Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Feb 16 2007

Business group urges US congress on Armenian issue
In a letter sent to members of the US House of Representatives, the
American Business Forum in Turkey (ABFT) urged Congressional
representatives to reconsider the Armenian genocide resolution and
work toward reconciliation efforts between Turkish and Armenian
communities.
The ABFT, which represents about 70 US firms operating in Turkey,
said that the resolution was counterproductive and could set back
recent progress toward reconciliation between Armenians and Turks.
ABFT noted that the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink
last month brought tens of thousands of people onto the streets in
sympathy and protest, and has compelled communities to work even
harder to achieve reconciliation based on inter-communal dialogue.
"The murder of Hrant Dink was tragic and great loss for Turkey," said
Galip Sukaya, ABFT chairman. "It has also renewed efforts between the
communities to achieve peaceful reconciliation. The path of dialogue
is the one to walk down, not judgment."
ABFT, which serves as an American Chamber of Commerce, also cited
the potential harm to investments and commercial relations between
the US and Turkey. "US companies invested $4 billion in Turkey just
last year. Trade between the US and Turkey shot up by 18 percent
last year to a record $12 billion. American companies are helping to
power the growth of the Turkish economy, which is rapidly raising
standards of living here."
From: Baghdasarian

OPPOSITION LEADERS TO AGAIN SHUN INDIVIDUAL PARLIAMENT SEATS
By Ruzanna Stepanian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Feb 12 2007

Two top leaders of the Armenian opposition have reaffirmed their lack
of interest in nearly one third of the parliament seats that will be
contested on an individual basis in the elections slated for May 12.

Under Armenian law, the so-called "majoritarian" seats will be
distributed in 41 single-mandate constituencies across the country.

The other 90 parliament seats will be up for grabs under the system of
proportional representation whereby voters choose parties or alliances,
as opposed to individual candidates.

Opposition candidates have fared extremely poorly in the majoritarian
races that are increasingly characterized by vote buying and
voter intimidation. The bulk of the individuals elected to the
National Assembly from the single-mandate districts are wealthy
government-connected businessmen that hold sway in a particular part
of Yerevan and the country.

Consequently, the most prominent opposition figures did not run for
parliament on an individual basis in the previous elections held in May
2003, making it easier for the government camp to retain control of the
131-seat National Assembly. Armenia’s most radical opposition party,
Hanrapetutyun (Republic), suggested late last year that each of them
stand in one of the 41 districts and work together in trying to win
as many majoritarian seats as possible. Hanrapetutyun’s outspoken
leader, Aram Sarkisian, has already expressed such an intention,
as has another radical oppositionist, Aram Karapetian.

"If famous opposition politicians join the fray, they will help to
make the public more active and foil government plans," argued Suren
Sureniants, a senior member of Hanrapetutyun. "This is the logic behind
our proposal. We propose to open a new front [against the government]
that would be led by party leaders."

"By running in concrete electoral districts, the leaders must protect
the people against possible inroads by criminal elements," Sureniants
told RFE/RL. "Only respected politicians can do that."

The idea has been approved in principle by the leaders of other,
larger opposition groups, but they do not seem in any rush to open
negotiations on ways of putting it into practice. The two men who were
President Robert Kocharian’s main challengers in the 2003 presidential
election told RFE/RL on Monday that they themselves will not field
their candidacies in any electoral district and will only top the
proportional representation lists of their respective parties instead.

"It would be illogical for a leader with nationwide ambitions to
compete in a single district," said Artashes Geghamian of the National
Unity Party (AMK). "Everyone would agree that an army commander
should lead the entire front, rather than one of its sections, no
matter how important."

"The leaders of large parties should concentrate on their proportional
representation lists and strive for the victory of their parties,"
agreed Stepan Demirchian of the People’s Party of Armenia (HZhK). He
said although the HZhK has not yet made a final decision on the issue,
it "will put the emphasis on the party list in any case."

Another opposition heavyweight, former parliament speaker Artur
Baghdasarian, said late last week that his Orinats Yerkir Party is
still weighing up its options. Also undecided is Raffi Hovannisian,
the popular leader of the Zharangutyun party.
From: Baghdasarian

RUSSIA NOT TO HAVE DECISIVE INFLUENCE ON KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT: RUSSIAN POLITICAL EXPERT

Yerevan, February 12. ArmInfo. Russia will not be able to have a
decisive influence on the Karabakh conflict, a well- known Russian
political expert, Leonid Radzikhovsky, told ArmInfo correspondent
in Moscow.

He explained his belief by the fact that Russia is very spiritless
within CIS. He noted that Russia will direct its attention to
Armenia in a foreseeable future for the reason that Azerbaijan is
much more independent of Russia. According to Radzikhovsky, in case
of the conflict aggravation, Russia will support Armenia by 60%
and Azerbaijan – by 40%. "The support of Armenia is concerned with
Russia’s desire to control the important strategic sections of oil
and gas lines, while Azerbaijan is a partner and a competitor in this
issue", the political expert said, having underlined that Russia will
give neither political nor diplomatic support to any conflicting side.

Touching upon the analogues of the Karabakh conflict with the Kosovo
one, L. Radzikhovsky ruled out the possibility of precedent for
Karabakh. He argued his belief by the fact that Kosovo is governed by
the UN mandate, while Karabakh and other hot spots in the post-Soviet
territory "are governed by themselves", without the dictate of
international right in the person of the UN.
From: Baghdasarian

EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN TECHNOLOGIES IN THE SILICON VALLEY

ArmRadio.am
12.02.2007 14:11

July 4-7 the "Congress of Armenian Technologies 2007"
conference-exhibition dedicated to the sphere of high technologies
of Armenia will take place in the Silicon Valley. It will promote
the establishment of international business and administration ties
with heads of international business programs, entrepreneurs and
specialists. Investment programs in the sphere of high technologies
will be presented.

The Armenian Development Agency told Armenpress that the growth
of the high technologies field having a strategic importance will
be presented at the exhibition, fostering international ties and
investments to guarantee the further development of the field.

The exhibition is being arranged by the "AGBU Silicon Valley" and "APS
Francisco Bay Area" organizations. In Armenia the Armenian Development
Agency is responsible for the event. It is assisted by "Synopsys" and
"VivaCell" Companies, USAID, "Virage Logic" and other organizations.
From: Baghdasarian

February 9, 2007
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

DURING HOLY MASS ON THE NAME DAY OF ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA

LET THE EXAMPLE OF ST. SARKIS
BE A LIVING MESSAGE FOR US ALL

On Sunday, February 4th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, conducted Holy Mass and the blessing of madaghn
at St. Sarkis Churchin Pasadena, on the occasion of St. Sarkis and the
name day of the church. He was assisted at the altar by Very
Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian and Barthev Gulumian and parish pastor
Rev. Khoren Babochian. H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian also
participated in the service.

During his sermon, the Prelate first thanked God for His
bountiful blessings, then spoke of the lives and martyrdom of
St. Sarkis, his son Mardiros, and their 14 soldiers, exalting their
relentless battle against evil, and their bravery in their affirmation
of the truth, Christ. Subsequently, the Prelate called on the
faithful to follow the example of St. Sarkis to bravely face and
reject all adversities and temptations we may face in ourlives, and to
remain staunch in our faith in the example of our saints.

`Let the example of St. Sarkis be a living message for us all’,
concluded the Prelate.

During requiem service, the Prelate conducted the blessing
of madagh, during which he beseeched God and the Holy Spirit for the
atonement of our sins, for the healing of our pains, and for the mercy
of the souls of the departed. Following the ceremony, the procession
headed to the church courtyard where the Prelate blessed the faithful
followed by the collectivelysinging of national and Pontifical
anthems.

At the conclusion of church services, a reception took
place headed by the Prelate and with the participation of Clergy
members, Board of Trustees, Ladies Auxiliary, Deacons, Choir members,
Church benefactors Mr. & Mrs. Sarkis and Suzan Kitsinian and their
family, affiliated bodies, and friends. During the reception, remarks
were made by the Pastor, Board of Trustees and Ladies Auxiliary
Chairpersons, past and present Executive Council members, and the
church sponsors. The Prelate conveyed his blessings to the larger
family of St. Sarkis Church and expressed his wishes for the church
tobe endowed with the traditional Armenian dome and belfry by the
following year. The reception came to a close with the `Bahbanich’
prayer.
From: Baghdasarian

PanARMENIAN.Net

Report on Karabakh to be discussed at OSCE PA summer session in Kyev
09.02.2007 19:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The report on Nagorno Karabakh will be considered at the
OSCE PA summer session in Kyev, said OSCE PA President Goran Lennmarker. In
his opinion, along with the territorial integrity the right to
self-determination of all ethnic groups living in the conflict regions
should be taken into account. `The sides should prepare their public for
co-existence,’ said he.

Azerbaijan and Armenia are neighbors and are `doomed to co-existence,’
underscored Goran Lennmarker. `This principle should be a priority in the
process just as like the necessity of compromise,’ said he, report Azeri
media.
From: Baghdasarian

Turkey’s last hope

ArmRadio.am
09.02.2007 17:42

Famous journalist Mehmet Ali Birant views the upcoming visit of the
Head of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Turkey Yashar Boyukanit
to Washington as the last hope to prevent the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by the US Congress.

"Perhapes, it’s only Boyukanit that can exert pressure on Congressmen
to prevent the adoption of that bill," Birant wrote in today’s issue
of the Turkish Daily News. The author of the article notes that the
situation in the Congress is not "that good." "This time the Bush
Administration is too weak before the Democratic majority. Democrats
wish to vote for the Armenian bill as punishment for the Iraq
policy. In this sense, no matter what promises Abdullah Gul received
in Washington, the issue of the Armenian resolution does not promise
a bright perspective," Birant noted.
From: Baghdasarian

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER EXPECTS EU TO COME AROUND ON MEMBERSHIP
Desmond Butler

AP Worldstream
Published: Feb 08, 2007

The Turkish foreign minister said that the European Union will
eventually offer membership to Turkey.

Despite the EU’s recent decision to partially freeze talks on
membership, Abdullah Gul said his government expects a long process
ending in Turkey’s accession.

"I believe that the EU will realize the strategic importance of Turkey
soon enough and reverse its negative approach," he said in a speech
at the German Marshall Fund.

Gul said that Turkey’s importance to Europe as a Muslim-majority
country on the cusp of the Middle East with rising importance to the
West as a transit point for energy sources would make it irresistible.

"The effect of EU membership will be felt across the world," he
said. "There is too much at stake to fail."

Gul also repeated warnings he has made throughout a visit to Washington
against a proposed congressional resolution that would recognize the
World War I era killings of Armenians at the end of the Ottoman empire
as genocide. He said a resolution would insult the Turkish people.

"Do you think the people in Turkey will understand when their boys are
in Afghanistan and are together with your troops?" he said referring
to the 800 Turkish troops operating in Afghanistan under NATO command.

The congressional resolution, which was introduced for consideration
last month, is opposed by the Bush administration, but has been
supported by the Democratic leadership. Gul said this week that if
it was passed, it would damage relations between the two countries.

In talks with top U.S. officials, Gul has also raised Turkish
frustration with U.S. policy in Iraq, particularly concern that the
U.S. is not doing enough to help root out militants from the Kurdistan
Workers Party, or PKK, holed up in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq.

Gul has expressed Turkish nervousness about the status of the northern
Iraqi city of Kirkuk. Turkish officials have said they will not rule
out military intervention amid growing tensions among ethnic Turkmens,
Arabs and Kurds in the oil-rich region around Kirkuk. Kurdish leaders
want to annex the city, which lies just south of the autonomous
Kurdish region stretching across Iraq’s northeast.

Iraq’s constitution calls for a referendum on the issue by the end
of this year.

Gul said that Turkey would like to see Kirkuk remain a multiethnic
Iraqi city.

"This one city, this important city does not belong to one group,"
he said.

"There are no borders within Iraq."
From: Baghdasarian

ROBERT KOCHARIAN SIGNED A DECREE ON CONFIRMING RA NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.02.2007 13:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian signed a decree
on confirming the RA National Security Strategy, February 7, the
presidential Press Office reports. The RA National Security Strategy
was approved by National Security Council under the President of
Armenia in its January 26 session, 2007.

Main values of national security of the Republic of Armenia are
reflected in the document: independence, protection of the state and
nation, peace and international cooperation, preservation of Armenian
nation and prosperity. Main guarantees of realizing the Strategy are
efficiency of the state governance system, power of law, strengthening
of democratic values, impartiality and independence of judicial system,
military efficiency of the armed forces, effective activity of law
enforcement and security bodies, foreign policy, which provides
effective international involvement, support of social justice.

The RA National Security Strategy is subject to specification in
accordance with home and international situations, changes of threats
and challenges, as well as in accordance with reaching the mentioned
goals in the document.
From: Baghdasarian

AN IRON SILK ROAD OFFICIALLY IN THE MAKING

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Feb 8 2007

Turkish, Georgian and Azeri leaders signed yesterday an agreement
paving the way for the construction of a railway officials say will
revive a historic East-West trade route and further deepen regional
cooperation among the three countries.

"[By signing the agreement] we will be able to soon realize this
project, one of the most important elements in our objective of
reviving the historic Silk Road," Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan
told reporters before flying to the Georgian capital Tbilisi to sign
a framework agreement with Georgian and Azerbaijani leaders, Mikhail
Saakashvili and Ilham Aliyev, to start work on the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku
railway.

The project envisions the construction of a 105-kilometer railway
between Turkey’s eastern province of Kars and Ahýlkelek in Georgia.

An additional 150-kilometer railway between Ahýlkelek and Tbilisi
will be renovated, Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Yýldýrým,
who accompanied Erdoðan in his trip, told reporters in Tbilisi.

The project, whose estimated cost stands at $420 million, also
envisions the renovation of a 165-kilometer railway in Azerbaijan to
be linked to the Turkish-Georgian route. Authorities say construction
is planned to start later this year and be rapidly completed, probably
in the following couple of years.

Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia already cooperate on regional natural
gas and oil transportation projects, namely the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil pipeline, which became operational last year, and the
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline that is set to bring natural gas from
Azerbaijan’s Shahdeniz fields to Turkey via Georgia. When completed,
the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway project will provide a major means
for cargo transportation between the three countries. The railway
networks in the region promise to link Europe with Central Asia and
China through the Caucasus.

Erdoðan said the railway would offer a safe and reliable transportation
route when connected to a railway route yet-to-be constructed between
China and the Aktau port of Kazakhstan in the East and with the
European railway network via a planned undersea tunnel that would go
beneath the Marmara Sea in northwestern Anatolia in the West.

"The project provides the most economical, shortest and safest
transportation route between the East and the West," Yýldýrým
confidently asserted. He said 20 years after its opening, the railway
would be capable of transporting some 30 million tons of goods every
year. Erdoðan said the project would strengthen relations among the
regional countries and give a boost to development efforts across
the region.

Not an alternative to railway with Armenia The project comes despite
strong opposition from Armenian groups in the United States who
successfully lobbied for a prohibition that was put in place last
year by the US Congress on financing the project with US government
funds. The project was given the cold shoulder in US political
circles, although the regional oil and gas pipeline projects are
strongly supported.

Armenia and US-based Armenian groups say the project is unnecessary
since there is already a railway between Turkey and Armenia and that
can serve the same purpose.

Yýldýrým, commenting on Armenian opposition, said the railway between
Turkey and Armenia could not be used due to the lack of formal
relations between the two countries. But he added that this should
not mean that the existing railway would never be used.

"This railway [between Turkey and Armenia] will be used when
the dispute is resolved in the future," Yýldýrým said. "The
Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway should not be used as an alternative to it."

In Tbilisi, Erdoðan also attended a ceremony to inaugurate the new
Tbilisi International Airport, built by the Turkish-led Tepe-Akfen-Vie
consortium.

–Boundary_(ID_zuDDh3L jLp3k7gqfIyI4ZA)–
From: Baghdasarian