Author: admin

ARMENIANS HAVE SUPERFICIAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT TURKEY

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
07.08.2009 17:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Turkish schools begin their classes with a prayer
which contains Ataturk’s well-known slogan saying, ‘I am happy to be
a Turk’," Lecturer at YSU Turkology chair Ruben Melkonyan told a news
conference in Yerevan.

In a multi-national state like Turkey, such slogan sounds very
chauvinistic and pursues assimilatory goals, Melkonyan said, adding
that a law firm in Diarbekir has applied to the Constitutional court
with a request of declaring the oath anti-constitutional. Armenian
expert attached special importance to that, considering that such
kind of protests may help Turkey overcome existing taboos.

Mr. Melkonyan also finds that Turkish state’s ideology sometimes
escalates to nationalism. "In that context, border opening and
establishment of ties can be considered effective tools for eliminating
such taboos," he stressed.

Establishment of Armenian-Turkish ties may cause crisis in
Turkish society, with ethnic identity being a key issue, Melkonyan
finds. "Opinions in Turkish society vary, but I am deeply convinced
that the radical position is prevalent," Armenian expert said, noting
that Armenians have superficial knowledge about Turkey, and take a
very soft and incautious approach to border opening.

ARMENIA LAUNCHES CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY TO IRAN

/ARKA/
August 6, 2009
Yerevan

The Armenian government has decided at its regular meeting today
(August 6) to set up a special body to handle the construction of
North-South railway that will connect Armenia with Iran.

Transport and Communication Minister Gurgen Sargsyan said the new body
(Directorate) will be handling all organizational and preliminary work
related to construction of the railroad towards the Iranian border.

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said the decision means that the
start to the construction of the railroad is given. He added that the
Directorate will be dealing also with attraction of funds to back up
the project.

The new railroad will provide Armenia with an alternative way to
import energy resources and other commodities and an outlet to the
rest of the world. Currently Armenian railways are linked only with
railroads in neighboring Georgia.

According to preliminary estimates, the cost of this project is
$2 billion.

The World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, as well as Russia and
Ukraine have shown interest in this project.

Vartanian free on bail from grand-theft charges

The Fresno Bee (Fresno, CA)
Thursday, Aug. 06, 2009

By Pablo Lopez

Fresno businessman Krikor "Kirk" Vartanian is free on $295,000 in bail
in connection with 16 felony charges stemming from his business
dealings at his luxury car dealership, Fresno County Superior Court
records show.

Department of Motor Vehicle investigators, armed with a warrant,
arrested Vartanian at Belana restaurant in Fig Garden on Wednesday
afternoon. After being booked into the Fresno County Jail, he posted
bail and was released around 8 p.m., according to David Balakian, one
of Vartanian’s lawyers.

His arraignment on the grand theft charges is scheduled for Aug. 19.

Vartanian, 40, is accused of selling cars and extended warranties to
more than a dozen customers but not delivering the goods, according to
arrest-warrant documents.

A criminal complaint accuses him of stealing more than $500,000 from
17 customers between March 2007 and November 2008. He also is accused
of stealing from Woodside Credit. His business, Auto Gallery at 61
E. Shaw Avenue, closed this summer.

Before his arrest on Tuesday, Vartanian was free on bail, awaiting a
Sept. 1 preliminary hearing on felony charges stemming from an alleged
assault on his wife in June. He was freed from jail only after posting
bail and agreeing to resolve gambling debts in Las Vegas.

As Fresno businessman Krikor "Kirk" Vartanian was arrested Wednesday
on grand theft charges, court officials released a copy of his arrest
warrant with details of the accusations against him.

Vartanian faces 16 felony charges in connection with business dealings
at his luxury car dealership, the Auto Gallery at 61 E. Shaw Ave. He’s
accused of selling cars and extended warranties to more than a dozen
customers but not delivering the goods — pocketing more than half a
million dollars.

Among the alleged victims is former Fresno State women’s basketball
coach Stacy Johnson-Klein and her husband, Charles. According to
arrest-warrant documents made public Wednesday, the couple paid
Vartanian $225,000 for a Bentley but never received the car — or
their money back.

Vartanian also is accused of selling about a dozen extended warranties
that the customers never received. Investigators say those thefts
amounted to $36,167.

Vartanian closed his north Fresno dealership this summer.

Prosecutors announced the charges Tuesday, and Vartanian had made
arrangements to surrender at Fresno County Jail at 1
p.m. Wednesday. Before he could do that, however, he was handcuffed
about 12:30 p.m. at the Fig Garden restaurant Belana.

His lawyers said the arrest amounted to harassment. The California
Department of Motor Vehicles investigator who arrested Vartanian —
Scott Silva — could not be reached to comment Wednesday.

The arresting officers "said it was miscommunication," said Daniel
Bacon, one of Vartanian’s attorneys. "I would call it a fiasco."

Vartanian was booked into jail on 16 counts of grand theft. He was
expected to post $295,000 bail and be released Wednesday night.

A criminal complaint accuses Vartanian of stealing more than $500,000
from 17 customers between March 2007 and November 2008. He also is
accused of stealing from Woodside Credit.

Bacon and David Balakian, another Vartanian lawyer, said Tuesday that
their client is innocent, and that some of the victims named in the
complaint don’t want to press charges.

"There might be some money owed," Bacon said, "but there’s no validity
to the charges."

Before his arrest, he was free on bail, awaiting a preliminary hearing
on felony charges stemming from an alleged assault on his wife in
June.

He was freed from jail only after posting bail and agreeing to resolve
gambling debts in Las Vegas.

The reporter can be reached at [email protected] or (559) 441-6434.

80753.html#none

Hovnanian Shares up Sharply On Takeover Speculation

Dow Jones Newswires
August 5, 2009

By Alexandra Scaggs and Dawn Wotapka, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- Shares of home builder Hovnanian Enterprises
(HOV) closed nearly 11% higher and option activity surged on takeover
speculation Wednesday, with Toll Brothers (TOL) bandied about as a
possible suitor.

New Jersey-based Hovnanian declined to comment. Toll Brothers, based
in Pennsylvania, didn’t immediately respond to a call and email
seeking comment.

Rumors regarding the two companies have swirled for some time but
analysts following the companies downplayed the likelihood Wednesday
afternoon. One analyst noted the gain could be short covering, as
short interest in Hovnanian has increased for more than two months,
though it remains well below highs set last July. About 20% of
Hovnanian’s shares were held short as of July 15, compared with 10%
for Toll.

The options market appeared to be responding to the chatter. Trading
in Hovnanian options jumped to five times the normal level, with
investors picking up 8,000 calls that allow them to buy the company’s
stock and 600 puts that allow them to sell it, according to Trade
Alert. A bulk of the action took place in Hovnanian’s August $5
calls. Those contracts, priced at 15 cents, make money if the stock
climbs above $5.15 before August 21. Trading in Toll Brothers,
meanwhile, remained normal. Investors picked up 900 calls and 700
puts.

Such a takeover could make sense, given that Toll Brothers caters to a
wealthier clientele and it lacks an affordable entry-level
product. However, Toll’s niche has turned it into a brand name that
has weathered the worst housing downturn in decades better than most
builders. Hovnanian, which is more highly levered and
capital-constrained than its peers and is hoarding cash to meet future
obligations, "seems to be running out of time," Gimme Credit analyst
Vicki Bryan has noted.

Meanwhile, builder combinations have been rare during the downturn,
given that land can be snapped up for a bargain from numerous troubled
or bankrupt builders. While Pulte Homes (PHM) and Centex (CTX) are set
to merge to become the nation’s largest builder later this year, no
other big-builder combinations have been announced.

Shares of Hovnanian, which has a market cap of $264 million, closed
Wednesday up 41 cents, or 10.8%, to $4.22 but are down 1.5% to $4.16
in late trading. Shares have traded about midway between the year high
of $9.67 and low of 52 cents.

Shares of Toll, with a much larger market cap of $3.35 billion, rose
1.2% to $ 20.79 and is unchanged in late trading. Toll stock has
traded between $28 and $ 13.55 over the past year.

-By Alexandra Scaggs and Dawn Wotapka, Dow Jones Newswires;
212-416-2193; [email protected]

(Tenille Tracy and Geoffrey Rogow contributed to this report.)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires
08-05-091642ET

px/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid0908051642d owjonesdjonline000811&title=hovnanian-shares-u p-sharply-on-takeover-speculation

THERE IS NO POLITICAL OPPOSITION IN AZERBAIJAN: MP

Trend
Aug 4 2009
Azerbaijan

There is no political opposition in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani MP Vahid
Ahmadov said.

"Leaders of Azerbaijani political parties fail to demonstrate their
position concerning Nagorno-Karabakh problem. They protect their
own interests. One of reasons delaying settlement of the conflict is
lack of political opposition," Ahmadov said during the scientific and
theoretical conference on The role and responsibilities of political
parties and NGOs in solving Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

According to MP, political opposition must not only make certain
slogans. "Political opposition must meet with leadership of the
country and put forward certain demands," Ahmadov said.

MP called on leaders of Azerbaijani political parties to demonstrate
their will concerning Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7
districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed
a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia,
France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

CHAIRMAN OF CONVERSEBANK BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARARAT GHUKASYAN RESIGNS

ARKA
Aug 4, 2009

YEREVAN, August 4. /ARKA/. Chairman of Board of Directors and Executive
Director of Conversebank closed joint stock company Ararat Ghukasyan
resigned.

The Press Service of Conversebank cjsc confirmed this information. No
official reasons have been reported for the resignation.

Deputy Executive Director and Head of Financial Markets Department
of the bank Tigran Davtyan is currently the acting Executive Director
of the bank.

"Conversebank" Closed Joint Stock Company was registered on December
20 1993. Since February 2007 Argentinean businessman of Armenian
origin Eduardo Ernekian has been holding 95% of the bank’s shares.

Armenian Apostolic Church owns the remaining 5%.

Conversebank has 25 branches, including ten branches in Yerevan.

SLAVONIC UNIVERSITY, SOUTH CAUCASUS RAILROAD OPEN LEADERSHIP SCHOOL IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Aug 4, 2009

YEREVAN, August 4. /ARKA/. General Director of South Caucasus
Railroad cjsc Shevket Shaydulin and Rector of the Russian-Armenian
(Slavonic) University Armen Darbinyan signed a memorandum about
opening a corporate management school "School of leadership", the
press service of the South Caucasus Railroad reported.

The aim of the school is to train specialists for the South Caucasus
Railroad cjsc, including top managers. According to the project terms,
some 20 top managers and another 20 mid-management staff are to attend
training courses in 2009/2010 academic year.

The school curriculum is developed by leading Armenian management
specialists from the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University, who have
extensive practical, scientific and teaching experience.

The curriculum includes management economics, financial management,
commerce, applied strategic management, risk management under uncertain
conditions, business analysis, tax management in corporations,
human resources management, investment planning and management
accounting. The focus of the studies is how to improve the efficiency
of the company under financial and economic crisis conditions.

The joint project of the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University and
the South Caucasus Railroad company is expected to attract a number
of other major companies to cooperation.

Certain business structures have already expressed=2 0their interest
in participation in the School of Leadership, the project authors
Shevket Shaydulin and Armen Darbinyan said. They expressed confidence
that the school will not be a one-time project and that it will help
establish a sound approach for conducting a business in Armenia.

SERZH SARGSYAN DOES NOT HAVE CONCRETE LOGICAL POSITION: AZERBAIJANI SENIOR OFFICIAL

Today.Az
cs/54367.html
Aug 4 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani President’s Administration’s International Affairs
Department Chief Novruz Mammadov spoke in an interview with APA.

APA: Is there a need for Azerbaijan to accept the suggested agreements
in the present stage?

Novruz Mammadov: I reiterate that the question is Madrid
principles. All are aware of the Basic Principles. It is shown in
the Madrid Principles and Azerbaijani President repeatedly stated
that the conflict should be solved within Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity. The problem should be solved stage by stage. First of all,
Azerbaijan’s 5, or 6 regions, then 1 or 2 regions should be emptied,
after that IDPs should be settled, peacekeepers deployed, after that
reconstruction should follow and communications open. At the same time
settlement process of 1 or 2 regions should take place, even refugees
and IDPs should simultaneously return to Nagorno Karabakh. After that
Nagorno Karabakh’s autonomy should be solved within Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. Armenia often changes its position for fear
of losing its power.

Q: Some say pressure is exerted on Azerbaijan in connection with
these agreements. Are there any pressures on Azerbaijan?

A: Those who say it are mistaken, they tell a lie, or express biased
views. I attend Azerbaijani president’s meetings, see his character
and will. Therefore, I can say that Azerbaijan is one of the countries
where there is no pressure, influence on domestic or foreign policy. It
is impossible to influence Azerbaijani president. The president is
pursuing independent foreign policy to ensure the interests of the
state. The representatives of various countries note this both in
the region and in the international arena. The poll conducted by
the Gallup Institute has been released recently. According to the
poll, Azerbaijan is the country where there is the strongest ties
and confidence between the leader and people. There is no such an
indicator in other countries. Why should the president having such
a support undergo any pressures? It is impossible. Pressures are
exerted on weak countries.

Q: Does Armenia agree with the high autonomous status proposed by
Azerbaijan?

A: This issue is being discussed in the negotiations. If there is an
agreement on this issue, we will express concrete position. There is
still no a full agreement on that and therefore it is impossible to
say anything.

Q: Who will determine transitional and final status reflected in the
Basic Principles?

A: Of course, this status will be determined by Azerbaijan. No one
else can determine it. Azerbaijan’s goal is that the conflict is
solved peacefully through the negotiations. The transitional status
means the return of internally displaced persons to the occupied seven
regions of Azerbaijan, as well as Nagorno Karabakh, reconstruction
work there, restoration of communications, deployment of peacekeeping
forces and creating transitional corridor between Nagorno Karabakh and
Armenia. It will take at least 5-6 years. The return of internally
displaced persons is not an easy process. This process can take 7-8
to 10 years. Everything was destroyed there and it is not easy to
reconstruct it and to return to the normal conditions. It will take
years. Our main goal and the co-chairs’ position is that the process
will go on and the people can provide their previous life style and
then we can review the issue of status, which must be resolved within
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. There is no other way.

Q: Is any document will be signed during presidents’ Chisinau meeting
in October?

A: I can not say anything yet. Let the co-chairs visit the region
and after that we can review the question. Everything depends on the
Armenia’s position, let us to see it.

Q: Armenian president Sargsyan made terms before Ankara to visit
Turkey. He said he wouldn’t visit Turkey to watch football match in
October if the borders were not opened. How do you value his position?

A: It shows that Sargsyan has no concrete logical position on the
solution to the conflict and relations with the neighbor country. He is
frequently changing his position. How it can be that Turkish president
visited Armenia, but he says that he will not visit Turkey. It is
like kids’ game. They make terms and think that they will achieve
something. This is wrong. Therefore I wouldn’t like to comment on
this issue. There is no ground for his move. The opening of the
borders depends on other factors and the Armenian president should
understand that.

Q: There are reports about Matthew Bryza’s appointment as an ambassador
to Azerbaijan…

A: This is a business of US. President Obama and the State Department
know which country Bryza will be appointed to.

Q: Turkmenistan said it would sue Azerbaijan at the International
Court of Arbitration Arbitrary over the Caspian issues. What is the
Baku’s position on that?

A: We didn’t receive official documents about that and there is no
need to make comments on media reports. I think Turkmenistan and
Azerbaijan have deep historical roots. Azerbaijani president visited
Turkmenistan and Turkmen president visited Azerbaijan in previous
years. The Caspian issues have not been solved between us yet. There
are different thoughts about that. But the most optimal and profound
decision is to solve such issues through the useful negotiations. It
will bring better results. There is no concrete report that they
will appeal the International Court of Arbitration. We can express
an opinion after the official confirmation. It is important for
us to solve this issue. There are many factors on the basis of our
position. Our thoughts have scientific and practical basis. I think
the issue will be solved sooner or later and the two countries will
have normal relations again.

PRESSURES ON ARMENIA HAVE INCREASED MUCH IN TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT: SENIOR OFFICIAL

Today.Az
cs/54353.html
Aug 4 2009
Azerbaijan

The main parties in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict are
Azerbaijan and Armenia, Chief of International Affairs Department of
Azerbaijani President’s Administration Novruz Mammadov said.

"Azerbaijan’s position is known to the entire world. The conflict
should be solved within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. But
Azerbaijan wants to solve it through negotiations and in a peaceful
way. The question is "What will Armenia’s position be?" Armenia impedes
the solution of the conflict by frequently changing its position,"
Mammadov said.

" In this respect, I think if Armenia, like Azerbaijan, demonstrates
will and does its best for the peaceful solution to the conflict,
the conflict will be solved irrespective of the co-chairs."

"Each of the co-chairs represent one country, they simply try to
simplify the settlement of the conflict. Of course, the co-chairs
have worked for certain time, have experience in this field, deal
with the problem. I think they will continue working till the end of
this year. But if both parties demonstrate will, especially if Armenia
has constructive position, the problem may be solved," he added.

"The recent processes make the settlement of the conflict
necessary. Pressures on Armenia have increased. Armenia-Turkey
issues, recent process of negotiations, the increase of the
co-chairing countries’ interest in the settlement of the conflict,
Azerbaijani president’s recent steps, joint statement issued in
Italy by the presidents of the US, Russia and France, the opinion of
the U.S. Department of State on the Madrid principles and Russia’s
activeness in this issue increase pressure on Armenia."

"On the other hand, if we take into account the global financial
crisis, this leaves Armenia in a difficult condition. Armenian
authorities should understand that they have no alternative way
to the settlement of the conflict. Despite this, they have become
prisoners of their ideas, they still hesitate in taking serious steps
concerning the solution of the conflict. But now the negotiations are
on active phase and very likely a step will be taken forward in one
of the forthcoming meetings.In this respect, we should wait for the
co-chairs’ visit to Azerbaijan. What will they suggest basing on the
Madrid principles? Only after that something concrete may be said,"
Mammadov said.

ARMENIAN EDITOR SET FREE
Hovannes Shoghikian

Armenialiberty.org
http://www.azatutyu n.am/content/article/1792354.html
Aug 4 2009

Arman Babajanian, the editor of the pro-opposition "Zhamanak" daily
suffering from a brain tumor, was set free on parole on Tuesday after
spending more than three years in prison for draft evasion.

Babajanian’s release came just hours after a state commission empowered
to grant parole discussed his worsening health condition and decided to
let him undergo urgent treatment in a civilian hospital. The decision
was swiftly endorsed by a Yerevan judge.

Babajanian was greeted by dozens of relatives and opposition
activists as he walked out of a prison hospital in Yerevan. He
visibly had trouble moving his right leg and had to be assisted by
Armen Martirosian, an opposition parliamentarian.

"My condition is unstable right now," Babajanian told
journalists. "Pray, pray for my health. This is all I’m asking you."

Babajanian’s uncle, Levon Vartanian, said the young editor will be
flown abroad for treatment. "Our doctors have fooled as so much we
don’t trust them anymore," he told RFE/RL.

Vartanian claimed that Babajanian’s brain tumor was first detected
a year ago and that local doctors denied its seriousness until
recently. "If they let him go last year there would not be so many
complications," he said.

Babajanian was taken to the prison hospital last month after a serious
deterioration of his condition. The hospital administration formally
recommended his early release on Friday.

Babajanian was arrested in June 2006 and subsequently sentenced
to three-and-a-half years in prison for forging documents to evade
compulsory military service. The authorities have repeatedly refused
to free him on parole despite appeals from domestic and international
human rights groups.