Author: Chatinian Lara

SHIRAK REGION OF ARMENIA TO HAVE DEVELOPED HEALTHCARE SYSTEM BY 2012

ARKA
June 13, 2008

YEREVAN, June 13. /ARKA/. The healthcare system of Shirak region
of Armenia is to become developed by 2012, Armenian Premier Tigran
Sargsian said at the first guest sitting of the government in Giumry.

Armenian Government approved the concept of development of Shirak
region’s healthcare system for 2008-2012, the Premier said as quoted
by the government press service.

Under the concept, among healthcare priorities are improvement of
primary medical services in the city and in rural areas, optimization
and modernization of hospitals, improvement of management level and
technical equipment in medical institutions.

ARTHUR JAVADIAN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA

NOYAN TAPAN
June 11, 2008

YE REVAN, JUNE 11, NOYAN TAPAN. As a result of the secret vote held in
the RA National Assembly on June 1, 44-year-old Arthur Javadian has
been appointed chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA). Prior to
that he held the post of deputy chairman of the CBA. According to the
chairman of the NA interim counting commission Samvel Nikoyan, 98 out
of the 130 NA deputies took part in the vote. 92 deputies voted for
the candidate proposed by the Armenian president, 3 deputies voted
against. 3 voting papers were recognized as invalid.

A. Javadian intends to continue the monetary and credit policy and
ambitious programs of the CBA, considering maintaining price stability
in Armenia as the major task.

ARMENIAN TV AND RADIO COMMITTEE EX-HEAD ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED ATTEMPTS TO MANIPULATE POLLS

Interfax News Agency, Russia
June 10 2008

A member of the Karabakh Committee, ex-parliamentary deputy and former
head of the State Television and Radio Committee Samvel Gevorkian
was arrested in Yerevan on Tuesday.

Gevorkian was active in the Gegarkunik regional campaign staff of
former presidential candidate, Armenia’s ex-president Levon Ter-
Petrosian. Gevorkian was entered on a wanted list on March 10 on
suspicion of allegedly interfering with the work of the election
commission. A criminal case was opened against him, Sona Truzian,
a spokesperson for the Prosecutor General’s Office told Interfax.

The center of the opposition Pan-National Movement, led by Ter-
Petrosian, said meanwhile, that "the regime thus demonstrated that all
its assurances about the situation in the country are a lie [and that]
arrests were continuing for political reasons."

The center also said that Ter-Petrosian’s representative in the
presidential election Bagrat Andreasian had also been called to the
Prosecutor General’s Office, where criminal charges were brought
against him.

Earlier reports said that after the February 19 presidential election,
the Armenian opposition, led by ex-president Ter-Petrosian, organized
mass protest rallies which deteriorated into clashes with police
on March 1, in which ten people were killed and more than 250 were
wounded.

Forty-five people were in custody following the unrest as of June 3,
34 others were released on bail or with travel restrictions. In all,
61 criminal cases in relation to 67 citizens have been referred to
courts, the Prosecutor General’s Office spokesman said. The trials
of 26 suspects are over and ten of them have been given prison terms
of one to three and a half years.

MEETING OF RCC COMMISSION AND POSTAL OPERATORS HELD IN YEREVAN FOR FIRST TIME

Noyan Tapan

Ju ne 10, 2008

YEREVAN, JUNE 10, NOYAN TAPAN. "The Development of Marketing in the
Postal Communication Sector as a Way of Transferring Skills and
Experience" seminar of the Regional Cooperation on Communication
(RCC) is being held for the first time in Yerevan on June 10-11. NT
was informed by the press service of HayPost company that the after
the seminar – on June 12, a joint meeting of the RCC commission and
operators of the postal networks will take place.

During the seminar, reports will be made by representatives of
the postal administrations of CIS countries and Baltic states,
representatives of the International Bureau and the Regional Office of
the Universal Postal Union, Post Europe organization, and such postal
companies as La Poste (France), Royal Mail (UK) and Ittela Group
(Finland).

WHAT IS BEHIND ISLAMISM IN TURKEY?

OhmyNews International
iew/article_view.asp?article_class=3&no=382795 &rel_no=1
June 9 2008
South Korea

[Opinion] A look at the probable effects of the growth of Islamism
in Turkey

The protests in Turkey by thousands of Muslims attacking the
constitutional court for blocking government moves to allow college
students to wear Muslim headscarves was somehow predictable.

History

Turkey was the head of the Ottoman Empire for nearly half a
millennium. Then, nearly 100 years ago, Kemal Ataturk changed Turkey’s
identity from Islamism to secularism. He succeeded because the former
empire had become very conservative and radical — a clear sign that
its end was near.

The Turks did not accept the new regime for the sake of secularism;
they accepted it to end the rule of the Ottoman Empire.

Reasons

When secularism was established in 1923 the Turkish people were thought
to believe that it was the best for the nation, but in reality it
was just handed to them on a plate. They hadn’t fought for it.

When the majority of Turks voted for the current Islamic ruling party
in last year’s elections they did not think about how much secularism
was worth as a ruling and societal regime.

Only the government know that secularism was meant to (1) put an to
end the rule of the Ottoman Empire, which was led by an autocratic
caliph, and (2) put an end to religious discrimination, which hampered
progress.

More recently, secularism represented Turkey’s best chance to become
a member in the European Union.

Probable Effects

What’s happening now in Turkey — the ideological conflict between
secularism and Islamism — is hurting its goal of joining the EU. The
idea of a becoming a religious state should be totally erased from the
Turkish consciousness, for no reason other than that it is impossible
for Europe today to accept into its fold any nation based on religious
ideas.

There are two sides in Turkey. The court will probably ban the ruling
party soon because it fears the party’s influence over the country’s
citizens. But this will not be the end. Another Islamic party will
likely appear to take its place. That’s because the aim of fundamental
Islamism is to rule the world. All the Islamic parties and movements
are connected and helping each other.

According to the CIA World Factbook, 99.8 percent of Turkey’s
population is Muslim. There are three non-Muslim minority religious
communities — Greek Orthodox Christians, Armenian Orthodox Christians
and Jews, forming 0.2 percent. Most Muslims in Turkey are Sunnis —
about 75 percent. Those belonging to the second largest Muslim sect
are Alevis or Nasiris, and form a significant chunk of the rest. What
does that mean?

It means that if another Islamic party appears in Turkey to replace
the current one it will have a majority of the voters, as happened
a year ago.

Such a repetitive situation could create a new Islamic fundamental
consciousness in Turkey. A return to secularism will grow more
difficult and Turkey will no longer be considered a European country
geographically. Also, foreign relations suffer from mistrust.

It also could lead to the migration of Jews currently in Turkey, which
could become a sensitive issue with Israel. What’s more, the conflict
with the Kurds will increase if Turkey becomes an Islamic nation.

Finally, it is important for the Turkish people to know the cost
of standing beside a religious party. They should not forget what
secularism did for them, their culture, their economy, their tourism
and their nation. They should learn from other experiences; they should
remember the Ottoman Empire and the European Dark Ages. Then for sure,
they will know how great liberal secularism is.

DEBATES FOR APPROVAL OF MARIE YOVANOVITCH’S CANDIDACY FOR POST OF US AMBASSADOR TO RA WILL BE HELD AT US SENATE IN THE NEAR FUTURE

arminfo
2008-06-04 14:56:00

ArmInfo. Debates for approval of Marie Yovanovitch’s candidacy for
the post of US Ambassador to RA will be held at US Senate in the near
future, the US Embassy in Armenia told ArmInfo.

The White House proposed the candidacy of the incumbent US Ambassador
to Kyrgyzstan Marie Yovanovitch. He added that the relevant official
information was received from the White House in Friday evening. To
note, before appointment as Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan in 2005, Marie
Yovanovitch worked as a chief adviser of deputy US Secretary of State
on political affairs. Moreover, from 2001 to 2004, she worked as
deputy US ambassador to Ukraine, and from 1998 to 2000 – as US State
Department’s deputy director for Russia. Marie Yovanovitch graduated
from Princeton University , where she performed researches on the
history of Russia. She also studied in Pushkin Institute and received
a degree in the National Military School. The Ambassador Yovanoitch
knows Russian and French. To note, the vacancy of US ambassador to
Armenia is available since September, 2006, after pre-term completion
of the diplomatic mission of Ambassador John Evans.

ARMENIA SHOULD REFRAIN FROM THE POSITION TO SEPARATE NAGORNO-KARABAKH FROM AZERBAIJAN, AZERI DEPUTY FM SAYS

armradio.am
29.05.2008 16:03

Armenia should refrain from its extreme position to separate
Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan, Araz Azimov, Deputy Foreign Minister
of Azerbaijan, stated to journalists on 29 May.

The next negotiations between the Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents,
which will be held in St. Petersburg in early June, will help to get
a clear picture of official Yerevan’s position regarding settlement
of the conflict.

"The further steps on resolution of the conflict depend on the
principles of the sides. If there are differences in positions,
then there is no sense to continue these negotiations," the Deputy
Foreign Minister said.

Azimov confirmed the adherence of official Baku to settle the conflict
through peaceful means and within the framework of international norms.

"Baku is prepared to continue negotiations within the framework of
the Prague process," Azimov said.

Tigran Torosyan: Our achievements are already irreversible

armradio.am
28.05.2008 14:10

Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Tigran
Torosyan issued a congratulatory message on the occasion of the
Republic Day. The message states:

`Dear compatriots,

Not having got rid of the cruel experience of genocide, ninety years
ago our people managed to unite its divided strength and win the
battles in Sardarapat, Gharakilisa and Aparan thanks to freedom-loving
spirit and the firm desire to restore statehood.

Although the First Republic of Armenia survived for three years only,
it gave the spiritual power, due to which not only the Armenian
statehood was restored, but also Artsakh was liberated at the end of
the 20th century.

I congratulate you on the Republic Day, assured that our achievements
are already irreversible, and the path of democracy and reforms is the
way having no alternative and will lead us towards the Motherland our
predecessors wished about.’

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 25 2008

Azerbaijani FM meets with US congressman Adam Schiff

[ 25 May 2008 12:44 ]

Baku. Vugar Masimoghlu-APA. Elmar Mammadyarov, Foreign Minister of
Azerbaijan, has today met with Adam Schiff, Member of the US House of
Representatives.

The ministry’s press service said the meeting focused on the
cooperation between the United States and Azerbaijan and international
and regional issues.

US congressman expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for its contribution
to energy supply diversification for Europe and operations in Iraq and
Afghanistan.

Azeri minister briefed the guest about Azerbaijan fast economic
performance and underscored the significance of peace and stability
for the region.

He pointed out the Armenian authorities should comprehend that
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict would have
positive impact in South Caucasus and serves the interests of Armenia
too. According to him, the Armenian Diaspora in the United States
should take interest in strengthening their country’s independence and
give up the activities that erode the interests of the country.

The meeting also discussed other issues of mutual concern.

Rising to the limelight of a prestigious post
New chairman of House panel rejects trappings of power
Erica Werner, Associated Press
Sunday, May 25, 2008
(05-25) 04:00 PDT Washington —
Rep. Howard Berman keeps a big Thermos behind his desk. That way, he never
has to ask anyone to fetch coffee for him.
The new House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman also picks up his own dry
cleaning and drives his own car.
It is a self-sufficiency that Berman, D-North Hollywood, has carefully
nurtured over his 13 terms in Congress. Now that he has ascended to one of the
most influential posts on Capitol Hill, succeeding the late chairman, Tom
Lantos, he still rejects the trappings of power and prefers to keep operating
as a behind-the-scenes player.
He even barred an Associated Press photographer from taking his picture for
this story.
"Sometimes the best things are done when the media doesn’t know about it,
because then a lot of other people don’t know about it," Berman said. "The
media is a conduit of information to the people who wouldn’t like what I was
doing."
It’s not that Berman has anything to hide, friends say.
"He’s much more interested in accomplishing things than being out front and
visible," said Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles, who’s known Berman since
their college days at UCLA. They presided over a famously effective Democratic
machine in Southern California in the 1970s and 1980s that helped elect
like-minded politicians to local and state offices.
Berman’s committee has oversight over policies in Iraq, Afghanistan and the
rest of the globe’s hotspots. He’s been in Israel and Iraq over the weekend
with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on his first overseas trip as chairman.
Outside of Washington he has had his fair share of political scrapes. In
1980, he made a grab for the speakership of the California Assembly but was
outfoxed by Willie Brown, who went on to become California’s longest-serving
Assembly speaker and mayor of San Francisco. In 2001, he drew ire when his
congressional district was redrawn in a way seen by some Latinos as diluting
Hispanic voting power. Berman was able to emerge from the episode with strong
Latino support due to his long record as a champion of farmworker and immigrant
rights.
In Washington, he’s thrived on an understated, collaborative approach. His
leadership style is far different from that of Lantos, who died of cancer in
February. Lantos, also a Democrat, was the only survivor of the Holocaust to
serve in Congress and his dignified bearing and eloquent oratory made him one
of the institution’s most recognizable figures.
Berman, by comparison, is unprepossessing, although like Lantos he represents
a California district. Berman’s graying, curly hair is rumpled. His speaking
style is halting and thoughtful. He doesn’t have a press secretary.
A photo in Berman’s office attests to the fact that he visited a grand
cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia – wearing a Hawaiian print shirt.
"He combined a real passion with a tremendous eloquence," Berman said of
Lantos. "That’s just not my strong suit. I’m more of an inside animal."
Berman makes up for his lack of style with substance. He’s praised for a
piercing intellect, keen memory and grasp of arcane topics. His recent
legislative efforts included reforms to the country’s byzantine patent system.
He also proposed removing apartheid-era visa restrictions against Nelson
Mandela and expanding President Bush’s foreign aid program for HIV/AIDS victims.
"He is able to provide creative solutions or additional solutions if the
first don’t work," said Sen. Dick Lugar of Indiana, top Republican on the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "They talk about show horses and work
horses, and Howard is clearly in the work horse category par excellence."
When Lantos was Foreign Affairs chairman, he presided over dramatic hearings
and votes. He denounced Yahoo Inc. executives as moral pygmies for
cooperating with Beijing and he passed a controversial resolution condemning
the World War I-era killings of Armenians as Genocide.
Berman’s goals seem dull by comparison: Regularly completing routine but
necessary legislation authorizing State Department programs, rebuilding support
for foreign assistance and public diplomacy, addressing nuclear proliferation,
examining dependence on Middle East oil.
Berman’s most high-profile outing to date was an April hearing on Iraq. An
early Iraq war supporter who stuck behind it far longer than most Democrats,
Berman tried to draw out his witnesses, Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador
Ryan Crocker, on how to effectively withdraw troops if U.S. voters choose
that approach in November.
When Petraeus and Crocker demurred, Berman remarked, "Well, then I’m not
going to beat that horse anymore," and changed topics.
Berman doesn’t support the firm withdrawal deadlines backed by many of his
Democratic colleagues. He says he would never have supported the war knowing
what he knows now, but blames himself, not the Bush administration, for making
an error in judgment.
"The lesson learned for me was challenge yourself and your own
predispositions more on some of these things, and challenge the evidence more.
I wasn’t sufficiently skeptical," Berman said.
Democrats and Republicans say Berman takes a collaborative approach. He
negotiated $20 billion more in foreign HIV/AIDS assistance than the White House
requested, according to Rep. Donald Payne, D-N.J. The proposal passed the House
and is pending in the Senate.
Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said that when Berman approached him about the
Mandela visa restrictions, his initial reaction was that the United States
should be adding people to the terror list, not taking them off. Berman talked
him around.
"He knows how to negotiate," said Smith. "He’s willing to take half a loaf
rather than a full loaf, and then come back for more later on."
/c/a/2008/05/25/MNAR10OV97.DTL
This article appeared on page A – 2 of the San Francisco Chronicle