Newly appointed minis- Armenians denounce ters introduced by the Kobe Bryant deal with Prime Minister Turkish Airlines PAGE 4 Page 2 ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS

Weekly Digest of the

December 14-20 2010 THEMA President participated at “Quote of “The Crime of Genocide” International the week” Conference “rural population is the main beneficiary of this amendment as they will avoid shoul- dering an extra finan- cial burden and will be privileged in this respect “

Tigran Sargsyan PM OF ARMENIA

December 16, 2010 www.gov.am n December 14, President Serzh Expressing gratitude for the award, Dr. OSargsyan participated at “The Despui said that because he shares the Crime of Genocide: Prevention, Con- pain of the Armenian people and defies demnation and Elimination of Conse- denial of the Genocide, he has decid- Upcoming Events quences” International Conference held ed to fight for justice and truth and has in Armenia on December 14-15. The been on that important mission for years. Conference is dedicated to the adoption “I am happy to be part of this impor- of the UN Convention on Prevention and tant event in . There have December 22: PM Tigran Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. been many occurrences in the strug- Sargsyan to meet with PM Vladimir The conference in Armenia has gathered gle against denial which have brought Putin in Saint-Petersburg numerous scholars from over 20 states, me here,” said Leandro Despui. including renowned experts of genocide At the International Conference “The DECEMBER 31: New Year 2011 studies, and among them Dr. Leandro Crime of Genocide: Prevention, Condem- Despui (Argentine) - a diplomat and nation and Elimination of Consequences” January 6: Armenia marks a scholar. By the decree of President President Serzh Sargsyan made a statement. Christmas Serzh Sargsyan Dr. Despui was award- “I welcome all participants of this Con- ed Mkhitar Gosh medal for his consid- ference. I thank those foreign scholars erable contribution to the international who accepted our invitation and came recognition of the Armenian Genocide. to Armenia to take part and make pro- “This award has been bestowed upon posals in the scientific discussions on USEFUL LINKS you through the will of our people, and the crime of genocide, its condemnation • www.president.am I fulfilled that wish. We are grateful and prevention as well as the elimina- • www.gov.am to you, your country and your people tion of the consequences of that crime. • www.parliament.am for sharing our pain, for creating fa- Today, more than ever, it is necessary to take • www.mfa.am vorable living and working conditions serious steps and develop efficient mecha- • www.armenpress.am in Argentine for those of our com- nisms for the prevention of genocides.” • www.panarmenian.net patriots, who had managed to escape Continuation p. 3 • www.matenadaran.am the Genocide,” Serzh Sargsyan noted. ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS CHRONICA Newly appointed ministers introduced by the Prime Headlines of Minister the week rime Minister called at Tigran Sargsyan emphasized that Vache Pthe ministries of finance, economy and Gabrialyan’s long experience in the financial • December 14: HSBC Bank Arme- justice to introduce newly appointed min- system adds to his awareness of the goals of nia to assist Khosrov reserve protection isters Vache Gabrielyan, Tigran Davtysn reforms: “I am convinced that Vache Gab- • AH and Hrair Tovasyan. rialyan’s assumption • DECEMBER 15: Henrik Mkhitaryan Introducing newly ap- to the office will be announced Shakhtar best contract player pointed minister Vache very smooth since he • AH Gabrielyan to the staff of has long-standing part- • December 16: Kyiv hosts Arme- the Ministry of Finance, ners in the ministry.” nian cuisine and dances presentation the head of government The recent changes in • AH evoked the priority the system of govern- • DECEMBER 17: Armenian Min- tasks facing the minis- ance were said to be istry of Transport and Commu- try and the future pro- aimed at mobilizing nication to present investment grams of the government. the existing capacity, programs at TRACECA forum as well as the achievements and know-how ahead of the new tide of post-crisis reforms. • AH Introducing newly appointed Minister of Justice Hrair Tovmasyan and congratulat- • December 18: Serzh Sargsyan: Az- ing him on appointment, the Prime Minister said to be highly appreciative of his profes- eri propaganda would have exploded sional skills and human qualities. In the words of Tigran Sargsyan, Hrair Tovmasyan’s like a soap bubble in case of a war deep knowledge and wide experience may help him promote the reforms stipulated in • AH the program of the government: “It should be noted that Hrair Tovmasyan is well versed • December 18: Anders Fogh Ras- in administrative affairs since he used to be deputy minister and member of Constitutional mussen stresses importance of re- Court staff. I am convinced that his professional experience will serve him on this post.” newed Armenia-NATO individual Evoking his public statements concerning the dismissal of the former justice minister, the head of partnership program development government highlighted the need for the new minister to deal with serious management-related • AH problems facing the system. “The ministry staff are believed to live up to the tasks specified in • DECEMBER 20: VivaCell- the President’s electoral platform and the program of the government,” Tigran Sargsyan said. MTS to invest $55mln in 2011 Congratulating once again Hrair Tovmasyan on appointment to such a high in 4G network expansion post, the Prime Minister said his efforts will be followed closely by the public. Newly appointed Minister of Economy Tigran Davtyan was next to be introduced to the AH ministry staff. Congratulating Mr. Davtyan on appointment, the Prime Minister said the new minister did not need introducing as he had had quite a long experience at Minis- try of Economy: “He was a colleague of yours all along his years-long service as deputy Armenian Defence Minister minister, in particular. So, he is familiar with task, and I am confident that the know-how Meets the gained at the post of finance minister may help him have a deeper understanding of those Delegation of the US Euro- challenges facing the economy and the State as a whole,” the Prime Minister pointed out. pean Command December 18, 2010, full story www.gov.am rmenian Minster of Defence Seyran The best evidence of national unity AOhanyan met the delegation headed by the deputy chief of the J5 Department ipation of the citizens of Armenia in this of the US European Command Rear year’s telethon was especially gratifying, Admiral Mark Montgomery. Ambas- and it is increasing year after year. If in sador of the USA to Armenia Mary Jo- 2009 the number of donators from Arme- nia was 30 000, these including individu- hanovich also took part in the meeting. als and organizations, this year it reached Underlining the importance of the Ar- 42 thousand 600. Besides 20 000 dona- menian-American cooperation in the tions were made through a SMS (text) spheres of strategic defence review, mili- message, and 19 000 – through “Hay- tary education, peacekeeping, demining, Post” postal service. etc, the Minister stated that it is one of the ayastan All Armenian Fund’s “Tel- In the meanwhile most donations and most important directions of the ARM Hethon 2010” raised USD 20,863 mil- pledges, almost half of the total sum - USD MoD international military cooperation. lion donations and pledges. The money 10,600 million were received from Russia Highly evaluating Armenia’s partici- including the Moscow charity dinner at raised during the Telethon will be mostly pation in international peacekeeping allocated to the construction and recon- the participation of the President of Arme- struction of the water supply system in nia. Correspondingly USD 2,225 million missions and the effective coopera- Artsakh, as well as implementation of ru- and USD 2,112 million was donated from tion with the US, Rear Admiral Mark ral development project in the provinces of France and U.S. Western Region. USD Montgomery stated that the US Euro- Armenia. Executive Director of Hayastan 1,965 million was received from Armenia, pean Command is ready to continue All-Armenian Fund Ara Vardanyan stated and USD 1 million - from Artsakh. the cooperation and broaden its scopes. at yesterday’s press conference that partic- December 18, 2010 www.hhpress.am December 17, 2010 www.mil.am

2 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS RES PUBLICA

RA government discusses problems faced by local Begining on page 1 producers oday, more than ever, it is necessary government,” said Tigran Sargsyan. Tto take serious steps and develop ef- The parties exchanged opinions con- ficient mechanisms for the prevention of cerning efficient implementation of genocides. And today, more than ever, industrial policy in Armenia. Specifi- the impunity of different political admin- cally, tax administration, increase in ex- istrations and states, which have com- port volumes, stimulation of small and mitted the crime of genocide, absence medium enterprises, as well as tourism of international condemnation, lack of development and innovation technolo- adequate mechanisms or their inepti- rmenian Prime Minister Ti- gies were in the focus of the meeting. tude created a situation when the man- Agran Sargsyan presided over a The Armenian Prime Minister said kind, along with other grave challenges, meeting with participation of mem- it is necessary to submit the offers in still faces the threat of new genocides. bers of the Union of Local Produc- written form, saying that they will be Bitter lessons of the Armenian Genocide ers of Armenia and Committee for included in the projects, which are en- are not just memories in the history of the Financial, Economic and Budget- visaged to be implemented in the near world: they were amplified by the horrors ary Issues of the Public Council. future. Mr. Sarsgyan also attached im- of the Holocaust, genocides in Rwanda, “I strongly believe that the meeting portance to regular organization of sim- Darfur and many other tragedies. Unfor- will provide opportunities for present- ilar meetings, stressing that they create tunately, genocide denial and oblivion are ing problems and matters concern- prerequisites for adoption of correct still present in our world. Political expedi- ing further development of Armenia’s decisions on matters discussed, the RA ency and short-sighted timeserving often economy, as well as tasks faced by the governmental press service reported. prevail over the necessity to adopt and im- December 14, 2010 www.panarmenian.net plement sound and reasonable decisions. Issues pertinent to the prevention and Armenian Foreign Minister visits Spanish parliament condemnation of genocides, as well as elimination of their consequences, tary foreign relations committee. should be put on the agenda of in- The meeting focused on the de- ternational deliberations. Civilized velopment of bilateral and inter- world should demonstrate an abil- paliamentary ties, as well as re- ity to fight united against this menace. gional and international issues. Neither the venue, nor the title of the Spanish MPs gave high assessment to conference held in Yerevan are acci- the opening of the Armenian Embassy dental. It is true that chronologically the in Madrid, noting that the opening will Armenian Genocide occurred several promote development of cooperation. decades before the adoption of the UN Further, Nalbandian visited the Arme- Convention on Prevention and Punish- rmenian Foreign Minister Ed- nian Embassy to meet with the repre- ment of the Crime of Genocide; how- Award Nalbandian, currently on sentatives of local Armenian commu- ever its international, including legal and a visit to Spain, met with the mem- nity, ministerial press service reported. ethical repercussions became the foun- bers of the country’s parliamen- December 17,2010 www.panarmenian.net dation for the development and adop- tion of the aforementioned Convention. Savior Armenian church to be consecrated in Nizhny Rafael Lemkin says on this, “Until now, Novgorod in 2011 the government could treat its citizens as it saw fit. Millions and thousands of avior (Amenaprkich) Armenian hundreds of Muslims and Jews, Arme- SChurch will be consecrated in nians and Slavs, Greeks and Russians, Nizhny Novgorod in 2011. swarthy Africans and fair Poles perished According to representative of the in this crime. The world come to a de- Armenian community of Nizhny cision that genocide is a crime which Novgorod Tigran Shahnazaryan, the falls within the scope of international basic construction works were imple- law, and that to prevent and punish this mented in 2010. “crime of the crimes” the convention The rest works of the first construction must be signed by the member states. stage are envisaged to be completed in Today, we observe another phenomenon: summer-autumn 2011. While the sec- ing construction was envisaged to be along with the attempts to review his- ond stage envisaging construction of completed in 2010. However, due to torical facts, which were scientifically administrative and educational wings problems with funds, it will be finished proved by official historiography and are scheduled to be implemented in in 2011, Nizhny Novgorod Armenians have received corresponding international 2012-2015. portal reported. assessment, some countries are trying to The church construction was launched December 19, 2010 www.panarmenian.net fashion stories of “their own genocides.” in December 2008. The church build- December 14, 2010 full speech www.president.am 3 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS PRO PATRIA Cabinet commends Amir’s call for national unity Armenians denounce he cabinet on Monday commended in line with the constitution and law, Kobe Bryant deal with THis Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah said Minister of State for Cabinet Af- Turkish Airlines Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah’s call to Kuwaitis fairs Roudhan Al-Roudhan in a state- to pursue constitutional and legal chan- ment issued after the cabinet meeting. nels to address differences, as well as The cabinet members praised Sunday’s expressing regret at recent events during meeting between the Amir and Editors- what it called “illegal assemblies” in Ku- in-Chief of local newspapers, during wait. The ministers also voiced immense which the monarch reiterated his commit- appreciation for the role played by the ment to the constitution, and asserted that security forces’ in preserving order. The everybody should follow the proper con- cabinet meeting, chaired by His Highness stitutional and legal channels to resolve the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mo- their differences within the country’s hammed Al-Sabah, saw ministers expre parliament or courts, said Al-Roudhan. he business deal looked fairly ssing their appreciation of HH the The Council of Ministers called on the Tstraightforward. Last week, Amir’s instructions to maintain se- media to highlight HH the Amir’s in- American basketball star Kobe Bry- curity and stability in Kuwait, and to structions to reject discord, calling for ant agreed to become the new ce- confront any illegal attempts to cause coexistence and harmony within Ku- lebrity face of Turkish Airlines, chaos and undermine national security. waiti society, added the minister, sug- a growing international carrier. The Amir’s instructions reflected his gesting that the media should stress Though he has admitted to never hav- enthusiasm for maintaining the coun- the need for national unity to con- ing visited Turkey, the Los Angeles try’s security and stability, and his front the challenges facing the country. Lakers guard said in a news release strong desire to preserve democracy December 14, 2010 www.kuwaittimescom that “Turkey is a country rich in nat- ural beauty and thousands of years of cultural history, and I’m proud to part- Controversial genocide resolution may hit floor of ner with Turkish Airlines to bring that House in final days majesty to people around the world.” Within days, however, Bryant’s de- obbying groups have been on alert cide resolution up through the weekend. cision was being denounced by Ar- Lthis weekend as rumors abound that Lobbyists on both sides of the heated issue menian groups in North America a controversial resolution strongly op- have been acting on indications that it could and in Los Angeles, which is the posed by the White House to recognize come up for a vote Tuesday or Wednesday. hometown not only of the Lakers, the 1915 killings of 1.5 million Armeni- ANCA told The Hill that it is looking to but also of the largest ethnic Arme- ans as genocide will come to the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who nian community outside of Armenia. floor in the last days of the 111th Congress. has advocated the Armenian position, and “Turkish Deal Will Make Kobe the Rep. Adam Schiff’s (D-Calif.) resolution, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Face of Oppression and Injustice” which “calls upon the President to en- one of the 148 bipartisan co-sponsors on and “Kobe Bryant’s Direct Flight to sure that the foreign policy of the United Schiff’s resolution, to bring it to the floor Inhumanity,” announced the website States reflects appropriate understanding this week. The group added that thou- of the Armenian Youth Federation. and sensitivity concerning issues related sands of calls have been placed to Pelosi Armenian diaspora groups in North to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and and Hoyer’s offices to lobby for the vote. America have launched a media and genocide documented in the United States “We join with the remaining survivors of Internet campaign urging Bryant to record relating to the Armenian Genocide,” the Armenian Genocide and their fami- drop his Turkish Airlines deal. In To- passed the House Foreign Affairs Commit- lies across America in looking to Speaker ronto, about 30 Canadian-Armenians tee on March 4 by slim margin, 23-22. Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer to bring protested against Bryant, holding It wasn’t the first such resolution to the Armenian Genocide Resolution to the signs that said “Kobe: Do the Right try to make it through Congress, but House floor for a vote this coming Tues- Thing,” outside the stadium where the the passage in committee angered Tur- day,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Lakers played the Raptors on Sunday. key to the point that it called its am- Hamparian in a statement to The Hill. What appeared to be a standard bassador back to Ankara for a time. “We are pleased that this human rights and presumably lucrative celeb- Bringing the genocide measure to a measure enjoys the backing of a biparti- rity endorsement has run head- vote this week would pit Democrat- san majority, and look forward to the U.S. long into a passionate dispute over ic leaders against the White House. House finally voting to end Turkey’s ‘gag- a bloody chapter in history that A senior House aide told The Hill this rule’ on America’s commemoration of this took place in the highlands of east- weekend that “no decisions have been crime against humanity. No nation deserves ern Turkey nearly a century ago. made” on whether the resolution will be a veto over U.S. human rights policy.” Armenian groups and many schol- added to the House schedule this week. The proposition of the contested reso- ars argue that starting in 1915, The House is returning because the con- lution coming to a vote days before Turks committed genocide, when tinuing resolution to fund the govern- Christmas, when there are fewer mem- more than a million ethnic Arme- ment is only good through Tuesday. bers in town, angered Turkish groups. nians were massacred in the wan- Other sources assert that Democratic December 19, 2010 ing days of the Ottoman Empire. leaders were vote-counting on the geno- full story www.thehill.com December 20, 2010 full story www.edition.cnn.com 4 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS DIASPORA An Appeal to the UN on Award-Winning Filmmaker J. Michael Hagopian Dies Djulfa’s Destruction at 97 rmenian-American documentary rmenia’s Representation to the Unit- Afilmmaker J. Michael Hagopian, Aed Nations, in cooperation with the whose 70 edu-cational and documentary Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and films have won more than 160 national Cultural Association of the Eastern United and international awards, including two States, issued an appeal on Wednesday on Emmy nominations, died Dec. 10 in his the fifth anniversary of the destruction of Thousand Oaks, Calif., home. He was 97. Armenian monuments by the Azeri Army. Hagopian was a Genocide survivor who The dossier, which was prepared on December dedicated his life to the visual documen- 9 and presented by Armenia’s Ambassador to tation of the Turkish extermina-tion of the UN, Karen Nazaryan, also includes a 90- 1.5 million Armenians in 1915. Over a During the past several years, his mis- page bilingual (English and French) booklet 40-year period, he filmed nearly 400 in- sion had been to preserve the film foot- detailing the history and cultural signifi- terviews of survivors of and witnesses to age of those eyewitness interviews. On cance of the Armenian monuments in Djulfa. the Armenian Genocide, traveling around April 13, 2010, he and his wife, Antoinette Below is the text of the appeal: the world to record their accounts in 10 Hagopian, and the Armenian Film Foun- The current Nakhichevan Autonomous Re- languages. He estab-lished the Armenian dation signed an historic agreement with Film Foundation in 1979 as a non-profit, The USC Shoah Foundation Institute for educational, and cultural organization the preservation and dissemination of the dedicated to the documentation in motion Genocide testimo-nies on the internet. pictures of Armenian heritage and life. December 18, 2010 Lousapats N 864

ANCA Continues to Call for U.S. House Vote on Genocide Resolution rmenian American and anti-genocide House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Aactivists across the United States con- Howard Berman (D-Calif.), Congressional public of Azerbaijan has been a historic part of tinue to mobilize in support of a possible Armenian Caucus co-chairman Frank Pallone the Armenian homeland for well over 2500 vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, (D-N.J.), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Rep. years. Its Armenian name translates into “the H.Res.252, in the final days of the Con- Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), and Rep. Jackie Speier place of descent,” in reference to the land- gressional session, reported the Armenian (D-Calif.) along with bipartisan base of Con- ing of the Noah’s Ark on the adjacent Mount National Committee of America (ANCA). gressional leaders from across the U.S. includ- Ararat. It has been an integral part of Arme- “We continue to look to the House Demo- ing incoming House Majority Leader Eric Can- nian life from as early as 521 B.C. and as late cratic leadership to schedule a vote allowing tor (R-Va.), incoming House Majority Whip as the first Armenian Republic from till 1920. a bipartisan majority to adopt the Armenian Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Foreign Af- The Armenian inhabitants of this region Genocide Resolution, honoring the victims of fairs Committee Member Ed Royce (R-Calif.). have witnessed many tragic event over their this crime and to paying tribute to the proud The resolution currently has 149 co-sponsors. history, including their forced removal from legacy of America’s humanitarian response to The House Foreign Affairs Committee adopt- their lands by Sassanid Persians in the fourth this atrocity,” said Aram Hamparian, execu- ed the measure in March 2010. Similar legis- century A.D., the decision of the invading tive director of the ANCA. “It’s long past time lation was adopted at the committee level in Arabs to force them to leave their lands by for America to reject Turkey’s ‘gag rule’ on the U.S. House in 2000, 2005, and 2007. gathering several hundred Armenian nobles the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.” The Armenian Genocide Resolution “calls and their families, lock them up in churches Earlier today, Majority Leader Hoyer an- upon the President to ensure that the foreign and burn them alive, and crucify the rest. nounced that the House is set to adjourn policy of the United States reflects appropriate Armenians of Nakhichevan were subjected for the week on Friday evening, returning understanding and sensitivity concerning is- to further bloodshed, culminating to the on Tues., Dec. 21 to complete the legisla- sues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, many wars and massacres of the World tive business for the 111th Congress. Thou- and genocide documented in the United States War I era, where Nakhichevan was placed sands of anti-genocide activists across the record relating to the Armenian Genocide and under the control of the Soviet Republic U.S. have been contacting Speaker Pelosi, the consequences of the failure to realize a just of Azerbaijan to appease and accommo- Majority Leader Hoyer and their Congres- resolution.” It goes on to urge the president, date the Turkish government by the newly sional Representatives, in support of Con- in his “annual message commemorating the formed and relatively weak Soviet Russia. gress passing this human rights measure. Last Armenian Genocide issued on or about April While bloodshed and war stopped follow- week, Armenian American celebrities Kim 24, to accurately characterize the system- ing the placement of Nakhichevan under Kardashian and Serge Tankian urged mil- atic and deliberate annihilation of 1,500,000 Soviet rule, discrimination and economic lions of their Twitter, Facebook, and website Armenians as genocide and to recall the pressure against the indigenous Arme- followers to bring H.Res.252 to the Floor. proud history of United States intervention nian population went on as a systemic House Resolution 252, introduced by Rep. in opposition to the Armenian Genocide.” means to drive them out of their homeland. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and spearheaded by December 17, 2010 www.armeniaweekly.com December 16, 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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