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AGREEMENT ON ARMENIAN, AZERI PRESIDENTIAL MEETING ACHIEVED

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.01.2009 18:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met Tuesday with
the Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassador Yuri Merzlyakov of
Russia, Ambassador Matthew Bryza of the United States and Ambassador
Bernard Fassier of France as well as with Personal Representative
of the OSCE CiO, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk to discuss the current
stage of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process, the RA
leader’s press office reported.

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs briefed the Armenian President on the
outcomes of their Baku talks.

An agreement on a presidential meeting in the near future was achieved.

The Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan are likely to meet during
the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 28.

AZERBAIJANI GRANDMASTER TEYMUR RAJABOV DRAWS WITH ARMENIAN AROYAN IN SECOND ROUND OF CORUS CHESS TOURNAMENT

State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
January 19, 2009 Monday

Azerbaijani grandmaster Teymur Rajabov drew with Armenian Levon Aroyan
in the second round of the Corus Chess-2009 Tournament (A group)
held in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands.

Rajabov managed to secure only a point after 2 rounds.

The results of other games are as follows: Alexander Morozevich Luck
Van Veli 1:0, Sergei Movsesyan Michael Adams 1:0, Vanq Yu Vasili
Ivanchuk 0:1, Daniel Stellwagen Magnus Carlson 0,5:0,5, Lanier
Dominguez Gata Kamski 0,5:0,5 and Jan Smets Sergei Karyagin 0,5:0,5.

SINCERELY YOURS, MATTHEW BRYZA
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir.am
08:22:16 – 20/01/2009

Perhaps this visit is the last visit of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair
Matthew Bryza to the region together with the Minsk Group. Although it
should not be ruled out that Barack Obama will not separate Bryza from
the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, and even if he is dismissed
from the post of the deputy assistant secretary, he will remain
co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group. However, his stay is as probable as
his departure, therefore perhaps this is really Bryza’s last visit to
the region in the capacity of the co-chair. At least his statements in
Baku are evidence that he has this feeling and in the end he wanted to
say something from the bottom of his heart to the societies of the two
countries. Bryza said that the publics must trust their presidents and
believe that they negotiate proceeding from their national interests.

One does not know whether Bryza is trying to catch the publics of
the presidents in a trap before his departure. And obviously it is
a trap. The point is that Bryza had stated several months before
when Aliyev and Sargsyan had just met for the first time that their
approach towards the basic issues are more harmonious than in the
time of Kocharyan and Aliyev.

Then there were mostly optimistic statements about agreement on the
basic issues. Now Bryza says that each of them negotiat es proceeding
from their national interests. This is the trap, it is only uncertain
whether it is for the presidents or the publics.

The point is that the national interests of Armenia and Azerbaijan
regarding the settlement of the Karabakh conflict contradict to one
another. They contradict at least with regard to the proposals on
the table of the talks and are called the proposal or principles of
Madrid. Although it has not been released officially, it is clear
from different statements by the co-chairs and conflict sides what
the proposal or principles of Madrid are.

It involves pullout of the Armenian force from the territories which
we refer to as liberated and Azerbaijan refers to as occupied, and
Azerbaijan must agree to hold a referendum on the status of Karabakh
at some time, the details of which are uncertain for the time being.

This option itself contradicts to the national interests of Armenia,
although there is no doubt that to Serge Sargsyan’s thought there
is no controversy, and the territories could be exchanged with
status. However, even if the Armenian side gets a status for Karabakh
rather than agreement to a referendum on the status, in addition,
if this status is independence, the return of the territories already
contradicts to the national interests of Armenia and Karabakh because
it greatly weakens the Armenian factor in the region.

Consequently, the question occurs that if Aliyev and Serge Sargsyan
negotiate proceeding from the national interests, and Matthew Bryza
assures their publics that they really do and they should be trusted,
how can the co-chairs be optimistic regarding the principles? Hence,
either Bryza does not have a clear idea of the situation and the
nuances of the Karabakh issue for both Armenia and Azerbaijan or he
is consciously trying to trap either the presidents or the publics.

Of course, it is difficult to imagine that a serious country such
as the United States would have an official who would not imagine
the situation with all the nuances. Meanwhile, obviously at least in
the past few years the government trusted Bryza not only with regard
to the Karabakh issue but also other regional political and economic
issues. Consequently, it is more probable that Bryza is merely weaving
a web. One only needs to see who will get caught in it, the presidents
or the societies. Or maybe one of the presidents or societies.

BARACK OBAMA TO SWEAR IN AS 44TH US PRESIDENT

armradio.am
20.01.2009 13:07

US President Elect Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony will start at
7 p.m. Yerevan time tonight. It will be opened by the chorus of the
military navy of the United States. It will be followed by prayer,
after which Joe Biden will swear in as Vice-President.

With one hand on the bible used at Abraham Lincoln’s 1861 inauguration,
but not since, Barack Obama will swear to preserve, protect and defend
the US Constitution to the best of his ability.

He will deliver one of the most eagerly anticipated inaugural addresses
in history.

After the ceremony, the new occupant of the White House will wave
goodbye to his predecessor, before joining the new Vice-President and
congressional leaders to feast on pheasant and duck at the traditional
inaugural lunch.

Following that, there will be the inaugural parade and a long, long
night of ball-going for the new First Couple.

Before that, on Monday Mr. Obama paid tribute to Dr King and
urged Americans to work together in "renewing the promise of this
nation." Americans marked the annual public holiday in memory of
black civil rights leader Martin Luther King – on the eve of Barack
Obama’s inauguration.

Obama reflected that Tuesday’s inauguration ceremony would take place
on the same mall where many thousands gathered in 1963 to hear Martin
Luther King’s so-called "I Have A Dream"=2 0speech – in which he
foresaw a day when people would be judged not by the colour of their
skin. For many Barack Obama’s presidency will be the culmination of
Dr King’s dream

Crowds are gathering in Washington DC ahead of Barack Obama’s swearing
in as President of the United States. According to Police data, about
5 million people have arrived in the capital for the inauguration.

Washington is preparing for the ceremony. There have already been
painstaking preparations, with rehearsals for security officials –
not just for the military precision of the ceremony and the parade. At
a US military base in Washington they have been planning for any
eventuality for the past six months.

Along Washington’s waterways the coast guard will be watching from
high speed boats.

Snipers will be positioned on the rooftops near the Capitol building
and along the parade route.

Roads and bridges into Washington will be closed to traffic, with
sniffer dogs on the subway and thousands of armed police, soldiers
and plainclothes agents on the streets.

In total, there will be 4,000 Washington police, reinforced by another
4,000 officers from all over the country. Thousands more National
Guard members have been called in.

That is on top of the 5,000 professional soldiers and sailors who
will be on the ground.

There are 57 different government agencies involved in what has been
declared a "National Special Security Event." And overseeing the
entire operation is the US Secret Service.

ARMENIAN PASSENGER AMONG THOSE ON BOARD US AIRWAYS "MIRACLE FLIGHT"

AZG Armenian Daily
20/01/2009

Religion

"It Was Like One Big Family," says Carl Bazarian

Carl Bazarian said he and other passengers on board the Charlotte-bound
US Airways Flight 1549 "knew we were going to die" yesterday afternoon
when they realized that the jetliner was descending into the Hudson
River.

But within moments their fortunes reversed, as all 150 passengers
and five crew members safely climbed out of the floating aircraft
and awaited rescue.

"We evacuated and everyone helped each other out. It was like one big
family," Mr. Bazarian said. "A near-tragic occurrence turned into a
very positive humanitarian experience."

Bazarian, an active member of the Armenian Church and the vice chairman
of the Fund for Armenian Relief’s Board of Directors, was traveling
via Charlotte to his home in Florida on Thursday, January 15.

About four minutes after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in New
York, Mr. Bazarian said, there was a loud noise followed by fire
and smoke. Passengers were "upset, but we weren’t panicky or overly
concerned," he said, explaining that people assumed the pilot would
return to LaGuardia.

Instead, Captain Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III warned passengers
to prepare for impact – and "Boom, we hit the water," Mr. Bazarian
said.

"For about 10 or 11 seconds it’s surreal, but then adrenaline kicks
in," Mr. Bazarian said. Evacuees lined up along the plane’s wings
and waited to be brought to shore. Those standing on the left wing
were ferried to New York. Passengers on the right wing, including
Mr. Bazarian, were taken to New Jersey.

Many were standing without winter coats in the frigid air. Mr. Bazarian
said he was wet up to his knees as the water rose around the Airbus
A320.

Still, the general mood was calm and optimistic.

"I had a good feeling when we were on the wing that we had a good
chance of surviving," Mr. Bazarian said.

The "shared experience, belief in each other, and trust" brought people
together, he added. Women and children boarded the lifeboats first,
followed by the other passengers.

"It was tense, but there was no screaming or yelling or panic,"
Mr. Bazarian said.

Officials are still investigating the crash, but initial
reports said collision with a flock of birds caused the engines to
fail. Mr. Bazarian said once passengers exited the plane, many thanked
the pilot for the expert landing.

Mr. Bazarian returned to LaGuardia yesterday evening and took another
flight to Charlotte. He arrived in Florida this morning.

"Carl is such a fine man, such an excellent leader, and we are grateful
to God for rescuing him and all the passengers on that plane," said
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern).

Mr. Bazarian said his faith offered comfort amidst the tumult. He
was halfway through the Lord’s Prayer when the plane hit water.

"It’s good to have faith in God," he said. "And it worked."

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

2009 DECLARED AS YEAR OF BULGARIA IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
Jan 19, 2008

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS: The year of 2009 is declared as Year
of Bulgaria in Armenia and in 2010 in Bulgaria Year of Armenia will
be declared.

Armenian Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan told Armenpress that by
the end of January the program suggestion of the Bulgarian side will
be received: in the initial negotiations all the spheres have been
included – exhibitions, big concert programs, opera, ethnographic
performances.

The minister said that during the organization of events of Year
of Armenia in Bulgaria the experience and success of the conduction
of Year of Armenia in France will be taken into consideration. The
concept of conduction of the events of the year is being developed
with the agreement of the two sides. The Bulgarian side may suggest
its viewpoints over forming new model. In respect of quality, the
index of success of Armenian Year in France will be preserved.

H. Poghosyan said that this year weeks of Armenian culture will be
organized in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Egypt. In the end of January
Armenian cultural days will be conducted in India. Yerevan H. Tumanyan
State Puppet Theatre and musicians of Al. Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet
National Academic Theatre will leave for India with a cultural program.

In Armenia Chinese cultural program as well as youth program from
Germany will be presented. With France and Italy specialists’ exchange
programs will be carried out.

The minister said that the biggest program in Armenia will be the
conduction of Dolphin Games. Armenia takes the baton as a regular
country and as far as Armenian young people always participated in
the games on high level, Armenia is responsible for a high-level
organization of the games. In October delegations from about 11
countries will arrive in Armenia.

DAP GERMAN ACCREDITATION SYSTEM FOR TESTING RECOGNIZES CERTIFICATES OF ARMENIAN ECOGLOBE ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COMPANY

ArmInfo
2009-01-19 17:51:00

ArmInfo. DAP (Deutsche Assekuranz Pool) German Accreditation System
for Testing has recognized the certificates of Armenian Ecoglobe
organic certification company. The certificate will be officially
awarded on January 19.

First Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Armenia Samvel Avetisyan said
at a press conference Monday Ecoglobe is the first Armenian company
to receive such an authoritative certificate. ‘Organic food products
is constantly in demand across the world and Armenia has rather
good chances to enter the promising European market. I think it will
give local producers access to the EU and other markets’, the deputy
minister said. He is sure that it is especially important to Armenia
to produce valuable products in conditions of limited land resources.

For his part, Jurgen Niendorf, DAP representative, said Ecoglobe
was certified after three years of complex audit when DAP made
sure that the company’s certificates meets international standards
and the companies certified by Ecoglobe can export products to
Europe. Ecoglobe Director Nune Darbinyan outlined that Ecoglobe
certificates were given to 15 companies engaged in production and
sales of agricultural products, particularly, Tamara Fruit, SIS
Natural, Yerevan bear plant, as well as honey producer company ‘MAG’
and others. Tamara Fruit has already launched small-scale export,
she said. To receive Ecoglobe certificate, a company must use only
technologies and fully remove fertilizers in the soil, which takes
about 3 years, N. Darbinyan explained.

ECOGLOBE LTD is the first Armenian organic certification company
dealing with inspection and certification of ecological agricultural
production.

ECOGLOBE has been established in 2002 as the result of growing
interest of agricultural and food producers to organic methods and as
an opportunity to access organic markets. The sphere of activities
of the organization covers agricultural production, processing and
realization.

DAP (Deutsche Assekuranz Pool) is a member of International
Accreditation Forum (IAF). Certificates issued by IAF members are
valid across the IAF coverage.

ARMENIA PARTICIPATING IN INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION IN BERLIN

ARKA
Jan 19, 2009

YEREVAN, January 19. /ARKA/. Armenia is participating in international
agricultural exhibition Green Week Berlin started in the capital of
Germany on January 15 and to last till January 26, the Press Service
of Armenian Ministry of Agriculture reported.

Armenian exhibition hall covers an area of 88 square meters where
foodstuffs such as cognac, wine, tined fruits and vegetables, honey,
dried fruits and juices are displayed.

Armenia is presented by the following companies on the exhibition –
Avshar wine factory, Yerevan and Proshyan cognac factories, Arcolad,
Multi Agro, Noyan Juices, Kimley and others.

On the opening day the Armenian exhibition hall was visited by
German Minister of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Ilse Aigner,
Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Gerda Verburg,
Armenian Ambassador to Germany Karine Kazinyan and other high-ranking
officials.

The exhibition is held for the 74th time displaying over 1,600 exhibits
– a wide range of products and services of agricultural sector from
60 countries.

SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF HRANT DINK’S MURDER MARKED IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan

Jan 19, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The second
anniversary of murder of Hrant Dink, the editor-in-chief of the Agos
newspaper published in Turkey, was marked on January 19 in Yerevan. The
staff of the RA Ministry of Diaspora led by Minister Hranush Hakobian
visiting Yerevan Memorial of Armenian Genocide Victims paid a tribute
of respect to H. Dink’s memory.

"Today the mankind of the world, including the Armenians of the
Diaspora, mourn over Hrant Dink’s martyr. He lived his life as
a peculiar symbol, a symbol of independence, freedom, democracy,
tolerance. All this was not forgiven by extremists," the Minister
said in her interview to journalists.

At the same time she said that H. Dink’s martyr became a reason for the
Turkish and Armenian peoples’ revolt. "With his death he also helped to
expand the struggle for democracy and freedom," H. Hakobian emphasized.

The Armenian-Russian Cossack Union and One and a Half Million +1
NGOs organized a march on the occasion of the second anniversary
of H. Dink’s murder. According to the organizers, the march was
organized to exclude such infringements on the Armenians next time. The
Armenian-Russian Cossack Union is going to apply to the RA government
to erect a monument to H. Dink in Armenia with its assistance.

OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS ARRIVE IN AZERBAIJAN

APA
Jan 19 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku-APA. Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard Fassier (France), Matthew
Bryza (the US) visited Azerbaijan, APA reports.

They will conduct negotiations with President Ilham Aliyev and
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov today. The co-chairs will leave
for Armenia tomorrow and continue negotiations with official Yerevan
on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict . The co-chairs are
expected to visit Nagorno Karabakh as well.

It is the first visit of co-chairs to the region in 2009.