Author: Boshkezenian Garik

AIR ARABIA’S SERVICE TO ARMENIA IS FOURTH NEW ROUTE THIS MONTH
Gulf News, United Arab Emirates
Nov 22 2006
Dubai: Air Arabia, the first low-fare airline in the Middle East and
North Africa, launched its fourth new route this month to Armenia,
having made its inaugural flight to Yerevan last week.
Air Arabia’s chairman, Shaikh Abdullah bin Mohammad Al Thani, led a
delegation on the eve of the inaugural flight.
He said: “Air Arabia is delighted to fly to Yerevan. Known as the
pink city of Armenia, and being 2,788 years old it is recognised as
one of the most ancient eastern cities in the world.
“Our young airline has a history of creating new destinations and we
hope to do the same with our most recent destinations in India and
the GCC.
“We are committed to offering affordable travel to more people
across the region and are excited about extending our reach into this
extraordinary region.
“This is yet another budget-friendly destination that will appeal
to the many types of travellers with Air Arabia. Given the diversity
of activities the city has to offer, and convenient flight timings,
this destination is ideal for weekend breaks by giving our passengers
the opportunity to enjoy a taste of the Caucasus country just less
than three hours from the UAE,” said Shaikh Abdullah.
Air Arabia will fly two times a week to Yerevan, every Wednesday and
Saturday, departing from Sharjah at 9:15am, arriving in Yerevan at
12:20pm and departing Yerevan at 1:05pm to arrive back in Sharjah
at 3:55pm.
Starting with a single flight to Bahrain in October 2003, Air Arabia
today flies to over 30 destinations in 20 countries, including recent
additions like Chennai and Thiruvanthapuram in India, Latakia in
Syria and Kathmandu in Nepal, and now carries more than two million
passengers annually.

USA: ELECTIONS ARE OVER, YET NOTHING HAS CHANGED
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.11.2006 GMT+04:00
After the recent breakdowns the USA suffered on the international
scene, it is very important for the USA, that Turkey joins the EU.
After any elections no fundamental or sudden changes have ever
occurred in the US foreign policy. According to the Constitution,
it is determined by the President, and is executed by the Secretary
of State, so President Bush will be responsible for the course of
the US foreign policy unless he leaves the White House in January,
2009. This means, that the hope of the Armenian Community in America,
about the Democrats recognizing the Armenian Genocide of 1915, or
making the Turks open the Armenian-Turkish borders, is quite unreal.
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Once again taking advantage of the votes of the
Armenian Diaspora, the American politicians prefer to go on pursuing
their own course, offering the Armenians a glimmer of hope from time
to time. Alas, this is the reality. In this sense, the optimistic
views of the Armenian Diaspora about the Democrats coming into
power in the House of Representatives and US Senate in the result
of the interim elections is not understandable. No country, and,
all the more, the United States will ever be guided by unreal ideas
of justice. According to the US Ambassador to Great Britain Robert
Tuttle, all the Presidents, including President Bush, have carried
out and will go on to carry out discussions with the Congress about
the trends of the US foreign policy.
According to the Republican Leaders, “The US foreign policy tends
to abolish the outcomes of the Ottoman Empire in the USSR”. This
is exactly how they explain their invasion to Iraq and Afghanistan,
as well as the fact of not recognizing the Armenian Genocide in the
Ottoman Turkey. After the recent breakdowns on the international
scene it is extremely important for the USA, that Turkey joins the
EU, and they are ready to shut their eyes on almost everything,
that goes on in the negotiations between Turkey and EU. It should be
mentioned that the matter of the Armenian Genocide and the opening
of the Armenian-Turkish borders are not of paramount importance,
the Cyprus question and changes in Turkey’s Criminal Code, and in
the notorious Article 301, in particular, are questions of more
importance. Regarding the latter, the Prime Minister of Turkey
R. Erdogan, expressed himself rather clearly, “The Article 301 will
not contradict the freedom of speech and will not do any harm to the
negotiations with the EU.” This is obviously done on the advice of
the US, who persistently wants to incline Europe into an alliance
with Turkey, which is fraught with unpredictable outcomes.
It must be mentioned that by Ottoman Turkey other Arabic countries
are also meant, which, as it is known, were once conquered by
Turkey. “Turkey is an exception, it has been the strategic partner
of the USA over the last 60 years, and the fact that the “empires
of evil” do not exist any more, changes nothing in the region”, the
Republicans claim. Somehow they are right; there is still sufficient
oil in the region to be used for wars for the “vital interests of the
US”, something which is fulfilled with alternating success. Let us
add the supreme Jewish lobby to it, which exists and affects all the
levels of the political and social life of the USA. Having such power,
the American politicians simply do not have time and any wish to take
upon the matters, concerning Armenia; after all Armenia has no oil,
no gas.
This is why optimism towards victory of the Democrats is
exaggerated. One more circumstance must be mentioned; the situation
where one political party only control, in any case, one House of
Congress, and the President is the representative of the other party,
often is very handy for the Americans. The experience shows, that some
of the most important and most effective legislative acts were adopted
by the Congress and signed by the President exactly during such years.
“PanARMENIAN.Net” analytical department

ROBERT KOCHARYAN: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN ARMENIA’S GDP STRUCTURE MAKE UP 2%
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 17 2006
The information technologies in Armenia’s GDP structure make up 2%
already, RA President Robert Kocharyan said in his yesterday’s speech
in the Bertelsmann Fund in Berlin.
As the Presidential press-service told ArmInfo, R. Kocharyan has
called armenia’s achievements in IT sphere a competitive advantage,
on which the reforms are based and which an evidence of a high level
of the population’ s education. “Meanwhile, we fully recognize that
it would be impossible to use this advantage without serious changes
in our educational sector and in science. Therefore, Armenia takes an
active part in the Bolonian process, bringing its educational system
to conformity with the European standards”, the President noted. He
underlines that Armenia is developing now a strategy of large-scale
reforms in the area of fundamental and applied science.

RUSSIA WITHDRAWING TBILISI GARRISON AHEAD OF TIME
Interfax, Russia
Nov 16 2006
MOSCOW. Nov 16 (Interfax-AVN) – The withdrawal of the Tbilisi garrison
of the Russian Forces in the South Caucasus started on Thursday,
a representative of the forces’ command told Interfax-AVN by phone.
“The first train carrying military hardware and property of the
Tbilisi garrison departed for the 102nd Russian Military Base in
Gyumri, Armenia, on Thursday. Only the headquarters personnel of the
Russian Forces in the South Caucasus will remain in Tbilisi after
December 10,” he said.
“The second train will leave Tbilisi for Russia on November 23, the
third train will depart for Russia on December 1, and another train
to Gyumri is scheduled for December 10,” the source said.
All trains will go to Russia through Azerbaijan, which signed an
agreement on military cargo transit with Russia, the source said.

ARMENIAN, BUNDESTAG PRESIDENTS DISCUSS RELATIONS
Public Television, Armenia
Nov 16 2006
[Presenter] The Armenian and Bundestag presidents took part in the
opening ceremony of the new building of the Armenian embassy in
Berlin’s Charlottenburg district.
President Robert Kocharyan and President of the Bundestag Norbert
Lammert held a meeting at the new Armenian new embassy in Germany
and discussed the development of Armenian-German relations.
[Correspondent reporting from Berlin] The new building of the Armenian
embassy in Germany was opened in Berlin’s Charlottenburg district.
President Robert Kocharyan’s meeting with President of the Bundestag
Norbert Lammert at the embassy was symbolic. The Armenian president
said that the opening of the embassy building reflects the development
of Armenian-German relations, which has been noticeable in the last
few years. Robert Kocharyan noted that bilateral economic and political
relations are deepening and assistance programmes are acquiring a new
quantitative nature. The Armenian president said that there were no
relations a few years ago. Today Armenia seriously intends to develop
relations with Germany.
Germany’s forthcoming presidency of the European Union [EU] will
have a positive influence on these relations. Germany attaches
great importance to the integration of the South Caucasus within the
framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy.
The president of the Bundestag described as symbolic the opening of
the new building of the Armenian embassy in Germany two days after
the signing of Armenia’s Action Plan in Brussels. Armenia opens the
embassy in Germany which will chair the EU from 1 January 2007.
After the meeting, Robert Kocharyan and Norbert Lammert took part in
the opening ceremony of the embassy.
[Norbert Lammert, speaking in German with an Armenian voice-over]
The opening of the embassy symbolizes the level of Armenian-German
relations. These relations have been developing between the
governments. But it is necessary to develop interparliamentary
relations as well.
[Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan] Armenia deserves to have
an embassy building in Germany. Every time we open an Armenian embassy
abroad, we confirm our presence and Armenia’s independence.
In 15 years of independence, Armenia has opened embassies in more that
35 countries and this is the best manifestation of our independence.
[Correspondent] Representatives of Germany’s Armenian community,
diplomats, members of the Armenian and German governments took part
in the opening ceremony.

ARKADY GHOUKASSIAN MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF ARMENIAN DIASPORA OF U. S. WESTERN COAST
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Nov 17 2006
As it has already been reported, Arkady Ghoukassian is in the U. S.
in connection with the TV marathon targeted at fund raising for the
NKR’s further development to be held in Los Angeles November 23.
According to the information DE FACTO got at the Main Department of
Information under the NKR President, Arkady Ghoukassian met with the
representatives of the Armenian Diaspora of the U. S. Western coast.
A reception was organized in honor of the NKR President. RA Consul
General in Los Angeles Armen Liloyan also participated in the event.
Arkady Ghoukassian met with a famous philanthropist Albert Boyajian,
an active participant of the TV marathons held in the U. S Arkady
Avanesian, Americans for Artsakh Organization’s President Zaven
Khanjian and the U. S. Western coast Armenian Jewelers Association
Chair Levon Shant Khaytaian. In the course of the talks the
interlocutors considered the issues referring to the perspectives of
the implementation of various projects in the sphere of economy,
education and culture in Artsakh.

EU TO SIGN ‘NEIGHBORHOOD’ ACCORDS WITH 3 SOUTH CAUCASUS NATIONS
Kyiv Post, Ukraine
Nov 14 2006
BRUSSELS (AP) – The European Union will sign accords with Georgia,
Azerbaijan and Armenia Tuesday offering the three nations extensive
economic help and easy access to EU markets in return for a pledge
to commit to across-the-board reforms in the years ahead.
“These agreements will boost our relationship,” said EU External
Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner after she had dinner
with the foreign ministers of the three south Caucasus nations Monday.
The ‘European Neighborhood’ accords offer broad EU economic help
and cooperation in justice affairs, transport, energy, environment,
research, education, health and other sectors.
They aim to craft a “ring of friends” – eventually embracing Israel,
Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinians, Tunisia
and Ukraine – and offer them easy access to the EU’s vast internal
market if they stay the course on reforms.
Crucially, EU membership is not on offer. This has riled some
countries, notably Ukraine.
The EU sees the neighborhood accords as an opportunity to help settle
frozen conflicts in the south Caucasus and help nations there to
normalize frayed ties with Russia.
The EU is concerned about poor relations between Russia and Georgia
and the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
On Tuesday, the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will have
another round of talks about the disputed territory in Azerbaijan that
has been under the control of Armenian and ethnic Armenian Karabakh
forces since a 1994 cease-fire ended a six-year separatist war that
killed about 30,000 people and drove about 1 million from their homes.
“This is a big problem hampering the development of the (south
Caucasus) region,” said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.
He and Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian met last Oct. 24
in Paris.
The final status of Nagorno-Karabakh has not been worked out. Years
of talks under the auspices of international mediators have brought
few visible results.
On Monday, the EU foreign ministers said they will not recognize a
weekend referendum vote result backing independence for Georgia’s
breakaway province of South Ossetia.
The ministers said in a statement the vote “did not contribute to
efforts for peaceful conflict resolution (and) contradicts Georgia’s
sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Earlier, Georgia’s Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli told reporters
his government “remains faithful to a peaceful resolution of the
conflict.” He added that “all sides must refrain from provocations”
like the independence vote.
Election officials in South Ossetia said voters in the disputed region
had approved independence for the tiny Caucasus Mountains province
on Russia’s border, which split off from Georgian central government
control in a bloody 1990s war.
The EU sees the vote as a Russia ploy to destabilize Georgia.
Georgian-Russian relations hit a new low in September after Georgia
briefly detained four Russian officers it accused of spying. Russia
responded with economic sanctions and a crackdown on Georgians living
in Russia. Earlier this month Russian state-controlled natural gas
monopoly OAO Gazprom said it would more than double the price it
charges for gas supplies to Georgia.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Nov 11 2006
Putin vows to double trade with Azerbaijan
AssA-Irada 11/11/2006 02:51
Russia and Azerbaijan plan to double bilateral trade in the near
future, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.
In a meeting at the Kremlin on Thursday with his Azerbaijani
counterpart Ilham Aliyev, in Russia on a three-day visit, Putin said
the strengthening trade ties between the two countries will serve the
purpose. He noted that the bilateral trade turnover has already
exceeded a billion dollars.
`I believe we will double it in the next two or three years. In any
case, the growth rate of the turnover suggests this,’ the Russian
leader said. `We have established very high-level cooperation in the
political field, international affairs and the economy.’
Putin said the two countries have already increased their trade by
50% this year compared the first ten months of 2005.
President Aliyev praised bilateral ties as well. `The relations
between Russia and Azerbaijan have reached their highest level –
probably a peak since gaining independence [in 1991]. We aspire to
further expand potential for cooperation. We are successfully
collaborating in the political, economic and humanitarian areas. A
positive solution of outstanding issues will facilitate strengthening
our ties and stabilizing the situation in the region as a whole.’
The two leaders also discussed the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh, regional security and other international
issues.
350 Russian companies are operating in Azerbaijan. Most of the
Russian investments have been directed to the production and
transportation of oil. Azerbaijan mainly imports wheat, sugar,
beetroots, electricity, natural gas, and timber from its northern
neighbor, while exports include fruit and vegetables, petrochemicals,
tea and cotton.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2006
U.S. Middle Eastern Policy Needs Help and Positive Impulses from
Turkey – Azeri Politician

Source: Trend
Author: S.Ilhamgizi

10.11.2006

The U.S. Administration understands that it should not take any steps
annoying Turkey. Because tomorrow while withdrawing the American
troops from Iraq, they will need Turkey, Politician Rasim Musabeyov
informed Trend, commenting on the election of Nancy Pelosi, who has
been known with his pro-Armenian position, as the Speaker of the USA
House of Representatives.
He stressed that it is not worthy to await the recognition of the
separatist regime of Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of election of a
person who appeared with Armenian interests. It is not in the
disposal of the Speaker or House of Representatives. The Congress can
not demonstrate pro-Armenian position, with the initiative of the
Speaker. The Congress may demonstrate pro-Armenian position in
several spheres. `The USA is the only country that provides direct
humanitarian assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh. For instance, the volume
of this aid may be increased with the initiative of the Speaker,’ the
politician said. Touching upon the so-called `Armenian genocide’, he
underlined that the Congress has the authority to make a statement on
this issue. The document should be approved by the Senate and
President to come into force.
According to him, during the power of the democrats, the question of
`Armenian genocide’ was included into the agenda. `But at this time,
the President Bill Clinton forwarded a protest letter and the Speaker
closed this topic. The position of the government included that
discussing such question is contrary to the interests of the USA.
Generally the USA Administration understands that if it takes any
steps annoying Turkey, then tomorrow while withdrawing the American
troops from Iraq, they will need Turkey, but maybe they can not
receive this assistance from Turkey. In addition, the Middle Eastern
policy of the USA needs the help and positive impulses of Turkey. I
consider that the European lobby in the USA is stronger than the
Armenian lobby. And it is in favor of Turkey,’ Musabeyov underlined.
Musabeyov added that taking any steps in favor of the `Armenian
genocide’ in the USA will be aimed at putting pressure on Turkey.
The politician stressed that it does not need to exaggerate the
pro-Armenian position of the new Speaker Nancy Pelosi. `First of all,
she will serve the interests of the USA, and the pro-Armenian
position is in the third or fifth place,’ he said.

TURKEY MOVES TO IMPROVE RIGHTS OF NON-MUSLIM MINORITIES
Agence France Presse — English
November 9, 2006 Thursday 5:48 PM GMT
The Turkish parliament passed Thursday a law to improve the property
rights of the country’s tiny Christian and Jewish communities, a key
European Union demand, and faced criticism that the bill falls short
of expectations.
The legislation, which needs the president’s approval to take effect,
paves the way for mainly Greek, Armenian and Jewish foundations to
recover properties seized by the state since 1974 under a controversial
court ruling.
Community representatives have slammed the bill for failing to provide
a remedy for the return of or compensation for properties the state
had since sold to third parties, warning that Turkey risks hefty
compensation cases at the European Court of Human Rights.
They have also denounced a provision that limits the period for
applications for the return of properties to 18 months.
In a report on Ankara’s progress towards membership, the European
Commission said Wednesday that “non-Muslim religious communities have
no access to legal personality and continue to face restricted property
rights,” even though freedom of worship is “generally respected”
in the country.
The bill, an overhaul of the Foundations Law, loosens the tight state
control over all foundations and broadens their rights on property
and administration.
In another move to address EU criticism, it allows foundations to
operate abroad and receive foreign funds, but only on the condition
that international activities are mentioned in their statutes,
a restriction which, critics say, effectively excludes non-Muslim
institutions.
The bill, on parliament’s agenda since September, faced harsh
objections by the main opposition, which accused the government of
compromising Turkey’s interests under EU pressure.
Non-Muslims in Turkey are mostly Greeks and Armenians, often viewed
with suspicion because of deep mistrust towards Greece, a historical
rival, and Armenia, which accuses Ottoman Turks of having committed
genocide against its ancestors during World War I.
In September, legislators also broadened the rights of minority
schools, but scrapped a proposal that would have allowed them to enrol
foreign students, in a move to avoid laying ground for the reopening
of a Greek Orthodox theology school, another EU demand.
The 1971 closure of the century-old seminary, on the island of Halki
off Istanbul, deprived the Eastern Orthodox Church, seated in Istanbul
since Byzantine times when the city was called Constantinople, of a
facility to train clergy.
The issue of Christian minority rights is also likely to figure high on
the agenda of Pope Benedict XVI when he visits Turkey in late November.