Author: Dabaghian Diana

IS SILENCE THE SAFEST WAY OF BEHAVIOR?

KarabakhOpen
27-11-2007 10:52:35

Before announcing about his decision to run in the election, the
ex-president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan visited Karabakh and met
with President Bako Sahakyan. Some time later the acting president of
Armenia Robert Kocharyan arrived in Karabakh with a working visit. He
did not meet with Bako Sahakyan because he was visiting the United
States on those days but they say he "warned" everyone to make the
"right" decision on the election in Armenia.

The relations of Armenia and Karabakh are neither international nor
internal. Unlike Abkhazia where most people are citizens of Russia
and will be voting to the Russian Duma on December 2, the people of
Karabakh are not going to vote to the Armenian election. Nevertheless,
Karabakh is a political force for Armenia.

There are a few factors which turn Karabakh into a political
force. Firstly, the Karabakh issue. It is included in the election
programs of every candidate – the voters evaluate the approaches of
the candidates toward the settlement of the issue, and a defensive
attitude may cause them to reject the candidate. Secondly, the Karabakh
origin of the top government of Armenia and the struggle against the
"Karabakh clan". Thirdly, the interdependence of the economies of
Armenia and Karabakh. And so on.

In this context experts report some indifference, at least lack of
an active stance in Karabakh on the internal issues of Armenia. They
also say, however, that silence in this case is the safest way of
behavior, since the opinion of Karabakh means a lot. One of the pans
may weigh heavier if Karabakh – the society and the government –
express their stance.

PRESS RELEASE
The Armenia Fund
Governmental Buiding 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel: +(3741) 56 01 06 ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

27 November, 2007

The Armenia Fund Completes Sos – Sarushen Section of the North-South Highway

Yerevan, November 27, 2007 – Armenian President Robert Kocharyan attended
the opening ceremony of the12.4 km long Sos – Sarushen road section of the
North-South highway, rightly called the backbone of the country.

The Armenia Fund has been committed to the construction of the North-South
highway since 2001. Funds raised in Telethons 2001-2004 enabled to advance
with the completion of the 160.6 km highway which is of major strategic and
economic importance to the country.

"No talk about progress is serious unless we have good roads to walk and
drive on", president Kocharyan pointed out during the opening ceremony of
the road.

According to Ararat Khlghatyan, the Deputy Director of The Armenia Fund,
this was an important project to carry out since lack of the proper road
used to cause problems both for drivers and people living in nearby
villages. Now one can cover the road in 8-10 minutes and with mini buses
running back and forth farmers can commute between their home and the market
with no difficulty."

"Road construction is an important part of The Armenia Fund’s biography.
Thanks to The Armenian Fund, roads that were non-existent or in terrible
conditions, have turned into roads of life and hope. We now enjoy rather
than endure the long journey between Armenia and Karabakh, "said The Armenia
Fund Executive Director Vahe Aghabegians.

It is noteworthy that Sos-Sarushen is part of the Stepanakert – Karmir Shuka
road that links with a secondary road leading to Amaras, a remarkable 4th
century monastry located near the village of Sos in the Martuni region.
Hopefully the last km-s reaching the monument will be improved in the near
future and Amaras will no longer be considered a remote location to travel
to. Not only the North – South highway had its positive impact on the
political and socio-economic life of Karabakh, it helped gain easy access to
the great number of attractions in Karabakh that were difficult to access in
the past.
###

The Armenia Fund

"NEW TIMES" PARTY STATED THAT ITS LEADER WAS REFUSED TO BE GIVEN A CERTIFICATE ON PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN ARMENIA IN THE COURSE OF THE RECENT 10 YEARS

Mediamax
November 28, 2007

Yerevan /Mediamax/. "New Times" party stated today that the Passport
and Visa Department of the Police refused to provide for the leader
of the party Aram Karapetian, who is nominated for the position of
the Armenian President, a certificate on permanent residence in the
territory of Armenia in the course of the recent 10 years.

As Mediamax was told in the press service of the party, Aram Karapetian
is planning to appeal the decision in court and is ready to present
to the Central Electoral Committee all the necessary documents,
proving his right for registration as a candidate for the position
of the President.

Mediamax notes that Aram Karapetian participated in the presidential
elections of 2003 and the parliamentary elections of 2007. He was
refused registration as a candidate for the position of a deputy from
the oppositional "Justice" bloc during the parliamentary elections
of 2003, basing on the fact that during the prior 5 years he did not
permanently reside in Armenia.

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TACTICAL FLEXIBILITY
Armen Tsatouryan

Hayots Ashkharh Daily
Nov 27 2007
Armenia

As we know, during the most recent rally, ex-President L. Ter-Petrosyan
advanced an "original" program aimed at the consolidation of the
most influential political forces of Armenia, prior to the February
19 elections. In return, he anticipated them to support his candidacy
during the elections and gave a promise to officiate for no more than
3 years and then give them the "green light".

At first sight, this seemed to be an invulnerable political technology,
since addressing to the leaders of Armenia’s more influential political
forces, i.e. Arthur Baghdasaryan, Artashes Geghamyan, Hrant Markaryan,
Vazgen Manoukyan and Raffi Hovhannisyan, Mr. Ter-Petrosyan modestly
placed himself at their disposal. "Just use us as a tool for getting
rid of the criminal administration and exercising your legitimate
right to striving for power. This will require that you remain patent
for no more than 3 years and maybe even less."

But now 11 years have passed after the October 16 rally, and despite
the titanic efforts of the advocacy machine supporting the Armenian
pan-National Movement, none of the above-mentioned leaders has given
a positive answer to the ex-Presidents proposal which seems strictly
attractive at first sight. Moreover, all the parties pointed out by
Mr. Ter-Petrosyan have actually expressed determination to run for
election with a candidate of their own.

The only exception among them is "Heritage" and its leader Raffi
Hovhannisyan, who cannot advance his candidacy on grounds of not
having 10 years’ citizenship. This, however, doesn’t mean that after
receiving the rejection of his appeal on changing the term of his
citizenship, Raffi Hovhannisyan and his party will automatically join
Mr. Ter-Petrosyan’s team.

However, even if in Raffi Hovhannisyan’s case we deal with a singular
exception, this won’t change the general panorama because, as it is
common to say, "An exception comes to confirm the regularity". And
the regularity is that Mr. Ter-Petosyan didn’t manage to consolidate
the influential political forces of Armenia and couldn’t but rely on
the insignificant support of some parties, deprived of reputation long
ago. They include but are not limited to the People’s Party of Armenia,
"Republic".

This is Mr. Ter-Petrpsyan’s third, more outstanding failure, after the
unsuccessful attempts of attracting the state-administrative machine
and businessmen, and it testifies to the skid of his persistent steps
aimed at turning the pre-election situation to his side.

At first sight Mr. Ter-Petrosyan seemed to be playing skillfully in
the "trench struggle"; however such impression slowly begins to fade
away in the course of time. More than one month has passed after his
political claim, but ever since no serious turning point has been
observed on our political arena.

Moreover, the fact that each of the influential political forces of
Armenia will run for election with a candidate of its own will upset
the ex-President’s political calculations still further. The reason
is obvious: although Mr. Ter-Petrosyan has promised not to enter into
a debate with the other candidates and forces, the latter reject his
"peace-loving goals" and, in order to have a place in the sun, they
are going to lead a struggle not only against the pro-Government
candidate but also against L. Ter-Petrosyan himself.

So, the ex-President can neither keep an endless silence nor accept
the new challenges.

We have no doubt that before the successive rally appointed on December
8 the ex-President is recording the obvious tendency of the downfall
of his own chances. Finding himself surrounded by the pro-Government
candidate and 10 other pretenders, Ter-Petrosyan has already lost
the chance of making any maneuvres. To attract the pro-Opposition
electorate, he has to prove on December 8 that all the candidates,
apart from S. Sargsyan and himself, are fictitious henchmen.

Or, feeling the inevitability of failure, Ter-Petrosyan will offer
a new, more "original" formula for consolidation.

However, considering that the previous "original" solutions had no
impact on the influential forces represented on the political arena,
and governing the country for a year more or less is not essential
for the "father of the Armenian democracy", we offer L. Ter-Petrosyan
to reduce his ambitions in a more consistent manner.

Thus, if on November 16 Mr. Ter-Petrosyan promised the other political
forces to govern the country for no more than 3 years in return for
their consolidating around him, on December 8 and then, each time
during subsequent rallies expected in January and February, he will
reduce this time-limit by one year and, on the eve of February 19 –
withdraw his own candidacy, as the "term of governance" he has promised
will have expired by that time.

SPECIFIC FACTS TO BE REPRESENTED

Hayots Ashkharh Daily
Nov 27 2007
Armenia

"I’m not going to support Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Even the probability of
my meeting Levon Ter-Petrosyan has become impossible, because of our
disagreements regarding national issues. In the near future I will
prove with facts – who was the one that used to hinder the progress
of Armenian troops, who was sent to Zangezur and Karabakh as an envoy
to fulfill this goal. Where and who used to stop the arsenal sent by
Serge Sargsyan.

Serge Sargsyan has never been exiled from Karabakh. This information
has nothing to do with the reality. He was absent from Karabakh
for only three months – from the end of May to August. In the near
future I will reflect on the reason of Serge Sargsyan’s departure,
with specific facts.

Once RA political figures and the political leadership used to commit
crimes in NKR, they didn’t let us liberate the territories. I will
point out certain names and surnames, what instructions they got and
what they exactly did." Samvel Babayan announced in the session of
"Dashink" union.

GENERAL AGRICULTURAL STOCK-TAKING TO BE CARRIED OUT IN ARMENIA FOR FIRST TIME

Noyan Tapan
Nov 29, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. At the November 29 sitting, the
Armenian government approved the draft law on general agricultural
stock-taking. The head of the RA National Statistical Service Stepan
Mantsakanian told reporters folowing the sitting that a general
agricultural stock-taking will be carried out in Armenia for the
first time after the National Assembly passes the law. According to
him, a stock-taking is carried out for purely statistical purposes,
and data on agricultural produce, other material resources and human
potential is mainly collected.

S. Mnatsakanian said that general agricultural stock-takngs are
implemented every ten years. After the adoption of the law in Armenia,
it is envisaged to carry out a pilot stock-taking in 2009 and a
general one in 2010.

ICG APPLIES DOUBLE STANDARDS, NKR MFA SAYS

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.11.2007 15:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The latest statement issued by the International
Crisis Group (ICG) has inherited negative aspects of the
Azerbaijan-Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The authors attempt to represent
the conflict as a territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan
and level NKR’s importance in the settlement process. They also hush
up the problem of Armenian refugees and NKR occupied territories
(Shahumyan region and a part of Martakert and Martuni regions),"
says NKR Foreign Ministry’s statement on Nagorno Karabakh: Risking
War report.

"The ICG presses for soonest signature of an agreement between Armenia
and Azerbaijan without NKR’s participation and assures Armenia and
Karabakh that war will appear as inevitable alternative to such a
hasty agreement.

"The ICG represents the idea of granting a status to Nagorno Karabakh
as positive factor and concession.

However, it’s noteworthy that the Group’s Breaking the Kosovo
Stalemate: Europe’s Responsibility, Europe Report N°185, 21 August
2007, says that any scenario supposing delay of the province’s
independence "would be considered as act of perfidy against the
people."

"The ICG report on Nagorno Karabakh neglects logic and principles
applied to Kosovo. ICG’s reports on Kosovo state strong necessity
of soonest recognition of independence, since it’s the best way to
prevent escalation of the conflict. Meanwhile, the same argumentation
perfectly fits the Azeri-Karabakh conflict as well.

"Admitting that Azerbaijan is the only threat to peace in the region,
the authors of the report, nevertheless, offer Karabakh to make
one-sided concessions. Such an approach proves that the ICG doesn’t
realize the amount of responsibility the mediating individuals and
organizations assume," the NKR MFA statement says.

–Boundary_(ID_XpoLPQ3P07XQVWzAqjbebg)–

GUL PAYS SYMBOLIC VISIT TO BAKU, BUT PRAGMATISM REMAINS
By Fariz Ismailzade

Eurasia Daily Monitor, DC
Nov 14 2007

On November 5 the newly elected president of Turkey, Abdullah Gul,
paid a three-day visit to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. It was
his first visit to a foreign country as president, and the choice of
Baku for such a symbolic trip is likely an attempt by the Turkish
leaders to show that Azerbaijan still remains a top foreign policy
issue for Ankara.

Gul brought a large delegation with him, including a number of
ministers, members of parliament, and a group of businessmen. They met
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Speaker of Parliament Ogtay Asadov,
the head of the religious-spiritual board, Allahshukur Pashazadeh,
and several other officials. They discussed a wide range of issues
in these bilateral meetings. Both presidents stressed the high level
of relations that exist between Azerbaijan and Turkey and pledged to
further strengthen this bilateral brotherhood.

"I feel myself like at home here," Gul commented. "Azerbaijan’s success
is Turkey’s success. We are sincerely happy to see a progressing,
powerful, and developing Azerbaijan," said Gul at the meeting with
his Azerbaijani counterpart. Gul also paid a visit to Ganja, the
second-largest city in the country, located close to territories
occupied by Armenia.

The second day of the trip featured a business forum that addressed
trade relations and bilateral economic projects. Gul noted
diplomatically, "There are no problems for Turkish businessmen in
Azerbaijan" (Day.az, November 6). Everyone, however, understood that
this was a wishful message, because Turkish businessmen do indeed
experience various problems with the local authorities, such as
difficulties getting exports through border checks, tax hardships,
and even problems with the local monopolies. Gul offered to start a
visa-free regime between the two countries (APA, November 6).

Turkey remains one of Azerbaijan’s largest trade partners, constituting
10.9% of the overall trade (around $700 million), trailing only Italy
(17.6%), which is the largest consumer of Azerbaijani oil, and Russia
(16.5%). In terms of exports, Turkey ranks second, after Italy (APA
Economics, June 27). During earlier visits by the Turkish officials,
both governments pledged to raise trade turnover to reach $1 billion.

Of all the issues discussed between Gul and Azerbaijani officials,
the most urgent was the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) and securing
Azerbaijan’s support for the Turkish anti-terrorist military operations
in northern Iraq. In fact, the PKK issue was raised even before Gul’s
visit. On November 3 the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan party (YAP) organized
a roundtable for the senior-ranking members of the party. Participants
discussed the current situation in northern Iraq and concluded that
Azerbaijan should and would stand shoulder to shoulder with its Turkish
brothers. "The PKK is a terrorist organization, and Azerbaijan is ready
to offer all kinds of political and material support to Turkey in its
anti-terror operations against the PKK. We are seriously concerned
about the activities of the PKK against the Turkish people," said Ali
Ahmadov, the deputy chairman and executive secretary of YAP (Trend,
November 3).

The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan also raised this issue prior
to Gul’s visit. Ministry spokesman Khazar Ibrahim reminded, "The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly declared the PKK to be
a terrorist organization." In parliament, the speaker showed rare
solidarity with the opposition MPs when he accepted a proposal by
opposition deputy Panah Huseyn to officially recognize the PKK as a
terrorist organization (Yeni Musavat, November 4).

Even during one-on-one talks with President Aliyev, both heads of
state returned to this issue. It is not clear how comparatively small
Azerbaijan can help the powerful Turkish army with anti-PKK operations,
but local newspapers and pundits were full of speculation that several
powerful ministers in Azerbaijan may have had a role in financing the
Kurdish armed groups. These allegations existed many years ago and
were recently resurrected. Opposition newspapers have also written
extensively about the alleged settlement of Kurdish families on the
territory of Azerbaijan, especially in the Nakhichevan exclave.

Gul’s visit and his continuous emphasis on the PKK issue may be
directed at such speculation and designed to minimize Azerbaijan’s
support for the PKK, if the allegations are true. The PKK issue is also
a factor in the security of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which
passes near the turbulent Kurdish areas. While in Baku, Gul stressed
that the pipeline is fully secured the Turkish law-enforcement bodies.

Other issues discussed include Azerbaijan’s support for the separatist
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Turkey’s continued embargo on
trade with Armenia until Yerevan liberates the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan. Gul also touched upon the issue of democratic development
in Azerbaijan, expressing his assurances that "very soon democracy in
Azerbaijan will reach European standards" (Day.az, November 7). Five
documents on bilateral cooperation were signed during the visit.

Overall, Azerbaijan and Turkey continue to enjoy strong, friendly
relations, but these relations are much more pragmatic than in 1990s.

Baku’s growing oil revenues make the country increasingly confident and
less dependant on foreign aid. However, Turkey’s focus under the ruling
Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been on EU integration, leaving
the Caucasus and Central Asia as a lower foreign policy priority. The
ideas of pan-Turkism and Turkish brotherhood have long faded away,
being replaced with cordial and pragmatic relations. Both governments
prefer to respect each other and coordinate on foreign policy issues,
but not to scarify its own national interests.

DAYS OF ARMENIAN CINEMA IN ASHKHABAD
Translated by L.H

AZG Armenian Daily #210
15/11/2007

Culture

On November 11, started Days of Armenian Cinema in Ashkhabad, devoted
to the 15th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Armenia
and Turkmenistan.

The event was held by the initiative of the Armenian Embassy to
Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Culture and TV/Radio Broadcast
of Turkmenistan.

Armenian films "Triangle", "The bride from north", "A piece of sky",
"Comrade Panguni", "Sweet mother" and "Hello, it’s me" will be
presented during the event.

DEMOCRATS’ ‘ACCOMPLISHMENTS’
Mychal Massie

WorldNetDaily, OR
Nov 13 2007

I remember the hand wringing of Republican voters after Democrats took
control of Congress in 2006. Many may remember my saying at the time
that their takeover didn’t concern me in the least because Democrats
have unequivocally proven their inability to govern. I was right then
as I am right now.

John Hill of the Sacramento Bee reported that Democrat voters are
becoming dissatisfied with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ("Voters’ views
of Pelosi, Congress have dimmed," SacBee.com, Oct. 27). Democrat
voters’ angst is caused by a perception amongst their ranks that
nothing is being accomplished. But that is a relative construct,
and they would be well-warned to consider how they employ same,
because Pelosi et al. have been very busy indeed.

Democrats have raised taxes. When they took majority leadership
just months ago, they had campaigned, and were "elected in part by
promising fiscal responsibility. [They] specifically pledged to limit
spending increases and [to] employ pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budgeting
to keep the budget deficit in check.

"[Now] as their first year approaches an end, it has become clear that
members of the majority have failed to live up to their promises. In
just 10 months, Congress has passed legislation that would increase
federal spending by a combined $454 billion over 10 years and raise
taxes and fees by $98 billion over 10 years – and has passed a
budget resolution that would bring the tax increase to a projected
$2.7 trillion.

Despite the Democrats’ PAYGO pledge of no new deficit spending,
legislation enacted thus far has increased spending faster than taxes,
resulting in an additional $356 billion in deficit spending.

Only their budget blueprint, which assumes repeal of nearly all of
the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, would pay for all of their new spending."

("The Democratic Congress 2008 Budget: A tax and spending spree,"
Brian M. Reidl, Backgrounder #2081, Oct. 30.)

The House, with Pelosi at the lead, has held nearly 1,000 roll call
votes, eclipsing their old record of 942 set in 1978. In what could
be viewed as an attempt to have activity confused with achievement,
they are ahead of the curve – yet still have nothing tangible to show
for it. But then again, they didn’t promise to get anything done as
such – they promised more votes.

To illustrate this point, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, seized his
opportunity to have a roll call vote and attempted to impeach Vice
President Cheney. It is worth noting that he would rather impeach
Cheney than impeach Cheney’s boss. But I digress.

Democrat voters might be advised to look at things another way.

During the 2006 campaign, Democrats pledged they would work harder,
remain in session more days and hold more votes. Having met their
objective of having more votes, it would appear they have also met
their objective of having worked harder. Why else would they now vote
themselves a four-day work week? Would they break a campaign pledge
unless they had already met said objective?

Then again, they might be breaking their promise to work harder in an
effort to help Pelosi – who, having failed, less than a month after
taking over as speaker of the House, in her bullying tactics to secure
military aircraft for domestic flights for herself, her staff, her
relatives and members of the California delegation, must now suffer
the indignities of the proletariat and take commercial carriers.

At a time when the U.S. is best served with Turkey as a quasi-ally,
Pelosi, in an attempt to curry favor, money and votes, supports a
resolution that would have the U.S. proclaim Turkey guilty of Armenian
genocide some 90 years ago – eerily similar to Carter’s betrayal of
the late Shah Pahlavi of Iran.

Pelosi stumbled and fumbled her way through her ill-advised Middle
East trip, thinking she was the answer to that region’s problems.

There was her attempt to have the disgraced and impeached former
Florida judge-turned-congressman, Alcee Hastings, become chairman of
the House Intelligence Committee – and there was her endorsement of the
disgraced John Murtha, the corrupt representative from Pennsylvania,
to become majority leader. Then there is their relentless undermining
of our military and our troops who are in harm’s way.

No, my Democrat friends, the elected of your party haven’t been idle,
and they have reinforced one resounding truth, i.e., they cannot lead,
and their 22 percent approval rating overall attests it. My suggestion
to those of you who are disgusted with your party is to remember the
phrase "caveat emptor" – because, in essence, you bought them when
you voted them in.

And for the record, a word to my Republican voters who are just
as disgusted with those in their party – what makes you think that
electing more of the same based on the same old promises will bring
about any quantifiable change within our party?

Mychal Massie is chairman of the National Leadership Network of Black
Conservatives-Project 21 – a conservative black think tank located
in Washington, D.C. He is a nationally recognized political activist,
pundit, columnist and the former host of the widely popular talk show
"Straight Talk." He has appeared on Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC,
C-SPAN, NBC, Comcast Cable and talk radio programming nationwide. A
former self-employed business owner of more than 30 years, he is also
a member of the conservative public policy institute National Center
for Public Policy Research.

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