Author: Chatinian Lara

TRADITIONAL ARMENIAN CUISINE AT MERCHANTS’ LUNCHEON
By Ksee News

KSEE
Nov 13 2008
CA

The annual Merchants’ Luncheon is taking place at First Armenian
Presbyterian Church in Fresno on Thursday, November 13. KSEE Sunrise
reporter Pamela Prado shows us some of the cuisine they’ll have
available. The annual fall gathering is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at
430 South First Street, between Huntington Boulevard and Kings
Canyon. Lunch is $12 per person and includes seasoned lulu kebab, rice
pilaf, cheese boureg, garden salad, pickled tourshee, fresh peda bread,
paklava de’Anatolia, and a drink. Their famous "A Hundred Years and
Still Cooking" cookbooks will also be for sale for $30. Pamela says the
food is delicious! For more information, call (559) 237-6638 or click
on the link below: ml

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN ATTENDS ARMPRODEXPO-2008
Alisa Gevorgyan

"Radiolur"
12.11.2008 16:29

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan attended the Armprodexpo-2008
8th international exhibition of agricultural products. The President
walked about the pavilions and met with representatives of the
participant companies.

"My impressions are very good, but contradictory. I see and rejoice at
the quality of our food and manufactured products, but simultaneously
I wonder why this high quality is not wide-spread all over the world,"
President Sargsyan told reporters. According to him, the government
should do its best to help Armenian producers to sell their production
in different sides of the world.

"We should try to create new brands like the Armenian cognac, which is
popular all over the world, the Armenian apricot, the sheep cheese,
goat cheese and other tasty foodstuffs," Serzh Sargsyan said. The
President said he anticipates the support of media, since advertising
is one of the best means in this case.

More than 60 companies participate in the exhibition. Companies of a
number of CIS countries, Germany and England present their products
alongside Armenian goods.

The expo has been organized with the support of the Armenian Ministry
of Agriculture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Yerevan City Hall,
the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Agrobusiness Development
Centre CJSC.

CYPRUS READY TO SUPPORT ARMENIA’S STRATEGIC INTERESTS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ENP

armradio.am
12.11.2008 17:39

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan, received the President
of the House of Representatives of Cyprus Marios Garoyan and his
delegation.

Greeting the guests, the Prime Minister noted that the relations
between Armenia and Cyprus are of warm and friendly nature, and it’s
necessary to expand and develop the existing ties. Tigran Sargsyan
expressed hope that the visit of the Cypriot delegation to Armenia
will serve as an additional impetus to the deepening of multifaceted
relations between the two countries.

Underscoring that this is his first visit to Armenia, Marios
Garoyan noted that he has already managed to get convinced that all
opportunities exist for deepening the Armenian-Cypriot relations on
intergovernmental and interparliamentary levels, as well as within
international organizations.

During the meeting the parties dwelt on the Armenia-EU
relations. Maruios Garoyan noted that as member of the European Union,
Cyprus is ready to support Armenia’s strategic interests within the
framework of the European Neighborhood Policy. Reference was made to
Turkey-Cyprus and Tureky-Armenia relations and the problems existing
in those relations.

MARIOS GAROYAN: I AM PROUD OF MY ARMENIAN ROOTS

Noyan Tapan

Nov 12, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. "A dream of life today is coming
true, both at the personal and political level," Marios Garoyan, the
Chairman of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus,
said at the RA National Assembly November 12 sitting expressing deep
gratitude for the invitation to visit Armenia. "I wish realization
of dreams to the Armenian people, as my dream to visit the land of
my ancestors came true," he said.

The high-ranking guest in his speech, in particular, said that the
brotherly contacts between Cyprus and Armenia are based on both
"common historic experience and common struggle against the same
rival" and harmonious principles and values guiding the policy of
the two countries’ governments and parliaments, their contribution
in international reality. It was also mentioned that though the two
countries’ contacts are at an excellent level, nevertheless there
are great possibilities for their expansion and deepening, which is
the goal of his visit.

"We wish to expand the current contacts in the economic and trade
spheres knowing that Armenia is developing quickly. On its part Cyprus
may propose its comparative advantages due to its being a member of EU
from 2004 and becoming a member of euro zone from the beginning of the
current year, as well as being between 3 geostrategic continents. I
hope the businessmen accompanying me will hold effective meetings
with the Armenian partners in this direction. Besides, we are ready
to provide assistance in many spheres that will interest Armenia,
as it was with the scholarships proposed by Cyprus Aid," M. Garoyan
said. He also mentioned that this visit gives him a possibility
to express gratitude on bahalf of Cyprus to Armenia for assistance
provided in the fair struggle for the unification of that country
and people. "Assistance, which, certainly, does not remain one-sided,
but is compensated ardently. Cyprus also, basing itself on positions
of principle, assists the Armenian people without a hesitation,"
M. Garoyan stated.

After the official speech M. Garoyan wished to publicly say what
had been accumulated in his soul for many years. He expressed much
gratitude to his grandmother from his father’s side, who implanted
adherence to Armenian values in him from his childhood and as an
eye-witness of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 told and bequeathed to
him for wherever he is, whatever he becomes, never to forget "this
people, which is a peaceable people, has values, ancient-old culture,
and the only thing it asks from the world is its right, to have its
homeland, to have the right to pray in its churches."

He also said that his grandmother has bequeathed to him always to keep
Cyprus on his mind and in his heart, which after the Genocide of 1915
cordially and warmly received the migrant Armenian people. M. Garoyan
concluded his speech by the call "Viva Armenia and Viva the Republic
of Cyprus!," in response to which the audience stood up and applauded.

WHY DO THE SERVANTS OF GOD FIGHT?

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
12 Nov 08
Armenia

Editor in chief of journal "Echmiadsin" Vardan Devrikyan expressed
belief that the collision between Armenian and Greek priests took place
on religion and property bases. Religion – because the two wings of
Christianity celebrate the Easter Day (when they take the magic light
from the grave of the Christ) on different days. Property motivation
is linked with the lands of the Armenian and Greek communities and
their rights. He also underscored that the conflicts between the two
Christian wings have started still in the 6th century and have regular
character. "The main reason of all this is that there is competition
between Armenian and Greek priests, "who will be the first to take
the light from the lamp," he said.

The inspector of Gevorgyan Seminary Sahak Bishop Mashalyan, who used
to be a clergyman in Jerusalem for three years, said that four times
a year Armenian, as well as Greek, Latin and other priests organize
religious procession around Christ’s grave. The collision with the
Greek priests takes place because the latter stand in front of the
entrance and near the grave and guard it during the ceremony, which
gives rise to the indignation of the Armenian priests.

The bishop said that the Armenian community has got valuable and
large-scale lands in Jerusalem, even on Mount Sinai, which is
considered the place of the Christ’s advent. The Greeks intend to
strengthen their positions by provoking regular collisions.

VTB GROUP TO CONTINUE FUNDING OF TEGHUT MINE DEVELOPMENT

ARKA
Nov 12, 2008

YEREVAN, November 12. /ARKA/. The VTB Group will continue funding the
development of the Teghut copper and molybdenum mine after correcting
basic calculations, Andrey Kostin, Board Chairman, VTB Bank OJSC
(Russia), stated during a space bridge between the VTB Bank and its
three branches in Armenia, Ukraine and Belarus.

He pointed out that the TVB Group has started funding the project by
providing the first tranche of a $30mln credit.

However, the international financial crisis and a slump in the
prices for the prospective products create difficulties in attracting
long-term funding.

Kostin pointed out that the new conditions necessitate accurate
planning. So the necessary work is being carried out jointly with
stockholders.

"We are not giving us the idea of crediting the project though it is
rather difficult in the context of the international financial crisis.

Nevertheless, we are interested in the project considering the fact
we have begun funding it," Kostin said.

He pointed out the necessity for corrections in the context of the
new economic situation, particularly a fall in the prices for most
mineral resources.

"Without anticipating things, we will continue implementing the
Teghut mine development project in the context of new circumstances,"
Kostin said.

On May 27, 2008, in Yerevan, the VTB Bank (Russia) and the Armenian

Copper Programme (ACP), which is licensed for the development of the
Teghut mine, signed an agreement for a 12-year $249.5mln credit for
the development of the Teghut mine.

The ore mining project at Teghut, Armenia’s second largest copper
and molybdenum mine, will last for 24 years.

The projects provides for the construction of an ore-dressing and
processing enterprise with an annual capacity of 83.7ths tons of
copper concentrate, 1.6ths tons of molybdenum concentrate.

The ACP CJSC, which forms part of the Vallex Group, was founded in
August 1997, using the facilities of the Alaverdi mining and smelting
enterprise.

The enterprise is owned by the Vallex F. M. Establishment
(Lichtenstein) (80.74%) and ACP Director General Valery Mejlumyan
(19.26%). The enterprise specializes in producing copper and copper
concentrates.

The VTB Bank (Armenia) CJSC (before June 20, 2006, Armsavingsbank)
joined the VTB Bank in April 2004. The bank is currently fully owned
by the VTB Bank.

OBAMA AND THE KURDS
by Yasin Dogan

Yeni Safak
Nov 7 2008
Turkey

Barack Obama’s winning the US Presidential election will perhaps not
directly cause deep changes in Turkish-US relations, but when one
looks at it from the standpoint of the things that could take place
in the region, one has to see that there may be indirect effects.

The arrival of Obama will not directly impact policies towards Turkey,
but it will impact policies towards Iraq, and thus will impact Turkey
as a reflection of this.

Obama stated during his election campaign that he would be able to
withdraw the US military presence from Iraq within a year and a half.

The withdrawal of US troops from Iraq -even if some elements might
remain -could change the political balance to a significant degree,
both in the region and in Iraq.

If the United States should pull out of Iraq, what would the general
situation of Iraq be, and what would the specific situation of the
Kurds be?

The answer to this question is that there could be efforts to seek
new alliances, as well as shifts of power.

The political equilibrium inside Iraq is in fact in a state of constant
change. At one time, a Kurdish-Shi’ite alliance was the necessity of
having a government. Prime Minister [Nuri] al-Maliki, in order to
keep the government standing, was very dependent on the Kurds. But
in the most recent period, the fact that the Sunnis have begun to
get involved in the game, and the rapprochement, even if partial,
between the Sunni and Shi’ite Arabs, have lessened this dependency.

It is known that the administration of Prime Minister Al-Maliki is
more sensitive in terms of spreading the influence of the central
government throughout the country and promoting political unity.

The withdrawal of US troops from Iraq could cause the Kurds to move
closer to Turkey.

For the local administration in Northern Iraq to be close to Turkey and
have good relations with Turkey is a general trend, but the balances
in Iraq, and the new situation, could speed up this process a bit more.

The call by President [Jalal] Talabani for support to the AKP [Justice
and Development Party] in the Southeast can also be interpreted within
this context.

Obama’s conveying messages of peace and compromise to the world shows
that he will place dialogue and democratic tendencies, rather than
military and coercive measures, in the forefront. This perspective
of Obama could force terrorism and violence in the Kurdish issue
to be totally excluded. It is thus likely that, in the new process,
the PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] will be subjected to pressure from
the United States.

It is also possible that Obama, who could enter into approaches that
will make Turkey uncomfortable, particularly on the Armenian issue,
will give full support to Turkey in terms of the PKK.

Thus the liberal policies of the Obama administration could bring the
Kurds in Iraq closer to Turkey, and could also place the situation
of the PKK into a new phase.

In conclusion, with the United States under Obama, the PKK and
terrorism could lose out, but the Kurds and democracy could end
up ahead.

We will watch and see…

"ARMENIA SHOULD WITHDRAW FROM NEGOTIATIONS"

A1+
[05:03 pm] 10 November, 2008

Leader of the Union for National Self-Determination (AIM) Paruyr
Hayrikyan doesn’t consider the Moscow declaration signed by the
Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan on November 2 as a dangerous
one. He underscores that the declaration rules out the settlement of
the Karabakh conflict by force. Moreover, the conflicting sides,
Armenia and Azerbaijan, have agreed to collaborate over some
issues. The declaration doesn’t imply new menaces for Armenia.

Generally, the AIM Leader does not think that the sides will reach
an agreement on the conflict resolution by the turn of the year as
"such intricate conflicts cannot be resolved in a few months."

Paruyr Hayrikyan says for the sake of Artsakh’s self-determination
Armenia should withdraw from the negotiations and go guarantee for
security of Karabakh people. "After considering the issue with the
opposition and different political forces Armenia should announce that
after revealing serious variances it doesn’t want to present Artsakh’s
interests in the international circles and enter into conflicts with
its neighbours.If we speak about the principle of self-determination,
we should provide arena to Artsakh," stressed Mr. Hayrikyan.

FROM THE MARGINS: ONE TEST PASSED, ANOTHER TO GO
By Patrick Azadian

Glendale News Press
Nov 7 2008
CA

It was election night, and after doing all the permutations of which
candidate would get which state, I became a bit impatient.

I tried to kill some time. I visited a local restaurant in Monrovia
near my work. I knew what everyone else was expecting. Florida was
a key state. But the results were coming in way too slow for me.

I ended up watching the results trickling in on a tiny flat screen
at an Italian restaurant owned by Korean Americans. As I chatted with
the Mexican American bartenders about our experiences of being 1 1/2
-generation immigrants in America (arrived here in or before early
teens), the election results became final.

Many historic milestones (good and bad) have occurred during my
lifetime. The Islamic Revolution in Iran and the Iranian hostage crisis
(the experiences still haunt me to this day), the destruction of the
Berlin Wall, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Independence
of Armenia and liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh (an Armenian enclave
in Azerbaijan) are just a few.

The election results took me by surprise. I had told my friends I will
believe it when I see it. Frankly, I did not believe as a society we
were ready to see beyond color and race. I did know we were headed
in the right direction, but was not sure if the time had come.

It had. We passed the ultimate test.

I received a couple of unexpected phone calls on my cell from
co-workers who would never call me during those hours under normal
circumstances. They were all African American and wanted to share
their joy.

Later, I did shed a couple of tears in private.

Beyond the obvious, we all know what this means. As a society, we
have come to accept that ability and qualifications can no longer be
attributed to race, creed or ethnic background. In theory and law,
we had an understanding on this issue. The election results have been
the ultimate test on how committed we are to this concept.

It wasn’t long ago when societies believed that there was a direct
correlation to race, ethnic background and ability. This theory is
now defunct.

As a follow-up of the same theory, culture was also considered to
be a factor in people’s ability to progress in certain fields and
professions. The validity of this theory has also been questioned,
and the idea has been rejected by social scientists.

Having said that, the consequences of lack of opportunity for certain
segments of society can sometimes be perceived as a validation of
above-mentioned world views.

Simply put, provided the right opportunities and role models, all
human beings are capable of achievement and success. More importantly,
even if the conditions are not necessarily ideal, human beings are
still capable of grand achievements.

For me, this is one of the most important lessons from the elections.

No doubt, there are still communities and people who will directly
associate ability to race, gender or national origin. The mainstream
seems to believe otherwise. With the results of the elections behind
us, this world view is well on its way toward becoming marginal.

And it will be interesting to see how this shifts and affects the
smaller communities.

With the upcoming local elections, Glendale will have an opportunity to
judge itself based on the standards set in the national elections. Will
we go into the voting booths educated about the abilities and
platforms of all candidates, or will we depend on voting in ethnic
and racial blocs?

Will we cast our ballot based on qualifications or last names? Will
we confuse ability with affinity?

Will we look to the past patterns for inspiration, or will we look
ahead to the future? Will we pass the ultimate test?

These are important questions that only the voters can answer.

MEETINGS WITH AZERI PRES TO YIELD POSITIVE RESULTS: ARMENIAN LEADER

Hurriyet
Nov 7 2008
Turkey

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said Thursday he would be glad
of any meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, since these
contacts are leading to positive decisions.

"I am glad for any meeting with President Aliyev because I can see
that all our meetings leading to positive decisions," Sargsyan told a
joint press conference with the European Commission Chief Jose Manuel
Barroso following their meeting in Brussels.

Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders met in Moscow at the weekend and
signed a declaration calling for a "peaceful resolution" to their
dispute over the province of Nagorno-Karabakh on the basis of "binding
international guarantees", taking a step further towards the resolution
of the conflict.

"A few days ago we signed a declaration in Moscow. One of the clauses
of this declaration is that we see the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
resolution in the format of the OSCE (Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe) Minsk Group," Sargsyan was quoted by Interfax
news agency as saying.

The Armenian president said he and Aliyev agreed to order the
countries’ foreign ministers to hold talks in line with the Madrid
principles, after their meeting in Moscow.

"If we reach common ground, then I think an agreement on the principles
should be signed, which, in turn, should be followed by a fundamental
agreement," Sargsyan said.

The Armenian leader did not say when the next meetings and talks on
the Nagorno-Karabakh issue would be held.

The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia began in 1988 on Armenian
territorial claims over Azerbaijan.

Since 1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20 percent of
Azerbaijan including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven
surrounding districts, displacing 10 percent of the Azeri population
in the series of bloody clashes both between and within the two
neighboring countries.

In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which
time the active hostilities ended. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group are currently holding peaceful negotiations. Nearly 30,000 were
killed in the 1990s war over the enclave and soldiers on both sides
continue to exchange sporadic fire, claiming lives.

There is no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey over
Armenia’s aggression toward Azerbaijan.

BARROSO HAILS GUL’S VISIT Barroso said he hoped the Turkish President’s
recent visit to Armenia would be the start of a real dialogue.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s visit to Armenia was a remarkable
initiative, the European Commission chief told a press conference.

Barroso said he could understand that matters concerning Turkey and
Armenia could sometimes be difficult, dramatic and quite sensitive.

However, the difficulties could be overcome with political courage,
he added.

Barroso said establishing dialogue and reaching a consensus in the
region were of great importance for the stability and prosperity of
Europe, as both Turkey and Armenia were parts of the continent.

He also said the ongoing exchange of views between Turkish and Armenian
officials would affect the security of the Caucasus positively.

Sargsyan also met other EU officials in Brussels, including foreign
policy chief, Javier Solana.

Solana told the Armenia’s president he has supported the
Nagorno-Karabakh peaceful talks and the Armenian-Turkish dialogue,
Sargsyan’s press office reported.