Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

ARKADY GHOUKASSIAN: ARTSAKH SHOULD RESTORE ITS POSITIONS IN KARABAKH TALKS

DE FACTO
24.07.08

On July 23 Nagorno-Karabakh Republic MFA celebrated its 15th
anniversary. On this occasion a meeting was held at the NKR
government’s hall with the participation of NKR first FM, NKR second
President Arkady Ghoukassian, heads and representatives of NKR power’s
executive and legislative branches and NKR’s representatives in
foreign countries. A delegation of RA MFA headed by RA Deputy FM Arman
Kirakosian also arrived in Stepanakert to participate in the measure.

NKR President Bako Sahakian congratulated NKR MFA staff. Bako
Sahakian’s congratulatory message ran, in part, " Foreign
policy has been and remains one of priority directions of our
Republic. Nagorno-Karabakh’s recognition by the international
community, protection of the people’s interests at the international
instances, conflict’s settlement exclusively in a peaceful way –
these are the issues NKR authorities and people face, so they should
be resolved without delay.

To efficiently solve the above-mentioned tasks one should join
the whole nation’s efforts, deepen cooperation with RA MFA, bring
relations with Diaspora still closer, and pay special attention to
the establishment of economic relations. A special place has been
spared both for NKR MFA and our representatives in foreign countries,
whose activity should be extraordinarily active and purposeful".

Then NKR FM Georgy Petrossian addressed those present. In his speech
he mentioned the way MFA had passed, achievements and tasks it faced
at the moment. As a strategic super task he mentioned Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic’s recognition.

NKR National Assembly Chair Ashot Gulian, RA Deputy FM Arman
Kirakosian, NKR PM Ara Harutyunian delivered a welcome speech. Ara
Harutyunian presented NKR first FM, NKR second President Arkady
Ghoukassian with an award for his great contribution to the case of
NKR MFA’s formation.

The day is momentous for NKR first FM. We asked Arkady Ghoukassian from
which the structure’s establishment had started. "We started from zero,
since we did not have professional diplomats, appropriate experience
and a right to make a mistake. A lot of people distrusted efficiency
of the Ministry’s activity, in part, in the issue of concentration
of international community’s attention to Artsakh.

However, we made the international community to take into consideration
Artsakh", the NKR first FM stated.

Arkady Ghoukassian is optimistic about further development of
situation around Karabakh conflict settlement. "I am convinced that
in the course of time we’ll manage to sit at the negotiating table
and much more efficiently uphold Artsakh’s interests".

"MFA initiated traditions of Artsakh diplom acy with its peculiarities
and subtleties", Arkady Ghoukassian noted. "We should restore our
positions in the negotiation process", Arkady Ghoukassian underscored.

According to ex President of NKR, conciliation in Karabakh conflict
is possible only on the basis of historical justice.

Congratulating NKR MFA staff on the holiday, Arkady Ghoukassian
wished Karabakh diplomacy wisdom and patience, since "issues are
not resolved quickly in diplomacy". "We should be able to realize
that it’s a long way, and we can face big difficulties on the way. We
should be ready to overcome them", NKR first FM, NKR second President
Arkady Ghoukassian added.
From: Baghdasarian

A LOOK BEHIND PURSUIT OF PEACE ON ALL FRONTS

Turkish Daily News
July 21 2008

Turkey’s peace efforts are all seen as a brand-new wave of diplomacy
in line with Washington’s interests, as well. ‘The agendas of Turkey
and the US in our neighborhood and beyond overlap to a large extent,’
read a Foreign Ministry document summarizing four-day ambassadorial
talks here. But the sustainability of this diplomacy remains to be seen

SERKAN DEMÄ°RTAÅ~^ ANKARA – Turkish Daily News

ARMENIA

The United States has been pressuring Turkey to open its border with
Armenia. The football World Cup qualifier between Turkey and Armenia
in September may provide the impetus for improvement.

CYPRUS

The intractable Cyprus problem has been a foreign policy headache
for decades. The government seems committed to a settlement and is
pushing for negotiations based on an agreement reached between the
sides in March this year.

IRAQ

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent visit and warm messages
sent to the northern Iraqi regional government points to the assumption
that a high-level meeting with Massoud Barzani may not be far off.

REGIONAL MEDIATOR

Peaceful relations between Turkey and its neighbors can be sustainable
only if relations other neighbors in the region are peaceful too. This
seems to be the leading motive for the government in taking the
initiative to aid the Syria-Israel reconciliation process and to seek
to assist in solving the Iran nuclear program crisis.

A four-day gathering of ambassadors representing Turkey worldwide
helped the government shape its short- and medium-term diplomacy
based on "seeking peace on all fronts, especially with neighbors,"
albeit its applicability remains to be seen as the ruling party risks
being disbanded.

Talks with Armenia, reunification efforts in Cyprus, rapprochement
with Iraqis including Iraqi Kurdish leaders, mediation efforts between
Israel and Syria and a facilitator role in the row over Iran’s disputed
nuclear program are all seen as part of this brand-new diplomacy,
which the United States and some European Union members openly support.

"It was reaffirmed that the agendas of Turkey and the United States
in our neighborhood and beyond overlap to a large extent and that
bilateral relations matter not only for the common interests of the two
countries but also for the promotion and maintenance of regional/global
peace, security and stability. The importance of sustaining the
momentum in the period ahead to enhance Turkish-U.S. relations in
every sphere was also emphasized," read the Foreign Ministry’s final
communiqué issued right after the ambassadors’ meeting late Friday.

In the light of this commitment, Turkey’s initiative to start talks
with Armenia, though secretly, cannot be seen as surprising. Washington
has long been pressing Turkey to open its borders with its neighbor
and resume diplomatic ties. U.S. diplomats have already begun pushing
President Abdullah Gul to visit Yerevan to watch a football match
between the national teams of the two countries early September.

Ankara’s to-do list

Another relevant move by Ankara was Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan’s visit to Baghdad and his warm messages to the Iraqi Kurdish
regional government. Obviously, this was also on Ankara’s to-do-list,
after concentrated talks with Washington. Not surprisingly, Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan or Foreign Minister Ali Babacan will
not hesitate to meet with Massoud Barzani, president of the semi
autonomous Kurdish administration, or his Prime Minister Nachirvan
Barzani, in the short run, though problems stemming from the lack of
cooperation against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK,
still remain unsolved.

Cyprus, as soon as possible

Another major issue that has been occupying the agenda of Turkish
diplomacy for almost four decades is the Cyprus problem and endless
unification talks throughout the years. But this time, the government
seems to be committed to a settlement.

"Turkey’s support for starting, as soon as possible, comprehensive
negotiations with a view to reaching a just and lasting settlement
in Cyprus in the context of the process initiated on March 21, 2008
was reaffirmed," the communiqué stated. The EU also prefers a quick
solution to the problem, which complicates Turkey’s negotiations with
the 27-nation bloc.

Regional mediation to continue

Apart from Turkey’s own diplomatic problems, the government will also
continue to mediate between regional rivals Israel and Syria and be
involved in aiding efforts to help diffuse nuclear tension with Iran.

"In light of Turkey’s particular relationship with the parties in the
region based on mutual trust and respect, the importance of continuing
active policies in the region toward achieving peace were emphasized,"
the communiqué said, supporting this view.

Sustainability of the diplomacy

But, there is a very important problem in maintaining the
sustainability of this diplomacy: How will Turkey’s foreign policy be
affected by a possible closure of the ruling Justice and Development
Party, or AKP, by the country’s top Constitutional Court?

All diplomats, foreign and Turkish, have the same question on their
minds. "It will surely have an effect on foreign policy. But it is
very hard to predict its magnitude from now," a Turkish diplomat
attending the ambassadors’ meeting told the Turkish Daily News on
condition of anonymity.

A foreign diplomat based in Ankara said he hoped to see the Foreign
Ministry take the initiative not to lose this track even if the court
disbands the AKP. "For example, the Israeli-Syrian talks… We’re
sure diplomats will do their best to let them continue under Turkey’s
control," the same diplomat said.

The expectation in the capital is that the top court will not
delay its verdict on the case and will announce it within weeks,
possibly in early August. If the court bans Erdogan from politics,
the government will collapse, a development that will start a process
for the formation of a new one.

–Boundary_(ID_RUm3DBjRNvjHg14F1KUZhA)–
From: Baghdasarian

WE KEEP IN CONTACT WITH ARMENIA FROM TIME TO TIME, BABACAN

Turkish Press
July 20 2008

ANKARA – Turkey`s Foreign Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks
Ali Babacan said Friday "Turkey keep in contact with Armenia from
time to time."

Ali Babacan and his Iranian counterpart Manuchehr Motaki held a
joint news conference following their tete-a-tete meeting in Ankara
on Friday.

Reminded about some news reports indicating direct talks between Turkey
and Armenia, Babacan said that "Turkey is a country that recognizes
Armenia. Within this framework, we keep in contact with Armenia from
time to time."

"I had a chance to meet the former Armenian foreign minister as well
as their new foreign minister in certain international meetings. From
time to time, Turkish diplomats meet their counterparts from Armenia,"
Babacan said.

"No doubt, this (diplomatic) traffic is important for the relations
between Turkey and Armenia. What is important is how to normalize
relations," Babacan said.

"There are problems. There are current problems and differences of
opinion on the incidents of 1915. We must handle all issues through
dialog," Babacan said.

Reminded about news reports that security advisers of NATO member
countries convened in Ankara, Babacan said that "it is true the
security advisers of NATO member countries meet from time to time. A
related meeting took place in Ankara on Thursday. The issues discussed
were international issues pertaining to NATO."

In reference to a question on tourism between Turkey and Iran, Babacan
said that "last year, around one million Iranians visited Turkey. The
number of Turks visiting Iran was less than one million. We discussed,
with Motaki, ways to promote tourism between our two respective
countries."

-MOTAKI-

Asked about Iran`s relations with the United States, Motaki said that
"in the past few years, many Americans from different fields wanted
to visit Iran. We support this process between the peoples of our
two countries."

"U.S. businessmen would like to conduct business with Iran. A group
of U.S. businessmen already operate in Iran. However, I would not be
able to give names due to the sensitivity of the issue," Motaki said.

"We proposed direct flights between Iran and the U.S.. We may hold a
meeting on would be direct flights and the opening of an U.S. interest
office in Tehran," Motaki said.

In regard to a question on the closure case filed against Turkey`s
ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, Motaki stressed that
"Turkey is an important country in the region with an important role. I
believe the leaders of Turkey would be able to overcome all matters."

In reference to a question on Turkish-Iranian relations, Motaki said
that the two countries must work to promote relations in all areas.

"The private sectors of Turkey and Iran have a role to play in
developing commercial relations. It is important to develop relations
out of the economy as well," Motaki said.

"Let us also talk about the media. Iran and Turkey have very active
media establishments. We can help you organize meetings, symposiums
and seminars," Motaki also said.
From: Baghdasarian

EUROPE NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS IN GEORGIA: EXPERTS

Trend News Agency
July 18 2008
Azerbaijan

Though Germany is ready to help resolve conflicts in Georgia, it is
hard to expect assistance from Europe in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict,
experts believe.

"It is hard to expect Europe (as a whole) helping to settle the
Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. That said, Europe (particularly Germany)
is more than happy to help advancement of political stability in
Georgia," Tomoyuki Hashimoto, the expert from London said.

On 17 July, the foreign minister of Germany visited Tbilisi to discuss
a plan for the resolution of Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. According
to media reports, the three-stage plan, developed by the group
of friends of the UN Secretary General on Georgia, envisages the
return of refugees to Gal region of Abkhazia, economic revival of
the self-declared republic and discussing status of Abkhazia.

"At this point, unfortunately, the EU is unlikely to curry out any
missions in Georgia other than to maintain the status-quo. The EU
lacks leadership in the conflict resolution," Hashimoto, member of the
World International Studies Association at the Standford University
said to TrendNews.

According to the German expert Alexander Rar, Germany offers
three-staged resolution of the Abkhaz conflict. "Germany is also ready
to act as a chief sponsor of the economic revival of Abkhazia," Rar,
director of program of Russia and CIS of the German Council on Foreign
Policy said to TrendNews.

The Russian expert Vladimir Zharikhin believes that EU and West
demonstrated their opportunities in the resolution of such conflicts
in case of Kosovo and if such mediation efforts suit Georgia, the
choice up to it.

"Unlike the European countries, Russia does not recognize the
independence of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Trans
Dniester, but the European union demonstrated its position on this
issue in case of Kosovo. If such principal resolution suits Georgia,
then it has a right to appeal for the mediation efforts of West,"
Zharikhin, deputy director of the CIS Institute said to TrendNews.

The expert said that the status of Abkhazia should not be discussed
yet. "The status should be determined at the end of the peacekeeping
process suggested by the foreign minister of Germany. All development
options should remain open and sovereignty of the break-away republics
as well. The first step which Berlin supports is the refusal of the
Georgian, Abkhazian and Russian authorities to solve the conflict by
force," Rar said.

According to Zharikhin, peacekeepers have carried out only mission in
the Georgian and Abkhazian and the Georgian and South Ossetia conflict
zones, which stipulated prevention of military conflict between the
sides. "Their task is to prevent military actions and they are still
doing in spite of losses," he said.

"Generally, there is low probability for military actions in the
region, because Georgia lacks real opportunities to hold large scale
actions. It does not exclude the continuation of provocations,
such as terror attacks, and major task of peacemakers, which are
reinforced at the administrative border between Abkhazia and Georgia,
is to defeat these attacks," Zharikhin said.

After the collapse of the USSR, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which
hold autonomous status within the Georgian SSR, declared their
independence. Following the military conflict, resulting in the loss
of Georgia’s control over this territory, unsuccessful peace talks
are being held. Tbilisi offers large autonomy within Georgia, whilst
separatists do not agree with this proposal.
From: Baghdasarian

REPRESENTATIVES OF TURKEY AND ARMENIA HELD SECRET TALKS

DeFacto Agency
July 18 2008
Armenia

The representatives of Turkey and Armenia held secret talks devoted
to the normalization of relations between the two countries.

There are no diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia; the
border between the two countries has been closed for the last 15 years,
RIA Novosti reports quoting Turkish Hurriyet newspaper.

"The talks started in Bern on July 8 and were held during a few days
in strict secrecy", the newspaper says calling the dialogue historic.

There has been no information concerning the talks’ details. According
to Hurriyet, at the talks the Turkish delegation was headed by a
high-ranking official representing MFA.

Turkish FM Ali Babacan, commenting Hurriyet’s publication, neither
confirmed nor refuted the information.

"From time to time we meet with our Armenian colleagues. The
negotiation schedule is quite important", Turkish FM told journalists
in Ankara.

"There are some questions between us, differences in estimation of
events that took place in 1915. However, we believe that all the
problems existing between the two countries should be settled via
talks", Babacan added.
From: Baghdasarian

PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN CONGRATULATES PERCH ZEYTUNTSIAN ON HIS 70-TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

ARMENPRESS
JULY 18

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan sent a message today to famous
Armenian author Perch Zeytuntsian to congratulate him on his 70-th
birth anniversary. According to the government public relations and
information department, the congratulatory message reads as follows:
"Dear Perch Armenaki, I congratulate you heartily on the occasion of
your 70-th birth anniversary. You have developed a brilliant creative
biography. Having entered the world of literature in 1960-s you
brought with you a new breath revealing in a new way the inner world
of contemporary individuals and their spiritual world, which were
related largely to radical changes taking place at that time within
the society. Your characters, citizens and humans at the same time,
were the direct bearers of those changes.

Your interests are many, in terms of genres and topics- feature prose,
historical novels, dramas, publicist activity and so on. Your plays
have been performed by theaters for years, having not lost their
significance and continuing to bring spiritual pleasure to audience.

Your contribution of a public figure is great too. Serving for
many years as secretary of the Union of Armenian Writers and as a
culture minister you contributed to boosting cultural and public
life. Today you are as persistent, as a brilliant representative of
the intellectual community, as years ago showing vivid interest also
in our country’s development and achievements.

I once again congratulate you on this occasion wishing you good health
and a life full of new creative achievements."
From: Baghdasarian

IS MPs’ ARREST WARRANTED?

A1+
18 July, 2008

"One hundred days is too short to expect fundamental changes from a
president of any country. President’s post is really an important
and responsible one," Speaker of the RoA National Assembly Tigran
Torossian shared the opinion on Serzh Sarkissian’s 100-day office
upon the request of journalists.

" A hundred days is not enough to estimate the radical changes made in
the country. It is necessary to evaluate all the steps which were taken
during those hundred days. We should not forget that the hundred days
began with the "unfortunate events" of March 1 which cannot be ignored
while assessing the first hundred days of the president’s tenure.

Surely, the tension is significantly relieved but there is still a
lot to be done to eliminate it fully."

Tigran Torossian noted that the parliament and the government have
worked at full over this period, and it should be viewed in the
context of the first hundred days of the president.

"It is a very interesting period for Armenia. On the one hand,
there is a possibility to change the country qualitatively and reach
new achievements, and on the other hand, the country faces serious
challenges and threats."

The NA Speaker says Armenia has 6 or 7 months’ time, not more, to
understand which path to take. In his opinion, the programmes set
forth by the president, the parliament and the government will prove
effective. Everything possible was done during those hundred days,
serious programmes were set forward and tension mitigated. However,
there is serious work to be done.

"None of the Armenian parliamentarians would like his colleagues to
be arrested," Tigran Torossian said in reply to A1+. We asked the
NA Speaker whether over the past four months, after the arrest of
the three Armenian MPs Hakob Hakobian, Sasun Mikayelian and Miasnik
Malkhassian, the Speaker tried to find out whether the detainees
have been interrogated and whether any charges have been brought
against them.

Tigran Torossian said "he wishes those people were in freedom and
were not accused of crime. Generally, no MP wishes his colleague to
stand trial."

Tigran Torossian says he has made inquiries from the prosecutor
general. Moreover, he is well aware of the meeting of the ad hoc
committee and the detained MPs. "I was assured that there are serious
grounds for their arrest and charges will be brought against them in
the nearest future."

Today Tigran Torossian dispelled the rumours about his upcoming
resignation.

To remind, it is rumoured that the NA Speaker is going to resign and
Head of the RoA President’s Administration, Hovik Abrahamian, will
"take up the post." Torossian says he is aware of those reports and
knows how they are ordered. However, Tigran Torossian said he is
From: Baghdasarian

NEW GUIDE STANDS IN GYUMRI

A1+
17 July, 2008

New information stands have been placed in the central square of
Gyumri. They are to serve as guides to tourists, who visit the amazing
historical and natural monuments in Gyumri. The initiator of this
project is Richard Nye, Director of the Armenian Monuments Awareness
Project. "We turned to the United States Agency for International
Development’s Comparative Armenian Private Sector (USAID/CAPS) program
a year ago, presenting this idea, and due to their assistance we
managed to start it," Nye says. "VivaCell became a cooperate sponsor,
complementing the sponsorship of Italy’s Honorary Consul to Gyumri
Antonio Montalto, and the support of the Ministry of Culture. Further
assistance comes from the International Council on Monuments and Sites
(ICOMOS)/Armenia non-governmental organization".

"Due to this assistance people in Armenia can not only know their
culture and preserve it, but also understand certain things related to
culture," Nye says. The first stage of the project will put information
boards at Garni, Khor Virap, Zvartnots, Noravank and will lead guests
on a self-guided walking tour to Historic Gyumri.

The installation of signboards is consonant with the UNESCO
requirements to supply Armenian monuments included in the list of
world monuments with explanatory boards.

As a constituent part of the project on July 26 Gyumri is going to
hold a festival under the heading "Renaissance in Gyumri", which will
be held on Ghorghanyan Str. The festival aims to represent the past,
present and future of Historic Gyumri.
From: Baghdasarian

EUROPEAN OFFICIAL NOTES SLOW PROGRESS OF PROBE INTO ARMENIAN POST-ELECTION UNREST

Aravot
July 16 2008
Armenia

The investigation of the March post-election unrest in the Armenian
capital is "too slow", Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner
Thomas Hammarberg said at a news conference in Yerevan on 15 July.

"Unfortunately, policemen have not become at this stage an object of
the investigation" of the death of 10 people in the 1 March clashes
between opposition protesters and police in Yerevan, Aravot daily
quoted Hammarberg as saying.

Hammarberg also criticized the Armenian government for the failure
to fully comply with Resolution 1620 of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe that urged democratic reforms.

Hammarberg said he was concerned over long-term arrests of opposition
members following the March disturbances, Aravot said. "I have voiced
concern over the fact that some of the political activists have been
in detention for four-and-a-half months already, the terms of their
detention have been prolonged and their cases have not yet gone
to court," Aravot quoted Hammarberg as saying. "I suggested to the
government – let them quickly send all their cases to court if they
have evidence, otherwise let them release them."

Hammarberg said that according to the PACE resolution adopted in
June, "no verdict should be issued based on testimonies of policemen
alone". However, this provision of the resolution is not being complied
with, he said.

Hammarberg said that the participation of foreign experts in the work
of the Armenian parliamentary commission for the investigation of
the 1 March events was still under discussion. "I will not be able to
ensure experts from abroad if I myself am not sure that the procedure
is reliable, independent and impartial," Aravot quoted him as saying.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe issued a resolution
urging democratic reforms in Armenia following the post-election
unrest in Yerevan on 1-2 March. The PACE extended the term of the
implementation of the reforms till January 2009 adopting a follow-up
resolution at its June session.
From: Baghdasarian

‘POT OF GOLD,’ AN ARMENIAN FOLKTALE

Staten Island Advance – SILive.com
July 15 2008
NY

Once upon a time, a poor peasant was just about to plow his fields
when he discovered that his ox had died. So he visited his neighbor
and made him an offer.

"Since I have no ox to pull my plough, I wonder if you would like to
lease my field," he asked.

The neighbor agreed, and so he and his ox ploughed the field that
spring.

As they were working, the plough suddenly struck something hard. The
neighbor bent down, expecting to find a rock in the dirt, but he
discovered instead a large copper pot. When he lifted the rusting lid,
he was amazed to discover the pot brimmed with hundreds of gold coins.

The neighbor ran at once to tell the peasant the wonderful news. "I’ve
discovered a pot of gold on your land," the neighbor said. "Come,
you must see this, for it is yours."

"Nonsense," the peasant argued. "You paid me to use the land. Whatever
you discover as you till the soil must certainly belong to you."

"Don’t be a fool," said the neighbor.

"You’re the one who’s the fool," the peasant said. "The gold is yours."

Together they went out to the field. The peasant was delighted to
see the gold, but then their argument continued, until at last they
decided they must take their quandary to the king. He would decide
who the rightful owner was.

At the palace the two men took their turns presenting their case to
the king.

Now when the king heard that a pot of gold had been discovered in his
kingdom, he knew exactly who must own that gold. He stood up and said,
"The gold is mine! After all, it was discovered in my kingdom, and
everything in this kingdom belongs to me."

The peasant and his neighbor bowed their heads, but they could not
argue with the king. Instead they told him where exactly he would
find the pot. The king at once set off with his servants to fetch it.

When they reached the field, the king dismounted his horse and knelt
down beside the old copper pot. He could not wait to touch those
marvelous coins. But when he opened the lid, he saw not a pot of
gold but a pot filled with hissing snakes. He quickly slammed the
lid closed.

He was furious. "Arrest the peasant and his neighbor," the king cried
to his servants. "Take them to the dungeon. I shall have their heads
for playing this trick on their king!"

The servants arrested the two men, but from their cells they cried
out, begging to talk to the king, and at long last they were brought
before him.

"We have done nothing wrong," they insisted.

"You sent me to a pot of snakes," the king said.

"Your majesty," said the neighbor, bowing low. "I beg your pardon,
but you must have looked in the wrong pot. The pot I found buried in
my friend’s land is a pot filled with gold. I saw it with my own eyes."

Now the king thought he must have found the wrong pot, and so he
ordered his servants to take the two men to the land. "You will watch
them look into the pot and return to tell me what is there."

The servants led the peasant and his neighbor to the spot. Sure enough,
when they reached the pot and opened the lid, there were hundreds of
shimmering coins.

The servants quickly returned to the palace. "Your majesty," they said,
"the men are right. The pot is filled with gold!"

"Take me there!" the king commanded, and so again he traveled to
the field. He opened the lid, but as before, the pot was full of
writhing snakes.

"What kind of fool do you take me for?" cried the king.

The servants could only look at the ground. "Your majesty, we saw
the gold. We cannot explain."

"Call the wise men," said the king. "I wish to hear what they
say. Bring the peasant and his neighbor, too."

The wise men came to the court and heard the tale. "Your majesty,"
they said, "you must promise not to punish us for what we are about
to tell you."

"Tell me!" the king roared. "I promise you shall not be punished
for wisdom."

And so the wise men began. "The farmers received a pot of gold for
their hard work and honest ways," said the wise men. "The gold is
their reward. Alas, anyone who tries to steal another’s fortune will
discover that reward will turn into punishment."

Now the king felt ashamed. Still, he had one more question. "And so
who rightfully owns the pot?" he asked.

"The landowner!" cried the neighbor who had tilled the earth.

"No, the man who does the work," argued the peasant.

The wise men held up their hands. "Quiet," they said. "Tell us
this. Which one of you has a son or a daughter?"

The neighbor smiled at the thought. "I have a beautiful daughter,"
he said wistfully, thinking of the child he loved so well who had
grown to be a bright and sweet-tempered young woman.

The peasant stood up proudly. "And I have a handsome son," he said,
thinking of his son who had grown to be a kind and thoughtful
young man.

Now the wise men whispered among themselves until they had reached
a decision.

"This is our answer, then," they said. "The pot of gold shall be a
wedding present to your son and your daughter."

The neighbor and the peasant looked at each other, their eyes
alight. They introduced their children to each other, and the peasant’s
son and the neighbor’s daughter happily fell in love.

They were married, and as a wedding gift, their fathers gave them
the big pot of gold, their reward for honest labor and true love.

Tell Me A Story, which appears on Tuesdays in the Relationships
section of the Advance, is adapted by Amy Friedman and illustrated
by Jillian Gilliland.
From: Baghdasarian