RUSSIA’S MTS PLANS TO LAUNCH 3G NETWORK IN ARMENIA
Prime-Tass English-language Business Newswire
January 19, 2009 Monday 1:37 PM EET
Russia’s largest mobile operator MTS plans to launch a third generation
(3G) network in Armenia, Chinese telecommunications equipment maker
Huawei, which will supply equipment for the project, said in a
statement obtained by Prime-Tass Monday.
The commercial launch of the 3G network is scheduled for sometime in
March-May, Huawei said.
Agence France Presse — English
January 15, 2009 Thursday 2:45 PM GMT
Azerbaijan slams Russia over alleged Armenia arms supplies
BAKU, Jan 15 2009
Ex-Soviet Azerbaijan on Thursday made a "strong protest" to Russia
over weapons transfers it said Moscow had made to Armenia in violation
of United Nations resolutions.
"The Azerbaijani foreign ministry voices strong protest in connection
with the transfer of arms to Armenia and calls on Russia to take all
necessary steps to avert the consequences," the ministry said in a
statement.
On Wednesday Russia’s defence ministry denied Azerbaijani media
reports that Moscow had supplied Yerevan with 800 million dollars (610
million euros)-worth of tanks, armoured personnel carriers, rockets,
grenade launchers and ammunition via a Russian army base in Armenia,
Interfax news agency reported.
"There have been no supplies of Russian weapons to Armenia. The
reports alleging this are untrue," Russian defense ministry spokesman
Alexander Drobyshevsky said.
Azerbaijan said the alleged weapons transfers violated UN resolutions
aimed at preventing a renewal of the conflict over Nagorny Karabakh,
where Armenia-backed separatists wrested control from Azerbaijan’s
authorities in a war after the 1991 Soviet collapse.
"The transfer of weapons serves to strengthen the military potential
of Armenia, which has occupied a part of Azerbaijani territory," the
Azerbaijani ministry said.
Azerbaijan and Armenia still periodically exchange fire around Nagorny
Karabakh causing casualties on both sides.
Russia is a close ally of Armenia’s and its military base in Armenia
represents a significant outpost in the volatile South Caucasus, while
Azerbaijan has ties to the United States and has supported its
operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
2ND EDITION OF HRANT DINK JOURNALISTIC AWARD FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION DUE IN ROME
PanARMENIAN.Net
15.01.2009 18:10 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On January 23, 2009, the prestigious Ceremony Hall
of the Armenian Papal College of Rome, will host the second edition
of Hrant Dink Journalistic Award for the Freedom of Information
instituted by the Council for the Armenian Community of Rome in
honor of the Armenian-Turkish journalist, Agos bilingual newspaper
editor who was savagely assassinated in Turkey on January 19, 2007,
the Armenian community of Rome told PanARMENIAN.Net.
This award is aimed at showing the value of the work of all the
journalists who do not wave over talking about "thorny" issues as the
Armenian genocide. Therefore, this is a prize both to information
freedom and, at the same time, to courage and honesty, the courage
that led some valiant men, as Hrant Dink, (but also as the Nobel Prize
winner Pamuk and as many other writers, journalists and academics)
not to be silent.
During the first awarding ceremony, held on January19, 2008, on the
occasion of the first anniversary of Dink’s murder, in collaboration
with the association "Reporter Without Borders", journalists Roberto
Olla of the TG1 (TV news), Flavia Amabile and Marco Tosatti of La
Stampa newspaper were given prizes.
The award of the second edition will be given to the journalists
Patrizia Alberici of Radio RAI (public Italian Radio Television)
and to Caterina Maniaci of Libero (Newspaper).
On the same occasion, the volume titled "The blood of the lambs –
reportage among the Christians persecuted in Middle East", published
by Guerini, will be also introduced in the presence of the author
Rodolfo Casadei.
Casadei is a special correspondent of the Tempi weekly magazine. He
personally went to see and listen to the Christians who are in trouble
and are subjected to any form of oppression in Turkey, Jordan, Syria,
Lebanon and, most of all, in Iraq…. He gives a journalistically
unexceptionable documentation to us. He was one of the last western
reporters to interview Hrant Dink before his vile murder. The first
chapter of the book just witnesses this encounter.
The encounter is sponsored by the Armenian Embassy in Italy and by
the Armenian Papal College, in collaboration with Guerini Publisher.
EXPORTS FROM ARMENIA DECLINE BY 4.5%, IMPORTS INTO COUNTRY GROW BY 39.5% IN JANUARY-NOVEMBER 2008
Noyan Tapan
Jan 14, 2008
YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The foreign trade of Armenia amounted
to 1 trillion 526 billion drams or 4 bln 992.6 mln USD in current
prices in January-November 2008, including exports of 1 bln 7.6 mln
USD and imports of 3 bln 985 mln USD. The foreign trade balance was
negative by 910 bln drams (2 bln 977.4 mln USD), the same balance
without cargos received as humanitarian aid was negative by 892.4
bln drams (2 bln 919.7 mln USD).
According to the RA National Statistical Service, exports declined
by 4.5%, imports grew by 39.5% in January-November 2008 on the same
period of 2007.
Exports from Armenia to CIS countries amounted to 317 mln 109 thousand
USD in January-November 2008, falling by 2.6% on the same period of
the previous year, while imports from CIS countries made 1 bln 35
mln 145.6 thousand USD, increasing by 30.2%.
Exports to EU countries made 548 mln 364.1 thousand USD in the
indicated period, growing by 7.2% on the same period of 2007, imports
made 1 bln 66 mln 544.5 thousand USD, growing by 22.7%.
GEORGIAN OPPOSITION DEMANDS LAUNCHING A CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST A GROUP OF ARMENIANS
Gita Elibeklyan
"Radiolur"
13.01.2009 16:16
The opposition Deputies of the Georgian Parliament demand to launch a
criminal case against a group of Armenians for breaking the door of St.
Norashen Church. Representatives of Georgian Armenian organizations
came forth with a condemning statement, saying it’s another
provocation.
When the Armenian delegation headed by Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan visited St. Norashen Church at the end of the last year,
Georgian Armenians used the opportunity to change the locks of the
church. It’s worth mentioning that up to now the church was closed
at the initiative of the Georgian side.
President of the Union of Veteran Armenians of Georgia Goga Elibekov
says: "We changed the locks for the Georgians not to be able to
enter the church and profane it. We declare that the Armenians have
never desecrated holy places. On the contrary, they have always
built churches."
However, opposition Deputy Jonji Bagaturia declared the other day that
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and Governor of the Samtskhe
Javakhk Goga Khachidze together with Georgian Armenians broke the
lock and entered the church.
Bagaturia demands to launch a probe into the case. "He is doing
all this at the directive of Russia in order to cause Armenians and
Georgians to quarrel," Elibekov says.
According to Goga Khachidze, the Georgian President does everything
for Armenians and Georgians to have no problems. However, a group
of oppositionist who withdrew from the united opposition constantly
stand against Armenians.
ARMAVIA’S A-320 PLANE FELL INTO STORM ZONE BECAUSE OF PLANE FLYING IN PARALLEL WITH IT
ARMENPRESS
January 12, 2009
YEREVAN
"A-320" airplane belonging to "Armavia" company implementing
Sochi-Yerevan flight on January 11 at about 1.00 pm, at about 50-70
km-distance from Tbilisi fell into storm zone because of the "A-380"
airplane flying in parallel with it which was implementing Dubai-New
York flight.
Press service of "Armavia" company told Armenpress that the distance
between the two airplanes was about 300 m which corresponds to the all
international norms. Nevertheless, Armavia’s plane made a sharp pass
to the left side which was felt by passengers and the crew. Luckily,
thanks to the high professionalism of the crew the flight ended
successfully.
Though the distance between the two planes flying in parallel
corresponded to all the international norms, "Armavia" has already
started the investigation of the case: the results will be sent to
relevant bodies.
Sunday’s Zaman, Turkey
Jan 11 2009
TRT Å?eÅ? a sign of the state’s self-confidence
When the state-owned Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT)
launched a TV station to broadcast in the Kurdish language, this was
regarded as revolutionary by many groups in Turkey.
Sinan Ä°lhan, TRT coordinator for multi-language broadcasts,
sees this initiative less as an apology and more as an attempt by the
state to redress an error. "This is an indication of wisdom. If
people, institutions or states can retreat from their mistakes, this
is a sign of self-confidence," he says.
Ä°lhan notes that in the beginning, what they saw was a mental
confrontation from people who do not want to see positive developments
in Turkey. "These groups want existing problems to be further
complicated or new issues to be added to existing ones so that they
can benefit from the atmosphere."
Speaking to Sunday’s Zaman, Ä°lhan underlines the fact that
while they are being criticized by extreme Turkish and Kurdish
nationalists, they are turning a deaf ear to such criticism and
continuing with their initiative. "In a polyphonic chorus, there are
female voices, there are male voices and there are voices of diverse
regions. Harmony results when all these voices sing together. Banning
the Kurdish language in Turkey was a sign of disruption of harmony. We
are just trying bring this harmony back."
I saw Ä°lhan as a humble and frank person who does not allow his
knowledge and experience to be a burden on other people. However, he
speaks in a well-controlled manner — perhaps due to his being a
bureaucrat. In the examples he chooses when explaining the trouble he
had run into in the past as a person whose mother tongue is Kurdish
and in talking about the ongoing denial by some public organizations
of the truth now accepted by state television, he uses a carefully
selected style. I am sure he does this not out of a lack of courage,
but in order to not cause any disruption in the ongoing positive
developments. In my opinion, the most positive development of 2008 was
the TRT’s launching of Kurdish language broadcasts. The TRT has taken
a revolutionary step that will make its impression on the coming
years. We hope this will inspire other institutions that still insist
on putting obstacles in the paths of people speaking Kurdish.
You were appointed head of multi-language broadcasts. You speak five
languages and are from the Foreign Ministry. You have also worked for
the intelligence services. Are these the reasons you were appointed to
this position?
My relations with the media are not new. I worked for the Anatolia
news agency between 1986 and 1987. I worked as a report in both the
foreign and domestic news departments. At the time I took the Foreign
Ministry exam. The general manager at the time, Hüsamettin
Ã?elebi, called me and asked, "Do you have a passport?" As you
may know, it was very difficult to obtain a passport back then. "No,"
I replied. "Go and get a passport," he told me. "We will be flying to
Tehran to establish a branch there." When I came home, I received a
telegram saying: "You passed the Foreign Ministry exam. Come to the
office to begin work." These events took place on the same day. It was
an unbelievable coincidence.
Why did you choose diplomacy over the media?
I consulted the senior journalists and asked them what I should
do. They told me to work with the ministry, noting that a public
position would be better. You cannot know what will happen in the
future here [with the media] and the Tehran office may be closed down,
they said. With that, I started working for the Foreign Ministry.
Why did they assign you to the intelligence and research department?
Completely by coincidence. You pass the exam and are appointed to any
department. I was appointed to the intelligence and research
department, which to me was no different than the other departments. I
was a graduate of philology and studied Arabic language and
literature.
In other words, you started working for the Foreign Ministry knowing
you would never be an ambassador?
Yes, I would not become an ambassador, but there are a limited number
of people who know the languages of the region in the ministry. I
might help more by accepting this position, I thought. As for the
intelligence and research department, I am as much an intelligence
expert as those working for the intelligence office of any newspaper.
So you say the intelligence work you were involved in was not like the
kind done by the National Intelligence Organization (MÄ°T) or
the military?
No, it was not in that vein. I worked there for two years, then went
to Jeddah, the place of my first assignment. That was all the time I
worked for the intelligence department. I then worked for the
administrative and financial affairs department.
When I came back, I also worked for the administrative and financial
affairs department. I was then invited to take office as Turkey’s
special envoy to Iraq, and I assumed that office.
So, it isn’t correct to say that "an intelligence expert has been
appointed as the head of Kurdish TV"?
No, this is wrong. This is actually a claim voiced by people who do
not want good things to happen in Turkey or extremist groups from both
sides. It has nothing to do with the truth. I worked at the Foreign
Ministry for 20 years. I worked in Saudi Arabia, Israel and the United
Arab Emirates. When I worked at embassies and consulates, I always
dealt with the media and cultural affairs even though I was an
administrative consul. This was because I was proficient in the
language and had an interest in the region. For this reason, I had
close relations with the media. I watched TV stations broadcasting in
Arabic, Farsi and even in English.
How did you manage to learn so many languages?
I am from Å?anlıurfa. I did not know Turkish until the
age of 7. I learned it while in second grade. My mother tongue is
Kurdish. I learned Arabic, Farsi and English at university. When I was
appointed to Israel, I attended Hebrew courses, though my Hebrew
weakened when I was appointed to Arab countries, where Web sites in
Hebrew are blocked and Hebrew radio stations and newspapers
banned. This has led to my being less and less proficient in Hebrew.
Are you a white Kurd? Are you a light Kurd?
It is true that my hands are white due to a disease called vitiligo,
but I fail to see what white Kurd or light Kurd means.
I think you understood what I meant.
These are claims made by abusive groups. There is freedom of speech in
this country, and everyone can speak this mind freely unless they
resort to violence.
You are a member of the Å?eyhanlı clan. Was you father a
clan leader?
No. The Å?eyhanlı clan has many branches. We belong to
one of them. Our elders generally have an interest in Sufism. They
seek wisdom.
What is the secret behind your putting together the Kurdish station in
as short a time as 45 days?
Well, 50 percent of achievement comes from belief, self-confidence and
self-sacrifice. When our general manager turned to us and assigned
this task, we worked hard. This is the result of the combined efforts
of all of my colleagues, not only my personal sacrifice.
What kind of trouble did you face in connection with the Kurdish
language in the past?
It was the year 1966 or 1967. I was 6 or 7 years old and living in a
village called Ä°lhan. We were traveling from the village to the
town and something happened which left an impression in my memory. At
that time, transportation was not as advanced as it is today. There
was a village postal service — nothing more than a truck. The people
from the villages near the Euphrates River would get on it. It would
finally come to our village and passengers would get on it to go to
town. Our village was 30 kilometers from the town. There was a small
hill near Karaköprü, in Å?anlıurfa. There
was a checkpoint there.
At that time, there was no terrorism in the area. But as we approached
that checkpoint, the people on the truck warned us that there were
gendarmes ahead and that everyone should be prepared. The preparation
was nothing more than our fathers’ having to remove their poÅ?u
(headdress) from their heads.
That is very sad.
Now think about it. When you are a kid, your father is a hero in your
eyes. But your father has to remove his poÅ?u. Everyone quickly
removed their poÅ?u and hid them. They [the gendarmes] came and
checked whether anyone was wearing one. This is my childhood
memory. In Å?anlıurfa there was no discrimination
concerning language. Everyone spoke Kurdish. But there was serious
pressure on us not to listen to Kurdish songs. We listened to Kurdish
tapes in secret.
Were you allowed to give Kurdish names to your children?
No. This was not allowed. Even today we are unable to give our
children Kurdish names. In other words, Turkey has always been maimed
by meaningless and useless bans.
When you were preparing the Kurdish TV station, which amounts to
ending 85 years of denial, what hardships did you face?
In Turkey, it is difficult to build anything new. We first faced
mental intimidation. We were criticized by extreme Turkish and Kurdish
nationalists. They still criticize us. The nationalists from two
opposing extremes came to a common point. They say we should cease our
broadcasts. We have turned a deaf ear to such criticism and continue
on with our work. This was a process of testing people and
institutions. We have been able to observe whether the advocates of
unobstructed broadcasts and the free use of this language are really
sincere in their words. We know people and institutions; there are
people who do not want to see positive development in Turkey, and
there such people in both camps. These groups want existing problems
to be further complicated or new issues to be added to the existing
mix so that they can benefit from this atmosphere.
It is revolutionary for Turkey to launch a Kurdish TV station. Can
this be regarded as a sort of apology from the state?
It can be seen less as an apology, but more so as an attempt by the
state to redress an error. This is an indication of wisdom. If people,
institutions or states can retreat from their mistakes, this is a sign
of self-confidence; one does not need to fear it. Consider the peoples
living together in one area. In a polyphonic chorus, there are female
voices, there are male voices and there are voices of diverse
regions. Harmony results when all of these voices sing
together. Banning the Kurdish language in Turkey was a sign of the
disruption of this harmony. We are simply trying to bring this harmony
back. Unfortunately, this language was prohibited for quite some
time. A Turk loves his language, and no one can question this or say
that your love for your language will divide the state or you are
engaging in ethnic separatism. In the same vein, a Kurd has the same
level of love for his language. In other words, people do not become
Circassian, Turkish, Arab, Laz, Iranian or American of their own
will. This is a divine gift. What is important is human
values. Because of the pressures or bans on the Kurdish language,
there are few people who are proficient in this language. This was the
biggest hardship we faced. But we did not voice this hardship much so
as not to frustrate ourselves.
Do you require background checks from applicants?
Whatever is required by other state institutions is required by us as
well.
Sırrı Sakık has said, "You cannot find a single
Kurd without a prior conviction."
Why not? It is not a pleasant thing to state such accusations about
Kurds. I do not agree with him. You cannot say that Kurds are more
criminal than Turks.
Do you have plans for other stations to broadcast in Greek or
Armenian?
I have no specifics on that. If the relevant authorities see it to be
fit, we will act accordingly. I favor broadcasts in all languages
spoken in Turkey. People should be able to express themselves
freely. I do not support any bans.
Will the TRT’s Kurdish station be helpful in lifting all bans on
Kurdish?
This is a political issue. I cannot say anything about it. But a word
to the wise is enough. This is a political decision.
Many restrictions remain. The use of Kurdish for names of people and
locations in correspondence is banned. People may be prosecuted for
sending each other cards.
Clearly this TV station will relax things a bit. We hope Turkey will
normalize and see a relaxed atmosphere. This is what we wish for.
The Supreme Election Board (YSK) banned election materials written in
Kurdish.
It is not appropriate for me to say anything about this. This can be
solved in harmony with all segments of the state. If we are alone in
this initiative, it may fall short of achieving its target. If these
initiatives are supported by other public institutions and if there is
consensus, Turkey will relax and peace and stability in the country
can be secured.
You use the letters q, w and x in your broadcasts. But the ban is
still in place.
This is a broadcasting language. We do not engage in
correspondence. We use it only in our broadcasts. When you remove q, w
and x from broadcasts in the English language, what happens? Moreover,
the ban on the use of q, w and x is an unsettled issue in Turkey. You
know, all lavatories are labeled "WC." Should we ban this as well? The
names of some TV stations contain q, w or x. How are they allowed to
use them? In sum, these are baseless bans. I cannot understand the
rationale behind these bans. They will be removed in time, and this is
our hope.
Will TRT Å?eÅ? be the state’s tool for propaganda or
brainwashing?
Our station is like TRT 1 in format, mainly broadcasting entertainment
and family-centered programs. Is it reasonable to spread propaganda
through such a station? Today, official ideological views cannot be
imposed on people. No one pays heed to Soviet-style or US-style
brainwashing. The US targets Arabs with its al-Hurra TV station. No
one watches it because you only see programs talking about how the US
has been doing good things in the region. The station runs such
programming 24 hours a day. And it fails to attract an audience. You
cannot attract anyone with such ideological discourse.
Will you be in competition with Roj TV or similar stations?
No, not in the least. We do not intend to be alternatives to or the
rival of any other station. We will tread our own course. We are a
public station. It is unreasonable for us to compete with others. We
air programs with the assumption that the Kurdish audience is likely
to enjoy what the Turkish audience likes. We will not push any
official ideology or discourse. We will not be used for this purpose.
11 January 2009, Sunday
NURÄ°YE AKMAN Ä°STANBUL
ARMENIAN STOCK EXCHANGE WELCOMES CONVERSE BANK AS ITS MEMBER
ArmInfo
2009-01-09 03:49:00
ArmInfo. On December 29, 2008, "Converse Bank" closed joint stock
company became a member of the Armenian Stock Exchange. As a member
of the stock exchange Converse Bank will have full access to trading
on all exchange markets, including corporate securities, Government
bonds, repurchase agreements (REPO), and foreign currency.
Converse Bank was established in 1993 and currently offers the full
range of banking services through its headquarters, as well as 25
branches in Yerevan and across Armenia. As of the end of Q3, 2008,
the share capital of the bank totaled AMD 12,966,731 billion and
total assets exceeded AMD 66,826,197 billion. Ninety-five per cent
of Converse Bank’s shares are owned by "Advanced Global Investments"
LLC company (President/CEO: Eduardo Eurnekian) and 5% belong to Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world’s largest exchange company.
It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services
across six continents, and with over 3,900 companies, it is number
one in worldwide listings among major markets. NASDAQ OMX technology
supports the operations of over 60 exchanges, clearing organizations
and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries.
Washington Times, DC
Dec 31 2008
Silva’s Patisserie offers big taste in minibites
Bakery’s small pastries satisfy without guilt
Karen Goldberg Goff (Contact)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
In health-conscious circles, it’s nutritionally correct to turn down a
big, gooey piece of cake. With a tiny, two-bite concoction, though,
one can rationalize all the way through dessert.
Silva’s Patisserie turns out minipastries worth ruining that
diet. Mother-and-son proprietors Silva and Harry Sarkee opened the
tiny shop in Vienna 15 months ago and have developed a following as a
place to get beautiful and delicious little creations. On any given
day, there are about three dozen varieties: Eclairs, Linzer tortes,
fruit tarts, carrot cake and Key lime pie are among the staples. Rich
squares of flourless chocolate cake, spoon-size cupcakes and creme
brulees the volume of a shot glass also are big sellers.
The display case at Silva’s Patisserie in Vienna is full of all kinds
of goodies. The shop makes a huge variety of minature pastries from
all over the world, including macaroons, cannoli, linzer torte,
truffles and more. Everything is made completely by scratch on
site. (Barbara L. Salisbury / The Washington Times)
This replica of Jackie Kennedy’s wedding gown is made entirely of
sugar by Silva Sarkee, who together with her son Harry runs Silva’s
Patisserie in Vienna, Va. The two are third- and fourth-generation
pastry makers; Silva’s grandfathers both made all kinds of
confections. This dress is on display in a box at their shop on
Monday, Dec. 29, 2008. (Barbara L. Salisbury / The Washington Times)
"When we opened up the shop, Harry said, ‘Let’s do minis,’" Ms. Sarkee
says. "Everyone is health-conscious. We’re used to rich flavor, so
these are small portions, but they still have that flavor. You can
make something that looks like a million bucks, but then if it doesn’t
taste good, what’s the point?"
The Sarkees say first-rate ingredients and Old World techniques are
the keys to their recipes. They use the best-quality butter, and their
breads (those are full-sized) contain organic flour.
Baking has been a family tradition for the Sarkees for four
generations. Ms. Sarkee learned by watching her grandfathers back in
Armenia. Mr. Sarkee learned by watching his grandfather and, of
course, his mother, here in the United States.
This flourless chocolate cake is a Silva’s signature item. Everything
at Silva’s Patisserie in Vienna is made on site from scratch on a
daily basis, including breads, pastries and cakes. The shop has been
open for about a year and a half. (Barbara L. Salisbury / The
Washington Times)
"I was three years old, and my grandfather gave me an apron," says
Mr. Sarkee, 30. "That’s really my first memory, making bread. Baking
has to be something in you. There are a lot of bakeries out there, but
not a lot of bakers who know how to manipulate the flavor to make it
taste great. You have to have the passion."
Mother and son opened their first bakery, in Falls Church, 11 years
ago. Mr. Sarkee later spent a few years as a pastry chef at the
Kennedy Center. The family also briefly owned a California bakery.
Now they are back in Virginia, where Mr. Sarkee and most of the bakers
arrive before dawn to start the day’s baking. He goes through 200
pounds of butter and 100 pounds of sugar in a typical week. What ends
up in the case out in front is made fresh daily, and the rotation
changes seasonally to use fresh ingredients.
In addition to the minipastries, Silva’s also makes muffins, tea
breads, breads and tubs of hummus and other Middle Eastern sides and
salads. The minis are mostly priced at $1.49 each.
Harry Sarkee puts cinnamon roll dough through a special machine to
roll it out thinly so that he can then add the butter and cinnamon
sugar. Mr. Sarkee makes anywhere between 30 and 50 different
confections every day, including breads, pastries and cakes. (Barbara
L. Salisbury / The Washington Times)
These French truffles for sale at Silva’s Patisserie in Vienna look
like upside down lollipops. All images were taken Monday, Dec. 29,
2008. (Photographs by Barbara L. Salisbury / The Washington Times.)
Ms. Sarkee primarily attends to the small, beautiful details, such as
handcrafting bright-colored marzipan fruits and putting the finishing
flourishes on petits fours. She is the person to see for special
orders such as wedding cakes and custom fondant designs. Her proudest
work – a hand-folded replica of Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress made
completely from sugar – hangs in the bakery, inspiring both bakers and
customers as to what sugar and imagination can do.
ig-taste-in-minibites/
Armenian Public TV
Dec 29 2008
Armenian security head says improved ties with Turkey to benefit economy
[Presenter over video of the interview] National Security Council
Secretary Artur Baghdasaryan spoke about national security challenges
and way to overcome them with my new colleague today. Baghdasaryan was
the host today of "Haylur Hartsazruyts" [interview programme] and
spoke about the Karabakh issue, prospects of Armenian-Turkish
relations, priorities of Armenia’s presidency in the Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the council’s plans for 2009.
[Baghdasaryan, speaking to a journalist] At present, Armenian-Turkish
relations are at a partnership stage, at a stage of dialogue and I
believe this is extremely important in the political sense. The
normalization of relations with Turkey means an additional incentive
for the economic development of our country and for the development of
numerous small and medium-sized businesses. Finally, this means
boosting of economy; this means getting rid of the image of eternal
enemy.