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Armenian Genocide Resource Center
1 month ago
Showing posts with label 28th February 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 28th February 2009. Show all posts
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Armenian News
ANCA PLACES TURKEY IN 'GENOCIDE AXIS' WITH SUDAN
Today's Zaman
Feb 23 2009
Turkey
An influential Armenian-American group has stepped up its campaign
for recognition of claims that 1.5 million Armenians were subjected
to genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th
century, telling US congressmen that Turkey is part of an emerging
"axis of genocide" with Sudan.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) said in a statement
that it had alerted members of Congress last week that "Ankara
is playing an increasingly dangerous role in blocking decisive
international action to end the genocide in Darfur," claiming that
Ankara has been selling lethal weaponry to Sudan, providing diplomatic
support for the Sudanese government in the face of international
criticism over its Darfur policy and using its UN Security Council
membership "to block anti-genocide efforts."
Human rights groups criticize Turkey for its close ties with Sudan,
whose leader, Omar al-Bashir, has been indicted at the International
Criminal Court on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity
in Darfur. Turkish leaders have avoided accusing Sudan of genocide,
calling instead for an end to Darfur's "humanitarian tragedy."
The American-Armenian lobby groups, of which ANCA is one of the
strongest, have been pressuring the US Congress to pass a resolution
recognizing their claims that World War I-era events in Anatolia
constituted genocide. The pressure on the US administration is also
high, as April 24, when Armenians say the genocide campaign started
in 1915, is approaching.
American presidents issue messages on this day every year, but no
president has ever used the word genocide in his message. Turks
cheered election of Barack Obama as US president, but Ankara is wary
that relations could receive a serious blow if he goes ahead with
his election campaign promises and supports claims that up to 1.5
million Armenians were victims of a systematic genocide campaign in
the Ottoman Empire.
The "genocide axis" claims spread by ANCA are likely to upset Ankara,
but the Turkish government may find a recent speech by a pro-Armenian
congressman even more appalling. Republican Rep. Frank Pallone Jr.,
co-chairman of the Armenian Caucus, said in a Feb. 13 speech on the
House floor that Turkey was guilty of "hypocrisy" as it levels human
rights charges against Israel for its Gaza operation in January while
it continues to deny the "Armenian genocide." Rep. Pallone (D-NJ)
sharply criticized Turkey's hypocrisy in leveling human rights charges
against Israel even as it continues to deny the Armenian genocide
and strengthen its ties to the genocidal Sudanese regime, ANCA
reported. "For a nation that for 94 years has practiced wide-spread
genocide denial of the killing of one-and-a-half million Armenians,
hypocrisy runs deep today in Ankara," Pallone said, according to
a statement from ANCA. "The Turkish people need to step back and
question their skewed understanding of genocide. Look in the mirror,
look at your own history, come to terms with the fact that 1.5 million
Armenians died and when contemporary genocides, like Darfur, take
place it must be denounced."
Today's Zaman
Feb 23 2009
Turkey
An influential Armenian-American group has stepped up its campaign
for recognition of claims that 1.5 million Armenians were subjected
to genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th
century, telling US congressmen that Turkey is part of an emerging
"axis of genocide" with Sudan.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) said in a statement
that it had alerted members of Congress last week that "Ankara
is playing an increasingly dangerous role in blocking decisive
international action to end the genocide in Darfur," claiming that
Ankara has been selling lethal weaponry to Sudan, providing diplomatic
support for the Sudanese government in the face of international
criticism over its Darfur policy and using its UN Security Council
membership "to block anti-genocide efforts."
Human rights groups criticize Turkey for its close ties with Sudan,
whose leader, Omar al-Bashir, has been indicted at the International
Criminal Court on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity
in Darfur. Turkish leaders have avoided accusing Sudan of genocide,
calling instead for an end to Darfur's "humanitarian tragedy."
The American-Armenian lobby groups, of which ANCA is one of the
strongest, have been pressuring the US Congress to pass a resolution
recognizing their claims that World War I-era events in Anatolia
constituted genocide. The pressure on the US administration is also
high, as April 24, when Armenians say the genocide campaign started
in 1915, is approaching.
American presidents issue messages on this day every year, but no
president has ever used the word genocide in his message. Turks
cheered election of Barack Obama as US president, but Ankara is wary
that relations could receive a serious blow if he goes ahead with
his election campaign promises and supports claims that up to 1.5
million Armenians were victims of a systematic genocide campaign in
the Ottoman Empire.
The "genocide axis" claims spread by ANCA are likely to upset Ankara,
but the Turkish government may find a recent speech by a pro-Armenian
congressman even more appalling. Republican Rep. Frank Pallone Jr.,
co-chairman of the Armenian Caucus, said in a Feb. 13 speech on the
House floor that Turkey was guilty of "hypocrisy" as it levels human
rights charges against Israel for its Gaza operation in January while
it continues to deny the "Armenian genocide." Rep. Pallone (D-NJ)
sharply criticized Turkey's hypocrisy in leveling human rights charges
against Israel even as it continues to deny the Armenian genocide
and strengthen its ties to the genocidal Sudanese regime, ANCA
reported. "For a nation that for 94 years has practiced wide-spread
genocide denial of the killing of one-and-a-half million Armenians,
hypocrisy runs deep today in Ankara," Pallone said, according to
a statement from ANCA. "The Turkish people need to step back and
question their skewed understanding of genocide. Look in the mirror,
look at your own history, come to terms with the fact that 1.5 million
Armenians died and when contemporary genocides, like Darfur, take
place it must be denounced."
2008 Seen As `Worst Year' For Armenian Media
By Astghik Bedevian
Press freedom in Armenia slumped in 2008 to the lowest level observed
since the country's independence, a Yerevan-based media watchdog said in
a annual report released on Tuesday.
`Whenever the political situation in the country escalates, as a rule,
attacks on mass media become more frequent,' read the report by the
Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech said. `But 2008 was unprecedented
not only in terms of the number of violations of the rights of
journalists and media outlets but also the imposition of censorship on
mass media.'
The report referred to an effective government ban on independent
reporting that was part of a three-week state of emergency imposed in
Yerevan following the March 1, 2008 deadly clashes between opposition
protesters and security forces. Most Armenian newspapers chose to
suspend publication, refusing to agree to a government censorship of
their content.
The report denounced the censorship as illegal and unprecedented. `Never
before had there been such strict censorship in this country,' said
Mesrop Harutiunian, a Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech expert. He
cited this as a key reason why he considers 2008 the `worst year' for
the local media.
The Committee also reported a sharp rise in violent attacks on Armenian
journalists. It registered 18 such incidents in 2008.
By Astghik Bedevian
Press freedom in Armenia slumped in 2008 to the lowest level observed
since the country's independence, a Yerevan-based media watchdog said in
a annual report released on Tuesday.
`Whenever the political situation in the country escalates, as a rule,
attacks on mass media become more frequent,' read the report by the
Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech said. `But 2008 was unprecedented
not only in terms of the number of violations of the rights of
journalists and media outlets but also the imposition of censorship on
mass media.'
The report referred to an effective government ban on independent
reporting that was part of a three-week state of emergency imposed in
Yerevan following the March 1, 2008 deadly clashes between opposition
protesters and security forces. Most Armenian newspapers chose to
suspend publication, refusing to agree to a government censorship of
their content.
The report denounced the censorship as illegal and unprecedented. `Never
before had there been such strict censorship in this country,' said
Mesrop Harutiunian, a Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech expert. He
cited this as a key reason why he considers 2008 the `worst year' for
the local media.
The Committee also reported a sharp rise in violent attacks on Armenian
journalists. It registered 18 such incidents in 2008.
ARMENIANS "GREET" ALIYEV IN ATHENS
Azad Or
Feb 24, 2009
Athens (Azad Or) - Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and his delegation
were met with angry Armenian protesters when they arrived at the
Greek Chamber of Commerce for a meeting of Azeri and Greek business
leaders, in the presence of Greek President Carolos Papoulias and
Prime Minister Karamanlis.
The Armenian community of Greece heeded the call from the ARF
Dashnaktsoutiun Youth Organization and, gathered at the venue an hour
before the scheduled meeting by the Azeri president.
With Armenian tri-colours and the Karabakh flags waving, a large
banner that read "Aliyev, Stop the Aggression. Nagorno-Karabakh
is Already Independent," the crowd chanted "Karabakh is Armenian"
catching the Aliyev off guard as he exited his vehicle.
The Armenian community of Greece - especially the youth - had gathered
to raise their voices against the visit of the Azeri president
to Greece.
Aliyev's Azeri security team was very aggressive toward the protesters
and pushed the Azad Or editor and Armenian photographers back and
stopped them, as representatives of the press, from entering the
building.
The Greek police also held back protesters, who refused to move from
their positions.
Soon thereafter, President Papoulias arrived and was greeted by
cheers from the protesters, who stayed put until the conclu sion
of the conference and Aliyev's quick exit from the venue, where the
protesters continued their protest slogans.
During the meeting, Aliyev reiterated his anti-Armenian rhetoric,
saying that "Armenia has invaded and is occupying Azeri lands."
You can view the demonstration and the way the Armenians of Greece
greeted the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev by clicking here
TENSIONS ON EVE OF YEREVAN RALLY
Armenia braces for protests commemorating violent break-up of
Armenia braces for protests commemorating violent break-up of
opposition demonstration.
By Karine Asatrian in Yerevan
Opposition activists will defy the authorities on March 1 to mark the
By Karine Asatrian in Yerevan
Opposition activists will defy the authorities on March 1 to mark the
anniversary of a police crackdown on protesters last year that left ten
people dead.
Both sides of the political divide hope there will be no repeat of last
Both sides of the political divide hope there will be no repeat of last
year's violence, but observers say there has been no significant easing
of the tensions that caused the mass protests a year ago.
Last year's protests were the result of opposition anger over the results
Last year's protests were the result of opposition anger over the results
of February 19 presidential elections, which they say were stolen by
now-president Serzh Sargsian.
The then president imposed a state of emergency after the demonstration,
The then president imposed a state of emergency after the demonstration,
restricted the media, and sent in troops and armed police - resulting in
the deaths of eight opposition protesters and two policemen.
"The political crisis in Armenia has still not been overcome," said
"The political crisis in Armenia has still not been overcome," said
Alexander Iskandarian, director of the Caucasus Institute in Yerevan.
Indeed, opposition anger has been heightened by the police investigation
Indeed, opposition anger has been heightened by the police investigation
into the events. Prosecutors say they have opened 90 criminal cases
against 110 people. Courts have already ruled on 97 cases involving
101 people, and five people remain on the run.
The most high-profile detainees, seven opposition leaders, remain
The most high-profile detainees, seven opposition leaders, remain
behind bars, awaiting trial. Their cases have been repeatedly postponed.
No police have been charged in relation to the deaths.
"The Armenian authorities' response to the March 1 events has been
"The Armenian authorities' response to the March 1 events has been
one-sided," said Human Rights Watch in a damning report published
earlier this month.
"While they have investigated, prosecuted, and convicted dozens of
"While they have investigated, prosecuted, and convicted dozens of
opposition members, sometimes in flawed and politically motivated
trials, for organising the demonstration and participating in violent disorder,
they have not prosecuted a single representative of the authorities for
excessive use of force. The Office of the Public Prosecutor has also
dismissed all allegations of ill-treatment and torture in detention as
unfounded."
The opposition says its supporters were engaged in lawful protests
The opposition says its supporters were engaged in lawful protests
on March 1 and were subjected to an unprovoked attack, despite calls
from the international community for a peaceful resolution of the political
crisis.
The authorities, however, say they were forced to act after receiving
The authorities, however, say they were forced to act after receiving
information that weapons had been distributed among the demonstrators
and that "mass riots" were planned.
The trouble began early on the morning, when police moved in on several
The trouble began early on the morning, when police moved in on several
hundred protesters sleeping in tents pitched on Freedom Square in central
Yerevan. They cleared the square quickly, but subsequent protests
continued all day, culminating in the state of emergency being proclaimed.
The government has promised a full probe into the events, and prosecutors
The government has promised a full probe into the events, and prosecutors
have occasionally reported on the results of their own investigations, but
have come no closer to announcing arrest warrants.
"I am not accusing anyone. I just want to know who killed my son. I want
"I am not accusing anyone. I just want to know who killed my son. I want
to know the truth," said Aghasi Tadevosian, whose son Hamlet was one
of the policemen killed in the clashes.
His words were echoed by the bereaved parents of those on the other
His words were echoed by the bereaved parents of those on the other
side of the lines.
"Leaving political convictions aside, Armenians were killed by their
"Leaving political convictions aside, Armenians were killed by their
fellow-countrymen. I am sure that the time will come when all those to
blame for the crimes of March 1, as well as those before and after that
day, will be punished," said Robert Harutiunian, whose son Samvel died.
Under pressure from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,
Under pressure from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,
the government has agreed to alter two controversial articles in their criminal
code under which the seven detained opposition leaders are charged,
but most opposition figures say nothing of significance has changed in
the last year to prevent protests bursting out once more.
"Dialogue required actions, and not just promises. If the authorities were
"Dialogue required actions, and not just promises. If the authorities were
genuinely prepared for this, then first of all they would free the political
prisoners, which must be their side of the dialogue. Secondly, we must
uncover the circumstances around the deaths of ten innocent people,
specifically the murderers and who gave the orders," said Armen
Martirosian, the leader of the Heritage Party's Parliamentary group,
the only opposition presence in parliament.
"There are already experts who could be deployed quickly to uncover
"There are already experts who could be deployed quickly to uncover
the crime. But they have not done this, which means they do not want to
solve these murders."
City hall refused to give opposition parties permission to protest on the
City hall refused to give opposition parties permission to protest on the
anniversary of the crackdown. Artak Zeynalian, representative of the
opposition Armenian National Congress, said 58 political prisoners
remained in prison and that the Yerevan authorities had already turned
down 100 requests to hold protests about it.
He said that the opposition activists would gather at 3 pm in central
He said that the opposition activists would gather at 3 pm in central
Yerevan on March 1 anyway, and that they had warned police of their
intentions.
Eduard Sharmazanov, a member of parliament from the ruling
Eduard Sharmazanov, a member of parliament from the ruling
Republican Party, said he expected the demonstration to pass peacefully,
and hoped the police would allow the protesters to express their views.
"I am far from the opinion that we must have an exclusive ruling class.
"I am far from the opinion that we must have an exclusive ruling class.
If we are a country without a strong opposition, we won't have a strong
government," he said.
Karine Asatrian is a journalist from A1+ television, and a member of
Karine Asatrian is a journalist from A1+ television, and a member of
IWPR's Cross Caucasus Journalism Network project funded by the European Union
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Armenian Economic News
World Bank Sees Zero Growth In Armenia
By Ruben Meloyan
The Armenian economy will likely stop growing and could even contract
this year because of the deepening impact of the global recession, a
senior official from the World Bank said on Wednesday.
`I think at best one could expect flat growth,' said Aristomene
Varoudakis, head of the World Bank office in Yerevan. He pointed to
official statistics that showed Armenia's Gross Domestic Product
shrinking in the fourth quarter of last year.
The fourth-quarter drop explains why full-year economic growth in
Armenia slowed to 6.8 percent in 2008 after six consecutive years of
double-digit expansion. The economy is being hit increasingly hard by
recent months' fall in international prices for non-ferrous metals
and large-scale cash remittances from Armenians working abroad.
Varoudakis did not exclude that the worsened economic outlook may
force the Armenian government to revise its spending and targets for
2008 downwards. `It is very important for the budget to reflect the
economic situation so that the government, the National Assembly and
the public know what the necessary measures are,' he told journalists.
Meanwhile, the World Bank disbursed late Tuesday $85 million in loans
designed to help mitigate the global economic downturn's impact on
Armenia. The largest of these loans, worth $50 million, will be
provided to several Armenian commercial banks that will in turn lend
the funds to local small and medium-sized businesses in need of
credit. Another $25 million will be spent on the construction of
rural roads and other infrastructure, which is due to start this spring.
`These projects will support urgent local works that can be
implemented largely over this year to provide immediate employment
opportunities,' Asad Alam, a World Bank regional director, said in a
statement. `They will also help strengthen infrastructure
connectivity particularly in rural areas, meet business needs, and
upgrade social infrastructure that will foster medium-term growth and
improvement in living standards.'
The disbursed loans are part of at least $525 million in total
assistance which the World Bank has pledged to provide to Armenia in
the next four years. Officials have said that the bank's commercial
lending arms could raise the total to $800 million.
By Ruben Meloyan
The Armenian economy will likely stop growing and could even contract
this year because of the deepening impact of the global recession, a
senior official from the World Bank said on Wednesday.
`I think at best one could expect flat growth,' said Aristomene
Varoudakis, head of the World Bank office in Yerevan. He pointed to
official statistics that showed Armenia's Gross Domestic Product
shrinking in the fourth quarter of last year.
The fourth-quarter drop explains why full-year economic growth in
Armenia slowed to 6.8 percent in 2008 after six consecutive years of
double-digit expansion. The economy is being hit increasingly hard by
recent months' fall in international prices for non-ferrous metals
and large-scale cash remittances from Armenians working abroad.
Varoudakis did not exclude that the worsened economic outlook may
force the Armenian government to revise its spending and targets for
2008 downwards. `It is very important for the budget to reflect the
economic situation so that the government, the National Assembly and
the public know what the necessary measures are,' he told journalists.
Meanwhile, the World Bank disbursed late Tuesday $85 million in loans
designed to help mitigate the global economic downturn's impact on
Armenia. The largest of these loans, worth $50 million, will be
provided to several Armenian commercial banks that will in turn lend
the funds to local small and medium-sized businesses in need of
credit. Another $25 million will be spent on the construction of
rural roads and other infrastructure, which is due to start this spring.
`These projects will support urgent local works that can be
implemented largely over this year to provide immediate employment
opportunities,' Asad Alam, a World Bank regional director, said in a
statement. `They will also help strengthen infrastructure
connectivity particularly in rural areas, meet business needs, and
upgrade social infrastructure that will foster medium-term growth and
improvement in living standards.'
The disbursed loans are part of at least $525 million in total
assistance which the World Bank has pledged to provide to Armenia in
the next four years. Officials have said that the bank's commercial
lending arms could raise the total to $800 million.
WORLD FINANCIAL CRISIS BLIGHTED THE ARMENIAN JOB MARKET
PanARMENIAN.Net
23.02.2009 GMT+04:00
According to analysts' assessments, demand for specialists in PR,
marketing and graphic design will decrease dramatically.
The impact of the world financial crisis on the Armenian economy and
social state of people has already become perceptible, especially in
the population employment sector. The alarm has already sounded for
a number of employment agencies: employers' offers are decreasing in
ratio with the increasing labor supply.
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to the data provided by leading employment
agencies, the number of applications increased 3 times as compared to
the previous year. This is accounted for multiple stuff reductions
as well as the inflow of guest workers who decided to return to
their native country and wait till the crisis is over. Expressed
numerically, if the monthly employment ratio in the beginning 2008
equaled 10-15 potential employees, the figure dropped to 5 by the end
of the year. The demand is high for such specialists as: accountants,
marketing and PR specialists, web- and graphical designers. Yet,
according to recent assessments, the demand for marketing and PR
specialists and graphical designers will register a drop. According
to experts, if the first stage of crisis is characterized by the
employers' trying to cut down expenses via stuff reductions, the next
economizing attempt will affect the advertising sphere.
According to official data, the job market situation has been changing
since the end of 2008. Yet, if the first quarter of 2008 registered
a decrease in the unemployment rate (6.3% in 2008 as compared to 7%
in 2007), in the 3rd quarter of 2008 the number of unemployed totaled
74 900 in December and increased by 2.5% (73 000) as compared to
the beginning of the year, whereas in 2008 the economically active
population size totaled 1194 600. In the absolute expression, average
monthly nominal wage equaled AMD 91331 in 2008.
Viewed by different characteristics, the Armenian job market shows
an obvious disbalance. Women constitute 70% of total number of
unemployed. This is accounted for by a major emigration of able-bodied
population (basically, men) from Armenia. According to experts'
forecasts, the return of labor immigrants will also influence the
disbalance.
The ratio of unemployed to employed people is highest among those aged
40-50. The unemployment ratio among the youth constitutes 21%. Yet
according to PanARMENIAN.Net-conducted researches, the ratio will
keep dropping: a new tendency is observed among employees: while
previously they used to train their own personnel, the situation
is dramatically changed - they're now economizing on such projects,
giving preference to specialists with 15-20 years' working experience.
PanARMENIAN.Net
23.02.2009 GMT+04:00
According to analysts' assessments, demand for specialists in PR,
marketing and graphic design will decrease dramatically.
The impact of the world financial crisis on the Armenian economy and
social state of people has already become perceptible, especially in
the population employment sector. The alarm has already sounded for
a number of employment agencies: employers' offers are decreasing in
ratio with the increasing labor supply.
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to the data provided by leading employment
agencies, the number of applications increased 3 times as compared to
the previous year. This is accounted for multiple stuff reductions
as well as the inflow of guest workers who decided to return to
their native country and wait till the crisis is over. Expressed
numerically, if the monthly employment ratio in the beginning 2008
equaled 10-15 potential employees, the figure dropped to 5 by the end
of the year. The demand is high for such specialists as: accountants,
marketing and PR specialists, web- and graphical designers. Yet,
according to recent assessments, the demand for marketing and PR
specialists and graphical designers will register a drop. According
to experts, if the first stage of crisis is characterized by the
employers' trying to cut down expenses via stuff reductions, the next
economizing attempt will affect the advertising sphere.
According to official data, the job market situation has been changing
since the end of 2008. Yet, if the first quarter of 2008 registered
a decrease in the unemployment rate (6.3% in 2008 as compared to 7%
in 2007), in the 3rd quarter of 2008 the number of unemployed totaled
74 900 in December and increased by 2.5% (73 000) as compared to
the beginning of the year, whereas in 2008 the economically active
population size totaled 1194 600. In the absolute expression, average
monthly nominal wage equaled AMD 91331 in 2008.
Viewed by different characteristics, the Armenian job market shows
an obvious disbalance. Women constitute 70% of total number of
unemployed. This is accounted for by a major emigration of able-bodied
population (basically, men) from Armenia. According to experts'
forecasts, the return of labor immigrants will also influence the
disbalance.
The ratio of unemployed to employed people is highest among those aged
40-50. The unemployment ratio among the youth constitutes 21%. Yet
according to PanARMENIAN.Net-conducted researches, the ratio will
keep dropping: a new tendency is observed among employees: while
previously they used to train their own personnel, the situation
is dramatically changed - they're now economizing on such projects,
giving preference to specialists with 15-20 years' working experience.
40% OF ELECTRICITY TO BE PRODUCED BY NUCLEAR POWER
SECTOR IN ARMENIA BY 2025
ARKA
Feb 24, 2009
YEREVAN, February 24. /ARKA/. Armenia is to get 40% of its electricity
produced by the nuclear power sector by 2025, Armenian Deputy Minister
of Energy and Natural Resources Areg Galstyan said at a round-table
discussion with a Russian delegation from Sverdlovsk.
By the same time, renewable energy sector will be providing 30%
of energy produced in Armenia with the remaining share provided by
thermal radiation power sector, he said.
Galstyan reported that for this a number of strategic documents
were adopted based on four principles - nuclear power development,
maximal use of own renewable resources, diversification of routes of
energy resource supplies and maximal integration in regional energy
markets. He added that Armenia has also the obligation to close down
its current nuclear power plant (NPP).
Galstyan reported that a tender was announced for management of the
NPP closing-down process and a feasibility study was conducted.
The country is also taking measures to attract foreign investors in
its renewable energy sector, he said.
Midget power plants are expected to provide 5% of the overall volume
of energy produced in Armenia. Achievements in wind power sector are
less tangible, yet several licenses were issued for this activity,
Galstyan said.
The Deputy Minister said that Armenia is making attempts to move
forward also in=2 0development of geothermal power plants. In
particular, territory is assigned for construction of such a plant
and the issue is to be settled by the end of the year.
Armenian is underdeveloped in terms of biogas production, waste
recycling and wastewater treatment.
Energy savings field is also in its initial stage despite the
respective strategy developed by the government. Yet, use of energy
saving technologies will help Armenia save up to 15% of primary energy
resources, Galstyan said.
The Deputy Minister also reminded that Armenia had the most developed
export-orientated energy system in the South region and that it was
exporting 30% of its energy production. This structure is maintained
in Armenian energy sector despite the hard period.
"Our energy sector is one of the most developed ones both in
institutional and export terms on the post-Soviet area," Galstyan said.
Energy production totaled 6,114.3mln kilowatt-hours in Armenia in 2008,
which is a 3.7% increase against the level of 2007. Energy yield of
Armenian NPP was 2,461.6mln kilowatt-hours in January-December 2008,
which constituted 40.3% of the overall volume of energy production
over the period under period.
Heat stations produced 1,831.9mln kilowatt-hours or 30% of overall
production. Midget power plants generated 1,818.9mln kilowatt-hours
of electricity or 29.8% of the overall yield in the country.
ARKA
Feb 24, 2009
YEREVAN, February 24. /ARKA/. Armenia is to get 40% of its electricity
produced by the nuclear power sector by 2025, Armenian Deputy Minister
of Energy and Natural Resources Areg Galstyan said at a round-table
discussion with a Russian delegation from Sverdlovsk.
By the same time, renewable energy sector will be providing 30%
of energy produced in Armenia with the remaining share provided by
thermal radiation power sector, he said.
Galstyan reported that for this a number of strategic documents
were adopted based on four principles - nuclear power development,
maximal use of own renewable resources, diversification of routes of
energy resource supplies and maximal integration in regional energy
markets. He added that Armenia has also the obligation to close down
its current nuclear power plant (NPP).
Galstyan reported that a tender was announced for management of the
NPP closing-down process and a feasibility study was conducted.
The country is also taking measures to attract foreign investors in
its renewable energy sector, he said.
Midget power plants are expected to provide 5% of the overall volume
of energy produced in Armenia. Achievements in wind power sector are
less tangible, yet several licenses were issued for this activity,
Galstyan said.
The Deputy Minister said that Armenia is making attempts to move
forward also in=2 0development of geothermal power plants. In
particular, territory is assigned for construction of such a plant
and the issue is to be settled by the end of the year.
Armenian is underdeveloped in terms of biogas production, waste
recycling and wastewater treatment.
Energy savings field is also in its initial stage despite the
respective strategy developed by the government. Yet, use of energy
saving technologies will help Armenia save up to 15% of primary energy
resources, Galstyan said.
The Deputy Minister also reminded that Armenia had the most developed
export-orientated energy system in the South region and that it was
exporting 30% of its energy production. This structure is maintained
in Armenian energy sector despite the hard period.
"Our energy sector is one of the most developed ones both in
institutional and export terms on the post-Soviet area," Galstyan said.
Energy production totaled 6,114.3mln kilowatt-hours in Armenia in 2008,
which is a 3.7% increase against the level of 2007. Energy yield of
Armenian NPP was 2,461.6mln kilowatt-hours in January-December 2008,
which constituted 40.3% of the overall volume of energy production
over the period under period.
Heat stations produced 1,831.9mln kilowatt-hours or 30% of overall
production. Midget power plants generated 1,818.9mln kilowatt-hours
of electricity or 29.8% of the overall yield in the country.
WB TO GRANT $86.5 MILLION LOAN TO ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
25.02.2009 22:17 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has
approved a $86.5 million loan to Armenia to alleviate impact of the
global economic crisis.
The loan maturity is 20 years with 10 years of grace period.
The loan targets implementation of 4 projects: social investments fund
($8 million), small agricultural and rural business ($2 million),
rural roads repair ($25 million) and Access to Finance for Small and
Medium Enterprises Project.
The Access to Finance for Small and Medium Enterprises Project
for Armenia totaling $50 million with a 26.5 year maturity and a 5
year grace aims to improve Armenian small and medium enterprises'
access to medium-term finance in an increasingly unstable global
financial environment, by improving the ability of farmers and rural
entrepreneurs to access markets and by stimulating market-oriented
private and public investments in rural areas. The major focus will
be to support the continued development of commercial activities
in the rural areas by improving market linkages, product quality,
competitiveness and capacity of Armenian rural entrepreneurs and
producers, the WB press office reports.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PanARMENIAN.Net
25.02.2009 22:17 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has
approved a $86.5 million loan to Armenia to alleviate impact of the
global economic crisis.
The loan maturity is 20 years with 10 years of grace period.
The loan targets implementation of 4 projects: social investments fund
($8 million), small agricultural and rural business ($2 million),
rural roads repair ($25 million) and Access to Finance for Small and
Medium Enterprises Project.
The Access to Finance for Small and Medium Enterprises Project
for Armenia totaling $50 million with a 26.5 year maturity and a 5
year grace aims to improve Armenian small and medium enterprises'
access to medium-term finance in an increasingly unstable global
financial environment, by improving the ability of farmers and rural
entrepreneurs to access markets and by stimulating market-oriented
private and public investments in rural areas. The major focus will
be to support the continued development of commercial activities
in the rural areas by improving market linkages, product quality,
competitiveness and capacity of Armenian rural entrepreneurs and
producers, the WB press office reports.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
REMINDER: Armenia - Land of Culture. Exhibition of photographs: 2-6 March 2009: Royal Geographical Society
Armenia – Land of Culture. Exhibition of photographs, free & open to public
Monday 2 to Friday 6 March, 10am to 5pm daily
Armenia was one of the countries of the famous Silk Road, which accommodated trade and cultural exchange long ago
and became the first nation to adopt Christianity, in 301 AD, as a state religion.
This exhibition presents a country with a millennia-long history and traditions, an excellent destination for cultural, religious,
historical and adventure tourism.
[the following week there is an exhibition entitled Türkiye from 1000 feet:
their website includes three pictures of Van, two of which show the devastation of the previous Armenian part]
|
: R.A.G OPPOSITION (r.a.g.lebanon@gmail.com)
Ռ.Ա.Կ-ի շրջանակներուն լուրջ ուշադրութեան
Ռ.Ա.Կ. Լիբանանի Շրջանային Վարչութեան անունով, Աւետիս Տագէսեանի Ամերիկա այցելութիւնը , մեզի կը պարտաւորեցնէ ձեր լուրջ ուշադրութեան յանձնել հետեւեալ կէտերը:
1. Իր գլխաւորած վարչութիւնը ԱՊՕՐԷՆ է, պարզապէս անոր համար որ, ասկէ շուրջ երկու տարի առաջ ՆՇԱՆԱԿՈՒԱԾ է, հետեւաբար, օրինական ու կանոնագրային առումներով այլեւս ուժի մէջ չէ:
2. Ռ.Ա.Կ. կեդրոնական վարչութիւնը պաշտօնական նամակով մը պահանջած է նոր ղեկավարութիւն մը առաջացնել, ԸՆՏՐՈՎԻ, սակայն ներկայ ապօրէն վարչութիւնը անհիմն եւ անհամոզիչ պատճառաբանութիւններով մերժած է, անորոշութեան մէջ ձգելով զայն:
3. Այս անօրէնութեանց դիմաց, Յակոբ Գասարճեանի մը առաջադրութիւնը Լիբանանեան խորհրդարանի անդամակցութեան, կը մնայ գերազանցապէս ՄԵՐԺԵԼԻ , քանի անդամակցութեան ջախջախիչ մեծամասնութիւնը դէմ է անոր թեկնածութեան, մնաց որ անիկա կուսակցութիւնը քանդեց, զինք քննադատողները հեռացուց ,կուսակցութեան անունը շահագործեց,ոչինչ տալով անոր:
4. Յակոբ Գասարճեանին շուրջ գտնուողները,որոնք մատի վրայ կը հաշուըուին, մեծ մասը դրամական ուժով կը մնայ հոն, իսկ Աւետիս Տագէսեանին Ամերիկա այցելութիւնը նոյն ծիրէն ներս կ'իյնայ: Ի միջի այլոց,նոյն Տագէսեանն է որ Ռ.Ա.Կ.-էն վտարուած է, նոյն Յակոբ Գասարճեանի կարգադրութեամբ, նիւթական իւրացումներու ամբաստանութեամբ:
5. Ռ.Ա.Կ.-ը իր ամբողջ փայլուն պատմութեան ընթացքին,չէր վարկաբեկուած ու սնանկացած ,որքան Յակոբ Գասարճեանի մը եւ անոր մանկլաւիկներու շրջանին,որուն մէկ ներկայացուցիչը եղաւ ''վտարեալ'' Տագէսեանը , փոխանակ բարեկարգում մը կատարելու, անարժաններով զսպելու ու կուսակցութեան վարկը բարձր պահելու:
Թերեւս ասոնց համար նիւթականը աւելի ծանրակշիռ է , քան Ռ.Ա.Կ.-ի երդումն ու ուխտադրումը:
6. Տագէսեանը, որ Արտաւազդ թագաւորին նման Գասարճեանին ցանած Ռ.Ա.Կ.-ի աւերակներուն վրայ կը դեգերի, ինք շատ լաւ գիտէ այս քանդիչին ու դաւադիրին ստորնութիւնները, բայց, յանուն իր փառամոլութեան ու կարճատեսութեան, կը յաւակնի Ամերիկա հասնիլ: Մարդկային,ազգային, ու կուսակցական արժանապատուութենէ զուրկ մէկու մը ծառայելու :
7. Օտար բայց ծանօթ աղբիւրէ մը ձրի օդանաւային տոմս ապահովող այս ''սուրհանդակ''ը , որ մարդ համոզելու բնաւ ատակ չէ, պիտի կազմակերպէ քուէարկողներու Լիբանան այցելութեան միջոց, անոնց եւս տրամադրելով ձրի տոմսեր, նոյն աղբիւրէն, Ռ.Ա.Կ.-ի արդի պատմութեան մէջ աւելցնելով սեւ էջերու թիւը:
Եթէ այս բոլորը չէք գիտեր, գիտցէք: Հոս բոլորը գիտեն ու ժամանակը ցոյց պիտի տայ այս ապօրէններուն անկումին պատկերը եւ վախճանը:
Ռ.Ա.Կ. Լիբանանի Շրջանակի Անդամակցութիւն
Պէյրութ
26 Փետրուար 2009
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Hay Yeridasartats Mioutian Noruendir Varchoutioun-ue
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN
JERUSALEM
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FATHER FRANK’S RANTS - Magna Carta Myth
Rant Number 341 25 February 2009 Aristocratic, anti-Semitic, popish, clericalist, misogynist, elitist and reactionary. Not exactly terms of commendation in our enlightened age. Who, what do they designate? Jean Marie Le Pen’s National Front? Holocaust-denying Bishop Williamson? Islamophobic Dutch MP Geert Wilders? Mein Kampf? False. They properly describe that milestone of Western human rights, Magna Carta – what else? ‘900-year struggle for Britain’s freedoms and rights’, the bombast of the Taking Liberties exhibition (logo: a clenched fist) at the British Library announces. Most famous amongst its ‘key icons of liberty and progress’ is indeed Magna Carta. Sealed by King John at Runnymede in 1215. A seminal document of English constitutional practice, my Oxford English Dictionary says. And a smart Italian lady with whom I chatted the exhibition enthused: ‘You wonderful British…you showed all Europeans the way out of medieval darkness.’ Pretty flattering. But it is all rubbish. From beginning to end. Some people are like parrots. They simply echo any stuff and nonsense. Had they read the Great Charter, it’d make them sit up. The august document consists of 63 clauses. ‘The English Church shall be free’, the first runs. ‘It shall have its rights undiminished and its liberties unimpaired’. Just in case you don’t get it: ‘free’ means free from royal interference, not from papal authority. A freedom the monstrous syphilitic tyrant, Henry VIII, later usurped. Today the Church of England is so utterly unfree that its bishops are appointed by the monarch – in fact, by the Prime Minister! Thus Pope Benedict turns out to have excellent legal entitlement to the English Church – he only has to appeal to Magna Carta! Anti-Semitic. I kid you not. Clauses 10 and 11 take a swipe at Jewish money-lenders. ‘If a man dies owing money to Jews, his wife will have her dower and pay nothing towards the debt from it.’ Whatever the reason back then, that wouldn’t do today. And King John’s grandson, Edward II, may have had those articles in mind when he expelled the poor Hebrews from England in 1290. Not quite kosher, nah! ‘Heirs may not be given in marriage to persons of lower social rank.’ Clause 6. Probably a popular sentiment with all parents in all ages. Would I wish my lovely boy, Linus, to marry anyone called Tracy or Sharon? A shop-girl or a waitress? If I said ‘yes’, I’d be a bloody liar. Stone me to death, I won’t pretend. My hypocrisy has limits, unlike my snobbery. But, groan… hardly a progressive position, I concede it. Clause 54 is a pearl. ‘Nobody will be arrested or jailed on the appeal of a woman for the death of any person, except her husband.’ I don’t figure the suffragettes Taking Liberties makes so much of would have rejoiced at this. Casts a bit of an aspersion on women’s testimony, to put it mildly. Misogyny rampant. And in a text hailed as a beacon of modern rights. What a hoot! Clause 57 mentions de passage ‘taking up the Cross’. Meaning crusaders. That would do wonders for religious dialogue, no doubt. Equality. A fundamental value of our time. Yet Magna Carta flatly denies it. ‘Earls and barons shall be fined only by their equals’, the 21st article states. Indeed, until the 19th century British aristocrats were tried by their peers, in the House of Lords. Similarly, secular courts could not investigate priests or nuns. A nice privilege not abolished until 1827, under George IV. I wish it hadn’t. Priestly perks appeal to a priest. Although, on second thoughts…would I really fancy being tried by the Establishment-fawning Anglican clergy I know? La samaha Allah! All things being equal, I’d rather opt for a sharia court. Fairer, I bet you. All right. Time to take the bull by the horns. The aforesaid isn’t what turns Magna Carta’s modern fans on. Clauses 39 and 40 do. ‘No free man shall be seized or imprisoned…except by the lawful judgment of his equals, or by the law of the land…to no one will we deny right or justice’. The origins of habeas corpus, no less. But what does ‘free man’ mean? As Ms Claire Breay, author of an eye-opening booklet on the Carta, ably points out, ‘the peasantry who constituted the mass of the population were firmly outside its remit.’ Even less were serfs and slaves. Hence revered doctrines and dogmas like democracy and human rights find no support in that much mythologised document. Moreover, habeas corpus was never sacrosanct or absolute. In Britain it has often been suspended, notably during the French Revolution, in wartime and more recently in Northern Ireland. It seems raison d’etat can trump even the Latin of Magna Carta, when force majeure dictates… If Magna Carta was so central to the English historical consciousness of freedom and rights, you’d expect that majestic English genius, Will Shakespeare, to celebrate it. Or, at the very least, to mention it. Not so. The Bard’s Life and Death of King John says not a word about it. The monarch does battle against the evil cleric Pandulph, the papal legate, but that’s hardly surprising, as John’s quarrel with Pope Innocent III got him an excommunication in return. Of course, Shakespeare was intent on glorifying the absolutism of the ghastly Tudor dynasty - the Welsh’s greatest revenge on their English overlords. It would not have done to portray an English king as subject to lesser forces in his own realm. Come to think of it, the great Will had a few points in common with Dr Goebbels. Poetry apart, some of his plays ooze the most outrageous political propaganda. Nothing new there. Great artists, from Virgil to Chaucer and Goethe, have often sucked up to the powers that be. Even geniuses have to eat. Magna Carta should be more aptly called ‘Parva Carta’, small charter, as its actual significance was minor. Later ages have built it into a myth. Fine, providing you know the actual truth. Myths are what human beings need. King Arthur is a myth for romantics and medievalists. Democracy, equality and the rights of man are myths for the multitudes. Unicuique Suum. To each his own. Revd Frank Julian Gelli ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Open Letter to his Excellency Serzh Sargsyan
Dear Friend,
In a couple of days the Open Letter to his Excellency Serzh Sargsyan will be made public. Please indicate whether you would endorse the letter. Provide Name and Surname, Title/Occupation, City/Country.
It would be much appreciated if you could include the Armenian version of your name too as the original of the letter will be in Armenian.
Thankfully,
Dikran Abrahamian
Dikran Abrahamian (dikran@keghart.com)-------
To Honourable Serzh Sargsyan, President of Republic of Armenia :
Your Excellency:
One year has gone by since the tragic events that unfolded in the streets of Yerevan on March 1-2, 2008, following the presidential elections. Armenia’s security forces opened fire at civilians who were protesting an election process marred by irregularities and fraud. The violent show of force resulted in 10 deaths and numerous injuries, thus inflicting a deep wound to a people’s psyche.
You heard the voices of outrage coming immediately from the Armenian communities of the Diaspora as well as the world community at large, and you pledged to act swiftly to restore your people’s confidence in the fairness and integrity of your administration. Specifically, you promised to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into this tragedy, to bring to justice those responsible for the violence, and to release the arrested protesters.
We are alarmed to note that your administration has made little or no progress on this front: none of the deaths has been accounted for and most of the arrested protesters remain in prison.
President Sargsyan, we recognize that Armenia is facing major economic difficulties and grave security issues. We are also aware that your administration is engaged in intense diplomatic activities on multiple fronts. While it is understandable that your government might be preoccupied with these challenges, it is crucial to remember that Armenia can not solve its domestic problems or improve its international stature if Armenian governments fail to honor the basic human rights of its citizens, including the rights to freedom of expression and a fair judiciary.
We
call on you to act urgently on your promises to restore justice, fairness, and accountability to the victims of the post-election violence and their families.We eagerly await your public response.
Respectfully,
Concerned Individuals
CC: Honourable Minister of Diaspora Affairs
Endorsed by: Davit Zargarian, Haig Misakyan, Dikran Abrahamian, Avo Bedrossian
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Armenians
">Gibrahayer e-magazine www.gibrahayer.c
The largest circulation Armenian e-magazine on the Internet
Circulates every Wednesday - Established in 1999
ARMENIANS "GREET" ALIYEV IN ATHENS
The Armenian community of Greece heeded the call from the ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Youth Organization and, gathered at the venue an hour before the scheduled meeting by the Azeri president.
With Armenian tri-colours and the Karabakh flags waving, a large banner that read “Aliyev, Stop the Aggression. Nagorno-Karabakh is Already Independent,” the crowd chanted “Karabakh is Armenian” catching the Aliyev off guard as he exited his vehicle.
The Armenian community of Greece - especially the youth - had gathered to raise their voices against the visit of the Azeri president to Greece.
Aliyev's Azeri security team was very aggressive toward the protesters and pushed the Azad Or editor and Armenian photographers back and stopped them, as representatives of the press, from entering the building. The Greek police also held back protesters, who refused to move from their positions.
Soon thereafter, President Papoulias arrived and was greeted by cheers from the protesters, who stayed put until the conclusion of the conference and Aliyev's quick exit from the venue, where the protesters continued their protest slogans.
During the meeting, Aliyev reiterated his anti-Armenian rhetoric, saying that “Armenia has invaded and is occupying Azeri year=20year=2009&month=02 You can view the demonstration and the way the Armenians of Greece
greeted the President of Azerbaijan >TURKISH COLONEL TO STAND TRIAL ON HRANT DINK MURDERPanARMENIAN.Net 18.02.2009 - A Turkish court ordered a colonel and five soldiers, to stand trial in connection with the murder of Hrant Dink, editor of Agos Turkish-Armenian weekly, who was assassinated by a gunman outside his office on January 19, 2007.
Colonel Ali Oz was indicted last year for failing to provide protection to Dink, who had received death threats before he was murdered.
A lower court dismissed the case against Oz, but last week a court in the city of Trabzon, said Oz should stand trial.
Two low-ranking soldiers are already on trial accused of neglect of duty in the Hrant Dink murder, Reuters reports.
TERROR ACTS PLOTTED BY TURKISH GENERAL STAFF AGAINST ARMENIAN APOLOGY CAMPAIGN INITIATORS
PanARMENIAN.Net 18.02.2009 - The Turkish General Staff plotted terror acts against initiators of the Armenian apology campaign, Bolis-based Normarmara newspaper reports."If I hadn't been arrested on January 7, Armenian activists in Turkey would have been assaulted," said Ibrahim Shahin, former deputy chief of the Turkish special forces.
According to him, the grouping should have included 150-300 Turkish soldiers charged with the task to carry out ethnic cleansings throughout the country.
The black list included the initiators of the Armenian apology campaign, 850 members of pro-Kurdish party, as well as Assyrians and Jews residing in Turkey.
HATRED FOR ARMENIANS PROPAGATED IN TURKISH SCHOOLS
On a parallel note Bolis Patriarchate of the Armenian Apostolic Church summoned a conference to discuss the recent decision of the Turkish Ministry of Education decreed to screen Sari Galin documentary on 'murders of Turks by Armenians' for Turkish schoolchildren.
The documentary is a Turkish view on the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. With lots of violence shots, it aims to propagate hatred for Armenians.
43 representatives of the Armenian community of Bolis have already sent a note to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Normarmara reports
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