Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

SAAKASHVILI MAY SUFFER THE SAME LOT AS GAMSAKHURDIA AND SHEVARNADZE
Analytical Department

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.11.2007 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Everything depends on how the demonstration passes,
whether there are any victims or not. On October 17 the opposition
signed a manifesto on unification, which aims at Saakashvili’s
dethronement. The manifesto was signed by 10 oppositional unions;
the Republican, the Conservative, the Labor Party, the Freedom Party,
the Party "Georgia’s Path", People’s Party, Pan-Georgian Movement,
the National Forum Party, "We Ourselves" and Kartuli Dasi".

It should be mentioned that after Georgia proclaimed its independence,
no President has served the Presidential terms till the end. Perhaps,
Saakashvili may also suffer the same lot as Gamsakhurdia and
Shevarnadze. And this time the matter is not in the big financial
inflow of the USA. Some actions of the current Georgian President
are hard to explain, especially when the thing concerns its relations
with Russia. The latest demarche of Tbilisi is again connected with
the Russian peacekeepers in Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone. The
Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs made an announcement which put
the whole blame of the incident on the Georgian side, which perhaps
is not unreasonable. "On October 30 during the realization of one
of missions on patrol of the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone stated
in the warrant of CIS Collective Forces a group of peacekeepers has
been stopped in the region of Ganardziis-Mukhuri by Georgian spetsnaz
special sub-unit. As the peacekeepers had tried to continue their way,
the Georgian military men took the fire positions, and their commander
Capitan T. Khurtsia prevented the advancement of the Russian APC,
offended the peacekeeping forces threatening to burn the armored car
and open fire on the Russian peacekeepers.

The senior patrol of CIS Collective Forces ordered to arrest and
disarms the Georgian soldiers, who had tried to impede the regular
realization of the mission according to their mandate. It is beyond
doubt that the actions of the Georgian leadership and President
Saakashvili in particular mostly are determined by the internal
political situation of the country. Protests of the opposition against
the policy carried out by the authorities grow and the rating of the
President sinks. As it often happens during the crisis in the country
the leaders of the country try to solve the problems of the country
by distracting people from them with demonstrations. At a time when
mass meetings organized by Georgian opposition are anticipated, it is
not excluded that Saakashvili will apply to more abrupt measures for
creating more complications in Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-Ossetia
conflict zone and further tension in Georgian-Russian relationships",
says RF Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The opposition wants to see Georgia as a parliamentary-presidential
republic: achieve prescheduled parliamentary elections, win in those
elections, redesign the constitution and deprive Saakashvili from
power. Such variant is quite possible taking into consideration
that Washington continuously its calls for Saakashvili to show some
restraints.

According to the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza,
"There is nothing disapproving in the activeness of opposition’s
activities". It is quite possible that the Assistant Secretary in
Tbilisi Daniel Fried will also say his word regarding the same issue.

The experts have mentioned more than once that in spite of the loyalty
that Saakashvili enjoys, the USA has already started to look for
his substitute.

"Saakashvili’s regime is held up by three columns; revenge towards the
Abkhazia and South Ossetia, anticorruption fight and the US support,"
announced the political scientist Alexander Skakov. By the way,
the last factor is the most important one for the electorate: the
Georgians are paternalists and their need for a protector is quite
big. This is why Washington’s first symptom of rejecting Saakashvili
will be the announcement about the postponement of Georgia’s entrance
to NATO. The European representatives of the alliance already speak
of it, but only the announcement from the US will be the sign for
the opposition. "Technical" training for the action has been held
among the European diplomats as well: the opponents of Saakashvili
gathered the whole diplomatic stuff in the French Embassy in Tbilisi
to give information about the "current situation".

But the most important thing is money. Sponsorship has been offered
by Badri Patarkatsishvili. Lately, the entrepreneur announced that
he is going to pass the copyright of the oppositional TV Channel
"Imedi" belonging to him to the American media-magnate Rupert
Murdock. Patarkatsishvili thinks this is safer: "I want to protect
the TV Channel from pressure.

Journalists and the TV Channel will be more protected, if the Channel
is under the US control. Murdock will be able to secure the freedom
of speech." Meanwhile, according to Ruben Safrastyan, Saakashvili’s
regime exists exceptionally on the US financial aid. "Even if the
opposition manages to depose him, nothing will ever change in Georgia,"
he emphasized.
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA DEFEATS TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN

A1+
[12:35 pm] 02 November, 2007

Armenia’s chess team won over Turkey 2.5:1.5 at the fifth round of
the European Team Championship.

Armenian GM Vladimir Hakobian enjoyed victory while Levon Aronian,
Gabriel Sargsian and Smbat Lputian played a tie.

Russia defeated Azerbaijan 3.5:0.5 thus becoming a sole leader.

The men’s chess team of Armenia advanced to the 10th place, gaining
7 points in team competitions and 12 points in individual games.

Armenia is to compete with Hungary at the sixth round.

Our team stands a good chance to take a prize-winning place. The team
lacks only one point to outnumber Israel, Slovenia and Azerbaijan
taking the second place.

The women’s chess team of Armenia defeated Azerbaijan 2.5:1.5. Elina
Danielian and Lilit Mkrtchian celebrated victory among the women
chess players.

Currently, the team takes the 12th place with 6 points in team
competitions and 11 points in individual games. The fixture table is
led by Poland.
From: Baghdasarian

GIBRAHAYER
e-magazine The largest circulating Armenian e-magazine

Circulates every Wednesday
Established in 1999

BILL IN A COMA

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Backers of a resolution to formally name the
1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turks a genocide said on Thursday
they would postpone efforts to bring it to a vote in the U.S. House of
Representatives.
The sponsors conveyed their decision in a letter to House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi, after support for the controversial resolution support
faltered in the face of vehement protests from NATO ally Turkey.
But the four chief co-sponsors who wrote the letter did not
totally give up on the proposal, which Armenian-Americans have sought
to pass in the House for years but is strongly opposed by the Bush
administration.
The sponsors asked Pelosi not to schedule a vote "at this time,"
but said they would continue to work for "consideration sometime later
this year, or in 2008."
The resolution passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on
October 10 and seemed destined for speedy consideration by the whole
House of Representatives.
Turkey recalled its ambassador in protest and warned of grave
damage to U.S.-Turkish relations and a reduction in military
cooperation, if the House passed it. Turkey provides key logistical
support to U.S. troops in Iraq, with much of the cargo that is flown to
the Americans going through a Turkish air base.
Turkey accepts that many Armenians were killed in World War One,
but denies they were victims of a systematic genocide.
&nbs p; "We believe that a large majority of our colleagues want to
support a resolution recognizing the genocide on the House floor and
that they will do so, provided the timing is more favorable," said the
letter to Pelosi, which her office released.
It was signed by four Democrats who were leading sponsors of the
resolution — Adam Schiff, Brad Sherman and Anna Eshoo of California,
and Frank Pallone of New Jersey.
A Pelosi spokesman said she respected the judgment of the sponsors
on the timing of the vote. She has long advocated passage of such a
resolution.
250 ARMENIAN ACTIVISTS FROM 29 COUNTRIES
GATHER IN BRUSSELS TO PROMOTE HAY TAD

(eafjd.org) – The Second Convention of European Armenians ended on the
16th October 2007. During the conference, European Armenians showed
their keen interest in current European policies and issues.
Mr Joseph Daul, the chairman of the EPP group and Mr Franco
Frattini, the Vice-President of the European Commission, inaugurated
the prestigious ceremony. The solemn and deep words of Aram the Ist,
the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, also strongly impressed
the attentive audience.
After the strong speech of Mr Vartan Oskanian, the Minister for
Foreign Affairs in Armenia, emotion dominated the first session
dedicated to `20 years of friendship’ when the pioneers for the
Armenian Cause who acted 20 years ago for the adoption of the 1987
resolution, symbolically honoured those MEP’s who voted for the
historical resolution.
The second session of October 16 was dedicated to defining the
factors of peace and stability in the South Caucacus: the European
Neighbourhood Policy, the Black Sea Synergy, the Karabagh conflict and
the rights of Armenians in Javakhk (Georgia). The speeches of 3 MEPs,
Mrs Oomen-Ruijten, Mr Tannock and Mr Friedrich aroused great debate on
the issue of Turkey’s admission into Europe.

`The attendees appreciated the opportunity to have a real
exchange of ideas with Mrs Oomen-Ruijten, the reporter on Turkey, on
the clear evocation in the proposed resolution of the Turkish
government’s denial of the Armenian genocide. Europeans are expecting
that the resolution reflects the truth on Turkey; the silence on the
issues that embarrass the Turkish leaders has to be broken’ declared
Hilda Tchoboian, the chairperson of the European Armenian Federation.
The 3rd session was dedicated to the growing list of nations
that have recognised the Armenian Genocide. The speakers underlined the
need to develop efficient means to promote recognition in Europe. The
Convention welcomed with enthusiasm the recent recognition of the
genocide by the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.
The Convention ended with the adoption of a final declaration in which
it stressed that the Neighbourhood Policy towards the South Caucasus
throws down `the bases of a European regional strategy which aims to
the economic integration without impediment with Europe’ and that the
Black Sea Synergy should not be `centralised on Turkey, a country
unable to assume a regional leadership in the current conditions’. The
declaration also tackles the Turkish issue by decreeing that `accession
negotiations should be governed by the fair recognition of the Armenian
genocide’ and that Turkey should be obliged to recognise the `Armenian
people’s unalienable rights’.
In conclusion, the declaration reminds us that `the European
Armenians will be out-posted in the fight for Justice, in all the
situations that Europe will have to confront, because they are
convinced that the European Parliament is, primarily, the Conscience of
European peoples’. The declaration, pictures and speeches will be
progressively integrated onto the website A detailed
release on the development and the speeches made during the conference
will soon be published.

TURKS SET CARS ALIGHT AND DESTROY AN ARMENIAN PUB IN BRUSSELS

The Brussels Journal – From the desk of Paul Belien on Wed, 2007-10-24
– Heavy rioting erupted in Turkish quarters of Brussels, the capital of
Belgium. Buses and trams were attacked. Several cars were torched and
shops destroyed. Police forces were unable to restore law and order in
the boroughs of Sint-Joost-ten-Node and Schaarbeek where since last
Sunday the animosity among Turks is running high. Turkish flags are
omnipresent. In some streets the Turkish crescent and star adorns
almost every house.
The Turks’ anger was provoked by rising tension with Kurds along
the Iraqi-Turkish border and by the debate in the American Congress
about the Turkish genocide of the Armenians in 1915. On Sunday night
Turkish youths in Sint-Joost destroyed the pub of Peter Petrossian, an
ethnic Armenian who had to flee for his life. Apparently, some Turks
think that by attacking the Armenians in Brussels they can convince the
world that the Turks never committed a genocide of the Armenians.
Tonight the youths attacked Kurdish shops. They also set fire to
several cars.
QUILT EXHIBITION IN NICOSIA

A Quilt Exhibition organised by ‘Hands and Hearts Group’ of ladies
(headed by Mrs Nouritsa Nadjarian) at the Utudjian Hall of The Armenian
Prelature in Nicosia was a great success and managed to raise 1,687
pounds for the Noramark Kindergarten Project

The exhibition was inaugurated by Mrs. Maggie Mahdessian wife of the
Armenian Representative in the Cyprus Parliamenton on Saturday 27 Oct.
at 4 pm.

Images from this innnovative event can be seen by clicking on the image
below or by clicking on
Exhibition

Would you like to receive the Greek language publication of Azad Or?
Contact Gibrahayer e-magazine

News in brief
Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad has said that the Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline, which is currently under construction, might be extended
to export gas to Europe. The pipeline was originally designed to
deliver Iranian gas to Armenia, but Iran welcomes the idea of using it
for transiting gas to Europe, Ahmadinezhad said in an interview with
Armenian Public TV.
Meghri-Kapan highway having a length of 80 km was opened on 27th of
October. It will allow for year round automobile communication with our
neighbor Iran. The new road will make it possible for vehicles weighing
up to 80 tons to pass through.
Longtime Armenian leader Levon Ter-Petrosian said that he will run for
president in elections early next year, seeking to return to office a
decade after he was forced out. Ter-Petrosian, who was president of the
former Soviet republic from 1991-1998, announced his candidacy at an
opposition rally that drew more than 10,000 people to a square in
central Yerevan.
The leadership of the National Assembly, members of Government,
Deputies and Staff laid flowers at the memorial to the victims of
October 27, paying tribute to the memory of the victims of the terrible
events at the National Assembly eight years ago.
After serving 8 years in prison for second-degree murder, controversial
pathologist Jack Kevorkian, 79, is now out on parole and talking to HBO
Films for a project about his medical practice. Kevorkian is known for
assisting in over 130 suicides and strongly believes that terminally
ill patients should have the right to die if they so choose.
Kevorkian, nicknamed "Dr. Death", received a 10- to 25-year sentence
after he willingly sent a video tape of him euthanizing a terminally
ill man to CBS’s "60 Minutes" in 1999.

MESSAGE FROM TURKISH HACKERS TO THE LEADER OF DIKO PARTY MARIOS
GAROYIAN "F-U Armenian"

The Cyprus Mail Internet edition – A Turkish Internet user hacked into
the website of DIKO’s youth organisation NEDIK and left an obscene
message referring to party leader Marios Karoyan’s Armenian background.
A statement from NEDIK yesterday condemned the cyber attack, which
brought down their site’s chat forum, leaving only the message `Turkish
Hackers: f-k you Armenian’. The hacker’s internet handle was `Turkbey’.
A hacker website lists Turkbey 29th in its top 50 list with 103 hacks
including, it claims, the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation leaving
the message `Hacked by Turkhackteam’, although the organisation’s
website was working as normal yesterday.

KEEP THE WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 1OTH & 11TH FREE FOR THE 3rd MOUFFLON BOOK
EXHIBITION IN NICOSIA

If you like to browse, rummage or leaf through a book, the out-of-print
book fair is the place for you.
If you like first editions, interesting signatures, beautifully
designed dustjackets, bookmarks, pictorial calendars, diaries and
bookplates,
then you will need ample time to go through the displays. There will be
books for all interests and for all ages.
There will also be a selection of books in languages other than in
English.
An established bookseller, Vernon Askew, will be present to answer
questions on all aspects of old books, and how to start collecting.
Lellos Book Binder will be present to advise on how to restore your
own books, and orders can be placed for your own book plates.

TO PRESERVE ARMENIAN & CHRISTIAN IDENTITIES

Rev. Krikor Aghabaoghlou inspired the Armenian community in Cyprus and
challenged them for one week to `press on’ with their struggle to
preserve the Armenian and Christian identities. His real-life message
filled with passion and compassion for Christ and Armenianness was very
inspiring. He touched on ground realities by exposing the situation of
the Armenian community in Istanbul and the remote cities and towns in
Turkey. He portrayed not only the struggle for survival but also the
struggle for truth and justice. His ministry and mission are
undoubtedly exemplary.
Rev. Krikor Aghabaoghlou’s visit to Cyprus lasted from October 7
to14, 2007. He delivered three lectures in the three main cities of
Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol. He was also the guest preacher on
Saturday at the service of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Nicosia.
During his stay, Rev. Krikor Aghabaoghlou visited the Armenian
Prelacy and met with His Eminence Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian,
Primate of Cyprus. He then visited the Armenian member of Parliament in
Cyprus, Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian, who had undertaken Krikor’s visa
formalities to Cyprus.
Rev. Krikor got acquainted with the Armenian community in Cyprus
by visiting the various institutions and organizations. He visited the
Kalayjian Home for the old, met with the elderly in the center and
encouraged them with the Word of God. It was, indeed, an emotional
moment for the old Armenian residents of the center to see a person
coming from historical Armenia.
The special audience with the students of the Nareg Armenian
School in Nicosia was full of excitement. Rev. Krikor encouraged the
students to keep firm in their love for the Armenian language,
commitment for Christ and His Church. He then visited the headquarters
of the Armenian organizations in Nicosia and met with the leadership of
the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Young Men’s Association
(Homenetmen), and Nor Serount Cultural Association.
The Armenian radio program of the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation
interviewed Rev. Krikor for 45 minutes, and the interview was broadcast
on Saturday, October 13. Rev. Aghabaoghlou also met with the editors of
the three Armenian publications and e- news in Cyprus: Artzakank, Azad
Tzayn and Gibrahayer.
Rev. Krikor Aghabaoglou is the pastor of the Armenian Evangelical
Church in Gedik Pasha, Bolis. His visit to Cyprus was organized by the
Armenian Evangelical Church in Cyprus.

C O N F E R E N C E
THE MINORITIES OF CYPRUS: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
24 & 25 November, European University`Cyprus, Nicosia

The European University ` Cyprus. The conference will focus on the
Maronite, Armenian and Latin minorities. The following will presnet
papers on the Armenian community of Cyprus. Dr.Sossy Kassparian,
Dr.Vartan Ozinian and Dr. Susan Pattie Chilingirian.

Sports news

The much anticipated football game between newly formed Lippenza and
AYMA/Homenetmen for the second division of the Amateur League was
played at Makarion Stadium auxiliary grounds with Lippenza running out
winners 4-2.
Yanos Kouyoumdjian was defeated in the semis and Edmond Aynedjian in
the quarters of the Development Tennis Championships that took place at
the National Tennis Center on Saturday 27 October.
The World Boxing Rating Championship is being held in Chicago.
Sportsmen, who have taken first eight places, will be awarded the
"Beijing-2008" olympic passes. Among Armenian sportsmen are Azat
Hovhannisian (57kg), Edward Hambardzumian (64kg) and Andranik Hakobian
(75kg) have gained victories in the start, and Hovhannes Danielian
(48kg) was defeated and did not qualify.
Derenik Gijlarian (51kg) will fight on October 25.
Tennis results: Famagusta Open Tennis Championships – Over 35 singles
Finals: Simon Aynedjian – Athos Anthimos, 6-2, 7-5. Paphos Open
Championships – Over 35 singles Finals; Simon Aynedjian – Andreas
Georgiades, 6-0, 6-3
All other results at www dot cyprustennis dot com

AUSTRIAN FOOD FESTIVAL AT THE CYPRUS HILTON –
DETAILS AT

g i b r a h a y c a l e n d a r & e v e n t s

Wednesday 7 November at 7:30 pm – The Armenian National Committee Of
Cyprus is organising an event where Vartkes Yeghiayan will be talking
about Genocide litigation. Yeghiayian is the lawyer who filed lawsuits
against New York Life Insurance and Axa on behalf of the heirs of
Armenian genocide victims and collected $47.5 million on their behalf.
He is currently pursuing similar lawsuits against Deutch Bank and
Victoria Insurance companies. The event will take place at the Utudjian
Hall of the Armenian Prelature in Nicosia. For further information,
please contact Ashod Taslakian 99316416.
8 November 2007 – 6 January 2008. Tatiana Ferahian, Julia Georgiadou
and Ketta Iouannidou will be representing Cyprus at the 24th Alexandria
Art Biennale for Mediterranean Countries.
Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 November -3rd Moufflon Book Fair at Holiday
Inn
Wednesday 21 November at 8:00 pm – Opening of the 12the Painting
Exhibition by Armenian Cypriot artist Garbis Bezdikian at The Municipal
Hall of Ayios Dhometios. The opening will be conducted by The President
of Democratic Party of Cyprus Marios Garoyian. Duration of exhibition
from 21-25 November.
Sunday 2 December at 4:00 pm – Charity Tea at The Hilton Park organised
by The Armenian Relief Society of Cyprus (HOM). Rich cultural program.
Tuesday December 25, at 9:00 pm – AYMA/Homenetmen Annual Ball at The
Cyprus Hilton, featuring Saro Panossian and Shake Baghdasarian.
Accompanied by Seto Baghdasarian and Vahe Simonian.

Worldwide delivery straight to your doorstep.

PUBLICATIONS OF GIBRAHAYER E-MAGAZINE BEGIN IN NOVEMBER
GIBRAHAYER WILL CIRCULATE EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
From: Baghdasarian

WORKS OF CARZOU SHOWCASED IN LA CAñADA
By Carol Cormaci

Valley Sun, CA
Nov 1 2007

For the past five years Linda Stepanian has been focused on building
a collection of the works of renowned French Armenian artist Jean
Carzou (1907-2000); this month she will share them with the public
at her La Cañada art gallery, Stephanie’s.

The show evolved after Stepanian met the late artist’s son, the writer
Jean-Marie Carzou, and became intrigued with the idea of displaying
original Jean Carzou oil paintings, watercolors and drawings locally.

"I was very honored to meet with his son and do this project together
with him," Stepanian said. "Once I found out that Carzou’s 100th
birthday would have been this year, I thought it would be a very good
idea to do this show, to bring the opportunity to people – and other
artists – to see some of his original works."

Carzou, born in Syria, moved to Paris at the age of 17 to study art
and architecture. After graduating from Lycee, he left architecture
behind, studied painting in Montparnasse studios and became a street
artist. His art was first shown in 1930 at the Salon des Indepents; his
first one-man show was held nine years later in a Rue de Seine gallery.

As his body of work grew, accolades began coming his way. He was the
three-time winner of the Hallmark Prize and also won the Gran Prix de
I’lle-de-France in 1954, Grand Prize for National Education, Tokyo,
in 1955 and Grand Prix "Europe" at the first Bruges Biennial in 1958.

He was the only living artist to be honored by the French by having
his artwork printed on a postage stamp in 1976 and he was decorated
with the prestigious National Order of Merit. advertisement

Living in a time of many wars across the globe, Carzou was struck by
man’s inhumanity to man. His political views informed his artwork,
Stepanian said.

"He tried to express his love of humanity rather than the fight;
he tried to motivate others with his artwork," Stepanian said. "I’d
like to bring that message to the United States while our soldiers
are fighting for our freedoms."

Stephanie’s Art Gallery is located at 466 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada.

The show opens with a reception at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 8 and runs through
Nov. 30. To learn more, call (818) 790-4905.

2007/11/01/entertainment/lent-stephanies1101.txt

–Boundary_(ID_qSQJzVfQfE1sixwz3FGO0w)–
From: Baghdasarian

IS INFORMATION POLICY CHANGING IN KARABAKH?

KarabakhOpen
31-10-2007 08:17:20

Over the past few days the government and political scientists have
focused on the information space in Karabakh. Local and foreign experts
say Karabakh lacks an information policy, although they decline to
point to the reason and wrongdoers. The government agencies have
decided to take measures to have such a policy.

Yesterday President Bako Sahakyan appointed the members of the Council
of Public Television and Radio: Vardges Bagiryan, Georgy Nazaryan,
and Ara Vanyan. Within the upcoming month the Council will hold a
contest for the vacant position of the executive director of the
Public Television and Radio. By the way, the office of the former
Council had expired in spring.

Today the government made a decision on reorganizing the Azat Artsakh
Newspaper into a closed joint-stock company. Murad Petrosyan was
appointed editor.

The authorized capital stock is 150 thousand drams, which is 15 shares
with a nominal value of 10 thousand drams. The shares will be equally
divided between the president administration, the National Assembly
and the government.

Apparently, the newspaper will now posture as a public newspaper.

The reforms in the two state-financed media are evidence to the wish
to change the information space in the country. For the time being,
it is not clear whether these changes will be positive or negative.
From: Baghdasarian

SOME 235 ARMY DODGERS PAY CASH TO BUY FREEDOM

ARMENPRESS
Oct 29 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, ARMENPRESS: Some 235 Armenian males, aged 27 and
above who were on the ‘wanted’ list for avoiding mandatory military
service, bought their freedom from prosecution during the spring
military call-up by paying to the government 265 million Drams.

The law allowing military dodgers to buy freedom was enforced in
2004. It stipulates that amnesty can be applied to those age 27
or older.

Under the law, dodgers whose fathers or brothers died during military
service are exempted from fines.

Also, those who have three or more children and those who have two
children growing up without a mother are exempted.

According to Armenian prosecutor-general, Aghvan Hovsepian, since
the enactment of this law, the country’s budget has earned 1.6
billion Drams.

The chief prosecutor was speaking to reporters after inauguration of
a new building of the military prosecutor’s office in the northwestern
province of Shirak.

Hovsepian said an in-depth look into the spring call-up revealed
a number of violations of law regarding the medical examination
of conscripts. He said a repeat examination found that some of the
conscripts were physically unfit for military service, while those
who were exempted from it by doctors of the special medical commission
proved to be quite fit.

The chief prosecutor reiterated that all those who are avoiding
military service will not be prosecuted if they turn in for mandatory
service.
From: Baghdasarian

WORLD POWERS INTERESTED IN BALANCE OF FORCES AND STATUS QUO IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

KarabakhOpen
29-10-2007 18:15:26

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs visited the region but did not
visit Stepanakert and did not meet the NKR government. "It allows
supposing that in the current stage of the talks there is necessity
for clarifying the key issues. I don’t think ignoring the stance of
Karabakh on the key issues may be helpful to the talks in general.

The U.S. co-chair again behaved originally and stated in Baku the
presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan may sign a framework agreement
by March 2008 but I think we should wait for the reaction of the
other two co-chairs.

Suppositions must be based on consolidated opinions on one development
or another," said the chair of the NKR National Assembly Committee
of Foreign Affairs Vahram Atanesyan.

He thinks these visits of the co-chairs are a new element. "At least,
their visits used to be less intensive. This activity may relate to
the intention of the co-chair countries to sustain stability in Armenia
as the presidential election is drawing nearer," Vahram Atanesyan said.

"The region, I mean the region referred to by Western political
scientists as Greater Near East is on the threshold of important
developments. Tough sanctions on Iran are possible, including military
force, Iranian and Israeli, Israeli and Lebanese clashes are possible,
relations between almost semi-independent Kurdistan and Turkey may
escalate into an armed conflict, tensions between Russia and the West
may escalate.

In this situation, only a hopeless optimist may hope for progress
toward the resolution of the Karabakh conflict. In addition, the
impression is that the world powers manipulating global issues,
are interested in balance of forces and status quo in the South
Caucasus. The United States, Russia and the EU have other more urgent
problems," the Karabakh parliament member says.

"Recently the Russian president Vladimir Putin has stated that the
international relations should be based on honoring territorial
integrity of states. It allows supposing that two parallel processes
are underway in the world – legitimization of unrecognized entities
on the one hand, and attempts to integrate the same entities with the
parent states honoring territorial integrity and certain rights. It
is clearly reflected in the discussion of the issue of Kosovo and
the methods worked out for the settlement of the currently frozen
post-soviet conflicts. And considering that the countries are now
dealing with the Karabakh issue which have different approaches toward
methods, it is difficult to state even theoretically that these
countries may offer consolidated proposals to the conflict sides,"
Mr. Atanesyan says.

Considering the history of state building in Karabakh, the current
economic and social stability, NKR’s right for recognition is equal
to that of Kosovo, Palestine, and others. "Nobody can predict the
developments.

However, in case our political potential is filled with economic,
social and democratic values, the prospects of the international
recognition of NKR may be more visible," the member of parliament says.
From: Baghdasarian

PanARMENIAN.Net

Iraqi-Turkish talks produce no result
27.10.2007 15:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey has dismissed a range of proposals from Iraq
on dealing with Kurdish rebels, saying they will take too long to
work.

The Foreign Ministry said more urgent action was needed than that
offered by an Iraqi delegation, which is in Ankara to try to resolve
the dispute.

The visit is an attempt to avert a threatened Turkish ground attack on
Kurdistan Workers’ Party bases in Iraq.

Turkey gave the Iraqis a list of PKK rebels and demanded their
extradition.

The Iraqi delegation, including Defense Minister Abdul-Qader Mohammed
Jassim and US officials from the embassy in Baghdad, held talks with
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ali Babacan.

Afterwards, the Turkish foreign ministry praised the Iraqi team for
its "sincere" and "well-intentioned" approach. But it said the Iraqi
ideas would "take a long time to put into action". "Turkey expects
urgent and determined measures in the fight against the PKK."

Iraq’s promises to close Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) offices do not
go far enough for Turkey.

Turkey wants the mountain bases of the group in the far north of Iraq
closed and the leadership handed over, he says.

The furthest the Iraqis appear prepared to go is to disrupt the
movement of the PKK and close offices related to its activities, our
correspondent says.

Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said a list of PKK members
had been handed to the Iraqi delegation. It was not immediately clear
how many names it contained, but Mr Cicek said every PKK member in
northern Iraq "is guilty. They are criminals at least for being a
member of a terrorist group. We want all of them to be handed over."

Turkey has warned it will not tolerate more cross-border raids by PKK
rebels.

Its military has been shelling suspected rebel bases after massing
troops along the border in recent days.

On Friday, Turkish jets and helicopters carried out bombing raids on
PKK positions along the border but it is unclear whether they ventured
inside Iraq.

The Iraqi delegation’s visit comes amid intense diplomatic pressure on
Turkey to show restraint.

Tensions reached boiling point last Sunday after the PKK attacked a
Turkish military patrol, killing 12 soldiers. Turkey has confirmed
another eight are missing.

Under public pressure to act, Turkish officials have made clear the
talks could be the last chance to avert serious military action.

Turkish military and civilian leaders have also recommended economic
measures against northern Iraq, which relies heavily on Turkey for
food and electricity.

The PKK – which is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the
US, and the EU – is thought to have about 3,000 rebels based in Iraq,
BBC reported.
From: Baghdasarian

H.RES.106 LEADING AUTHORS CALL FOR REVISED TIMETABLE FOR HOUSE CONSIDERATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.10.2007 12:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The four leading Democratic sponsors of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106) have called on Speaker Nancy Pelosi
(D-CA) to adopt a revised schedule for the consideration of this
human rights legislation by the House of Representatives, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

In a letter sent today to Speaker Pelosi, lead author Adam Schiff
(D-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ),
and Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) stressed
that, in asking for this delay, "we believe that a large majority of
our colleagues want to support a resolution recognizing the genocide on
the House floor and that they will do so, provided the timing is more
favorable." The letter goes on to note that they will continue to work
with Speaker Pelosi’s staff and the House Foreign Affairs Committee
staff to bring up the resolution "sometime later this year or in 2008."

October 10, with a vote 27 to 21 the U.S. House Committee on Foreign
Affairs adopted the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106, which
was introduced by Representative Adam Schiff January 30, 2007
From: Baghdasarian

YEREVAN, BAKU MAY SIGN FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON KARABAKH TILL SPRING 2008?

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.10.2007 14:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijan and Armenia could sign a framework
agreement next year resolving the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Matthew
J. Bryza, Deputy Assistant U.S. Secretary of State and Co-chair of
the OSCE Minsk Group, said Friday.

"There is a possibility that prior to presidential elections in
Armenia, which will take place in the spring of next year, some kind
of framework agreement on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict could be
signed by the heads of Azerbaijan and Armenia," he said.

Bryza said Armenian President Robert Kocharian had told the MG
Co-chairs during their meeting Thursday in Yerevan that signing such
a "gentlemanly agreement" prior to the country’s presidential ballot
was possible.

"I asked the president myself this question, and in reply he said
that such a possibility exists," Bryza told journalists.

"But, of course, this will not be the end of the negotiation process,"
the diplomat stressed, adding that he hoped a new Armenian president
would uphold any such agreement.

"Armenian leaders are optimistic about the talks. A new team is being
formed on the threshold of the Armenian presidential elections and
it’s not ruled out that they will try to find common ground with the
Azeri counterparts," Bryza said, Novosti Azerbaijan reports.
From: Baghdasarian