Author: Boshkezenian Garik

AZG Armenian Daily #030, 16/02/2008

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ARA ABRAHAMIAN AWARDED MARSHAL BAGHRAMIAN MEDAL

President of World Armenian Congress and Russian
Armenians Union Ara Abrahamian was awarded Marshal
Baghramian Medal for assistance to Armenian Army. The
award was given by RA Defense Minister Michael
Harutyunian.

It is informed that during their conversation Michael
Harutyunian and Ara Abrahamian discussed issues of
making closer cooperation. Ara Abrahamian proposed to
carry out contests in the army for the title `the best
officer’ and `the best soldier’. According to Ara
Abrahamian, similar contests will contribute to making
higher the moral-psychological atmosphere and will
inspire different groups of society.

It is decided to carry out contests among Senior
Officer Corps, Medium Officer Corps and Soldier Corps
that will be financed by world Armenian Congress.

Translated by L.H.

EUROPEAN ENVOY URGES AZERBAIJAN TO INVOLVE ARMENIA IN ECONOMIC PROJECTS

Ekspress
Feb 14 2008
Azerbaijan

The newly-appointed OSCE envoy on Nagornyy Karabakh, Heikki Talvitie,
has urged Azerbaijan to involve Armenia in economic projects.

"Both sides should believe that they will benefit more from resolving
the conflict rather than fighting a war, especially in the sphere
of economic development and trade. In particular, Azerbaijan should
involve Armenia in its economic projects," Talvitie said in an
interview with Ekspress newspaper published on 14 February.

Asked why he thinks the OSCE Minsk Group’s efforts to settle the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict have yielded no results over the past 14
years, Talvitie said: "I would not like to speak about the political
component of the peace talks. This issue is of low importance… If
the South Caucasus region operates as a single economic zone, more
investors will show interest in working in this region."

The envoy said that his appointment showed that Finland, the current
OSCE chair, was set to pay more attention to the resolution of
conflicts. "In general, the OSCE’s chances to resolve conflicts in
the South Caucasus region are increasing. But this absolutely does
not mean that this or some other organization will adopt a decision
instead of the [conflicting] sides through making statements or
assisting to implement projects," Talvitie said.

BRAD SHERMAN OPPOSES ADMINISTRATION FUNDING LEVEL TO ARMENIA

armradio.am
14.02.2008 14:30

Brad Sherman (D-CA) raised strong concerns regarding the
Administration’s proposed budget for Armenia during the House Foreign
Affairs Committee hearing with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
the Armenian Assembly of America reports.

In response to Sherman’s statement, Secretary Rice replied that Armenia
also receives funding through the Millennium Challenge Act (MCA). In
March of 2006, the United States and Armenia concluded a 5-year,
$235.65 million compact under the MCA to help reduce rural poverty and
increase agricultural productivity in Armenia. This funding is separate
and distinct from the funding provided under the Freedom Support Act.

Sherman told the Armenian Assembly that "the Administration’s budget
request is wholly inadequate. Assistance provided under the MCA is
not a substitute for other important programs in Armenia provided
under the Freedom Support Act. I will work with my colleagues to
correct this gross disparity."

Condoleezza Rice was on Capitol Hill testifying regarding the
Administration’s Fiscal Year 2009 International Affairs Budget. The
Administration’s budget slashed funding to Armenia by nearly 60 percent
from $58.5 million in FY 2008 to a proposed level of $24 million in
FY 2009.

The budget request also called for more military funding for
Azerbaijan; a clear breach of the agreement reached with Congress
in 2001 regarding military parity for both countries. Under the
Administration’s budget request, Azerbaijan is slated to receive
$900,000 in International Military Education Training compared to
$300,000 for Armenia.

"We commend Congressman Sherman for raising this concern directly with
the Secretary. The Armenian Assembly strongly opposes the allocation
level as proposed by Administration and will fight to ensure robust
assistance for Armenia," stated Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

ARA ABRAHAMYAN AWARDED "MARSHAL BAGHRAMYAN" MEDAL

armradio.am
14.02.2008 17:17

On February 14 RA Defense Minister Michael Harutyunyan received the
delegation led by the Chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russia
and the World Armenian Congress Ara Abrahamyan.

Minister Harutyunyan greeted the guests, highly appreciating Ara
Abrahamyan’s contribution to the improvement of the Armed Forces of
the Republic of Armenia. The gusts stated that the Congress and the
Union are greatly interested in regional developments. The Minister
noted that the role of the organizations in the above-mentioned
processes is essential.

At the end of the meeting Michael Harutyunyan conferred a "Marshal
Baghramyan" medal on Ara Abrahamyan for the assistance to the Armed
Forces of Armenia.

The interlocutors exchanged views on a number of issues related to
regional security and stability.

Lragir, Armenia
Feb 15 2008

RECORDS THAT WERE NOT SET IN ARMENIA

The Russian president Vladimir Putin breaks his own records of news
conferences. His latest news conference was unprecedented: 4 hours 41
minutes duration, 100 questions, over 1360 accredited reporters. In
fact, it is highly impressive. Perhaps it is Putin’s last large news
conference as president of Russia although he may hold one more,
since he will be in office for two or three more months. However, it
is not important anymore because the Russian president observed the
custom he established during his office to hold annual news
conferences. As one tracks the dynamics, Putin has involved more and
more journalists in communication with him, at least once a year,
enabling national, regional and foreign media to ask him questions.
It is not definitely true that all the reporters are satisfied with
Putin’s answers, but it is already the problem of the media because
they are given a chance to ask questions.

As I watched Putin’s news conference, I started thinking about the
attitude of the Armenian president towards the media. During his
office Kocharyan did not enlarge the volume of his communication with
the media but reduced it to three TV companies. Sometimes it happens,
of course, that the president invites some more TV channels and
newspapers to accompany him in foreign visits but he mainly invites
the media which have a positive attitude towards him, or at least do
not criticize and ask undesirable questions. Usually, however, Robert
Kocharyan gets in touch with those media only in case he has
something to say on a definite home political issue. In other words,
the media are not enabled to ask a question to the president but are
sent for to record the words of the president.

This is the general picture of the contact between Robert Kocharyan
and the media. It is not clear why Robert Kocharyan for whom Vladimir
Putin has always been a model would not act similarly, especially
that it would only improve Robert Kocharyan’s image because the
president who is ready to answer possibly more questions and enable
possibly more media to ask these questions is always highly
appreciated. The problem might be the difference of the results of
government. In other words, Putin has probably conducted a policy
which enables him to answer questions, of course, independent from
how frank and satisfactory the answers are. Meanwhile, Robert
Kocharyan’s answers are few, or some questions do not have an answer
at all. After all, it is not always possible to ascribe all the good
things to oneself, and explain all the bad things by the 1990’s. It
is also possible that Robert Kocharyan is reluctant to hold a big
news conference at least once a year. He has no wish and that’s it.
It is also possible. After all, the president is free to make a
decision, and has perhaps a constitutional right not to hold a news
conference. However, perhaps this is the only case when using his
right is not commendable.

JAMES HAKOBYAN

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Feb 14 2008

MONITORING HELD ON TROOPS CONTACT LINE

In accordance with the mandate of special envoy of OSCE Acting
Chairman, monitoring was held February 14 near Tapgaragoyunlu village
of Goranboy region of Azerbaijan on the troops contact line of the
Armed Forces of Azerbaijan Republic and the Republic of Armenia,
Defense Ministry’s press service said.
Field assistants, Andzeu Kaspshik, Imre Palatinus and Zhaslan
Nurtazin monitored Azerbaijani side, while Antal Herdich and Miroslav
Vimetal the opposite side.

SOME QUESTIONS TO ISRAEL
by Axin Arbili

The Conservative Voice
30762.html
Feb 13 2008
NC

As a Kurd, I want to know from the State of Israel;

Why is Israel allied with the Turkish military? Why does Israel
support the Turkish forces in murdering Kurdish civilians? Why does
Israel provide unmanned aerial vehicles, intelligence, and equipment
used by the Turks to attack the Kurdish liberation movement, capture,
torture, murder our freedom fighters? Why does Israel participate
in the Turkish crimes against humanity? Why does Israel support the
Turkish military dictatorship and thus a status quo that is barbaric,
criminal, genocidal? Why does Israel support the Turkish propaganda,
tyranny, fascism?

What are the benefits of this partnership for Israel? Why does
Israel value an alliance with a state which is Islamic, which has
traditionally, emotionally, religiously always sided with the
Palestinian Muslims? Why does it believe in a friendly Turkish
state which actually permits and supports anti-Israel, anti-Jewish
propaganda in its schools, media, mosques? Are the Jews still dhimmis
of the Turks, as they were under the Ottomans? Is Israel afraid of
Turkey? Has Ankara perhaps threatened you, forced you to cooperate?

Or is Israel simply following US guidelines for maintaining Western
"strategic interests" in the Middle East? Why did Israeli governments
and Jewish organizations in the USA help prevent, on behalf of the
Turkish regime, the recognition of the Armenian genocide by Senate
and Congress? Why is the genocide, after nine decades of proven facts
and documentation, still not been recognized by your own parliament?

Isn’t that a shame for the State of Israel and for all those conscious
of the Shoah? How can Israel complain about Ahmadinejad’s statement
of the Holocaust being a myth when at the same the Jewish parliament
refuses to recognize the Armenian genocide? Shouldn’t Israel be
different from other nations? Shouldn’t Israel be a beacon of moral
conscious, truth, hope, and justice for the world? Why is Israel
engaged in double games and double-standards of realpolitik?

But what really is Israel’s gain in all of this? In what ways does
Israel profit from collaborating with the Turkish regime and military,
a state which denies the existence and rights of 30 million people,
which is suppressing their identity, language, and culture, which
is burning and bombarding their villages, which is humiliating,
terrorizing, murdering innocent men, women, and children just because
they are Kurds who want to live as free Kurds. Don’t the Jews have any
empathy at all for the suffering of a defenceless people? Why is there
no word of condemnation from Israel about the Turkish atrocities and
crimes? Why is Israel silent? Is it just (weapons) business as usual,
are profits more important than human life?

At least why doesn’t Israel remain neutral, why is it engaged on the
Turkish side? Does Israel hope the Turks will be on their side in case
of war with Iran? Don’t the Jews know that the Turkish Muslims will
not fight another Muslim state that has the same strategic interests
in the region, which is the domination over the Kurds, occupation
and exploitation of Kurdish lands? Don’t they know that the Turkish
and Iranian regimes have agreements on that and are cooperating for
decades? Do the Jews really believe that their purpose is served by
supporting a state of terror and crime, and that this will lead to
more security in their neighbourhood, to peace with the Arabs?

Why help bomb a movement that truly strives for freedom and democracy,
that could be a natural ally of Israel?

What are Israel’s reasons for a pact with the Devil?

ARMENIAN PREMIER, IRANIAN ENVOY DISCUSS PROSPECTS OF RELATIONS

Mediamax
Feb 13 2008
Armenia

Yerevan. 13 February: Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan and
the newly-appointed Iranian ambassador to Armenia, Ali Saghayan,
discussed prospects of developing relations between Armenia and Iran
in Yerevan today.

The two men pointed out that cooperation between the two countries in
spheres of transport and energy are dynamically developing, however,
there is a great potential for the development of relations in other
spheres too, such as culture, science, technology, education, art,
etc., the press service of the Armenian government has told Mediamax.

The Armenian prime minister noted that Iran has been and remains as
an important country for Armenia, and the friendly relations between
the two neighbours have centuries-old roots.

The Iranian ambassador said that he has repeatedly visited Armenia
before his appointment to this post and he is well-versed in the
processes under way in the country.

Saghayan noted that the level of trade-economic relations between Iran
and Armenia do not yet correspond to the high level of the political
cooperation between the two countries to which the sides should pay
special attention.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT

Noyan Tapan
Feb 13, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. At the February 13 sitting, the
Armenian government approved the tourism development concept. The
concept was developed by the USAID-financed Competetive Armenian
Private Sector (CAPS) program in cooperation with "Armenia 2020"
project and "Economy and Values" research center. The current state
of the tourism sector of Armenia, international experience, as well
as the results of examination and analysis of problems and proposals
presented by the Armenian Tourism Development Agency (ATDA) and the
private sector were taken into account in developing this concept. The
purpose of the tourism development concept is to define and assess
the tendencies and prospects of tourism development in Armenia,
establish the main goals of state policy in the tourism sector,
assess challenges and obstacles and determine the tasks, directions
and principles of state policy for the implemenation of these goals.

The RA minister of trade and economic development Nerses Yeritsian
told reporters after the sitting that the concept is aimed at not only
increasing the number of tourists to Armenia but also at extending
the tourism season in the country, ensuring an active flow of tourists
throughout the year.

According to the minister, the range of tourist services should be
extended, which will result in a growth of revenues.

N. Yeritsian said that during the development of the concept,
Armenia was compared with other similar countries, based on which
some long-term forecasts were made, with 2030 being established as
deadline for their implementation. In particular, it is planned to
increase the number of tourists to Armenia to 1.5 million in 2020
and to 3 million in 2030.

Allocations to the sector are planned to grow from current 300-400
million dollars to 1.3-1.5 billion dollars in 2020 and to about 3
billion dollars in 2030.

In the words of the minister, the major prerequisites for developing
tourism in Armenia are historical and cultural values and nature. So
special attention should be paid to cluster development of lodgings
in rural areas.

SERBIA URGES UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.02.2008 13:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Moscow baked Serbia’s call for an urgent meeting
of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday to discuss Kosovo’s expected
declaration of independence.

Serbia’s U.N. Ambassador Pavle Jevremovic said Tuesday his government
wants council members to consider "an extremely grave situation" in
the Serbian province of Kosovo, where final preparations are taking
place for a unilateral declaration of independence.

He said such a declaration would violate a 1999 U.N. resolution
providing for Kosovo to be administered by the U.N. and NATO troops
and Serbia’s territorial integrity, the IHT reports.

Contrary to U.S. and majority of the EU member states, Moscow opposes
unilateral proclamation of Kosovo’s independence.

Serbia’s Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica warned that Belgrade will
declare the independence proclamation illegal.