Author: Chakrian Hovsep

ARMENIA INTENDS TO FACILITATE MILITARY COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA
Translated by A. Ignatkin

Gazeta.Ru
DEFENSE and SECURITY
November 28, 2007 Wednesday
Russia

The government of Armenia endorsed the draft Military Doctrine,
a document stipulating advancement of military cooperation with
Russia, press service of the Armenian government reported. According
to Armenian Defense Minister, Michael Arutunjan, priorities of
Armenian military and military-technical cooperation with foreign
countries were centered around strategic partnership with the Russian
Federation and active participation in programs of the CIS Collective
Security Treaty Organization (alliance of Russia, Belarus, Armenia,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan). Arutunjan added that Armenia
was guided by considerations of general military security, advancement
of military-political positions, preservation of military parity in
the region, international practices, and the necessity to modernize
its Armed Forces.

AMERICA’S FIRST EVER ARMENIAN HIGH SCHOOL’S ALUMNI TO HONOR FOUNDING FATHER MR. GABRIEL INJEJIKIAN

armradio.am
30.11.2007 10:22

Holy Martyrs Ferrahian Armenian High School graduates of the first ever
North American Armenian high school have come back united and strong
to honor a man they unanimously feel is an Armenian hero and a legend,
Mr. Gabriel Injejikian. January 11, 2008 will mark the revival of
the Ferrahian Alumni Association (FAA) with an unprecedented reunion
banquet honoring this great man and Armenian, the founding principal
of the school.

The FAA was first established in 1972, mainly as a social venue to keep
all Ferrahian graduates united and involved with the school. The FAA
went on to organize walk-a-thons, blood drives with the Red Cross on
April 24, Super Bowl Sundays, athletic events, and several receptions
honoring past board members, administrators, and teachers of the
school for their many years of support.

After an eight-year hiatus, the Association has been revived recently
by a dedicated group of alumni who are determined to make a significant
impact on the school’s and the community’s future. The initial focus
of the FAA is to gather contact data on the 1,584 Ferrahian graduates
from 1969 to 2007, and to bring them back to support a very special
school in the history of the American-Armenian community.

The goals and objectives of the FAA are to promote fellowship among
the alumni, faculty and students of the school, thereby enhancing a
sense of tradition, affiliation, and pride; and to provide additional
financial resources for the intellectual and educational development
of the students.

Ferrahian alumni are an instrumental resource for the growth of the
school, through which future generations of Armenians will be formed
and the Armenian community as a whole will be served. Chairperson
Monica Patanian, Class of ’72, said, "we are looking forward to
working very closely with Ferrahian Board of Directors Chairman, Toros
Kejejian, and the rest of the Board members and the Administration."

Russia & CIS General Newswire
November 30, 2007 Friday 5:23 PM MSK

Bryza sees no alternative to peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict

MADRID Nov 30

There is no alternative to a peaceful settlement of the problem of
Nagorno-Karabakh, OSCE Minsk Group Co- Chairman Matthew Bryza of the
U.S. said he believes.

In comments on Azeri Defense Minister Safar Abiyev’s statement, in
which Abiyev did not rule out the possibility of war with Armenia,
Bryza insisted that the Azeri-Armenian conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh
can only be peaceful, otherwise there is no need for the Minsk
process.

va rp

OYP NOMINATES ARTHUR BAGHDASARIAN

A1+
[07:44 am] 03 December, 2007

Today the Orinats Yerkir Party (OYP) nominated the party leader Arthur
Baghdasarian for the 2008 presidential elections. Arthur Baghdasarian
thanked his fellow lcolleagues for confidence and promised to pursue
the party’s principles. Arthur Baghdasarian named deputy chairwoman
Hermine Bisharian for the party leader. During her addressing speech
the latter dwelt on the country’s political scene and urged Armenian
residents to prevent vote tampering. She considered it an honour
to stand beside Arthur Baghdasarian. She assured the presentees
that Baghdasarian is the only person capable of saving the country
from the chaos. In reply to the question why the OYP doesn’t back
Levon Ter-Petrossian, Baghdasarian said, "We appreciate Levon
Ter-Petrossian’s great contribution to Armenia’s statehood. And
yet we do not share his vision to demolish the system of public
administration fundamentally and we do not consider the country a
bandit state. Armenia is a sovereign and independent country. At least
we have built a country the flag of which waves in many capitals of
the world." The OYP is ready to cooperate with all healthy forces
which are ready to carry out reforms in the country. The OYP leader
called on the presidential nominees to arm with tolerance and patience
during the presidential race.

To note the OYP’s sitting was attended by the leaders of the United
Labour Party (MAK), National Democratic Union (AZhM) and the Heritage
Party.

CONFERENCE "AZERBAIJAN EXAMPLE OF TOLERANCE" HELD ON INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR TOLERANCE IN BAKU

Azeri Press Agency
Nov 16 2007
Azerbaijan

Conference "Azerbaijan example of tolerance" was today held on
International Day for Tolerance in Baku, APA reports.

Chief of Caucasian Muslims Office Sheikhulislam Haji Allahshukur
Pashazadeh, chief of State Committee for Religious Affairs Hidayat
Orujov, chief of parliament’s committee for human rights Rabiyat
Aslanova, parliamentarians, representatives of religious confessions
operating in Azerbaijan and others participated in the event.

Hidayat Orujov read Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s appeal to
the participants.

Allahshukur Pashazadeh said that tolerance in Azerbaijan serves as
an example for the whole world.

"This is on the level of the state policy in Azerbaijan. Tradition
of tolerance exists in Azerbaijan for long years. Armenian officials
absurdly claim that Karabakh conflict is connected with religious
factor. This is excited message of Armenia, which understands its
weakness before Azerbaijan’s increasing military power, to the West.

Their religious leaders several times stated in the documents they
signed that Karabakh problem can not be regarded as a religious
conflict," he said.

Sheik touched upon several untraditional religious sects functioning
in Azerbaijan.

"Those who do not respect our durable economic development try to
suggest several negative cases opposing our national traditions,
world-outlook, life condition and commit diversion. Religious
intolerance, challenges to civil confrontation, efforts for collapsing
society and justifying terror, violence contradicts values of our
saint religious completely.

Pashazadeh stated that radical wahhabites, nurchu and other sects
stain Islam with their actions.

"Saboteurs should know that Azerbaijan removes such cases decisively,"
he said.

Following this, representatives of religious confessions addressed
the event and stressed that all the religions and nations live in
Azerbaijan peacefully. Azerbaijani MP Fattah Heydarov said that
Azerbaijan’s tolerance serves as an example for the whole world.

"This is the result of purposeful policy of the head of state,"
he said.

Tolerance is also carried out in our country as state policy at the
same time," he said.

IN OPINION OF VARDAN BOSTANJIAN, 2008 DRAFT STATE BUDGET IS AN "ASSAULT" ONE

Noyan Tapan
Nov 16, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The 2008 draft state budget of
Armenia is an "assault" one because it essentially differs from the
previous budgets from the viewpoint of its quantity and quality,
member of NA "Prosperous Armenia" faction Vardan Bostanjian expressed
an opinion at the November 16 press conference. According to him, this
is the first budget of the second stage of reforms being implemented
in Armenia. He said that "the budgetary classification has changed
in the draft, based on which the transparency of the document has
increased and the allocations have become more targeted".

In his opinion, one qualitative change in the draft budget is that
allocations for needs of the state machinery have been reduced,
with these sums being directed to solution of development problems.

As for the checkings at the enterprises owned by NA deputy, businessman
Khachatur Sukiasian, V. Bostanjian said that one condition for
development of any country is to promote activities of economic
entities. "As an expert, I cannot imagine how the activities of an
economic entity can be stopped at once," he said, adding that it will
do considerable damage to the country.

At the same time, he expressed an opinion that economic entities should
be conscientious. "If a tax payer is not punctual in fulfilment of his
obligations, some actions may be taken which can be suddenly assessed
as political pressure," the deputy said. In response to the question
about whether there is a political factor in case of K. Sukiasian,
V. Bostanjian avoided giving a definite answer, explaining that he
does not know the details of this case.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FINISHES DISCUSSION OF PRELIMINARY VERSION OF 2008 DRAFT STATE BUDGET

Noyan Tapan
Nov 15 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA National Assembly on
November 15 finished the discussion of the preliminary version of
the 2008 draft state budget. There was an exchange of ideas, after
which, according to the NA rules of procedure, the discussion will
be interrupted for at least 4 days.

MPs, factions and standing committees of the National Assemly have
to submit officially their proposals within the next 24 hours. After
resumption of the discussion, the government will submit the final
version of the draft revised based on the accepted proposals to the
National Assembly for approval.

According to the RA minister of finance and economy Vardan Khachatrain,
the government has already received 312 proposals as a result of
discussions held at the joint sittings of the standing committees.

AMONG PARLIAMENTARY FACTIONS, ZHARANGUTIUN HAS HIGHEST INDEX OF WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION

Noyan Tapan
Nov 15, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. Women did nearly 80% "black" work
connected with the electoral process in the parliamentary elections of
2007, but the level of their representation at the National Assembly
is not equal to that contribution. Tamara Hovnatanian, an expert
of the Center for Democracy and Peace of Association of Women with
University Education, stated this on November 15, presenting the
results of the study on the subject "Women’s political participation
in the parliamentary elections of 2007."

In her words, women’s involvement in the current parliament makes 9.5%.

Though that index is evidence of considerable progress of gender policy
carried on in the Armenian home political sphere, nevertheless, it
is far from standards characteristic of democratic European countries.

Another author of the study, Lilit Zakarian, said that the highest
index of women’s involvement, 43%, has been registered in the
Zharangutiun (Heritage) NA faction. That index makes 3.1% in the RPA
faction, 12% in Bargavach Hayastan, 12% in Orinats Yerkir (Country
of Law), 18.7% in ARFD.

PRESIDENT MET REPRESENTATIVES OF MAJOR ARMENIAN ORGANIZATIONS IN BOSTON

KarabakhOpen
15-11-2007 20:14:23

NKR President Bako Sahakyan visiting the United States met with the
representatives of the Armenian Relief Society. The activities of the
ARS in Artsakh were discussed. Bako Sahakyan emphasized the importance
of the quality of work done by the ARS. The president proposed holding
an assessment meeting of the ARS in Artsakh to ensure transparency
of the activities of the organization.

On the same day, the president met with the representative of the
Central Committee of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Karo Ketsemanyan and
Ivan Artagaljyan. A wide range of issues were discussed, including
the role of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun in the life of Artsakh.

On November 14 the president met with Peter Kutujian and Rachel
Kaprielian, U.S. House Representatives from Massachusetts. Issues
of cooperation were discussed as well. The president appreciated
the efforts of the Armenian representatives for the protection of
national interests.

On the same day Bako Sahakyan met with the members of the board of
trustees of the Armenian Assembly of America led by Carolyn Mugar. The
interlocutors discussed the possibility of implementation of different
projects in Artsakh relating to agriculture and irrigation.

The president highly appreciated the activities of the Assembly
directed at the revival and development of Artsakh, as well as the
protection of interests of Artsakh and elucidation of the Karabakh
problem in different U.S.-based organizations.

The delegation led by Bako Sahakyan visited New York today, the
general department of the president administration reports.

SECOND SECTION OF NORTHERN AVENUE TO BECOME REALITY SOON

Panorama.am
15:44 14/11/2007

As promised by city authorities, in the course of this month the
second section of Northern Avenue will be put under commission. The
official opening is planned on November 16. The construction of the
section started in fall of the year 2001.

In early October, Mayor Yervand Zakharyan told reporters that 371.2
million drams were allocated from the state budget in the course of
9 months of this year for the construction works in Northern Avenue.

The first section of the avenue was opened in May, last year. Some $250
million was spent on the construction of this section. The avenue will
have houses, shops restaurants. 1 square meter costs 700-1500. The
internal improvements must be done by the renter or the buyer. The
Northern Avenue runs from Khanjyan street to Saryan at 1.5 km length.