 drams while the new mandated
notebooks cost 450 drams.

Another difference between the two is that on the last page of those
sold in the shops the name of the printer is listed along with an
address and telephone number. Ther new "official" books merely note
the name of the "Zatik Nar" printer, without any address of phone.

trying to get more information on "Zatik Nar", we went to the Armavir
Tax Department and were told by department head Haykoush Lazarian
that a company with the same name was registered with them and that
it was operating somewhere in Armavir. She stated that she didn’t
have the right to give us any further information about the company;
where it was located or who the owners were.

Zhora Baghdasaryan, who coordinates educational affairs in Etchmiadzin,
told us that a similar practice had been tried in other regions of
the country and that they are now trying to incorporate Armavir into
the process. Mr. Baghdasaryan couldn’t pinpoint those regions where
such a process had taken place, noting that he had only heard that
this was the case.

The parents we spoke to said that school officials haven’t yet
pressured them into buying the new notebooks and have only suggested
that they do. Parents were convinced however that the books would
become mandatory by the start of the new school year in September.

One parent we spoke to had bought several of the new notebooks for
her two children. The mother said she was already thinking ahead. "You
never know what they’ll be charging come September," she argued.