Author: Basmajian Ani

Scoop.co.nz, New Zealand
Jan 9 2008

Small Businesses In Armenia To Receive Boost
Wednesday, 9 January 2008, 11:27 am
Press Release: United Nations

Small businesses in Armenia to receive boost from UN rural
development fund

The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) announced today that it will spend over $12 million for a new
project in Armenia to help develop microenterprises with potential
for rapid growth.

The Farmer Market Access Programme will provide loans to rural and
peri-urban Armenians to develop profitable on- and off-farm small
businesses who do not qualify for conventional bank loans.

"Once they are able to access credit, poor rural producers will have
many more opportunities to develop profitable and commercially viable
products and services all along the market value chain," said Henning
Pedersen, IFAD’s country programme manager for Armenia.

An increase in the number of rural enterprises will also spur job
creation, he added.

IFAD will contribute $11.9 million in loans and $500,000 in grants,
while the OPEC Fund for International Development will supply $10
million. Other co-financers for the $32.2 million programme include
the Armenian Government and financial institutions.

Applicants for the project’s funds must show that their prospective
enterprise will generate sustainable income growth among target
groups, including farmers as well as unemployed, under-employed and
self-employed people. Preference will be given to those who engage
women as suppliers and employees.

The project also aims to arm participants with the knowledge,
technology and infrastructure to help them profit from domestic and
export markets.

Improving access to roads, small-scale irrigation and village gas
supplies are also emphasized by the programme, with participants
contributing a minimum of 10 per cent in cash or kind to offset
infrastructure costs.

In an innovative move, the project’s main financing instrument will
be a venture capital fund, the Fund for Rural Economic Development in
Armenia (FREDA).

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Jan 11 2008

Armenia’s presidential race enters new stage

YEREVAN, January 11. /ARKA/. The presidential race in Armenia has
entered a new stage, stated Vice-Chairman of the Republican Party of
Armenia (RPA) Galust Sahakyan.

`The New Year celebrations somewhat appeased the political forces’
passions, but this year has seen a new stage, when the presidential
nominees will present their ideas in their election programs, start
communicating with the people and present their views to the public
in vivid colors,’ he said.

Commenting on the RPA’s activities, Sahakyan pointed out that the
party will remain committed to its traditional position. `We will
pass our way without swearing at anybody. We will struggle for future
which is to be our common future,’ he said.

The presidential election is to be held in Armenia on February 19,
2008. Nine candidates applied to the RA Central Electoral Commission
(CEC) for registration scheduled for December 31-January 20, 2008.
-0–

SCHOOLING KIDS ON GENOCIDE AND MORAL RELATIVISM
by John Turley-Ewart

National Post
comment/archive/2008/01/08/john-turley-ewart-schoo ling-kids-on-genocide-and-moral-relativism.aspx
Ja n 8 2008
Canada

When I learned that the Toronto District School Board offers a course,
albeit to a very small number of students, on the history of genocide,
I was pleasantly surprised. Most students leave High School with
little knowledge or and little interest in the world that came before
and the horrors that have befallen previous generations. Any effort
to bring students into the world they are a part of is welcome.

After reading the first couple of paragraphs of the story I should
have stopped. Gerri Gershon, the Toronto School Board Trustee who
championed the course’s creation, explained the course objective in
response to concerns expressed by some members of the Canadian-Turkish
community about the course’s take on the Armenian genocide by stating:

"This isn’t a course to teach hatred or blame the perpetrators –
no, no, no," declared Gershon. This statement raises an interesting
question. If the perpetrators of genocide do not deserve blame,
what do they deserve?

Gershon’s simple minded take smacks of the kind of moral relativism
that, rather than ensuring genocide never happens again, opens the
door to it. Toronto students deserve better. Let’s hope their teachers
have a superior moral compass than their school trustee and teach
kids the genocide is wrong and those who are guilty of it deserve
both blame and punishment.

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
January 4, 2008

Turkish MPs continue investigation of journalist’s murder

Istanbul, 4 January: A five-strong Turkish parliamentary human rights
committee visited the family members of late journalist Hrant Dink in
Bakirkoy district of Istanbul on Friday [4 January].

The committee held a meeting with Dink’s spouse Rakel Dink, brother
Orhan, son Arat and lawyer of the Dink family. The meeting lasted 1
hour and 20 minutes.

"We have received information that will guide us in our
investigation. It was a fruitful meeting," said Mehmet Ocaktan,
chairman of the committee.

The committee has finished working in Istanbul and will conduct
meetings in Ankara and Trabzon next week.

Hrant Dink, Turkish journalist of Armenian descent and
editor-in-chief of the Agos daily was assassinated in Istanbul in
2007.

Lragir, Armenia
Dec 28 2007

ARMENIA NATIONAL STUDY

The U.S. Embassy in Armenia has watched with interest the recent
press coverage generated by the "Armenian National Study" funded by
the U.S. Agency for International Development.

While the Embassy is encouraged that the study has focused the
attention of Armenian society and political parties on the important
electoral processes underway in the country, we are nevertheless
concerned by the inaccurate portrayals of the study being reported in
some national media.

As part of the U.S. Government’s democracy assistance program in
Armenia, the "Armenia National Study" is an opinion poll designed to
be a neutral, objective mechanism to assist political parties in
Armenia to better understand and respond to the major political,
economic and social concerns of Armenian citizens. It is not meant to
influence or predict the way in which Armenians will vote during
elections.

In democratic societies, opinion polls provide citizens with a forum
in which to express their views about major issues, both anonymously
and objectively, to elected officials and political parties that
represent their concerns. The opinion poll is also an effective aid
for elected officials and political parties to develop programs and
platforms that address societal concerns and national issues.

Commissioned by the International Republic Institute in 2006, the
"Armenia National Study" is being carried out in Armenia by the
Vilnius-based Baltic Surveys Ltd. / Gallup Organization with the
assistance of the Armenian Sociological Association. It is common
practice to work with local organizations in carrying out such public
opinion polls.

A total of seven quarterly opinion polls have been carried out since
May, 2006. The most recent poll was taken in early December, 2007. An
eighth and final poll is scheduled for mid-January, 2008. Baltic
Surveys Ltd. / Gallup Organization is also planning to conduct an
exit poll during the presidential election on February 19, 2008.

To ensure anonymity and objectivity of the opinion poll, the Baltic
Surveys Ltd. / Gallup Organization uses a random sampling methodology
that is the mainstay of reputable Western polling organizations. IRI
has shared the poll results, including specific information on
respective political parties, with party representatives. The results
of all seven polls conducted since May 2006, including more general
information on the major political, economic, and social issues, are
free for public examination on the IRI website (). Neither
the United States government, the International Republican Institute
nor Baltic Surveys Ltd. / Gallup Organization endorses any particular
party or candidate. Non-party specific results are made public;
candidate and party results are shared with the appropriate political
parties.

What the Papers Say Part A (Russia)
December 26, 2007 Wednesday

IS ARMENIA HEADING FOR A COLOR REVOLUTION?

by Alexei Vasilivetsky

An update on the political situation in Armenia; Armenia will have a
new president next year. Similar situations elsewhere in the former
Soviet Union have led to coups, later described as "color
revolutions." However, Armenian political analysts are confident that
the Georgia scenario cannot be repeated in Armenia.

Armenia will have a new president next year. Robert Kocharian is
approaching the end of his second term, and the law does not permit
him to seek re-election. Similar situations elsewhere in the former
Soviet Union have led to coups, later described as "color
revolutions." The closest example is Georgia, with its Rose
Revolution. However, Armenian political analysts are confident that
the Tbilisi scenario cannot be repeated in Yerevan.

Political analyst Alexander Iskanderian: "These elections will be
very interesting. The main contenders will be Serge Sarkisian, the
current prime minister, and Levon Ter-Petrosian, former president.
These two are direct opposites of each other in many respects, even
their work styles. Sarkisian is more inclined to work quietly,
non-publicly, within the state bureaucracy, while Ter-Petrosian has
extensive experience as a public politician. Sarkisian will be
supported by part of the state bureaucracy, and state-affiliated
corporations. But Ter-Petrosian also has some substantial and
long-standing allies. Finally, there’s a fundamental aspect in which
Armenia differs from other post-Soviet republics. Our politicians
cannot be categorized as pro-Russian or anti-Russian. Armenia has no
alternative to an alliance with Russia. I can’t imagine a
Saakashvili-Shevardnadze scenario happening here."

Note that the West’s role in Armenian politics isn’t as noticeable as
in adjacent Trans-Caucasus states. There are at least two reasons for
this. The West could only gain signficant influence in Armenia if two
Gordian knots are untied: the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and the
stalemate in relations with Turkey. The West in general, and the
United States in particular, are not enthusiastic about helping
Yerevan to solve these problems.

The Nagorno-Karabakh situation is straightforward enough. The United
States has a far greater geopolitical interest in an alliance with
Azerbaijan. It’s hardly surprising that rumors of an
American-directed "velvet coup" in Yerevan raised apprehensions in
Azerbaijan: what about us? In other words, Western nations will have
to promise their protege support in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Azerbaijan holds a key place in the West’s energy strategy; the
Americans and their allies aren’t about to quarrel with Baku.

Now let’s look at Turkey. Armenia and Turkey still haven’t
established diplomatic relations, and the border remains closed. The
United States isn’t keen to act as mediator between these two
countries either. And if Armenia’s new administration faces American
demands for a drastic policy change here, relations with Iran would
become a problem. At present, Yerevan and Tehran are cooperating
successfully in a number of areas: a gas pipeline from Iran is under
construction, and Iran has become a transport corridor for Armenia.
Can the United States offer Armenia any alternative to Iranian gas?
Surely not energy from Azerbaijan.

In recent years, Russian companies have gained a secure foothold in
key sectors of the Armenian economy – including the energy sector.
Whether Armenian politicians like it or not, they simply have no
alternative to the Russian presence.

Stepan Safarian from the Heritage party (part of the ruling
coalition) maintains that even if Ter-Petrosian wins the election,
there won’t be any substantial shifts in Russian-Armenian relations.
Safarian told us: "Don’t forget that Ter-Petrosian was president when
Armenia and Russia signed their friendship treaty, and the military
cooperation treaty. And the situation is even less likely to change
if Sarkisian wins – he’s viewed as committed to continuing
Kocharian’s policy course."

However, all this doesn’t rule out the possibility of some surprises
in the Armenian election.

Alexander Iskanderian: "The election race hasn’t really started yet.
In Armenia, the losers tend to challenge election outcomes and hold
protest rallies. Besides, relations between Sarkisian and Kocharian
aren’t as straightforward as they may seem. Yes, Sarkesian could be
described as a successor – but not in the sense of being chosen by
Kocharian himself. There is also an element of political rivalry in
their relationship. In the latest parliamentary elections,
Sarkisian’s Republican party won the most seats, while the Prosperous
Armenia party, founded by Kocharian, got only 15% of the vote. So the
suspense will be maintained right up until the end of the
presidential race – nothing is predetermined."

Source: Izvestia, December 26, 2007, p. 6

Translated by Elena Leonova

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Dec 27 2007

Armenian president gets medal for democracy development

YEREVAN, December 27. /ARKA/. Association of Armenian Communities has
awarded an annual golden medal to Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
for his personal contribution to democracy development in the
country.

The association gives medal to Kocharyan to stress his contribution
made for years of his presidency to local self-governing system
development.

The golden medal was instituted in 2005.

It is awarded every year to representatives of communities and
international organizations and experts.

President Kocharyan received this medal also in 2005.

Armenia has 926 communities. M.V.-0—

Old Year passes, so let it pass!!!

29-12-2007 12:44:52 – KarabakhOpen

The year 2007 will carry away lots of new impressions ` pleasant,
interesting, amazing, annoying.

At the end of the year the talks were resumed, which resembled rather
agony before coma. The Armenian minister of foreign affairs Vardan
Oskanyan confessed on New Year’s Eve that soon the president of Armenia
will change, and the co-chairs will not remain at their posts long
either. Therefore, the calls of the international community for signing
a paper, at least half a paper are in vain.

For several months the storm of election tormented the political sphere
of Karabakh. The storm calmed down by the end of the year but from time
to time the wind stirs the sea. It is useful because otherwise water
will get bogged, and even the election gusts in Armenia cannot blow
away the stifling air.

After elections people felt more focus on social affairs ` from January
1 pensions, benefits, aid will increase. As to new jobs, apparently
there will be complications. There is no time for that ` now all effort
will focus on fulfillment of election pledges.

Meanwhile, people want stability, comfort, heat, food, good news, love,
health ` simple human happiness.

Let the year 2007 pass!!!

KOCHARIAN SIGNS ARMENIAN DEFENSE DOCTRINE
By Emil Danielyan

Radio Liberty, Czech Republic
Dec 26 2007

President Robert Kocharian signed on Wednesday Armenia’s official
military doctrine that describes Azerbaijan’s pledges to win back
Nagorno-Karabakh as a key threat to national security and asserts
Yerevan’s right to launch pre-emptive military strikes against
potential aggressors.

"In the event of an immediate threat of armed aggression, the Republic
of Armenia reserves itself the right to take military actions aimed at
neutralizing it," reads the doctrine approved by Kocharian’s National
Security Council on Friday.

The 18-page document was drawn up by a special commission of the
Armenian Defense Ministry in collaboration with local and foreign
experts. Its main points are in tune a separate "national security
strategy" that was signed by the president in February.

Both documents were developed as a result of Armenia’s decision three
years ago to deepen its defense and security links with NATO and
other Western security structures. The Armenian government has since
upgraded its participation in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program
by negotiating an "individual partnership action plan," or IPAP,
with the U.S.-led alliance.

Accordingly, the military doctrine states that Armenia will
increasingly cooperate with the armed forces of NATO member states
and the United States in particular in reforming its military and
contributing to international security. It specifically commits
Yerevan to expanding its involvement in Western-led peace-keeping
operations abroad. The Armenian military already has small contingents
deployed in Kosovo and Iraq and is considering joining the NATO-led
multinational force in Afghanistan.

The doctrine makes it clear at the same that "strategic partnership"
with Russia will remain the bedrock of Armenia’s defense policy. It
says the two countries will continue to maintain close military ties
both on a bilateral basis and within the framework of the Russian-led
Collective Security Treaty Organization.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan’s persistent threats
to resolve it by force are high on the list of "external threats"
to Armenia’s security contained in the document. "The Republic of
Armenia is the guarantor and supporter of the security of the people
of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and their chosen path of development,"
it says. Among other perceived security threats is Turkey’s "strategic
alliance" with Azerbaijan and continuing economic blockade of Armenia.

The doctrine also lists internal security challenges such as attempts
to change the country’s "constitutional order," set up "illegal armed
groups" and "discredit" the Armenian Armed Forces. The latter are to
play the central role in meeting all these challenges. The government,
for its part, undertakes to make the army more combat-ready by
supplying it with modern weaponry and boosting the morale of military
personnel.

The doctrine reaffirms the government’s commitment to defense reforms
that are meant to bring the Armenian military into greater conformity
with NATO standards and practices. The government undertook to
implement such reforms three years ago and plans to complete them by
2015. If implemented, they will lead to greater civilian control over
the military and a so-called "civilianization" of the Armenian Defense
Ministry. The ministry’s current organizational structure essentially
mirrors that of the formerly Soviet and now Russian armed forces,
with army officers holding just about every ministerial position and
facing little civilian oversight.

The doctrine further envisages that the proportion of contractual
personnel in Armenia’s conscription-based army will grow significantly
in the coming years.

MESSAGE TO PEOPLE OF ARMENIA

Lragir, Armenia
Dec 24 2007

On the eve of the presidential election 2008 several dozens of
political forces and NGOs of Armenia have come together and decided
to support the first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

Political parties, NGOs, intelligentsia, freedom fighters, businessmen,
citizens of different occupations with different ideologies and
political approaches have come together to support Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

This unprecedented unification of the past few years is based on the
sense of responsibility for the state and people, and worry for the
future of the country.

The government of Kocharyan and Sargsyan has established a bandit
regime in Armenia, which perceives power as a means of robbing the
country and people.

As a result of the imperfect foreign policy of the bandit regime
Armenia has been left out of regional economic programs and has
appeared in international isolation, turning into a third world
country.

Nagorno-Karabakh was deprived of the only internationally recognized
status as a party in the talks. The international community has
stopped acknowledging the aspirations of the people of Artsakh for
self-determination.

The economy of the country is exposed to collapse, artificial
monopolies suffocate free entrepreneurship, export is decreasing and
import is growing, consumer prices are soaring.

A real khanate system of relations has been set up in Armenia which
contradicts to the mentality of the Armenian people. Fear, doubt,
insecurity, total violation of human rights and dignity of citizens
cause a dramatic growth of migration.

The freedom-loving people of Armenia cannot bear the existence of the
bandit regime any more, because it leads our fatherland to destruction,
deprives our children of faith in their future.

The purpose of the forces which have come together around Levon
Ter-Petrosyan is to restore people’s faith in their strength, establish
the rule of citizens, strengthen Armenia, reach the international
recognition of Karabakh.

We are convinced that Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s victory in the presidential
election 2008 is the only way to achieve qualitative changes. Levon
Ter-Petrosyan is the only candidate who is able to bring together
the forces which worry about the future of the country, protect the
choice of people and contribute his immense political experience to
the welfare of Armenia, Karabakh and the Armenians worldwide.

Dear compatriots,

A popular movement has emerged in Armenia the determination of which
will be rewarded by victory. It will be the victory of every citizen of
the Republic of Armenia. The bandit regime is in panic. Its desperate
efforts to keep people in fear are doomed to failure. The Armenian
people are in a state of civil wakening. Nothing can prevent the
triumph of the will of people. We call on every citizen of the Republic
of Armenia to join the popular movement, contribute to the victory
of people for the sake of our responsibility for the next generation.

Victory to Armenia,

Victory to people,

Victory to Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

THE REPUBLIC CONGRESS OF PARTIES, NGOs AND CIVIL INITIATIVES SUPPORTING
LEVON TER-PETROSYAN