Author: Antonian Lara

Azat Artsakh Tert, Nagorno Karabakh Republic
Feb 15 2008

Commentaries of the NKR MFA Information and Analytical Department…

Question: Lately, it has become popular in Azerbaijan to look for
the Kurd Labor Party (KLP) militants in the NKR. Recently, Nizami
Bahmanov has joined the supporters of conducting an "antiterrorist
operation" against the KLP militants allegedly available in the NKR.
What are these modern tendencies in Azerbaijan’s policy aimed at?
Commentary: Due to the ethnic origin of the governing clan in
Baku, the "Kurd subjects" is one of the most sensible domestic policy
topics in modern Azerbaijan. The matter is not only in the fact that
representatives of the mentioned ethnic group occupy many high-level
key posts in Azerbaijan, but also in the role of the "Nakhichevan
clan" ancestor, former head of the AzSSR KGB Heydar Aliyev in
creating and training Turkey’s number one enemy – the Kurd Labor
Party (KLP). Researchers refer the Turkish leadership’s traditional
cool terms with late Aliyev-senior just to this circumstance. During
his visit to Baku in January 2003, former leader of the ruling Party
of Justice and Development in Turkey Radjep Erdogan stated that
sections of the Kurd Labor Party operated in Azerbaijan, screened by
cultural events. R. Erdogan’s statement caused such a violent
reaction in Azerbaijan that the then Minister of National Security of
the country Namik Abbasov had to make an official refutation. It is
notable that Namik Abbasov did not exclude that there might be such
persons in Azerbaijan supporting the KLP and rendering financial
assistance to it, but their activity, as Mr. Abbasov assured, was
"under the control of the Azerbaijani law enforcement bodies".
In this context, the immediate reaction of the Azerbaijani party
to the misinformation published in the Turkish press, as well as the
following attempts of its officials to get rid of the "Kurd problem"
in Azerbaijan and to transfer the focus of attention to the NKR are
not accidental. Meanwhile, according to the Azerbaijani mass media,
former Armenian villages of the Northern Karabakh were actively
populated with Kurds during the recent years.
Question: What aims does Baku pursue, spreading such
insinuations?
Commentary: If we set aside the peculiarity of the "Kurd
subject", then the matter is in Azerbaijan’s regular use of its
favorite propagandistic tactics of "tracing" urgent issues of
international policy and transferring them to the Karabakh conflict.
Thus, in different periods, depending on the political situation, the
Azerbaijani party stated that the Karabakh movement "was inspired by
the western secret services for undermining the communist system and
brotherhood of nations"; later, it noted that the Karabakh Armenians’
demand was initiated by the "imperial ambitions of the Kremlin
authorities, who had declared war on sovereign Azerbaijan". In the
framework of their informational-propagandistic war, the Azerbaijani
authorities and the structures, funded by them, stated on the
existence of Al-Qaida camps and a series of radical Islamic
organizations, laboratories for producing nuclear weapons, and
nuclear waste burial in the NKR. The Azerbaijani parliamentary
delegation at PACE distributed even a document on the Armenian
party’s use of nuclear weapons during the military activities in
1991-1994.
Depending on the international political situation, different
ways of resolving the Karabakh conflict were discussed in Azerbaijan,
which, having the same content, were different in their form. They
noted the necessity of holding a large-scale "passport regime
checkup", intensifying the Azeri OMON operations, conducting
anti-terroristic operations in Nagorno Karabakh, realizing pointed
bombing of the "terroristic infrastructure", carrying out
humanitarian intervention "for saving the Karabakh Armenians from
terrorists", initiating military-police operations for "restoring law
and order in Nagorno Karabakh", implementing corresponding
"operations on forcing for peace with Azerbaijan", etc.
So, the tradition of presenting itself as a victim of "local
demonstration of the international evil" is not new for Azerbaijan.
It fully corresponds to the tactics of solving the Karabakh problem
with cat’s paw, which Azerbaijan actively fulfills in the context of
its European, American, and Russian policy.
However, if previously similar statements were made on an
official level, currently, realizing their absurdity, official Baku
suggests Nizami Bahmanov for developing such topics. And it’s a pity
that Azerbaijan makes use of Nizami Bahmanov in its provocative
actions contradicting not only the letter and spirit of the
Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict settlement process, but also the common
sense.

NKR NA deputy, "Through Baku’s fault the Karabakhi movement acquired
open confrontation character"

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic National Assembly deputy Maksim
Mirzoyan considers that February 12, 1988 is a starting point of the
modern stage of the Karabakhi national liberation movement.
"Namely events of this day predetermined the holding of the
historical session, which marked the success of the Movement in
general and the achievement of the long-expected freedom", the deputy
supposes.
According to Maksim Mirzoyan, "February 12 became an apogee in
the hidden confrontation between Baku’s wish to annihilate Karabakh
and Karabakh’s dream to be unyoked from Azerbaijan. The emotions,
which had been suppressed till then, were given vent to".
All the following events, according to the deputy, logically led
to the historical session of the NKAO Council of National Deputies
(February 20, 1988), which predetermined Nagorno Karabakh’s
self-determination.
"Through Baku’s fault the Karabakhi movement acquired open
confrontation character that soon developed into a long and bloody
armed confrontation. However, the fate itself was on the side of the
fare and final decision of the Karabakhi people, who, at the cost of
unprecedented heroism and firmness, were able to avert the threat of
their physical annihilation and be firm in realizing their original
right to self-determination in accordance with the fundamental
international norms", Maksim Mirzoyan noted.

INTER CHURCH COUNCIL ASSUMES ROLE OF A MEDIATOR

Newindpress
ewsItems.asp?ID=IER20080212211743&Page=R&T itle=Kerala&Topic=0
Feb 13 2008
India

NEDUMBASERRY: The Inter-Church Council had begun its efforts to settle
down the church dispute at Malankara, said Mosool (Turkey) Diocese
Archbishop Mar Gregorios Semon Saleeba at the Kochi airport on Monday.

Archbishop Saleeba who was leading a ten-member pilgrim to attend the
76th Dokorono festival of Patriarch Elias-III, who was interred in
Manjinikkara Dayara, arrived here as the representative of Patriarch
Ignatios Zaka-I. The pilgrims included the relatives of the deceased
Patriach Elias-III.

Armenian Aram-I who was entrusted by ICC to mediate the dispute
between Jacobite and Orthodox Churches, held a three-day discussion
with Patriarch of Antioch Zaka-I, the spiritual leader of Jacobite
Church, in Damascus last week, told Archbishop Saleeba.

The ICC aimed at solving the issue amicably and permanently. The ICC
wanted the Churches in Malankara should always witness the Christian
doctrines. Patriarh Aram-I will visit Kerala positively in April. He
will mainly discuss the issue with the leadership of Orthodox Church.

Aram-I will also find time to hold discussion with both the factions
separately and he will try to discuss with both the factions together.

The Archbishop Saleeb and pilgrims were received by the faithful led by
Manjinikkara Dayara Auxiliary Metropolitan Gregorios Mar Athanasios,
Church spokesperson Fr Varghese Kallappara and Almadeepam editor C
Y Varghese.

ARA ABRAHAMIAN WISHES SERGE SARGSIAN TO BE ELECTED RA PRESIDENT

Noyan Tapan
Feb 13, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Today Armenia plays an important
role in the issue of preservation of Armenian identity in the
Diaspora, and the Diaspora has great expectations that the forthcoming
presidential elections will be peaceful, transparent, within the law,
and the public will trust the elections results. Ara Abrahamian, the
Chairman of the Union of Armenians in Russia and the World Armenian
Congress, said on February 13, during the meeting with the members
of the presidium of the RA National Academy of Sciences.

Though A. Abrahamian being a RF citizen will not take part in the
Armenian elections, he has his precise position: highly evaluating
the professionalism and merits of all RA presidential candidates,
nevertheless he wishes the RA Prime Minister, RPA candidate Serge
Sargsian to be elected RA President. According to him, this position is
especially based on experience of nearly 10-year consistent, efficient
cooperation of Serge Sargsian with the RF authorities, his immediate
great contribution to development of Armenian-Russian interstate
relations, which is of much importance for 2.5m Armenians living in
Russia. A. Abrahamian also said that both the Union of Armenians in
Russia and personally he cannot support a RA presidential candidate,
who "imagines development of Armenian-Russian relations in other
directions." "Serge Sargsian’s policy is very clear, very exact," he
stated at the same time adding that the Armenians of Russia have much
expectations from the new Armenian President no matter who is elected.

A. Abrahamian said that many of over 300 thousand RA citizens residing
in RF have applied to the Union to find out the latter’s position on
the RA presidential elections. The Union’s Board discussing the issue
at its sitting held lately decided to apply to RA citizens living in
Russia with an appeal to vote with their conscience.

By the way, it should be mentioned that according to the amendments
made to the Electoral Code last year, no polling stations will function
in foreign states during RA state elections and only citizens being
in RA territory will use the right of voting on the voting day.

A. Abrahamian also expressed an opinion that when reading Armenian
press one forms the impression that Armenia is getting ready for not
elections but a bad event full of uncertainty, which "does no good
to the Armenian people."

According to him, the political forces should also realize that life
will go on after the elections.

The Chairman of the Union of Armenians in Russia and the World
Armenian Congress also touched upon the problem of Armenia’s economic
development. In his words, judging by the indices, a positive shift
can be recorded, but in comparison with other countries "we lag behind
very much." "We, Armenians, can do much more by using the potential
of the Diaspora and our foreign friends," A. Abrahamian said.

CLEVELAND MUSEUM PRESENTS MUSIC OF ARMENIA

HULIQ

Feb 11 2008
NC

The Cleveland Museum of Art’s (CMA) acclaimed VIVA! & Gala Around Town
announces the second performance in its special Music of Central Asia
and the Near East mini-series. The Shoghaken Ensemble will perform at
7:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 16 at the Cleveland Museum of Natural
History (CMNH).

Founded by Gevorg Dabaghyan in 1991, The Shoghaken Ensemble has become
one of the preeminent traditional music ensembles in Armenia.

Dedicated to rediscovering and continuing Armenia’s extraordinary
folk music tradition, the group presents music from a broad
geographical and historical span using traditional instruments
and song styles. The ensemble has performed extensively in Europe,
Armenia and throughout the former Soviet Union. Shoghaken features
Armenia’s top instrumentalists, singers and dancers. When cellist
Yo-Yo Ma invited this Armenian musical group to participate in the
Smithsonian Festival in Washington D.C., thousands of Americans were
captivated by the diversity and passion of Armenian music.

Armenian folk music is one of the world’s richest musical traditions,
burgeoning with an extraordinary array of melodies and genres. Since
the 1880s, ethnographers and musicologists, most famously the Armenian
priest Komitas, have traveled to remote villages and towns in Anatolia
and the Caucasus collecting Armenian songs and dances.

Currently there are over 30,000 catalogued in various archives,
each with rhythms and modes characteristic of both broad Near Eastern
influence and particular rituals and dialects not seen or heard beyond
the next mountain pass.

Shoghaken’s performance will feature popular dances and troubadour
(ashugh) melodies interspersed with more unusual emigrant- and
work-songs, medieval epic verse, mournful wedding dances (a peculiarly
Armenian oxymoron) and exquisite lullabies (numbering in the hundreds
and renowned for their haunting lyricism).

Today, Azerbaijan
Feb 8 2008

Iranian Ambassador to Russia: "Iran is for the peaceful resolution of
Nagorno-Garabagh conflict"

08 February 2008 [18:28] – Today.Az

Official Tehran is for the peaceful resolution of Nagorno Garabagh
conflict.

The due statement was made by Iranian ambassador extraordinary and
plenipotentiary to Russia Golemreza Ansari at a press conference in
Moscow on February 8.

According to the ambassador, Iran maintains friendly relations both
with Azerbaijan and Armenia. This fact may be used for
intensification of a political dialog", Ansari considers.

The ambassador noted that Iran’s strategy is to have good neighbor
relations with surrounding countries. In this connection, Tehran
comes to a conclusion that Nagorno Garabagh problem can be settled
only peacefully.

The ambassador highly evaluated Iran’s relations with both Azerbaijan
and Armenia.

URL:

Balkan Travellers, Bulgaria
Feb 8 2008

Toursits Increased In Armenia, Family Vacation Affordable

07 February 2008 | 510 thousand tourists visited Armenia last year,
which is with 33% higher compared to 2006. The country’s long
history, mountains and rich Christian culture attract more and more
visitors each year.

According to Mekhak Apresyan, the head of tourism department at the
national Ministry of Trade and Economic development, previously there
was a shortage of hotels in the country. Today there are
approximately 70 accomodation places, nearly half of which are in
Yerevan.

According to Apresyan, Armenia is well presented in the international
tourism and travel market, which has its positive impact on its
development.

Apresyan noted that the conditions for ecotourism in Armenia are more
than sufficient, but much remains to be done, until the country
becomes a developed tourist destination.

ead/article/343

"PROCREDIT" – 22ND BANK OF ARMENIA
By Ara Martirosian

AZG Armenian Daily
07/02/2008

On February 5, German "Procredit" bank started its activities in
Armenia and it became the 22nd functioning bank of Armenia. The
Executive Director of the bank Bertold Herzfeld and Deputy Director
Ashot Abrahamian spoke about the banks group "Procredit" during the
press conference held in "Congress" hotel.

Bertold Herzfeld mentioned that the bank function in 21 countries of
the world and is socially responsible for small business and common
citizens. The shareholders of Armenian "Procredit" are "Procredit"
bank – 66,6 percent, KfW – 16,6 percent and "Eurobank" – 16,6 percent.

Ashot Abrahamian said that the bank will open it 6 branches at the
end of the year – 4 in Yerevan and 2 – in provinces.

The bank will accept deposits from everybody. It will give credits
to small and medium businesses. They will start also crediting of
agriculture during the year.

Chairman of Central Bank Tigran Sargsian welcomed the opening of
"Procredit" bank in Armenia and assured that it will contribute
to financial mediation development and will bring to Armenia new
culture. It will also contribute to the competition in banking system.

ZUBKOV SATISFIED WITH TALKS IN ARMENIA, SIGNS DOCUMENTS

Interfax
Russia & CIS General Newswire
February 6, 2008 Wednesday 1:28 PM MSK
Yerevan

Russia and Armenia have signed documents on renewal of trade and
information regulations between the two countries.

During his visit to Yerevan, Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov met
with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan, with whom they signed
a protocol of changes to the free trade agreement signed between the
Russian and Armenia governments on September 30, 1992.

The parties have also signed an agreement on cooperation in information
technologies, postal services and electronic communication, as well
as a protocol approving a draft concession finalizing the last details
of management of the Armenian railways.

Moreover, a memorandum has been signed between Rosatom (the
Russian Nuclear Energy State Corporation) and Armenia on developing
cooperation in the field of geological exploration, uranium production
and processing. The parties exchanged the documents stating that
Armenia has joined the treaty on setting up the International uranium
enrichment center in Angarsk.

The Russian and Armenian prime ministers adopted a joint statement on
cooperation on increasing safety and capacity of the Armenia Nuclear
Power Plant and developing a new nuclear energy sector in Armenia.

Talks with the Armenian counterpart were "quite successful," Zubkov
said. "Russia remains Armenia’s leading partner in foreign trade,"
he said.

ARMENIAN POLICE BRIEFLY DETAIN OPPOSITION CANDIDATE’S SUPPORTERS

Haykakan Zhamanak, Armenia
Feb 6 2008

"Arrested but released"

The police have launched another illegal campaign of oppression against
[opposition presidential candidate] Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s supporters,
residents of Ararat town, the head of the first president’s [Levon
Ter-Petrosyan’s] Ararat campaign headquarters, Hakob Grigoryan,
has said.

He said that in the morning of 2 February five police officers
arrested Ararat town residents Artur Avetisyan, Artak and Gagik
Ziroyan, Samvel Avlishoyev and Murad Sadoyan. They were brought to
the Ararat town police station, then to the Vedi town police station,
and then back to the Ararat police station. All this process lasted
until 1400 [1000 gmt], after which they were released.

Grigoryan also said that these people had been apprehended for various
reasons and only at the police station they were told that the case
concerned their political activity and they were advised not to display
activity. Yesterday the police took Murad Sadoyan to a police station
again for distributing leaflets about Ter-Petrosyan’s visit planned
for today.

MUBARIZ AKHMEDOGLU: "AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA SHOULD DISCUSS THE THREAT POSED BY THE NORTH CAUCASUS"

Today, Azerbaijan
Feb 6 2008

Azerbaijan and Georgia should discuss the problem of threat posed by
the North Caucasus.

The due announcement was made by Mubariz Akhmedoglu, head of the center
for political innovations and technologies, at a press conference on
political results of January, Day.Az reports.

The political scientist noted that announcements from North Caucasus
resemble somewhat of a military chronicle and it is clear that Russia
is not able to regulate processes in North Caucasus and Russian
strategy in this region is not correct.

He said no one is aware of the military and ideological potential of
this region.

The political scientist considers that any destabilization in the
region will affect the South Caucasus and all actions can pass to
the territories of the South Caucasus countries.

"Armenians by the order from the United States do everything possible
to destroy North Caucasus, while Russia does not want to understand
it. When we speak about it Russia thinks that such anti-Armenian
announcements from Azerbaijan are natural", he said.