Author: Badalian Vardan

GEORGIAN EX-DEFENSE MINISTER IRAKLY OKRUASHVILI ARRESTED IN BERLIN

PanARMENIAN.Net
28.11.2007 17:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Georgian ex-Defense Minister Irakly Okruashvili
was arrested in Berlin on 27 November evening.

Okruashvili was arrested by request of Georgian authorities on the
basis of European Convention on Extradition, Die Berliner Zeitung
reports. Berlin’s Prosecutor General confirmed the fact of arrest.

Georgian Prosecutor General’s Office accused Okruashvili in corruption
after the former Minister subjected the leadership to severe criticism
and announced formation of an opposition party.

DAWKINS’ PUBLISHER FACES JAIL OVER ‘ATHEIST MANIFESTO’
By Nicholas Birch in Istanbul

The Independent/UK
Published: 30 November 2007

Richard Dawkins’ best-selling atheist manifesto The God Delusion was
at the centre of a growing row over religious tolerance yesterday
after the Turkish publishers of his book were threatened with legal
action by prosecutors who accuse it of ‘insulting believers’.

Erol Karaaslan, the founder of the small publishing house Kuzey
Publications, could face between six months and a year in jail for
"inciting hatred and enmity" if Istanbul prosecutors decide to press
charges over the book, which has sold 6000 copies in Turkey since it
was published this summer.

"A reader complained, saying that he wanted the book banned and the
publishers punished", said Mr Karaaslan after talks with the Istanbul
state prosecutor. Mr Karaaslan, whose company specialises in self-help
books and children’s literature, has been given a few days to prepare
a written statement of defence.

This is not the first time Dawkins has come up against the wrath
of the Turkish authorities. Published here in the mid-1990s, his
less confrontational book The Selfish Gene also faced problems,
with the Islamist government then in power trying to get it banned
from bookshops. The God Delusion, the fourth of Dawkins’ books to be
published in Turkish, sparked controversy with its damning approach
to religion and unashamed avowal of atheism. While some appreciated
his frankness, many questioned the book’s relevance to Turkish readers.

"It aims to explain atheism from the perspective of Christianity",
one amateur reviewer wrote, "and I don’t think that’s of much use in a
Muslim country, because Muslims are already aware of the contradictions
and oddities of Christianity as it is." Another writing on a popular
blogging website was more direct: "If I were God, I’d give Dawkins
a good smacking" they wrote.

Mr Karaaslan is by no means the first publisher to face
investigation in Turkey, a country that has become notorious over
the past two years for a slew of cases based on laws restricting
freedom of expression. Nobel prize-winning novelist Orhan Pamuk and
Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink were two of dozens of writers
to be charged last year under a controversial law that makes it a
crime to "insult Turkishness." Pamuk was acquitted. Dink – who was
murdered this January by a 17-year ultra-nationalist – was convicted.

The fact is, analysts say, that for all that it has a secular
constitution, Turkey remains a relatively conservative country. The
word atheist has only recently appeared in Turkish, but "godless"
still remains an insult here.

"Only 2% of the people we interviewed said they didn’t believe in God",
says Ali Carkoglu, co-author of a 2006 study of religious attitudes.

"Given that we had a 2% margin of error that could mean nobody",
he added.

"In any case it takes considerable courage for a Turk to admit to a
stranger that they are atheists."

In this atmosphere, writers like Richard Dawkins will invariably
cause a stir. Polls done last summer showed that only 25% of Turks
accepted evolutionary theory.

MINISTER OSKANAIN OFF TO TALLIN

armradio.am
03.12.2007 12:45

Today RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian left for the Republic of
Estonia for a working visit, MFA Press and Information Department
informs.

Minister Oskanian is expected to have meetings with the First
Vice-Speaker of the Estonian Parliament Kristiina Ojuland and Foreign
Minister Urmas Paet. Meetings with representatives of the Armenian
community and members of the Armenian-Estonian Parliamentary Friendship
Group are envisaged.

December 5-6 Minister Oskanian will leave for Moscow for a working
visit.

Mr. Oskanian is expected to meet with Russian Foreign Minister
Sergey Lavrov, the Secretary General of the Collective Security treaty
Organization Nikolay Bordyuzha, Heads of Diplomatic missions accredited
in Armenia, which have a set in Moscow. Vartan Oskanian will visit the
Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Federation, where he will deliver a
speech on "The reality of traditional and new directions of Armenia’s
complementary foreign policy."

December 7 Minister Oskanian will leave for Strasbourg for a working
visit.

Mr. Oskanian will have meetings with the Secretary General of the
Council of Europe Terry Davis, members of Ago Monitoring Group of
the CoE Foreign Ministers, as well as the President of the European
Court of Human Rights Jean Paul Costa.

December 8 Minister Oskanian will leave for Italy, where he will
meet with local authorities of the city of Conegliano, will visit
the Trade Chamber, the Association of producers and the wine-making
school. December 9 at the Academic Theatre of Conegliano Minister
Oskanian will be awarded a Civilitas Prize.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Friday, November 16, 2007

Berdj Terzian Named Honorary Chairman of AGBU Cairo Chapter

In recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to AGBU and the
Egyptian-Armenian community, Berdj Terzian has been conferred the title
of Honorary Chairman of AGBU Cairo.

Berdj Terzian’s involvement with AGBU goes back over half a century,
having joined the organization’s scout troupe in 1954. Ten years later,
he became a member and was appointed to the AGBU District Committee of
Egypt, of which he is chairman since 1988. In the interim, he held
various executive positions on this regional committee. As for the Cairo
Chapter, he has been a member of its executive committee at various
times and served as its chairman from 1992 to 2002.

Although much devoted to AGBU, Berdj Terzian has contributed his time
and energy over the years to other Armenian organizations, such as the
Diocesan and Executive Councils of the Armenian Prelacy of Cairo and the
Educational Council of the same, Board of Trustees of Noubarian National
School, "Arev" daily and its monthly Arabic Supplement.

A graduate of the Mekhitarist School of Cairo and Maronite Fathers’
School, Terzian received his higher education at Ain Shams University
and attended courses at the American University of Cairo. In 1969, he
founded his own press, African Press, which specializes in the
production of boxes and labels through offset printing. This firm became
transformed into a joint stock company in 1996 and, at the present time,
Terzian holds the position of Chairman and Managing Director of its
board of directors. He played a major role with the cooperation of the
Centennial Committee members in organizing the memorable AGBU Centennial
celebrations in Egypt last year.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with an
annual budget of $36 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in 35 countries.

ARMSWISSBANK GETTING READY FOR SECOND ISSUE OF CORPORATE BONDS OF ‘VALLETTA’ COMPANY

arminfo
2007-11-15 17:53:00

ArmInfo. The second issue of bonds of one of the leading multi-profile
Armenian companies, the "Valletta", will be shortly held.

Today, a contract was signed in ArmSwissBank on formation of a group
for placement of the second issue. The syndicate of underwriters
includes the ArmSwissBank, which comes out the main underwriter
of the issue, as well as the "TonTon", "Renessa", "Armenbrok" and
"Future Capital Market" investment- broker companies. On behalf of the
syndicate, an agreement was also signed between the company-emitter and
the ArmSwissBank on a guaranteed placement of the bonded loan. As the
ArmSwissBank’s press-service told ArmInfo, the volume of the second
issue of non-documentary coupon bonds of the "Valletta" Company
will make up 500 mln drams, divided by 10,000 securities with par
value of 50,000 each. The maturity of bonds makes up 24 months with
the annual rate of 10.5%. The coupon payments will be carried out
every 6 months. The bonds are guaranteed by the "Valletta" Company’s
property and envisage availability of additional guarantees by the
emitter-affiliated company, the "Star Glow" CJSC.

As Executive Director of ArmSwissBank Gevork Machanyan said, the
issues of the bonds of "Valletta" are unprecedented for the Armenian
market because they sufficiently exceed the circulated bonds in the
market not only by the volume and profitability, but also by the
mechanism of their initial placement through formation of a syndicate
of underwriters. By the agreement, the ArmSwissBank undertakes
acquisition of bonds to the sum of 100 mln drams, the "TonTon" –
100 mln drams, the "Renessa" – 100 mln drams, the "Armenbrok" and
"Future Capital market" – 50 mln drams each. The bonds with volume of
100 mln drams will be placed at the open market by underwriting. To
note, the first issue of the "Valletta" bonds to 350 mln drams with
the same parameters and the repayment term of 18 months was carried
out by ArmSwissBank in July, 2007. The securities underwent listing at
the Armenian Exchange ArmEx. "Initially, we targeted at active entry
of bonds in a secondary market, therefore, the ArmSwissBank was given
a license on May 30 for a broker-dealer and depositary activities",
G. Machanyan said.

He also said that in 2007, the bank became the underwriter of the
bonds issue to the total sum of 1.35 bln drams, 850 mln of which are
the bonds of the "Valletta" and 500 mln drams are the volume of debut
debt securities of the ACP mining company. "We succeeded to "form"
the maximum comfortable and attractive tools for investors both by
the level of profitability and liquidity, which we are ready to assure
continuously", G. Machanyan emphasized. According to the business-plan,
the bank intends to increase the issue of debt securities of different
emitters in 2008 to 2 bln drams.

As manager of financial programs of "Valletta" company Anna Gevorkyan
told ArmInfo correspondent, the funds gained from the bonded loans
will be directed to restructuring the sources of finance and reducing
the value of the company’s loan funds, to capital investments in
implementation of new programs and a small part -to the replenishment
of floating assets.

"Restructuring, factually, cheapening of loan funds became one of the
strategically important tasks of our company, which runs a fairly
successful and diversified business, A. Gevorkyan emphasized. The
capital investments are directed to the creation of a net of cafes
of the world- known Italian Segafredo Zanetti company in Armenia. It
will be based on the principles of franchising and floating assets are
necessary to increase import component of the company’s activity and
formation of sufficient supplies of commodities. To note, "Valetta"
company occupies leading places in the list of the largest taxpayers
in Armenia. Within the frames of the company there are a number of
refining productions, fast service facilities, restaurants, networks
of shops, firms importing household appliances.

ARF DASHNAKTSUTYUN WILL NOMINATE PRESIDENT

KarabakhOpen
14-11-2007 15:48:21

No elections are scheduled in Karabakh. In Armenia, however, the
presidential election is drawing nearer. The ARF Dashnaktsutyun decided
to nominate a candidate, and is going to choose a candidate between
two nominees. Recently, however, the ARF Dashnaktsutyun has been said
to give up the idea of nominating president forced by the political
situation in Armenia, and will support one of the "main" candidates.

Davit Ishkhanyan, representative of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Central
Committee, commented on this for Karabakh-Open.com.

"I was surprised to hear about it. I think those are mere rumors. We
commend the decision to nominate president, which was made in the
General Meeting held in Karabakh. I do not think that the decisions of
the meeting will be cancelled. Moreover, on November 30 the Supreme
Body of Armenia will hold a meeting in Yerevan where the candidate
of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun will become known. I think it is going to
be a difficult choice because both candidates are worthy."

INITIATIVE OF ZHARANGUTIUN FACTION ON APPLYING TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JOINED ONLY BY MPS OF OYP AND INDIVIDUAL MP VIKTOR DALAKIAN

Noyan Tapan
Nov 14, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The Republican Party of
Armenia faction of the RA National Assembly has refused and the
ARF Dashnaktsutiun and Barhavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia)
factions have not responded to the signature gathering initiated
by the Zharangutiun (Heritage) faction since October for the
purpose of applying to the Constitutional Court with regard to the
constitutionality of a number of provisions of the law on "Alienation
of Property for State Needs". This statement was made by Larisa
Alaverdian, a member of the Zharangutiun (Heritage) faction in the
November 13 sitting of the National Assembly. According to her,
besides the members of the above-mentioned faction the application
has been signed only by independent MP Viktor Dalakian and the members
of the Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) faction.

It should be mentioned that signatures of at least 27 MPs are necessary
for applying to the Constitutional Court, whereas Zharangutiun
(Heritage) and Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) have 7 and 8 MPs,
correspondingly.

SERGEY STANISHEV:" NOGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT CAN NOT BE ALWAYS FROZEN"

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 13 2007

"Nogorno Karabakh conflict is a painful problem for Azerbaijan,
Armenia and region". Sergey Stanishev, Bulgarian Prime Minister told
journalists, APA reports

Mr. Stanishev mentioned that he helped to the establishment of Prague
process when Bulgaria headed OSCE in 2004.

"I consider that constant decision should be made to ensure regional
cooperation. The conflict can not be always frozen. The sooner
solution variant for ensuring the development and stability is found,
the better it is," he said Mr. Stanishev noted that he will visit
Yerevan and stressed that he will say opinions sounded here in Yerevan.

"Bulgaria wants the development and stability of region as one of
the region countries and as a member of EU. Present situation is not
in the interest of Azerbaijanis and Armenians. There are a lot of
refugees in Azerbaijan as a result of Nogorno Karabakh conflict and
one part of country territory is not under control of authority.

Armenia can not establish economic relations with its neighbors
because it is blockaded, the conflict impede to the economic and
social development of this country."

Mr. Stanishev regarded talks on settlement of the conflict as a
difficult process and stressed the necessity of finding constructive
solution.

"I want to mention that Bulgaria and Greece waged a lot of wars for
territory and for the access of Aegean Sea for centuries. We are not
absolutely interested in our borders because the two countries are
the members of EU.

TURKEY INTERESTED IN TRANS-CASPIAN GAS PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION – GUL

Russia & CIS General Newswire
November 6, 2007 Tuesday 7:25 PM MSK

Turkey is interested in the implementation of the Trans-Caspian gas
pipeline project, Turkish President Abdullah Gul has said.

"We should attach primary importance to the construction of
a Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, and we need to cooperate with our
Turkmen brothers more actively to this end," Gul said at a joint press
conference with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev summing up the outcomes
of their negotiations in Baku on Tuesday.

Turkey would like to see peace in the South Caucasus as soon as
possible, including through the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict in a peaceful way, on condition that Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity is preserved, and Ankara is willing to contribute efforts
to this end, Gul said.

Gul thanked the Azeri leadership for supporting the non-recognized
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’s efforts to end its international
isolation.

Talking about economic cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan,
Gul said, "Our midterm goal is to increase trade turnover from the
current more than $1 billion to more than $3 billion," he said.

"Turkey is prepared to be involved in Azerbaijan’s economy more
actively through investment and trade and economic ties," he said.

Turkey hopes for the soonest possible implementation of the Baku-
Tbilisi-Kars railroad construction project, Gul said.

Gul also mentioned the establishment of a common Azeri-Turkish-
Georgian economic zone as a common goal for the three countries and
called for easing conditions for cargo transportation.

About 2,000 Turkish companies operating in Azerbaijan have invested
$2.5 billion in that country’s economy, Gul said. Turkish businesses
have made the largest investment in the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan,
and the overall volume of Turkish investment in Azerbaijan’s economy,
including the energy sector, amounts to $5 billion, he said.

KOCHARIAN THINKS THERE WILL BE NO DESTABILIZATION AHEAD OF Elections

Russia & CIS Presidential Bulletin
November 6, 2007

Armenian President Robert Kocharian has said he does not think that
the situation in Armenia could destabilize ahead the 2008 presidential
elections in the country.

I have always said in my speeches that I see no dangers here,
Kocharian said at a meeting with teachers of the Yerevan State
Medical University.

Life is getting better year after year. Problems, that we have had,
are now disappearing, the president said.

The status of the country has changed and today there is no anger or
depressed state of mind, he said.

Previously, some opposition politicians had tried to use this to push
people to rioting and illogical steps, Kocharian said.

The Armenian National Assembly elections that took place this May
showed that politicians who assume the most aggressive positions were
not elected to the parliament, Kocharian said. Political forces or
politicians that will show aggressiveness will just go bankrupt.

There is no place for them in politics. I am aware of this, the
Armenian president said.

Opposition is needed in country’s political life and it should
criticize, while the absence of opposition has a negative influence
on the country and weakens its competitiveness in the international
arena, the president said.

Kocharian’s speech was broadcast by the Armenian Public TV channel.