Author: Chmshkian Vicken

CONCRETE FACTORY HAS BEEN PUT INTO SERVICE
Svetlana Khachatryan

Azat Artsakh Daily
09 Dec 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

"Four Direction" company of businessman and benefactor
Seyran Karapetyan places an industrial concrete factory in
Stepanakert.Yesterday the NKR President B.Sahakyan accompanied by
the minister of Urban Planning A.Vardanyan and mayor of Stepanakert
V.Michaelyan visited construction landing. According to S.Karapetyan,
the factory will be ready and will give its first production on
December 16th. 60 cubic metre concrete of high quality will be produced
in an hour. By estimation of the minister A.Vardanyan, production
of concrete of such size is unprecedented in Karabakh. At present,
when sizes of construction realizing in 2009-2011 in Artsakh are
being discussed, exploitation of such factory is too necessary.

As she said, owing to the factory we should have construction
material corresponding to modern requirements, which would be
used for construction of dwelling and public building-construction
materials. A. Vardanyan considered the starting of a new enterprise
a huge and serious step in the sphere of construction. Seyran
Karapetyan’s "Four Direction" company operates successfully in Moscow,
China, Switzerland, Erevan and henceforth it will operate also in
Karabakh.

ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS LEFT FOR KOSOVO

Panorama.am
20:28 08/12/2008

Today the 10th shift of Armenian peacekeepers left for Kosovo and
the Deputy Defence Minister and the head of Armed Forces of Armenia
Yuri Khachaturov and other military officers went to take part in
the farewell ceremony of the military group.

Yuri Khachaturov mentioned in his speech that 70 military officers
leave for Kosovo carrying the mission of defense on their shoulders, to
guarantee peace and security to the local people. He wished the staff
strong will, success and the soonest return back to their home country.

CONTRARY TO DEATH

Azat Artsakh Daily
08 Dec 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

December, 7th, 1988. This day has for ever entered into the history
of the Armenian people as mournful, tragical date. 20 years ago, in
northern areas of Armenia there was the terrible earthquake which has
wiped about the city of Spitak appeared in epicentre of tremors. It
also has not spared Leninakan, Kirovakan, Stepanavan, hundreds of
villages. In total for some seconds 25 thousand persons have become
victims of blind elements of a steel, thousand have been wounded,
over a half-million remained without a roof over the head. That day
the hands of the city clock of Leninakan from elements blow have
stood on a mark 11 hour 41 minutes However it seemed to the Armenian
people, that hours have stopped, but not the hands of the clock. The
life has stopped itself, and in Armenia the ghost of black death was
wandering freely. Perhaps, such monstrous shock the Armenian people
have tested only at the Genocide of 1915. It’s impossible to express
the pain by words. Armenia became epicentre of terrible human tragedy,
truly a universal trouble. But it became also epicentre of mercy,
compassion, partnership. The sympathy wave to the Armenian people
has swept worldwide.

Those days newspaper pages, television screens of the world have been
filled by messages on accident details.The evil news have responded
pain in hearts of20millions people. This pain became the general
for all, and not only Armenians. Blow of elements has left nobody
indifferent. In many countries the public and governmental centres
which were systemizing gathering of financial and other means for
rendering assistance to the victim,there were big turns at blood
transfusion points – people voluntary handed over blood for wounded
men. Artsakh also has stretched a hand of help to Armenia which during
this period was in heavy situation, testing powerful pressure of the
Soviet-azeri state machinery for suppression of national movement. In
Nagorno-Karabakh means collection has been also organised, groups of
rescuers have been urgently sent to the zone of disaster. Practically
all the Soviet Union helped the suffered population of Armenia.

"Practically"- because even in that heavy, disastrous for the Armenian
people time Azerbaijan has not stopped the hostile actions. The
Karabakh movement was in a heat, and the Azerbaijan party tried to use
even the elements for achievement of the political ends, suppression of
will of our people.All possible difficulties were done to the trains
with humanitarian cargoes – artificial detained on ways, not giving
in time to deliver so necessary means to the republic suffered from
the disaster. Many still remember, how cars with the cement, going
through Azerbaijan, were filled in with water, and they arrived to
Armenia already in the form of unnecessary20boulders. Remember, how our
neighbours even frankly celebrated this tragedy and sent congratulatory
messages to the Armenians.It was very cinic blasphemous. But the
cynicism was also in that, that according to the best traditions of
communistic preaching, page of the Soviet newspapers were dazzled
with messages that "the people of Azerbaijan have apprehended a
pain of the Armenian people as its own" that it "is ready to render
assistance in these difficult days for overcoming of destructive
consequences of elements". Similar pharisaic messages, including, at
the highest level – the Communist Party Central Committee, Presidium
of the Supreme body and Ministerial Council AzSSR. Fortunately, the
Armenian people have not depressed, have not lost courage. During that
fatal time the terrible trouble has consolidated them, has forced to
involve all potential for opposition of tragedy and liquidation of
consequences of the accident.

Owing to the unity, strong will, courage and firmness of all the
Armenians, owing to disinterested aid of the people of the USSR and
many countries of the world the trouble has receded. Our people,
as well as at different stages of the hard history, have found in
itself forces to stand, transfer, apparently, to restore the destroyed
and to rise from ashes. "Disaster zone" concept has fallen into the
past’s arms .Time for the Armenian people has not stopped. The life
which has=2 0 appeared more strongly than death has triumphed. But an
inescapable pain of huge, irreplaceable human losses has remained. As
the memory of victims of that terrible tragedy has remained and
lives. On December, 7th all Armenian people will give a tribute
of memory of our compatriots for which the day of 1988 became the
last. Let’s remember victims – for the sake of the live …

KARABAKH MEDIATORS URGE ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN TO DRAFT ACCORD SOON

Day.Az
Dec 4 2008
Azerbaijan

The three countries mediating a peaceful solution to the territorial
dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan have urged the two to start
drafting an agreement soon.

It said that French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Russian Foreign
Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel
Fried had issued a statement in Helsinki regarding the resolution of
the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. In the statement, France, Russia and
the USA, which are the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, called on
Armenia and Azerbaijan to use the "constructive and positive impulse"
that was created at the meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents in Moscow on 2 November, Day.az said.

"The co-chair countries call on the parties [to the conflict] to
conclude work on the basic principles of [conflict] resolution in
the coming months and begin drafting an agreement," Day.az quoted
the statement as saying.

The co-chair countries also called on the sides to put an end to
sniper shooting on the front line to prevent civilians and servicemen
being killed.

"KILLER QUEEN" WINS AGAIN

A1+
[01:39 pm] 08 December, 2008

Germany’s WBA and WIBF flyweight World Champion Susi Kentikian ("Killer
Queen") defended her titles against Russian Anastasia Toktaulova. She
received a reward of â~B¬50 000 after the out-right victory.

"Anastasia was a strong contender. During the fight we hit each other
so hard that there is still a ringing in my ears," Kentikian said
after the fight.

The "Killer Queen" already has two champion belts but she is not
going to end her ring career. "It is very important for me to show a
high-quality sport in the ring. When I go out to the ring, I am sure
to have a good fight. It is still too early to say how many belts I
would like to have but I think three will do," she said.

"I have already got used to my nickname which testifies to my
abilities. I am an angel in life, but I become a devil on the
ring. Since early childhood I have been interested in swimming, judo
and karate. Boxing appealed to me after I watched a fight by German
boxer Regina Halmich. At first my father was against my decision but
he gave in after seeing my abilities. He agreed on condition that I
should always win…"

–Boundary_(ID_66sZGZDo8LfV5SSKy6TH1 g)–

FOREIGN MINISTERS OF OSCE MG CO-CHAIR STATES INTRODUCED CHANGES IN MADRID PRINCIPLES?

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.12.2008 17:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Foreign Ministers of the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chair states have submitted some changes in Madrid principles
to the sides in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Azeri Foreign
Minister said.

"Thorough analysis of these changes will be apparently followed
by a ministerial or presidential meeting," Elmar Mammadyarov said,
Day.az reports.

Commenting on recent talks with his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan,
the Minister said, "We did not refer to opening of the Turkish-Armenian
border before resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict but we did
discuss Turkey’s position on the seized territories of Azerbaijan."

STRANGE PANIC AROUND THE REFERENDUM
Kima Yeghiazaryan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
03 Dec 08
Armenia

Recently when the government submitted the bill on supplements and
changes in the law "On Referendums" from that moment the advocacy
machine serving the radicals started to alarm in terror that Karabakh
issue is put to referendum.

And when the parliament started to discuss the bill which proposes
to consider the referendums aimed at revealing the public opinion
regarding issues of state importance as a new type of referendum,
not only did the number of the heralds of sad news, but also the dose
of their sinister announcements increased.

But the most ridiculous thing is that after thoroughly familiarizing
themselves with the legislative initiative of the government,
these people introduced their statement as a revelation. As if
no one could comprehend that in the number of the issues of state
importance the settlement of Karabakh issue is considered one of the
priorities. Anyway!

The panic full of comic elements that has been created around the
bill is of course ridiculous, but the hullabaloo that continues for
the recent days is really strange.

After the ceasefire (if not beginning from 1988), the people of
both Karabakh and Armenia and the political forces functioning in
the two republics, always expressed the same opinion, which is:
any decision regarding the settlement of Karabakh issue can ‘t be
taken individually, moreover even the signing of the peace treaty is
not a matter to be decided by one or several people. And especially
as regards the destiny of Karabakh the main role in this issue is
vested in the people who can express their "yes" or "no" by means of
a pan-national referendum.

Moreover during the recent months Sefilyan, together with his "Miatsum"
almost intimidates by announcing that the issue must be settled by
a pan-national referendum. This is what we call exercising power by
the people, which is enshrined in the bill.

It is not something new and it is really strange why the bill, appeared
in the public, created such a panic among some circles. Whereas it is
noteworthy that when several years back the so-called International
Crises Group publicized the anti-Armenian version of the settlement,
putting into focus the idea of holding a referendum in NKR (In what
terms? Only God knows and the member of the Group Ararat Zurabyan),
not only did they keep silence but even warmly welcomed the proposal
made by the foreigners.

And at present when our authorities are trying to regulate the issue
of holding referendums through legislative methods (which was to
happen sooner or later) for unknown reasons these people hue and cry.

We must also underscore that while revolting against the referendum
these people managed to formulate the question, alleg edly to be put
to referendum. And the only issue that came to their minds was ceding
the liberated territories. That is to say this is the most important
issue in terms of revealing the public opinion. It is not even clear
whether or not the referendum will be held or what questions will
be put to referendum, these people are already hinting something to
Azerbaijan and Aliev.

In parallel with forming the questionnaire, not to break the
"tradition", they expressed doubt regarding the possible referendum,
emphasizing that anyway it will be falsified. This is the way the
radicals always do. Five years or minimum 1 year before the voting they
start speaking about the possible falsifications. Very interesting,
these people who have bored us to death by their demands on holding
extraordinary elections, if tomorrow they hold these elections,
these people will express the same doubt.

And in general except Ter-Petrosyan, who stated on October 17 that the
settlement of the issue is a matter of 2-3 months, all the political
forces and political figures from Vazgen Manukyan to Sadoyan, Samvel
Babayan and even Demirchyan don’t share this opinion. They believe
the settlement of the issue will take much longer.

And it is not yet clear regarding what issues will the Armenian party
be pressurized to give agreement during the negotiation process. Even
if it becomes clear, it will not be the end of the wor ld. By means
of a referendum the authorities will reveal the public opinion,
after they put to voting this "unpleasant" issue.

Especially in this case only mad people can think that the authorities
will try to breach the results of the referendum.

GORAN LENMARKER HOPES FOR PROMPT OPENING OF ARMENIA-TURKEY BORDER

ArmInfo
2008-12-05 12:44:00

ArmInfo. ‘2008 was successful from the viewpoint of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict solution. I am frequently using phrase of "golden opportunity"
and after the last meeting I guess that elaboration of basic principles
will be completed by the next spring and work on peace agreement
will start.

Settlement of the conflict depended on the will of sides at last’,
OSCE PA President’s Special Representative on the South Caucasus and
Nagorno Karabakh conflict Goran Lennmarker said, Day.az reports.

"There are unresolved issues, disagreements, but I believe that the
sides will solve these issues. I told Azerbaijani Foreign Minister
today that the process should move forward and finish soon. The
settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict is important just now because
there are a lot of factors of instability in your region". Goran
Lennmarker positively appreciated the Turkey’s proposal to mediate
in the conflict settlement and said this initiative was advantageous
not only for Azerbaijan and Armenia. "I hope that borders between
Turkey and Armenia will be opened soon". The Special Representative
said Caucasus could not avoid the world financial crisis.

"The regional countries should be closer and friendly in such
situation. It is one of the positive European experiences and you
can use it". Goran Lennmarker said he intended to visit the region
in next February.

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

THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE’S GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OPENS NEW HORIZONS FOR THE MISSION OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH

The General Assembly of the Catholicosate of Cilicia was launched in the
Catholicosate’s Antelias headquarters with the prayers of His Holiness Aram
I. The Pontiff’s opening message offered a comprehensive look at the current
state of the Armenian Church and nation, reflecting on those priorities and
challenges we need to consider for the coming years.

His Holiness developed his perspectives around three main points:
church-building; nation-building; homeland building. Catholicos Aram I said:
"In order for our Church to be able to realize its calling in an effective
way, it has an urgent need for renewal. We deeply believe that it is only
the Armenian Church, rich with centuries of experience yet in tune with the
challenges and demands of the 21st century, that can become the true apostle
of spiritual and moral values in the life of the Armenian nation. It is
essential, therefore, that the Catholicosate of All Armenians and the
Catholicosate of Cilicia together embark on this urgent task." Referring to
nation-building, His Holiness said: "In a growing and expanding Diaspora
that is subject directly to the threats of identity-changing, the role of
the Armenian school has become instrumental. The new lifestyle, brought
about by globalization, the new challenges generated by the multi-religious
and multi-cultural society surrounding us, urge the Armenian school to renew
and reorganize itself."

To meet all these challenges, the Pontiff strongly emphasized the need for
human resources. "The formation of the new generation should take place in
the life of the Armenian nation. Armenian formation should complete the
professional formation, which is imperative in the present world. Our Holy
See has set out to this sacred task through its Seminary, the Khatcher
Calousdian Pedagogical Center, through the educational and cultural
conferences it organizes on a regular basis. This extremely important task
should continue with renewed vigor," he observed.

The first two sessions of the meeting were dedicated to the presentation of
the report by the Religious Committee. The Assembly discussed a number of
issues pertaining to religious education, renewal of the church, youth,
women, participation of the laity in the life of the church. A special
attention was given to inter-religious dialogue. The Assembly also assessed
all those activities which open up our Church to other churches,
particularly in the field of ecumenical relations. The personal example set
by His Holiness Aram I has paved the way for a constructive process in this
respect, considered the Assembly. The meeting also discussed His Holiness
Aram I’s recent visit to the Vatican, highlighting the tangible results of
it and expressing its joy for the respect the Catholicosate of Cilicia
enjoys on an international level.

##
View the photos here:
tos/Photos343.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.

ARMENIAN, RUSSIAN PREMIERS TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE WAY OUT OF CRISIS

ARKA
Dec 3, 2008

YEREVAN, December 4. /ARKA/. Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
will pay an official visit to Moscow on December 5 to meet with his
Russian colleague Vladimir Putin, RA Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh
Kocharyan said.

The prime ministers will focus on the combined efforts to tackle the
global financial crisis.

During his visit to the Russian capital city, Sargsyan will meet
with businessmen.

"Armenia’s strategic ally Russia plays a special role in the
country’s multi-aspect and well-balanced foreign policy," Kocharyan
said, emphasizing the role of bilateral meetings in Armenia-Russia
relations.