Author: Zakarian Garnik

De jeunes politiciens discutent des relations Arméno-turques

ARMENIE

dimanche9 mai 2010, par Stéphane/armenews

Les représentants des sections des jeunesses du parti Arménie
Prospère, de la Fédération Révolutionnaire Arménienne et le parti
Démocrate Sociale Hunchakian ont parlé des relations arméno-turques.

Le représentant de la FRA Arthur Ghazaryan a assuré que « le processus
continuera à être dangereux pour l’Arménie tant que notre pays ne se
retirera pas des protocoles. ‘

« Le processus avait atteint une impasse depuis la décision de la Cour
Constitutionnelle arménienne "a déclaré le Représentant du parti
Démocrate Sociale Hunchakian Gagik Melikyan.

Gevorg Manukyan, représentant du parti Arménie Prospère, a dit « le
processus arméno-turc était une occasion de lancer le dialogue
politique. ‘

World Markets Research Centre
Global Insight
May 7 2010

Armentel Denies Increased Competition is Causing Price Cuts in
Fixed-Line Sphere

BYLINE: Michael Lacquiere

Armenian integrated operator Armentel has rejected the suggestion that
there is any connection between its reduction in fixed-line tariffs
and the entry into the market of new fixed-line operators. Armentel
general director Igor Klimko is quoted by ARKA as stating that he does
not recognise a link between the two phenomena, adding that he
welcomes the "desire and aspiration" of such new operators. Klimko has
also rejected the suggestion that Armentel exercises an influence in
the setting of fixed-line tariffs, insisting that this is solely in
the hands of regulator PSRC, and claiming that "it would be wrong" to
claim that tariff reduction is implemented at the request of Armentel.

Significance:Armentel dominates Armenia’s fixed-line sector, having
until recently operated as monopolist in the sector. Given its
position of dominance in the subscriber market, Armentel already has
an advantage over rivals, and it is therefore unsurprising that its
setting of tariffs is under scrutiny. Armentel generated 43.868
billion drams (US$116.1 million) from fixed-line operations in 2009,
equating to 60.4% of its total revenues in Armenia.

Russia, Turkey agree terms of nuclear power plant construction

MOSCOW, May 8 (RIA Novosti)

Russia and Turkey have agreed all the details and commercial terms for
the construction of Turkey’s first nuclear power plant, Russian Energy
Minister Sergei Shmatko said on Saturday.

"The principles of the nuclear power plant construction have been
agreed. We have defined all the basic commercial terms," Shmatko said
in an interview with the Turkish news agency Cihan NA, adding that the
price of electricity to be generated by the NPP had also been agreed
but it was premature to disclose it.

An international consortium consisting of Russia’s nuclear power
equipment and service export monopoly Atomstroyexport, electricity
export company Inter RAO UES and Turkish Park Teknik won a tender for
the construction of Turkey’s first nuclear power plant in June 2009.

The consortium proposed building four nuclear power units with a
capacity of 1.2 GW each under a Russian project. The nuclear power
plant was expected to be built near the Mediterranean port of Mersin
in the Akkuyu area and put into operation in 2016-2019.

in November 2009, however, Turkey cancelled the results of the tender
over disagreement with the prices of electricity, Russia proposed to
charge for electric power generation by the nuclear power plant.

In early 2010, Russia and Turkey agreed on cooperation in building the
Turkish nuclear power plant.

"We expect that basic documents will be signed as soon as possible and
the construction of the nuclear power plant will begin," Shmatko said.

CYPRUS PRESIDENT INVITES SERZH SARGSYAN TO VISIT NICOSIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 6, 2010 – 20:17 AMT 15:17 GMT

On May 6, Armenian Ambassador to Cyprus Gagik Galachyan submitted
his credentials to Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias.

During the ceremony, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of
strengthening relations between Armenia and Cyprus, which became the
second motherland to Genocide survivors.

Parties exchanged views on further intensification of bilateral
relations as well as regional and international issues. In conclusion
of the meeting, Cyprus President invited Serzh Sargsyan to visit
Nicosia, Armenian Foreign Ministry press service reported.

NEWS SPOTLIGHT: NAGORNO-KARABAKH AND THE MINSK GROUP NEGOTIATIONS
Kari Lipschutz

World Politics Review
4/news-spotlight-nagorno-karabakh-and-the-minsk-gr oup-negotiations
May 6 2010

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group met today in a closed meeting
to discuss the current state of negotiations between Armenia and
Azerbaijan on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In an e-mail interview,
Thomas de Waal, senior associate of the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace, explains where negotiations stand today.

WPR: What are the principle issues that still need to be resolved in
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

De Waal: The fundamental unresolved issue in the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is the same one that triggered the conflict back in Soviet
times in the Gorbachev era in February 1988: the status of the disputed
territory of Nagorno-Karabakh itself. The Karabakh Armenians — who
have been in full control of the territory and surrounding regions
since fighting ended between the two sides in 1994 — insist that
Karabakh be recognized either as independent or unified with Armenia,
while the Azerbaijani authorities demand that it is a de jure part
of Azerbaijan and must be reaffirmed as such. The document on the
table attempts to resolve this issue with creative ambiguity about
postponing the issue of status, but the two sides still have polarized
positions and will not move until they get greater clarity supporting
their own stance.

WPR: How is that conflict impacting Turkey-Armenia normalization?

De Waal: The non-resolution of the Karabakh conflict is the principle
reason why the Armenia-Turkey normalization process came to a halt
in April when Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian suspended Armenian
official participation in the process. Turkey was insisting on making
a linkage between Armenia-Turkey normalization and the Karabakh
conflict that was not in the protocols the two sides signed in October
2009. That is not because Turkey cares deeply about the Karabakh issue
as such, but it does care about its relations with its Turkic ally,
Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan did enough to lobby in the Turkish parliament
and to threaten Turkey with higher gas prices to dissuade the Turkish
government from pursuing the normalization policy. Now, unless there
is progress on the Karabakh conflict, it is highly unlikely that the
Armenia-Turkey process will move forward again.

WPR: Recent reports suggested progress has been made in the Minsk
Group negotiations. What’s the likelihood for a breakthrough?

De Waal: Unfortunately the Minsk Group negotiations are deadlocked
at the moment. This time it is the Armenian side that does not want
to engage properly with the latest version of the so-called "Madrid
Principles" under discussion. On previous occasions, Azerbaijan has
pulled back. But there are deeper problems with the negotiations: It is
far too narrow a process to get the kind of traction needed to resolve
a major conflict. There is almost no Track Two process involving the
two societies and few international resources are being expended to
support the U.S., French and Russian mediators. Observers of the peace
talks have the perception that the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents
actually prefer the narrowly based desultory peace process, which
preserves the status quo and produces no results, to a more dynamic
process that would force them to take hard decisions and make public
compromises to the enemy.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, May 6, 2010

5th Annual Conference on the Status of Armenians in U.S. Focuses on
Armenians Portrayed on Screen

By Sona Zeitlian

The 5th conference on the Status of Armenian Communities Living in the
United States took place on March 13, 2010, in the Grand Salon of the
Student Union at California State University, Northridge. The conference
was organized by AGBU Hye Geen-Young Circle, AGBU Hye Geen, AGBU Forum
for Armenian Cultural and Social Studies, in partnership with California
State University, Northridge (CSUN) Departments of Gender and Women’s
Studies, Cinema and Television Arts, Armenian Studies, as well as the
CSUN Alpha Epsilon Omega Fraternity.

As in previous years, the conference brought together researchers,
educators, professionals and community groups to explore issues related
to Armenians in the U.S. This year’s theme, "The Power of Broadcast
Media," was most relevant for the large Armenian communities of
Hollywood, Glendale, and greater Los Angeles, the heartland of the
entertainment industry. In her opening remarks, Nellie Yacoubian of AGBU
Hye Geen-Young Circle emphasized the need "to give more support in the
future either in terms of time, positive public relations and/or money
to the individuals in the industry, so future programming and talent
includes Armenians and includes Armenians in the way we want."

Moderator Jill Simonian, co-host of a Travel Channel reality series,
introduced the conference speakers.

Eric Sherman, an award-winning director, producer, and professor at Art
Center College of Design and the California Institute of the Arts, spoke
about his experiences with Armenian students at the Art Center, among
them Vahe Babaian, a screenwriter who in the early 80s wrote a script
about Armenians in California called "After Freedom." Sherman agreed to
produce the film but they were unable to secure financial backing from
the Armenian community. The producer appealed to Harvey Weinstein of
Miramax Studios, who had previously sponsored films about ethnic groups.
Having obtained half of the funding needed, the Armenian community
raised the rest, and the film was produced and then released
commercially. Based on the experience, Sherman exhorted the Armenian
community to encourage Armenians with film or television projects and to
support films depicting their stories.

Screen and theater actor Ludwig Manukian, who gained notoriety as an
Armenian mob boss on FX Channel’s "The Shield," said that the Armenian
community has a responsibility to diversify the representations of their
ethnicity in the media. "Ethnic actors rarely get cast in mainstream
plays, movies and TV except in ethnic roles that are generally demeaning
or damaging stereotypes," he said. "Armenians are mechanics, jewelry
store-owners, criminals, drug dealers, shady individuals, mafia
characters importing illegal goods … characterized by their love of
money and display of gold chains."

Other speakers were Roger Kupelian, a visual effects artist who has
worked on many prominent films, including "The Lord of the Rings"
trilogy, Anoush NeVart, a prolific actress and musician, and Terry
Phillips, a TV reporter and author. NeVart urged Armenians to follow the
example that African-Americans have set in the entertainment industry,
by producing their own content. Phillips, who lived and worked in
Armenia following the 1988 earthquake and covered the Karabakh war,
pressed the audience not to be passive viewers, but counteract negative
influences through "active and constructive dialogue with the content
providers."

Sona Yacoubian, founder and chairperson of AGBU Hye Geen, an NGO that
operates women’s centers to improve maternal health and reduce infant
mortality in Armenia, also addressed the conference. "The new
generation, that is you, come from more established and prosperous
Armenian families than any time in history," she told young
professionals in the audience. "You are talented and hard workers. I
believe it is time to venture into new fields where national and
international recognition awaits you."

The moderator fielded probing questions and appreciative comments from
the audience, which underscored an interest aroused by the conference
speakers to prevent negative stereotypes about Armenians in the
broadcast media.

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 programs, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.

IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR IN ARMENIA FALLEN ON HARD TIMES.
By YerevanReporter

AllVoices.com
http://www.allvoice s.com/contributed-news/5747511-in-the-agricultural -sector-in-armenia-fallen-on-hard-times
May 5 2010

This year, Armenia should expect a sharp increase in prices for
agricultural products, which will be the consequence of decline in
the agricultural sector of the country.

The statement was made chairman of the Armenian Agrarian Farmers’
Association (AAFA) Hrachya Berberian.

According to him, today, farmers are deprived of access to financial
resources for the efficient organization of agricultural production.

"In fact, bank advertisements promising cheap loans to farmers under
various grants and programs of international financial organizations
that do not correspond to reality and do not reach the village due
to their misuse," said Berberian. He also cited the example of one
of the banks, whose activities had envisaged credit support of the
agricultural sector, rather than funding for a taxi service that is
happening now.

Chapter AAKO urged the government to monitor the proper use of
funds coming into Armenia from abroad. "At the time, as in European
countries loans directed to the development of the agricultural sector
are interest rate up to 11%, Armenian farmers accrue credits at the
rate of 25-30% on predatory terms that may not have a positive impact
on improving agricultural production in the country "said Berberian.

According to him, as a result much of the land 1 category of the
Ararat Valley today are not cultivated.

"In many areas, farmers prefer to sow this spring oats are cheaper,
rather than the traditional wheat and potatoes, and this despite
the fact that seed reserves in the country is more than enough. Such
processes are fraught with sharp increases in prices of agricultural
commodities of the country and threatens national security "said
Hrachia Berberian.

Creation of agricultural cooperatives allow farmers themselves together
effectively to solve the outstanding problems in the village, including
the targeting of financial resources coming from international
financial organizations, the head AAFA. According to him, "These
associations will make up no Soviet-style organization, and unions
of agricultural producers, who are more productive will develop and
implement programs of development of agrarian sector is not imposed as
an example of Yerevan over 50 actually failed government programs, the
creation of which cost the state treasury in millions of dollars. "
In the coming years on the basis of cooperation on the principle
of democracy is planned to establish a National Chamber of farmers,
which will work with the authorities for the benefit of the country.

Chapter AAFA stressed the urgent need to acquire new agricultural
technology, thus avoiding the huge crop losses, now reaching 30%
of that in the case of wheat is 50-60 thousand tons. In particular,
we are talking about 200 new harvesters. Berberian said that the
reconstruction of the former MTS in rural areas is impractical and
the allocation should be tailored to individual villages, preventing
looting of farmers owners of the motor-tractor stations, or resell
equipment to neighboring countries, which last took place.

Hrachya Berberian expressed regret that during the development of sheep
breeding in the country occurred and export of the parent. "This has
led to a sharp rise in prices for sheep meat and contrary to assurances
given to officials from the agricultural price of meat has not returned
to previous performance in 1700, AMD today reached 4 thousand drams on
the market", he said. According to him, farmers suffer from illiteracy
officials’ attitude to the problems of agricultural production and
dispersal of funds.

SPEAKER OF CATALAN PARLIAMENT VISITS ARMENIAN MINISTRY OF DIASPORA

NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 5, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenia’s Deputy
Minister of Diaspora Stepan Petrosian on May 4 received the delegation
headed by Speaker of the Parliament of Catalonia Ernest Benach. The RA
Ministry of Diaspora reports that it was the first visit of a Catalan
parliamentary delegation to Armenia since the parliament of Catalonia
recognized the Armenian Genocide on February 26, 2010.

Welcoming the guests, S. Petrosian thanked the Catalan parliament for
its efforts on recognition of the Armenian Genocide and its consistent
approach. He expressed a high opinion about Mr. Benach’s attitude to
the Armenian community of Catalonia, saying that the best evidence
was the opening of an Armenian-Spanish khachkar in Catalonia.

S. Petrosian informed the guests about the programs of the RA
Ministry of Diaspora: Armenia-Diaspora cooperation, preservation of
the Armenian identity, identification of Armenian potential in the
Diaspora, repatriation and several other problems.

The interlocutors spoke about the institution of dual citizenship in
Catalonia, the problem of receiving citizenship by Armenians living in
Catalonia, their educational problems, etc. S. Petrosian underlined
the need for the implementation of youth programs, particularly he
spoke about "Ari Tun" program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

At the conclusion of the meeting the deputy minister presented some
books published by the Ministry of Diaspora to the guests, while Mr.

Benach handed him a book on the history of Catalan parliament.

A FACT-FINDING VISIT WITH SOCIO-ECONOMIC BIAS

Azat Artsakh Newspaper [NKR]
Nagorno Karabakh Republic
03 May, 2010

So in the stuff of co-chairmanship of OSCE MG an expected rotation
took place – Igor Popov took the place of Jury Merzlyakov on the
post of the co-chairman of MG from Russia. As it was expected, it was
followed by a so-called legal trip of the new Russian intermediary,
who after Armenia with fact-finding visit on April 29th arrived
in the Nagorno-Karabakh and this very day was accepted by the NKR
president Bako Sahakyan. Under avaricious lines of the official
press release it is impossible to consider details of negotiations
of the new Russian co-chairman of the Minsk group of OSCE with the
NKR president which, according to diplomatic practice, have passed
in confidential conditions. After the meeting in conversation with
journalists Igor Popov was not verbose and, that also is explainable.

In negotiating process on the Nagorno-Karabakh he is a new person,
and has arrived, as has already been told, "to show himself" and
to listen to others – that it was easier "to enter into a theme".
However, the Russian diplomat also did not begin to hide, that his
first meeting with the NKR President had legal character. He did not
begin to hide that during conversation with the President besides
political subjects, not in a smaller measure there was a question of
social and economic development of Nagorno-Karabakh. Here again he
had much to listen. It is clear, that the President Bako Sahakyan has
presented to the new co-chairman a political situation in region and a
position of authorities of the NKR on the Karabakh problem. A position,
which has been already formulated accurately enough for a long time
and does not suppose return to the Soviet past. But nevertheless, as
Igor Popov admitted, generally interlocutors spoke about questions
of social and economic character. That is about development of
economy of the NKR as a whole, and about prospects of functioning
of Stepanakert’s airport, in particular. At first sight it may seem
strange, that at the meeting with the co-chairman of the Minsk group
it was more spoken about social and economic questions. But only at
first sight. If to ponder, there is a certain law in it, and, probably,
Bako Sahakyan with Igor Popov did not so casually make a list towards
social and economic life of the Nagorno-Karabakh. As negotiations
by negotiations, but the NKR in its development cannot stand on a
place and wait, as they say, at the weather sea. Especially, when the
partner in these negotiations is Azerbaijan, which the aggressive
actions far from common sense contradicting norms of international
law and principles of settlement of the Karabakh conflict, does these
negotiations simply senseless and unpromising. Here recently the
president Aliev has burst a series of the statements which essence
consists that definitive and even intermediate, temporary status of
the Nagorno-Karabakh is possible "only and only within the limits
of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan". And it thus, that the right
of people of the Nagorno-Karabkh to self-determination is recognized
by one of major principles of the resolution of the conflict. After
all even in the NKR ambiguously perceived Madrid principles provide
legally obliging will of people of the Nagorno-Karabakh at definition
of the political status. But, as it is known, the Azerbaijan president,
not having some serious arguments, always rather originally treats
international law which serves for him only as propaganda cover for
nothing of the proved claims on the Nagorno-Karabakh, creating thereby
artificial problem called till now by the Nagorno-Karabakh.

Meanwhile, this problem only Azerbaijan has, but not the
Nagorno-Karabakh and consequently Baku should be interested in
constructive negotiations that, however, now it is not observed. For
this reason we will return to visit to Stepanakert of a new Russian
co-chairman of the Minsk group of OSCE, who in Stepanakert has noticed,
that owing to the clear reasons he cannot speak about nuances of
the process of settlement, and now while he is busy by problem
studying. Well, objectively it is so, therefore it is necessary to
hope, that in the course of full and all-round studying of the set
theme he will manage to find a right answer on a question "who is
who?" and what are true interests of the parties of the conflict, in
compliance with what intermediary activity will be constructed. For
now… While the Russian diplomat has shared opinion of the NKR
president on necessity of participation of Artsakh in negotiating
process and, true to traditions of more skilled colleagues on
co-chairmanship in the Minsk group, also has declared, that at certain
stage the Nagorno-Karabakh should join negotiations. We have already
had a chance to write, that similar statements have become original
ritual procedure for intermediaries, however it would be desirable
to think, that this tradition will be really broken, and co-chairmen
will take practical measures for returning of the Karabakh party
to a negotiating table. If, of course, wish the real and long-term
decision of a problem. At least, Igor Popov has expressed readiness to
use the best efforts to settle the conflict as soon as possible. The
God helper…

U.S.-FUNDED RADIO LIBERTY REMOVES GENOCIDE DENIAL REPORT AFTER PROTESTS

d=6650B565-5697-11DF-BACB0003FF3452C2
Published: Monday May 03, 2010

RFE/RL logo at its Prague headquarters. Wikimedia

Prague – On April 22, 10 p.m., Moscow time, Russian Service of
the Prague-based Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
aired an extensive report by its Istanbul correspondent, "Why so
many historians in Turkey study the issue of Armenian Genocide". The
broadcast presented only Turkish views that deny the notion, scope and
character of genocide to Armenian national tragedy, the Prague-based
Caucasus and Eastern Europe Information Center () reported
in its April 29 press release.

The report from Istanbul was not challenged, balanced or moderated
either by accompanying presentation of Armenian position or the
attitude of numerous national parliaments that officially recognize
the extermination of 1.5 million Armenian residents of Ottoman Empire
in 1915-1923 as the Armenian Genocide. The text of the broadcast
was placed in Russian on RFE/RL Internet site. The broadcast itself,
despite the incoming protests from listeners and readers, was repeated
twice also the next day, April 23 – at 1 a.m. and 3 p.m., Moscow time.

On April 24, millions of Armenians mourned their dead commemorating the
95th anniversary of the Genocide. Around the world, in countries of
Armenian Diaspora, they were joined by leading politicians, members
of human rights organizations, deputies of national parliaments,
prominent state and public officials, simply neighbors and friends.

As part of its April 24 coverage, RFE/RL’s Russian service also
issued brief reports on commemorative events held in Yerevan, Moscow,
Istanbul and Washington, as well as a longer story about arguments
for and against U.S. recognition of the Genocide. RFE/RL’s Armenian
service provided more extensive coverage.

RFE/RL is financed by taxpayers’ dollars via BBG, Federal Broadcasting
Board of Governors, overseeing all U.S. non-military broadcasters (2010
fiscal year budget was $733 million with $770 million requested for
2011). Hillary Clinton, as the Secretary of State, is simultaneously
the member of both BBG and RFE/RL Board of Directors.

Only April 26, under the avalanche of indignant messages from the
audience, the transcript of Istanbul feed, together with listeners’
letters, was removed from RFE/RL Internet site. RFE/RL offered no
further comment on the controversial report or its decision to pull it.