Author: Chakrian Hovsep

OFFICIAL BAKU HOPE ARMENIAN’S POLICY TO BE CONDUCTED WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

TREND News Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 29 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr. K.Ramazanova / It does not matter who
will be the President of Armenia. The main issue is that the country’s
policy is conducted on the base of international law, Khazar Ibrahim,
the Foreign Ministry’s pres-secretary, said on 20 October. "We hope
the present and future government will function within the framework
of the international law," Ibrahim said.

According to the press-secretary, the results of Co-chairs’ visit
will be announced in the near future.

Tribute to the victims of October 27

armradio.am
27.10.2007 14:08

The leadership of the National Assembly, members of Government,
Deputies and Staff laid flowers at the memorial to the victims of
October 27, paying tribute to the memory of the victims of the terrible
events at the National Assembly eight years ago.

`Eight years have passed after the tragedy, when we lost our best
friends, but I think the pain and regret have not reduced during these
years. We have only one consolation: the aims we cherished together are
being realized, the problems are being solved, and the country we
wished to have is being built step-by-step. This is what can further us
and somewhat relieve the pain,’ NA Speaker Tigran Torosyan told
journalists.

Tigran Torosyan noted that he does not share the opinion that the path
of the republic changed after October 27. He said the step-by-step
realization of the purposes is an achievement of the Republican Party
and the Armenian authorities as a whole.

As for the revelation of the organizers of the crime, NA Speaker
expressed hope that everything has been done to fully disclose the
crime. However, in any country it may take many years and decades to
disclose some crimes. `Thus, I think that only those who are aware of
the details of the case can give assessment to the disclosure of this
grave tragedy. But I want to underline once again that I’m hopeful
everything has been done to unveil the case.’

Let us remind that on October 27 NA Speaker Karen Demirchian, Prime
Minister Vazgen Sargsyan, NA Vice-Speakers Yuri Bakhshyan and Ruben
Miroyan, MPs Michael Kotanyan, Armenak Armenakyan, Henrik Abrahamyan
and Minister Leonard Petrosyan fell victims of the bloody tragedy.

SHIFT TO WINTER TIME ON OCTOBER 28

armradio.am
26.10.2007 15:33

October 28 at 3 a.m. the pointers of the clock must be drawn an hour
back, marking the end of "summer time."

RA Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic Development Garnik Badalyan
told Armenpress that the "summer time" which comes into force on
the last Sunday of every year, was created artificially to make
more efficient use of the sunny days and reduce the load of the
energy sphere.

The real working time in our republic is the "winter time," which
comes into force on the last Sunday of October.

AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY CONTROLS ARMENIANS’ EVENT IN CALIFORNIA ON HISTORICAL MONUMENTS OF NAKHCHIVAN

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 26 2007

Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry and Consulate General in Los-Angeles keep
event Armenians want to hold in Glendale city of California regarding
historical monuments of Nakhchivan on November 11 under control,
vice-consul of Azerbaijani Consulate General to Los-Angeles Elman
Abdullayev told the APA’s US bureau.

The event Armenians want to hold in Glendale exposes their
aggressiveness.

"Moreover Armenians prove that they pretend to ancient regions of
Azerbaijan with this step and insidious propagation. Armenians
territorial claims to Nakhchivan should draw attention of world
community interested in peace and tranquility in South Caucasus
region. Such groundless ideology damages stable future of Caucasus.

Azerbaijani Consulate General in Los-Angeles carries out talks with
Foreign Ministry regarding this issue and keeps process under control,"
he said.

THE CLINTON/PELOSI FAULT LINE
By: Jim VandeHei and John F. Harris

Politico, DC
Oct 25 2007

Hillary Rodham Clinton and Nancy Pelosi are the two most prominent
women in American politics today – powerfully united by intense disdain
for George Bush’s policies in Iraq and elsewhere around the world.

The Democratic antipathy toward Bush, however, disguises a variety of
tensions and cracks that could grow in the months ahead if Clinton
becomes her party’s nominee, and could become even more interesting
if there is another Clinton administration in January 2009.

Clinton’s and Pelosi’s differences of detail cumulatively add up
to something large – two distinct strands of thinking about where
threats to U.S. national security lie and how aggressive to be in
confronting them.

Liberal Democrats will have to get over it: Clinton is an authentic
hawk. Her support for the Iraq war resolution five years ago this
month, whether motivated by politics or principle or some of both,
was not an aberration. Nor is her tough talk against Iran.

Assuming she wraps up the Democratic nomination over the next couple
of months, she will almost certainly emphasize these interventionist
views.

The temptation for many commentators has been to dismiss Pelosi’s
ventures into foreign policy as blunderbuss moves by a new speaker
unseasoned on the world stage. She was hammered for her visit to
Syria earlier this year to talk peace. She was recently forced by her
own members to surrender on the "Armenian Genocide" resolution after
Turkey, a U.S. ally with a critical supply line to Iraq, re-called
its ambassador in protest.

But Democratic foreign policy experts in the think tanks along
Massachusetts Avenue will also have to get over it: Pelosi
is authentically representing the mainstream of her party when it
comes to America’s role in the world. She opposed the Iraq war with
vehemence from its conception. (And, unlike many of the denizens of
those think tanks, she has not had to explain or rationalize her old
views in light of the sorrowful events that followed

Is the Democratic Party big enough for a Clinton wing and a Pelosi
wing?

Maybe. One indication of Clinton’s surprising skills as a presidential
candidate comes by looking at a once-big problem now in her rearview
mirror. At the start of this year, it was assumed she would have to
forthrightly apologize for the 2002 Iraq vote or risk the wrath of
the anti-war left. In fact, she has resisted such a statement and
still managed to mobilize a considerable amount of anti-war support.

Her navigating of the apology issue has been of a piece with her
strategy on every turn. She has been relentless in preserving as
much political and substantive flexibility for herself as a general
election candidate and future president, in a campaign that she and
her advisers believe will hinge on perceptions of national security
strength much more than a backward-looking debate about who was more
right or wrong about Iraq in 2002 or even in 2007. Clinton’s team never
forgets the context in which voters will decide 12 months from now:
A hundred thousand or more troops still will be in Iraq, Iran will
remain a growing menace, Pakistan will be unsettled and Afghanistan
will be as unpredictable and periodically bloody as ever.

Two examples show her strategy at work: her refusal to vow there would
not be U.S. troops in Iraq in 2013 if she were elected president,
and her recent support for labeling the Iranian Revolutionary Guard
a terrorist organization.

The Democratic left went bonkers on both. But there is no indication
yet this is a serious obstacle in the primary fight. And, despite the
criticism, the indications are that Clinton knew exactly what she was
doing. On Iran, for instance, the independent voters that Clinton’s
team is focused on do not share the widespread Democratic concern that
Bush is bracing for a new war. A Pew poll released in 2006 found that,
by 53 percent to 34 percent, respondents were more concerned that
the United States would wait too long, rather than act too quickly,
in dealing with Iran’s nuclear program.

But the balancing act within the party may become harder, not easier,
if Clinton becomes the nominee. As one of several presidential
candidates, Clinton can plausibly claim to be speaking only for
herself.

She does not have to speak for the Democrats as a whole – and she
does not face intense pressure to either embrace or repudiate the
statements of other Democratic leaders.

In a general election context, Clinton would face the enormous public
pressures of questions such as: Does she agree or disagree with
Pelosi’s efforts to propitiate Armenian-Americans in her district
with a genocide resolution, even if doing so alienates Turkey and
undermines the U.S. mission in Iraq? What does she think about
fellow Democrat John P. Murtha’s support for a war tax, at a time
when Clinton is trying to convince voters that Democrats will not
raise taxes on anyone but the rich? She would be hard-pressed to skate
around uproars such as the one Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) caused when
he suggested that U.S. troops in Iraq "get their heads blown off for
the president’s amusement."

For now, however, the Clinton/Pelosi fault line rumbles below the
surface. Foreign policy scholar Walter Russell Mead sees in the
Clinton/Pelosi tension two distinct motivations at work. "Pelosi is a
grass-roots politician who is interested in making policy out of the
views of the base," Mead explains. "Hillary Clinton is a national
politician who is interested in formulating good policy and then
selling that to the base."

David Paul Kuhn contributed to this story.

[Transcript Excerpt]

Daily Press Briefing
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
October 23, 2007

ARMENIA

Secretary Rice’s Meeting with Armenian Prime Minister
Iranian President’s Visit to Armenia / Possible Pipeline Agreement

***

QUESTION: Do you have anything on the Secretary’s meeting with the
Armenian Prime Minister? I know it’s coming up, but what do you plan
to discuss? Why is it important?

MR. MCCORMACK: All a matter of relations, I think. We have a
significant bilateral assistance program with Armenia and we’ll talk
about that, talk about their continuing process of political and
economic reform. I expect the Secretary will also touch on the issue
of Nagorno-Karabakh and where that — where the process stands in
bringing about a resolution to that conflict.

QUESTION: And what about the genocide resolution?

MR. MCCORMACK: Not on the agenda from our side.

QUESTION: Same subject?

MR. MCCORMACK: Yes.

QUESTION: The President of Iran has been in Armenia for the last
couple of days and reports about that visit suggest that they have
extended a pipeline agreement and that they’re going to build a joint
— this is Armenia and Iran —

MR. MCCORMACK: Right.

QUESTION: — build a joint refinery. Given Armenia’s generally
pro-Western orientation, are you sort of disappointed with this?

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, I understand that there hasn’t been a final
agreement that has been signed. Often — very oftentimes, you will
have these circumstances where Iran working with other governments
will try to engage in a series of preliminary agreements to lend the
perception that all is normal and well in terms of dealing with Iran
when, in fact, the truth could not be further from that kind of
perception.

We have counseled the Armenians, as we have counseled others who have
entertained entering into these sort of oil and gas agreements with
Iran against doing so. We don’t think the time is right to even be
entertaining the idea of concluding these kinds of agreements. It is
not business as normal with Iran for all the reasons that we have
talked about so very often in this room.

So we will continue to counsel them against entering into any sort of
oil and gas agreements and of course, if there are any applicable laws
that are triggered by any actions taken by any entities, we will take
a look at the agreements with respect to U.S. law.

Source: tm

GOP DEBATE: FOX VIEWERS SAY RON PAUL WON LARRY FESTER

USA Daily
679
Oct 22 2007

The Fox News Republican Presidential debate in Orlando Florida revealed
that the GOP nomination is still up for grabs. According to Fox News
Viewers text voting after the debate, Ron Paul won with 34%, Huckabee
came in second with 27%, and Giuliani third with 11%.

The Republican debate also revealed that the Republican contenders
think America is going bankrupt if spending policies are not changed.

Debate Highlights:

Fred Thompson touted his "100% pro life voting record" and said
"Our basic rights come from God not government". Thompson tagged
Rudy Giuliani for supporting "Sanctuary Cities" and "federal funding
for abortion" and he "sides with Hillary Clinton" speaking of when
Giuliani was New York City Mayor.

Thompson hit on a theme that all of the Republicans seemed to agree
on and that is that out of control spending is bankrupting America,
‘We’re spending the money of our grand kids and kids yet to be born".

Thompson said,

Warning about Democrats raising taxes Thompson joked, "To the
Democrats, everybody that works for a living is rich".

Thompson also promoted indexing govt. benefits to costs.

Giuliani accused Fred Thompson of being the "biggest obstacle to tort
reform". Giuliani touted his record as New York City Mayor, said,
"I brought down crime 60%", and called for school choice.

Giuliani took some shots at Hillary Clinton saying, "America can’t
afford you".

On Foreign policy, Giuliani said that we should engage Russia but
consider expanding NATO to include Australia, Japan, and Eastern
Europe.

Referring to Iran Giuliani said, "We will not allow them to go
nuclear".

Mitt Romney said he "supports a constitutional defense of marriage
amendment". Romney promoted a market approach to healthcare, "I don’t
want the guys that did the clean up for Katrina running healthcare".

Romney said, "We’re not going to keep Hillary Clinton out of the
White House by acting like Hillary Clinton".

Regarding healthcare Ron Paul said that "managed care isn’t working"
and that "drug companies lobby for managed care". Paul said, "We could
take care of these poor people if we weren’t trying to maintain an
empire overseas".

Ron Paul hit on his theme of military non-interventionism, "70% of
Americans want war over with and are sick and tired of big government
at home and overseas". They want their "civil liberties and not allow
government to spend endlessly and bankrupt us".

Ron Paul said "the founders advised non interventionism, the war is
spreading, the war is likely to spread into Iran. We don’t need to
go looking for trouble; we don’t need another cold war". Paul was
referring to increased tensions with Russia.

Paul said that, "government is not very good at central economic
planning". Paul said he would allow young people to opt out of the
social security system.

Ron Paul an opponent of the Federal Reserve said that "a dollar
today is worth 4 cents compared to a dollar in 1913 when the Federal
Reserve got in," stating that was a main reason why the country is
going bankrupt.

Paul said, "If we don’t believe in the Constitution and personal
liberty we lose".

Mike Huckabee defended the "sanctity of human life, it is one
of the defining issues of our culture" and on healthcare promoted
"personalization not privatization. We do not have healthcare system
we have a maze. It’s a healthcare crisis".

Huckabee also brought up sovereignty and the Law of the Sea Treaty,
warning that Hillary Clinton is a danger to U.S. sovereignty.

Duncan Hunter pushed for a "mirror trade policy", warned that there is
an "800 billion dollar trade deficit", and connected trade deficits
to Social Security problems. Hunter pointed out that $75,000 a year
jobs are being lost and replaced with $20,000 a year jobs where people
pay much less into the Social Security system as a result.

John McCain spoke against wasteful spending and took issue with Mitt
Romney saying, "You’ve been spending the last year trying to fool
people about your record, I don’t want you to fool people aboutmine".

McCain promoted his military experience and said, "I’ve been involved
with every national crisis since Beirut". When asked if the war in
Iraq was a winning issue McCain answered, "I don’t know and I can’t
be concerned. I would much rather lose a campaign than a war". He
continued, "I lead, I don’t manage for profit, I lead for patriotism.

McCain said he supported a missile defense system.

Tom Tancredo said that he had the "highest conservative rating" among
all the candidates running. He promoted market reforms in healthcare
and said the Federal government should not be involved. Regarding
Social Security benefits, Tancredo supported Health Savings accounts
and said, "People should be able to control their own money like in
a 401k".

Tancredo lamented, "There’s a plan to give social security benefits
to illegal aliens," stating that illegal immigration is draining
infrastructure. Tancredo said that he supported importing cheaper
drugs from Canada.

Tancredo had harsh words for Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

He said the "Armenian genocide bill inflamed problems with Turkey"
and Kurds in Iraq. Tancredo said that Pelosi was a terrible House
speaker but would make a worse Secretary of state. (Discuss the
election on

ARMENIAN, IRANIAN LEADERS HOLD ONE-TO-ONE MEETING

Public Television of Armenia
Oct 22 2007

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad paid an official visit to
Yerevan today. Following an official reception at the presidential
residence, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and Ahmadinezhad held
one-to-one meeting.

The meeting between the leaders of the two countries is under way
at the moment. Later on the meeting will be resumed in the expanded
format with other officials in attendance. Then the two presidents
will conduct a joint news conference.

Within the framework of his visit, Ahmadinezhad will met the Armenian
Speaker, and pay visits to the memorial of genocide victims, the
Armenian genocide museum, Yerevan’s State University and the Blue
Mosque. The Iranian president will also meet members of the Iranian
community in Yerevan.

VIC DARCHINYAN IBO FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION

armradio.am
22.10.2007 16:21

Armenian boxer Vakhtang (Vic) Darchinyan won a technical knockout
against Federico Katubey of Philippines, achieving the IBO Flyweight
Champion’s title, as well as the title of the IBF Asian Pacific
Champion.

The title of the IBF Asian Pacific Champion enables Vakhtang Darchinyan
to challenge the IBF World Champion. World Champion Dmitry Kirillov
may possibly become Darchinyan’s next rival.

Vakhtang Darchinyan held 30 fights on the professional ring, winning
29 victories, 23 of which with a knockout. Most probably, he will
try to achieve another title on December 1 in the United States.

Northern District Times (Australia)
October 17, 2007 Wednesday

Armenians find their political voice

POLITICS simmered just below the surface of the Armenian Family Day
festivities at Eastwood Oval last Sunday.

There was traditional festival fare, including Armenian delicacies
and a display of traditional dancing.

But the celebration of Armenian culture was billed as a genocide
recognition rally to commemorate the deaths of an estimated 1.5
million Armenian Christians from 1915 to 1922.

The Armenian National Committee said there were 4000 voters of
Armenian descent in the Bennelong electorate more than the margin of
3000 votes keeping Prime Minister and local MP John Howard in
Parliament.

They have demanded a voice on the national stage and are meeting with
Labor candidate Maxine McKew to raise the issues that concern their
community.

Mr Howard has agreed to a similar meeting.

Organisers expected 1000 people to attend the Armenian Family Day on
Sunday, where remembrance went hand-in-hand with a celebration of
cultural heritage.

”As children and grandchildren of genocide survivors, we must work
toward ensuring that the experiences of the Armenians, Jews,
Cambodians and Rwandans are never allowed to be repeated,” ANC
Australia president Varant Meguerditchian said.