Author: Badalian Vardan

BABACAN WELCOMES RUSSIAN ROLE IN KARABAKH TALKS

Today’s Zaman
Nov 5 2008
Turkey

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan has praised Russia for hosting talks
between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the long-running
dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh, dismissing suggestions that Moscow’s
diplomatic drive is an attempt to steal the mediator role from Ankara.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hosted talks between Azerbaijani
leader Ä°lham Aliyev and Armenian leader Serzh Sarksyan on Sunday. A
declaration read by Medvedev after the three-way talks said the
presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed to have more talks to
reach a settlement on the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.

"It is a fact that no solution can be achieved in Nagorno-Karabakh
without Russia’s support and consent," Babacan told reporters en route
to Marseilles to attend a Euro-Mediterranean meeting late on Monday.

Turkey proposed a regional platform for discussion and the resolution
of conflicts in the troubled Caucasus after a brief war between Russia
and Georgia. With the planned Caucasus Stability and Cooperation
Platform, Ankara aims to bring Turkey, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan
and Georgia together around the same table.

Babacan, however, added that it is not possible to reach a resolution
in this region without including Turkey and the United States.

Steps taken by Turkey since September 2007 at various levels to
contribute to the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and
steps taken by Russia on the same issue are complementary to each
other, the minister noted.

Babacan said that Turkey’s move to hold dialogue with Yerevan has
annoyed the Armenian diaspora, which has exerted hectic efforts for
global recognition of Armenian genocide allegations.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in protest of Armenian
occupation of a chunk of Azerbaijani territory in the Nagorno-Karabakh
dispute. Back in September, the foreign ministers of Turkey, Armenia
and Azerbaijan held a trilateral meeting on the sidelines of the
UN General Assembly in New York to discuss efforts to resolve
the bitter territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over
Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian backed
Turkey’s regional cooperation proposal, and Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said regional problems must be resolved
in appropriate ways.

Aliyev and Sarksyan, who had last met to discuss Nagorno-Karabakh
in June 2007, agreed over the weekend in Moscow to instruct their
foreign ministers "to speed up further moves in the negotiating
process." Babacan, a former economy minister, also touched on the
ongoing global economic crisis, citing the absence of a global
auditing structure vis-a-vis the global economy as the main reason
behind the crisis.

–Boundary_(ID_+wOyqF9A8aFIAijHhFP5/A)–

MOSCOW DECLARATION OF AZERBAIJANI, ARMENIAN, RUSSIAN LEADERS IS BASIS FOR PEACE AGREEMENT: AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT

Trend News Agency
Nov 5 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 5 November /Trend News/ Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev takes the Moscow Declaration of the Azerbaijani, Armenian and
Russian leaders as the basis for a peace agreement.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenia’s Serzh Sargsyan and
Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev signed a declaration at the end of their
meeting in Mein Dorf castle near Moscow on 2 November.

Presidents of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan decided to make joint
efforts to normalize the situation in Caucasus and requested Foreign
Ministers to make efforts to solve the [Armenian-Azerbaijani]
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"The Moscow declaration of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and
Russia is the basis for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and
Armenia," President Aliyev said at a news conference in Ankara. It
is President Aliyev’s first official visit to Ankara after his
re-election.

The declaration calls for the settlement of the conflict in line
with the principles and norms of international law and decisions
and documents adopted in this respect, which will create favourable
conditions for economic development and comprehensive cooperation in
the region.

According to Aliyev, the negotiations must be continued in an effort
to settle the conflict.

"The current situation in the region, intensification of Russia
and OSCE Minsk Group’s mediation gives a hope to settle the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," he said.

Azerbaijan welcomes Turkey’s efforts to achieve a fair settlement to
the conflict, he said. "We can see the positive results of Turkey’s
active involvement in the conflict solution."

The relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey have been rich in precise
projects – energy and transport projects, President said. "A lot has
been done to implement the projects. And that proves the fact the
goals we posed are being achieved through joint efforts and the will
of the two states, which maintain fraternal relations," he said,
adding that those projects would open new opportunities and will
bring economic benefit to both countries and the entire region.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began in
1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost the Nagorno-Karabakh, except of Shusha and Khojali, in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian Armed Forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and
Nagorno-Karabakh’s seven surrounding regions. In 1994, Azerbaijan
and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time the active
hostilities ended. The countries keep on peace negotiating. OSCE Minsk
Group co-chaired by USA, Russia, France is engaged in peace settling
of the conflict.

CO-CHAIRS OF OSCE MINSK GROUP TO HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE TOMORROW

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.11.2008 18:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ambassador Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia, Ambassador
Bernard Fassier of France and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
Matthew Bryza of the United States, the Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group, which deals with the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, will hold a news
conference in Vienna tomorrow, the OSCE communications unit reported.

The Co-Chairs last met in Moscow where a joint declaration was signed
by Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia.

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
PACE President: the start of dialogue on Nagorno-Karabakh is a window of
hope for the entire region

Strasbourg, 04.11.2008 – Following the start of dialogue aimed at
finding a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the
President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,
Lluís Maria de Puig, has urged the Presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan to continue down this road.

"I wish to congratulate Presidents Aliyev and Sarksyan, and President
Medvedev, who facilitated the meeting, on their commitment to finding a
peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The start of this
dialogue, which will be followed by intensified diplomatic efforts and
the promotion of a series of confidence-building measures, is a window
of hope for the entire region," said the President.

"As I pointed out during my visits to Baku and Yerevan last July, our
Assembly has worked relentlessly over the past 15 years to bring about a
political solution to the conflict in compliance with international
standards and principles and the commitments which the two states made
upon joining the Council of Europe. Such a solution is now closer than
ever," he added.

"The Parliamentary Assembly stands ready to help the Parliaments of
Armenia and Azerbaijan in all their efforts so that the process just
started proves successful," he concluded.

Pour le Président de l’APCE, l’ouverture d’un dialogue sur le
Haut-Karabakh est une fenêtre d’espoir pour toute la région

Strasbourg, 04.11.2008 – Suite à l’ouverture d’un dialogue visant la
recherche d’une solution pacifique au conflit du Haut-Karabakh, le
Président de l’Assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de l’Europe,
Lluís Maria de Puig, a tenu à encourager les Présidents de
l’Arménie et l’Azerbaïdjan à progresser sur cette voie.

" Je tiens à féliciter les Présidents Aliev et Sarksyan, ainsi que
le Président Medvedev qui a facilité la rencontre, pour leur
engagement à trouver un règlement pacifique au conflit du
Haut-Karabakh. L’ouverture de ce dialogue, qui sera suivi d’une
intensification des efforts diplomatiques et de la promotion d’une
série de mesures de confiance, ouvre une fenêtre d’espoir pour toute
la région ", a souligné le Président.

" Comme je l’avais signalé lors de mes visites à Baku et Yerevan en
juillet dernier, notre Assemblée n’a pas cessé, ces quinze
dernières années, d’=9Cuvrer pour parvenir à une solution
politique au conflit dans le respect des normes et des principes
internationaux ainsi que des engagements que les deux Etats avaient pris
lors de leur adhésion au Conseil de l’Europe. Cette solution est
aujourd’hui plus proche que jamais ", a ajouté Lluis Maria de Puig.

" L’Assemblée parlementaire se tient prête à aider les Parlements
de l’Arménie et de l’Azerbaïdjan dans toutes leurs initiatives pour
que le processus qui vient de s’ouvrir soit couronné de succès",
a-t-il conclu.

Press Release
Parliamentary Assembly Communication Unit
Ref: 776b08
Tel: +33 3 88 41 31 93
Fax :+33 3 90 21 41 34
[email protected]
internet:

The Parliamentary Assembly brings together 318 members from the national
parliaments of the 47 member states.
President: Lluís Maria de Puig (Spain, SOC) ; Secretary General of the
Assembly: Mateo Sorinas.
Political Groups: EPP/CD (Group of the European People’s Party); SOC
(Socialist Group); EDG (European Democratic Group);

ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe); UEL (Group of the
Unified European Left).

PRESS RELEASE
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Buiding 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel: +(3741) 56 01 06 ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

4 November, 2008

Some $30 Million Pledged During the Hayastan All Armenian Fund’s Fundraising
Dinner in Yerevan

Yerevan, November 3, 2008 – Some $30 million dollars were pledged at the
fundraising dinner held in Yerevan on November 1 in support of Hayastan Fund
Telethon 2008; the event took place under the auspices of Armenia’s
President Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. The
dinner was a most impressive demonstration of combined potential and
commitment of some 120 businessmen from Armenia and Russia.

The contributions will be used primarily for the comprehensive development
of rural areas in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh as well as a number of
special projects.

The Hayastan Fund Board of Trustees was represented at the event by the
Presidents of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, Catholicos of All Armenians,
Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairman of the Central
Bank of Armenia and Board member- ministers, Chairman of the Union of
Manufacturers and Businessmen, as well as Hranush Hakobyan heading the newly
established Ministry of Diaspora.

The message of blessing and welcome of Catholicos of All Armenians
instigated the dinner. This was followed by the President Sargsyan’s speech:
"Everybody knows about the important mission of the Hayastan All Armenian
Fund, as well as the large-scale activity it has been carrying out. The
annual fundraising is a great opportunity for our people to take part in
rehabilitation and prosperity of our Homeland irrespective of their age and
social belonging. This is a chance for each and every Armenian to feel part
of the whole, realize that national unity is not merely an abstract and
sublime concept; it is a real power that accomplishes the impossible.
Families both from Armenia and Diaspora have the opportunity to take part in
solution of national problems. And finally, this is a good occasion for the
benefactors and businessmen to bring their input in nation-building
initiatives. I call you to actively participate in this fundraising event
and be generous, faithful to the tradition set by our well-off benefactors.
Thanks to those traditions we have preserved our culture and education,
churches and orphanages; we have protected our country and people despite
lack of statehood. These traditions we must reestablish and develop further",
pointed out the President.

Hrant Tokhatyan, the master of ceremony, was announcing the pledges. Samvel
Karapetyan, Sergey Hambardzumyan, Gagik Tsarukyan, Seiran Karapetyan, Genadi
Stepanyan, Ashot Khachaturyan, Mikhail Baghdasarov, Samvel Alexanyan,
Barsegh Beglaryan, Tigran Arzakantsyan, Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine,
"Mikael Vardanyan" Foundation, "Eduardo Eurnekian" Group, ArmRusGasProm,
Karabakh Telecom were among the major donors of the event. Names and amounts
of the donors will be also announced at the Telethon and published in media.

"We are grateful to all those, who have not been indifferent to life of
Artsakh people and taken part in all our accomplishments. Our compatriots
have not only shared our success, they supported us in overcoming our
problems. I am thankful to the President of Armenia for this initiative, the
idea of which is unity of our people", said President of Nagorno-Karabakh
Bako Sahakyan. In his appeal the Catholicos of All Armenians encouraged
those present to bring their contribution to the Hayastan Fund’s projects.

"On behalf of Hayastan All Armenian Fund I would like to thank all those who
contributed to the Fund’s projects today. I ensure that each cent donated
will be used to solve crucial problems in our country", said Hayastan Fund’s
Acting Executive Director Ara Vardanyan in his Thank-you speech.

Telethon will be broadcast from Los Angeles on November 27. Major sponsor of
Telethon 2008 is Vivacell-MTS. Ardshininvestbank, ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank
and Haypost CJSC also sponsor the telethon.

###

Hayastan All Armenian Fund

ILHAM ALIYEV: THERE ARE GOOD PROSPECTS FOR SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

ArmInfo
2008-11-03 13:05:00

ArmInfo. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev believes that there
are good preconditions for settlement of Karabakh conflict.

The president told media after talks with Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev that there are good preconditions at present despite all
the difficulties, APA reports.

I. Aliyev said that new prospects of cooperation will open if the
conflict is settled within the nearest future. ‘We are neighbors and
no one will move from the region. So, it is necessary to search for
ways of good- neighborhood’, the president of Azerbaijan said.

Los Angeles Times, CA
Nov 2 2008

Darchinyan hits the bull’s-eye in win

Armenian boxer stops Mexico’s Mijares in the ninth round to add WBC,
WBA 115-pound titles to his IBF belt.

By Bill Dwyre
November 2, 2008

It’s hard to be a raging bull when you weigh only 115 pounds, but Vic
Darchinyan lived up to the nickname Saturday night.

A 32-year-old Armenian boxer who lives in Australia, Darchinyan took a
30-1-1 record into a fight at the Home Depot Center in Carson that he
was supposed to lose to Mexico’s Cristian Mijares (36-3-2).

On most cards, Darchinyan didn’t even lose a round.

After he had hit Mijares, 27, with about 200 hard lefts, including one
that knocked him down in the first round, Darchinyan chased Mijares
across the ring as the ninth round of the scheduled 12 was about to
end. As Mijares ran backward, Darchinyan chased and caught him with
yet another solid left. Mijares went down, flat on his back. Referee
Lou Moret started to count, then saw Mijares wasn’t stirring much and
waved the fight to an end.

The victory unified three alphabet-soup sanctioning divisions — IBF,
WBC, WBA — the latter two of which had Mijares as champ. So it’s
reasonable to consider Darchinyan the best super flyweight in the
world.

"From the first round, I promised I would fight smart, would destroy
him with the left," he said. "I just thank God it wasn’t like Burgos,
because he took a lot of lefts, too."

In the same ring on March 3, 2007, Darchinyan beat Victor Burgos, a
bout stopped in the final round. Soon, Burgos was taken to the
hospital with brain injuries, and he is still in therapy trying to
recover from that.

Mijares made it to the news conference afterward, cuts under both
eyes, and said, "No excuses. He’s a great champion."

If Darchinyan’s wild attacks weren’t enough for the 3,076 fans who
showed up on a rainy night and left the bulk of the seats in the Home
Depot Center tennis stadium empty, then the semi-main event was.

In that one, 25-year-old Olympian Andre Dirrell, a bronze medalist in
Athens in 2004 with a 16-0 pro record and a great future, ran into
another raging bull, a 167-pound Russian named Victor Oganov. Oganov
is 32, entered with a record of 28-1, all 28 wins by knockout, and
fought in a style best described as a bull in a China closet.

Oganov only moved forward. He took shot after shot and kept coming
forward. In the first round, Dirrell got him up against the ropes and
threw at least 25 uninterrupted hard punches. The flurry ended mostly
because Dirrell’s arms started to go limp. Oganov, more like a brick
building than a person, shrugged and started coming forward again.

Finally, in the sixth round, with Dirrell having won the previous five
on all three judges’ cards, Dirrell got Oganov against the ropes and
staggered him slightly. That was enough for referee Ray Corona, who
stopped the fight.

Oganov, battered and bloody and still wanting more, mouthed a curse
word to Corona several times and the crowd, upholding boxing’s
standards for blood thirst, booed the referee.

Corona said later he had seen Oganov punished enough.

Dwyre is a Times staff writer.

p-boxing2-2008nov02,0,6652560.story

PanARMENIAN.Net

Iran wants to join discussion on Caucasus security zone creation
01.11.2008 15:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iran has showed interest in the discussion on
creation of a Caucasus security zone but Russia has not received any
proposal on the issue from Iran yet, Russian Foreign Minister said.

`Iran is interested in joining the discussion,’
Sergei Lavrov said adding that he referred to the subject during talks
with his Iranian counterpart.

The Russian Minister also reminded about Turkey’s Caucasus
Stability and Cooperation Pact.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Russian policemen who killed Armenian citizen face life imprisonment
31.10.2008 15:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Three Russian policemen, who murdered Armenian
citizen Armen Gasparyan, 30, are facing life imprisonment for their
crime, said Nikolay Nikotin, head of Saratov investigating committee.

The police officers wanted to compel confession of gold theft from
Armen Gasparyan. They beat him severely and then burned. All of them
were drunk, Vzglyad-Info reports.

The three confessed of the killing. On October 29 night, they took
Gasparyan to a wasteland and beat him. Then they poured petrol over
him and burned. When the young man tried to run away, they killed him
and buried.

TURKS WILL BE TURKS

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
29 Oct 2008
Armenia

Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Khulus Kylydj announced yesterday:
"Turkey will open its border with Armenia only after the latter
withdraws its troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

Commenting on the announcement made by Serge Sargsyan in Nagorno
Karabakh the day before, saying that the opening of the border with
Armenia will have a positive impact on the settlement of Karabakh
conflict, Kylydj said: "Armenia doesn’t have the right to impose
any conditions upon Turkey. Turkey has always protected Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and will always do so."

The Turkish diplomat also said: "If Armenia intends to establish
regular relations with neighbor countries, then it must firstly
review its invasion policy and withdraw its troops from the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan.