Author: Chatinian Lara

THREAT OF AFRICAN PLAGUE PENETRATION IN ARMENIA NOT RULED OUT

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Aug 16 2007

YEREVAN, August 16. /ARKA/. Grikor Baghyan, chief of Armenian
Agriculture Ministry’s unit on veterinary and food safety, speaking
Thursday at a news conference, didn’t rule out that African plague
could come to Armenia from Georgia and infect pigs here.

The thing is that this disease was not neutralized yet.

"Drastic measures are taken in Armenia to bar the infection from
penetration in the country’s territory, but the threat still remains
as the disease is not neutralized in Georgia", Baghyan said.

He said that there are some animal diseases, such as false distemper,
with similar symptoms.

"Laboratory examinations in Armenia have found not a single case of
African plague, but revealed one case of false distemper instead",
he said.

On June 7, Armenia imposed ban on importing Georgian pork and pork
products.

Armenian State Veterinary Control Agency says 21 pigs died in Georgia
as of June 10.

Christian Broadcasting Network, VA
Aug 10 2007

Arab Attacker Killed in Jerusalem
CBNNews.com
August 10, 2007

CBNNews.com – JERUSALEM, Israel – Jerusalem’s Old City marked the
scene of a deadly shooting on Friday. The incident took place not far
from the Jaffa Gate near the Latin Patriarchate.

Police reported a Palestinian man, around 20 years old, wrestled a
weapon away from a guard in the Old City’s Christian Quarter, shot
him twice and fled.

A second guard shot and killed the assailant when he tried to flee
the scene.

Police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said the two briefly exchanged fire
before the Palestinian was killed.

According to rescue services, at least eight bystanders were wounded
by the exchange of gunfire. The wounded included several Jews, two
Muslims and an Armenian father and daughter.

Magen David Adom paramedics rushed the victims to three Jerusalem
hospitals.

Most were lightly wounded and two were moderately wounded. The guard
survived the attack and suffered moderate wounds.

The attacker carried no identification and police are trying to
locate his family.

After the incident, police raised the alert level but also reported
the "situation was under control."

Sources: The Jerusalem Post, Haaretz

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
August 10, 2007 Friday

WHAT ABOUT POWS?;
The question officials in Baku and Yerevan want to know an answer to

R. Orujev

BAKU AND YEREVAN: NEITHER KNOWS WHAT TO DO WITH PRISONERS OF WAR;
Countries involved in the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh do not know
what to do with POWs.

The general public remains largely up in the air on the question if
the Azerbaijani and Armenian military and civilians end up as POWs of
their own volition or under compulsion. It is only known at this
point that several citizens of Azerbaijan are POWs in Armenia and on
the occupied Azerbaijani territories and that several Armenians are
POWs this side of the front.

The identities of all these people are known. On the other hand, the
validity of what media outlets report concerning the circumstances of
their capture and whether or not they had any personal motives to
cross the front line remains questionable. Whether or not the
exchange of POWs may be arranged is another question without a clear
answer.

Here is what is known, which is not much.

Corporal Samir Mamedov was taken prisoner in late December 2006. He
is kept in Yerevan.

Ashraf Jafarov, a mental hospital patient, was seized on June 30.
Occupiers have him in Hankendi now.

Anar Aliyev (born in 1978), was taken prisoner on the line of contact
on August 2. Young man with college education, Aliyev had served his
country in uniformed capacity.

A soldier of the Armenian regular army defected to Azerbaijan on
August 4. Ambartsum Mnjakovich Asutarjan was born in the Armavik
district of Armenia in 1984. He was drafted on May 17. Asutarjan
explained his decision to defect to the tyranny and lawlessness in
the Armenian Armed Forces where he said soldiers were regularly
assaulted and even tortured by officers. According to Lieutenant
Colonel Senor Asratjan, Press Secretary of the so-called Defense
Ministry of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, maintains in the
meantime that Asutarjan, 23, went AWOL on August 4 and ended up on
the Azerbaijani territory. The so- called Defense Ministry calls
Asutarjan a draft-dodger enlisted only in May 2007. Unit commanders
call Asutarjan "a difficult serviceman" and a born draft-dodger.

One Valery Suleimanjan (civilian), resident of the occupied Mardakert
district of Nagorno-Karabakh, was taken prisoner this spring. He is
in custody in the detention cell of the National Security Ministry of
the Republic of Azerbaijan and displays no inclination to go back.

Eldar Safarov, the head of the Press Secretary of the Azerbaijani
Defense Ministry, said yesterday that "we are clarifying all points"
concerning the possibility of exchange and promised to be more exact
quite soon.

"The warring sides may do all they want, they may even exchange POWs
without the consent of these latter," human rights activist Murad
Sadaddinov said. "International practice in the meantime does not
permit the return of the people by force when the people in question
surrendered in the first place of their own volition. The situation
being what it is, however, I won’t be surprised to hear of exceptions
to the rule."

Source: Ekho (Baku), August 7, 2007, EV

Translated by A. Ignatkin

Cape Breton Post, Canada
Aug 11 2007

Istanbul: bridge between East and West
Still not much is being said about Armenian genocide

GARRY HAMILTON
The Cape Breton Post

(Garry has recently returned from a sea cruise in the Mediterranean.
This is one story from that trip.)

Our most significant and intriguing stop was Istanbul. I have visited
much of continental Europe. Buildings dating to the Renaissance
period are considered old. Buildings and ruins dating to the
Mediaeval period are considered ancient. And of course the
cobblestone roads built by the Romans predate Christ. But all of this
isas a newborn next to the antiquity of Greece and Turkey.

Turkey is the only country and Istanbul is the only city to be
located on two continents, Asia and Europe. Although the area was
occupied since about 4000 BC, recorded history starts around 700 BC
when it was settled by Byzas, a Greek. He modestly named it Byzantium
after himself.

When history books tell us an occupied land was settled by someone,
this usually means the original inhabitants were enslaved or
murdered. However, settled sounds ever so much more civilized doesn’t
it? The city has a population of 17,000,000 or about half of Canada.
It boasts mosques, minarets, obelisks and other architecure of
amazing size skill and beauty. Particularly striking was the Hagia
Sophia. It was built as a Christian cathedral between 532 and 537 AD
using 20,000 slaves. The work went on 24 hours a day, no time off. It
was the largest most impressive, church in the world for over a
thousand years until St. Peters was built in Rome.

Istanbul lies at the mouth of the Bosphorus strait. It has long been
the port where goods from the Silk Path in Asia crossed paths with
goods from Europe. In 306 AD, Byzantium was seized and `settled’ by
the Romans under Constantine. He called it guess what?
Constantinople. It was to remain a Christian city for centuries,
competing with Rome for dominance. The top priest or pope in each
city excommunicating the other. In 1453 the Ottomans seized control
and the city was returned to Islamic rule.

Fast forward almost 500 years to 1923 and Mustafa Kemal. Turkey as a
modern Islamic democracy owes its present status to this towering
military visionary. Mustafa Kemal with other military officers
plotted and succeeded in overthrowing the despotic rule of the
Ottomans. He was determined not only to liberate his people, but also
to educate them. He abolished Islamic religious law and introduced a
parliamentary system that maintained a separation of mosque and
state. Women were given equal rights in law including the right to
vote. Primary education was made compulsory for both sexes. He
reformed writing to incorporate the Latin alphabet with Turkish.
Agriculture and technology were subsidized. And all this was done
between 1926 and 1938.

Obviously he was way ahead of his time. He achieved all this progress
ruling as an autocrat. But at his death, he left behind a country
with democratic institutions, a vibrant economy and a sense of pride.
In a twist on the practice of naming a city after oneself he was
named after the country. He is known now as Ataturk – the father of
Turkey. All Turks revere him.

One thing stood out on all our travels in places of ancient
civilizations. The people all have an intimate and deep knowledge of
their own origins. This is both blessing and curse. Blessing for the
cultural richness and sense of identity; and yet a curse, for almost
every ancient civilization has a history of murder and subjugation of
or by its neighbors. The collective memory of events is almost always
very subjective. And for many there is neither forgiveness nor trust.
His voice rising with righteous anger, our tour guide told us that
Istanbul had been invaded 18 times since 4000 BC. Among others, the
attackers included Greeks, Persians, Romans, Arabs, Christian
crusaders, Ottomans and Russians. He didn’t mention the Turkish
genocide of the Armenians. I think it slipped his mind.

Garry Hamilton is a Cape Breton artist. We welcome your comments on
this column or any other material appearing in the Post. You can
write c/o Letters to the Editor, Cape Breton Post, 255 George St., PO
Box 1500, Sydney, N.S., B1P 6K6; Fax to (902) 562-7077; or e-mail to
[email protected]
&sc=150

GREEK LOBBY OF US INTRODUCED 2 RESOLUTIONS IN CONGRESS CALLING FOR TO FREE CYPRUS FROM TURKISH OCCUPATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.08.2007 18:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Greek lobby of the United States has introduced
two resolutions in Congress calling for to free Cyprus from the
Turkish occupation. The resolution ¹620 and ¹627 indicate that the
Turkish forces have been keeping Cyprus under occupation from 1974
up till now. Authors of the documents call for immediate withdrawal
of Turkish troops from the island, "Yerkir" newspaper reports.

In the result of the Turkish aggression Cyprus became divided
into two parts -Greek and Turkish ones. Turks of Cyprus announced
on establishing the Turkish Republic of the Northern Cyprus. Not a
single country in the world has recognized that republic ever since.

Some calculations show that the Turkish contingent of the island
has reached 40 000. The Greek part -the Republic of Cyprus is an
EU member-state.

–Boundary_(ID_Wrd2VtKrf9dad35MBZg+ sQ)–

FOLLOWING IN KOSOVO’S STEPS
by Natalia Pulina, Armen Khanbabjan

Agency WPS
Defense And Security (Russia)
Source: Moscow News, No 30, August 3 – 9, 2007, p. 19
August 8, 2007 Wednesday

Intermediaries regard actions of the new Karabakh leadership with
interest

The Effect Election In Nagorno-Karabakh And Kosovo Status Will Have
On The Karabakh Crisis Resolution

Kosovo’s sovereignty may compel Armenia to officially recognize
Nagorno-Karabakh.

The international community is split on the election of the
Nagorno-Karabakh president on July 19.

The election of Nagorno-Karabakh is a fait accompli in any case, one
that revived interest in Karabakh crisis resolution and doubly so in
the involved parties. Most observers believe that Nagorno-Karabakh’s
policy will remain unchanged under their new President, Bako Saakjan.

Its means that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic will insist on its right
to be a fully fledged participant in the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict
settlement talks – for starters.

Matthew Bryza, US Undersecretary of State for European and Eurasian
Affairs and American Chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, visited
Yerevan the other day. The US diplomat proclaimed Stepanakert better
ready for negotiations than the capital of any other unrecognized
republic in the Commonwealth. Bryza added, however, that there was
no point in waiting for any progress in the immediate future because
"presidential campaigns in Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2008 cannot
be counted on to offer anything constructive." Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Elmar Mamedjarov disagreed with Bryza and said there were
some dormant capacities for conflict settlement yet and that some
progress in the talks could actually be made before the end of the
year. "Given sufficient political will, certain progress is not at
all impossible," Mamedjarov said.

It is common knowledge meanwhile that Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh,
the Trans-Dniester region, and South Ossetia cannot wait for the
determination of Kosovo’s status.

"The recognition of Kosovo’s sovereignty will pave the way to
recognition of our sovereignty too," Saakjan said.

It follows that the decision of the international community to
grant Kosovo sovereignty may compel Armenia to officially recognize
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Needless to say, Yerevan will pull every
string and call in every debt in international affairs to make sure
that some other countries recognize Nagorno-Karabakh too. The two
equal sides will be able to initiate talks over unification only after
that. "It may be some sort of asymmetric confederation," President
Robert Kocharjan was quoted as saying.

ARFD REP.: NEUTRAL POSITION OF YEREVAN HAD INDIRECT IMPACT ON DECISION TO RECALL RICHARD HOAGLAND’S NOMINATION

arminfo
2007-08-07 18:41:00

The neutral position of Yerevan regarding the approval of Richard
Hoagland’s nomination to the post of the Head of US Diplomatic Mission
to Armenia indirectly influenced the final decision to recall the
nomination. Head of ARFD Bureau Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office
Kiro Manoyan made this statement at a press conference.

He said the White House hoped the official Yerevan to make Armenian
Diaspora stop active anti-lobbying Richard Hoagland’s nomination at
the Congress. He also added that position of the nominee to the post
of US Ambassador to Armenia on the Armenian Genocide must at least
coincide with that of Washington. "While, Hoagland stated that the
massacres of the Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire were not
planned," Kiro Manoyan said.

Hoagland’s refusal from the post of Ambassador to Armenia influenced
the final decision to recall the nomination. "I think Hoagland
understood how insignificant is the approval of his nomination by the
Congress." At the same time, Kiro Manoyan said "denial of Armenian
Genocide is a peculiar political lever for foreign countries to
restrain Turkey." Moreover, he said the American society is ready
to recognize the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire given the
great number of supporters to the 106th draft resolution on Armenian
Genocide among congressmen and the States. Although the executive
power in the USA still denies the Armenian Genocide, the legislative
power is working in this direction, Kiro Manoyan said.

Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
August 7, 2007

Contact: Haig Hovsepian

Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANC-WR Educates Hundreds of Young Armenian Americans At AYF Summer Camp

Los Angeles, CA – Nestled at an elevation of over 5,000 feet and just over
77 miles from downtown Los Angeles, sits the Armenian Youth Federation’s
Summer Camp, a haven for hundreds of Armenian American kids every year.
This year this special camp has partnered with the Armenian National
Committee – Western Region (ANC-WR) to teach campers how America’s
democratic system of government works and the value of Armenian Americans
being actively involved in all levels of government. At each of the
week-long sessions this summer, the ANC-WR has provided a speaker to talk
about issues related to the Armenian Cause.

"Educating young Armenian Americans about how our democracy works is an
ANC-WR priority," remarked ANC-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian after
returning from a trip to AYF Summer Camp. "These young Armenian Americans,
many of them AYF members, are intelligent and motivated to learn more about
how they can be involved in the Armenian Cause. "I am proud that the ANC-WR
is giving these kids the tools they need to be active and engaged in public
affairs."

In a series of weekly presentations at AYF Summer Camp, ANC-WR
representatives have touched on both the freedom of speech and assembly that
are guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and how these rights relate to the
Armenian Cause. The ANC-WR has also emphasized the need for the youth in
our community to "seize the day" in creating positive change and progress in
their respective communities. In one presentation to the campers, the
ANC-WR conducted a mock presidential election. In this exercise, campers
energetically created political parties, crafted party platforms, heard
speeches from the candidates, and ultimately voted for one of four
presidential candidates.

"We think it is natural for AYF Camp Big Pines to partner with the Armenian
National Committee to provide educationals to our campers, remarked Camp
Representative Ara Malakian. "Having the campers learn more about American
democracy is a good thing. We are also pleased that our kids are learning
from the ANC-WR how they can make a positive difference on key issues, like
the Armenian Genocide and building better and stronger ties between America
and Armenia," added Camp Chairman Aram Madenlian.

Located in the Angeles National Forest near the city of Wrightwood, AYF
Summer Camp is 11.5 acres of beautiful forestland with facilities to
accommodate up to 120 campers each week. The Armenian Youth Federation
Summer Camp was established in 1977 and provides a great atmosphere for
young Armenians between the ages of eight and seventeen to make new friends,
become better acquainted with Armenian history and culture, and participate
in a wide array of athletic activities. Each year, Armenian youth from all
over the United States and Canada make AYF Summer Camp an integral part of
their summer agenda.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the
Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated
organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances the concerns of the
Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

STATE COMMISSION INFORMS ICRC ON ARMENIAN GIVING HIMSELF UP TO AZERBAIJAN

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 6 2007

Azerbaijan’s State Commission for prisoners of war, hostages and
missing persons informed the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) office in Azerbaijan of an Armenian giving himself up to
Azerbaijan. The office told APA they have not yet visited the captive.

Defense Ministry stated it will announce the case.

APA’s Garabagh bureau reported that Armenian soldier Ambarsum Mnakovich
trespassed on Azerbaijani territory.

He was born in Armavik region, Armenia. Mnakovich was drafted on May
17 this year.

He attributed the case to the bullying in Armenian Army. According
to him, Armenian Army officers are using torture against soldiers.

SERGEY MARKOV: WAR IS QUITE POSSIBLE IN NAGORNO KARABAKH ISSUE

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.08.2007 14:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Conditionally speaking, Russia’s stance in the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict may be viewed in 60-40 correlation, which
means that Moscow supports Yerevan more, Russian politician and member
of the RF Public Chamber Sergey Markov stated. Simultaneously Russia
tries to keep the status quo -not to break the reached positives. "If
we plunge this region into a full-scale war, everybody will suffer
from it. The Russian Federation realizes this danger. Moscow builds his
whole policy proceeding from the following principle -the main thing is
not to harm. So, Azerbaijan is mistaken by considering Russia’s stance
in this issue as pro-Armenian. Of course, Russia listens to Armenia
more attentively, since Yerevan participates in projects initiated
by RF, for example, the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization).

And Azerbaijan does just the opposite by drawing into an anti-Russian
project, GUAM. Baku pushes Russia making him support Armenia more,
in 70-30 correlation," he underlined.

At the same time Sergey Markov said Russia will not change anything in
his stance on Karabakh yet. He added, gradually as far as Azerbaijan’s
economic growth continues and the gap between Baku and Yerevan becomes
larger the Azeri authorities will fall under temptation to go to
the forceful solution of the Karabakh conflict and will make such an
attempt. "So, war is quite possible in the Nagorno Karabakh issue.

We do not know yet how the problem will be resolved and what the
result will be. At least we see that Azerbaijan’s economic predominance
over Armenia constantly increases and after some time it will become
tremendous. Though, from the other hand Armenians continue to assure
that they know how to fight and will always be head and shoulders
above. In any case, I think after Azerbaijan accumulates enough
resources, some politicians will occur who would like to use those
resources to settle the issue forcefully.

Moscow’s stance will depend on Russia’s relations with Azerbaijan
and Armenia at the moment," the Russian political scientist stated.

Answering the question if it is possible to say that Armenia can
rely on Russia’s assistance in any case, Sergey Markov underscored,
"It is difficult to say yet. Azerbaijan has not fallen into the pit
of anti-Russian forces," Baku based "Echo" newspaper reports.