Author: Chalian Meline

GUL: CAUCASUS STABILITY PLATFORM CAN FACILITATE KARABAKH RESOLUTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.09.2008 13:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform will
facilitate resolution of frozen conflicts in the region, including
Nagorno Karabakh, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said in his address
to UN General Assembly.

"Turkey’s initiative was welcomed by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
and Russia," he said, Turkish media reports.

Following hostilities in South Ossetia, Ankara offered formation of a
Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform, which could unite Turkey,
Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. RA President Serzh Sarsgyan welcomed
the initiative as an attempt to create a favorable atmosphere in
the region.

Touching upon the Cypriot problem, Mr Gul said it’s time to end the
isolation of the Turkish population of Cyprus.

Armenian National Committee of Massachusetts
47 Nichols Avenue
Watertown MA 02472
617-926-1918
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
September 24=2C 2008

Contact: 617-347-2833

WATERTOWN TOWN COUNCIL CALLS ON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD TO
DISSASSOCIATE WITH CONTROVERSIAL ADL PROGRAM
Unanimously votes to call on the National ADL to End its Opposition to
Armenian Genocide Reaffirmation

WATERTOWN, MA – The Watertown Town Council unanimously voted last
night in support of a resolution calling on Blue Cross Blue Shield
(BCBS) of Massachusetts to ends its endorsement of the Anti Defamation
League’s (ADL) controversial No Place for Hate (NPFH) program, citing
the ADL’s opposition to Armenian Genocide affirmation efforts,
reported the Armenian National Committee of Massachusetts (ANCM).The
resolution, introduced by Councilors Marilyn Petitto Devaney, Stephen
Corbett, and Mark Sideris, was taken up during a regular Town Council
session, which was moved in advance to the Watertown Middle School to
accommodate the growing interest in this scandal.

The vote on the resolution was prefaced by the reading of a brief
statement by Jay Curley, BCBS’s Senior Vice President for Public,
Government and Regulatory Affairs, who was present at the Council’s
request. Following Mr. Curley’s statement, all nine Town Council
members asked detailed questions regarding the BCBS position.

BCBS’s Curley said that Blue Cross `firmly believes there can be no
ambiguity about the genocide’ and that it should not be hidden under
confusing language. Curley, however, announced that BCBS intended to
continue its partnership with the ADL `based on assurances’ [that the
ADL has recognized the Armenian genocide.] He followed that by stating
that if BCBS finds out that is not the case, `we will withdraw
support."

When asked by Councilor Corbett if this assurance was written or
verbal, Curley said that they were verbal, noting that the assurances
came from the New England ADL and that they were followed up by a
letter from Foxman, which was "perfectly clear and unambiguous to us."
Curley noted, however that BCBS was `disappointed’ with the tone and
tenor of the communication from Foxman.

The communication in question is the August 22, 2008, ADL letter that
was buried on its web page and signed solely by its national director,
Abraham Foxman, stating, `ADL has never denied the tragic and painful
events perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenians, and we
have referred to those massacres and atrocities as genocide.’ This
letter goes on to falsely accuse those who are working to end genocide
denial of `demonizing’ opponents of Armenian Genocide reaffirmation.

Councilor Devaney noted that BCBS’s `continued affiliation with ADL
means not only complicity in genocide denial but also is clear
discrimination.’

In addition, Councilor Vincent Piccirilli told Curley that citizens
`of Watertown are somewhat dismayed with the talking around the issue
and the failure to come clean.’

When asked by Councilor Sideris if BCBS would help get an unequivocal
statement from the ADL on the Armenian Genocide, Curly responded, that
getting involved in national politics `is not something we do.’

Councilor Jonathan Hecht answered by stating that by continuing to
play these games, BCBS was undermining the effort to prevent future
genocides.’

`The Watertown Town Council has taken a principled stand in calling
for corporations to adhere to basic human rights principles,’ stated
ANCM chairperson Sharistan Melkonian. `It is unfortunate that Blue
Cross Blue Shield finds the ADL’s disingenuous August 2008 statement
as satisfactory when in fact it clearly indicates that the ADL is
unwilling to come out with a simple, clear, unambiguous statement
acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. We thank the Council and in
particular Councilors Corbett, Sideris, and Devaney for their
leadership and for sending a strong message to Blue Cross that human
rights are absolute.’

Yesterday, twenty-five Armenian organizations and churches sent an
open letter to BCBS Chairman Cleve Killingsworth calling on BCBS to
end its endorsement of the ADL’s NPFH program.

`The ADL simply cannot portray itself as a universal human rights
organization while it engages in genocide denial,’ the letter
read. `The ADL has an existential contradiction between its two
missions as a human rights organization and as an ethnic advocacy
group. Whenever these two purposes conflict, the ADL prioritizes its
advocacy interests – not human rights. Acknowledging this
contradiction, Mr. Foxman admitted, `there are two moral issues, but
one trumps the other.”

The Watertown Town Council passed a second resolution last night
calling for a representative of the National ADL to appear before the
Council at a future date.

Background

The ADL has for many years refused to acknowledge that the systematic
massacre of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 was
genocide. To make matters worse, the ADL has actively engaged in
efforts to oppose Congressional affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

Only after intense pressure which started in Watertown, Massachusetts
during the summer of 2007, did the national ADL issue its `Statement
on the Armenian Genocide’ referred to above. In addition, the ADL
remains on the record opposing Armenian Genocide legislation
(including the pending H.Res.106 / S.Res.106), arguing that short term
geopolitical considerations related to Turkey-Israel-US relations
should take precedence over the moral imperative of condemning
genocide whenever and wherever it occurs.

The ADL convened its national meeting in New York City in early
November 2007 at which time the issue of the Armenian Genocide was
discussed. Upon conclusion, a one sentence press statement was issued
that `The National Commission of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
today, at its annual meeting, decided to take no further action on the
issue of the Armenian genocide.’

The controversy first came to light on July 6 when the Watertown Tab
published a letter that spotlighted ADL national director Abe Foxman’s
statements opposing Congressional Armenian Genocide legislation. The
letter asked the local "No Place For Hate" chapter to disassociate
itself from the ADL. NPFH is a national trademark of the national ADL.

The situation intensified in an explosive August 1 front page Boston
Globe article in which the Armenian National Committee condemned
Foxman’s genocide denial and stated that the ANC would "call for the
Watertown ‘No Place for Hate’ program to sever its ties with the ADL
unless it denounces Foxman’s position and acknowledges the genocide."

Later a community petition called on the Watertown No Place for Hate
committee "in keeping with its principles" to urge the ADL to
unambiguously acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and support
Congressional affirmation.

Watertown then became the first town to end its relationship with the
No Place for Hate Program by a unanimous vote of the Town Council,
which set the stage for numerous other public meetings in communities
throughout Massachusetts, where this issue was brought to the
attention of human rights commissions and town and city councils.

Watertown was followed by twelve other Massachusetts municipalities
including Belmont, Newton, Arlington, Northampton, Bedford, Lexington,
Westwood, Medford, Needham, Newburyport, Somerville, and Peabody.

For complete information about the ADL controversy surrounding the
Armenian Genocide visit

####

GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER COMMEMORATES ARMENIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

armradio.am
23.09.2008 11:33

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined with Armenian
Americans in marking the 17th anniversary of the independence of the
Republic of Armenia.

Schwarzenegger congratulated all Armenians in California on September
21, 2008 which marks Armenia’s independence in 1991 from decades of
soviet rule.

"Greetings to all who have gathered to celebrate Armenian Independence
Day. California is home to a fantastic mix of customs and cultures,
and today, I thank our Armenian-American residents for the wonderful
influence you have on our state. Your many contributions enrich
our communities, strengthen our economy and touch the lives of your
fellow Californians.

It’s a distinct honor to join you in commemorating this special
occasion. As an immigrant, I know firsthand the joy that comes in
celebrating your ancestral roots. Days like this not only remind us
of time-honored traditions, but also of the great diversity that we
enjoy here in our Golden State.

On behalf of all Californians, I wish you a memorable observance and
every future success," Arnold Schwarzenegger said.

YOUTH IN ACTION

The FINANCIAL
22/09/2008 15:05 (01:36 minutes ago)
Georgia

The FINANCIAL — The Economic Forum of Young Leaders 2008 has
officially finished an agreement supporting the citizenship education
of young people in Georgia. The agreement between the organizers of
the Forum and Caucasus University (CU) was signed in the presence of
Deputy Prime Minister Giorgi Baramidze.

"This agreement will enable us to send a minimum of 3 students annually
to the Economic Forum of Young Leaders. On 5 October an international
press conference on media issues will be held in Tbilisi . There will
be delegations from Germany, Ukraine and Eastern European countries,"
Kakha Shengelia, President of CU, said to The FINANCIAL. "We are
going to put more effort into working with our European and North
American partners. More students will be sent to study in Europe,
the USA, Asia and Africa. One of our missions is to make sure that
each of our students spends at least one semester studying abroad."

The situation in the aftermath of the conflict in Georgia was one
of the main topics of the Economic Forum of Young Leaders. Over 300
young leaders of political, economic, social, and non-governmental
organizations from 42 countries from the European Union, Eastern Europe
and the Caucasus took part in the four-day Forum in Nowy SÄ…cz.

"We met about 300 people from different countries of the European
Union at the forum. We’ve made contacts with young leaders from
Poland, Ukraine , Latvia, Lithuania, Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungary and
many other countries. Currently we are working on new projects with
our new partners. We will actively take part in the "Youth in Action"
program. This program connects different country representatives and
gives young people the opportunity to get funding for the projects,"
Helen Ghelaghutashvilli, participant of the Economic Forum of Young
Leaders 2008, told The FINANCIAL

The President of Caucasus University (CU), Kakha Shengelia and students
of CU, George Avaliani (sophomore, CSB), Helen Ghelaghutashvilli
(sophomore, CSB), Sophie Sarishvili (senior, CSL) visited Nowy SÄ…cz
(Poland) and attended the "Economic Forum for Young Leaders 2008",
which took place at the beginning of September 2008. Dr. Shengelia
took part in a discussion panel with the following topics "Values
and politics: challenges of XXI century" & "Cultural Heritage and
Business".

There was no participation fee for the students. The travel costs of up
to EUR 350 were covered by the organizational office of the Forum. The
office also provided and covered all expenses of accommodation and
meals during the event.

The Forum is a place of discussion and reflection about important
problems and challenges for Europe. It has a special impact on the
role of the young generation in the process of social and economic
changes on the continent. The subjects of the Forum were as follow:
identity and European values and most of all the meaning of solidarity
in the contemporary world. There were discussions on the issues of
the vision of the European Union, development based on knowledge and
youth workers mobility.

The participants of the Economic Forum were Reinhard Selten (Nobel
Prize laureate in Economics), Giorgi Baramidze (Deputy Prime-Minister
of Georgia), Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz (Prime Minister of Poland),
Viviane Reding (European Commissioner for Information Society and
Media), Robert Sutor (Vice-President of IBM), Leopold Unger (Publisher
of Le Soir) and many others.

Very significant aspects of the Forum were workshops organized by
coaches of the European Union program "Youth in Action". "Informal
education is a useful tool thanks to which young people learn how to
talk. This technique can be successfully applied to politics or in
studying the mechanisms of economy," said Dorota Prymek, a workshop
coach of the "Youth in Action" Programme.

"We are going to actively work with our neighbour Turkish and Armenian
partners. This partnership will entail participating in the process
as a mediator between two parties," said George Avaliani, sophomore
at the Caucasus School of Business.

The coaches of the Programme organized three workshops for
the participants of the Forum: the active role of the youth in
socio-political life; the variability of cultures and fighting against
social exclusion. Divided into small groups, the young leaders prepared
presentations about the most important challenges and problems that
are interwoven in our social lives.

The participants of the workshops also noticed that fighting global
problems is often connected with acting for one’s own local society

"The Forum was on issues that are currently important for the
European Union, such as Europe challenging the 21st century,
Georgia’s integration in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO),
increasing the role of young leaders in solving the political issues in
Europe. Despite the fact there was a Russian delegation present at the
Forum all of the countries supported Georgia," noted Sophie Sarishvili,
senior at the Caucasus School of Law, and participant of the Forum.

According to the participants, the Forum establishes the role of the
young generation within the social and economic changes taking place
on the Eurasian Continent.

The parties agreed to exchange information and invitations to
projects and events organized by them; search the participants in
their countries and among partner institutions, elaborate joined
project of political education in future; develop the idea of the
Economic Forum of Young Leaders.

This agreement establishes closer cooperation between the parties in
the process of elaborating political education programmes in Europe
and strategic partnership in organizing the Economic Forum of Young
Leaders.

The Caucasus University is recognized as a strategic partner of the
Economic Forum of Young Leaders. This strategic partnership means
commitment to promotion of the Forum among Georgian organizations,
nomination of the two best young leaders from Georgia as candidates
for participation in the Forum each year; support of the Forum by
inviting guest speakers and outstanding politicians, economists from
Georgia and other European countries. "Common multinational projects,
internships and trainings, as well as support for NGOs are the specific
measurement of the Forum in Nowy SÄ…cz," Giorgi Baramidze summed
up the agreement.

–Boundary_(ID_kk3wIO2ale3IwkIE7B6ugQ) —

Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom

Table Tennis: England caught napping

By John Woodford in Osaka

Last Updated: 4:04AM BST 20 Sep 2008

THE World Championship match between Wales and England had to be
rescheduled yesterday when the Welsh women’s team arrived at the table
at 8am to discover that their opponents had not yet got out of bed.

Organisers had switched the match from evening to early morning after
the Turkmenistan team arrived late, but they failed to ensure that all
the players knew of the change. Wales wanted to claim the match but a
settlement was reached and it will now be played at midday
today. England will also meet Turkmenistan today and the men’s team,
3-2 winners against Armenia in their opening match, face Turkey.

England’s Louise Durrant is still struggling with a wrist injury,
leaving the line-up as Helen Lower, Katy Parker – daughter of the
former European champion Jill Parker – and Natalie Bawden.

Favourites for the Swayth- ling Cup, the men’s world team trophy, are
China, who are fielding one of the strongest teams ever seen,
spearheaded by world No 1 Wang Liqin, holder of the English Open
title.

Sweden, holders of the cup after beating China 3-2 in the final in
Kuala Lumpur last year, are the second seeds. They are at full
strength, led by the former Olympic and world champion Jan Waldmer and
supported by Jorgen Persson and European champion Peter Karlsson.

England’s men were forced to battle hard in their late-night opening
match, winning 3-2 against lowly Armenia. Terry Young and Gareth
Herbert were beaten by the Armenian No 1, Samuel Vardanyan, but both
redeemed themselves with victories over David Sargsyan. The decisive
result came when Andrew Baggaley beat Murad Asatryan.

England will need to lift themselves today if they are to make further
progress.

AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT DISCUSSED IN MOSCOW PROSPECTS OF NAGORNO GARABAGH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

Azerbaijan Business Center
Sept 17 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan finished
yesterday his short-term working visit to Moscow where he conducted
negotiations with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev and prime
minister Vladimir Putin.

Within talks the parties exchanged views on issues of bilateral ad
regional co-operation.

Following negotiations Aliyev claimed that along with matters of
bilateral character they covered regional processes, settlement of
Nagorno Garabagh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"We expect further active role of Russia as OSCE Minsk Group co-chair
in the process of conflict settlement. Despite whole difficulty of
processes occuring in the region of the Caucasus it seems to us that
today there are good pre-conditions for conflict settlement that would
suit all the involved states’ interests and be based on principles
of international law. In case the conflict is settled, I am sure new
prospects for regional partnership in quite wide format will open,
that will be for favor of all countries. We live and will live in this
region with our neighbors and nobody is going to move from the region.

That is why it is necessary to seek and find mechanisms of
efficient co-operation and neighbourliness. I want re-stress that if
relationships between all the neighboring countries in our region
had been the same like the ones between Russia and Azerbaijan,
then, I assure you, there would have been neither conflicts nor
misunderstanding," the Azerbaijani leader said.

After August events around South Osetia and Abkhazia Matthew Braiza, US
co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group, dropped a hint of doubt in a possibility
to co-operate with Russia in such format.

Following yesterday’s Moscow talks president Medvedev also confirmed
that their debates included theme of Garabagh conflict settlement.

"We back continuation of direct negotiations between the presidents
of Azerbaijan and Armenia. Russia’s position in the matter remains
previous. In the future we are going to render maximum assistance
to search of mutually acceptable decision of this difficult matter
solution. I think that we have the right to hope for further contacts
on the issue in the nearest future," Medvedev said.

Nagorno Garabagh conflict de-facto started in 1988 from Armenia’s
territorial claims to Azerbaijan. By the start of the last decade
of the last century the conflict transferred in military stage and
Armenia succeeded to occupy 20% of Azerbaijani territory. Separatist
regime established on the occupied lands has not been recognized
by any country of the world, but two last presidents of Armenia
(including the current one) are "heroes" of Garabagh war. Since 1994
ceasefire regime has been operating between the conflict sides.

PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTED WITH EU AND EUROPEAN STRUCTURES UNDER DIRECT CONTROL OF RA PRESIDENT

Noyan Tapan

Se p 16, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The sitting of the
interdepartmental commission on securing current work done by state
bodies within the framework of Armenia’s cooperation with European
structures took place on September 16. The sitting was conducted by
commission Chairman Artur Baghdasarian, the Secretary of the National
Security Council.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA President’s Press Office, issues
of Republic of Armenia’s cooperation with European structures were
discussed during the sitting. Reports of Deputy Foreign Minister
Gegham Gharibjanian, Deputy Minister of Economy Vahe Danielian,
Deputy Defence Minister Ara Nazarian on events held under EU and NATO
Individual Partnership programs were heard.

The commission decided to take the reports into consideration and
to instruct the departments to present reports on work done so
far, as well as to prepare proposals for completely fulfilling the
commitments assumed.

A. Baghdasarian presented the priorities of work done with the European
Union and European structures consisting of 120 points. He stressed
that the implementation of outlined programs is under immediate control
of the RA President, and country’s leadership will do its best for
these programs’ fulfillment ahead of the schedule and at a high level.

OSCE MG AMERICAN CO-CHAIRMAN REGARDS ‘TRANSACTION’ BETWEEN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SIDES

Trend News Agency
Sept 16 2008
Azerbaijan

There is a principle of territorial integrity, but if a transaction
is in existence between the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict sides, then all
must accept this transaction, include other principles of international
law and diplomacy as well, the American Co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk
Group, Matthew Bryza, said answering the question on how the present
process of recognition of the newly formed states can be reflected in
the process of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. The diplomat
added that such transaction is possible, Arminfo newspaper reports.

"If this would be impossible, I would not be here. My chief
(Condoleezza Rice – editor’s notes) considers that such a transaction
is possible, and she asked me to arrive here because of this. As
regards to South Ossetia and Abkhazia, only Russia and Nicaragua
recognized them, and those which occur are illegal in the plan of
international law. If Moscow considers that the conflicts in Abkhazia
and South Ossetia are solved, then it makes mistakes, this is only the
beginning," said the American mediator. At the same time, regarding
Kosovo, Matthew Bryza said: "the United Nations made a decision that
the situation into Kosovo differs from all situations in the world. The
Resolution 1244 says that there is completely more different situation
there than it was in Abkhazia and South Ossetia".

Bryza believes that the Nagorno-Karabakh problem has not military
solution. "I believe that together with our colleagues here, in Baku
and Yerevan, we will come to an agreement that we can resolve all
conflicts only diplomatically," the American Co-chairman said.

The American Co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, Matthew Bryza, arrived in
Khankendi on a one-day familiarization visit. The American mediator
was received by the so-called president of ‘NKR’ Bako Saakyan.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER RESIGNS

Mediamax
Sept 16 2008
Armenia

Yerevan, 16 September: Speaker of the National Assembly [of Armenia]
Tigran Torosyan today announced his resignation from the post of the
chairman of parliament.

Tigran Torosyan said this at a news conference in the National
Assembly, a Mediamax parliament correspondent reports.

IRAN STARTS NEW INITIATIVE FOR ESTABLISHING CONSULTATIONS WITH REGIONAL COUNTRIES

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.09.2008 18:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iran’s ongoing shuttle diplomacy over the past days
is directed at promoting peace and stability in the Caucasus region
in the aftermath of the Georgian war, Foreign Minister Manouchehr
Mottaki said.

Speaking after his meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank- Walter
Steinmeier, Mottaki said a major objective of his mediation efforts
in the Caucasus was "to establish and protect stability and security"
in the region.

Pointing to his recent trips to Russia and Azerbaijan as part of
Iran’s active diplomacy in the energy-rich Caucasus region, Mottaki
added his country "started a new regional initiative for establishing
consultations with regional countries."

Iran’s chief diplomat urged also European countries to support the
regional initiative.

He expressed hope mechanisms could be "reached for protecting security
and peace in the region."

"Everything will be complicated, if we don’t find a solution. The
military approach created problems in the region," the minister added.

Mottaki warned also against "interference from countries and parties
outside the region," IRNA reports