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MEDIATORS FORCING BAKU TO AGREE TO KARABAKH PEACE PLAN – AZERI PUNDIT

Yeni Musavat
Nov 15 2008
Azerbaijan

A leading Azerbaijani political analyst has said attempts are under
way to force Baku to accept an unfavourable Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict settlement plan. Vafa Quluzada said Baku has rejected
the plan which sought a special status for Azerbaijani districts
of Lacin and Kalbacar, as well as a self-determination referendum
in Nagornyy Karabakh. The following is the text of Orxan Qaracayli
report by opposition Azerbaijani newspaper Yeni Musavat on 15 November
headlined "The emerged ‘Madrid agreement’ is not fake" and subheaded
"Vafa Quluzada: ‘It has emerged in order to make our ears and eyes
accustomed to the points contained there"; subheadings have been
inserted editorially:

It has become known that the Azerbaijani-Armenian talks on resolving
the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict are being conducted within the framework
of the "Madrid agreements". Armenia’s Aravot newspaper has obtained
the text of "Madrid principles" from an internet blog in English. The
text of the document that appeared in the foreign media was published
in full in the previous edition of Yeni Musavat.

The document was put forward by the OSCE Minsk Group. Although it
does not contain specific points on settlement of the conflict, it
gives grounds for genuine fear over Nagornyy Karabakh. For example,
it contains a recommendation to the Armenian government to vacate
districts adjacent to Nagornyy Karabakh, with special provisions for
Kalbacar and Lacin districts [of Azerbaijan that are located between
Armenia and Nagornyy Karabakh]. It also said that the final status
of Nagornyy Karabakh is to be decided in a referendum.

The document did not state clearly whether the Karabakh conflict
is to be resolved within the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity or self-determination of Nagornyy Karabakh.

Government statements "absurd"

In no way can it be considered a coincidence that the "Madrid
agreement" emerged following the Moscow declaration [signed by the
Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents on 2 November]. It appears that
Armenians were interested in having this document come to light
because of differences in points of the Moscow declaration and the
"Madrid principles". In any case, it was an Armenian newspaper that
searched for and found the document called "Madrid principles"
from English-language websites. It is also possible that this
English-language blog is being controlled by the Armenian lobby.

An interesting aspect of the issue is that both Azerbaijani and
Armenian officials have given absurd statements after the document
emerged. Armenian Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandyan said that
Azerbaijan and Armenia have not signed documents on the resolution of
the [Nagornyy Karabakh] conflict. It follows from his remarks that
the "Madrid principles" were not a draft of a final resolution. The
Azerbaijani government claims that the document published by newspapers
is not "Madrid principles". The government is saying that the document
has been distorted, faked by somebody and then passed on to the press.

However, a number of experts say that the document is not a fake. In
their view, the document is being described as false in order not
to violate the principle of keeping the negotiations secret. On the
other hand, if it is admitted that this is the original document,
the room for manoeuvre for the government will shrink.

Attempts to impose "Madrid principles" on Azerbaijan

Political analyst Vafa Quluzada said that he does not believe the
claims that the published "Madrid principles" are fake.

"I think this is the original document. The reason why it has emerged
is to make our eyes and ears accustomed to these developments. This
is the objective. However, it must be admitted that the Azerbaijani
leadership did not accept these principles. Therefore, all efforts
by [OSCE Minsk Group] co-chairs are directed at making Azerbaijan
accept the principles in question. That is, Azerbaijan needs to let
the Armenians in Karabakh to conduct a referendum and make a decision
through voting. This means that Azerbaijan will voluntarily legitimize
the independence of Nagornyy Karabakh or let it remain a part of
Armenia. And this is not all. The issue of Lacin and Kalbacar is
being differentiated, special provisions are in place for them. That
is, these two districts either remain under the control of Russian
or Armenian troops, or they are returned to Azerbaijan on certain
conditions. In this case, Lacin and Kalbacar nominally belong to
Azerbaijan, but are controlled by Armenians. The reasoning for this
is that allegedly if Azerbaijan receives back Lacin and Kalbacar,
it will be able to attack Armenians from there. This is complete
nonsense because it was Armenia that attacked Azerbaijan and seized
its territories. There has never been a fact of Azerbaijan attacking
Armenia. The real objective of the ‘Madrid principles’ is to declare
Nagornyy Karabakh independent and make it de-facto part of Armenia."

Vafa Quluzada said it would be wrong to describe the "Madrid
principles" as a document. "This is not a document, but a draft
by three co-chairs. It would have been a document if the sides
had accepted it. These are so far recommendations and some of the
recommendations have already been implemented. For example, the
point on restoring visits between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been
realized. Azerbaijani intellectuals have gone to Armenia and Armenian
citizens have visited Baku. This was an attempt to implement the
‘Madrid principles’."

IMF EXECUTIVE BOARD APPROVES THREE YEAR, US$13.6 MILLION POVERTY REDUCTION AND GROWTH FACILITY ARRANGEMENT FOR REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

US Fed News
November 18, 2008 Tuesday 3:46 AM EST

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
has approved a three year, SDR 9.2 million (about US$13.6 million)
arrangement under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) for
the Republic of Armenia to support the government’s economic program
through 2011. The decision will enable the Republic of Armenia to
draw an amount equivalent to SDR 1.31 million (about US$1.9 million)
from the IMF immediately.

Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Murilo Portugal,
Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, stated:

"After the successful conclusion of its third PRGF-supported
program in May 2008, Armenia’s economic performance has remained
very strong. High growth has been maintained and has contributed
significantly to the marked reduction in poverty. Inflation has
increased in the wake of rising international food and fuel prices
and growing domestic demand pressures, although it remains lower than
in other CIS countries. Adherence to prudent macroeconomic policies
and the progress made in structural reforms has helped to achieve
these results.

"The worsened global macroeconomic outlook has increased uncertainty,
but Armenia is in a strong position to withstand the impact of the
global economic downturn. A gradual deceleration of growth in Armenia
may help dampen inflationary pressures. It may also contribute to
reducing the external current account deficit, which has increased
on the back of rising imports and sluggish exports, despite strong
remittance inflows. Medium-term prospects, although highly uncertain,
remain benign in view of favorable investment opportunities.

"Continued sound fiscal and monetary policies remain key to maintaining
macroeconomic stability. Prudent policies are necessary to reduce
the current macroeconomic imbalances. Current challenges highlight
the need to strengthen policy frameworks. The floating exchange
rate regime continues to be the best option for Armenia, and the
authorities are encouraged to complete the transition to full-fledged
inflation targeting. At the same time, building capacity for fiscal
policy analysis will help strengthen the budgetary process and enhance
fiscal policy credibility, increasing its effectiveness as a demand
management tool. In addition, the authorities must be prepared to
adjust swiftly to a rapidly changing economic environment. A weakening
external environment might also increase Armenia’s financing needs
and possibly call for an early review of the situation.

"Improving external competitiveness requires a renewed push for
structural reforms. Focus should be on enhancing productivity,
improving the business environment, and boosting domestic
competition. In this regard, the completion of the unfinished
tax policy and administration reform agenda is particularly
important. These reforms would significantly reduce the cost of doing
business, particularly in the export sector, and contribute to leveling
the playing field, ultimately promoting private sector development,"
Mr. Portugal said.

ANNEX

Recent Economic Developments

Armenia is poised for another year of double-digit growth, but
inflation and external imbalances have been growing. Notwithstanding
the temporary trade disruptions during the Georgia conflict, annual
real GDP grew by 10.4 percent in the nine months to September 2008, and
is projected to remain around 10 percent this year, assuming continued
strong activity in construction and services. Annual inflation remained
high through September at 11.3 percent, but dropped to 8.6 percent
in October on the heels of falling food prices, remaining lower than
in some neighboring countries.

While inflation was driven mainly by the global spike in food and
energy prices (including the elimination of a natural gas subsidy
last May), demand pressures have played an increasing role. Indeed,
rising wages, persistently large foreign exchange inflows, rapid
credit growth, and a sharply widening current account deficit have
raised concerns about overheating. But the downward risks from the
global economic downturn could help unwind accumulated macroeconomic
imbalances.

Budget execution in 2008 has been prudent. Tax collection has been
well above expectations, driven by a surge in VAT revenue partly
associated with high import growth. The overall deficit remained lower
than projected through September 2008, at 0.5 percent of projected
annual GDP.

Monetary policy has been tightened to address rising inflationary
pressures. To limit the second-round effects of higher food and energy
prices, the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) raised the repurchase rate
gradually from 4.5 percent in June 2007 to 7.75 percent in September
2008, but left the rate unchanged since, in response to the uncertain
external economic environment.

Despite large private transfers, the current account has continued to
deteriorate. Imports have surged on the back of high international
food and energy prices and buoyant demand, while export performance
has been disappointing. With appreciation pressures dampened by rising
import demand, the dram/dollar exchange rate has been broadly stable
since December 2007. International reserve coverage dropped somewhat,
but remains adequate, at about 3 ? months of imports.

Program Summary

Armenia’s PRGF-supported economic program builds on the authorities’
Sustainable Development Program (SDP). The main goals of the new
program are to sustain and broaden economic growth, and further reduce
poverty, consistent with SDP priorities.

Appropriate fiscal and monetary policies will underpin the
macroeconomic objectives of the program. Its main focus will be on
strengthening the fiscal and monetary policy frameworks and their
coordination, while deepening productivity-enhancing structural
reforms, and improving governance. In particular, reforms in tax
policy and tax administration will be essential for the success of
the program.

Strengthening the policy frameworks will require, among other things,
strengthening the institutional and analytical capacity at the Ministry
of Finance, and adopting a Forecasting and Policy Analysis System for
inflation targeting at the Central Bank of Armenia. The current global
crisis highlights the need to minimize Armenia’s vulnerabilities by
stepping up efforts to diversify production and reduce dependence on
remittances. In view of increasing global risks, Armenia’s external
financial requirements may increase as well, possibly calling for
higher access than under the current PRGF arrangement.

Armenia: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2003-09.

OSCE’S KARABAKH MEDIATORS UNCLEAR ON SETTLEMENT PRINCIPLES

Public Television of Armenia
Nov 17 2008

The Russian co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, which mediates
a solution to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over the breakaway
region of Nagornyy Karabakh, has said that there is no clear agreement
on some settlement principles.

Speaking at a news briefing following a meeting with Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandyan,
which was broadcast on Armenian Public TV news on 17 November and
was also attended by the other two co-chairmen, Yuriy Merzlyakov
said that no agreement had been reached so far on a referendum
on Nagornyy Karabakh’s status or the return to Azerbaijan of the
districts around the separatist region that are under the control of
the Armenian forces.

"What do we understand by saying Karabakh’s
independence? Self-determination within the territory of the Nagornyy
Karabakh republic, in the territory that is approved by a referendum,
or the whole territory which is held by the Armenian side?" Merzlyakov
said.

The Russian mediator added that the seven districts around Nagornyy
Karabakh "play an important role in ensuring the security of the
population of Nagornyy Karabakh". However, he said, "in case there
is an adequate replacement, including an international guarantee,
those may well be returned. This is the simplest answer."

In the meantime, speaking at the briefing, the French and US
co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group stressed the importance of ensuring
the Karabakh population’s security. The French co-chairman, Bernard
Fassier, said that "the population of Nagornyy Karabakh should have
an opportunity to live safely in the future". The US co-chairman,
Matthew Bryza, said that "the population of Nagornyy Karabakh should
feel safe – safe from physical attacks and economic pressure".

The OSCE Minsk Group mediators also said that they would like to
continue their work in the same composition in view of the possible
replacement of Bryza after the new US administration comes into office.

Armenian students of Alpha Gamma Alpha of the Beta Chapter at University of
California at Irvine pledged an expanded role in the 2009 fifth annual
Armenian Festival of Orange County.
_____

The Armenian Festival of Orange County
PO Box 3136
Laguna Hills, CA 92654-3136

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tom Kalajian
[email protected]
(949) 309-2900 Ext 17 | (888) HYE-FEST (493-3378)

Contact: Paul Aslanian
[email protected]
(949) 309-2900 Ext 11 | (888) HYE-FEST (493-3378)

Images available for download at
<http://www.armenianfe stival.org/>

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

UCI Armenian Students Pledge Expanded Role in 2009 Orange County Armenian
Festival

Laguna Hills, CA – Armenian students of Alpha Gamma Alpha of the Beta
Chapter at University of California at Irvine pledged an expanded role in
the 2009 fifth annual Armenian Festival of Orange County. The Armenian
Festival organizing committee authorized donations again this year to
several qualified educational activities and institutions throughout the
southland, including the UCI sorority composed of Armenian students across
the country. "Alpha Gamma Alpha is deeply appreciative of your generous
donation," said a spokesperson Elin Darkalstanian. "It means a lot to us to
have adults like yourselves proud of our goals and accomplishments, along
with our purpose in the community," she continued.

"The UCI students filled a critical role in the 2008 Festival as volunteers
in several capacities, and were particularly helpful, friendly, courteous
and professional," said volunteer chair Rosemary Saatjian. "We were
grateful for their spontaneity, energy and willingness to work both hard and
happily to ensure our guests had a memorable experience," she said. "We
welcome their return next year in expanded roles and responsibilities," she
added. "They were all fantastic!" she exclaimed.

The fifth annual 2009 Armenian Festival of Orange County is scheduled for
the weekend of September 12 and 13, Saturday and Sunday, starting at noon,
at the same beautiful park-like grounds at the Laguna Hills Community
Center, located at 25555 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 at the
corner of Paseo de Valencia, about 1 mile west of the Alicia exit on the 5
freeway.

Originally conceived by Executive Director Paul Aslanian and a few friends
in 2005, the Armenian Festival of Orange County has been successful and
growing every year. The festival is a non-denominational, non-political,
all-inclusive, qualified not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization administered
by independent unpaid volunteers from a diverse cross-section of the
Armenian community and welcomes invited guests to attend their meetings.
The Festival’s mission statement emphasizes communication, understanding and
fellowship amongst all Armenians. It contributes its net proceeds every
year to qualified charitable organizations in the Armenian community without
regard to their political or religious affiliations or predispositions.

The Armenian Festival’s colorful flyer, applications for booth reservations,
volunteers or information for sponsors, a photo gallery of prior festivals,
letters of appreciation and congratulations, and much more information is
available by visiting the Festival’s web site at
<http://www.armenianfe stival.org./> or by telephoning the 24-hour
information hotline at either (949) 309-2900 or toll-free at (888) HYE-FEST
(493-3378).

– 30 –

ARTICLE 301 REMAINS MAJOR THREAT TO FREE SPEECH

Today’s Zaman
Nov 18 2008
Turkey

In spite of an amendment made last May to a penal code article deemed
by the European Union, rights groups and intellectuals to be limiting
freedom of speech, a statement made by the justice minister on Monday
has shown that the modification has not led to any improvement,
law experts say.

The disputed provision, namely Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code
(TCK), was changed in Parliament in May. The article, which has been
used to prosecute a number of writers, including Nobel laureate Orhan
Pamuk, for insulting "Turkishness," was amended to require the justice
minister’s permission before opening a case. However, statements
made by Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Å~^ahin to the Sabah daily show
that the approval requirement has not had a huge impact. Å~^ahin said
the Justice Ministry had approved court cases for 47 out of the 381
applications that have been filed on 301-related charges since the
law was amended.

"If ministerial approval was not needed, all 381 applications would
be in court right now," he said. Å~^ahin added that he decides the
fate of a 301 probe request after consulting with the experienced
judges of the ministry’s criminal affairs department, who conduct
detailed studies into each case.

Å~^ahin also defended his position on granting permission to prosecute
writer Temel Demirer because of his statements on the Armenian
allegations of genocide against Turkey. "This man is saying Turkey
is a murderer state. I am not going to let anyone call my state
a murderer. These [his] expressions are not exercising freedom of
speech: these are humiliating the state, which is exactly what 301
criminalizes," Å~^ahin said.

"There have been 47 permissions. This by itself shows that the Turkish
judiciary is anti-democratic. It shows that people’s right to freedom
of expression is not under state protection," commented Husnu Ondul,
a lawyer and former head of the Human Rights Association (Ä°HD).

Ondul said the figures also show that the amendment has not really made
any difference. "These figures are actually not very different from
before the change. This shows that the change hasn’t made a difference,
that our rights are not under protection and, most importantly and
gravely, that we are in a very bad situation given Å~^ahin’s own
statement that he would not let the state be criticized," he added.

Mithat Sancar, a professor of law, said it did not matter how many
files actually went to court. "What matters is the criteria used
in assessing all of them. Is the permission to try a 301 case being
given according to some objective criteria? Or is it being given in
a more arbitrary fashion?"

"In democracies, citizens have the right to criticize their state. This
is the difference between totalitarian regimes and democracies. It
is in totalitarian regimes that you get in trouble for criticizing
the state," Ondul noted.

Another criticism of Å~^ahin’s remarks was that he had not only given
permission, but also tried the case and made the judgment himself
with the statement "I won’t let anyone call my state a murderer."

Independent news network Bianet’s Erol Onderoglu commented, "Å~^ahin’s
statement is openly a violation of the Turkish Penal Code Article 277,
which criminalizes ‘influencing those performing a judicial duty,’
and Article 288, which criminalizes ‘an attempt at affecting the fair
judicial process’."

He pointed out, "Minister Å~^ahin is not a court, and he is committing
a crime," and called on daring prosecutors to start legal action
against Å~^ahin.

Sancar said Å~^ahin’s comment on the Demirer case raised serious
concern. "How will the judiciary not be affected by his words? He has
violated the first principle he should have adhered to: the principle
that one is innocent until proven guilty. I think these words show how
sincere the justice minister is about protecting freedom of speech. We
should really revisit what the justice minister understands about
democracy and freedom."

Amending 301

The amendment to Article 301 was welcomed by the European Commission
in May, whose members said they were expecting further changes to
ensure that such prosecutions come to an end.

The change made to Article 301 of the penal code was approved with 250
votes for and 65 against amid fierce criticism from the nationalist
opposition. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party),
which dominates the 550-seat Parliament with 340 lawmakers, was the
only party that voted in favor of the amendment, while opposition
parties voted against it.

In addition to requiring the justice minister’s permission to open
a case, the amendment changed the wording of the article making it
a crime to insult the Turkish nation, rather than "Turkishness." It
also reduced the maximum sentence from three years to two.

Although no one has ever been sent to jail on a 301-related charge, the
publicity of such cases has done a great deal of damage to individuals
who were suspects in these trials. Some, such as Armenian-Turkish
editor Hrant Dink, have paid dearly. Dink, who was tried for insulting
the Turkish identity in 2006, was shot dead by a militant nationalist
in January of last year.

–Boundary_(ID_Gk8qyIw/rswhU/G0yOiQLA)–

THINK CALMLY ABOUT CEDING KARABAKH?

168 Zham
Nov 11 2008
Armenia

"Facts demonstrate that the only aim of [former President] Robert
Kocharyan and [incumbent President] Serzh Sargsyan is not Karabakh,
but remaining in power," the leader of the opposition Hnchak Social
Democratic Party of Armenia [HSDPA], Lyudmila Sargsyan, said at a news
conference yesterday [10 November]. The latter recalled how Kocharyan
and Sargsyan announced during the [February] presidential election
that if he came to power [former President] Levon Ter-Petrosyan
would cede Karabakh, and that they were the ones who would keep
Karabakh. Lyudmila Sargsyan said that the opposition understood well
at the time of the election that the country should have a legitimate
president in order to achieve a decision on the Karabakh issue that
would benefit the Armenians, "however the government did not want to
realize what results the rigged election could have".

"Now they have run out of their arguments and will go for concessions,"
Lyudmila Sargsyan said yesterday, adding that this is the reason under
the circumstances the opposition is "reserved so that Armenia appears
in the most favourable light and the issue does not end in loosing the
seven districts [the currently Armenian-controlled districts around
Nagornyy Karabakh]". "We should try to keep what we gained with blood,
at any cost," she said.

A former deputy minister of national security, Gurgen Yeghiazaryan,
said that with the signing of the 2 November declaration on the
Karabakh settlement by the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian presidents
in Moscow, Nagornyy Karabakh had been pushed out of the negotiations
as an independent party to the conflict. "International organizations
described the [19 February] presidential election, accompanied with
beating and violence, as ‘a step forward’, because they had something
to receive, and they are getting it now," Yeghiazaryan said, adding:
"Only the people of Karabakh should settle the Karabakh issue –
neither Serzh Sargsyan nor Robert Kocharyan." Yeghiazaryan answered
positively to the question whether suspension of opposition rallies is
acceptable under these conditions, saying "we gave [the government]
time to think calmly and to act, but we will not be observing calmly
how Karabakh is being ceded".

A member of the HSDPA and former deputy defence minister, Vahan
Shirkhanyan, said at the same news conference that if there is an
attempt to settle the Karabakh issue in line with the currently
existing proposals, "it means that the international community
plants a mine in the Caucasus and it can explode any moment, which
this community wants it to". Speaking about the "Madrid principles"
Shirkhanyan said it is unclear what concessions are being discussed –
land in return for land, road in return for road, or money in return
for money?

Shirkhanyan said that conversations about peacekeepers are unacceptable
as well under these conditions. He said that peacekeepers would be
representing different countries and each of them would be pursuing
their national interests on the Armenian-Azerbaijani contact line. The
former deputy defence minister said that an option regarding
peacekeepers was discussed in 1998, according to which the major
part of them would be a Turkish unit. According to Shirkhanyan,
this option is being discussed up to present.

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA TO MEET WITH LEADERS OF LOCAL POLITICAL PARTIES ON 20 NOVEMBER

ArmInfo
2008-11-18 16:24:00

ArmInfo. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan will meet with the
leaders of local political parties at Karen Demirchyan Sport and
Concert Complex on 20 November. The meeting will be devoted to
settlement of Karabakh conflict.

Styopa Safaryan, Secretary of Heritage opposition party parliamentary
faction told ArmInfo that Anahit Bakhshyan, Chairwoman of Heritage
Party Board, has already been invited to the meeting and will certainly
participate in it. Leader of National Unity Party Artashes Geghamyan
said he has already accepted the similar invitation. Leader of the
Union for Self-Determination Party Paruyr Hayrikyan told ArmInfo he
must attend an event devoted to Golodomor in the Ukraine on 22 November
and could not say if he would be able to participate in the meeting
though Karabakh conflict settlement is very important to him. Naira
Zohrabyan, a member of Prosperous Armenia Party faction, said Gagik
Tsarukyan, Leader of Prosperous Armenia Party is leaving for Moscow
on November 19 to participate in the congress of ‘Yedinaya Rossia’
Party. He instructed one of the party representatives to participate
in the meeting on his behalf, she said.

As regards the participation of the parties of the Armenian National
Congress, ANC representative Levon Zurabyan said at a press conference
Tuesday all the parties involved in the Congress are allowed to
adopt independent decisions in compliance with the Declaration of
Establishment of ANC.

Armenian Apostolic Church condemns Georgian clergy actions in Norashen Church

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.11.2008 17:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) condemns the
actions of the Georgian clergy in Norashen Church in Tbilisi, head
of Holy Echmiadzin’s press office, father Vahram Melikyan told a
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"We are hopeful that the Georgian church hierarchy will prevent further
"initiatives" of father Tariel Sikinchelashvili," he said.

On November 16, Georgian monk Tariel Sikinchelashvili instructed
workers to raze to the ground the graves of Mikhail and Lidia
Tamamshev.

This barbarian act outraged Armenians, who demanded to let the graves
in their place. However, Father Tariel responded with harsh statements.

Upon arrival of representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church and
parliament member Van Bayburt, the Georgian monk said he just wanted
to replace the gravestones to "clean under them."

Policemen have filed a formal report about the incident.

A representative of Georgian Ombudsman also arrived at the site.

HANDING CREDENTIALS

Panorama.am
20:17 18/11/2008

Today the Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosyan received the
new appointed Ambassador of Australia to Armenia Margaret Toomy
(headquarters – Moscow). The Ambassador handed the copy of her
credentials. Greeting the Ambassador, the Deputy Foreign Minister
wished her success in her position.

Ambassador of Australia mentioned that her country is interested to
develop trade-economic, cultural and political relationship with
Armenia. She has highly evaluated the role of Armenian community
in Australia.

THE GUARDIAN: HILLARY CLINTON PLANS TO ACCEPT THE JOB OF SECRETARY OF STATE OFFERED BY BARACK OBAMA

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.11.2008 14:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Hillary Clinton plans to accept the job of secretary
of state offered by Barack Obama, who is reaching out to former rivals
to build a broad coalition administration.

Obama’s advisers have begun looking into Bill Clinton’s foundation,
which distributes millions of dollars to Africa to help with
development, to ensure that there is no conflict of interest. But
Democrats do not believe that the vetting is likely to be a problem.

Clinton would be well placed to become the country’s dominant voice
in foreign affairs, replacing Condoleezza Rice. Since being elected
senator for New York, she has specialized in foreign affairs and
defense. Although she supported the war in Iraq, she and Obama
basically agree on a withdrawal of American troops.

Clinton, who still harbors hopes of a future presidential run, had to
weigh up whether she would be better placed by staying in the Senate,
which offers a platform for life, or making the more uncertain career
move to the secretary of state job.

As part of the coalition-building, Obama also reached out to his
defeated Republican rival, John McCain, to discuss how they could
work together to roll back some of the most controversial policies
of the Bush years. Putting aside the bitter words thrown about with
abandon by both sides during the election campaign, McCain flew to
meet Obama at his headquarters in the Kluczynski Federal Building,
in downtown Chicago.

Obama, speaking before the meeting, said: "We’re going to have a
good conversation about how we can do some work together to fix up
the country." He said he also wanted to thank McCain for his service
to the country.

Asked by a reporter whether he would work with Obama, McCain, who has
long favored a bipartisan approach to politics, replied: "Obviously".

Sources on both sides said Obama did not offer McCain a cabinet job,
but focused on how the senator for Arizona could help to guide through
Congress legislation that they both strongly favor.

Given Obama’s status as president-in-waiting, the two met in a formal
setting, a room decked out with a US flag, and were accompanied
by senior advisers. Obama appeared the more relaxed of the two,
sitting with legs crossed, smiling broadly and waving to reporters,
while McCain sat stiffly, with a seemingly fixed grin.

Although the two clashed during the election campaign over tax
policy and withdrawal from Iraq, they have more in common than they
have differences. They both favor the closure of the Guantanamo Bay
detention centre, an increase in US troops to Afghanistan, immigration
reform, stem cell research and measures to tackle climate change,
and oppose torture and the widespread use of wire-tapping.

Although Democrats made gains in the Senate in the November 4
elections, they fell short of the 60 seats that would have allowed
them to override Republican blocking tactics and will need Republican
allies to get Obama’s plans through. This was highlighted today when
the Democratic leadership in Congress announced that a broad economic
stimulus package Obama sought was not likely to be passed because of
Republican opposition.

Obama confirmed at the weekend that he would offer jobs to some
Republicans. One of the names that crops up most often is Chuck Hagel,
the former Republican senator who is a specialist in foreign affairs
and a critic of the Iraq war, The Guardian reports.

Former US president Bill Clinton said that his wife Hillary will be a
"great secretary of state."