Azerbaijan Welcomes Adoption of The Madrid Principles by Armenia

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov welcomed adoption of the updated version of the Madrid principles for settlement of the Karabakh conflict by Yerevan.

The Madrid principles remain at the negotiating table, and we continue negotiating on them Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said March 18.

“This will create an opportunity to continue the negotiation process and begin work on a large agreement on the settlement of the conflict,” Elmar Mammadyraov told journalists at a news conference.

“We need to discuss further steps with the mediators,” Mammadyarov added, Trend News reports.

Source: ArmRadio - Original Article

Iran Frees Armenian Aid Worker Silva Harotonian

Aid worker Silva Harotonian, who has been in an Iranian prison for more than twenty months, has been released, reports The Armenian Reporter.

In a March 10 statement, her employer, the U.S.-funded International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), thanked “the Government of Armenia for their engagement in securing Silva’s release.” Details of that engagement have not been made public.

Harotonian, an Iranian citizen, was arrested on June 26, 2008, while on a business trip to Tehran for IREX’s Maternal and Child Health Education and Exchange Program (MCHEEP). A Yerevan-based administrative officer for the program, launched in 2007, she was the only IREX staff member working in Iran at the time.  Read more... (255 words)

Azerbaijan May Recall its Ambassador From Washington

The Azerbaijani Presidential Administration categorically condemned the adoption of the resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide by the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.

Such step by the U.S congressmen is mistaken and unfair, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Socio-Political Department Head Ali Hasanov told reporters.

Hasanov said the Azerbaijani government condemns this step by the U.S. congressmen, and brings to attention that this decision was unilateral, unjust, pro-Armenian and anti-Turk in spirit. “We believe this decision also does not correlate strongly with the interests of the United States and the American people, and seriously damages the international image of this country,” he said.  Read more... (276 words)

Azerbaijan Renews War Threats With Armenia

Azerbaijan stepped up its threats to win back Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenian-controlled territories surrounding it by force on Thursday, with Defense Minister Safar Abiyev speaking of a growing likelihood of “a great war” with Armenia.

“Now it’s the military’s turn and the threat is growing every day,” Abiyev was quoted as telling the French ambassador to Baku, Gabriel Keller. “If Armenia does not end its occupation of Azerbaijan’s territory, the beginning of a great war in the South Caucasus is inevitable.”  Read more... (343 words)

President Ahmadinejad Declares Iran a Nuclear State

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that Iran had produced a first batch of uranium enriched to a level of 20 percent and that it was capable of achieving much higher levels of purity – up to 80 per cent.

Iran is now a nuclear state, President Ahmadinejad told a huge rally of supporters on the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

Today, Iran is celebrating the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Hundreds of thousands of Iranians were reported carrying flags and banners through Tehran’s streets in support of the Islamic regime.

State television showed the people, carrying images of the late Islamic leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and his successor incumbent leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and moving to Tehran’s Azadi (liberty) Square.  Read more... (145 words)

Azeri Official Criticize ‘International Support’ For Armenia

The chief foreign policy aide to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday accused Russia and the West of supporting Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and thereby delaying its peaceful resolution.

“Some virtual powers support them, otherwise, knowing Armenians’ trait, they would immediately beg for mercy from Turkey and Azerbaijan and ask to rescue them. They are still being supported by that virtual power.”  Read more... (322 words)

The Feast Of St. Sarkis In India

On 30^th January, 2010 Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy  celebrated the feast of St. Sarkis the warrior and his son, St. Mardiros in a special way. St. Sarkis is considered to be the Saint of youth and love. To commemorate this wonderful event, the Management of the Armenian College organized a drawing competition.

 The theme of the competition was “St. Sarkis” and his son “St. Mardiros”. The competition was held in the College auditorium. Very Reverend Father Khoren Hovhannisyan, the Pastor of the Armenians in India and the Manager of the Armenian College & Philanthropic Academy started the event by blessing the students and made them aware about the importance of the day and spoke about St. Sarkis, the Martyr. He advised them to love each other, the church and their motherland.  Read more... (164 words)