Shunorhavor Haghtanagi Or-ue` Mayisi 9-ue

ARTICLE BY DR. ARAMAIS MIRZAKHANIAN

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

Armenian News‏

ARMENIAN AND AZERI PRESIDENTS AGREE ON BASIS FOR PEACE PLAN
Grace Annan
World Markets Research Centre
Global Insight
May 8, 2009

Talks on resolving the conflict between the Armenian and Azeri
governments regarding Nagorno-Karabakh received a fresh impetus
yesterday. The U.S. Embassy in Prague (Czech Republic) held a
high-level summit on the dispute; it was attended by Azeri President
Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan as well as senior
representatives from the Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE), France, Russia and the host country. According
to Matthew Bryza, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for
European and Eurasian Affairs, Aliyev and Sargsyan reduced their
divergence on basic principles for holding peace talks and accepted a
framework for doing so. The Armenian and Azeri ministers for foreign
affairs are going to turn the basic principles into a more detailed
text in the near future.

Significance:Given the stalemate between Armenia and Azerbaijan
as regards Nagorno-Karabakh, yesterday's agreement is of great
significance. According to media reports, the meeting itself was rather
cool, reflecting the cautiousness of both presidents. Both presidents
know of the importance of a deal for the region; notably for their
neighbouring country Turkey, which has close ties with Azerbaijan
and blossoming ties with Armenia. Yet, disputes about the status of
Nagorno-Karabakh are so entrenched that no solution can be expected
in the near future. Rather, the next step for mediators may be to
induce more regular meetings between Armenian and Azeri officials to
avert a worsening of the conflict.

U.S. CUTS FINANCIAL AID TO ARMENIA
Interfax
May 8 2009
Russia

The U.S. administration plans a lower volume of financial aid to
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh for the 2010 fiscal year than the 2009
level and to give more military aid to Azerbaijan than to Armenia in
2010, the country director for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh of the
Armenian Assembly of America Arpi Vartanian said on Friday.

The White House sets its planned financial assistance to Armenia in
the 2010 fiscal year at $30 million instead of the 2009 amount of
$48 million, Vartanian told reporters.

Moreover, the proposed 2010 budget does not include any section
about humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh whereas the 2009 budget
allocates $8 million for Azerbaijan's disputed Armenian-speaking
enclave, she said.

Vartanian also attacked White House plans for military aid to Armenia
and Azerbaijan in 2010. She argued that this threatened to upset the
balance of power in the South Caucasus.

The Obama administration sets its proposed military assistance
to Armenia at $3 million but that to Azerbaijan at $4 million for
that year, she said. Furthermore, $450,000 would be allocated for
military training programs for Armenia but $900,000 for such programs
for Azerbaijan.

Vartanian said the Assembly, which is a Washington-based Armenian-
American advocacy organization, would seek support from the U.S. Senate
and House of Representatives for efforts to prevent the regional
balance of power from being ruined.

RFE/RL Report

Monday, May 12, 2009
IMF Sees Deeper Recession In Armenia
Emil Danielyan

Armenia's economy will contract by 5 percent this year and will not
start growing again until 2011, the International Monetary Fund said
on Monday in a further downward revision of its economic outlook for
the country.
Senior IMF officials also reaffirmed the fund's endorsement of the
Armenian authorities' response to the global recession and, in
particular, their controversial exchange rate policy.

As recently as in early March, the IMF expected Armenia's Gross
Domestic Product to shrink by only 1.5 percent in 2009. However,
subsequent official statistics showed the economic downturn
accelerating in March and resulting in a first-quarter GDP decline of
6.1 percent.

`The projections we have for Armenia mirror those you see in the
global economy as well as in the rest of the region,' Mark Lewis,
head of an IMF mission visiting Yerevan, said as he and other
officials presented the fund's latest economic outlook for the
region. It forecasts zero growth for the Armenian economy in 2010.

Lewis singled out a sharp decline in the local construction sector as
the key factor behind the revised projections. `There was a rapid
boom in the construction sector in recent years, reflecting strong
demand for residential and commercial property,' he said. `That pace
of development in the construction sector will be difficult to
maintain this year, and that will be the key thing.'

According to the National Statistical Service (NSS) the total volume
of construction work carried out in Armenia tumbled by almost 22
percent in the first quarter of this year. The country's first-
quarter macroeconomic performance was also greatly affected by a 9.5
percent fall in industrial output. It resulted, in large measure,
from a last year's collapse in international prices of non-ferrous
metals, the number Armenian export item.

Echoing statements by other IMF officials, Lewis praised the Armenian
government and Central Bank for their `sensible and sound approach to
managing the crisis.' `We think that the authorities are doing a very
good job,' he said. He stressed at the same time the importance of
further structural reforms and, in particular, improved tax
administration for mitigating the impact of the global economic crisis.

External assistance is vital for the success of the government's anti-
crisis strategy that envisages, among other things, increased
spending on infrastructure projects and financial support for private
firms. The IMF's managing director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, described
that strategy as `strong and credible' as he announced the impending
release of a $540 million `stand-by' loan to Yerevan on March 3.

The announcement came immediately after the authorities allowed a
nearly 20 percent devaluation of the national currency, the dram. The
Central Bam of Armenia (CBA) had injected at least $700 million worth
of hard currency in the local financial market to keep the dram's
value virtually unchanged since last fall.

Opposition politicians and economists critical of the government have
strongly criticized that as a needless waste of the country's scarce
external reserves which stood at around $1.4 billion a year ago. They
believe that the authorities should have ensured a smoother dram
depreciation instead.

But Ratna Sahay, an IMF deputy director for the Middle East and
Central Asia, dismissed the criticism. `It is a balance because if
sometimes depreciation is not warranted by fundamentals then it does
make sense for countries to prevent or smooth out the [exchange rate]
fluctuations that might happen,' she said. `And to make the right
judgment is very hard. We think that the authorities did the right
thing in stabilizing the exchange rate.'

Lewis agreed, calling the authorities' exchange rate policy
`sensible.' `It made sense to proceed in a cautious way on this front
to avoid a more destabilizing impact on the financial system,' he said.


SUKHOI SAYS ARMENIAN AIRLINE TO RECEIVE FIRST

SUPERJET 100 SOON
RIA Novosti
14:17 | 11/ 05/ 2009

KOMSOMOLSK-ON-AMUR, May 11 (RIA Novosti) - The first Sukhoi Superjet
100 passenger airplane will be delivered to Armenia's national airline
Armavia, the Russian aircraft maker announced on Monday.

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft's public relations director Olga Kayukova said
Armavia would be the first recipient of a Superjet 100 because it had
ordered a plane with a basic configuration. She added that the airliner
was in the final stages of assembly and would be delivered soon.

"Configuration is determined by the customer," she told
journalists. "The simpler the configuration, the simpler it is to
make the aircraft."

Kayukova said the list price of a Superjet 100 was $28 million, but
each aircraft was individually priced depending on the configuration.

She said 98 orders had been received, including 30 from Russian
flagship carrier Aeroflot and 10 from Italian companies. "Some down
payments have been received," she said.

Sukhoi's general director, Mikhail Pogosyan, admitted that financing
the construction of the planes was a problem.

"We cannot resolve this without government support," he told
journalists on Monday, adding that during the financial crisis
"airlines do not possess the necessary financial stability to invest
in the production of aircraft."

During a visit to the Superjet assembly line in Komsomolsk-on-Amur on
Monday, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said the Russian government had
allocated 6.8 billion rubles ($210 million) to Sukhoi Civil Aircraft
to realize the Superjet project.

"The increase in financing is connected with some rises in the price
of production and accessories," Putin told workers.

The Superjet 100 project is a family of medium-haul passenger aircraft
developed by Sukhoi in cooperation with U.S. and European aviation
corporations, including Boeing, Snecma, Thales, Messier Dowty,
Liebherr Aerospace and Honeywell.

Armenia among the first 10 finalists in the first round of semifinals

for this year's Eurovision in Moscow on the 16th of May.

Israel

Malta

Bosnia-Hercegovina

Iceland

Sweden

Portugal

Finland

Romania

Turkey

Armenia

Listen and enjoy

http://www.eurovision.tv/event/artistdetail?song=24691&event=1480

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Reports on BAAPPG House of Commons Conference‏

Remarks at House of Commons,
Demanding Justice for Armenians
By Harut Sassounian,
Publisher, The California Courier

At the invitation of the British-Armenian All-Party Parliamentary Group

(BAAPPG), I spoke on May 7 at a special conference on the Armenian

Genocide held at the House of Commons, Committee Room 3, the

British Parliament, London.

Dr. Israel Charny, Director of the Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide

in Jerusalem, was also invited to speak at this conference. Regrettably,

due to a last minute illness, Dr. Charny could not attend. His prepared

remarks titled, “Denial of Genocide is not only a political tactic, it is an

attack on decent people’s minds and emotions,” was read by Peter Barker,

a former broadcaster of BBC Radio.

The conference was chaired by House of Lords member Baroness Cox,

Chairman of BAAPPG. In attendance were: Members of the House of

Lords, the Armenian Desk officer of the Foreign Office, representatives

from the Embassies of Greece, Kuwait, Serbia, Slovenia, and Syria,

non-governmental organizations, scholars, journalists, and other

distinguished guests.

In my remarks titled, “Armenian Genocide and Quest for Justice,” I cited

the acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide by the United Nations,

European Parliament, legislatures of more than 20 countries, U.S. House

of Representatives, Pres. Reagan, 42 out of 50 U.S. States, and the

International Association of Genocide Scholars.

I concluded that “after so many acknowledgments, the Armenian Genocide

has become a universally recognized historical fact.”

I expressed regret that the United Kingdom remained one of the rare major

countries that has yet to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. I pointed

out that “Britain’s siding with a denialist state is not so much due to lack of

evidence or conviction, but, sadly, because of sheer political expediency,

with the intent of appeasing Turkey.” I urged British officials to heed the

cautionary words of Prime Minister Winston Churchill who said: “An

appeaser is someone who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.”

I suggested that Armenians no longer needed to convince the world that

what took place during the years 1915-23 was “a genocide.”

Here are excerpts from my May 7 speech:

“A simple acknowledgment of and a mere apology, however, would not

heal the wounds and undo the consequences of the Genocide. Armenians

are still waiting for justice to be meted out, restoring their historic rights and

returning their confiscated lands and properties.

“In recent years, Armenian-American lawyers have successfully filed

lawsuits in U.S. federal courts, securing millions of dollars from New York

Life and French AXA insurance companies for unpaid claims to

policy-holders who perished in the Genocide. Several more lawsuits are

pending against other insurance companies and German banks to recover

funds belonging to victims of the Armenian Genocide.

“In 1915, a centrally planned and executed attempt was made to uproot from

its ancestral homeland and decimate an entire nation, depriving the survivors

of their cultural heritage as well as their homes, lands, houses of worship,

and personal properties.

“A gross injustice was perpetrated against the Armenian people, which

entitles them, as in the case of the Jewish Holocaust, to just compensation

for their enormous losses.

“Restitution can take many forms. As an initial step, the Republic of Turkey

could place under the jurisdiction of the Istanbul-based Armenian Patriarchate

all of the Armenian churches and religious monuments which were expropriated

and converted to mosques and warehouses or outright destroyed.

“In the absence of any voluntary restitution by the Republic of Turkey, Armenians

could resort to litigation, seeking ‘restorative justice.’

“In considering legal recourse, one should be mindful of the fact that the Armenian

Genocide did neither start nor end in 1915.

“Large-scale genocidal acts were committed starting with Sultan Abdul Hamid’s

massacre of 300,000 Armenians from 1894 to 1896; the subsequent killings of

30,000 Armenians in Adana by the Young Turk regime in 1909; culminating in the

Genocide of 1.5 million Armenians in 1915 to 1923; and followed by forced

Turkification and deportation of tens of thousands of Armenians by the Republic

of Turkey.

“Most of the early leaders of the Turkish Republic were high-ranking Ottoman

officials who had participated in perpetrating the Armenian Genocide. This

unbroken succession in leadership assured the continuity of the Ottomans’

anti-Armenian policies. The Republic of Turkey, as the continuation of the Ottoman

Empire, could therefore be held responsible for the Genocide.

“An important document, recently discovered in the U.S. archives, provides irrefutable

evidence that the Republic of Turkey continued to uproot and exile the remnants of

Armenians well into the 1930’s motivated by purely racist reasons. The document in

question is a ‘Strictly Confidential’ cable, dated March 2nd, 1934, and sent by U.S.

Ambassador Robert P. Skinner from Ankara to the U.S. Secretary of State, reporting

the deportation of Armenians.

“In the 1920’s and 30’s, thousands of Armenian survivors of the Genocide, were forced

out of their homes in Cilicia and Western Armenia to locations elsewhere in Turkey or

neighboring countries. In the 1940’s, these racist policies were followed by the Varlik

Vergisi, the imposition of an exorbitant wealth tax on Armenians, Greeks and Jews.

And, during the 1955 Istanbul pogroms, many Greeks as well as Armenians and Jews

were killed and their properties destroyed.

“This continuum of massacres, genocide and deportations highlights the existence of

a long-term strategy implemented by successive Turkish regimes from the 1890’s to

more recent times, in order to solve the Armenian Question with finality.

“Consequently, the Republic of Turkey is legally liable for its own crimes against

Armenians, as well as those committed by its Ottoman predecessors. “Turkey inherited

the assets of the Ottoman Empire; And, therefore, it must have also inherited its liabilities.

“Finally, since Armenians often refer to their three sequential demands from Turkey:

‘Recognition’ of the Genocide; ‘Reparations’ for their losses; and the ‘Return’ of their lands,

Turks have come to believe that once the Genocide is recognized, Armenians will then

pursue their next two demands.

“This is the main reason why Turks adamantly refuse to acknowledge the Armenian

Genocide. They fear that acceptance of the Genocide would lead to other demands for

restitution. They believe that by denying the first demand, they would be blocking the ones

that are sure to follow.

“The fact is that, commemorative resolutions adopted by legislative bodies of various

countries and statements made on the Armenian Genocide by world leaders have no force

of law, and therefore, no legal consequence.

“Armenians, Turks and others involved in this historical, and yet contemporary issue, must

realize that recognition of the Armenian Genocide or the lack thereof, will neither enable nor

deter its consideration by international legal institutions.

“Once Turkish officials realize that recognition by itself cannot and would not lead to other

emands, they may no longer persist in their obsessive denial of these tragic events.

“Without waiting for any further recognition, Armenians can pursue their historic rights through

proper legal channels, such as the International Court of Justice (where only states have such

jurisdiction), the European Court of Human Rights and U.S. Federal Courts.

“Justice, based on international law, must take its course.”

Following an extensive question and answer period, Armenia’s Ambassador to Great Britain,

Vahe Gabrieliyan, delivered the closing remarks. Based on the speeches of the two speakers,

the BAAPPG issued a statement calling on the British Government to acknowledge the

Armenian Genocide.

A CONFERENCE ENTITLED 'THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE: INTERNATIONAL
RECOGNITION AND CURRENT CHALLENGES' HELD IN HOUSE OF LORDS IN

GREAT BRITAIN
ArmInfo
2009-05-11 17:35:00

ArmInfo. On May 8, a conference entitled "The Armenian Genocide:
International Recognition and Current Challenges" was held in the
House of Lords in Great Britain. The conference was organized by the
British-Armenian All Party Parliamentary Group and Armenian Embassy.

To take part in the conference, Israel Charny, a well-known historian
specializing on the study of genocide, and well-known publicist Harut
Sasunyan were invited to the conference, however, I.Charny failed to
come and his speech was read off.

The participants presented documentary materials about the genocide,
stressed the inadmissibility of its denial and significance of its
international recognition. In particular, Sasunyan touched upon the
issue of recognizing the Armenian Genocide by the USA, which was
actually done as early as 1975 and 1984 by the H.Rep. Resolutions,
as well as by ex-president Ronald Reagan.

Armenian Ambassador to Great Britain Vahe Gabrielyan thanked the
participants and members of the British Parliament for the activity
aimed at recognizing the Armenian Genocide and stressed the necessity
of its recognition by Great Britain. The ambassador also touched upon
the current process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.

BRITISH-ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARY GROUP HELD A

CONFERENCE ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.05.2009 12:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In Remembrance of the 94th Anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, the British-Armenian All-Party Parliamentary
Group, under the auspices of the Armenian Embassy in Britain, held a
conference, entitled: "The Armenian Genocide. International Recognition
and Current Challenges " on Thursday 7th May 2009, in Committee Room
3 of the House of Commons, London SW1A OAA, British Parliament.

The invited speakers were Professor Israel Charny from Israel and Mr
Harut Sassounian from USA. Due to illness, Professor Charny did not
attend the event and, instead, sent his article, which was read by
Mr. Peter Barker, a former broadcaster of the BBC Radio 3 Programme.

The conference was chaired by the Baroness Cox of Queensbury, Chairman
of the BAAPPG and the Vote of Thanks was given by His Excellency
Ambassador Gabrielyan.

Based on the contents of the two Speakers speeches ,the
British-Armenian All-Party Parliamentary Group will issue a Statement ,
lobbying the Governments of Britain , USA and Turkey to recognize the
Armenian Genocide , committed by the Ottoman Government of 1915, Odette
Bazil, Co-Founder and Executive Secretary of The British-Armenian
All-Party Parliamentary Group reported to PanARMENIAN.Net.
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Statement on the release of Roxana Saberi from the family of Silva Harotonian‏

Thank you again for showing your support for my cousin Silva Harotonian (www.freesilva.org).

As you’ve probably seen in the news, Roxana Saberi was released from Iran’s Evin Prison today. This marks a joyous occasion for her and her family, friends and supporters. In responding to pleas for mercy, Iranian authorities suspended Roxana’s sentence and have ended her difficult ordeal.

We have sympathized with the Saberis throughout this situation and are so pleased for Roxana’s loved ones as they welcome her home.

As we celebrate Roxana’s freedom, I implore the world to please remember my cousin Silva, who is still imprisoned in Iran. Silva also is being held in Evin Prison on charges of fostering a “soft revolution.”

On behalf of Silva’s family, I respectfully and emphatically continue to ask the Iranian government to grant Silva her freedom.

We ask that you please forward this information and a link to our Web site (www.freesilva.org) to your family and friends and ask them to join in our appeal. Your help spreading the word and making others aware of Silva’s situation strengthens our collective voice. Here are three easy ways you can help spread the word:

Forward to a Friend by email	Share this on Facebook	Share this on Twitter

Once again, on behalf of Silva’s family, we express our deepest thanks for your support.

Klara Moradkhan
Cousin of Silva Harotonian

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FREE SILVA FROM EVIN PRISON & SARDARAPAT Deja Vu‏

SARDARAPAT Deja Vu
A film by Tigran Khzmalian

at HAYASHEN
105a Mill Hill Road, Acton, London W3 8JF

Friday, May 29, 2009
at 7.00 pm

After the projection of the film (lasting 67 minutes)
Q&A session will follow
Chaired by Prof Khatchatur I. Pilikian

* * *
An exceptional documentary film
Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture of Armenia
Prepared with artistic and historical integrity
NOT TO BE MISSED

* * *
Entrance Free
All are welcome
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Meet your European Parliament candidate - 29 May 2009‏

Watch the Eurovision Song Final - 16 May 2009‏

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Haygagan Tseghasbanoutian Vokegochoum - Montebello‏

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN

LOS ANGELES, U. S. A.

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Obama urges 38% cut in Armenia aid. Take Action‏

May 13, 2009 ANCA Endowment Telethon Coming to a Channel Near You Watch Video: Activists Urge Telethon Participation in Public Service Spots Obama Seeks 38% Cut in Aid to Armenia Proposes Breaking Military Aid Parity Agreement in Favor of Azerbaijan Take Action! Contact your Senate and House members Facts & Figures: Proposed Armenia aid cut in perspective Read community reaction to Obama's budget and offer your comments OBAMA SEEKS 38% CUT IN AID TO ARMENIA WASHINGTON, DC - Despite a 9% increase in overall foreign aid spending, President Barack Obama has called for a 38% cut in aid to Armenia, a 20% increase in aid to Azerbaijan, and the abandonment of the longstanding Armenia-Azerbaijan military aid parity agreement in favor of Baku, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). These figures, released today as part of the President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 budget, represent a sharp departure from the President's campaign commitments to maintain U.S. assistance to Armenia and to foster its growth and development through aid and trade. In January of 2008 and again only days before the November election, the President said he would "help foster Armenia's growth and development through expanded trade and targeted aid," adding that he will also, "strengthen the commercial, political, military, developmental, and cultural relationships between the U.S. and Armenian governments." "President Obama, despite his promise to maintain U.S. assistance to Armenia and his campaign commitment to help foster Armenia's growth and development, has called for a thirty-eight percent cut in aid to Armenia," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "His proposal to sharply reduce vitally needed assistance to Armenia, even as he is increasing overall foreign aid spending, is all the more disappointing in light of the urgent economic challenges facing Armenia." President Obama's budget calls for $30 million in U.S. aid to Armenia, down 38% from the FY09 allocation of $48 million. Under his proposal, funding for Azerbaijan would increase 20% from $18.5 million to $22.12 million. The complete international affairs budget proposed by the White House is $53,872,901. In Foreign Military Finance spending, President Obama has requested $4 million for Azerbaijan and only $3 million for Armenia, while funds for International Military Education and Training (IMET) represent an even starker break in the parity agreement struck between Congress and the White House in 2001, with $900,000 being proposed for Azerbaijan and $450,000 for Armenia. The Foreign Operations Subcommittees of the House and Senate Appropriation Committees will now review the President's budget and each draft their own versions of the FY 2010 foreign assistance bill. ANCA ENDOWMENT FUND TELETHON COMING TO A CHANNEL NEAR YOU Six-hour live broadcast on May 31st to Reach Communities Via Cable and Web Washington, DC - The ANCA Endowment Fund Telethon will spread the message of growing Armenian community civic activism to households across the United States and around the world using a diverse array of broadcast and internet options, designed to ensure each and every activist an opportunity to participate in this grassroots initiative. "Armenian Americans have broadened their outreach to media and to their elected officials across the country like never before, and with support for the Telethon, we can build on our successes," said Telethon Committee Chairman Leonard Manoukian. "We want to make sure that this powerful message is sent out to supporters and activists around the country, to educate, motivate and activate an ever-widening Armenian constituency." The Telethon will be viewed in major Armenian American community media markets on May 31st from 6:00pm. Visit http://www.2009telethon.org/tv.php The Telethon will also be webcast on the ANCA Endowment Fund Telethon website, 2009telethon.org. Telethon Watch parties are being coordinated in communities nationwide through local organizations and individuals. Activists who would like to host a Telethon Watch party in their area should call the ANCA Endowment Fund Telethon headquarters at (877) 808-ANCA. Search the web with www.goodsearch.com and money from Yahoo advertisers will go to the ANCA without you spending a dime. A penny per search! Use www.goodshop.com for online purchases from hundreds of popular sites and a percentage comes back to the ANCA. When you GoodSearch & GoodShop - Choose the ANCA ! Published by the Armenian National Committee of America 1711 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 Tel: (202) 775-1918, Fax: (202) 775-5648, E-mail: anca@anca.org, Web: www.anca.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Magaravank welcomes 200 pilgrims‏

Gibrahayer e-magazine www.gibrahayer.com The largest circulation Armenian e-magazine on the Internet Circulates every Wednesday - Established in 1999

SOURP MAGAR MONASTERY WELCOMES 200 PILGRIMS

You may view the 100 images from the 2nd Pilgrimage to Sourp Magar Monastery by clicking here: http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn151/SimonAynedjian/2nd%20Magaravank%20Pilgrimage/?albumview=grid

The Magaravank Pilgrimage: The preservation of the past and the determination of the future

Hrayr Jebedjian for Gibrahayer e-magazine - 11 May, 2009 - The notice on a small paper at the entrance of the Turkish occupied Magara Vank caught my attention. It was written in English, and it described the history of the Monastery which was built in 1000AD by the Coptic Church. In 1425AD, it was handed over to the Armenian Church. It has been an important center for research and study for Armenian and non Armenian pilgrims who made a stopover at the Monastery on their way to the Holy Lands. The writing on the paper did not end here. It continued by saying something about today: The picturesque and idyllic view of both the sea and the mountains makes this place a “touristic” spot where one can enjoy the splendid nature in a relaxed atmosphere and drink a cup of coffee…! I moved around the “remaining” parts of the Monastery, trying to catch up with every cornerstone and ruin and absorb history in its fullness. I lived the history of the many clergy, pilgrims, students, historians and intellectuals who spent a lifetime building the lives of mankind in the spirit of the Christian ethics of love, peace and reconciliation. Many intellectuals had devoted years to preserve the Armenian culture. I started looking through an empty space in one of the ruined buildings which was once a window. I started tracing the historical path of the Monastery by looking through this window. I could see the Light that Magara Vank had spread: the path of civilisation throughout the ages within the Armenian community and others. The church service inside the small madour was overwhelming. The sharagans touched the heart of each and every one of the 200 pilgrims present on this pilgrimage. The singing seemed to echo that of the past, bringing the ruins and the remaining of the Monastery back to life and changing the “touristic” spot back to its original Mission. The pilgrimage on Sunday, May 10, 2009, was organised by the Office of the Armenian Representative in the Cyprus parliament in cooperation with the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus. I joined the group together with many of my Armenian-Cypriot friends who told me many things about life at the Monastery before 1974. How can a centre of light and civilisation be turned into a ruin in only thirty-five years? The answer to my question came through Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian’s message during the service that day. It was a call for determination, “The determination to rebuild that which was destroyed,” he said. This is the challenge of our survival in today’s world: The preservation of our legacy and the determination to rebuild and carry it forward to the future; the legacy of the past with its Identity, Faith, Culture and the Struggle for a Just Cause. This legacy, in its fullness, needs to be rebuilt but, most of all, carried forward to the future. I went back to the front gate and re-read the notice on the small piece of paper. Magara Vank can never be a touristic spot. It is the spot to preserve the past and rebuild the future. There are many challenges to rebuilding the future, though: The future with the many unknowns and uncertainties that impact our lives in the present circumstances. Nevertheless, there is one “road map” through which we can navigate on our journey of the many unknowns. There is one road map that will help us tackle the many Pan-Armenian concerns that we face today: The road map that creates the Pan-Armenian mind and effort in spite of all our differences. This is the road map that can lead us to the safe shore even when “we walk in the valley of the shadow of death”. The Magara Vank pilgrimage was a confirmation of the preservation of the past and the determination to rebuild the future. Hrayr Jebejian - Armenian Evangelical Church - Cyprus

SHUSHI LIBERATION CELEBRATED

Combined sources and PanARMENIAN.Net - On May 9, Armenia celebrated Victory Day and Shushi Liberation Day. Armenian Defense Ministry officials laid flower wreaths to the Unknown Soldier's Memorial in Victory Park of Yerevan. The ceremony was followed by a parade and a festive concert organised by the Armenian Defense Ministry. Armenia's and NKR's Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Bako Sahakyan visited the Stepanakert memorial dedicated to the victims of the Shushi Battle and later set out for Shushi. On their way, the Presidents stopped near the tank memorial while at Sourp Khazanchetsots a memorial service was held. The celebrations will end in a concert and firework display.

SARGSYAN AND ALIYEV MEET IN PRAGUE

PRAGUE May 7 - Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Azeri President Ilham Aliyev met at the U.S. Embassy in Prague on Thursday, a Prague-based source told Interfax. Asked by Interfax before an EU Eastern Partnership summit to comment on the meeting results, Sargsyan said it passed "positively." Western media reported that U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza, who is also a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, attended the meeting behind closed doors between Aliyev and Sargsyan. Interfax reported earlier that the Azeri and Armenian leaders had agreed to hold another round of negotiations on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem in Prague on Thursday. The parties should continue coordination of key principles offered to them by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs in Madrid in late 2007. Azerbaijan and Armenia confirmed that they had reached an understanding on a number of these principles but still disagree on the most sensitive issues. The stumbling block in the talks is Nagorno-Karabakh's legal status. Baku insists that the conflict be settled with Azerbaijan's territorial integrity preserved, with which most of the international community agrees, while Yerevan believes the settlement should be based on another principle of international law, i.e. nations' right to self- determination.

GAME NOT OVER... we just re-group and fight back

In response to Diran’s last week’s “Game over… We lose”, I would like to say that as long as we have young men and women who really believe in the righteousness of the Hay Tad, we will never lose. History proves it. We fought back against the Persians; We fought back after 5 centuries of Ottoman suppression and gradual extermination; We fought back after Turkish occupation, Genocide, deportation and death marches; We fought back at Sardarabad; We fought back and held the “Yerakouyn” up high during and after 70 years of communism, even though others mocked us and stabbed us in the back; We fought back after Sumgait with kitchen knives and hunting guns; We fought back after we were officially exiled from Armenia, our comrades put in prison and our offices burnt down by Levon Der Bedrossian; We fought back after US presidents promised and then forgot their promises… And we will still fight back after, as Diran said, “our efforts were destroyed with the stroke of a pen by the Armenian leadership”. Another thing I do not agree with Diran is that we do not look up to the Armenian leadership, but we look up to Armenia, the Republic, and Mount Ararat for guidance and strength. Actually it is a two way street, as in return, we are the strength of Armenia. The Armenian leaderships look up to us, and fear our opinion. The epitaph on the Tombstone of Hay Tad is not this “road map” but would be if we showed apathy and indifference. As I know Diran personally, I believe that he will never resign from Hay Tad activities, but he will fight back, even harder. Sevag Gurunlian - Nicosia

RAG 25-rt Uenthanour Badkamavoragan Joghov-ue Bsagvetsav Patsarig Hachoghoutiamp‏

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN

AMMAN, JORDAN

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Harts-ue Badmagan E‏

ARTICLE BY HAGOP MARDIROSSIAN

LOS ANGELES, U. S. A.

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Hay Uellal Tourkio Mech‏

ARTICLE BY VAHAN ISAOGHLOU

ISTANBUL, TURKEY

ARMENIA: YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND MAYBE NO TOMORROW

Gibrahayer e-magazine www.gibrahayer.com
The largest circulation Armenian e-magazine on the Internet
Circulates every Wednesday - Established in 1999

By Lucine Kasbarian
Yesterday, Armenia was a battlefield and prize for competing empires. Today, Armenia is a battlefield and prize for competing empires.
Yesterday, the Young Turks' regime released criminals from prison to terrorise Armenians.
Today, Turkish and Armenian regimes contain criminals who terrorise Armenians.
Yesterday, the Turkish government solved its “Armenian problem” with repression, violence and murder, including the execution of 250 intellectuals in 1915. Today, the Turkish government solves its “Armenian problem” with repression, violence and murder, including the execution of Hrant Dink in 2007.
Yesterday, in the Ottoman Empire, Armenian women threw themselves into rivers and over cliffs to avoid Turkish rape, forced marriages and slavery. Today, in Turkey, migrant women from Armenia prostitute themselves, while Armenian women Turkify themselves through intermarriage.
Yesterday, Armenians struggled on their own lands to retain their faith, language and traditions. Today, Armenians live in foreign lands, and while free to practise their faith, language and traditions, let them fade away.
Yesterday, international media reported truthfully about the Armenian Genocide. Today, international media willingly publish Turkish propaganda and genocide denials.
Yesterday, Turkish authorities removed Armenians from their lands to convince the world that Armenians never lived there. Today, Turkish authorities dismantle churches, monuments, and cemeteries to convince the world that Armenians never lived there.
Yesterday, Turkish leaders demonised Armenians through word of mouth to turn the Turks against them. Today, Turkish leaders demonise Armenians through books and films to turn the Turks against them.
Yesterday, ordinary Armenians, their backs to the wall, secured an independent nation on the battlefield. Today, Armenia’s ruling cabal may wilfully surrender their nation behind closed doors.

Yesterday, President Wilson promised a mandate for Armenia, only to have the U.S. Senate reject it. Today, President Obama promised to recognise the Armenian Genocide, only to go back on his word.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Vratsian was forced to hand Armenia to the Soviets to save it from Turkish destruction. Today, President Sargsyan and his clique voluntarily sacrifice Armenia’s interests for their own benefit.
Yesterday, Armenians mistakenly trusted the Western powers and Russia. The Armenian nation paid the price. Today, Armenians mistakenly trust the Western powers and Russia. The Armenian nation pays the price.
Yesterday, Armenians of Arstakh defended their native lands against Azeri hostility. Today, Armenians of Arstakh defend their native lands against Azeri and NATO hostility.
Yesterday, Armenian leaders sacrificed their lives to secure liberty for their people. Today, Armenians leaders sacrifice their dignity for their own personal ambitions.
Yesterday, a closed border prevented Turkey from penetrating Armenia. Today, an open border could enable Turkey to penetrate Armenia.
Yesterday, Armenia would have been eliminated if its people did not resist. Today, Armenia will be eliminated if its people do not resist. Lucine Kasbarian is an Armenian American writer
GAME OVER ... WE LOSE

On an additional note, if the Turkish - Armenian "road-map" is revealed to be true, something I tend to believe, I will give my formal resignation from Hay Tad activities, as all our efforts and sacrifices are permanently destroyed with the stroke of a pen by the Armenian leadership that we look up to for guidance and strength. A copy of my resignation with the reasons will be sent to the Ministry of Diaspora in Armenia to let them know of the 'good progress' this government is doing.
Indeed, this road-map is the epitaph on the tombstone of Hay Tad, the countless victims of the Genocide and the future of all the generations of Armenians that will follow. What the Turks did not manage to do to us at Sardarabad, our leadership has done to us in Yerevan.

Diran Kassabian - Limassol

from the pages of Gibrahayer e-magazine Wednesday 10 December, 2008

by Allen Yekikian - The ARF Dashnaktsoutiun has urged the Armenian Government to be cautious in its rapprochement with Turkey, saying that Ankara is using it to influence the Karabakh peace process and scuttle international recognition of the Armenian genocide.
The issue was high on the agenda of a three-day plenary meeting of the Dashnaktsoutiun's Bureau, where Armenia's foreign and domestic challenges were examined.
The meeting, which finished its work in Beirut Monday, also discussed immediate and long-term strategies for coordinating its international affiliates in bolstering Armenia's statehood.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Bureau said international recognition of the genocide is a top priority for Armenia's foreign policy, warning that President Serzh Sargsyan's diplomatic overtures to Turkey are being manipulated “for halting the genocide recognition process and making relations between the two states conditional on Armenia's relations with a third country, Azerbaijan.”

PILGRIMAGE TO TURKISH-OCCUPIED SOURP MAGAR MONASTERY TO TAKE PLACE IN THIS SUNDAY 10 MAY

Gibrahayer - Nicosia May 6, 2009 - The second pilgrimage to the Turkish-occupied Armenian Monastery of Sourp Magar - organised by the Office of the Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian and the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus - will take place this Sunday 10 May.
The convoy of buses will leave at 11:00 am from the Armenian Prelature and participants are once again reminded not to forget their IDs and passports. Community members, wishing to participate in the pilgrimage - who have not signed up yet - may do so by driving to the monastery with their own vehicles and joining the rest of the community members there. You may download a booklet on the Magaravank's treasures from here:
http://rapidshare.com/files/210454308/Magaravank-1.pdf
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Haygagan Tseghasbanoutian Hamakaghoutayin Vokegochum - Gibros‏

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN

NICOSIA, CYPRUS

Hayasdani Tivanakidoutian Sdeghdzadz Part Iravidjag-ue‏

ARTICLE BY ARAM SEPETJIAN

BEIRUT, LEBANON