ARMENIA COMMEMORATES SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF MARCH 1 VICTIMS - 33-ՐԴ ՏԱՐԻ, ԹԻՒ 1023 ՇԱԲԱԹ, 8 ՄԱՐՏ 2014

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ARMENIA COMMEMORATES SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF MARCH 1 VICTIMS

YEREVAN — Thousands of people gathered in central Yerevan on March 1 to commemorate the deaths of 10 people in 2008 during deadly postelection clash- es between Armenian security forces and protesters. The rally at Freedom Square in Yerevan started with a minute of si- lence in memory of the victims.

“All of them died on their way to- wards peace, dignity and development of the country,” member of the Armenian National Congress Aram Manukyan said as he read out the names of the ten vic- tims.

Speaking at the rally, leader of the Armenian National Congress Levon Ter- Petrosyan leveled harsh criticism at the

government over what he described as its failed policies in different spheres, arguing that the current administration is not capable of carrying out the needed drastic reforms in the country.

The rally ended in a march staged towards the monument to Alexander Myasnikyan, the main venue where the deadly clashes of March 1-2, 2008 took place, where people laid flowers and lit candles.

Ten people were killed in the March 1-2, 2008 clashes between demonstrators demanding a rerun of a disputed presidential vote and security forces deployed in downtown Yerevan to quell the riot. The events followed 10 days of street protests organized by supporters of former president and current ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

BAKO SAHAKYAN PARTOOK IN THE EVENTS DEDICATED TO THE 55TH BIRTHDAY OF ARTSAKH AND ARMENIA HERO VAZGEN SARGSYAN

Noyan Tapan -- On 5 March Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan partook in the events dedicated to the 55th birthday of Artsakh and Armenia hero Vazgen Sargsyan.

President Sahakyan partook in solemn meeting held in NKR Defense Army’s military unit named after Vazgen Sargsyan and delivered there a speech.

In his speech the President noted that Vazgen Sargsyan stood at the origins of our national liberation movement and was among the pioneers who restored Armenian statehood, one of the founders and the first commanders of the Armenian army, being among the very few who during the lifetime was awarded by the people the honorary title of Sparapet.

The Head of the State underlined that the best way to preserve the memory of Vazgen Sargsyan is the realiza- tion of his ideas, continuous development of independent Armenian statehood and strengthening our army.

Thereupon President Sahakyan partook in an evening dedicated to the birthday of Sparapet Vazgen Sargsyan held at Stepanakert Youth and Culture Palace.

Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, speaker of the National Assembly Ashot Ghoulyan, premier Ara Haroutyunyan, Vazgen Sargsyan’s brother Aram Sargsyan, guests from the Republic of Armenia and other officials partook in the events.

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PROTEST ACTION HONORING MEMORY OF SUMGAIT VICTIMS HELD IN WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON, DC/NEWS.am -- Braving sub-freezing tem- peratures, Greater Washington area Armenian-Americans honored the memory of the victims of Azerbaijani aggression and pledged ongo- ing solidarity with the freedom-loving people of Artsakh, at a Febru- ary 28th protest held in front of the Azerbaijani Embassy.

The demonstration, organized by the Washington Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Ani Chapter and St. Mary’s Armenian Church Youth Organization (ACYO), coincided with the 26th anni- versary of the Azerbaijani pogroms against the Armenian population of Sumgait, which set the stage for attacks in Baku in 1990 and a cy- cle of anti-Armenian violence that continues to this day.

The demonstrators called special attention to the brutal axe- murder of Armenian Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, as the nation marks the 10th anniversary of his slaying by convicted Azerbaijani soldier Lt. Ramil Safarov. In a move that stunned the international community, Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliyev pardoned, promoted and praised Safarov upon extradition to his homeland in 2012. The AYF global social media awareness campaign last week called at- tention to this travesty, attracting the participation of thousands, including U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff (D- CA), David Cicilline (D-RI) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ).

“Today, we gather at the Azerbaijani Embassy to remember those who perished in the Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku massacres between 1988-1990,” explained AYF Ani Chapter Chairman Hagop Simonian. “If we do not remember and spread awareness of these atrocities, events such as the axe-murder of Lt. Gurgen Margaryan and the recent killing of Jr. Sergeant Armen Hovhannisyan will continue to occur again and again. Sadly, the dictatorial Aliyev regime celebrates the deaths of these Armenian deaths, and rewards their murderers. We, as Armenian- Americans, must use our first amendment right to educate the world of these crimes.”

A small group of Azerbaijani counter-protesters jeered as St. Mary's Armenian Church pastor, Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan led Armenian community members in prayer in memory of those who perished in the Azerbaijani pog- roms. Police were forced to escort one Azerbaijani provocateur, after he approached Armenian protesters and struck one with a sign. Many of the Azerbaijani protesters were making the iconic “Grey Wolf” sign, signaling solidarity with the Turkish ultra-nationalist and neo-fascist youth organization accused of political killings.

US CONGRESS MEMBERS COMMEMORATE SUMGAIT VICTIMS

WASHINGTON, DC/NEWS.am -- House Foreign Affairs Commit- tee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) was joined by fellow Committee col- league Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Representatives Tony Cardenas (D- CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Katherine Clark (D-MA) in commemorat- ing the 26th anniversary of the Azerbaijani pogroms against the Armenian population of the Azerbaijani city of Sumgait.

They condemned the ongoing violence and intimidation fostered by the government of President Ilham Aliyev.

“Twenty-six years ago, violent mobs surrounded the sea-side village in Sumgait, Soviet Azerbaijan and terrorized its inhabitants through a vio- lent and brutal pogrom. In the following days, these roving bands system- atically targeted ethnic Armenians on the streets and in their homes, vi- ciously attacking and killing hundreds,” stated Chairman Royce. “On this tragic anniversary, when we mourn the loss of those innocent lives, we are mindful of the ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and recurrent incidents of inciting rhetoric by Azeri political leaders and continued military clashes along the border. It is critical that Azerbaijan’s leaders refrain from provocative statements and commit to fruitful negotiations for a lasting peace in Nagorno-Karabakh.”

Rep. Sherman explained the imperative of commemorating the pogroms in Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku,

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stating, “If we hope to stop future massacres, we must acknowledge these horrific events and ensure they do not happen again.” Rep. Sherman went on to note, that “Recognizing the ethnic-cleansing of the Armenians from Azerbaijan is an important step. However, we need to do more--we need to demonstrate to Azerbaijan that the United States is committed to peace and to the protection of Artsakh from coercion.”

Rep. Cardenas noted that “the failure to act by the Azerbaijani authorities and our failure to compel action has resulted in a tidal wave of animosity towards the Armenians, which manifests itself in several ways. Azerbaijani forces east of Karabagh continue to disregard the ceasefire established after the Karabagh war in 1994. Ramil Safarov, who decapitated an Armenian Lieutenant while he slept during a NATO-sponsored training program in 2004, returned home as a hero and was held up as ‘an example of patriotism for the Azerbaijani youth’ by the Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan, Elmira Suleymanova. All the while, Ilham Aliyev continues his brazen rhetoric; consistently declaring Armenians as the national enemy in an effort to unite the Azeri public.”

Rep. Eshoo explained that “without our recognition and our forceful condemnation, the cycle of violence will continue. Even today, Christians and other minority groups are being driven from Syria by extremists, and the once large and diverse ethnic mosaic there is all but eradicated. Without our attention and action by the world communi- ty, there will be no end in sight.”

Rep. Clark noted that “like the persecution of too many peoples before it, the lessons of Sumgait must not be forgotten. As diverse families of the Commonwealth, and as Americans, we have a moral obligation to promote tolerance and justice, and we have a duty to recognize the atrocities that have kept us from our common goal.”

ARMENIAN FM AT UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: AZERBAIJAN CONTINUES ANTI-ARMENIAN PROPAGANDA

Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian said it is vital to concentrate on prevention of human rights violations, as only prevention can stop esca- lation of conflicts.

Speaking during the high-level meeting of the 25th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, Nalbandian said one of the risks is ethnic and racist propaganda.

“South Caucasus witnessed this risk,” he said recalling anti- Armenian massacres in Baku and Sumgait. In today's Azerbaijan, he said, anti-Armenian propaganda is even worse and this results in escala- tion of situation. Armenian FM recalled that Azerbaijan refused to ac- cept recommendations of the UN Human Rights Committee.

Besides, Nalbandian stressed right of people to self determination as one of the essential rights that belonged also to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. He stated "the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights recognizes that all peoples have the right to self-determination, which is of particular importance because its realization is an essential prereq- uisite for the effective guarantee of human rights. This inalienable right unequivocally belongs inter alia to the peo- ple of Nagorno-Karabakh".

During his speech, the Minister touched upon situation in Syria, "I would like to welcome the unanimous adoption by the Security Council of the Resolution that speaks about the urgent need to increase humanitarian aid access in Syria, calling to immediately cease attacks against civilians and lift the siege of populated areas. We wel- come all efforts towards the peaceful solution of the crisis. Armenia has already received over 10.000 refugees from Syria, and our Government tries to do its best to assist them".

Minister Nalbandian said Armenia does everything for prevention of genocides and thanked the states sponsor- ing resolution on genocide prevention that was adopted by UN Human Rights Council and was initiated by Arme- nia. "One of the aims of that Resolution is genocide prevention through joint efforts of the UN Member States. I would like to take this opportunity and thank all those countries that co-sponsored the Resolution. In two days, on March 7th, the Human Rights Council will convene a high-level panel to mark the 65th Anniversary of the Conven- tion on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The panel is organized in accordance with the requirements of the said Resolution. I call upon all Member States to actively participate in this important panel discussion". Nalbandian concluded.

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BAKU RESENTFUL OVER OSCE MG CO-CHAIR’S TWEET ON SUMGAIT

PanARMENIAN.Net -- Baku expressed resentment over a Twitter post of the U.S. Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, commemorating the Sum- gait pogroms.

“We also remember Sumgait. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan should support people-to-people programs to develop tolerance and trust,” James Warlick tweeted.

According to APA, Azeri Foreign Ministry was fast to react to the post. “Unrests happened in Sumgait, but the causes, context, facts and realities are completely different,” Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said, com- menting on Warlick’s post.

As Azimov noted, Warlick also shared his views on the so-called “Khojalu genocide” on Twitter. “Twitter is not a place to discuss Khojalu,” Azimov added.

“On the date of the Khojalu tragedy, we are reminded that violence is not the answer. All parties must work harder for a peaceful settlement,” said Warlick in his Tweet.

“I cannot respond to Warlick on Twitter, because the message on Twitter must consist of only 120 letters. Warlick has recently been appointed to this post and should view the realities of the conflict,” Azimov said.

MOSCOW HOLDS PRESENTATION OF “AZERBAIJANI HISTORICAL-GEOGRAPHICAL FALSIFICATION” BOOK

MOSCOW -- The Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Russia on March 4 held a presentation of Russian- language book “Azerbaijani Historical-Geographical Falsification” by Ruben Galichyan.

The Department of Mass Media and Public Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia informed Armenpress that at the course of the event Ambassador of Armenia to the Russian Federation Oleg Yesayan made a speech. He noted that the abovementioned book is of great interest to the scientific, social, as well as to a wide range of readers. “This work by Ruben Galichyan is valuable primarily in the sense that it repre- sents the real history of the region, the deliberate distortion of which creates serious obstacles to a peaceful settle- ment of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It also undermines the development of good-neighborly relations between the peoples of the region,” Ambassador Yesayan highlighted.

Then, the author of the book made a speech speaking about the policy towards the distortion of the history pur- sued by Azerbaijan, its origins and purposes. He noted that the book is a result of long, thorough work and gives objective presentation experience of the real history.

WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES URGES SWITZERLAND TO APPEAL ECTHR JUDGMENT ON PERINCEK CASE

NEWS.am -- The World Council of Churches (WCC) has ex- pressed “great concern” over the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgment in the case of Perincek v. Switzerland.

WCC recalled that the Swiss National Council and the Federal Tribunal in the past have clearly recognized the Armenian genocide as a historical fact, Nouvelles d’Arménie reports.

In an official letter sent to the Federal Department of Justice and Police of Switzerland, WCC General Secretary Olav Fykse Tveit urged “the Swiss government to make use of its right to appeal the ECtHR judgment, which constitutes an affront to the memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide and their descendants.”

Tveit called this an issue of “ethical and social significance.” On December 17, 2013, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favor of Armenian Genocide-denying

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Turkish politician Dogu Perincek’s lawsuit that was filed against Switzerland. The said judgment by the ECtHR was made on the grounds of freedom of speech. In 2008, a Swiss court had convicted Perincek for denying the Ar- menian Genocide. Dogu Perincek is Chairman of the socialist Workers’ Party of Turkey. In addition, he heads the Talat Pasha organization, which actively fights against the Armenian Genocide’s recognition in Europe.

DINK MURDER PROMPTER IS ARMENIAN – TURKISH HISTORIAN

NEWS.am --Turkey’s opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) MP, historian Yusuf Halacoglu stated that Erhan Tuncel, who was accused of prompting the murder of Hrant Dink—founder and chief editor of Agos Armenian weekly of Istanbul, who was killed on January 19, 2007 in front of the weekly’s office—, is Armenian.

Halacoglu, who is known for his statements denying the Armenian Genocide, claimed that Tuncel, who is in prison at present, is from Temte village of Turkey’s Elazig [Kharberd, in Armenian] Province, and he is of Armenian descent, reports Cihan news agency of Turkey.

“For this reason, it should be taken under consideration the fact that an Armenian has had a role in the killing of an Armenian. Now, I’m not saying its significance, but this should be taken seriously,” Yusuf Halacoglu noted.

MASSACHUSETS GOVERNOR DEVAL PATRICK'S JUDICIAL NOMINEE REJECTED

BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick’s nominee for a Superior Court judgeship has been rejected by the Governor’s Council, which approves ju- dicial nominees.

The eight-member council voted 4-4 Wednesday to deny attorney Jo- seph Berman a place on the bench.

Patrick said he’s disappointed and that Berman is qualified.

The choice was a contentious one for some council members. The op- position was led by Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney, a Watertown Demo- crat.

Devaney objected to Berman’s ties to the Anti-Defamation League dur- ing a time when the national organization refused to label as Genocide the killings of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks. Water- town has a large Armenian community.

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM INSTITUTE, SHOAH MEMORIAL IN PARIS TO EXPAND COOPERATION

PARIS -- On March 4 a meeting was held between Secretary of the State Commission on the Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Director of Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Hayk Demoyan and Jacques Fredj, Director of the Shoah Memorial in Paris.

During the meeting Demoyan and Fredj discussed the ways of cooperation between the two institutes in the fields of joint research, development of educational programs and exchange of information.

The parties also agreed to develop a joint projects aimed at fighting against genocide denial, and hold exhibi- tions in Armenian Genocide and Holocaust in France and Armenia.

As a result of the meeting, the parties reached an agreement to sign a memorandum of cooperation in the com- ing months.

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ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF SIMFEROPOL: SITUATION IN CITIES IS CALM

YEREVAN/NEWS.am -- A representative of Armenian community of Simferopol described situation in Crimea as “calm”.

There are no tanks in the streets of Simfero- pol, Yalta, or elsewhere in Crimea, Vagharshak Melkonyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Melkonyan noted that the official position of the Armenian community of Crimea coincides with that of Armenian community of Ukraine: Armenians are neutral and stand for peace and stability in the country.

“We are for peace for all nations living in Crimea,” he added.

UKRAINE ARMENIANS ARE “VERY CONCERNED” – RFE/RL

NEWS.am -- The Armenians in Ukraine are very concerned about what is going to happen in the country.

Archbishop Grigoris Buniatian, Primate of the Diocese of Ukraine of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, told the aforesaid to the RFE/RL Armenian service.

As per Archbishop Buniatian, the income of numerous Armenians living in Ukraine has reduced significantly, and some are even contemplating moving to either Armenia or Russia.

The archbishop also stated that, for the most part, the Ukrainian Armenians are not very politically active, but, “it is impossible to speak overall about the political orientation of the community.”

“The Armenians [in Ukraine] are trying to be cautious, and not to vividly position toward any one side,” he added.

According to Archbishop Grigoris Buniatian, the Armenian community members do not rule out that Ukraine may get involved in a war.

TURKEY GAVE GUARANTEES TO CRIMEAN TATARS – TATAR LEADER

NEWS.am -- Ukrainian parliament member Mustafa Dzhemilev (Mustafa Abdülcemil Qırımoğlu (Cemilev)), who is considered a leader of the Crimean Tatars, stated that Turkey FM Ahmet Davutoğlu gave them guarantees.

At a press conference in Simferopol, Qırımoğlu presented the details from his talk with Davutoğlu last week, Haber7 website of Turkey reports.

In his words, at the meeting they received important guarantees from Turkey.

“In the case of any danger in the events taking place in Crimea, Turkey will act immediately,” Mustafa Dzhemilev said.

AZERBAIJAN DEPLOYED MILITARY MACHINES ALONG ARMENIA'S AND KARABAKH'S BORDER

Lragir.am -- The Hraparak Newspaper reported that on these days of tough polemics between NATO and Rus- sia regarding the movement of the fleet of Crimea and Sevastopol, when Russia has deployed military machines along that border, Azerbaijan has deployed its military machines along the border of Armenia and Karabakh in four rows to be ready in case something happens at the Ukrainian front line.

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RUSSIA DEPLOYS MODERNIZED WARPLANES IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) -- Russia announced on Tuesday the deployment of newly modernized warplanes at its mili- tary base in Armenia that has already been reinforced with more sophisticated weaponry in recent years.

The Russian Armed Forces’ Southern Military District said in a statement that “a batch of fourth-generation multi- purpose MiG-29 fighter jets” has arrived at a military airport in Yerevan after undergoing “capital repairs.”

The Russian base, which uses the Erebuni airport together with the Armenian Air Force, was known to have 16 MiG-29s until now. The statement did not specify whether the Russian military has increased their number or simply upgraded some of the existing jets. A spokesman for Armenia’s Defense Ministry declined to clarify that, referring all inquiries to the Russians.

That Moscow plans to have more modern military aircraft stationed in Armenia was first announced last October by Colonel Aleksandr Petrov, the commander of the aviation unit of the Russian base. Petrov said that the unit’s jets will have their electronic targeting and navigation systems upgraded.

The Southern Military District, which comprises the base headquartered in Gyumri, has reported in the last few years significant increases in flights carried out by Russian pilots serving in Armenia. A February 20 statement by the district said the number and length of such flights have increased by 15 percent so far this year.

The Russian military also plans to beef up the base with around two dozen combat helicopters later this year. It said in January that they will have “a wide range of tasks in aviation support for troops and transportation of personnel.”

The helicopters are to be deployed at the Erebuni airfield in line with an agreement reached by Russian and Arme- nian defense officials in April 2013. The Armenian government gave the formal green light to the deployment in No- vember.

YEREVAN POLICE REMOVE DEMONSTRATORS ACROSS RUSSIAN EMBASSY

YEREVAN/NEWS.am -- Police officers on Wednesday detained four of the thirty people that are holding a protest in front of the Russian Embassy in Armenia’s capital city Yerevan.

The demonstrators assembled across the embassy to protest Russia’s actions in Ukraine, the Armenian News- NEWS.am reporter informs.

Before the arrival of the demonstrators, however, the police already had formed a human chain in front of the em- bassy building. They did not allow the activists to approach the building, and pushed them away from the embassy. Sub- sequently, the police pushed the demonstrators to the sidewalk across the street.

The protestors are holding the national flag of Ukraine, and are chanting slogans against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Yerevan Deputy Police Chief Valeri Osipyan arrived near the Russian Embassy building. He stated that the afore- said four activists were detained for impeding the embassy’s work and disobeying the lawful requirement of the police.

UKRAINE EVENTS CAN’T REPEAT IN ARMENIA – HERITAGE PARTY

YEREVAN/NEWS.am -- The events in Ukraine cannot repeat in Armenia, op- position Heritage Party Board Secretary Stiopa Safaryan stated at a press conference on Wednesday.

In his words, Ukraine had a precedent for revolution, whereas Armenia did not.

“There are revolutionary expectations within the Armenian society, but there are no other factors, ‘channels’ through which the Ukrainian Maidan was able to connect with the international community,” Safaryan noted.

According to him, there is a political opposition in Armenia, and four political forces are collaborating; but three of them do not have a European vision in terms of the country’s foreign policy.

“The PAP [i.e., Prosperous Armenia Party], the ANC [i.e., the Armenian National Congress], and the ARF [Dashnaktsutyun Party] supported Armenia’s [Russian-led] Customs Union [CU] and Eurasian Union accession,” Herit- age’s official stated.

Stiopa Safaryan added that the Armenian authorities have agreed that the country will become a member in the CU, whereas the opposition is not against—if not, for—it.

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ARMENIA AND GEORGIA TO EXPAND COOPERATION

YEREVAN -- Armenia’s decision to join the Rus- sian-led Customs Union will not have an adverse impact on relations with neighboring Georgia, President Serzh Sarkisian and his visiting Georgian counterpart Giorgi Margvelashvili said after talks on Thursday.

Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has ar- rived in Armenia for a two-day official visit at the invi- tation of Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian.

Margvelashvili met Sarkisian as he made his first official visit to Yerevan since succeeding Mikheil Saakashvili as Georgia’s president last November.

Implications of Armenia’s impeding membership of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakh- stan were apparently high on the agenda of the talks.

Sarkisian said he briefed Margvelashvili on reasons for his decision last August to seek such membership. He seemed to single out the economic dimension of joining a trade bloc which Moscow plans to transform into a Eura- sian Union next year.

“We both are of the opinion that the choices of our countries related to our economic development must never impede our economic cooperation,” Sarkisian told a joint news conference. “To put it more simply, we believe that Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union and Georgia’s decision to sign a free-trade agreement with the Euro- pean Union will not hamper our economic relations.”

“On the contrary, these decisions are opening up new opportunities for our businesspeople,” he said, adding that a Georgian-Armenian economic task force will hold its first meeting in Yerevan next month.

“We have different political vectors but identical positions on developing our ties,” Margvelashvili said, for his part. “Changes will only be positive. We will do everything to deepen and develop our relations.”

The two Presidents voiced confidence that the 10th sitting of the Armenia-Georgian Inter-Governmental Commission to be convened in Yerevan will provide an opportunity to discuss the process of implementation of earlier agreements and outline the perspectives of bilateral economic cooperation.

Margvelashvili visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial accompanied by the high-ranking officials of Armenia and Georgia. The Georgian delegation laid a wreath at the Armenian Genocide memorial and paid tribute to the memory of the victims.

President Margvelashvili planted a fir tree at the Memorial Alley of Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

JOHN KERRY TO VISIT ARMENIA AT YEAR’S END – ARMENPRESS

US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Armenia in the end of the current year, US Ambassador John Heffern told Armenpress news agency.

“Bilateral relations [between Armenia and the US], in terms of diplomacy, perhaps can be judged by looking at the level of high-level mutual visits.

“At the end of last year, when [Armenian] Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met with Secretary of State John Kerry, he [i.e., Kerry] expressed a desire to visit Armenia, and we hope that he will visit Armenia in the end of the current year,” the ambassa- dor said.

Heffern added, however, that the details of Kerry’s visit are yet unknown.

“State Secretary Kerry supports regional issues, he wants a normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, and, naturally, the visit will be regional,” John Heffern stated, in particular.

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PUTIN: POSSIBLE TO LAUNCH PREPARATIONS FOR DRAFT AGREEMENT ON ARMENIA'S JOINING CUSTOMS UNION

NEWS.am -- Russian president Vladimir Putin believes it is possible to pass to preparing a treaty on Armenia's joining Customs Union and future Eurasian Economic Union.

Russian leader recalled that Armenia has approved and is successfully implementing the plan of events in order to adapt to norms and requirements of the Customs Union and Common Economic Space, ITAR-TASS reported.

“Therefore, we believe it is possible to launch preparations for draft agreement on Armenia's joining Customs Union and Eurasian Economic Un- ion,” Putin said during the meeting of Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

Armenia announced its intention to join Customs Union last September after the talks between presidents of Armenia and Russia in Moscow. The roadmap on Armenia’s accession to Cus-

toms Union was signed on December 24.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS REDUCING SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES’ TAX BURDEN

YEREVAN/NEWS.am -- Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan chaired the regular meeting of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council.

There were two matters on the agenda: The reducing of the tax burden of realtor organizations; and the discussion of reducing the rate of turnover tax of the trading companies.

As a result of the exchange of views on the aforementioned matters, Sargsyan commissioned the relevant departments to study all the recommenda- tions that were made at the meeting, and, conferring with the representatives of

small and medium-sized enterprises, to submit proposals—toward a solution of the respective problems—which will be discussed at the next Council meeting, informs the Government press service.

ARMENIA FREE ECONOMIC ZONE TO INCORPORATE 120-150 COMPANIES

YEREVAN/NEWS.am -- Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan visited the AJA Holding company’s space in Armenia, where a free economic zone for specialized jewelry, precious stone cutting, and watch-making is being estab- lished, the Government informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The PM toured the space, and got acquainted with the future construc- tion activities.

At the ensuing consultation, Sargsyan was presented the free economic zone project. Accordingly, about 120 to 150 companies are expected to be incorporated into the free economic zone during the first three years; these companies should create around 2,000 new jobs and annually export prod- ucts totaling about $200-250 million.

The free economic zone is expected to start phased activities this year and be fully launched by the end of next year.

The renovated space of the free economic zone will total 32,400 square meters, whose 12,750 square meters will be a production area. As of 2013, more than fifteen jewelry companies—from Russia, the USA, Turkey, Leba- non, and the United Arab Emirates—already have initially requested close to 10,000 square meters of space at the future free economic zone in Armenia.

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220,000 ARMENIAN CITIZENS MAY LOSE SEASONAL WORK IN RUSSIA – DEMOGRAPHER

NEWS.am --Due to the changes in the Russian law, 220,000 Armenian citizens may lose their seasonal work in Russia, demographer Ruben Yeganyan stated at a press conference on Monday.

“[About] 50,000 people cannot enter Russia; [around] 170,000 [people] already have broken the Russian immigration law and they will not be able to enter there for three to five years,” Yeganyan said.

He added that, as a result, there will be more [Armenian] citizens in Armenia in spring, and they will need jobs.

Ruben Yeganyan stated that the majority of migrant workers in Russia continue working solely based on verbal agreements.

ARMENIAN SOLDIERS TRAINED BY U.S. MILITARY INSTRUCTORS

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) -- A team of U.S. military instruc- tors will finish on Saturday a weeklong training course for dozens of new sergeants recruited by Armenia’s armed forces, highlighting NATO’s growing role in the selection of Arme- nian non-commissioned officers.

The Defense Ministry in Yerevan announced on Thurs- day that the course is part of four-month training which the recruits will undergo before serving in the Armenian army on a contractual basis.

The Armenian military has been increasing the number of contract sergeants as part of ongoing defense reforms sup- ported by NATO. The United States and another key NATO member state, Britain, have been particularly active in helping it train non-commissioned officers.

“The course that began on February 24 is part of a train- ing program for American sergeants,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement. “Within its framework, contract sergeants of the Armenian Armed Forces are trained to become junior commanders and acquire leadership skills by acquainting themselves with the basics of U.S. sergeants’ physical preparation, terrain orientation, and combat tac- tics of small units.”

Photographs of the course released by the ministry showed several U.S. military officers teaching lessons to around 40 Armenian servicemen seated in a classroom at an Armenian military school for warrant officers.

U.S. support for Armenian defense reforms has also taken the form of joint exercises held by U.S. Marines and Armenian army units. U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus praised such drills when he visited Yerevan in Octo- ber 2012. He said one of their goals is to help Armenia develop a “highly capable and highly professional non- commissioned officer corps.”

Later in 2012 a team of U.S. and British military officials visited Yerevan to brief their Armenian colleagues on the recruitment, training and role of non-commissioned officers in the U.S. and British militaries as well as rules and procedures regulating their service.

An Armenian military delegation headed by First Deputy Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan underscored the significance of the British assistance with a two-day visit earlier this week to the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT) deployed in the Czech Republic. The team specializes in multinational training courses for peace- keeping operations. The commander of an Armenian army unit providing troops for such missions was among offi- cials who accompanied Tonoyan.

A Defense Ministry statement said Tonoyan and BMATT officials agreed to increase the number of Armenian servicemen studying there each year and to organize similar courses in Armenia. According to the statement, around 170 Armenian officers and sergeants have been trained at the center since 2002.

BMATT is located at the premises of a Czech military academy in the town of Vyskov.

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NO TO GARNI CAFÉ! YOUTH REMOVE CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL AT HISTORICAL SITE

Hetq.am -- Scores of youth today headed to Armenia’s historical Garni site to remove construction material previously delivered in or- der to build a café.

The youth said they would not allow such desecration of such a unique and important historical-cultural complex.

The activists, in an act of defiance against the planned for café, shoveled the gravel and sand in bags and dumped the sacks in front of the ministry building in Yerevan.

Garni police tried to intervene, labeling the action illegal. The de- termined activists responded that it was the ministry who was flouting the law.

Local workers at the site (officially called the Garni Historical and Cultural Museum Reserve) called for calm and told the activists that an

official from the ministry had visited the site the other day and had met with police and the Garni mayor.

The meeting resulted in a five day ban on all construction so that the café issue could be reviewed.

An agency attached to the ministry that runs the site had given the go-ahead for the eatery in the shadow of the pre- Christian Garni temple, arguing that such a convenience would boost tourism and that revenues would go towards making much needed improvements.

The sign in the top photo reads: We are the owners of our village.

The sign on the dump truck reads: Don’t desecrate Armenia’s sacred sites.

AZERBAIJAN HANDS OVER ARMENIAN CAPTIVE

YEREVAN -- Mamikon Khojoyan, a citizen of Armenia who had been interned in Baku, Azerbaijan, returned to Armenia today under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The man was placed in the care of Armenian officials on the road be- tween the Azerbaijani town of Gazakh and the Armenian town of Ijevan, at the international border.

Khojoyan, 77, a resident of Verin Karmiraghbyur village of Ar- menia’s Tavush Region, was taken captive by Azerbaijan on January 28. He suffers from mental illness.

ICRC delegates had visited the man prior to his repatriation in or- der to assess the conditions in which he was being held and the treat-

ment he received. Representatives of the organization had also been in contact with his family in Armenia. Acting as a neutral intermediary and in accordance with its mandate, the ICRC facilitated this repatriation in

conjunction with the Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities. On the basis of its mandate under the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC has been working in the region since

1992 in connection with the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Khojoyan is undergoing medical examination at Ijevan medical center, Armenian Defense Ministry spokesper-

son Artsrun Hovhannisyan told reporters. His arm is broken and, according to preliminary examination of doctors, he has a gunshot wound.

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ARMENIAN COIN WINS ITALIAN AWARD FOR ITS ‘CLEVER’ CONTENTS

YEREVAN (Armradio.am) -- Central Bank of Armenia commemora- tive coin triumphed in an Italian competition for Best Coin of the Year.

The Central Bank of Armenia was awarded Best Coin of the Year at a numismatic fair held in Italy earlier this month.

Armenia’s winning entry was a silver commemorative coin dedicated to the 500th anniversary of book printing in the country. Judges commented on the “clever and original combination” of modern and classic imagery.

It was chosen ahead of a Kazakh coin that celebrates the exploration of space.

The Italian competition – organised by Vicenza Numismatica – fea- tured a separate award designed to recognise the best coin design with an architectural subject. The winner was a Belarussian coin depicting the evo- lution of a railway station in Minsk, while a colourful offering from Macau took second place, Central Banking re- ports.

Five hundred pieces of the winning Armenian coin were minted, and they entered into circulation in 2012. Each coin has a nominal value of 1,000 Armenian dram ($2.50).

The first Armenian book – ‘Urbatagirq’ – was printed by Hakob Meghapart in 1512. The central bank de- scribed it as a collection of prayers and wishes that notably featured the Book of Lamentations by Grigor Narekatsi – a poem renowned for “the sincere immediacy of its communication with God”.

The reverse of the coin features an image of Urbatagirq itself, a copy of the stamp used by Meghapart to mark his books, and an intricately designed scene from Venice – the city where his work was first launched.

The obverse, meanwhile, celebrates the decision of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to make Yerevan, the Armenian capital, the World Book Capital in 2012, a title that has since passed to Port Harcourt in Nigeria.

ARTHUR ABRAHAM DEFEATS ROBERT STIEGLITZ TO REGAIN WBO TITLE

MAGDEBURG — Arthur Abraham defeated Robert Stieglitz by split decision on Saturday in their third bout, winning back the WBO super middle- weight title he lost to his fellow German in March last year. In their first meeting Stieglitz won by fourth-round TKO to take Abraham’s WBO belt.

Arthur Abraham reclaimed the WBO super middleweight title he lost to Robert Stieglitz last year by winning a split decision on Saturday in their third bout.

In a 12-round rematch in Magdeburg, Germany, Judges Clark Sammartino of the United States and Paul Thomas of Britain scored it 114-111 and 115- 110 for Abraham, respectively, while American Mi- chael Pernick judged it 113-112 in favor of the de- fending champion.

Abraham, who beat Stieglitz by unanimous decision in their first bout in 2012 and lost on a technical knockout last year, improved to 39-4, with 28 knockouts.

“That was a real battle,” Abraham said. “Respect to Stieglitz; respect to my coach. We really saw a good fight. Of course I see myself as the winner. I won through my hard punches.”

Abraham will return to action on May 31st, when he will make the first defense of his newly won title. The opponent and venue will be announced later.

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ARMENIA APPOINT BERNARD CHALLANDES NEW NATIONAL TEAM COACH7

YEREVAN (UEFA.com) -- Armenia have ended their search to re- place Vardan Minasyan by appointing experienced Swiss coach Bernard Challandes to take charge of their national side.

The 62-year-old has signed a two-year contract to lead the team dur- ing UEFA EURO 2016 qualification after former coach Minasyan decided in October not to sign a new deal with the Football Federation of Armenia (HFF) despite encouraging UEFA EURO 2012 and 2014 World Cup qual- ifying campaigns.

"Our team needed an experienced coach because the Armenian na- tional team are now stronger than ever," said FFA president Ruben Hayrapetyan. "Our team is capable of competing with big opponents on any day. We negotiated with 49 coaches and chose Bernard Challandes, who surprised me personally with his knowledge about our international team."

Challandes started his coaching career in 1977 and was at the helm of FC Yverdon-Sport, BSC Young Boys and Servette FC among others before being recruited by the Swiss Football Association (SFV-ASF) in 1995. He took charge of the Swiss Under-21 team in 2001 and led them to the semi-finals of the UEFA European U21 Championship in 2002.

He moved on to FC Zürich in 2007 and was named Switzerland's Coach of the Year in 2009 after guiding them to a 12th championship. He followed that by claiming the Swiss Cup with FC Sion in 2011 before working at Neuchâtel Xamax FC and FC Thun.

Armenia was drawn in the tricky UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group I alongside Portugal, Denmark, Serbia and Albania. They begin their campaign in Denmark on 7 September with their first home game against Serbia to follow on 11 October.

AMERICAN-ARMENIAN PIONEER IN VIROLOGY DIES

NEWS.am -- Dr. Albert Z. Kapikian, M.D., a pioneering virologist at the U.S. Na- tional Institutes of Health who discovered norovirus and led a decades-long effort that resulted in the first licensed rotavirus vaccine, died at the age of 83, Asbarez reported.

Dr. Kapikian was the former chief of the epidemiology section of the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases at NIH’s National Insti- tute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a position he held for 45 years.

“Al Kapikian was a giant in the field of virology,” said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. “His seminal basic and clinical research contributions to the study of viruses and to vaccine development have had an

enormous global impact. Importantly, he was a warm-hearted, beloved, and widely respected human being. His many friends at NIAID and NIH mourn the loss of their esteemed colleague.”

Dr. Kapikian often was called the father of human gastroenteritis virus research. In 1972, he identified the first norovirus. In 1973, Dr. Kapikian and his colleagues identified the hepatitis A virus. He also was the first scientist in the United States to detect human rotavirus, which had been discovered by others in Australia.

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OSCAR PIZZA: DELIVERY GUY UNMASKED, GETS $1,000 TIP ON 'ELLEN'

Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizza has never had a day like this. Oscar host Ellen De- Generes put the bright red and yellow pizza boxes in front of millions of viewers Sunday night, and the 20-location chain found instant fame.

DeGeneres interviewed deliveryman Ed- gar Martirosyan on her talk show Monday. He recounted the experience: "You said just fol- low me, and I'm going and I'm on a stage. I was in shock."

Martirosyan said the biggest thrill may have been meeting the woman of his dreams, Julia Roberts.

DeGeneres then gave him $600 in tips she'd gathered from the celebrity audience and threw in enough to make it $1,000. [And of course, there was pizza for her audience.]

It was the evening’s second unusual comedic moment, after the selfie seen round the world.

That star-studded selfie photo broke Twitter for a short time; meanwhile, the pizza moment has created an al- most unbearable mad rush to the L.A. pizza stores co-owned by brothers Ararat and Allen Agakhanyan.

“All of our locations are crazy busy right now," Ararat Agakhanyan told the Los Angeles Times in an inter- view Monday. "We had no idea that our pizzas were going to be on TV. We’re ordering supplies like mad, stocking up on cheese, pepperoni, sausage and boxes and shipping them out to the different stores.”

Ellen’s talk show, filmed in Burbank, often orders from the Big Mama’s location there. Agakhanyan says Os- car producers ordered from the Hollywood location Sunday. The three pizzas, cheese, pepperoni and everything, cost $75, plus a $10 delivery fee. He said show producers and DeGeneres decided at the last minute to have fran- chise owner and deliveryman Martirosyan carry the boxes himself.

Martirosyan started with the pizza chain as a deliveryman and six years ago purchased the Sunset Boulevard location.

“This is what happens when you work hard,” Agakhanyan said about Martirosyan. “You work hard, you don’t take anything for granted and you succeed.” And then you go on the Oscars, apparently.

MORE NUMBER OF ARMENIANS VISIT TURKEY

ANKARA. – A total of 73,365 citizens of Armenia headed to Turkey in 2013.

The number of Armenian citizens that visited Turkey last year grew by 3.4 percent, as compared to 2012, Ar- menian News-NEWS.am ascertained from the Culture and Tourism Ministry of Turkey.

A total of 5,564 citizens of Armenia traveled to Turkey in December 2013, alone, and this number is 1.05 per- cent more, as compared to the same period in the previous year.

A total of 70,956 Armenia nationals had headed to Turkey in 2012.

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SIX ARMENIANS ON FORBES WORLD BILLIONAIRES LIST

There are six Armenian in the World’s Billionaires list published by Forbes on March 3. Kirk Kirkorian (328th) is still the world’s richest Armenia with an estimated net worth of $4.5 billion. The other Armeni- an billionaires are Samvel Karapetyan (345th), Danil Khachaturov (663rd), Eduardo Eurnekian (931st) and Sergei Sarkisov and Nikolai Sarkisov (both ranked1465th).

The ranks of the world’s billionaires continue to scale new heights–and stretch to new corners of the world. The global wealth team found 1,645 bil- lionaires with an aggregate net worth of $6.4 trillion, up from $5.4 trillion a year ago. In total, there are 172 women on the list, more than ever before and up from 138 last year.

Bill Gates is back on top after a four-year hiatus, reclaiming the title of world’s richest person from telecom mogul Carlos Slim Helu of Mexico, who ranked No. 1 for the past four years. Gates, whose fortune rose by $9 bil- lion in the past year, has held the top spot for 15 of the past 20 years. Spanish clothing retailer Amancio Ortega (best known for the Zara fashion chain) retains the No. 3 spot for the second year in a row, extending his lead over Warren Buffett, who is again No. 4. American gambling tycoon Sheldon Adelson, who added $11.5 billion to his pile, makes it back into the top ten for the first time since 2007. Another first: A record net worth of $31 billion was needed to make the top 20, up from $23 billion last year.

Kirk Kirkorian, a hotel magnate is still making money — even at the age of 96. Despite selling $750 million worth of shares of MGM International Resorts in recent years, the Chairman emeritus still owns nearly one-fifth its shares, which have nearly doubled in the past year — helping boost his net worth by $1.2 billion.

Samvel Karapetyan heads the Tashir Group, a real estate firm that owns 27 shopping centers, seven office complexes, and seven hotels.

In late 2013 Danil Khachaturov listed shares in his insurance giant Rosgosstrakh, one of Russia’s highest- volume insurers, on the Moscow Exchange. Khachaturov studied construction and finance at Moscow schools and went to work at privately-held BIN Bank and then at Slavneft, an oil company led at the time by billionaire Mikhail Gutseriev.

Through the years, Eduardo Eurnekian, now 71, has proven he is a flexible businessman and entrepreneur. The son of Armenian immigrants, he first delved into the textiles industry, and then the cable TV business in the 1980s.

Sergei Sarkisov got his start at the Soviet state insurance firm Ingosstrakh. In 1991 he founded his own insurer, RESO-Garantiya where he serves as chairman of the board.

Nikolai Sarkisov, the younger brother of billionaire Sergei Sarkisov, oversees the largest clients at Sergei’s in- surance company, RESO-Garantiya. The brothers own 63% of the company, while French insurer AXA owns the remaining 37%.

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NEW BOOK BY GEORGE BOURNOUTIAN: “FROM TABRIZ TO ST. PETERSBURG: IRAN’S MISSION OF APOLOGY TO RUSSIA IN 1829?

COSTA MESA, CA — Mazda Academic Press announces the publi- cation of Dr. George Bournoutian’s new book: From Tabriz to St. Peters- burg: Iran’s Mission of Apology to Russia in 1829.

This original volume, based solely on Persian and Russian primary sources, describes the year-long journey of the Iranian delegation to Rus- sia to apologize for the murder of the Russian ambassador and the massa- cre of the entire staff of the Russian embassy (save one) by an angry mob in Tehran in February of 1829. The incident, which was sparked when an Armenian man and two Armenian women who sought refuge or who were brought to the Russian Embassy in Tehran, endangered the recent peace between Russia and Iran following the Second Russo-Iranian War of 1826-1828.

The Iranian representatives left Tabriz in two groups: the first in March and the second in May 1829. The first group went through Nakhichevan, Yerevan, Sardarabad, Etchmiadzin, Gyumri, Spitak, and Stepanavan to Tiflis. The second group went through Karabagh and Ganja to Tiflis From there the two groups united and went on to Moscow and from there to St. Petersburg, where they stayed for more than two months.

The mission, headed by Khosrow Mirza, the 16-year-old seventh son of Crown Prince ‘Abbas Mirza, carried letters of apology and gifts to the Tsar. It returned on February 27, 1830, after successfully accomplishing its task. The young Prince had not only charmed the Tsar, the royal family and the nobility, but had also managed to reduce Iran’s war indemnity payment to Russia. His skillful diplomacy saved Iran from Russian retaliation, strengthened Russo-Iranian ties, and lessened the British influence in Iran.

The present study, utilizing Persian and Russian contemporary accounts, is a detailed and daily account of the long journey and experiences of the Iranian delegation in Armenia and Georgia, its stay in the various Russian cit- ies such as Vladikavkaz, Stavropol, Voronezh, Moscow, and especially its long stay in St. Petersburg. The Iranians met a number of Armenian officials in the service of Russia and visited the Lazarian Institute. It should serve as a primary source on Russo-Iranian relations in the first third of the 19th century.

The 360-page book contains 8 special maps, photos, facsimiles of the original manuscripts and can be obtained from Mazda Academic Press.

HAJIN ORPHAN DRESS TO BE DISPLAYED

AT ARARAT-ESKIJIAN MUSEUM CONFERENCE SIGNIFICANT FINDS OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

MISSION HILLS, CA -- Relics from the Armenian genocide will be unveiled during a conference focusing on the heroes and survivors of the genocide at the Ararat-Eskijian museum in Mission Hills on March 22.

Filmmaker Bared Maronian along with British journalist Robert Fisk, Professor Vahakn Dadrian, Dr. Hayk Demoyan, Ayse Gunaysu, Missak Keleshian, Shant Mardirossian, Dr. Rubina Peroomian and Professor Vahram Shemmassian will take part in the daylong conference honoring those who aided in the rescue of survivors of the genocide from 1915 through 1930.

While researching the stories of orphans of the Armenian genocide for his documentary, Orphans of the Genocide, Maronian discovered infor- mation regarding a dress once owned by an orphan in Hadjin (now known

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as Saimbeyli), an Armenian town located roughly 125 miles north of Mersin in Turkey. After some time, he located the dress at the Bethel College Library in Mishawaka, Indiana.

“The dress belonged to an orphan, who survived the Adana Massacre of 1909 and walked from Adana to Hadjin, roughly 75 miles,” Maronian said. “She found refuge at the United Orphanage and Mission in Hadjin run by a North American Mennonite congregation.”

The UOM in Hadjin was subject to continuous threats and pressure by Ottoman authorities to cease operations. When World War I broke out, the missionaries were all called home.

According to Maronian, in 1914 Sister Dorinda Bowman packed the orphan dress along with an unfinished rug the orphan girls had been weaving.

“The dress, most likely worn by a 7-year-old orphan girl or a boy, is a significant tangible remnant of the Ar- menian Genocide,” Maronian said. “A close look at the dress makes you wonder what the children of the genocide went through and how only a handful resiliently survived, while most were butchered or faced death of starvation or disease.”

Roughly 1.5 million Armenians were killed during WWI during the Ottoman Empire’s reign over their home- land in what is modern day Turkey. The Adana massacre occurred in the Ottoman Empire province of Adana in 1909, which resulted in the deaths of as many as 30,000 Armenians in the course of a month.

The dress and rug are currently on loan by the Bethel College Library to the Ararat-Eskijian Museum for two years.

For more information, call (818) 838-4862 Ararat-Eskijian Museum 15105 Mission Hills Road Mission Hills, CA 91345

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