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Home , Hovik Abrahamyan, Karen Karapetyan, Matenadaran, President of Armenia, Yerablur

Intellect is one of Arme- nia’s strategic resources, to hold Sargsyan says(interveiw) historic service in an- Page 3 cient Turkish church PAGE 4 HIGHLIGHTS

Weekly Digest of the

SEPTEMBER 16-23 2010 THEMA

“Quote of the week” “Educated and well-to-do young people will guar- antee sustainable development of our country”

SERZH Sargsyan Shanghai Expo 2010 Celebrates National Pavilion Day of Armenia he Armenian flag was hoisted September Chinese Government and the organizing commit- T21 – the Independence Day of Armenia tee of the expo on the National Day of Armenia, – in the Chinese city of Shanghai, where the greeted the participation of the Armenian Prime Upcoming Events National Pavilion Day of the Republic of Ar- Minister in the festivity of the National Day and menia has been declared at Shanghai Expo expressed gratitude to the Armenian side for ex- 2010 International Exposition, which which cellent participation in exposition. According September 16-17: to host kicked off 5 months ago. A number of sol- to Liu Jiayi, Armenia is in the crossroad, which Fruitfull Armenia winemaking fo- emn festivities have started early morning connects Europe with Asia, and Armenia’s pavil- rum since the arrival of the Armenian delegation, ion proves that Armenia endeavors to build light September 19-23: PM tigran Sarg- headed by Prime Minister , future. ‘An old and wise nation lives in Arme- syan pays an official visit to China to the Shanghai expositional center, where nia; the unique Armenian culture is flourishing. September 21: Armenia celebrates Liu Jiayi, auditor general of the National Au- The country gave to the world a number of world- the Indipendence day dit Office of the People’s Republic of China, known names, who had their unique investment in received them. The anthem of Armenia was the development of universal culture by presenting played, the Armenian flag was hoisted and its City of the World project,’ Liu Jiayi said. He said the National Pavilion Day of the Republic of he appreciates the virtual presentation of the project Armenia kicked off. After the conversation and considers it one of the best such performances of Tigran Sargsyan and Liu Jiayi at the hall of the expo. As to the Armenian-Chinese age-long of official receptions, the Armenian Prime relations, he said the bilateral cooperation is be- USEFUL LINKS Minister made a note in the guests’ memoir ing developed in the cultural, economic and other • www.president.am book, where he expressed gratitude to the Chi- spheres. Liu Jiayi expressed hope that Armenia’s • www.gov.am nese side for warm reception and for holding participation in the exposition and Armenian Prime • www.parliament.am such a beautiful exposition in a high level. Minister’s visit will transmit a new impetus to the • www.mfa.am During the opening ceremony of the National strengthening of the Armenian-Chinese relations. • www.armenpress.am Day for the Republic of Armenia at Shanghai September 21, 2010 • www.panarmenian.net Expo, Liu Jiayi congratulated on behalf of the full story www.armenpress.am • www..am ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS

CHRONICA Headlines of the week • September 17: U.S. Secretary of Chairman of the RA Constitutional State Hillary Clinton discusses Arme- Court , head of nian-Turkish relations in Near East the National Security Council Arthur • AH Baghdasaryan and Chief of Staff of • SEPTEMBER 18: Vic Darchin- the RA President . yan calls Showtime ‘The Armenia held a referendum on in- Darchinyan tournament’ dependence on September 21, 1991. AH 94.39% of the eligible voters said • September 18: Venezue- “Yes” to the question whether Arme- lan ex-minister of finance ad- vises Armenia to focus on export nia should be an independent state. An- AH n September 21, on the occa- nouncing the results of the referendum • SEPTEMBER 19: Protest ral- Osion of Independence Day, Ar- on September 23, 1991, the Supreme ly against liturgy at Holy Cross menian President Council declared the Republic of Ar- on Aktamar held in Yerevan and President of the Republic of Art- menia independent. On occasion of • AH sakh visited the 19th anniversary of independence, • SEPTEMBER 20: Armenia marks Pantheon to lay wreaths to the me- Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan anniversary of Musa Ler defense morial of the Karabakh war heroes. signed decrees on awarding service- AH A PanARMENIAN.Net correspondent men for combat readiness and courage. • SEPTEMBER 21: 16 vans with Arme- reported that the Presidents were ac- Some heroes of Artsakh war nia-bound wheat arrived in Kavkaz port AH companied by Speaker of the RA Na- were honored posthumously. • SEPTEMBER 21: Azerbaijan tries to September 21 2010 www.panarmenian.net tional Assembly , destabilize region by spreading lies AH • SEPETEMBER 22: Russian- FruitFull Armenia VI Agro- Vardan Aramyan: pensions Armenian friendly ties strength- Forum kicks off in Yerevan are increased in Armenia in ening, RF President says compliance with volume of • AH basket of goods • SEPTEMBER 22: Edward Nalban- dian: Azerbaijan is a threat to peace rmenian Deputy Minister of Finance and stability in South Caucasus AVardan Aramyan said that the Ar- Qarahunge the oldest observ- menian government’s social policy envis- atory in the world ages annual increase of pensions in compli- ance with the volume of basket of goods. he Oxford University Stars and Stones As for fixation of the volume of basket of goods Texpedition to Qarahunge (Zorats Qar- in Armenia’s legislation, Aramyan noted that er, dating 7500 years back), which started there is a provision on basket of goods in the on September 6, 2010, aimed to describe legislation. “The volume of basket of goods is and raise awareness of the site and investi- defined by the RA Statistical Service,” Ara- gate astronomical significance of the stones he FruitFull Armenia VI AgroFo- myan said during parliamentary hearings on and the mysterious holes in the megaliths. Trum dedicated to development of a package of bills on state pensions. The hear- Expedition leader Mihran Vardanyan said viticulture and winemaking kicked off ings were organized by the RA NA Standing that the stone circles are highly controver- in Yerevan on September 16, with par- Commission on Social Affairs with participa- sial with some scholars highly skeptical of ticipation of viticulturists, winemak- tion of parliament members, Deputy Minis- the astronomical designation of the site. ers, oenologists and wine market ex- ter of Labor and Social Affairs Artem Asa- “The most commonly accepted theory about perts from France, Italy, Austria, etc. tryan and representatives of the public sector. Qarahunge is that it is an ancient burial The forum offers an incentive to On June 24, the Armenian parliament adopt- ground, or necropolis – a place to act as a make Armenian wine a recogniz- ed in the first reading the bill on introduction bridge between the earth and the heaven in of amendments to the RA Law on State Pen- the cyclical journey of the soul involving able brand. It will focus in three sions, envisaging transfer to the funded pen- life, death and rebirth. The necropolis thesis main aspects: vine cultivation, wine sion scheme. The transfer to the new system is certainly true, but after our initial investi- production and export planning. is regulated by five laws and 49 amendments gations of the central circle, it is clear the site Discussions will also be held on to laws. Under them, the volunteer funded was aligned to the sun, most likely aligned Free Economic Zone and Cold pension scheme will be introduced in Ar- to the moon and – what is really exciting, Storage Facility projects as well. menia on January 1, 2011. The transfer to the possibly to some starts or planets – owing to September 16, 2010 compulsory scheme (for citizens under 40) the placement of small holes drilled through www.panarmenian.net will be implemented from January 1, 2014. the monoliths and aimed to the horizon. September 22, 2010,www.panarmenian.net September 17, 2010 full story www.panarmenian.net

2 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS RES PUBLICA Intellect is one of Armenia’s strate- Armenia, China plan to set up direct air communication gic resources, Sargsyan says s a small country with insufficient natu- up direct air communication between Aral resources, Armenia considers intellect the two countries and formation of as one of the main assets, RA President said. joint enterprises. PM Sargsyan thanked “Educated and well-to-do young people the Chinese government for provision will guarantee sustainable development of of agricultural machinery and ambu- our country,” Serzh Sargsyan said in a in- lances as well as technical assistance terview with Profile Ukrainian magazine. to Armenia. He also briefed on latest “It happened that two thirds of our nation live developments in Armenia-Turkey rela- beyond Armenia but many of them achieved tions, as well as Armenia’s initiatives success in various fields and we are proud of in the issue Armenian Prime Minister them,” he said. Armenia does not seek to ben- Tigran Sargsyan described the visit of efit from contradictions between other countries, Armenian delegation to China as well President Serzh Sargsyan stated, commenting on uring his visit to China, Armenian as attendance of Shanghai Expo 2010 Armenia’s cooperation with NATO and CSTO. DPrime Minister Tigran Sargsyan as fruitful and interesting. “Armenia pursues a policy of sincerity, al- met with Chinese Vice Foreign Minis- He said Armenia and China are plan- lowing to collaborate with the U.S., Rus- ter Wang Guangya to discuss the poten- ning implementation of a number of sia on one side and Iran, Georgia on the tial of bilateral cooperation, specifical- projects. PM Sargsyan also informed other,” he told Profile Ukrainian magazine. ly noting sectors of basalt processing, that China was offered to join Iran-Ar- “NATO and CSTO are not rivals. Cooperation agriculture and tourism. The two men menia railway construction. with NATO within Individual Partnership Ac- also referred to the possibility of setting September 20, 2010 www.panarmenian.net tion Plan program gives Armenia a chance to modernize the army, conduct reforms, and form modern mechanisms for security system crea- RA Ministry of Finance forecasts 3-4% GDP growth by tion. However, CSTO membership can’t prevent yearend us from seeing positive sides of collaboration ead of the Department on Macr- with the Alliance,” President Sargsyan said. Armenia’s position on the Karabakh conflict oeconomic Policy Development H bases on the international law, RA President said. at the Armenian Ministry of Finance “Nagorno Karabakh was included into Az- Armen Hayrapetyan said that 3-4% erbaijan’s map by decision of the Communist economic growth will be recorded by Party in 1921. So, the liberation movement the end of 2010, exceeding 1.2% index with the following referendum was a legal envisaged by the budget. As for the in- initiative of the population of Artsakh,” Serzh flation rate, it will exceed 4±1.5% target Sargsyan told Profile Ukrainian magazine. envisaged by the budget, Hayrapetyan “After the Hague International Court of Jus- told a press conference in Yerevan. tice resolved that unilateral proclamation of September 18, 2010www.panarmenian.net Kosovo’s independence doesn’t conflict with the norms of international law and that the right of nations to self-determination does not go contrary to the principle of territo- Azerbaijan doesn’t lose hope to transfer Karabakh prob- rial integrity, all clicked into place,” he said. lem discussions to UN “The three principles - the right of nations to self- determination, territorial integrity and non-use of problem. He said he supports the ini- force - were fixed during the OSCE summit in Al- tiative on appointment of a UN spe- maty. We are hopeful that a fair decision will be cial representative for Nagorno Ka- finally adopted,” President Sargsyan reminded. rabakh. “Anyway, a lean compromise is better than a fat “It’s an interesting idea and I think it lawsuit,” he said. Establishment of diplomatic may contribute to the conflict settle- relations and opening of the border with Turkey ment,” Fust said, quoted by Salam- will be of benefit not only to Armenia and Turkey News. The idea to appoint a special but the entire region, Armenian President said. “The decision to launch a process of normaliza- representative for Nagorno Karabakh tion of relations with Turkey was one of the hard- was suggested by Vaira Vike-Freib- est ones I have ever taken. Yes, Turks committed erga, Vice-president of the Reflec- Genocide and continue denying this fact even r. Walter Fust, Director of the tion Group on the long-term future 100 years later. Denial of a crime is the worst MGlobal Humanitarian Forum of the European Union, and Anne- crime. But, on the other hand, almost all countries and Chairman of UNESCO’s Inter- Marie Lizin, President of the Senate across the globe experienced historical problems. national Program for the Develop- of Belgium. Civilized response to such problems is coopera- ment of Communication, has stated September 18, 2010www.panarmenian.net tion without preconditions,” Serzh Sargsyan said that it’s time to resolve the Karabakh in an interview with Profile Ukrainian magazine. September 10, 2010 full interveiw www.panarmenian.net 3 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS PRO PATRIA Officials visit the Armenia The construction of a new Armenians to hold histor- NPP power unit is of critical Pavilion ic service in ancient Turk- importance for the develop- ish church ment of Armenian economy uzbah Cunduz’ small boat cuts a ussia and Armenia have agreed to Mfrothy wake through the strikingly Rdeepen their already close military blue, alkaline waters of Lake Van. ties, signing a deal that will strengthen This is a region of remarkable natural Russian influence in the South Caucasus beauty: a lake ringed by craggy mountains and could have profound implications that at the height of summer, are still dot- for the unresolved Karabakh conflict. ted with patches of snow. And yet Cunduz’ Amendments to a bilateral 1995 de- rmenia celebrates its National Pavil- small boat appears to be the only vessel out fense treaty were signed during Rus- Aion Day today with a show titled "Ar- on the water. sian President, Dmitry Medvedev’s, menia — the Art of Creation." That may soon change. visit to Yerevan on August 19-20. The pavilion titled "City of the World" in- For the first time in nearly a century, the The amendments, publicized by both vited architects around the world to submit Turkish government will allow Armenian sides, extended Russia’s lease on a Sovi- designs for their ideal city. Models are ex- Christians to hold a prayer service in one of et-era military base headquartered in the hibited in the center of the pavilion. the area’s oldest and most famous churches. northwestern Armenian city of Gyumri Armenia calls itself the motherland of the More than two months before the sched- by 24 years, until 2044, and enhanced apricot and the pavilion features an Apri- uled September 19th church service, nearby its role in the South Caucasus state’s se- cot Garden. Visitors can taste various deli- hotels were booked solid. Cunduz is hoping curity. The approximately 4,000 troops cacies, while listening to music of a flute for a burst of new tourist business. stationed there will now not only pro- made from apricot wood. The "Gold and tect the “interests of the Russian Fed- Silk" exhibition covers China-Armenia eration,” but also “ensure the security of trading history. the Republic of Armenia” jointly with September21, 2010 www.en.expo2010.cn the Armenian army. According to Ar- President Ahmadinejad: Iran- menian President, Serzh Sargsyan, this Armenia relations developing agreement will expand their “sphere of resident Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has emphasized that the relations be- geographical and strategic responsibil- P tween Iran and Armenia are following a ity.” “The activity of the Russian mili- logical trend and are expanding. Accord- tary base was until now confined to the ing to IRNA, in a meeting in Tehran on external border of the former USSR. Wednesday with the Armenian Foreign That restriction has now been removed Minister Edward Nalbandian, President from the treaty’s text,” Sargsyan told a Ahmadinejad pointed out that the two joint news conference with Medvedev countries' relations are deep-rooted and “I hear up to 10,000 Armenian visitors will (Hayastani Hanrapetutyun, August 21). historical, while adding that Islamic Re- be coming,” he says, as he steers his boat September 10, 2010 www.minatom.ru public of Iran supports development of towards a small island at one end of the ties with Armenia in different domains. lake. Ukraine requests World Trade He added that Iran and Armenia have ap- Nestled amid the rocks, stands a stone Organization to settle tobac- propriately drawn avenues for expansion church with a pointed dome. Armenian co dispute with Armenia of mutual and regional cooperation and are Christians built it 11 centuries ago. The only way to get to Akhtamar Church is by boat. ccording to the WTO, Ukraine asks moving along this path. President empha- sized on sustainable security in the region, Visitors have to climb up a steep pathway Athat this request be placed on the to reach the church’s low entrance, where agenda of the next meeting of the WTO while reminding that today the regional countries can solve their problems and is- on a recent visit, chanting echoed from in- Dispute Settlement Body that will take side the building. place on September 21, 2010. sues of concern without the interference of others and if foreign powers would not in- At least they cannot forbid me to pray si- According to Ukraine, it was impossible to lently resolve the dispute through consultations. tervene in the region, the regional nations do not have any insurmountable problem Inside, a man was seated barefoot in lotus "In case a country refuses from consul- position on the floor, singing. His voice tations or does not start them, a WTO with each other. President reiterated that all the regional countries should be on the path echoed off vaulted ceilings decorated with member that has placed a request for the hand-drawn icons painted cobalt blue and consultations has the right, under Article to welfare, progress, and security. Mean- while, the Armenian foreign minister, for charcoal black. 4.3 of the Understanding on Rules and An embarrassed Turkish security guard ap- Procedures Governing the Settlement of his part, handed over the written message of the Armenian president to his Iranian proached and interrupted. Disputes, to immediately request the es- “This is a museum. Prayer is illegal in tablishment of a panel to settle a dispute," counterpart, and noted that today Iran and Armenia mutually trust each other, which here,” the guard explained. “Even if some- Andrii Zablotskyi, an associate from the one comes and reads a poem out loud, even Volkov Koziakov & Partners law firm, old sets the stage for an upbeat horizon for development of bilateral relations in all if a Muslim prays here, we have to stop Interfax-Ukraine. them.” September 21, 2010 www.kyivpost.com fields. September 16, 2010 www.english.irib.ir September 19, 2010 full story www.edition.cnn.com

4 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS DIASPORA European Court Finds Turkey Guilty of Failing to Protect Senator Boxer Places Hold on Bryza Dink Nomination he European Court of Human Rights Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) an- the wrong time, in exactly the wrong post. Ton Tuesday, September 14 ruled nounced Tuesday evening that she We are deeply grateful to Senator Boxer that Turkey was guilty of failing to pro- has placed a “hold” on U.S. Ambas- for preventing this grave diplomatic mis- tect ethnic Armenian journalist Hrant sador to Azerbaijan nominee Matthew step and for all of Senator Menendez’s Dink when authorities knew his assas- Bryza, reported the Armenian Nation- leadership and hard work on this issue.” sination was imminent, and of then fail- al Committee of America (ANCA). Hamparian added, “Our nation’s impor- ing to adequately investigate his murder. The Senator’s decision followed a Sen- tant diplomatic work in Azerbaijan can Dink, the editor of the small, Istanbulbased ate Foreign Relations Committee vote now get off to a fresh start, one without Armenian-language daily Agos, was shot earlier today to approve his nomination the bias and baggage that Matt Bryza to death as he returned to the newspaper’s by voice vote, despite serious concerns would have brought to this pivotal posi- offices in January 2007. His murder be- regarding the Ambassador-designate’s tion. Our hope now is that the President came a cause celebre in Turkey and a sym- unusually close ties to Azerbaijani gov- will nominate a new candidate who will bol of the state’s alleged protection or even ernment officials, his troubling track openly stand up to Azerbaijan’s aggres- encouragement of nationalist extremists. record as a senior diplomat dealing with sion and forcefully deter its march toward “None of the three authorities informed the Caucasus, and persistent conflict of renewed war against Nagorno Karabakh.” of the planned assassination and its interest issues related to the Caspian en- Sen. Boxer’s hold prevents fast-tracked imminent realization had taken ac- ergy industry. Senators Robert Menen- Senate consideration of the Bryza nomi- tion to prevent it,” the court found, dez (D-NJ) and Boxer both spoke and nation, effectively blocking his con- while “no effective investigation had voted against the Bryza nomination. firmation for this ambassadorial post. been carried out” into those failures. “Thanks to Senator Boxer, U.S. diplomacy Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) took The decision is an embarrassment for Tur- dodged a bullet today,” said Aram Hampar- a similar action in 2006, preventing the key’s government of Prime Minister Recep ian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “It appointment of U.S. Ambassador to Ar- Tayyip Erdogan, which has pledged to im- would have been a serious mistake – both menia nominee Richard Hoagland, who prove the rights and treatment of Turkey’s for U.S. strategic interests and for hopes denied the dur- ethnic minorities. The government recent- of lasting peace in the Caucasus – to have ing his Senate confirmation process. ly sought to settle with the family, after sent Matt Bryza to Baku amid escalating Senators Express Reservations Dur- withdrawing a defense of the state’s ac- threats of renewed war by Azerbaijan’s ing Committee Consideration tions which had relied on a precedent that leaders. Given his track record, he clearly September 21, 2010 appeared to compare Dink’s comments would have been the wrong diplomat, at full story www.asbarez.com aimed at reconciling Turkish and Arme- nian views on the 1915 slaughter of ethnic Armenians with hate speech by a neo-Nazi. A spokesman for the minis- The Consecration of the Diocesan Cathedral try of justice didn’t return calls re- In Los Angeles questing comment on the ruling. is Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Dink’s family brought the case against HPatriarch and Catholicos of All the Turkish state at the European court Armenians, visited the Western Dio- in Strasbourg. Tuesday’s ruling found cese in order to conduct the consecra- for the family on all counts, according tion of the Diocesan Cathedral on Sep- to their lawyer Arzu Becerik, award- tember 10-12. ing Dink’s widow, Rakel Dink, with Thousands gathered both Saturday and 100,000 euros ($128,760) in damages. Sunday to watch the Catholicos conse- Police launched an investigation into the crate St. Leon Cathedral of the West- young Turkish nationalist who allegedly ern Diocese and dedicate a traditional ters in America,” he told congregants. carried out the murder. They investigated cross stone in memory of the victims of Religious leaders representing various 17 others, though not the police chiefs and the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. faiths, and state and local officials at- regional governors who the family be- “We greet you with a joyous spirit, and tended the long-awaited ceremony and lieve were complicit, either in the assas- with words of praise and song from the official opening. sination itself or in obstructing prosecu- hymn, we offer our appeal to heaven, On Sunday, September 12, on the Feast tion of those responsible, Becerik said in so that this holy sanctuary, crowned of the Exaltation of the Cross the Pon- an interview. A video taken immediately with the all-sustaining divine cross, tifical Divine Liturgy took place in the after the assassination appeared to show which became for us salvation and newly consecrated Cathedral, and His police smiling and posing with the alleged a sign of victory, brings new light to Holiness offered his spiritual message killer, Ogun Samast, who was then 17. the spiritual vibrancy and strength of to the faithful. September 13, 2010 the national life of our son and daugh- September 18, 2010, Lousabats N 852 full story www.mirorspectator.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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