Author: Chakrian Hovsep

11 CANDIDATES NOMINATED FOR BY-ELECTIONS TO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AT ELECTORAL DISTRICT No 15 ON AUGUST 26

Noyan Tapan
Jun 18 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 18, NOYAN TAPAN. 11 candidates have been nominated for
participation in the by-elections to the RA National Assembly by the
majoritarian electoral system at electoral district No 15 (Aragatsotn
marz) on August 26. The deadline for submitting the necessary documents
for registration at the Central Election Commission (CEC) is July
12. The registration of candidates is scheduled for July 17-22. CEC’s
spokeswoman Tsovinar Khachatrian told NT correspondent about it.

Among those nominated are three persons by the same name of Khachik
Manukian. One of them is a member of the Republican Party of Armenia
(RPA), who was elected at the May 12 elections and later – on June
6 he declined to receive his deputy mandate. The other two are
non-partisans and have been nominated on civil initiative. The other
candidates nominated at this electoral district are: chairman of the
"Heritage" Party, deputy of the NA of current convocation elected
by the proportional electoral system Raffi Hovannisian, ARF member
Gurgen Shahinian, nonpartisans – Talin mayor Mnatsakan Mnatsakanian,
Emin Karapetian, Tigran Sahakian, Arsen Vardanian, Vahagn Petrosian,
as well as deputy of the NA of previous convocation Mekhak Mkhitarian
who left the "Orinats Yerkir" Party.

UNESCO MISSION TO MONITOR CULTURAL-HISTORICAL MONUMENTS IN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 18 2007

The composition of UNESCO mission to monitor the condition of
cultural-historical monuments in the Armenian-occupied territories
of Azerbaijan and also in Armenia has already been determined,
Azerbaijani Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfas Garayev told
journalists, APA reports.

He said that the date of the visit of the mission led by British
parliamentarian Edward O’Hara has not yet been specified.

"The date of the visit should be agreed with Armenia. The mission
will visit the region as soon as Armenian gives its consent.

Azerbaijan has sum up all the preparations for the visit," he said.

The mission led by Edward O’Hara is composed of five international
experts for monitoring of cultural-historical monuments. The names
of the experts have not yet been publicized.

OBSERVERS NOTE SPLIT IN "RADICAL" ARMENIAN OPPOSITION – AGENCY

Arminfo
18 Jun 07

Yerevan, 18 June: The opposition New Times party did not attend the
last two rallies which were held outside the Matenadaran institute
and museum in Yerevan because the party was not invited.

"The last two rallies were organized by the Impeachment bloc but the
New Times party was not invited," the party told Arminfo today.

The radical opposition – the Impeachment bloc, the Republic party,
and the New Times party – has held rallies in Yerevan since 3 May.

However, only the Impeachment bloc participated in the most recent
rally [on 15 June]. Suren Surenyants, a member of the Republic party’s
political board, has said that his party was absent due to a "valid
reason," and because of "a need to take a time out" in rallies.

Observers note an apparent split in the radical opposition.

NATO RATES GABALA RADAR STATION AS INEFFICIENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.06.2007 14:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The U.S. abides by the plan of deploying radar and
interceptor missiles in the Czech Republic and Poland, despite Russia’s
proposal to stop the project in exchange for joint U.S.-Russia use
of Gabala radar station in Azerbaijan, Echo Azeri newspaper reports.

NATO representative James Appathurai Thursday in Brussels that Russia’s
proposal will be considered anyway. However, NATO supposes that the
radar station is located too close to potential danger – Iran.

Consequently, prevention of missile raid will be inefficient.

Appathurai said none of the NATO 26 member countries had opposed the
U.S. plans.

The regular sitting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in
Brussels is held with participation of Defense Ministers of NATO and
partner states.

ARMENIAN FM: BUSH’S AGREEMENT ON PUTIN’S PROPOSAL MAY STRONGLY AFFECT AZERBAIJAN’S AUTHORITY

ArmInfo
2007-06-14 13:23:00

If US President George Bush accepts the proposal of Russian President
Vladimir Putin on joint exploitation of Gabala radiolocation station,
it may greatly affect Azerbaijan’s authority, Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan says in an interview with Armenian "Kentron" TV.

The minister says that the given proposal is part of big politics and
the issue must be considered in all its aspects. He also adds that
the proposal of the Russian party was not unexpected for him. "We
have no reason for concern about security. The matter concerns just
installation of a radar and not deployment of missiles. Nothing new
will be installed there," the minister said. Asked if it will raise
the authority of Azerbaijan, the minister said: "Although there is
also such opinion, I can say the opposite.

It may greatly affect Azerbaijan’s authority as it is big politics
where it is becoming a card. Moreover, the USA does not conceal
that all this is aimed against Iran, which even more aggravates
Azerbaijan-Iran relations. At the meeting with my colleague in
St. Petersburg I stressed that if Armenia were made such a proposal,
I would advise rejecting it not to occur in a complicated situation and
become vulnerable." At the same time, he says that the proposal does
not replace the American projects in Europe; it is an addition to these
projects. I doubt that "Russia will go on such an addition". One should
not forget Bush’s comments on the proposal. He called it interesting
and added that the USA considers it as an alarm for cooperation
between RF and the USA. The minister says that Armenia in its turn
also studies the issue and consults with the parties. We will make
public our position in future if we feel that the developments may
threaten to the policy or security of Armenia, the minister says.

ARMENIAN FESTIVAL USHERS IN NEW ERA
By: Kathryn Caggianelli, The Record

Troy Record, NY
June 11 2007

Photo: The Sipan Dance Group from St. Peter Armenian School performs
under the direction of Maria Derian at the Armenian Festival Sunday.

Tom Killips — The Record

WATERVLIET – Food was a major draw Sunday to the annual Armenian
Festival at St. Peter Armenian Church at 100 Troy-Schenectady Road,
but so, too, were traditional dancing by youngsters of The Sipan
Dance Group, the pony rides, games and spirit of community shared by
parishioners and visitors alike.

And the fact that it was the last time Rev. Stepanos Doukjian would
preside over a church event as its leader surely had some influence
on the turnout.

"I feel sad that he’s leaving but happy for him because he’s leaving
for a new position that he’s very excited about," said parishioner
Ronald Kaiser, a volunteer chef.

Doukjian has been pastor of the church for a little more than 11
years and is leaving for a position in New Rochelle as director of
youth and vocation at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. He officially
steps down July 1.

Father Bedros (Peter) Kadehjian of the Bronx will take over for
Douklian.

"This is a wonderful community with very dedicated members and a long
history in this area," Kadehjian said of the 200-plus parishioners
and families.

He was ordained in 2005 and has served as a parish priest in Houston,
Texas. When the opportunity became available to return to New York
Kadehjian was only too eager to apply. He arrived in April and has
been slowly transitioning from a part-time to full-time role.

"Many families here are first, second and third generation
Armenian-Americans. … I look forward to being able to unite people
in the tradition of the church and its liturgy," he said.

Doukjian, who mingled with parishioners and guests throughout the
afternoon, said he considered the fund-raiser to be a success based
on the turnout of well-wishers that afternoon and the fact that the
food was running out two hours ahead of schedule.

"Awesome is the way I would describe today. There’s something different
about this year’s festival; the feel of it. We shifted it to further
back on the property because we have expansion work planned on the
back of the church. As you can see some of the landscaping has already
been roped off," he said.

Doukjian said he was trying not to think about the fact that this
was his last festival at St. Peter.

The fund-raising efforts will support the church’s expansion project,
said parish council chairman Richard Hartunian.

"It will be about 2,000 square feet and will house new offices,
new meeting rooms and allow us to renovate the church’s bathroom
upstairs. We’ll also be adding an elevator for our elderly and
physically challenged parishioners and guests," he said.

The project comes with a price tag estimated to be between $500,000
and $750,000.

The fund-raising goal for Sunday’s festival was $14,000.

"Even if we meet that goal, we still have a long way to go,"
Hartunian said, adding that additional donations would be welcome
and much appreciated.

Perhaps the most popular menu items of the day were the chicken shish
kebab and losh kebab (ground lamb and beef), Kaiser said.

"It started at noon and we’ve seen a steady flow of people coming.

The weather’s been great," said John "Frenchie" Ekmalian, another of
the event’s chefs.

As popular as the food was it couldn’t compete with another attraction
that was strictly for the kids.

"Twist," a Painted Pony of America, endured the task of having 40
children on her back and seemed ready to accommodate even more.

Rachael Mahserjian, 6, of Latham, and her cousin, 8-year-old Rebecca
Moroukian of Niskayuna, were among the throng of youngsters eager
for a ride.

Rebecca admitted to feeling taller than everyone at the festival
once she climbed on Twist’s back and Rachael was clearly moved by
the experience, but too shy to talk about it.

d=18456972&BRD=1170&PAG=461&dept_id=70 21&rfi=6

POLL REVEALS TURKS SEE THE US AS THREAT, GREEKS TURKEY

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
June 11 2007

A joint public opinion survey simultaneously conducted in Greece
and Turkey has concluded that while Greeks view Turkey as the major
threat to their country, for Turks, the US poses the greatest threat
to their national security.

The Athens-based Elefterotipia daily newspaper published the results
of the "Infacto Research Workshop" conducted by the Turkish Bilgi
University and "KAPA Research" conducted by the Greek Center for
Political Research and Communication (KPEE).

The research’s section on Turkey indicates that 77.7 percent of
the surveyed Greeks view Turkey as threat. In the survey Turkey is
followed by Albania (5.6 percent) and Macedonia (2.3 percent).

For Turks the US is the most eminent source of threat with 35.6
percent. It is followed by a probable Kurdish state in northern
Iraq with 25.8 percent and Greece with 9.5 percent. The EU is ranked
fourth in the list of top threats (5.5 percent) and Israel is fifth
(4.2 percent), according to the survey. Iraq (3.4 percent), Armenia
(2.9 percent) and Iran (1.5 percent) followed in the list.

The research also shows that both Turks and Greeks see themselves
as nations with no friend or significant ally. Of those surveyed,
71.3 percent of Turks and 54.5 percent of the Greeks believe that
they have no political friends.

Majority of Turks say Ataturk represents nationalist values

Asked who they think represents their country’s nationalist conscience,
85.6 percent of Turks said it was Kemal Ataturk, founder of the modern
Turkish Republic. Mehmet Akif Ersoy, author of Turkey’s national
anthem, was ranked second. Eighteen percent of Greek participants
answered the same question with Dionosis Solomos, the author of
the national anthem, and 16.1 percent said military hero Theodoros
Kolokotronis.

Asked what they believed would not befit their national values,
45.1 percent of Turks said atheism; 38.1 percent being Christian
or Jewish; 23.1 percent homosexuality; 20.8 percent communism; 19.4
percent fanatical Islam; and 8.1 percent said extreme nationalism.

For the same question, 47 percent of Greeks said being anti-democratic;
29.4 percent extreme nationalism; 20.9 percent being Muslim or
Jewish; 16.4 percent atheism; 12.8 percent empathizing with Turks
and Albanians; and 6.2 percent said homosexuality.

In response to questions on the EU, while 63.1 of Turks would vote
for EU membership if a referendum were held, 50 percent believe the
EU is trying to divide Turkey.

The research also revealed that 75 percent of Greeks believe there
are still Greek territories that wait to be liberated from the yoke of
foreign occupation. Nearly 18 percent of Greeks describe Ýstanbul, the
Black Sea region, the Aegean coasts and northern Cyprus as "lost land,"
and believe these lands should be taken back by force; however 80.35
percent believe it is not necessary for the military to intervene.

A majority of both populations prefer to use domestic products instead
of foreign products, even if the latter is less expensive.

Turks perceive the Ottoman Empire and the period of the republic
to be the most successful period, while Greeks perceive the ancient
Greek era and rule of Byzantium Empire to be their golden periods.

In response to the question "who has contributed the most to promoting
your country?" 15.5 percent of Turks said national soccer team coach
Fatih Terim while 20 percent of Greeks said actress and singer Melina
Mercouri.

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Javno.hr, Croatia
June 10 2007

Ex-Soviet Leaders Mull Trade Amid Strained Ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the leaders of 12 former
Soviet states on Sunday to forge closer trade links.

Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the leaders of 12 former
Soviet states on Sunday to forge closer trade links.
Putin hosted leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
after a high profile economic forum in Russia’s second city of St
Petersburg.

"I hope we will devote our meeting today to economic cooperation in
the post-Soviet space," Putin told his guests as he welcomed them to
the Konstantinovsky palace, his official residence in the Gulf of
Finland.

The CIS was formed as a way to ensure a ‘civilised divorce’ after the
1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. But hopes that it could turn into
a kind of European Union have faded.

Tense ties between some members have made formal discussions
difficult.

The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, locked in a bitter territorial
conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, met on Saturday and Putin hosted
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili.

Saakashvili has enraged Russia by driving his Caucasus country away
from reliance on Russia and seeking membership of the European Union
and the NATO military alliance.

INERTIA

"The inertia of separation (in CIS) turned out to be stronger than
integration efforts," Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev told the
economic forum before the CIS summit.

But Nazarbayev, who now holds the rotating CIS chairmanship, sounded
more upbeat when he met his colleagues at the Konstantinovsky palace.

"Cooperation within the CIS is an important element of foreign policy
of its members," he said.

Analysts say boosting integration with ex-Soviet states — Moscow’s
traditional powerbase — has become increasingly important for
Russia, which is looking for a new global role encouraged by several
years of strong economic growth.

Putin, who ends his eight-year presidency next year, has improved
ties with strategically important Central Asian neighbours
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, who have major energy
reserves.

Moscow has struck deals with the three which could revive the united
Soviet-era network of pipelines to ship gas to Europe via Russia and
pledged to step up cooperation in making them a railway transport
link between Europe and Southern Asia.

A free-trade zone negotiated between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus
is also seen in Russia as an example of how ex-Soviet states could
integrate.

SCOPE OF DIFFERENCES ON ISSUE OF KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT IS NARROWING, MATTHEW BRYZA CONVINCED

Noyan Tapan
Jun 07 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN. We cannot say that this time we expect
a turning-point in Saint Petersburg but we hope that some qualitative
progress may be made, the U.S. co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew
Bryza said at the June 7 joint conference of the Minsk Group co-chairs.

According to him, an active negotiation process is underway, and
the co-chairs see the differences between the sides but the scope of
these differences is constantly narrowing.

The Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlaykov said that after discussions with
Arkady Ghukasian it became clear again that there are some disputable
issues but at the same time there are some conditions allowing to
ensure a progress.

In the words of the French co-chair Bernard Fassier, "balanced
proposals were put before the sides on the negotiation table, and there
are hopes that something can be done based on these proposals." The
rest, according to the French diplomat, is the task of the presidents’
assessment.

As for the co-chairs’ position regarding the fact that the Armenian
side takes the view that the primary problem on which an agreement
should be reached is status of Nagorno Karabakh and the issue of
security, it was mentioned at the press conference that other issues
are being discussed in detail now and format-related and technical
issues are not under discussion currently.

In response to the question about possible recognition of Nagorno
Karabakh by the international community, Yuri Merzlyakov noted that no
country, including their countries, has recognized the independence
of Nagorno Karabakh, adding that Armenia has not recognized the
independence of Nagorno Karabakh either.

TURKEY: ‘WAKE UP! YOU’LL NEVER BE PART OF E.U.’ AUTHOR SAYS

AKI, Italy
June 5 2007

Rome, 5 June (AKI) – Author Feridun Zaimoglu is known as "the voice"
of Germany’s Turkish immigrant community. It is a reputation earned
through fiction which has dealt with the sense of loss of identity loss
but also discovery of new opportunities that so many tens of thousands
of Zaimoglu’s countrymen and women who left their native Turkey for a
better life in Germany have experienced. His book of the same name,
Kanak Sprack, the curious mix of German and Turkish spoken by the
so-called "Gast-Arbeiters" or guest workers, has won cult status.

For someone so in tune with the fears and aspirations of Turks living
in one of Europe’s most advanced nations and its economic powerhouse,
the 43-year old – 35 of which he spent in Germany – Zaimoglu depicts
Turkeys’ ambitions to join the European Union in the bleakest terms.

"Europe is a grand vision for Turkey, but those who had this dream
have finally woken up and realised that the country will never enter
the EU," Zaimoglu told Adnkronos International (AKI) in an interview
in Rome.

"Europe has decided it wants to be a spectator and has put Turkey
on the stage asking it to play the role of an archaic society in the
throes of deep transformation, sharp political contrasts, the clash
between new and old elites.

"Turkey is like a toy in the hands of children, some of whom want to
break it while other who find it fun want to keep it the way it is,"
Zaimoglu added.

The author was in the Italian capital for public reading of an
unpublished excerpt at a literature festival in the Ancient Roman
Basilica of Maxentius where he was scheduled to share the stage
with Elif Shafak, a female author who fell foul of Turkey’s laws
prohibitting any reference to the mass killings of Armenians under
Ottoman rule in the early 20th century.

"European intellectuals have always protrayed Turkey as an enemy,
that still clings to the past," said Zaimoglu, acknowledging however
that some of these stereotypes are based on reality.

"It cannot be denied that real dangers exist for authors in Turkey,
in relation to what is said and how it is said," he added.

Zaimoglu in many ways considers himself a "German author" and says
his narrative style has been influenced by that of the Brothers Grimm
in their fairytales. In recent days his novel "Leyla" a book that
treats themes close to his heart has gone on sale in Italy. It is the
story of a girl who flees from her violent father and traditional,
domineering family, first to Istanbul then to Germany – a tale of
courage and the choosing by its heroine of a a better future.

"Without wishing to idealise the female condition, I see that in
Germany, in the immigrant community, it is always the women who
more readily break with tradition and its hierachies. Often the
immigrant elite is made up of women. The men on the other hand have
more difficulty in fiding their place, they are less pragmatic,
think too much in terms of honour."

"It’s a pity that until now not enough stories of first generation
women immigrants have been told, These stories are of great battles,
great sacrifices but also great successes," Zaimoglu said.

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