Author: Chalian Meline

OFFICIAL SLOVAKIAN DELEGATION TO VISIT ARMENIA ON JANUARY 18-20

YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The official delegation of the Slovak
Republic will come on a 3-day visit to Yerevan on January 18. The
delegation is composed of members of Slovakia’s government and the
National Council, a number of famous political figures and directors of
big companies. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen the agreements
reached during the Armenian-Slovakian business forum held in Yerevan in
October 2007 and to hold discussions on solution of the Artsakh problem.

NT was informed by Ashot Grigorian, the initiator and organizer of this
visit, chairman of the Representative Office of Armenian Organizations
in Europe, advisor to the Armenian foreign minister that agreements on
financing and investments of several dozen million euros in Armenia and
Artsakh have already been reached. Meetings are scheduled with
high-ranking Armenian officials, ministers, as well as with the
delegation that has come from Artsakh in order to discuss some
cooperation programs.

Prior to the delegation’s visit, considerable organizational work has
been done by Nig-Aparan union of compatriots and its honorary chairman
Aghvan Hovsepian, on whose initiative a memorial khachkar was erected
in the center of Bratislava in connection with adoption of the
resolution on the Armenian Genocide by the National Council of the
Slovak Republic. According to A. Grigorian, on the day prior to the
visit to Yerevan, the delegation will lay a wreath at the memorial
khachkar. The chairman of the Economic Committee of the National
Council Marosh Kondrot, the first deputy minister of finance Peter
Kazhimir, the governor of the Trnava region Tibor Mikus, the former
prime minister Yan Carnogursky, the first chairman of the National
Council Frantisek Miklosko and other officials will take part in the
ceremony. The ceremony will also be attended by the Armenian ambassador
to the Slovak Republic Ashot Hovakimian (residence – Vienna).

Minister Oskanian presented Armenian approaches towards the latest
document

armradio.am
15.01.2008 17:08

On January 15 RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian received the OSCE
Minsk Group Co-Chairs Bernard Fassier, Matthew Bryza and Yuri
Merzlyakov.

The Minsk Group Co-Chairs presented the results of yesterday’s
negotiations with the Azerbaijani leadership in Baku.

Minister Oskanian conveyed to the Co-Chairs the approaches of Armenia
toward the document the mediators submitted to the parties in Madrid in
November 2007.

A1+

PACE PRESIDENT VISITS ANKARA
[07:11 pm] 15 January, 2008

Democratic progress must be strengthened by
constitutional and legislative reforms, declares PACE
President in Ankara.

Strasbourg, 15.01.2008 – "I praise the strong
commitment of the Turkish authorities to continuing
democratic reforms," declared René van der Linden,
President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE), at the end of his official visit to
Turkey (Ankara and Konya) from 13 to 15 January 2008.

"The parliamentary and presidential elections in 2007
confirmed the stability of Turkish democracy and
resulted in a more pluralistic and representative
Parliament with an increased participation of women
and MPs from the South-East of Turkey," said the
President. "However, discussions must continue on
lowering the ten per cent threshold for the
Parliament, which remains the highest in Europe."

"The democratic reforms must be stabilised and
strengthened by corresponding constitutional and
legislative measures, as called for by the Assembly
upon the closing of the monitoring procedure in 2004."

"These measures must, among others, strengthen the
guarantees of the freedom of expression and religion,
the independence of justice, the fight against
corruption and establish an effective Ombudsman’s
office."

In this connection, Mr van der Linden urged the
Turkish authorities to change Article 301 of the
Criminal Code to bring it into conformity with Council
of Europe standards. "I was encouraged by the
commitment of the President of Turkey to make progress
on this issue, as he also declared in his speech
before the Assembly in Strasbourg in October 2007,"
said Mr van der Linden.

The continuation of the reform process is the best way
to achieve progress in accession negotiations with the
EU, he continued. "If Turkey fulfils its democratic
commitments, the EU must also keep its promises as
regards Turkish membership in the EU." The PACE
President invited Turkey to fully use the potential of
the Council of Europe and its instruments, including
the expertise of the Venice Commission.

"As a democratic Muslim country, Turkey plays an
indispensable role in promoting inter-religious and
intercultural dialogue. This has been demonstrated by
the joint initiative of the Prime Ministers of Turkey
and Spain on an ‘Alliance of Civilisations’, now
holding its first Forum in Madrid. The Council of
Europe and its Assembly, bringing together
representatives from different cultures and religions,
is a natural partner in this Alliance."

Finally, the PACE President stressed the Assembly’s
potential for contributing to a solution of the Cyprus
issue. He cited the historic meeting of religious
leaders from both communities, held under his auspices
in February 2007, as well as the fact that the
Assembly is the only European institution to associate
elected representatives of the Turkish Cypriot
community in its work, as concrete examples of the
Assembly’s contribution so far.

"I chose Turkey for my last official visit as PACE
President to underline the importance of this country
for the future of Europe. Turkey will play an
increasing role, both in economic and geopolitical
terms, and it is in the interest of all to have Turkey
as a partner committed to European values," concluded
Mr van der Linden.

During the visit, Mr van der Linden met in Ankara with
the President of the Republic, Abdullah Gül, the
President of the Grand National Assembly, Köksal
Toptan, the State Minister for Economic Affairs,
Mehmet Simsek, the Chair of the EU Harmonisation
Committee, Yasar Yakis and the Chair of the Foreign
Affairs Committee, Murat Mercan. In Konya, he met the
Governor and the Mayor.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Rubezh 2008 exercise not directed against Baku
11.01.2008 13:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Rubezh 2008 exercise due in Armenia
in spring 2008 is by no means targeted at Azerbaijan,
CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha said.

`Making the decision to hold the maneuvers we took
account of the complicated situation in the Caucasus
and exerted every effort to convince Azerbaijan that
these are not directed against it,’ Mr Bordyuzha told
a news conference in Moscow. `These will be command
and staff anti-terror exercises,’ he added.

`I do not think Azerbaijan will have a negative
reaction to the exercise, which is not meant to tense
situation in the region,’ the CSTO Sec. Gen said
adding that any state is entitled to hold maneuvers to
ensure national security, The New Times reports.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Canadian Turks protest Armenian Genocide class
11.01.2008 13:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Over 1,200 Turks in Canada signed a
petition against a class that describes the 1915
events as the Armenian Genocide.

`These are very significant, horrible parts of
history, and without sounding hackneyed, we hope we
can learn something from them so we can make a better
world for our children’s children,’ said Trustee Gerri
Gershon, of the Toronto District School Board, who
proposed the course after a moving tour in 2005 of the
Nazi death camps in Poland.

`This isn’t a course to teach hatred or blame the
perpetrators,’ Gershon said. `Our goal is the exact
opposite: to explore how this happens so we can become
better people and make sure it never happens again,’
he added, Toronto Star reports.

21 PREELECTION HEADQUARTERS OF CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENCY VAZGEN MANUKIAN OPEN

Noyan Tapan
Jan 10, 2008

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. 21 preelection headquarters of Vazgen
Manukian, the leader of the National Democratic Union, a candidate
for presidency in the forthcoming presidential elections in RA, have
been already opened. Saying this at the January 10 press conference,
Samvel Shahinian, the head of the central preelection headquarters
of V. Manukian, added that they have a goal to increase the number of
regional headquarters, to have at least one in each electoral district.

According to him, preelection activities in NDU slow down and mainly
due to lack of funds. S. Shahinian said that a number of businessmen
support their candidate, however, they have an apprehension whether
the relations of the authorities with them will not worsen.

S. Shahinian said that V. Manukian will not be able to visit all
populated areas of the country during the official election campaign,
because "it is winter, the roads are closed, renting a hall is
connected with huge expenditures." Instead, according to him, for
informing society about the preelection programs of NDU leader they
will use television and all other possible media.

RPA FORECAST: SERGE SARGSIAN TO WIN IN FIRST ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

ARKA News Agency
Jan 9 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, January 9. /ARKA/. The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA)
forecasted that its leader presidential contender and current
Prime-Minister of Armenia Serge Sargsian will win in the first round
of the presidential elections obtaining 56-58% of votes. The analytical
estimate by RPA proves that, said member of RPA Council Armen Ashotian.

"We intend to ensure this outcome within the Election Code of Armenia
and in line with international standards," he said.

Ashotian pointed out that Sargsian’s chances remain unchanged and
they will tend to grow in the course of the election campaign.

The presidential elections are to be held in Armenia on February 19
2008. Nine candidates for presidency submitted the required documents
to the Central Electoral Commission. According to the schedule approved
by the Commission, the presidential contenders are to be registered
in the period from December 31 to January 20.

ARMENIAN FM DISAPPOINTED WITH FOREIGN POLITICAL COMPONENT OF ARMENIAN FIRST PRESIDENT’S PRE-ELECTORAL PROGRAM

arminfo
2008-01-09 18:19:00

ArmInfo. Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian is disappointed
with the foreign political component of Armenian first president
Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s pre-electoral program. Oskanian expressed his
opinion at a press-conference, Wednesday.

Asked about his opinion about the foreign political component of the
presidential candidates’ pre-electoral programs, the minister replied
that he managed to familiarize himself with the items included in
Levon Ter- Petrosyan’s program. "Taking into account Ter-Petrosyan’s
criticism against the present foreign political course, I expected to
see new interesting ideas in his program. I am disappointed. There is
nothing new in it. If there were no criticism, I’d understand. But
taking into consideration his criticism, one could expect more from
him", Oskanian said.

Touching upon the present negotiation process, the minister noted
that the things the first president offered to carry out can’t simply
be compared with the things, which are currently on the negotiation
table. The document he was ready to sign had not a single show of
self-determination, while the document on the present negotiation table
is based on Nagorno-Karabakh people’s right to self- determination,
Oskanian said. "Nagorno-Karabakh people would never agree with the
things that the first president tried to implement", he stressed.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm
Watch the video summary here:
eos/New%20Year%20visit.wmv
His Holiness Aram I’s New Year’s video message:
eos/New%20Year%20message.wmv

CATHOLICOS ARAM I VISITS
THE NEEDY DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Catholicos Aram I and a number of Cilician Brotherhood members recently
attended several celebrations sharing the joy of the New Year and Christmas
with the needy children of the Armenian community.

HIS HOLINESS WITH ARMENIAN ORPHANS
His Holiness welcomed the New Year on December 26 with Armenian orphans
sheltered in "Birds’ Nest". This institution, which functions under the
umbrella of the Catholicosate of Cilicia is subject to the constant care of
Catholicos Aram I, who has appointed V. Rev. Yeghishe Manjikian and a Board
of Trustees.

During the celebration, the Catholicos listened with fatherly love to the
songs and poems recited by the innocent children and their wishes for the
New Year. He praised all the donors and Armenians who remember the orphans
of "Brids’ Nest" on various occasions.
Photos: os/Photos68.htm

IN THE OLD PEOPLE’S HOME
In the footsteps of the Church’s humanitarian mission, His Holiness visited
the Home of the Elderly in Bourdj Hammoud on December 27 to spread the joy
of the season with those in need of love and care.

The sheltered elderly expressed their happiness by singing and reciting
poems with an amazingly good memory. Some of them addressed the Catholicos
with words of gratitude because despite his busy agenda the Catholicos never
fails to remember them.

The Spiritual Leader also conveyed his wishes for the New Year and
Christmas, assuring the elderly Armenians that the nation has provided them
a secure roof where they could live happily.
Photos: os/Photos70.htm

THE AZOUNIYEH NATIONAL SANATORIUM
On December 28 the Catholicos visited the Azouniyeh National Sanatorium in
Shouf, bringing with him the good cheers of the New Year and the joyous news
of the birth of Christ. The Cilician Brotherhood Members conveyed spiritual
satisfaction to the sheltered by singing hymns.

Some of the elderly voluntarily sang and said some poems they remembered.
The Pontiff also visited the hospitalized patients and prayed for them.
Photos: os/Photos71.htm
http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch. org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos72.htm

WITH ARMENIAN PRISONERS
A group of Cilician Brotherhood members visited the "Roumye" prison on
behalf of Catholicos Aram I to take the joy of the season to Armenian
prisoners. The Brotherhood members provided spiritual satisfaction to those
jailed by performing a short church service. They also gave Holy Communion
to those who wished to receive it, listened to the prisoners’ difficulties
with patience and gave appropriate advice.

***

His Holiness Aram I also attended the celebrations organized by the
Christian Education Department and the Armenian Church University Students
Association (ACUSA).

THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
The Armenian women’s Bible Study session took place in the Saint Gregory the
Illuminator Cathedral on the morning of December 25. Over 150 women attended
the session, which was followed by a Christmas celebration presided by His
Holiness. The attendants together sang the hymn "Khorhourt Medz". The
director, Rev. Torkom Donoyan gave a brief report about the department’s
activities during the year.

His Holiness then delivered his Pontifical address to the attendants. He
underlined the true meaning and understanding of living a spiritual life. A
small reception was organized and the attendants exchanged their well wishes
on the occasion of the New Year and Christmas.
Photos: os/Photos69.htm

CHRISTMAS WITH THE ARMENIAN YOUTH
On the evening of the same day, ACUSA members gathered around the Catholicos
on occasion of the New Year and Christmas. After spending time with the
Armenian elderly, orphans, patients and the needy people in these joyous
times, the Catholicos also accepted the invitation of the Armenian Youth to
celebrate the New Year together.

Addressing the members of this association, the Catholicos advised them to
remain loyal to our Church’s teachings and traditions and to transform the
coming year, declared the "Year of Christian Education" by the Catholicosate
of Cilicia, into a year for spreading the values of the Armenian Church and
nation.
Photos: os/Photos73.htm

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

Today, Azerbaijan
Dec 27 2007

Nagorno Garabagh called part of Armenia in Ukraine’s telephone
directory for 2006

27 December 2007 [18:57] – Today.Az

The telephone directory for 2006 "Gold pages of Ukraine" published by
the Ukrainian publishing-house Nika LTD, sites Azerbaijan’s Nagorno
Garabagh among Armenian lands.

International telephone codes of CIS states are given at page 18.

Nagorno Garabagh is placed among other regions and cities of Armenia.
Along with Nagorno Garabagh, the list includes city codes of Shusha,
Askeran, Gadrut, Agdere (so called Mardakert), Khojavend (so called
martuni) and Khankendi (Stepanakert).

The directory has been licensed by Ukraine’s Ministry of Ecology and
Natural Resources.

Spokesman for Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry Khazar Ibragim said the
Foreign Ministry will instruct Azerbaijan’s Embassy to Ukraine to
take in the issue.

/Day.Az/

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