Author: Zakarian Garnik

CARD PRESENTS ARMENIAN FOOD PRODUCTS CATALOG 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.02.2010 19:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Center for Agribusiness and Rural Development
(CARD) hosted Armenian Food Products Catalog 2010 presentation Friday,
February 12.

As CARD Marketing Consultant Armen Harutyunyan told PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter, the catalogue features broad range of Armenia-manufactured
products.

Catalogue production was sponsored by US Department of Agriculture
and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Paper and electronic
versions of the catalogue are issued in editions of 1000 copies each.

The catalogue is also presented at CARD official website.

Armenian Food Products Catalogue is an annual serial publication,
first released in 2003. It is circulated through foreign embassies
to international organizations and exporters interested in Armenian
food products.

The catalogue features over 230 types of food products subdivided
into following categories: diary products, wines, processed food and
vegetables, dried foods, herbal teas, essential oils, meat products
and frozen foods. Contacts details of manufacturers are also provided.

‘SARGSYAN CLEARLY RESPONDED TO AZERBAIJAN’S DESTRUCTIVE STATEMENTS’: SHARMAZANOV

Tert.am
15:47 11.02.10

RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s strongly worded speech in London is a
historical one that a serious political figure and a leader in region
could make as it sent clear messages to the international community,
ruling Republican Party of Armenia spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov
told Tert.am today.

"The president clearly responded to the destructive statements by
Azerbaijan’s political elite, saying that the Republic of Nagorno
Karabakh was never a part of Azerbaijan and cannot be so, since
Azerbaijan, as a country that safeguards ethnic minorities’ autonomous
status, is depleted. A vivid example is Nakhijevan where not a single
Armenian remained, and numerous cross-stones were destroyed," said
Sharmazanov.

In his words, the president clearly mentioned that Karabakh has
nothing to do with Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and that the
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh has a right to independence much the
same way that Azerbaijan seceded from the Soviet Union.

"The president sends clear messages stressing the fact that we are
adherents of peaceful developments; we have not instigated a war and
we will not do so," said he.

Sharmazanov, pointing to a report by the Freedom House, said that the
president once again confirmed the well-known fact that Karabakh is
a more developed and more democratic country than Azerbaijan.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH QUEEN ELIZABETH II

news.am
Feb 10 2010
Armenia

In the latter half of February 10, Prince Charles will host RA
President Serzh Sargsyan at Windsor Castle. NEWS.am correspondent
reports from London that the Armenian leader has held a meeting
with Queen Elizabeth II. Not all guests meet with such a high-level
reception in the United Kingdom. The Armenian journalists accompanying
the President were not allowed to attend the historic meetings.

London residents say that the Armenian delegation met with a warm
reception. The Armenian delegation led by President Serzh Sargsyan
is staying at the Dorchester Hotel.

A charity concert "My love, Yerevan" will be held at Windsor Castle
on February 10 the initiative of Prince Charles and the Armenian
ex-premier, businessman Armen Sargsyan. The funds to be raised at
the concert will be directed to the renovation of four buildings
in Yerevan.

Talking to NEWS.am, Armen Sargsyan said that two of the buildings
will house a music school for orphans to be directed by the renowned
musician Jivan Gasparyan. The two other buildings, near Saint Hovhannes
church, will be renovated to house a kindergarten for hearing-impaired
children and unmarried mothers and their children.

One more building will be constructed in Scotland. Armen Sargsyan said
that philanthropists from other countries are involved in the program.

He stressed that it will be a long-term program. As to whether he
will return to Armenia, A. Sargsyan said that he left his Homeland
for a while and on business. He reported that the motto of the next
program is "My love, Gyumri."

At present the Armenian President is holding a meeting with David
Miliband, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs. No detailed information is available.

On February 9, the Armenian President visited the Tate Gallery in
London, where he saw Arshile Gorky’s works. Attending the opening
of the exhibition were prominent public figures, connoisseurs of art
and representatives of the Armenian community.

HEAD OF ARMENIAN POLICE DENIES RUMORS ABOUT HIS SOON RESIGNATION

ArmInfo
2010-02-10 14:56:00

ArmInfo. Head of Armenian Police Alik Sargsyan has denied the rumors
about his soon resignation.

Commenting on the relevant rumors at today’s press-conference, Sargsyan
said that "there are no clouds over his head" and he continues carrying
out his work of the Police head with pleasure and in a good state of
mind. He added that he may be dismissed by the Armenian president,
however, the head of the state displays a normal attitude to him. "
I think in case of discontent the president would have expressed
his attitude to me",- said Alik Sargsyan. As regards the persistent
rumors about resignation, he thinks that they are the phantom of some
persons’ imagination. To note, according to the results, one of the
possible candidates for the post of the police head is the current
head of Military Police Vladimir Gasparyan. Asked whether the rumors
are the phantom of Vladimir Gasparyan’s imagination, Alik Sargsyan
said that he meant nobody specifically, and moreover, he did not mean
"the mentioned person".

He added that nobody is born a head of police or stays in this post
eternally. "But I will leave my post worthily and in a good state of
mind",- concluded Sargsyan.

"WHY SHOULD ROBERT KOCHARYAN NOT USE HIS POSSIBILITIES?"

Lragir.am
10/02/10

We do not need to surprise at Robert Kocharyan’s visit to Iran.

Presidents cannot be "former", said the head of the ARF faction
Vahan Hovhannisyan.

According to him, former presidents also have duties. Naturally, they
have some role. "Why should Kocharyan, who led active foreign policy,
not use his potential for the sake of Armenia? The first president also
leaves for foreign countries, why do you not ask where he goes?"asked
Vahan Hovhannisyan.

SENATOR LIEBERMAN REITERATES IMPORTANCE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AFFIRMATION

armradio.am
10.02.2010 18:25

In response to a letter from Harry Keleshian, a longstanding Armenian
Assembly trustee and activist, Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) stated
that the issue of U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide "cuts
to the heart not only of our foreign policy, but of our morality as
a nation."

Lieberman, in describing the "systematic and deliberate campaign of
mass murder perpetrated against the Armenian people," stated that
"even by the bloody standards of the 20th century, the annihilation of
1.5 million Armenians was one of the greatest crimes against humanity
committed in the last hundred years – an evil we have a solemn duty
never to forget."

"As we look to the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide this
April 24, Senator Lieberman provides us with a poignant reminder of
the importance of remembering history, and the need to redouble our
efforts to end the scourge of genocide," stated Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny. "We commend Mr. Keleshian for his steadfast commitment
and support of the Assembly and our work on Capital Hill," added
Ardouny. "With activists like Harry, along with our nationwide State
Chair network, including Connecticut State Chair Sevan Angacian,we
have a great team to help us advance our goals."

In the January 25th letter to Connecticut resident Keleshian, Senator
Lieberman also recalled the extraordinary efforts of Henry Morgenthau,
the U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire at the time of the Armenian
Genocide. Ambassador Morgenthau was the leading force behind America’s
unprecedented humanitarian intervention, and his actions helped to
save countless survivors.

S. Res. 316 was introduced last year by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
and John Ensign (R-NV), and continues to garner support with Senators
Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) as the most recent
cosponsors. The resolution, as Lieberman’s letter so aptly stated,
"describes the history of the genocide in detail and calls on the
President to recognize and commemorate it appropriately." With the
House of Representatives scheduled to consider the Armenian Genocide
in Committee on March 4, the Assembly also urges the U.S. Senate to
take action.

By remembering history and honoring the victims of the Armenian
Genocide, Senator Lieberman hoped to renew America’s commitment "to
the cause of stopping genocide and ethnic violence in our own time."

ARMENIA’S OMBUDSMAN AS A ‘NATIONAL POLITICAL FIGURE’

Aysor
Feb 10 2010
Armenia

"We have a situation of a total warfare," said at today’s press
conference Armenia’s Ombudsman Armen Harutyunian. He pointed that
Azerbaijan is trying to turn its Ombudsman’s Office into the key
platform to run warfare. This causes a situation when Armenia’s
Ombudsman has to become a "national political figure" instead of
being the human rights’ supporter.

Armen Harutyunian said it’s necessary to pay an attention to all
these and to be united. He also told journalists that a few months
ago Ombudsman of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic jointed the European
Ombudsman Institute. Azerbaijan in respond to this started a campaign
to fight this development and oppose against the NKR’s membership.

"After failure, they started discussions on membership of other
unrecognized states," said Armen Harutyunian adding that human rights
are over the political conjuncture. In the mentioned situations it’s
necessary to be united and "the government must turn toward common
citizen, and the link between them must be provided," he said.

TURKEY’S EDUCATION MINISTER SUPPORTS NAMING SCHOOL AFTER HRANT DINK

Tert.am
12:49 â~@¢ 08.02.10

Turkey’s National Education Minister Nimet Cubukcu has proposed that
one of the country’s schools should be named after slain journalist,
and editor of Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos, Hrant Dink, said Cubukcu
herself in an interview with Turkish daily Today’s Zaman.

Asked how she would feel if one of Turkey’s schools were named after
Hrant Dink, a victim of discrimination, Cubukcu said, "That would be
great, and naturally, such a thing can occur. Hrant was someone who
I admired very much and whose loss caused me much pain. I think that
it was a great loss for Turkey as well. Of course, why not… it’s a
great idea. If such a decision is made, we will conduct the school’s
opening ceremony together," said Turkey’s national education minister.

Earlier, Istanbul City Council voted against naming Å~^afak Street
(where he was murdered) after Hrant Dink in Istanbul’s Shishli
district.

President of Russia approved new military doctrine
06.02.2010 17:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On February 5, RF President Dmitry Medvedev
announced at the meeting with the permanent Security Council members
that approved a new Military Doctrine and "Principles of state policy
on nuclear deterrence by 2020′. The new military doctrine has not yet
made public, but some of its provisions are already known. As Army
General Nikolai Makarov, Chief of Staff of the RF Armed Forces
announced in late December, according to the document Russia has the
right to use nuclear weapons to defend the country and its allies in
case event of a threat of its elimination".

In addition, the document contains some new provisions, for instance,
about military construction and military-economic component, Makarov
said, RIA Novosti reported.

U.S. HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SET TO VOTE ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION ON MARCH 4TH

armradio.am
05.02.2010 12:22

U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Howard Berman (D-CA),
a leading Congressional supporter of human rights and a longstanding
friend of the Armenian American community, has scheduled a vote of his
panel on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.252, for Thursday,
March 4th, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

"We want to thank Chairman Berman for his vision and strength in
taking this bold step to send the clear message to Turkey that
the United States Congress will not be complicit in their immoral
efforts to deny truth and justice for the Armenian Genocide," said
Ken Hachikian, Chairman of the ANCA, following his meeting yesterday
in Washington, DC with the senior California legislator. "We look
forward to working with the Chairman and all our friends on the
Committee from both parties to facilitate passage of this critical
piece of human rights legislation by both this panel and the full
House of Representatives. Our grassroots activists are mobilized to
help achieve the success of this effort."

Hachikian also consulted yesterday with several other Representatives,
most notably, Congressional Armenian Genocide Resolution author Adam
Schiff (D-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone
(D-NJ), and senior House Foreign Affairs Committee Members Brad Sherman
(D-CA), and Ed Royce (R-CA).

The House Foreign Affairs Committee adopted legislation similar to
H.Res.252, on a bipartisan basis, in 2000, 2005, and 2007. These past
measures, despite their broad-based support, did not reach the House
floor for an up or down vote, largely due to strident opposition from
the Clinton and Bush administrations fearful of Ankara’s threats of
retaliation. President Obama, during his campaign for office, pledged
to recognize the Armenian Genocide and specifically voiced his strong
support for this exact legislation; his Vice President, Joe Biden,
and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, both cosponsored this measure.

Since taking office, the Obama Administration has yet to make any
comments, either favorably or unfavorably, on the Armenian Genocide
Resolution currently before Congress.

H.Res.252, introduced in March of 2009 by lead sponsors Adam Schiff and
George Radanovich (R-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-chairs
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), currently has over 135
cosponsors. A parallel Senate measure, spearheaded by Senators Bob
Menendez (D-NJ) and John Ensign (R-NV), has 13 cosponsors.