U.S. ENTREPRENEURS CALL ON GEORGE BUSH NOT TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.02.2007 17:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 100 American leading entrepreneurs including Bill Gates and Warren Buffett addressed a letter to President Bush calling on him not to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The letter says, in part, that recognition of the Armenian Genocide may turn out a calamity for the United States and trade relations with Turkey will be damaged badly. Besides, the authors of the letter are convinced that the Genocide recognition will hamper reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia, Turkish media reports.

The Armenian Genocide resolution was introduced in the U.S. Congress in January 2007. Its adoption is quite real due to democratic majority. It's worth mentioning that if passed by the Congress, the resolution cannot be vetoed by the President.

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Wow, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett? Could this be for real?

Yes, there will be damage to U.S. and Turkey relations. So these leading "entrepreneurs" instead of going after justice for all, as America claims in their pledge, think more about their pockets and good relations a big-time human-rights offender, Turkey.

If Bill and Warren really signed the letter to Bush, all I can tell them and the other 98 leading "entrepreneurs" is I feel sorry for you and your backwards way of thinking. You are no longer living in the days of public blindness. We now have the internet and see what is really going on.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP LAW PASSED

Yerkir
26.02.2007 15:36

YEREVAN (YERKIR) - With 66 pro, 5 con votes and 1 abstention, Armenian National Assembly adopted the amendments to the Law on dual citizenship at second reading. The United Labor party voted against. The opposition did not participate in the voting.

Let us remind that this amendment establishes the institute of dual citizenship in the republic and our compatriots residing in different sites of the world gain the right to elect and be elected.

Dual citizens cannot run for president and parliament, they will not be allowed to be members of the Constitutional Court.

According to Justice Minister David Harutyunyan, political agreement has been reached on the following issue: "Dual citizens who have no place of registration in Armenia will not participate in elections. Correspondingly, dual citizens having a place of registration in Armenia attain franchise. In fact, no additional precincts will be opened for citizens not registered in Armenia.

AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN URGED GEORGE BUSH NOT TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Arminfo
2007-02-26 11:41:00

A hundred leading American businessmen have sent a letter to the US President George Bush urging not to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

As the Turkish Daily News reports, the letter underlines that the "recognition of the Genocide may become a disaster for the United States". The message notes that "in case of the Armenian Genocide recognition, the USA-Turkey commercial relations will suffer much". In view of this, the businessmen consider a possibility of recognizing the Armenian Genocide dangerous. Moreover, the businessmen are sure that the Genocide recognition may become an obstacle for reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey.

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I always thought the lack of recognizing the Genocide was an obsticle for true reconciliation? And if they don't recognize the Genocide, how will that be of help for reconciliation? I guess my business mind does not think the way leading businessmen think. And why were there no letters from businesswomen?

DOORS OF HERITAGE STILL CLOSED

Panorama.am

19:11 23/02/2007

The parties are obliged to submit their charters to the Central Electoral Committee in order to get registered and participate in elections. `Heritage' (Jarangutiun) party cannot do that because the doors of the party office have been closed for already a year and the charter is in the office.

`We have applied to the minister of justice, Judicial Acts Compulsory Execution service head many times but did not receive any reply. The prime minister promised to solve the problem of the office but the problem is that he cannot solve a problem of even one office,' Raffi Hovannisian, chairman of Heritage party said.

`Everybody is talking about free and fair elections. You decide if the election process is free and transparent,' the speaker addressed the reporters and answered himself, `Of coarse, not.'

Indicators of Competence

The following story is an indicator of the level of competence of the government and also the Armenia Fund.

First I will point out the first part of the story, which talks about a Diaspora owned milk factory, the largest in all of Artsakh. In short, what is documented below is what happens when you keep taking the advice of the Prime Minister, who keeps recommending thieves to run your factory. All I can say is that the people who own the factory have very big hearts and keep having to pump money into the factory to keep it going. One of the problems are too many smaller milk factories, many owned by high-ranking officials or their relatives, and the worst is those same factories intentionally producing bad products and putting them in recycled containers of the Diaspora owners company so that people will think their products are bad and stop buying them.

As for the Armenia Funds project of rebuilding a hospital. The story mentions Martuni, but I can tell you that as of yesterday afternoon, our hospital is not being rebuilt, nor has it been vacated. It is having the heating system changed, which we hope will be done in the next few days, since it's snowing right now.

They probably meant to say the Mardakert hospital, which is in very bad shape and I would say should be demolished and built from the ground up. You have to ask why a project by the Armenia Fund was started for rebuilding instead of replacing, which of course will cost many times more?

It sounds to me that both those in Government today and those at the helm of the Armenia Fund need to get a little bit better organized and think things out before making moves forward. This is one of the major problems today in Armenia and Artsakh and that is incompetent and unqualified people running things.


QUESTIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
24 Feb 07


During the recent meeting of the NKR parliament Member of Parliament Maxim Mirzoyan inquired about the difficult condition the Arvard Company owned by the Anivian family is in, and what steps will be taken to improve it. The minister of territorial administration and development of industrial infrastructures Armo Tsatrian said the owners of the company decide what will be with the company. `As for the processing line Mr. Mirzoyan mentioned, it was worked out for a year and 318 tons of dry starter was produced. This technology is not effective in Karabakh because there is no sufficient raw material and specialists,' said the minister. Member of Parliament Sergey Ohanian expressed worry about the reconstruction of the hospital of Martuni funded by Armenia Foundation. He said the hospital was to be reconstructed by a company based in Kapan, Armenia. The hospital temporality moved into another building. `However, the reconstruction of the hospital has stopped. When will it be resumed?' Sergey Ohanian asked. The minister of urban planning Marat Hakobjanian said the NKR Prime Minister set up a commission. A study showed that the building should be demolished, but considering financial problems, Armenia Foundation decided to make a new project of the hospital building. `The ministry proposes reconstruction of the hospital building or construction of a new building. After the estimations of costs one of these two options will be chosen. Armenia Foundation is supposed to deal with this problem considering its financial capacity,' said Marat Hakobjanian.

LAURA GRIGORIAN.
24-02-2007

Turkey attempts to blackmail Armenia again

It seems that Turkey is very concerned about the upcoming vote in U.S. Congress regarding the Armenian Genocide.

At this point they are threatening Armenia with the flights between Turkey and Armenia and the deportation of 70,000 illegal Armenians in Turkey.

First let me say that the Armenian Diaspora is not going to back down with our right to get the Genocide recognized and if that means it going to come at the price that Turkey will once again impose an air-blockade, thus further putting into question Turkey’s anti-European action, so be it.

And as for the illegal Armenian in Turkey, why on earth would they threaten Armenia with this? Are they not there illegally? I would think Genocide resolution or not, those people are breaking the law in Turkey and need to be deported. I guess what this documents that that Turkey is not a state that enforces their own laws, thus further showing that the government supports and sponsors illegal activities that are beneficial to them, such as all the events leading up to and after the assassination of Hrant Dink.

In short here is Turkey once again showing it’s true colors and should be another warning to us Armenians of who we are dealing with.


`Echo': To Stop Air Flights to Armenia and to Evict 70,000 Citizens of Armenia

Nurani

_www.eco-az.com_ (http://www.eco-az.com)
20.02.2007


Deputy of Great National Assembly of Turkey, Shukru Elekdar, made such proposal To stop air flights between Turkey and Armenia, to stop `indirect trade' and to evict 70,000 illegal Armenians from Turkey ` Shukru Elekdar, deputy of Turkish parliament from Popular Republican party, former Ambassador of Turkey to USA and former head of executive administration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, called
on.

Deputy called to take these response measures in return to ongoing attempts to push through US Congress resolution on recognition of `genocide of Armenians'. Former diplomat underlined that Turkish government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a mistake in this respect. `It was pointed out before that Armenian diaspora in USA is strong enough and stands behind all decisions. But now there is no such tendency. After gaining independence by Armenia, foreign policy and administration of activity of diaspora is governed by Yerevan.

Director and corrector of this work is Ambassador of Armenia in Washington. For this reason our policy with regards to Armenia should be reviewed. No Turk will accept game of Turkey and Armenia. Under the pressure of USA and European Union we changed policy towards Armenia. After occupation of Azerbaijani territories, Turkey imposed embargo against Armenia. It strongly pressed the country, but USA and European Union forced Turkey to soften embargo. And what do we have now? 6 planes land in Istanbul airport every week from Armenian, which damages image of Turkey. Armenians coming to Istanbul exist from account of `shuttle trade' ` they need it so much. Foodstuffs of Turkey are exported to Armenia via Iran and Georgia. 70,000 Armenians live in Turkey illegally.

Turkey should make necessary pressure upon Armenia ` in order to prevent taking decision on recognition of `genocide of Armenians' first of all air flights and indirect export to Armenia should be stopped, and 70,000 Armenian citizens should be evicted. Armenia should be notices that it is time to be wise.

Armenia should understand that if it continues anti-Turkish policy it will cost dear for it'.

US journalist says air strikes on Iran planned

25.02.2007, 06.15

NEW YORK, February 25 (Itar-Tass) - Despite the statements by the George Bush administration to the effect that the US is not going to attack Iran, the Pentagon has developed a plan of air strikes on a number of Iranian facilities, investigative journalist Seymour Hersch said in the latest issue of New Yorker magazine.

He asserted that the plan could be brought into action within 24 hours of President George Bush's issuing a respective order.

An operational group that was set up a few months ago at the Joint Chiefs of Staff originally focused on a possibility of destroying Iranian nuclear facilities, but later got orders to add to the plan facilities that could be used for helping insurgents in Iraq, Hersch said, citing unnamed Pentagon officials.

Azerbaijan one step closer creating “Southern Azerbaijan” and a greater Turkey

It seems the Azerbaijani Government is cooperating with the U.S. who is readying their war they will at some point wage on Iran. The Azeris hope to gain control over what is now Northern Iran, something that Azerbaijan refers to as “Southern Azerbaijan.”

If they are successful in taking this territory, they will not only cut Armenia off from the only friendly country that is connected by land (Iran), but Azerbaijan will also have a land-link to Nakhichevan and Turkey.

It’s in Armenia and Iran’s best interest to destabilize Azerbaijan in the shortest period of time so the American military are not able to dig in with a strong presents in Azerbaijan.

Though I can’t see any good coming from this new to be built American military airport, one thing is for sure, Iran is going to be working even harder now to help Armenia out to become more stable militarily so it can repel Azerbaijan from taking an inch of land from us.


US to build military airports in Republic of Azerbaijan - Iranian agency

IRNA news agency, Tehran
21 Feb 07

Baku, 21 February: Gundalik Azerbaijan [daily] reports that America has been using two Azeri military airports for refuelling, transportation of troops and technical inspection of planes.

In its Wednesday edition [21 February], the newspaper adds: The airports of Azeri Air Force are located in the 'Haji Zeyn al-Abedin Taqiyev' and 'Qala' districts on the outskirts of Baku, and the Pentagon had earlier gained permission from Baku to use them for its military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The daily adds: Initially, the Azeri officials evaded the question of America using their military airports, but later on they confirmed it.

According to Gudalik Azerbaijan, in addition to using the two airports, the Pentagon intends to establish well-equipped military bases in southern Azerbaijan and accordingly, has reached an agreement with Azeri officials on building new airports in the Lankaran and Masali regions close to the Iranian border.

Quoting Azeri military experts, the daily says: In the light of this [agreement], the increased comings and goings of American military officials to Baku in recent years are not without reason.

The daily noted: The recent visit to Baku of Peter Rudman, the US under-secretary of defence for international affairs, and other Pentagon officials underline that important issues are at stake, to the extent that, in the current month the Pentagon officials have held a number of meetings with Azeri military and border guard officials on bilateral cooperation.

Gundalik Azerbaijan, quoting Ildrum Mohammadov, a retired Azeri colonel, reports: The frequent visits of the Pentagon officials to Baku and the American military movements are mainly about Iran and Russia.

NKR PRESIDENT ARKADY GHUKASYAN ADDRESS TO PEOPLE OF NKR

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
24 Feb 07


Dear fellow countrymen, Today I again have to address you in connection with the upcoming presidential election in NKR. Unfortunately, certain mass media of Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia continue to abuse a topic which has been closed long ago ` the possibility of my running a third term. Namely, attempts are made to present my last year's statement that second re-election of the president is not expedient politically and morally as a game mislead the public. These activities will do only harm to the international reputation of Nagorno Karabakh which is committed to the European values. Moreover, this abuse makes the society nervous and divides it. In order to avoid insinuations on my intentions I considered it necessary to make a statement in October which should have answered all the questions connected with my running a third term.

However, one statement of the NKR president was not enough for a few mass media and politicians. Apparently, they think the president must confirm daily his unlikelihood to run a third term, provoking him to take such a step with their slander. Of course, I could overlook the inappropriate behavior of these people if they did not go on harming the society with their actions. These people invent everything to slander the president. Every event in our state and outside it, which is directly related to me, is offered by them as a veiled intention of the president to run in the presidential election again.

Meanwhile, every day ordinary citizens of NKR, representatives of different political and non-governmental organizations, public servants, members of parliament, our compatriots from Armenia, other countries, foreign friends of Artsakh, as well as famous foreign diplomats, political figures, philanthropists come up to me with requests to run in the upcoming presidential election because the NKR Constitution adopted by our people authorizes the head of state to run for presidency. However, a dignified president cannot say one thing and do another thing. I am deeply grateful to all the citizens and foreign friends of our republic who endorse my home and foreign policies, and sincerely wish that I be reelected for another term, and I am stating again that I do not intend to run for the post of the NKR president. Nevertheless, I already know the behavior of the political abusers and their mass media and I am almost convinced that my address will not put an end to detrimental talks on this topic.

There is nothing I can do about it. I think this is an incurable disease. I am sorry for these people. I repeat that there can be no more precious value than the international reputation of my homeland, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, which is essential to the international recognition of NKR.

TURKEY LIKELY TO BE OPPRESSED SO AS TO SATISFY THE ARMENIANS' CLAIMS

AZG Armenian Daily
22/02/2007

Genocide Recognition

The former president of the Turkish organizations of America, Ercument Kilic, according to "Hurriet", made a statement that Turkey in the next coming years will face the necessity of paying Armenia large sums of compensations. He stressed that several American insurance companies have started paying the Armenians, who have suffered from the Genocide, financial compensations. Kilic thinks that such turn of events may soon promote the pressure of insurance companies and Armenian lobby groups upon Turkey in order to refund the losses of the Armenians.