Month: October 2008

AZERI PUNDIT BLAMES GEORGIAN LEADER FOR RED CARPET TREATMENT TO ARMENIAN HEAD
by R. Manafli Ekho

Ekho
Oct 3 2008
Azerbaijan

Georgia cannot decide

Said Azerbaijani pundit in a comment on the visit of Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan to Tbilisi from the Azerbaijani standpoint

"Russian jets took off from the Armenian territories to bomb Georgia
and Mikheil Saakashvili pretends he does not know this and renders
homage to Serzh Sargsyan upon receiving him," Mubariz Ahmadoglu,
prominent local pundit and director of the Centre for Political
Innovations and Technologies, made this statement in a conversation
with Ekho newspaper, while summing up the results of Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to Georgia from an Azerbaijani standpoint.

We should say that Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan paid a two-day
working visit to Tbilisi on 30 September – 1 October. Within the
framework of the visit, the Armenian president had a tete-a-tete
conversation with his Georgian counterpart Mikheil Saakashvili
where they discussed bilateral relations as well as issues related
to the regional security. At a joint briefing after the meeting,
the presidents said that they took a decision to set up a joint
consortium of the two countries for the construction of a new road
to the Black Sea coast through Ajaria.

[Passage omitted: Georgia and Armenia decide to build a new road up
to the Black Sea coast of Georgia]

Azerbaijan is surprised at the "high-level Georgian-Armenian
relations", which was highlighted at the meeting of the two presidents,
in particular, after Armenia supported Russia’s military aggression
against Georgia. Anyway, as political expert Mubariz Ahmadoglu told
Ekho, Russian jets took off from the Armenian territories to bomb
Georgia and Mikheil Saakashvili pretends that he does not know this
and renders homage to Serzh Sargsyan upon receiving him.

Against this background, Saakashvili’s gratitude to Sargsyan that
Armenia backed Georgia’s territorial integrity seems ridiculous,
the director of the CPIT said. "How can one speak about the support
for Georgia’s territorial integrity by Armenia when immediately after
recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, they
began to speak about recognizing of unrecognized separatist bodies
in exchange for the recognition of Nagornyy Karabakh’s independence
by Russia?" asked Mubariz Ahmadoglu.

In his opinion, the reason for tension in our region is namely
connected with the fact that countries turn a blind eye to such
behaviour of neighbouring states. "Georgia so far cannot decide on
what position to take for the resolution of major regional problems,"
the pundit said, adding that Saakashvili did not only award Sargsyan
a state order, but at the same time, he saw him off to Yerevan,
although when French President Nicholas Sarkozy arrived [in Tbilisi],
he did not even think of doing so.

Commenting on the decision of the Georgian and Armenian presidents
on the construction of the road, the Azerbaijani pundit said that
Georgia helps Armenia to put an ancient Armenian dream of "from sea
to a sea" into action. "You know, by building this road, Armenia will
get a direct access to the Black Sea coast," said Ahmadoglu. To recap,
the head of the CPIT said that Georgia’s current policy with regard
to Armenia shows that Mikheil Saakashvili has bad advisers.

However, people adhere to this opinion not only in Azerbaijan but
also in Georgia itself. As a member of the board of the Azerbaijani
community in Georgia, [former MP] Zumrud Qurbanov, told Ekho, many
ethnic Azerbaijanis in Georgia are surprised at the level of reception
of the Armenian president in Tbilisi. "We are indignant at this. Do
politicians not know that South Ossetia and Abkhazia have in fact
become independent states owing to Armenia?" asked Qurbanov.

At the same time, he pointed out that Georgians also do not always
understand this, who quite often consider Armenians reliable and loyal
neighbours. "Although our attitude towards Armenians is different
due to known reasons, the Georgians see no reason for this," recapped
our compatriot.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FORMER YOUTH ATHLETIC DIRECTOR SENTENCES TO TWO YEARS IN STATE PRISON FOR STEALING MORE THAN $120,000 FROM NON-PROFIT

US States News
October 14, 2008 Tuesday 4:23 AM EST

The Massachusetts Attorney General issued the following news release:

A Burlington man has been sentenced to serve time in State Prison
for stealing money from a youth organization in which he served as
a volunteer. On August 20, 2008, Raffi Donoyan, age 49, pled guilty
to the charge of Larceny over $250 (2 counts). On Friday, Middlesex
Superior Court Judge Hiller Zobel sentenced Donoyan to two years in
State Prison on one count of Larceny over $250. On the remaining
count of Larceny over $250, Judge Zobel sentenced Donoyan to two
years in the House of Correction, with the sentence suspended for
a period of five years, to be served upon completion of his State
Prison sentence. Donoyan was also ordered to undergo mandatory drug
and alcohol testing, and must receive gambling counseling. Donoyan
will begin serving his sentence on October 24, 2008.

>From early 2003 to August 2005, Donoyan was athletic director and
a board member of Homenetmen Eastern Region, Inc. (Homenetmen),
a non-profit organization based in Watertown. Homenetmen is an
international charitable organization dedicated tofostering scouting
and athletic activities among Armenian youth. The Homenetmen Eastern
Region oversees ten chapters in the Eastern part of the United States.

The matter was originally referred to law enforcement authorities by
Homenetmen. An investigation found that from November 2003 through
August 2005, Donoyan stole more than $120,000 from the organization by
making cash withdrawals from the organization’s account and by writing
checks payable to himself. In early 2005, the treasurer and president
confronted Donoyan regarding irregularities in the organization’s
bank account, and Donoyan claimed that the IRS had taken money out
of the account. In February of that year, Donoyan deposited $20,000
into the organization’s bank account but then resumed taking money
from the account in May 2005 and continued until August 2005. Some
of the funds stolen included deposits paid by young athletes and
the chapters they belonged to so that they could attend Homenetmen’s
World Athletic Games, held in Athens, Greece in July 2005.

A Middlesex Grand Jury returned indictments against Donoyan on November
27, 2007. He was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on December
5, 2007, where he entered a plea of not guilty and was released on
personal recognizance. On August 20, 2008, Donoyan entered a change
of plea from not guilty to guilty. On Friday, Donoyan was sentenced
to serve two years in State Prison.

The case was being prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Molly
Parks and Michael Pine of Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Corruption
and Fraud Division, and was investigated by Paul Stewart, Director
of the Attorney General’s Financial Investigations Division.

DMITRIY MEDVEDEV: THE COORDINATED ACTIONS AT THE WORLD ARENA IS A SERIOUS FACTOR OF SECURITY

ArmInfo
2008-10-21 15:30:00

ArmInfo. , – Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev said at the
opening ceremony of Russia’s Square opening in Yerevan. the Russian
citizens. We set a high value on this fair neighboring relations
and we shall do everything possible for our strategic to become
stronger and to develop, for our traditions of cross-fertilisation
of cultures increase with new projects and close direct human
relations. Comprehensive and all-round cooperation as well as
understanding of obvious privilege in the search for the joint answers
to various threats existing in the present world, also promote further
fortification of relations between Armenia and Russia. I am sure
the coordinated actions at the world arena is a serious factor of
security, fortification of our positions in the Caucasus region and
in the world. Good and kind neighbours are always happy by success
of each other. And we see how the achievements of the modern Armenia
grow in front of our very eyes.

And it is especially noticed over the last years. To be honest, we
are directly interested in the Armenian people to live in the strong
and prospering state – in a stable state. We are sure Armenia also
wishes peace, might and kindness to Russia. Our success is a necessary
condition of our partnership. It is important that we have political
will for this and the most important is aspiration of the people and
the fact that they are interested in development of common business
and joint humanitarian programmes, and just in communication just the
same way as the most allied and helping each other nations do. I would
like to say once again, our delegation and me are very happy to be in
the hearty Armenia in such a light autumn day and to do everything
possible to preserve our friendship the brightest symbol of which
has become Russia’s Square in Yerevan>, – Dmitriy Medvedev said.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT: COUNCIL OF HEADS OF SECURITY AND SPECIAL SERVICES BODIES IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFICIENT BODIES OF CIS

ArmInfo
2008-10-21 19:17:00

ArmInfo. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan made a statement welcoming
the participants in the sitting of the Council of the Heads of Security
and Special Services Bodies of the CIS Member States. The sitting is
being held in Yerevan.

As the Armenian president’s statement says, Council of the Heads of
Security and Special Services Bodies of the CIS Member States, as a
collective body of the Council of Heads of CIS States and Council of
Heads of CIS Governments on coordination of the activity of security
bodies and special services, holds its firm place in the structure of
the CIS bodies. According to Serzh Sargsyan, this body’s operation
is a necessary element for ensuring the general security of CIS
states, stability of political and economical situation. "One can
state with confidence that the Council of the Heads of Security and
Special Services Bodies is one of the most efficient bodies of the
CIS. International terrorism, money laundering, proliferation of
nuclear materials and drugs, organized crime and illegal migration
– this is the incomplete list of threats and challenges, we should
exert joint efforts and our all potential in the fight against them",
the statement says.

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT EXPLAINS THE PRESENT WORLD FINANCIAL CRISIS BY GROSS ERRORS OF SEVERAL STATES AND THE USA FIRST OF ALL

ArmInfo
2008-10-21 19:01:00

ArmInfo. ‘It is clear that we pay for the gross errors of several
states and the USA first of all, since the share of the American
financial market and its affecting global economy is very big’, –
Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev said at the joint press-conference
with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan in Yerevan today.

He also added at present Russia has a task to minimize consequences of
the planetary financial and economic crisis. ‘I think the decisions
adopted at present are enough, but this dies not mean that the list
of these decisions is concluded once and forever. Nothing of the
kind. Unfortunately, life makes its corrections and we shall reply
to them by new organizational, structural and financial decisions if
needed’, – Dmitriy Medvedev said.

Touching on Stock Exchange Council set up in Russia recently,
Russian president said it should resolve the problems connected with
macro-regulation, tracing of the situation at stock exchange market,
adopting of the necessary norms and rules which will ease the situation
or put it in order.

He also hopes this structure will be able to have a positive effect
on the crisis phenomena as well.

POSSIBLE TO HOLD TRILATERAL MEETING AMONGST AZERBAIJAN, RUSSIA AND ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2008-10-21 18:51:00

ArmInfo. Official Baku considers it possible to hold trilateral meeting
amongst Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. "Trilateral meetings took place earlier and it is possible to
hold a new meeting," Novruz Mammadov, Head of International Relations
Department of Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, told Trend
News on 21 October.

"The necessity to hold a meeting was mentioned at the meeting between
Russian President Medvedev and his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan.

Thus, the trilateral meeting come to agenda while Presidents’
discussions on some issues, including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
settlement," Mammadov said. Recently official Moscow has been making
initiatives regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement
and displayed an interest in this regard, he said. "Therefore,
a proposal to hold a trilateral meeting may be made. At that time,
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will express his attitude toward
this issue," Mammadov said. "The meeting can take place in different
formats. The trilateral meeting took place in Moscow during Vladimir
Putin’s presidency. Such a meeting was held in France as well. It
will be possible to express a concrete attitude towards this issue
when Azerbaijan receives an official invitation and exact data on
the matter," the official of the Presidential Administration said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SERZH SARGSYAN: OUR MEETING WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT ONCE MORE PROVED THE ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN DYNAMICALLY DEVELOPING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

ArmInfo
2008-10-21 15:27:00

ArmInfo. , President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said at a joint press
conference with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in Yerevan
Tuesday.

The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance and
the normative base which is a strong basis for Armenian-Russian
relations, the Armenian president said. Active political dialogue
of the two states is growing. The countries are ready to further
exert efforts to coordinate foreign political dialogue. The two
presidents expressed readiness to further contribute to effective
trade and economic cooperation. The sides discussed the results of
the 10th meeting of Interstate Commission for Economic Cooperation
in details. The meeting focuses on the implementation of the programs
of economic cooperation for 2010, Serzh Sargsyan said.

President of Armenia expressed satisfaction with the enforcement of
the agreements reached earlier, including supply of energy sources to
Armenia that will allow ensuring further sustainable economic growth,
the president said.

SERZH SARGSYAN: THE LEVEL OF TODAY’S ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS IS VERY GOOD BUT I WANT THEM TO BE EXEMPLARY BUT NOT DEMONSTRATIVE

ArmInfo
2008-10-21 15:26:00

ArmInfo. , – Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said at today’s
joint press-conference with his Russian counterpart Dmitriy Medvedev
in Yerevan.

He also added Armenia’s strategic relations with Russia have never
become an obstacle for establishing cooperation with other states
too. When commenting on the viewpoint according to which Armenia is
forced to have the partnership relations with Russia, Serzh Sargsyan
said he absolutely does not agree to such a view, since one cannot
become friends via force. transparent and reliable. And I think the
force of our friendship is in mutual trust. Just this trust makes
it possible for us to set and develop contacts with states in the
region as well as outside it>, – Armenian president said. For his
part, President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev added , – he said and
added not only pragmatic international or local account is behind the
Armenian-Russian relations, but century-long friendship which should
be preserved forever.

SERZH SARGSYAN: PRESENT LEVEL OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN ECONOMIC RELATIONS IS IMPRESSIVE BUT IT YIELDS TO POLITICAL INTERACTION

ArmInfo
2008-10-21 15:25:00

ArmInfo. The present level of Armenian-Russian economic relations
is impressive but it yields to political interaction, President of
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said at a joint press conference with his
Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in Yerevan Tuesday. He said it
is time for large-scale projects in the economic cooperation with
Russia. Serzh Sargsyan said that the Armenian-Russian top leadership
discussed the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Armenia,
a new railway and other projects.

The commodity turnover of the two states will exceed 1 billion dollars
for the current year. There are over 1.2 thousand plants with Russian
capital in Armenia. It is a serious figure for the not large economy
of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan said.

For his part, Russian president said the Russian-Armenian economic
relations are impressive now but they have a tendency of yielding to
political ties. , Dmitry Medvedev said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia Joins World Nuclear Association
Monday, October 20, 2008 8:53 PM

(Source: Daily News Bulletin; Moscow – English)YEREVAN. Oct 20
(Interfax) – Armenia has become a member of the World Nuclear
Association, Deputy Energy and Natural Resources Minister Areg
Galstian told Interfax.

He said the accession agreement had been signed in Paris.

Armenia is the 25th member of the organization, which unites all the
nuclear powers, the official said on Monday.

The World Nuclear Association aims to promote peaceful uses of atomic
energy. It supervises nuclear generation, production, storing and
transportation of nuclear fuel and storing and disposal of spent
nuclear fuel.

(c) 2008 Daily News Bulletin; Moscow – English. Provided by ProQuest
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