Author: Basmajian Ani

BÄ°A, Turkey
Nov 27 2008

Daily YeniçaÄ? Attacks Journalist For An Award

Daily YeniçaÄ? attacks distinguished journalist
DoÄ?an Ã-zgüden for receiving an award for his
fiftieth year in the profession and the Turkish Journalist Association
for giving it.

Bia news center – Ä°stanbul
26-11-2008

Daily YeniçaÄ? attacked the Turkish Journalists
Association (TGC) for giving an award journalist DoÄ?an
Ã-zgüden for his fiftieth year in the profession.

The newspaper described giving an award to Ã-zgüden against
whom there is a lawsuit for `denigrating the military’ an `award
scandal’.

Targeting both TGC and Ã-zgüden
The newspaper used the expressions `There are more than 50 lawsuits
against him, he is running away from the law for 37 years’ and `An
Armenian defender’ for Ã-zgüden, who had to leave Turkey in
1971 and never returned again.

The reporter of the newspaper who published the interviews he had with
TGC’s Secretary General Celal Toprak and representative of the
administrative matters Cem Ã?apanoÄ?lu responded to
Toprak’s statement that they stood by people who have freedom of press
lawsuits against them with the statement that `but he is unable to
come to Turkey’.

The newspaper said in the `report’ signed by Selda Ã-ztürk
Kay that the award led to comments that being against Turkey found
support not only in the European Union (EU), but was also backed by
the `distinguished’ institutions and organization in Turkey.

Zarakolu: They have become inquisition judges Journalist Ragıp
Zarakolu wrote an article condemning the attack by daily
YeniçaÄ? against the journalist and the TGC.

Titled `Enough!’, the article criticizes the newspaper for choosing
one of the distinguished journalists of Turkey for his attack, acting
like an inquisition judge and having the nerve to try to put pressure
on the Turkish Journalists Association.

Zarakolu also criticized the reporter for not getting her facts
right. He said the warrant of apprehension regarding
Ã-zgüden was given since his statement about his article
protesting the hanging of Deniz GezmiÅ? and his friends, the
left wing revolutionaries, could not be taken.

Although Zarakolu confirmed that there was such a decision, he also
added that this decision has existed up until today as Turkey’s
failure, as Turkey’s shame.

`It is crime to criticize the generals of the junta, the generals who
committed crimes against humanity. This has become a crime in my
country. You do not let anyone talk about 1915, 1938, 1971, 1980! No
more! Everything will be talked In This Country!’

Following the five-year long prosecution against Mehmet Emin Sert,
Emin Karaca and Ã-zgüden about an article criticizing the
hangings mentioned above, the 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance of
Istanbul had sentenced Karaca, acquitted Sert, and issued a warrant of
apprehension against Ã-zgüden for not being able to take his
statement. (EÃ-/TB)

MILITARIZING GEORGIA AGGRAVATES TENSIONS IN CAUCASUS – CSTO PA

Interfax
Nov 24 2008
Russia

By aiding Georgia to build up its military potential, the United States
is turning that country into a hotbed of tensions in the Caucasus,
says a report by the Defense and Security Commission of the Collective
Security Treaty Organization’s Parliamentary Commission.

The report was released after members of the Commission visited the
region, Vitaly Strugovets, spokesman for the CSTO Secretariat, told
Interfax-AVN on Saturday.

"The deputies believe that Georgia is actually evolving into the main
destabilizing factor in the Caucasus region as it is building up its
military potential with U.S. assistance and provoking aggression in
relation to South Ossetia and Abkhazia," Strugovets said.

"The United States and its NATO allies’ active strategic course
to further reach into the Caucasus region, given its important
geographical location, large reserves of hydrocarbons and routes of
transporting them" rank among the main reasons why the political
situation in the region has deteriorated, as members of the CSTO
Parliamentary Assembly see them, he said.

"The situation is being aggravated by the current socio-political
instability in Georgia over the unpredictable steps, made by the
country’s political leadership last summer," Strugovets said.

Among the factors which the deputies think has a negative impact
on the military-political situation in the region, are the impasse
in resolving the Karabakh problem, setbacks in the Middle East
settlement, the tensions surrounding Iran and destabilization in
Iraq. "The deputies stated that the military-political situation in
the Caucasus region of the CSTO’s collective security, remains tense
with a trend towards further complication," he said.

RAPID ARMENIAN GDP GROWTH MODERATES SOMEWHAT IN OCTOBER
by Venla Sipila

World Markets Research Centre
Global Insight
Nov 24 2008

According to newest national accounts figures from the Armenian
National Statistical Service, the country’s GDP grew by 9.2%
year-on-year (y/y) in January-October, ARMINO News reports. Compared to
an annual growth rate of 10.3% y/y over January-September, this result
signals some easing of growth in October. Indeed, monthly comparison
shows a contraction of 8.3% in output in October, following growth of
2.1% month-on-month (m/m) in September. Furthermore, it was reported
that output of services (excluding trade) increased by a strong rate
of 13.3% y/y over the first 10 months of the year, while retail trade
increased by 7.9% y/y. Meanwhile, construction increased by 6.9% y/y in
January-October, but contracted by 41% over October alone. Electricity
supply gained 5.8% y/y over the first 10 months of the year, while
industrial growth was reported at a very strong rate of 19.8% y/y.

Significance: After growing at double-digit rates for the past
several years, the Armenian economy finally looks set to cool. The
global financial crisis will not have any notable direct impact on
Armenia, due to the still-undeveloped and relatively isolated nature
of its financial sector. However, indirect negative effects from the
international crisis will likely be felt as moderating current transfer
inflows. Then again, this will allay concerns over the potential
for overheating. Indeed, inflation should moderate in the near term,
while easing domestic demand will have a suppressing effect on imports.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
November 24, 2008
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY CONGRATULATES ARMENIAN CAUCUS MEMBERS IN HOUSE
REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP

Armenian Genocide Resolution Supporter Eric Cantor Elevated to
Republican Whip

Washington, DC – The House Republican Conference met last week to select
its leaders for the 111th Congress, reported the Armenian Assembly of
America (Assembly).

Representative Eric Cantor (R-VA), a member of the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues and a cosponsor of H.Res. 106, the Armenian Genocide
resolution, was elected to serve as Republican Whip. As the second
highest ranking person in Republican Leadership, Rep. Cantor is
responsible for mobilizing votes, coordinating strategy and acting as a
liaison between rank and file Members and the leadership.

At the 2005 Armenian Genocide Commemoration event on Capitol Hill, Rep.
Cantor stated, "April 24th marks the anniversary of one of the most
horrible tragedies of the 20th century, the genocide that was committed
against the Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire. Over the years many
Armenian-Americans have helped to enrich and enhance our Nation’s
character; we have remained committed to peace in the region and will
continue to help Armenia with its economic prosperity and strengthening
of its democracy." Minority Whip Cantor replaces outgoing Rep. Roy Blunt
(R-MO), who voted against H.Res. 106 in the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs in October of 2007.

Armenian Caucus Member and H.Res. 106 cosponor, Representative Thaddeus
McCotter (R-MI), will also serve in the House Republican leadership.
Rep. McCotter was re-elected as Chairman of the Republican Policy
Committee. In this role, McCotter will be responsible in crafting
winning policies that can help the Republicans regain control of the
House, which they lost in 2006.

In addition to cosponsoring H.Res. 106, McCotter also supported
H.Res.102, honoring the life and legacy of slain Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink and calling for the repeal of Article 301 of
Turkey’s Penal Code that effectively punishes discussion of the Armenian
Genocide.

Representative Cathy McMorris (R-WA), cosponsor of the H.Res.106 and
cosigner of the 2006 Armenian Genocide letter, will serve as Republican
Conference Vice-Chair.

Rounding out the other posts, Representative John Boehner (R-OH) won
re-election as Republican Leader and followed the Administration’s
opposition to H.Res. 106; Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), who voted against
H.Res. 106 in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, will serve as
Republican Conference Chairman; Rep. John Carter (R-TX) will be
Republican Conference Secretary and Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) will serve
as National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman.

"The new Congress and Administration will provide important
opportunities on a wide variety of issues. We look forward to working
with the incoming leadership, and in particular, Armenian Caucus members
and supporters Reps. Cantor, McCotter and McMorris, especially as we
gear up for our March 2009 Advocacy Conference," stated Bryan Ardouny,
Executive Director of the Assembly.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

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NR#2008-083

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ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO LEAVE FOR SAINT PETERSBURG

armradio.am
22.11.2008 13:35

The delegation of the National Assembly of Armenia headed by
Vice-Speaker Hrayr Karapetyan will leave for Saint Petersburg to
participate in the 31st plenary sitting of the CIS Interparliamentary
Assembly scheduled for November 24.

The delegation comprises the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Finance-Credit and Budgeting Gagik Minasyan, Chairman of
the Standing Committee on European Integration Avet Adonts, members
of the Standing Committee on Economic Issues Hermine Naghdalyan and
Ara Nranyan, member of the Standing Committee on Defense, National
Security and Interior Affairs Michael Manukyan.

ARMENIA TO MEET FIRST WAVE OF CRISIS

Panorama.am
20:20 21/11/2008

Today a round table meeting took place on "financial stability in
changing world" devoted to the 15th anniversary of Armenian currency,
reported the public relations department of Central Bank.

According to the source, the meeting has been attended by the Managing
Director of International Monetary Fund Murilo Portugal, the Executive
Director of IMF Age Bakker, the Presidents of Central Banks of Albania,
Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, and Georgia, the vice presidents of Central
Banks of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation and Tajikistan, the
representatives of Central Banks of Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro,
Netherlands, as well as the adviser of the President of Armenia
Vahram Nersisyants, the Minister of Finance Tigran Davtyan, and
representatives of Central Bank.

The President of Central Bank made the opening speech, and thanked
the guests for receiving the invitation. The Managing Director of
International Monetary Fund Murilo Portugal and the Executive Director
of IMF Age Bakker were the main speakers of the discussion.

During the discussion it was mentioned that Armenia managed to escape
the impact of first wave of financial crisis, but still appropriate
measures should be taken to meet the future challenges of it.

ARMENIAN, TURKISH FMS TO DISCUSS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN ISTANBUL?

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.11.2008 18:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Genocide will be on focus of talks
between Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish
counterpart Ali Babacan in Istanbul next week, Hurriyet daily reports.

"Babacan will hold talks with Edward Nalbandian in Istanbul on
Nov. 24," Burak Ozugergin, a spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry
said Thursday.

"Everything is on the table," Ozugergin said. "We are not precluding
anything. The Ministers will take up bilateral issues, including the
1915 events and perhaps regional issues that could include relations
with Azerbaijan."

VAZGEN MANUKIAN DOES NOT SHARE CONCERN ABOUT DANGER OF NOT PRO-ARMENIAN SOLUTION OF KARABAKH PROBLEM

Noyan Tapan

Nov 20, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Discussions on solution of the
Karabakh problem with Armenian political forces may give only positive
results, the leader of the National Democratic Union, former prime
minister of Armenia Vazgen Manukian expressed an opinion during the
November 20 talk with reporters.

V. Manukian did share the recent concern of the press regarding
the danger of solving the Karabakh problem not in favor of the
Armenians. In his words, the country is now governed by the people
who passed the turmoil of the Karabakh war and they will not permit
that the solution will contradict the interests of the Armenian side.

In his opinion, no rapid solution to the Karabakh problem should
be expected. V. Manukian said that the precedents of Kosovo, as
well as South Ossetia and Abkhazia may play a positive role in the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict. He also attached importance
to the fact that after the Russian-Georgian war it has become clear
that the regional conflicts cannot be resolved in a military way. At
the same time V. Manukian pointed out to some uncertainties in the
Madrid principles of the Karabakh conflict settlement, in particular,
those related to the status of Nagorno Karabakh, the mechanisms of
ensuring the population’s security, and a land border with Armenia.

ARMENIA’S STATE BUDGET REVENUES, OFFICIAL TRANSFERS 588BLN AMD LAST YEAR

ARKA
Nov 19, 2008

YEREVAN, November 19. /ARKA/. Armenia’s state budget revenues and
official transfers totaled 588bln AMD in 2007 – an increase of 33.2%
as compared with the previous year.

Gagik Gabrielyan, Head of the Economic Team, Armenian-European Policy
and Legal Advice Center (AEPLAC) reported that

The increased revenues can be attributed to increased revenues from
taxes and duties, which is evidence of improved tax administration,
Gabrielyan said at the presentation of AEPLAC-made annual report
"Economic developments in Armenia – 2007".

Despite a rather high level of budget execution, Armenia is behind
most of the 60 countries involved in the AEPLAC-conducted survey.

The share of budget revenues in the country’s GDP remains low (18.7%),
which is far less than in the other countries involved in the survey,
he said. Gabrielyan pointed out that this figure is 40-60 per cent
in developed countries.

He also pointed out the extremely small shares of obligatory social
insurance (3.6%) and communities’ budgets (1.6%).

"Small shares of state revenues are evidence of a small tax base,
which, in turn, is evidence of insufficient production of expensive
products and of a large scale of shadow economy," Gabrielyan said.

AZERBAIJANI SUB-UNITS ATTACK KARABAKH POSITIONS EARLY IN MORNING OF NOVEMBER 16

Noyan Tapan

Nov 17, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. At about 4 am on November 16,
the special purpose detachment of the Azerbaijani army crossed the
south-eastern section of the conflict zone and made an attempt to
penetrate into the rear of the Karabakh positions in the direction
of the Ashaga Seid Ahmedlu settlement.

This was the first serious border incident since the diversionary
operation at the village of Leonarkh in Martakert region of the
NKR. The Armenian soldiers on duty noticed on time the actions of
the Azerbaijani detachment and, not being taken anawares, passed
to the offensive. After a 30-minute intensive fight, the adversary
retreated, leaving behind one person killed on the battlefield, the
Public Television Company of Armenia reported, citing the NKR defence
ministry. Accoridng to the same source, the Karabakh side suffered
no losses. "Haylur" program also showed the body of the Azerbaijani
soldier killed in the Karabakh position. The report underlined the
fact that the attack of the Azerbaijani detachment took place at the
time when the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs were in Stepanakert.