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LATVIA INTERESTED IN EXPANSION AND CONSOLIDATION OF FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
Nov 21, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS: Latvian President Valdis Zatlers
received November 20 Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian who
is in Latvia on an official visit. Press service of the Armenian
Foreign Ministry told Armenpress that greeting E. Nalbandian,
V. Zatlers noted that Latvia is interested in the expansion and
consolidation of friendly relations with Armenia. Reminding his New
York meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsian in September,
V. Zatlers expressed wish to visit Armenia during the next year.

Congratulating Valdis Zatlers on the 90th anniversary of Latvian
statehood E. Nalbandian said that the high level political dialogue
and the extended contract-agreement field between the two countries
are a firm bases for the further expansion of cooperation.

Armenian Foreign Minister presented to the Latvian president the
negotiation process over Karabakh conflict regulation and opportunities
of normalization of Armenia-Turkish relations.

During the meeting they also referred to Armenia-EU relations. Taking
into consideration Latvia’s experience in the Euro integration issue,
the Latvian president expressed readiness to support Armenia in
that direction.

Within the frameworks of his visit to Riga, the Armenian Foreign
Minister gave an extended interview to "Free Latvia" daily.

On the same day E. Nalbandian visited the Armenian St. Grigor
Lusavorich church in Riga where he had a meeting with members of
church council.

In the second half of November 20 Edward Nalbandian finished his
official visit to Latvia and left for Estonia.

"MY KOMITAS" CONCERT-SHOW ON DVD

Panorama.am
17:59 21/11/2008

"My Komitas" concert-show created by the initiative of singer Anna
Mailyan is currently available on DVD-s. The idea of the project was
born in 2006, when year of Armenia was celebrating in France. In
Armenia the singer made arrangements with "Sharm" company and
concert-show has been created.

The DVD of the concert is produced in cooperation with "Armenian
Music Center". It is planned to present the DVD in Cannes in January.

ARMENIA RETAINS TOP SPOT IN CHESS OLYMPIAD

The Associated Press
November 21, 2008

DRESDEN, Germany: Top-seeded Russia held off the United States in
the 38th Chess Olympiad in round eight of open division play Friday,
but the Armenian team crushed France and stayed in first place.

In women’s division play, the U.S. team dealt a severe blow to the
medal hopes of the Russian team, also the top seed, beating it 3-1. The
win gave the U.S. team 6.5 match points to keep it in a second-place
tie with several others.

The U.S. was led by Irina Krush, who beat women’s world champion
Alexandra Kosteniuk on board one. She sacrificed a pawn on move 16. Her
compensation was dubious until Kosteniuk misplaced her rook. Kosteniuk
managed to come up with some tactical complications but they could
not save her in the end.

The Americans also picked up a win from Anna Zatonskih on board two
against Tatiana Kosintseva, who sacrificed a pawn only to fritter
away her compensation before losing a second pawn and the game.

The other two games in the match, Rusudan Goletiani against Tatiana’s
sister Nadezhda Kosintseva, and American Katerina Rohonyan against
Ekaterina Korbut, were drawn.

The Americans won on board one as Gata Kamsky downed Peter Svidler. But
the other three boards went badly, although Alexander Onischuk salvaged
a draw for the U.S. on board three when Alexander Morozevich blundered
in a=2 0winning endgame.

Alexander Grischuk picked up a pawn, traded it in for an exchange
and ground down Hikaru Nakamura on board two, and Dmitry Jakovenko
steamrolled Varuzhan Akobian on board four.

The Chess Olympiad, a biennial event that started Nov. 13, includes
146 teams in the open division — often referred to as the men’s
division, even though it includes a few women. The separate women’s
division includes 111 teams.

Armenia leads the open division with 7.5 match points after beating
France 3.5-0.5 in round eight.

Israel has seven, and Russian and Ukraine are tied with 6.5.

In other open division matches, England kept its medal hopes alive by
beating Georgia 2.5-1.5 behind Nigel Short’s victory over Zviad Izoria.

England is tied with several other teams at six points.

Thirty-seventh seed Vietnam scored an upset tie match against third
seed China 2-2. India and Slovenia tied 2-2. These teams, along with
the U.S., Hungary and several others, have 5.5 points and only dim
hopes of getting a medal.

Bosnia-Herzegovina edged Australia 2.5-1.5 behind Zeljko Bogut’s
win over Darryl Johansen. It was Johansen’s first loss after winning
his first five games. Ukraine annihilated New Zealand 4-0 in one of
the many mismatches that the modified pairing system has produced in
this event.

On the women’s side, China tied Ukraine 2-2 to stay in first place
with seven points. Poland, Serbia, the United S tates and Ukraine
are all tied for second with 6.5 points.

Round nine takes place here on Saturday with play continuing on Sunday.

Monday is an off-day, and the tournament concludes Tuesday.

Some of the pairings Saturday in open division play include
Armenia-Israel, Russia-Ukraine, Serbia-Azerbaijan, France-China,
Poland-Germany, Vietnam-England, India-U.S., and New Zealand-Georgia.

In the women’s section, China plays Serbia and the U.S. plays Poland.

On the Net:

CENTRAL BANK TO HOLD EVENTS ON 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN DRAM ON NOV 21-22

ARKA
Nov 20, 2008

YEREVAN, November 20. /ARKA/. The Central Bank of Armenia is to hold
a number of events on the 15th anniversary of introduction of Armenian
national currency – Dram.

On the occasion, IMF Deputy Managing Director Murilo Portugal and
IMF Executive Director Age Bakker are expected to visit Armenia on
November 21-22 invited by the Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia
(CBA) Artur Javadyan, the CBA Press Service reported.

Among invitees are also chairmen of the central banks of Albania,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Georgia, vice-chairmen of the central
banks of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, as
well as top officials from the central banks of Bulgaria, Greece,
Montenegro, Holland and the Bank of International Settlements.

According to the report, Murilo Portugal and Age Bakker are expected
to make reports at the round-table discussion on financial stability
in changing world to be held on November 21. Foreign guests, Armenian
government officials and representatives of the Central Bank of
Armenia are also to participate in the discussion.

A monument to the Armenian Dram is to be opened on November 22,
followed by the official reception by the Chairman of the Central
Bank of Armenia Artur Javadyan.

Armenian Dram was officially introduced as the national currency
of Armenia on November 22 1993 at 00:00. The rate for exchange was
1Dram=200 rubles.

Since 1994 Armenia has remained loyal to its floating exchange
rate policy.

CONSULTATIONS ON KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT STARTED IN ARMENIA

De Facto
Nov 20, 2008

YEREVAN, 20.11.08. DE FACTO. Consultations with RA political parties
on the Karabakh conflict settlement started today in Yerevan, on
Armenian President’s initiative.

Nonparliamentary opposition parties have boycotted the
consultations. The invitation was received by all parties presented
at the Parliament – the RA Republican Party, Orinats Yerkir, Armenian
Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun, Prosperous Armenia; and
Heritage Party, Constitutional Right Union, National Self-Determination
Association, the RA Democratic Party, Christian-Democratic Party,
United Communist Party and RA Youth Party, Ramkavar Azatakan Party,
National Unity, National-Democratic Union.

ARMENIAN PARLAIEMNT SPEAKER’S CONGRATULATION OF INTERNATIONAL TV DAY

armradio.am
20.11.2008 17:45

The President of the National Assembly of Armenia, Hovik Abrahamyan,
issued a congratulatory message on the occasion of the International
Day of TV. The Public Relations Department of the National Assembly
informs that the message states:

"Eighty years ago television came into the life of people, becoming
a unique means of communication.

After the first test program of November 29, 1956, the Armenian
television gradually penetrated into the lives of all of us, changing
our views of time and space. Today it is impossible to imagine our life
without television, which has become a means of shaping the public
opinion and an indispensable means for peace, security, economic and
social development, cultural exchange. Appreciating the merits of TV,
the UN General Assembly announced November 21 as International Day
of Television.

I warmly congratulate all employees of TV. Let the capacity of being
in the centre of events, at the right moment in the right place,
always accompany you, helping you remain a source of information about
the important events in the socio-political, scientific-educational,
historical-cultural life and simply a friend, without which it’s hard
to imagine our life today."

NKR PRESIDENT MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF AMERICAN-ARMENIAN ORGANIZATIONS IN BOSTON

ARMENPRESS
Nov 20, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS: President of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic Bako Sahakyan who is in USA on a working visit to take part
in the annual fund rising organized by the "Hayastan" All-Armenian
fund met November 19 at the central headquarter of the Armenian
Relief Society (ARS) with representatives of the ARS, Eastern USA
Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Party,
Youth Union of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Party, Homentmen
and "Hamazgayin" Cultural Union.

Central information department of the Karabakh president told
Armenpress that during the meetings issues related to different
projects being carried out in the NKR, social-economic development
of the republic and Artsakh-Diaspora relations were discussed.

Bako Sahakyan pointed out that new format of relations with different
Diaspora organizations, in particular with the ARS, has already
brought positive results. According to him, the new format based on
close cooperation between different Diaspora organizations and the
government of the NKR is a solid guarantee of effective cooperation.

The need for deepening the Artsakh-Diaspora ties and giving them new
impetus was mutually noted. Within this context President Sahakyan paid
special attention to the issue of further strengthening ties between
Diaspora youth and Artsakh, to the importance of frequent visits to
Artsakh making them implicated with the development of the Motherland.

On November 19 Bako Sahakyan met with the president of the Armenian
Assembly of America (AAA) Carolyn Mugar, vice-chairman Anthony
Barsamyan, executive director of the organization Bryan Ardouny and
member of the board of trustees of the AAA Van Krikoryan.

Issues related to the current level of cooperation between the AAA
and Artsakh and prospects of deepening and enlarging it were discussed
during the meeting.

Bako Sahakyan highly underscored the role of the Assembly in the
development of Artsakh and support shown to it and noted that today it
is necessary to pay special attention to the development of science
intensive technologies and education, as well as to preparation and
training of different specialists.

After the meeting the Karabakh president participated in the
New England Annual regional meeting of the Armenian Assembly of
America. The leadership of the Assembly headed by the chairman of
the AAA’s board of trustees Hirair Hovnanyan, representatives of
Armenian community of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
were present at the meeting.

Bako Sahakyan introduced to the participants current social-economic
situation in the republic, recent developments in the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement process and answered questions raised during
the meeting.

On November 19 President Sahakyan met with a group of Armenian
entrepreneurs from Massachusetts. During the meeting a wide range of
issues related to investments and realization of different projects
in Artsakh were discussed.

On the same day Bako Sahakyan met with journalists from Boston Globe
daily, Armenian Mirror Spectator and Hayrenik weekly newspapers.

The president gave answers to a wide range of issues related to the
settlement of Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict, recent developments in
the South Caucasian region, bilateral ties between the United States
of America and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, social-economic situation
in the republic and Artsakh-Diaspora relations.

Head of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop
Pargev, NKR finance minister Spartak Tevosyan and other officials
were also present at the NKR president’s meetings in Boston.

BAKO SAHAKYAN THANKED ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA FOR CONTRIBUTION TO NKR DEVELOPMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.11.2008 16:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako
Sahakyan is currently in the U.S. on a working visit to take part in
the annual fund raising event organized by Hayastan All-Armenian Fund,
the central information department of the office of the NKR President
told PanARMENIAN.Net.

On 19 November, President Sahakyan met in Boston with representatives
of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS), Youth Union of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Party and Hamazgayin Cultural Union to
discuss issues referring to different projects implemented in the
NKR, socioeconomic development of the republic and Artsakh-Diaspora
relations.

Mr. Sahakyan underlined that new format of relations with different
Diaspora organizations, in particular with the ARS, has already brought
positive results. The new format based on close cooperation between
different Diaspora organizations and the government of the NKR is a
solid guarantee of effective cooperation, according to him.

Special attention was paid to possibilities to strengthen ties between
the youth in Diaspora and Artsakh.

On the same day, President Sahakyan held a meeting with president of
the board of trustees of the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly)
Carolyn Mugar, vice-chairman Anthony Barsamyan, executive director
Bryan Ardouny and member of the board of trustees Van Krikoryan.

ARMENIANS RETURN BODY OF AZERBAIJANI SOLDIER

Azeri Press Agency
Nov 19 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Teymur Zahidoglu-APA. Body of Azerbaijani soldier Shamilov
Orkhan Farhad oglu, who was killed during a shooting on the contact
line between the troops in the direction of Fuzuli Region on November
16, was returned on Wednesday to Azerbaijan.

The returning process took place on the line of contact between
the troops in the direction of Bash Garvand Village of Agdam
Region. Representatives of the International Committee of the Red
Cross and Azerbaijan State Commission for Prisoners, Hostages and
Missing People attended the process.

Orkhan Shamilov was on duty during the ceasefire violation on the
contact line on November 16 and he fought to silence the enemy’s
fire. After several minutes of shooting he moved toward the enemy
firing on them. He killed two Armenian soldiers and then he was killed.

The enemy took away bodies of its soldiers from the scene of battle,
but Shamilov’s body was left in the area near the Armenian posts.

Shamilov was registered at the Tartar Region Military Commissariat
in April, 2008.

CO-CHAIRMEN OF OSCE MINSK GROUP MUST END THEIR IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENTS: CHAIRMAN OF AZERBAIJAN PARLIAMENT

Trend News Agency
Nov 19 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 19 November /corr. Trend News I.Alizade / The
Chairman of the Parliament of Azerbaijan, Ogtay Asadov, calls upon the
co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group that mediates between Azerbaijan
and Armenia in the solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, to end the
irresponsible statements, which complicate the solution of the problem.

"The irresponsible statements of some co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk
Group create concerns and do not serve the solution of the conflict,"
Chairman of the Parliament of Azerbaijan, Ogtay Asadov, said at the
meeting with the delegation headed by the permanent representative
of Greece to the OSCE, Ambassador Maro Marinaki.

The conflict between the two countries of South Caucasus began in 1988
due to territorial claims by Armenia against Azerbaijan. Armenia has
occupied 20% of the Azerbaijani land including the Nagorno-Karabakh
region and its seven surrounding Districts. Since 1992, these
territories have been under the occupation of the Armenian Forces. In
1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time
the active hostilities ended. The Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group
(Russia, France and USA) are currently holding peaceful negotiations.

The French co-chairman of the Minsk Group, Bernard Fassier, said
during his visit to Armenia that "the Nagorno-Karabakh people exist,
and the participation of Nagorno-Karabakh as a side in the negotiations
is important".

Asadova said that Nagorno-Karabakh conflict prevents the economic
revival of the region and realization of global projects.

"We are the supporters of the solution of conflict on the basis of the
principles specified the Charter of the United Nations, Final Helsinki
Report. Armenia continues to disregard documents and principles,
accepted by the international organizations on the conflict," said
the Speaker.

Asadov hopes that Greece, which will soon be the co-chairman of
the Minsk Group, will objectively approach the question, will make
efforts for the valid solution of the problem within the framework of
the territorial integrity of the countries, in accordance with the
international rules of law. Asadova stated that Azerbaijan attaches
great significance to support of Greece in the integration into the
Euro-Atlantic structures.

In his opinion, there are large possibilities for the co-operation
of the two countries in the economic, cultural, humanitarian
spheres. "Azerbaijan became one of the attractive countries in
South Caucasus for the investments and continues to make its worthy
contribution to strengthening of energy security of Europe," added
the Chairman of Parliament.

Ambassador Marinaki said that in the solution of regional conflicts,
Greece attaches great importance to the principle of the territorial
integrity of the countries.