Seyran Ohanyan: will host no more than one Hrant Dink’s Fam- Russian base Page 2 ily Refuses “Amicablev PSettlement”with Turkish Government PAGE 5 ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS

Weekly Digest of the

SEPTEMBER 1-8 2010 THEMA

“Quote of the week”

“Knowledge is a great power and our state needs this power, Yes, patriot- ism, as the knowl- edge obtained by you is also a display of patriotism.”

SERZH Sargsyan Ra PRESIDENT , “We must pay high attention to development of pupils’ thinking” Upcoming Events n the occasion of Knowledge order all the pupils understand that ODay Armenian Prime Minis- they will not be competitive without ter Tigran Sargsyan visited today knowledge, and will not have future,” September 1: Armenia Marks the N 29 School after Andranik Mar- Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarg- day of science garyan. Governmental press serv- syan said in a briefing with journalist September 16-17: to host ice told Armenpress that by con- during his today’s visit to N 29 School Fruitfull Armenia winemaking fo- gratulating the pupils and teachers after Andranik Margaryan. According rum Tigran Sargsyan particularly noted, to him, times change quickly and to- September 19-23: PM tigran Sarg- “Modern world is a world of com- day’s requirements, issues differ from syan pays an official visit to China petition of knowledge and intel- the previous ones with their quality. September 21: Armenia celebrates lect. The mission of the school is September 1, 2010 www.armenpress.am the Indipendence day to pass that wisdom to children, in

The delegation headed by Tigran Sargsyan participated in opening of a sub-building of School N 11 he sub-building of N 11 senior school the opening ceremony. In the opening speech USEFUL LINKS Tceremonially opened today in Step- Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan • www.president.am anakert. It has been constructed by the co- noted that the biggest wealth of Armenian • www.gov.am financing of Trpanjyan family and NKR people is the knowledge, and the construc- • www.parliament.am government. The NKR high-ranking tion of a new educational establishment is di- • www.mfa.am leadership, headed by Prime Minister Ara rected toward preservation and development • www.armenpress.am Harutyunyan, Armenian Prime Minister of that very wealth. • www.panarmenian.net Tigran Sargsyan and the governmental September 2, 2010 www.armenpress.am • www.matenadaran.am delegation headed by him participated in ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS

CHRONICA Headlines of : knowledge is great power and our state needs the week this power Sargsyan said: “As I promised, we in- • September 2: Artsakh vite children regularly to honor them President attends events dedi- and express our gratitude. Thank cated to Independence Day you for your patriotism. Yes, patriot- AH ism, as the knowledge obtained by • SEPTEMBER 2: Greater volumes you is also a display of patriotism.” of wheat imported to Armenia Expressing gratitude to the win- AH ners of international Olympiads, • September 2: Armenian Geno- the President noted that these vic- cide novel released by award-winning tories are of special importance for American author Steven E. Wilson Armenia with its small population. AH n August 31, on the eve of Mr. Sargsyan also congratulated • SEPTEMBER 2: Armenia prepar- OKnowledge Day, Armenian the school student on the occasion ing for Khanty Mansiysk Olympiad President Serzh Sargsyan received of Knowledge Day. “Knowledge is • AH gold medalists of Armenian schools, a great power and our state needs • SEPTEMBER 3: ArmRosgazprom not winners of international Olympi- this power,” noted Serzh Sargsyan. ready to comment on Gazprom statement ads and Math Kangaroo contest. September1, 2010 • AH Greeting the school students, Mr. www.panarmenian.net • SEPTEMBER 3: Pavel Avetisy- an: excavations in Nergin Goted- zor present major interest to Tigran Sargsyan hands a medal to former chairman of both Armenia and Western Asia the Armenian Central Bank, adviser of the CB Chairman • AH Isahak Isahakyan • SEPTEMBER 4: Aronyan ties his game with Alexey Shirov in 2nd n September 1 in the Armenian sion of the Armenian Prime Minister, round of Grand Slam Chess Masters Ogovernment Armenian Prime Isahak Isahakyan was awarded with AH Minister Tigran Sargsyan handed Ar- Prime Minister’s medal for fruitful • SEPETEMBER 6: menian Prime Minister’s medal to activity of many years in state ad- Memorial to be inaugurated in Boston former chairman of the Armenian ministrative system and for outstand- • AH Central Bank, advisor of the chair- ing contribution to consolidation and • SEPTEMBER 7: Armenian Prime man of the CB Isahak Isahakyan. development of the financial system. Minister participates in Cul- Governmental press service told Ar- September 1, 2010 tural center opening in Artik menpress that on the August 10 deci- www.armenpress.am • AH • SEPTEMBER 7: Vladimir Putin: Nabucco has little chance for success Seyran Ohanyan: Armenia Norway allocates 180,000 eu- • AH will host no more than one ros to facilitate small hydro- • SEPTEMBER 8: Armenian Min- Russian base power sector of Armenia ister of Education hopes for in- n September 7, 2010, Norsk Energi creased number of Iranian stu- O(NE) starts an innovative 4 month train- dents in Armenian universities ing program that will provide multi-stake- AH holder benefits within the small hydropower Prices for petrol drop sector in Armenia, working in close partner- ship with local Partner Hydroenergetica. 7.6% in Armenia in June- The program is financed by the Norwegian August 2010 Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop and he extension of Russian military .0% and 0.9% drop was re- execute a technical capacity-building pro- Tbase deployment terms is impor- 1corded in prices for petrol and gram for the small hydropower sector, Head tant for Armenia, RA Defense Minister diesel fuel respectively in Au- of the Project of Norsk Energi, Eun Joo Yi, said. “Protocol 5 cements Armenian- gust 2010 as compared with July. said during the new initiative’s presentation Russian military and political union, According to the data provided by in Yerevan. According to her, Norway has what allows developing the army, the RA National Statistical Serv- allocated 180,000 euros for the project im- strengthening security and resist chal- ice, prices for petrol and diesel fuel plementation. The project is actively support- lenges,” Seyran Ohanyan told a news decreased by 7.6% and 6% respec- ed by Ameriabank, as a leader in financing conference on September 1. “We will tively in June-August 2010. Mean- small hydropower sector in Armenia, as well jointly implement all provisions of the while, prices for petrol and diesel as by the RA Ministry of Energy, the RA protocol but I would like to mention fuel grew by 7.8% and 16.3% re- Ministry of Environment, GAF-RE-KfW that Armenia will host no more than spectively in August 2010 as com- and Yerevan State University of Architecture one Russian base,” the Minister em- pared with the same period in 2009. and Construction. phasized.. Sptember1, 2010 September 7, 2010 www.panarmenian.net September1, 2010 www.panarmenian.net www.panarmenian.net

2 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS RES PUBLICA RA government to rehabilitate handball traditions Manouchehr Mottaki: in Armenia Armenia has a special place The international tournament brought in Iran’s foreign policy together Armenian, Belarusian, Geor- gian and Iranian teams. In the first two matches, the Armenian team suf- fered a 20:37 defeat by Belarus and celebrated a 28:27victory over Iran. On September 4, Armenia will play the last match v Georgia. A Byelorussian handball team won Ar- rmenian Prime Minister Tigran menian Prime Minister’s Cup in a tourna- ASargsyan met with President of the ment held September 2-4 in Vanadzor. On rmenian-Iranian relations are rapidly de- International Handball Federation, Dr September 4, Armenian Prime Minister Aveloping, specifically in energy and econ- Hassan Mustafa, who arrived in Arme- Tigran Sargsyan and International Hand- omy. How would you assess the political dia- nia to watch RA Prime Minister’s Cup ball Federation President Hassan Moustafa logue between the two countries? held in Vanadzor on September 2-4. presented the cup to the Byelorussian team. Iran attaches importance to development of re- PM Sargsyan noted that the tournament Armenian team became the runner up in the lations with neighbor states and Armenia has a will serve as a new stimulus for hand- tournament, followed by Iranian and Geor- special place in Tehran’s foreign policy. Sig- ball development in Armenia and the gian teams. On closing day, the Prime Min- nificant progress has been registered in rela- RA government will do its utmost to re- ister congratulated the winners, expressing tions between the two countries. Mutual visits habilitate its traditions in the country. hope that the tournament will stimulate fur- of high ranking officials as well as the docu- Dr Mustafa hailed cooperation with the ther development of the handball in Arme- ment signed testify to the will to strengthen bi- RA Handball Federation and briefed the nia, governmental press service reported. lateral ties. Achievement of a final agreement Prime Minister on the outlooks, the RA September 5 2010 www.panarmenian.net to build transmission facilities with capacity of governmental press service reported. 400 kilowatt, a reservoir on River Araks and a hydropower plant in Meghri will help develop cooperation. I am also hopeful to witness con- Gerard Depardieu may be Representatives of clusion of an agreement on construction of oil awarded with Karot Prize Mother See of Holy Etch- pipeline and oil terminal soon. Iran is willing miadzin refuse to par- to join technical projects implemented in Ar- ticipate in liturgy in menia, including the North-South transport cor- Holy Cross Church on ridor. I believe that our countries have potential to expand cooperation, specifically to develop Akhtamar Island a free trade agreement. Political and cultural relations between Tehran and Yerevan are ad- articipation in the liturgy in Holy vancing as well. During their meeting on the PCross Church on Akhtamar Island sidelines of various international conferences, due September 19 is unacceptable for leaders of our states do not miss the opportunity n about 3 hours, Famous French ac- the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. to exchange views on political issues. Itor Gerard Depardieu will arrive in “The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Recently, media referred to Tehran’s initiatives Yerevan to participate in Karot festi- regretted to learn that a consecrated on Karabakh conflict settlement, specifically val, festival president Metso Igityan cross will not be set atop Holy Cross organization of a meeting between the Presi- reported. Chuch on Akhtamar, as was promised dent of Armenia, and Iran. Does it As he said in a conversation with Pan- by the Turkish government. The gov- mean that Iran wants to join the process as a ARMENIAN.Net reporter, this will ernment promised that the cross will mediator? Contribution to regional peace and security as be the actor’s first visit to Armenia, be set and consecrated a week prior to well as resolution of conflicts in accordance where on September 4 he’ll meet with the liturgy. But it has not happened. with the international law is Iran’s position in the parliamentary speaker Hovik Abra- To meet the wish of Constantinople principle. We stand for resolution of disputes hamyan and Armenian President Serzh Patriarchate of the Armenian Apos- taking into account the interests of conflicting Sargsyan. tolic Church, we were going to send sides. Iran’s initiatives regarding the Karabakh The actor’s 2-day visit to Armenia will two priests for participation in the lit- conflict settlement can only supplement the be completed on September 5. Depar- urgy. However, it is impossible given other endeavors to that end. We believe that all dieu will participate in the award cer- the current situation. Representatives conflicts should be resolved through efforts of emony of Karot festival as an honour- of the Mother See of Holy Etchmi- the countries of the region. able guest. “Whether he’ll be the one to adzin will not participate in the liturgy What is Iran’s official position on the Karabakh issue? award or receive the prize, will remain in Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar,” Iran’s official position is as follows: Iran calls a surprise to be revealed at the ceremo- reads the September 4 statement of on all parties to conflict to show restraint and ny,” festival president concluded. the press service of the Mother See of resolve the problem peacefully. On our part, we September 3 2010 www.panarmenian.net Holy Etchmiadzin. are ready to contribute to the process. Spetember 4, 2010 www.panarmenian.net September 2, 2010 full story www.panarmenian.net 3 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS PRO PATRIA Armenian restaurant Will Armenia and Turkey Iranian firms take part has unique dishes in qui- Shake Hands Ever? in ARMENIA EXPO 2010 et surroundings omplex and tense relations between CTurkey and Armenia are a well known fact. Since 1993, Turkey has been main- taining a closed border with Armenia. How long will this continue? Will the two countries make peace? For several years their diplomacies have been trying to find a way to normalize their relations, first in a closed niche, and then publicly. On April 23, 2009, Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries announced their plans to EHRAN -- ARMENIA EXPO 2010 design a “road map” for the negotiation 10th regional universal trade-industri- process, and after a few months the par- T here is a sad romance in Mt. , al exhibition kicked off on Friday at Karen ties were able to reach very specific ar- Tunrelated to its place in the Bible Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Com- rangements with the help of Switzerland. as Noah's landing. Its peak overlooks plex in the Armenian capital of Yerevan. On October 10 of the last year in Zurich, Armenia's capital, Yerevan, its white- A number of Iranian companies have Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Turkey capped outline is on the country's coat participated in the event, the Islamic Re- Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward Nalbandian of arms, and the mountain is the very public of Iran Broadcasting reported. signed two documents, the importance of emblem of the Armenians' national iden- Over 180 companies from Armenia, Art- which is obvious from their titles alone: tity. Mt. Ararat is not in Armenia. To- sakh, Russia, Belarus, Iran, UAE, Ger- the “Protocol on establishing diplomatic day, the peak stands a little more than many, Georgia, Turkey, China, Poland, relations” and “Protocol for the develop- 30 km over the closed Turkish border, in and Italy have taken part in the exhibition. ment of bilateral relations.” The value of one of the only two countries Armenia The exhibition was opened by the Arme- these documents was also emphasized by does not have diplomatic relations with, nian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. the presence at the signing of the Russian “The exhibition is an exclusive opportuni- for reasons so complicated it makes the Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Sec- ty to establish contacts between business- Israel-Palestine conflict look cut and dry. retary of State, French Foreign Minister men. Foreign businessmen’s participation The ending to that story, for now, is that Bernard Kouchner and EU High Repre- is very important for us to create business the Armenians can only gaze at Ararat sentative Javier Solana. Public opinion environment in Armenia,” the premier said. from afar, copy its crags onto currency in most countries is optimistic about the ARMENIA EXPO is organized by and paint sentimental renderings, like the prospects of Armenian-Turkish settlement. the LOGOS EXPO Center and the small mural on the wall of Prague's only Nearly a year has passed since then. Felix Union of Manufacturers and Busi- Armenian restaurant, Noy. Geopoliti- Stanevsky, department head of the Cauca- nessmen (Employers) of Armenia. sus Institute of the CIS and Russia’s Am- cal considerations and bloody histories The event will close on 5th of bassador, talked about current situation are in most ways absent from a culture's September 5, 2010, www.tehrantimes.com cuisine. Food offers comfort above all with these prospects in an interview with else, and traditional dishes are born of Pravda.ru. celebrations and happy events - the good September 1, 2010 Armenia 0-1 Republic of things in life. Noy's dishes are made with full story english.pravda.ru Ireland this sentiment, simply and capably. In an obbie Keane missed a great early Iran, Armenia to discuss mu- age where countries' national cuisines chance and Sean St Ledger also tual role in their foreign R take turns in the spotlight as the latest went close for the Irish before the break. policy trend, it's exciting to taste dishes that Yura Movsisyan and Keane squan- are truly new to the uninitiated. At the ran and Armenia are to discuss their dered glorious chances at either end be- very last stop of the No. 9 tram in Jijkov, Irole in the other side's foreign policy in fore Fahey finally broke the deadlock. Armenia pressed frantically for an Noy’s location is as obscure as Armenian a meeting in Tehran mid September. The equaliser and the impressive Liam cuisine is for many of us. The restaurant meeting is to be attended by officials of Ar- Lawrence made a vital late clearance. is a small, humbly appointed room with menian embassy in Tehran, former Iranian Keane should have put the Irish ahead only a few tables tucked in the basement ambassadors to Armenia as well as some experts in different fields. "Expansion of on eight minutes against the world's below a large herna bar. There are small bilateral ties in scientific, economic and 96th ranked side but he sliced the glo- touches that don’t necessarily add up to cultural domains can help improvement of rious chance wide after Kevin Doyle a whole: pomegranate clay salt and pep- Iran-Armenia ties due to strategic relations had nodded on a Shay Given clearance. per shakers, the Mt. Ararat mural, plastic between the two neighboring countries," Derby's Paul Green, making his competi- vines and menu covers enhanced with the Managing Director of Iran-Armenia tive debut for the Republic, put his defence plastic rhinestones. Friendship Association Mir Qasem Mome- in trouble by losing possession in the 12th September 1, 2010 ni told ISNA minute but Levon Pachajyan fired wide. full story www.praguepost.com September 5, 2010 www.isna.ir September 3, 2010 full story www.news.bbc.co.uk

4 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS DIASPORA Hrant Dink’s Family Refuses “Amicablev Azerbaijani-Armenians in Settlement”with Turkish Government the US undreds of thousands of Armenians t is too late for “amicable settlement” was accused of violating fled Azerbaijan in the early 1990s. of Hrant Dink’s case in the notorious Article 301 of the H I The collapse of the , the Kara- European Court of Human Rights, said Turkish criminal code, “insulting bagh conflict and violence against Arme- Dink’s lawyer Fethiye Cetin, commenting Turkishness,” which set the scene nians in Azerbaijan culminated in pogroms on Turkish FM Ahmet for the murder. As it turned out later, in Sumgait in February 1988, in Kirovabad Davutoglu’s statement that Turkey both police and gendarmerie were (Ganja) in November 1988 and Baku in wants to solve Dink’s issue peacefully. well informed of the planned crime. January 1990. It has been roughly 20 years It is too late to reach a compromise During his visit to Baku the Turkish now that members of this unique group of deal and Dink’s family has rejected President stated the Government immigrants have lived in the United States. such proposal, she added. had not taken necessary measures to The purpose of this article is to examine As NEWS.am reported earlier, prevent the crime. A few days later he how they have fared in the United States. several days ago Turkish press reported invited Dink’s brother to his residence. This is admittedly an unscientific survey that the European Court of Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu based on interviews of only a handful of Human Rights in Strasbourg has tried to justify himself by stating he individuals either involved professionally found Turkey guilty of failing to had not been informed of or signed the with this community, or active members of prevent the murder of Editor of the speech for the defense the Turkish this community. Agos daily Hrant Dink and properly Government sent to the European Most Armenians from Azerbaijan came conduct an investigation to disclose Court. In that document Dink was to the US from roughly 1989 to 1996. The the crime. It was noted that the Court described as a neonazi. first wave came after the US agreed to give verdict will be published in the press September 4, 2010 www.masisdaily.com them refugee status.Before this time, it was this September. Hrant Dink very hard for Soviet Armenians except for repatriates (who came to settle in Armenia Azeris Breach Cease Fire Again from outside the USSR in earlier years) the Azeri forces retreated, suffering losses. and political dissidents to emigrate from According to Azeri Defense Ministry sourc- the Soviet Union. es, seven Azeri soldiers died during the attack. September 6, 2010 www.mirrorspectator.com “The incident that occurred in the northeast- Mediators Vow ‘Intense ern direction of the line of contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Activity’ On Karabakh Azerbaijan (in the vicinity of Chailu village) nternational mediators pledged to step once again proves that official Baku intends Iup their efforts to broker a solution to the to perpetuate the instability in the region not Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as they began only through periodic war rhetoric, but also a new round of regional shuttle diplomacy ne Armenian soldier was wounded late frequent acts of sabotage at different parts on Monday. In a joint statement issued in OTuesday after what the Nagorno-Kara- of the contact line,” the Karabakh Defense Baku, the U.S., Russian and French diplo- bakh Army press office described as an at- Army said. “The Azerbaijani side is quick to mats co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group tack by Azeri units in an attempt to overrun blame the Karabakh forces at every turn. The said they will discuss with Armenian and Karabakh positions, reported ArmRadio. The official and non-official Azeri propaganda Azerbaijani leaders “additional actions cease fire breach took place at 6:30 a.m. local machine remains committed to this version necessary to strengthen the cease-fire” and time on Tuesday near the village of Chailu of the story,” added the statement. “Once “promote a spirit of compromise by all in northeastern Karabakh, at the same place again Azerbaijan showed its true face. How- parties.” They also strongly condemned where on June 18 Azeri forces launched an at- ever, the enemy retreated, suffering losses as last week’s truce violations in northeastern tack, killing four Armenian soldiers. Accord- a result of the appropriate measures taken by Nagorno-Karabakh that left at least four ing to Nagorno-Karabakh Republic army the Armenian side. As usual, they are spread- Azerbaijani soldiers dead and highlighted spokesman, Senor Hasratian, told RFE/RL ing false information,” said Armenian De- the persisting danger of renewed war for that the Karabakh soldier who was wounded fense Minister Seyran Ohanian in response the disputed territory. News reports from was 19-year-old Rudik Manaserian. Doc- to Azeri reports that blamed the Karabakh Baku said the three co-chairs plan to moni- tors at a military hospital in Stepanakert told army for the cease fire violation and claims tor on Wednesday the ceasefire regime in RFE/RL on Wednesday that Manaserian un- that the Karabakh side suffered three losses. that area together with OSCE field offic- derwent surgery and is now in “satisfactory” The attacks come on the eve of a scheduled ers. According to the APA news agency, condition. “The Armenian servicemen on visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev they will then cross into Karabakh through duty noticed the movement of an enemy spe- to Baku. It remains to be seen how this latest the heavily militarized “line of contact.” cial task force on time and took appropriate violation of the cease fire by Baku will play September 6, 2010 measures,” said the Karabakh army report, out during Medvedev’s visit. full story www.armeniadiaspora.com adding that following the Armenian response September 1, 2010 www.asbarez.com "Armenia Highlights" is compiled in association with & DISCLAIMER: Views expressed in "Armenia Highlights" do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of Armenia.

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