Tuesday 7 April 2009

Armenian News


FORGETTING THE ARMENIANS, 2009 EDITION
by Alex Massie
Spectator.co.uk
March 30 2009

At the New Republic Mike Crowley picks up where this post left off
and lays-out the familiar arguments on US recognition of the Armenian
genocide. It's tough for the Armenians: all they have on their side
is principle (and Obama's campaign promises) while, as Crowley points
out, the Turks have realpolitik and a well-oiled lobbying machine
(that currently employs the combined efforts of Dick Gephardt and
Denny Hastert) that takes opposing any formal, President-endorsed
recognition of the genocide very seriously indeed. As Mike reports:

Obama can be forgiven for dodging the explosive subject of genocide
while he is a guest in Ankara next week. But, when the Armenians'
annual day of genocide remembrance comes on April 24, the White
House will be expected to release a statement. In the past, these
proclamations have been exercises in strained euphemism. Last year,
for instance, George W. Bush lamented "mass killings and forced exile"
and "epic human tragedy"--but did not use the term "genocide." The
Armenian-Americans who supported Obama in November (John McCain never
endorsed genocide recognition) expect him to use the occasion to say
the magic word.

But sources on Capitol Hill and those familiar with Ankara's thinking
both predict Obama will punt on the issue. "I fully expect him to
fold," laments one human rights activist who wishes otherwise. "I would
be shocked if he didn't." But the real shock should be in seeing Obama
break such a clear promise. Reasonable people can differ on whether
recognizing the genocide is worth the possible consequences. It is
not debatable, however, that Obama made a promise, or that he ran as
a man of integrity and principle. To be sure, Obama's high-minded
rhetoric has always concealed a deeply rooted pragmatism (think
of the convenient difference between troops and "combat troops"
in Iraq). But there is a line between pragmatism and hypocrisy,
and Obama may be about to cross it.

All true. But hypocrisy can breed opportunity. As Daniel Larison - who
has written a lot about this - observes, relations between Turkey and
Armenia show signs of improving. Opening the border between the two
countries and "normalising" relations between them might do rather
more for the average Armenian than a welcome, but still symbolic,
declaration from the American Congress and President.

Larison suggests that delaying the resolution (again!) for another
year might not be the worst thing in the world. And that seems
reasonable. Provided, that is, Washington pressures Ankara to improve
its relations with Yerevan. Indeed, suggesting that Washington will
certainly recognise the genocide next year if there's no significant
progress in moving towards Turkish-Armenian reconciliation. That
might at least permit Obama a less than wholly shameful retreat from
his campaign positioning on the issue. Of course, the Armenians have
heard "wait for next year" many times before. If Obama does choose
expediency over principle - and one would be amazed if he does not -
then he should also make it clear that this is a one time only offer*.

Of course, this may be far too optimistic.

*Suppose there is this progress you seek? Wouldn't recognition next
year be seen as being too risky and too likely to jeopardise that
progress? Perhaps. But that's something to be determined at a later
date. Meanwhile, the genocide issue would, for once and at last, be
being used to advance Armenian (and, in the wider scheme of matters,
Turkish) interests rather than being just a political irritant to be
dealt with as shabbily and as quietly as possible.
ACCORDING TO TURKISH MEDIA, TURKEY PLANS TO OPEN ITS
BORDER WITH ARMENIA IN MID-APRIL
Noyan Tapan
March 31, 2009

ANKARA, MARCH 31, NOYAN TAPAN. Turkey plans to open its border with
Armenia in April after US President Barack Obama's planned visit to
Ankara, Turkish ABHaber website reported this referring to a high
official of the European Commission, without mentioning his name.

According to the website, rumors circulate in Brussels that Turkey
will open its border with Armenia in Arpil. Most probably, it will take
place after US President Barack Obama's planned visit to Turkey. It is
most probable that the border will be opened a few days before April
24. The website added that Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan's
visit to Armenia planned for mid-April is also on the agenda.

ABHaber mentioned that according to EU observers, Turkey's opening
its border with Armenia will have a positive response in Europe and
will strengthen Ankara's positions.
ARMENIA LAUNCHES ORBITAL RECEIVING STATION
armradio.am
01.04.2009 18:06

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan, accompanied by the
Ministers of Defense, Economy and Emergency Situations, the Chairman of
the State Committee of the Real Estate Cadastre, the Chairman of the
National Assembly's Standing Committee on Defense, National Security
and Internal Affairs, visited the Center of Geodesy and Cartography
of the State Committee on Real-Estate Cadastre to participate in the
launching of an orbital receiving station. The Prime minister walked
about the center, familiarized with the working conditions and talked
to the employees.

The creation of the orbital station is to receive exact data about
Armenia's territory with the application of space technologies. The
station provides an opportunity to make use of the opportunities
of artificial satellites in the near-earth orbit and explore
the Earth. The data will be used for solving issues of geodesy,
cartography, as well as security and economic issues.

RFE/RL Armenia Report
Utility Price Hikes Take Effect In Armenia
1 April 2009
By Hasmik Smbatian

The prices of the key utility services in Armenia rose significantly on
Wednesday, putting an additional strain on the modest budgets of many of
its residents already grappling with the effects of the global economic
crisis.

The price hikes came into effect just over one month after being
approved by the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC). The state
regulatory body acted on requests lodged by the country's gas,
electricity and water distribution companies. Its decisions came just
days before a nearly 20 percent devaluation of the national currency,
the dram.

In particular, the PSRC allowed the Electricity Networks of Armenia
(ENA), the national power utility, to raise its basic tariff by 20
percent to 30 drams (8 U.S. cents) per kilowatt/hour. The electricity
fee rise, the first in 11 years, is thought to be connected to a 40
percent surge, also effective from April 1, in the price of natural gas
imported from Russia. Russian gas is used for generating about one-third
of Armenia's electricity.

The ArmRosGazprom (ARG) national gas distribution company will now
charge Armenian households 96 drams for every cubic meter of the gas, up
by 14 percent from the previous price. The price hike for corporate gas
consumers is much steeper: from $154 to $215 per thousand cubic meters.

The price of drinking water grew by a more modest 4 percent to 180 drams
per cubic meter. The PSRC had rejected water utilities' request to raise
the tariff to that level two years ago.

Artsvik Minasian, an economist and parliament deputy from the
pro-government Armenian Revolutionary Federation, said the price
increases will add to an `expected substantial fall in living
standards.' `I think the government should review its social policy and
make more allocations to socially vulnerable groups,' he told RFE/RL.

The government is having increasingly serious trouble executing its
budget for this year which envisages a sizable increase in social
spending. Citing a shortfall in tax revenues, it delayed last week 14
percent of projected budgetary expenditures until the fourth quarter of
this year. Government officials insist that social programs will not be
affected by the measure.

Ordinary Armenians, meanwhile, braced themselves for further
belt-tightening. `The people's plight will certainly become more
difficult,' said one woman. `[The authorities] are supposed to think
about us, aren't they? If there is not other way out, we can only
respect their decisions.'

`Everyone will be affected,' said another, male resident of Yerevan.
`But what we can do? Who would listen to our voice?'
SIX ARMENIANS IN ISTANBUL'S MUNICIPAL COUNCILS
BIA
March 31 2009
Turkey

Five Turkish-Armenian men and one woman have been voted into municipal
councils in four district municipal councils in Istanbul.

The weekly Turkish-Armenian Agos newspaper has reported that six
Turkish-Armenians have been voted into municipal councils in Istanbul.

In the Princes' Islands district, Raffi Hermonn Araks has entered
the municipal council under elected mayor Mustafa Farsakoglu from
the Republican People's Party (CHP).

On the islands, there was also an Armenian mayoral candidate,
Dr. Garabet Yayla. He received 68 votes, 0.8 percent.

Agop Sarıyan was second municipal councillor candidate for the CHP
on the islands; however, because one candidate each of the CHP and
the Justice and Development Party (AKP) were elected, Sarıyan has
not entered the council. Independent municipal councillor candidate
Avedis Hilkat also did not win.

Three councillors in Bakırköy In Bakırköy, a district on the
European side of Istanbul, three Turkish-Armenians have entered
the municipal council with the CHP mayor AteÅ~_ Unal Erzen: Ohannes
Karabeyan, who was sixth on the list, Yervant Ozuzun, who was ninth,
and Bedros Avedikyan, who had been a reserve candidate.

One each in Å~^iÅ~_li and Beyoglu Under the AKP mayor Ahmet Misbah
Demircan in Beyoglu, central Istanbul, Verkin Arıoba has entered
the municipal council.

In Å~^iÅ~_li, mayor Mustafa Sarıgul, for the Democratic Left Party
(DSP) has won again, and Vazken Barın has entered the council in
the district. Harutyun ErguneÅ~_, in sixth place on the CHP list,
did not get in.

CHP councillor candidate Antranik Yontan (13th on the list) in Fatih
did not get in, nor did Herman Balyan, 4th councillor candidate for
the AKP in Kadıköy.

'ARMAVIA' OPENS NEW YEREVAN-ZURICH FLIGHT
ArmInfo
2009-03-30 13:56:00

ArmInfo. National air carrier of Armenia, 'Armavia' Company has opened
a new Yerevan-Zurich flight to be served by A-319 and A-320 airbuses.

According to the Company Director General Norayr Belluyan,
the new direction will be also used as a transit one during the
flights to another European countries, as well as to the USA and
Canada. N. Belluyan also said the new direction will be carried out
three times per week - on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The ticket
will cost 300 Euro at least. To recall, 'Armavia' also schedules to
open Yerevan-Berlin flight in the near future.

At present, 'Armavia' carries out over 170 flights per week in more
than 30 directions to the different countries of the world. In 2008,
the Company carried about 640,000 passengers .
POULSEN DISMISSED BY ARMENIA
UEFA.com
March 31 2009

Jan B Poulsen has been dismissed as coach of Armenia following his
side's poor start to their 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Slow start
The decision was taken at a meeting with Football Federation of Armenia
president Ruben Hayrapetyan on Monday and follows Armenia's 2-2 draw
with Estonia in Yerevan two days previously. Poulsen took charge in
January 2008, but despite some positive friendly results during his
12 matches at the helm his side have been unable to make an impact
in World Cup qualifying. Saturday's draw produced Armenia's first
point in five matches in Group 5 and leaves them rooted to the foot
of the section. Assistant coach Vardan Minasyan has taken over on a
temporary basis and will lead Armenia for the return against Estonia
in Tallinn on Wednesday.
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