Tigran Sargsyan: “Pan-Arme- In Nagorno-Karabakh, nian Games a real proof of peace elusive 20 years our unity” Page 2 after Soviet fall PAGE 4 HIGHLIGHTS

Weekly Digest of the Government of Armenia

August 8-16, 2011 THEMA

President participated at the official inauguration of “Quote of the Tumo Center of the week” Creative Technologies “I am convinced that our victory consists in our unity. We cannot be defeated when we are unanimous“

Tigran Sargsyan Prime Minister of RA

resident Serzh Sargsyan partici- concrete results and importance for Armenia. Ppated today at the official inau- Serzh Sargsyan noted that this mission of Mr. and Upcoming Events guration of the Tumo Center of Crea- Mrs. Simonian deserves not only commenda- tive Technologies which is located tion but also encouragement because along with August 27 - September 3: St. in Ajapniak community of . its practical significance it serves also as a good Petersburg State Orchestra will per- The President of Armenia toured the Center example for all those who through their hard form concerts in Armenia and familiarized with its working conditions. work have achieved success in their own field, In his welcoming remarks Serzh Sarg- and now the time has come for them to share a September 2-3: Serzh Sargsyan syan noted that inauguration of the cent- small part of their success with the Motherland. will participate in CIS summit of the er of creative technologies in Armenia At the Tumo Center, President Sargsyan met also member-countries’ Presidents, in holds strategic significance. According with the composer and singer–songwriter of Dushanbe to the President of Armenia, exposure of the world famous System of a Down group Serj the intellectual ability of the Armenian Tankian. The Armenian-American rock musi- NOVEMBER 28-30: Catholi- youth and resulting amplified competi- cian assured that he would continue his efforts cos Karekin II, Grand Mufti Al- tiveness is a crucial task for our country. aimed at the recognition of the Armenian Geno- lahshukur Pashazadeh may meet in President Serzh Sargsyan also noted that cide. He also expressed hope that the System of Etchmiadzin Armenia has scarce natural resources and a Down soon would give a concert in Armenia. should first of all manage these resources The President of Armenia wished Serj USEFUL LINKS carefully and second, should be able to pro- Tankian artistic success and thanked • www.president.am vide intellectual services to our society, to him for his pro-Armenian activities. • www.gov.am the region and to the world which would be President Serzh Sargsyan was also • www.parliament.am impossible in the absence of such centers. present at the concert dedicated to • www.mfa.am President Sargsyan said that he was exited the opening of the Tumo Center. • www.armenpress.am with the opening of this Center and expressed August 14, 2011 www.president.am • www.panarmenian.net confidence that the program would have very • www.matenadaran.am ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS CHRONICA Headlines of Tigran Sargsyan: “Pan-Armenian Games a real proof of our unity” the week ceremonious opening for the 5th Pan- compatriots, Tigran Sargsyan stated in part: • August 8: B.Sahakian to sail- AA rmenian Games was held at the Re- “The Pan-Armenian Games have grown ors of “Armenia”: This new victory publican Stadium of Yerevan after Vazgen into a nationwide festival by teaching us to of will and spirit has already taken Sargsyan. In attendance were Prime Minister celebrate victories together. Over the few its place in the history of our people Tigran Sargsyan, Presi- days ahead, • AH dent of the Nagorno- all over the world will • August 9: ArmenTel ex- Karabakh Republic follow closely your per- pands 3G network in Armenia , Chair- formances and everyone • AH man of the World will be pleased with • August 10: Property rights Pan-Armenian Games your achievements. The in focus of construction of Committee Ishkhan Za- Pan-Armenian Games North South transport corridor karyan, other officials. are a unique tourna- • AH Welcoming the par- ment in this respect • August 12: The next disin- ticipants and all our as there are no losers formation by Azerbaijan: Arme- and outsiders due to our unity.” According to the Prime Minister, it is symbolical that the nia has not confirmed its par- Pan-Armenian Games are held ahead of the celebrations of Armenia’s and Artsakh’s 20th ticipation in Eurovision 2012 yet anniversary of independence bringing together in Homeland thousands of our compatriots. • AH “I am often asked what the Armenian world looks like. Here it is extending from to • August 16: Jose Melkon- Canada, from South America to the Middle East. The Armenian world is mobilized, strong yan wins swimming rac- with the will of victory,” the Prime Minister said convinced that the Pan-Armenian Games are es at Pan-Armenian Games one of the most effective means of strengthening and development our identity and originality. AH According to the Premier, this originality of ours’ has been call- ing in Armenians from the Diaspora since they were launched 12 years ago. Vic Darchinyan “I’m dedicating “Dear compatriots, each of you is strong and, together, you are invincible. Each of you is set this victory to the 20th anni- to win. But first let us understand what a victory is. I am convinced that our victory consists versary of Independence of Ar- in our unity. We cannot be defeated when we are unanimous,” Tigran Sargsyan emphasized. menia” The head of government said to be convinced that something more valuable is at stake than mere athletic achievements. Tigran Sargsyan wished the athletes every success and all the best. The Pan-Armenian Games bring together some 3200 participants from 125 cit- ies of 30 countries involved in 10 different sports events: football, basketball, , futsal, volleyball, swimming, athletics, badminton and ping pong. The Games will be held in Yerevan, Abovian and Artashat through August 21, 2011. August 13, 2011 www.gov.am

NKR Defense Army’s Potential Increases by 20% here are many difficulties of organizing Tsuch a meeting fight. First of all, there are only withstood the pressure by the opponent, financial difficulties, but still there are peo- but also forced the opponent to enter into ne- ple who contributed to the professional box. gotiations and sign a ceasefire agreement,” he Vic Darchinyan said month ago he said. Nonetheless, in the result, the Defense told about the idea of organizing such Army also had some losses, as the region of a fight to the Presidential appara- Shahumyan, district of Getashen, a part of the tus of Armenia and received approval. regions of and Martuni remained Athletes from different countries of the under the control of the Azerbaijan army. world will be present on the day of fight. As to the past half, the Artsakhi Minister of De- Vic Darchinyan doesn’t underestimate his fense said the reform program launched 2010 opponent Evans Mbambo. Darchinyan said went on in the army. Particularly, according to that it would be wrong to underestimate the minister, the army gained new arms and as his opponent, because it may interfere the n the 20th anniversary of Artsakh In- a result the army’s potential increased by 20%. fight. Vakhtangn also said that psychologi- Odependence, NKR Defense Minister “The program will be continuous and we will cally it does not matter where the fight is Movses Hakobyan summarized the achieve- not allow the Azerbaijani army to let us behind held. Gone are the times when the loca- ments and gaps of the first half of the year. in the issue of arms,” Movses Hakobyan said. tion of the ring had a psychological im- Speaking on the path the NKR Defense Army He added that in the past half the relevant pact of the fight. So, psychologically, it passed during the past 20 years, Movses Hako- service of the RA President’s Staff con- does not matter for a professional boxer. byan said the Armenian army was formed on ducted a sudden check in a division of the He is provided by Victory and will do the basis of the voluntary detachments that were Defense Army and gave a high assessment. everything to ensure the victory. I’m created during the war and experienced the real August 12 2011, www.armenpress.am dedicating this victory to the 20th an- difficulty of war. “From 1992 to 1994 we not niversary of Independence of Arme- nia”, - concluded the famous boxer. August 11, 2011 www.armradio.am 2 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS RES PUBLICA S. Tankian: “I will continue efforts towards Armenia to have two Unit- Armenian Genocide recognition” ed Kingdom ambassadors rmenian President Serzh ASargsyan met Armenian- American world-known rock- singer Serj Tankian yesterday at the opening ceremony of Tumo center for creative technologies. According to the information by press service of Armenian President, Armenian President and the rock- singer spoke about Serj Tankian’s Tankian all success in his fu- social activities and career. Arme- ture career and thanked for nian-American singer assured he his pro-Armenian activities. would continue his efforts towards Armenian President also at- r Jonathan James Aves and Ms Kath- Armenian Genocide recognition. He tended the concert devoted Merine Jane Leach, a husband and also hoped that “System of a Down” to the Tumo center opening. wife team, have been appointed Her Maj- band would stage in Armenia soon. August 15, 2011 www.times.am esty’s Joint Ambassadors to the Republic Armenian President wished Serj of Armenia in succession to Mr Charles John Lonsdale, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Aves and Ms Leach will take up their Armenian church in Sergey Mikaelyan wins appointment during January 2012. Both Ani to be put on UNESCO 24km race at Roller Ski- Mr Aves and Ms Leach will be perma- ing Championship nently resident in Yerevan and alternate in world heritage list exercising the functions of Ambassador on a four-monthly rotation, the press office of the British embassy to Armenia said. Mr Aves and Ms Leach joined the FCO in 1996 and 2000 respectively, following careers in academia and public opinion re- search. Together they have many years’ experience and knowledge of the history, languages and culture of the South Cau- casus and the wider region. Their FCO careers have covered a range of policy ar- urkish authorities announced inten- eas including security policy, EU trade and Ttion to put an Armenian church in development, energy security and human Ani on the UNESCO world heritage list. rmenia’s Sergey Mikaelyan rights. Most recently they had a joint post- Head of the Turkish Culture Minis- Afinished first in the 24km dis- ing to where Mr Aves coordinated try’s Kars province department Hakan tance race of the FIS Roller Ski- the UK’s political input into ’s 2008 Doganay said that the church will be ing World Championships tak- G8 Chairmanship and Ms Leach coordi- reconstructed with the funds raised ing place in Aure, Norway. nated UK and Japanese positions in ad- from tourism, Nouvelles D’Armenie Covering the distance in 35:18.0 vance of the UN climate change summit in reported citing Anadolu Agency. minutes, Mikaelyan left behind his Cancun and worked with UK and Japanese About 23 000 tourists mostly from rival Anton Budilov from . business to promote low carbon prosper- France, UK and Japan visited Ani Representative of France came third. ity. In 2011, Mr Aves worked on the UK’s in the first six months of 2011. Mikaelyan was third in input into the UN Human Rights Council August 15, 2011 www.panarmenian.net the 10km classic race. on issues such as Libya, Syria and Iran. August 11, 2011 www.panarmenian.net On their appointment as Joint Ambassadors to the Republic of Armenia, Mr Aves and Elina Danileyan climbs to 10th place at Grand Prix Ms Leach said, “We are delighted to be ap- pointed Joint Ambassadors to Armenia. We series standings after the victory believe that our combined energy and experi- over Alisa Gallyamova in round 9. ence will give a fresh impetus towards mak- In round 10, the Armenian grand- ing the traditionally warm bilateral relations master will face Russia’s Alexan- between the UK and Armenia even closer. dra Kosteniuk, who is currently 11th. We believe that when our two countries ’s tops the standings work together they can make a real contribu- rmenia’s Elina Danileyan has with 7 points, followed by Tatiana Ko- tion to our mutual prosperity and security.” Aclimbed to 10th place with 3.5 sintseva (Russia, 6 points) and Kat- August 15 2011 www.panarmenian.net points at FIDE Women Grand Prix eryna Lahno (Ukraine, 5.5 points. . August 13, 2011 www.panarmenian.net 3 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS PRO PATRIA Russia and Azerbaijan discuss the In Nagorno-Karabakh, Nagorno-Karabakh issue peace elusive 20 years have met more often on Russia’s initiative in after Soviet fall the trilateral format. In the past years, Rus- sia has played the role of a mediator in their his is where the first war set off by dialogue. Both sides of the conflict, Yerevan Tthe Soviet collapse took place. And and , welcome Russia’s involvement. it may be where the next one breaks out. The three presidents, Medvedev, Sargsyan Twenty years ago, Armenians and Az- and Aliev have met nine times at the nego- erbaijanis, unleashed from Soviet control, tiating table since 2008. This, according waged a bitter struggle for this moun- to the Azeri leader, has produced results: tainous region in the South Caucasus. A he situation in the Caucasus and the gener- “We value highly your personal involve- cease-fire was reached in 1994, after about Tal state of several countries and their peo- ment in this process. Perhaps, Azerbaijan 30,000 people had been killed, leaving ple depend on the resolution of the Nagorno- is more interested in solving the conflict as Nagorno-Karabakh outside Azerbaijan’s Karabakh issue. Presidents of Russia and soon as possible than others so that the dis- control, as an unrecognized, de facto re- Azerbaijan, Dmitry Medvedev and Ilkham Al- placed people could return to their native public in the hands of ethnic Armenians. iev have focused on how to solve the conflict places of residence, and peace and order Since then, no one on either side has at their meeting in the Russian resort of Sochi. could be established. I believe the resolu- had the will to hammer out a settlement. The Azeri President arrived in Sochi on a tion of the conflict at the earliest meets the Tension has been put to use by those in working visit, and his Russian counterpart interests of all sides,” Ilkham Aliev said. power — in Azerbaijan, in Armenia described the city as an Medvedev and Al- proper and here in separatist Nagorno- appropriate place for dis- “We are close neigh- iev returned to the Karabakh. Democracy, human rights, cussing bilateral relations, bours and the general discussion of the an unfettered press, a genuine opposi- regional and international state of the entire region, Nagorno-Karabakh tion — these are the sorts of things that issues and global economic our countries and our conflict on the next get put aside in times of crisis. And here, problems. Both leaders people depends on how day after the third the crisis has been going on for two dec- noted that political and eco- the situation develops” anniversary of the nomic dialogue between and Baku Georgian aggression against South Ossetia. is gaining momentum. However, the regional During an interview, Dmitry Medvedev said conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh remains un- that Ilkham Aliev and Serzh Sargsyan con- solved, the Russian President emphasized: sider the event a very serious lesson. They “The Nagorno-Karabakh will be a key topic admitted that it would be better to conduct at the meeting. I would like to hold a frank an endless dialogue on the fate of Nagorno- discussion on what to do in the future and on Karabakh, a possible referendum or a how the events will develop by taking into peace treaty rather than fight for five days. ades and shows little sign of letting up. account the last meeting in Kazan with the The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict broke “The development of democracy has involvement of the Armenian President and out in February 1988 when the en- fallen hostage to the conflict,” said previous meetings. We are close neighbours clave in Azerbaijan declared that it Masis Mayilian, Nagorno-Karabakh’s and the general state of the entire region, our would secede from the Azerbaijan So- former foreign minister and a one- countries and our people depends on how the viet Socialist Republic and join Armenia. time candidate for president. “This is situation develops,” Dmitry Medvedev said. August 9, 2011 very handy for totalitarian regimes.” The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan full story www.english.ruvr.ru A renewal of the war would be a dis- aster for all concerned, unless it were very quick. On this they agree. The two Chess notes sides are much more heavily armed was first seed and Hikaru than they were in 1991, especially Az- Nakamura second. The had a erbaijan. It might be very difficult for very strong team, headed by Gata Kamsky in Iran, Turkey and Russia to remain un- China, but lacking Nakamura. It conducted involved — and impossible to con- itself well, but dropped matches against Rus- fine the fighting to Nagorno-Karabakh sia, Ukraine, and China. Russia was seeded itself. A major supply route used by first, even though it was lacking Kramnik, the United States to provision troops and only managed to finish fourth. The US in Afghanistan would be disrupted. team managed to draw with this year’s win- But resistance to a peace settlement along hree big international events were com- ner, Armenia, and finished in a creditable the lines of a proposal sponsored by the ing to resolution on the world canvas T tie for fifth with Hungary. China finished United States, France and Russia has late last month. They were the world team second, unable to catch Armenia, which had been stiff. “We share the wish that there championships, with a venue at Ningbo, been seeded only fourth. Armenia, which be no war,” said Robert Bradtke, the China, featuring 10 of the strongest world also won in 2006 and 2008, consisted of U.S. diplomat involved in the talks. “But teams; a tournament at Biel, Switzerland, players well known here, , do the parties have the political will?” consisting of six players headed by Magnus , , and August 11, 2011 Carlsen as first seed; and Dortmund, Germa- Gabriel Sargissian, but its reserve was the full story www.washingtonpost.com ny, another six-player tournament in which little known Robert Hovhannisyan. August 8, 2011 www.articles.boston.com 4 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS DIASPORA Dr. Sebouh Aslanian to Speak on New Julfa Armeni- Did Clinton Discuss ans at Harvard University ‘Wilsonian Armenia’ in ryan Institute for Contemporary Armenian Turkey? Research and Documentation, and the National Association for Armenian Stud- ies and Research (NAASR). The lecture will be Aslanian’s first since his appoint- ment to the Hovannisian Chair at UCLA. Drawing on a rich trove of documents, in- cluding correspondence not seen for 300 r. Sebouh D. Aslanian, the newly- years, Aslanian’s groundbreaking study Dappointed Richard Hovannisian From the Indian Ocean to the Mediterrane- Term Chair of Modern Armenian His- an explores the emergence and growth of a tory, established by the Armenian Edu- remarkable global trade network operated cational Foundation at UCLA, will speak by Armenian silk merchants from a small on Wednesday, September 14, at 8:00 outpost in the Persian Empire. Based in New p.m., at Harvard University’s Center for Julfa, Isfahan, in what is now Iran, these e—the United States and Government and International Studies, merchants operated a network of commer- “WTurkey—owe Armenia Auditorium S010, 1730 Cambridge St., cial settlements that stretched from London what was promised them by Presi- Cambridge, MA. Aslanian’s lecture, “From and Amsterdam to Manila and Acapulco. dent Woodrow Wilson,” the Mos- the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean: The Aslanian brings to light the trans-im- cow-based Regnum news agency Global Trade Networks of Armenian Mer- perial cosmopolitan world of the New quoted Secretary Hillary Clinton chants from New Julfa,” will draw on his Julfans, the effects of long distance as saying during her meetings last recently-published book of the same name, trade on the organization of commu- month in Turkey, according to the issued by the University of California Press. nity life, the ethos of trust and coopera- news agency’s “source in the region.” Aslanian’s lecture is co-sponsored by the tion that existed among merchants, and According to the same Regnum Mashtots Chair in Armenian Studies at the importance of information networks source, during her meetings with Harvard University, the Department of and communication in the operation of Turkish officials last month, Clinton Near Eastern Languages and Civiliza- early modern mercantile communities. also allegedly outlined a new Middle tions at Harvard, the Davis Center for August 15, 2011 East and Caucasus map after an envi- Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard, full story www.massispost.com sioned end to the Karabakh conflict. the Harvard Armenian Society, the Zo- This map, which supposedly not only includes the deployment of peace- Jeffrey: Protocols to Have ‘Profound Effect’ on Turkey- keeping forces to the Karabakh con- US Relations flict zone, also envisions exchange Armenia protocols, the U.S. was quick of territories and transport routes. to say that the proverbial ball was now in The Regnum source indicated that Turkey’s court. That statement first received aforementioned discussion was much attention when Secretary of State about granting Armenia a corri- Hillary Clinton visited Armenia and made dor to the port of Trabizon, fol- the statement at a press conference there. lowing a possible ratification of State Department circles and officials have the Turkey-Armenia protocols. publicly, and privately, reiterated that point, Regnum also discussed a possible firmly believing that the ill-conceived proto- territorial exchange with Azerbaijan, cols were—and are—the only way to address to be overseen by US Ambassador to he fate of the Turkey-Armenia pro- the centuries-old Turkish-Armenian ques- Baku, Matthew Bryza. The Regnum Ttocols will have the most “profound tion, including the Armenian Genocide. source said that process would be the effect” on Turkey-U.S. relations, said Jeffrey also said “Major challenges creation of a “Greater Azerbaijan.” former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey with us [the US] in the coming months Essentially, what this anony- James Jeffrey in a January 2010 State De- include the direction of Turkish-Israeli re- mous Regnum news agency partment cable released by WikiLeaks. lations, the fate of the Protocols with Arme- source if saying, is that Karabakh In discussing U.S. expectations vis-à- nia, and the Turkish posture vis-à-vis Iran.” would be given back to Azerbai- vis Turkey’s follow-through on the UN In a very frank tone, Jeffrey delineated the jan, with a guarantee that Arme- or U.S.-imposed sanctions on Iran, Jef- obstacles and challenges facing U.S.-Turkey nia would have access to a sea port. frey said that the Iran issue “…will have relations as the AK party fortified its positions Fact or fiction? It’s food for thought. a profound effect on [U.S.-Turkey] rela- within the Turkish government and society. August 11, 2011 www.asbarez.com tions second only to the fate of the Ar- August 11, 2011 menian protocols over the next year.” full story www.armenianweekly.com After Turkey refused to sign the Turkey- "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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