Month: August 2008

OBAMA’S ARMENIAN SUPPORTERS SATISFIED WITH BIDEN’S CANDIDACY

AZG Armenian Daily
29/08/2008

USA Elections

The "Armenians for Obama" organization positively estimated Barak
Obama’s decision to suggest Joseph Biden’s candidacy for the office
of the Vice-President. The official message of the organization says,
that Senator Biden is a politician with a considerable background
of pro-Armenian actions. The organization expresses confidence that
Biden will contribute the solution of the Armenian Genocide and the
Nagorno-Karabakh issues in accordance with the principles of human
rights and national self-determination.

President of "Armenians for Obama" organization Arin Ipranosian
expressed his special happiness to see Senator Biden by Obama’s side.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

"SERZH SARKISSIAN AND TIGRAN SARKISSIAN ARE MARIONETTES"

A1+
[03:34 pm] 28 August, 2008

Today we evidenced one more protest action against state entities
in front of the Government building. It was held by residents of
Dalma gardens and "zone of alienation," young people struggling for
Teghut’s ecology system and parents of army servants who died during
military service.

Residents of disposed zone demanded to rehabilitate their property
rights, those struggling for Teghut wanted to cease deforestation
and make a new examination. The parents of dead servicemen parents
demanded to punish those guilty for their sons’ deaths.

Police officers seemed to have found a new means for getting protected
from protesters. They chained the Government building and allowed no
protester to come up to the building. Anyway, all their preventive
measures failed. Their mothers were shouting in tears: "Return our
sons, you killers". "The head of municipality buried his soul and
dignity under the Northern Avenue", "Zakharian, don’t steal, don’t
cheat us", "Two families have remained homeless for four years" These
were the main slogans on posters of disposed zone residents who were
whistling and shouting "Thief Zakharian".

By the way the court has already rejected the claim of three citizens
referring "the revocation of forcibly signed contract". One of
rejected claimers was the chairman of "Protection of Property Rights"
NGO Vachagan Hakobian.

"It was jut two months ago when President assigned Armen Gevorgian to
call for a new committee to review our cases, but since Armen Gevorgian
is a proprietor in the deal, he does nothing. Serzh Sarkissian and
Tigran Sarkissian are just marionettes. Everything is decided by
Kocharian," Vachagan Hakobian said to "A1+.

EU CONDEMNS RUSSIA’S DECISION

A1+
[05:21 pm] 28 August, 2008

The French Embassy in Armenia released a statement in which the
European Union condemns Russia’s recognition of the independence of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The EU chairmanship states that Russia’s decision contradicts to
the independence of Georgia, the principles of sovereignty and
territorial integrity set down in the UN regulations, the final
act of the conference on security and cooperation in Europe and the
resolutions of the Council for Security.

In this context, the chairmanship states to advocate Georgia’s
territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders.

The chairmanship urges for a political settlement of the Georgian
conflicts and intends to discuss the consequences of Russia’s
decision," runs the statement.

DEMANDS SUBMITTED TO MINISTER

A1+
[06:08 pm] 28 August, 2008

Fundamental human rights continue to be infringed at penitentiaries of
the RoA Justice Ministry. In particular, provocations against political
prisoners are incited regularly. We urge Minister of Justice Gevorg
Danielian to honour human rights at penitentiaries. We are going to
pursue any provocation that will be perpetrated by different criminal
marionettes.

Minister Gevorg Danielian is responsible for breach of laws and
violation of human rights at penitentiaries.

Evidence to this is the recently revealed footage which exposes the
atmosphere and morals at penitentiaries. We, the undersigned, demand
that Minister Gevorg Danielan take immediate action to restore law
and order at penitentiaries which are within his jurisdiction.

Ararat Zurabian, head of the board of the All-Armenian Movement,
charged under Articles 300 and 225

Lyudmila Sarkissian, head of the Social Democratic Henchak Party (SDHK)

Gurgen Eghazarian, former NA deputy, charged under Articles 300 and 225

Karapet Rubinian, former NA deputy Speaker, charged under Articles
300 and 225

Erjanik Abgarian, former political prisoner, HHSh member

Human rights advocate Vardan Harutiunian

Khachik Simonian, former political prisoner, HHK member

OSCE PA SPECIAL ENVOY FOR GEORGIA TRAVELS TO THE CAUCASUS

Panorama.am
18:11 28/08/2008

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Emeritus Goran Lennmarker will
next week visit all three countries, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia,
in the South Caucasus.

Mr. Lennmarker, a member of the Swedish parliament, is tasked to
work on supporting the conflict settlement process particularly at
the parliamentary level. He was recently appointed Special Envoy
for Georgia by OSCE PA President Joao Soares and is also engaged
in seeking to solve the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenian
regarding Nagorno-Karabakh.

Next week’s visit is Mr. Lennmarker’s first since the appointment as
Special Envoy for Georgia. It starts in Azerbaijan on Monday, moves
on to Georgia in the middle of the week, and finishes up in Armenia
at the end of the week.

The situation in the South Caucasus will be addressed at the
OSCE PA Fall Meetings in Toronto, Canada 18 to 21 September, where
Mr. Lennmarker will present a report about the situation in Georgia,
and where parliamentarians from all OSCE participating States will
have a debate on this issue.

LIVING IN JERUSALEM’S OLD CITY

BBC NEWS
iddle_east/7566775.stm
2008/08/29 07:00:34 GMT

The Old City of Jerusalem – containing sites sacred to Judaism,
Christianity and Islam – is often viewed as being at the heart of
the Arab-Israeli conflict. Divided into Jewish, Christian, Muslim and
Armenian quarters, it is an ethnic, cultural, political and religious
mix. Here, some of the Old City’s residents describe life behind its
ancient walls.

ELI GEORGE KOUZ, 55, SHOP OWNER, CHRISTIAN QUARTER The Old City is
full of crazy and fanatical people, and the Jews and Muslims are
getting more and more fundamentalist.

You see them walking round in their costumes, as if their way of life
is the only right one. I don’t like that. We should all be the same.

I belong to the Syrian Orthodox Church but life in the Old City can
be very difficult for Christians. The fighting is between Jews and
Muslims but the Christians get caught in the middle. It is far better
to keep out of it.

I don’t like living in the Old City – it’s very difficult to make
a living.

People here depend on tourism. It’s okay if you’re a tour guide –
you get a big commission – but there are too many store owners who
work like gangsters. Because of them tourists are scared to enter my
shop because they think they’re going to get hassled.

I work 12 hours a day because you don’t know when customers are going
to come and buy. In the Old City business is bad, but if you go outside
the walls to the new part, the shops there are doing really well.

Life here is not good either – there’s too much hatred between Muslims
and Jews. I have to pass through all the other quarters to get to my
house and I have to hope I’m not going to get caught up in any trouble.

In the future I’d hate to see the Old City divided. It should be an
open place, with no shops or houses even – like the Vatican – just a
place for tourists to visit. But how can it be the City of God when
there are police, soldiers and weapons everywhere, and people are
always getting pushed around?

ADNAN AWEIDH, 53, HOTEL WORKER, MUSLIM QUARTER I was born in the Old
City and my family here goes back 700 years.

It’s such an important place for Muslims – it’s the second holiest
place after Mecca. Jerusalem is like our water and we are like its
fish – we can’t live outside it.

The Muslim Quarter is very special but it can sometimes be like a
big prison – it was more open and free in the 1960s and 70s.

We don’t feel very safe here. Violence can happen here anytime, even
with the police – if you even look like an Arab they will always ask
you for your ID and question you, and if you don’t have your ID card
they will take you away.

Apart from that, life is very good here. I have my coffee and nargillah
and sit with my friends. I go to all the different quarters and I
have a lot of friends in the Armenian Quarter in particular.

Relations are also very good with the Christians – we eat and socialise
together – but it’s not so good with the Jews. Politics makes a
difference between people here. Before 1948 we lived with the Jews
like one big family, but since then there has been a lot of hatred.

I like living in the Muslim Quarter – it’s always busy and everyone
from around the world passes through.

We have everything we need here, nothing is missing. But it’s very
expensive in the Old City – you have to have at least two jobs and
your wife must also work just to make ends meet.

GARO SANDROUNI, 53, SHOP OWNER, ARMENIAN QUARTER The Armenian community
has been in Jerusalem since the fourth century.

There are only about 1,500 Armenians here now but the advantage of
that is everyone knows everyone else.

We have schools, museums, churches, seminaries and institutions here –
we’re very well-organised for such a small community.

Living in the Old City has got worse and worse. It’s attractive to
three major religions but there’s not enough space. Whenever there
are religious festivals – which is all the time – thousands of people
come here, which makes life difficult. You can’t move, you can’t take
your car out and you really have to plan in advance how you’re going
to get around.

I have seen lots of changes here in my lifetime. There have been too
many renovations in the Old City. It was completely different when
I was young.

Even the entrances to the Old City were different in those days.

There have been political changes too – the intifadas [Palestinian
uprisings] changed the atmosphere here. People went on strike and
shops closed down.

It has become more and more tense, people have become more fanatic
and everyone is pouring towards the Old City – so we end up getting
all the problems here.

We can live freely as Armenians though – there is no problem with
worshipping, for instance.

The Armenians are friendly with all the other quarters – we border
the Jewish and Christian Quarters and we have good relations with them.

Of course, everyone tries to get you on their side – sometimes we
sympathise with the Arabs, sometimes with the Jews, but as Armenians
we always try to stay neutral.

KITTY SEVILLA, 80, RESTAURANT OWNER, JEWISH QUARTER I moved here from
Tel Aviv in 1976. My father was born in the Old City and had always
told us what it was like, but we couldn’t visit here before 1967.

I love everything about living here. It’s a very special place because
it is where Jews had the Biblical temples. Being here now goes all
the way back to our ancestors and you really feel that. We can be
free and be Jewish here.

The only problem with living here is the restrictions during festivals.

Sometimes it’s difficult to get around.

We don’t keep separate from the other quarters. We used to go to the
other parts a lot but what we don’t like is the threat of terrorism,
so now we only go when we have to. There’s no hostility between Jews
and Arabs here but you never know when something might happen.

The Old City has changed a lot in the 30 years I have been here. In
1976 they were building a lot in the Jewish Quarter – there were lots
of donkeys carrying the materials because in those days the streets
here were very narrow. It’s also become a lot more expensive to buy
property here.

There are many more people here now too. Even just 10 years ago a
lot of people were too afraid to come here, but that’s changed now.

I feel safe living here – there are lots of police and soldiers around,
but that’s not unique to the Old City – it’s the same all over Israel.

I like the different people in the Old City. It’s a peaceful place to
live – all the nationalities get on here. I don’t want to see Jerusalem
divided, regardless of what other people say. If you want peace here,
things should stay the way they are.

SERZH SARGSYAN: PERSONAL RELATIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT FOR DECISION MAKING

arminfo
2008-08-28 20:12:00

ArmInfo. Personal relations play a very important role in decision
making, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said in his interview with
the Turkish newspaper Radikal when replying to a question about the
degree of Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s visit to Armenia. As the
Armenian presidential press-service told ArmInfo, Sargsyan said:
"It is not easy to take key decisions. Personal relations also play
an important role here". "If I didn’t believe in the importance of
this visit, I wouldn’t invite Gul. We are neighbors. We had difficult
times in the history. However, Armenia is ready for development of
relations, and we expect the same from Turkey", he added.

To recall, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan invited Turkish President
Abdullah Gul to visit Yerevan to watch the football match of the
national teams of Armenia and Turkey on September 6.

COUNTERFEIT PLASTIC CARD USERS RING INFLICTS NO LOSS TO BANKING SYSTEM IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Aug 29, 2008

YEREVAN, August 29. /ARKA/. Armenia’s banking system has not incurred
losses in transactions with counterfeit plastic cards effected by an
international criminal ring, Executive Director of "Armenian Card"
Processing Center Shahen Hovhannisyan told ARKA Agency. As the cards
had been stolen, Armenian banks will receive compensation from issuing
banks with no preconditions, he said.

"This is not the first case. Similar groups are detected and
detained in many countries. Our National Security Service and
the law-enforcement bodies solve the issue at a proper level,"
Hovhannisyan said.

On August 27, Armenia’s National Security Service detained an
international criminal ring involving three Romanians and a Latvian. In
August the group cashed about 263,000 U.S. dollars with counterfeit
plastic cards through ATMs of branches of VTB (Armenia), Anelik,
Unibank and Conversbank in Yerevan and the regions of Armenia.

The National Security Service found 160 counterfeit plastic cards,
a lot of foreign currency and Armenian Drams in hotel rooms of the
group members.

ARMENIA IS READY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS: PRESIDENT SARGSYAN’S INTERVIEW WITH TURKISH RADIKAL DAILY

armradio.am
29.08.2008 11:02

Question: The match between the national football teams of Armenia
and Turkey on September 6 may be viewed as the most politicized
sport event in our region. From the point of view of politics, what
expectations did you have when you invited Turkey’s President Abdullah
Gul to watch the match together?

Answer: My primary objective was the normalization of relations
between our countries. In his congratulatory message on the occasion
of my election to the post of President Abdullah Gul spoke about the
opportunities of normalization of relations. Later Prime Minister
Erdogan declared that the doors are open for dialogue. In response
to that I decided to use this opportunity. There is a good sport
event ahead. Our national football teams will meet for the first
time in history. It can be a good opportunity for the development of
our relations. It’s not important what result will be registered,
but I hope that the fans will enjoy. The inspiration is going to
be great. This match will be an exceptional event in our relations,
and I hope that it will become more exceptional with the presence of
the Armenian and Turkish Presidents. I think having normal relations
will be more beneficial for both peoples. My invitation to Gul should
be viewed in this context.

Q.: There are certain concerns in Ankara connected with the
above-mentioned invitation. There are border problems and, besides
there is a question how Gul will be welcomed in Yerevan. Do you share
these concerns?

A.: There can be no concern connected with organizational issues. If
we have invited a President of a state, we shall take all necessary
measures to organize the reception on the highest level.

Q.: Serious developments have taken place in the Caucasus after you
sent an invitation to Gul. I mean the Georgian-Ossetan conflict. What’s
your opinion about Russia’s policy on South Ossetia and Abkhazia?

A.: Tragic events have taken place in effect, people died. This has
been yet another result of the arms race. We hold that such issues
should be solved by talks. We support the right for self-determination
on the basis of the free will of people. We believe that the
implementation of the plan initiated by Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev and French President Nicolas Sarkozy will bring peace and
stability. Peace and stability are very important for Armenia. More
than 70% of our trade is implemented on the Georgian territory.

Q.: Do you think the Nagorno Karabakh issue, which is serious problem
in your relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey, can be solved soon? Do
you predict that the agreement with Azerbaijan will raise the political
and economic cooperation in the region to a new level?

A.

: We had a rather productive meeting with Mr. Aliyev in Saint
Petersburg on June 6. WE both instructed the Foreign Ministers
to continue the work on the basis of the Madrid principles. Three
meetings have taken place so far. I hope we will find a solution in
a short period of time.

Q.: Can you mention approximate dates?

A.: It will not be coorect to make an predictions before the
presidential elections in Azerbaijan. After the elections we shall
see what developments are taking place.

Q.: Do you think the situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia is like
that in Nagorno Karabakh? I’m asking this because you said the right
of peoples to self-determination should be taken into consideration.

A.: All the conflicts have similarities and differences. I think
that instead of concentrating on the similarities and differences,
we should think about drawing lessons. I see that the disputes about
solving issue sin a military way lead to unpredictable and dangerous
consequences. I would like to know how many people predicted the
outcome of the conflict before it started. We should be very cautious.

Q.: From the outside it seems that the relations between Armenia
and Turkey are in a deadlock because of the Genocide issue. Is this
impression correct?

Do you think that the Armenian-Turkish relations cannot move forward
until Turkey recognizes the tragic events of 1915 as genocide? It is
a precondition?

A.: You will not find a single Armenian in the world that would
not believe in the fact of the Genocide. However, the recognition
of the Genocide is not a precondition for normalizing the relations
with Turkey. Perhaps, that is why we say we are ready to establish
diplomatic relations with Turkey without any precondition.

Q.: Do you think the close diplomatic meetings between Armenia and
Turkey will yield results?

A.: Without any doubt, my support would be impossible if I did not
believe that these would yield results. However, on the other hand,
I believe that the process of relations shows that we, the leaders of
the two countries have reached the stage of decision-making. These
decisions are not going to be easy ones. Not the whole societies of
Armenia and Turkey will approve these decisions. But I’m sure that most
part of the societies will approve the decisions. I do not mean the
diplomatic efforts but the overall atmosphere. Gul’s congratulatory
message, Edrogan’s words, even the interview with you comprise part
of that atmosphere. That is why I believe that we have reached the
stage of decision-making.

Q.: Will Gul’s arrival or non-arrival in Armenia affect the situation?

A.: I think it will be important, since important decisions are not
taken easily. Personal relations are also important. Speaking before
the society and speaking looking into your interlocutors eyes are
different=2 0things. I would not invite Gul if I did not believe
in the importance of this visit. We are neighbors. We have had hard
times in history. However, Armenia is ready for the development of
relations and we expect the same from Turkey.

ARMENIAN NSS ‘NEUTRALIZES’ INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL RING OF 3 ROMANIAN AND 1 LATVIAN CITIZENS

ARMENPRESS
Aug 28, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 28, ARMENPRESS:Armenian National Security Service (NSS)
said today on August 27 it ‘neutralized’ an international criminal
ring of 3 Romanian and 1 Latvian citizens, who had withdrawn million
of drams in cash from ATMs in Yerevan and outside it by using fake
plastic cards.

A statement by the NSS said the group operated in Armenia throughout
August withdrawing over 80 million Drams. It said a search in their
hotel room revealed 160 fake plastic cards, as well as foreign and
Armenian currency. It emerged that the fraud deals had been implemented
by using account numbers of the British Barclays bank customers.

The NSS said a criminal case was launched to find out other
circumstances of the fraud and joint moves are being carried out
together with Interpol and other international law-enforcement bodies
to fully expose the group’s activity

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress