Author: Ekmekjian Janet

WIVES OF "POLITICAL PRISONERS" PROTEST IN ARMENIA’S CAPITAL

Aravot
Nov 21 2008
Armenia

"Protests"

Wives of political prisoners staged a protest in front of the
government building yesterday [20 November].

The wife of the [arrested] former minister of foreign affairs,
Aleksandr Arzumanyan, Melissa Brown, believes that the criminals are
those who "are inside the government building now". Standing under
their umbrellas in the rain, the women chanted their constant demand
raising their clenched fists: "Free, independent Armenia", "Freedom to
political prisoners", "Struggle, struggle till the end". They brought
with them pictures of their arrested husbands. The police blocked
the entrance to the government building – probably to protect our
"government people" against the claims of the wives of political
prisoners.

Yesterday [20 November] the committee for the Protection of Political
Prisoners and Persecuted Persons joined 24 political prisoners, who
went on a hunger strike in places of their detention. Eight members
of the committee took part in a one-day hunger strike without stopping
their daily activities. For instance, a human rights activist, Vardan
Harutyunyan, and a former political prisoner, Karapet Rubinyan,
took part in the protest near the government building yesterday
[20 November], as they believe that it is not worth holding a hunger
strike while sitting somewhere, especially when the Armenian government
fully ignores the hunger strike.

By this extreme way of struggle the hunger strikers are expressing
their protest against investigations and trials which have been
carried out with regard to the cases of political prisoners.

The commander of the Shushi [Susa] battalion [a volunteer battalion
which fought in the Karabakh war], Zhirayr Seyfilyan, joined the
hunger strike in his office – also preparing for a protest over the
Karabakh issue to be held near the Foreign Ministry office today. He
joined the hunger strike of the political prisoners only to support
them morally. He is confident, based on his personal experience, that
issues do not get solved by holding hunger strike in Armenia. Seyfilyan
does not pin his hope on the international community and advises
others not to do so.

RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN’S MESSAGE ON BANKER’S DAY AND 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF ISSUE OF ARMENIAN DRAM

re_8/official_news_en.php?&date=1227297600
Sat urday, 22nd of November, 2008

Allow me to extend my congratulations on Banker’s Day and on the
15th anniversary of the issue of Armenian dram. This day is the best
opportunity for us to retrospect and summarize the achievements of
the ever developing financial sector and banking system in Armenia.

As short as it is, the path covered by Armenia’s banking system was
quite eventful. The formation of the banks and the national currency
issue in the newly independent country were part of a nationwide will
to build a new Armenia. The engineering of the financial and banking
system was tied up to many difficulties. The public’s mistrust in
domestic banking institutions and in the national currency was among
the main challenges of the time. Such notions as "national currency"
"savings" "loan" "bank transfer" were alien to the citizens of the
former Soviet Union, with people having some difficulty in getting used
to them. Owing to goal-oriented efforts and streamlined activities
we managed to defy the challenges and raise the level of trust in
Armenian banks and the Armenian dram.

Today we can state with pride that we have a stable and reliable
national currency. This may be evidenced by:

– our financial and banking system’s actual ability to withstand the
global financial crisis

– and the emergence and quick expansion of a banking culture
characteristic to developed countries

In reiterating my congratulations, I wish all those employed in the
banking sector well-being, happiness and fruitful work.

Baltic News Service
November 21, 2008 Friday 3:07 PM EET

ESTONIAN FORMIN ASKS FOR VISA WAIVER FROM ARMENIAN COLLEAGUE

TALLINN Nov 21

Meeting with his Armenian colleague, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas
Paet raised the issue of visa waiver for Estonian citizens.

Bilateral relations, matters connected with Armenia and the European
Union as well as the situation in Southern Caucasus, the influence of
the Georgian conflict on the region and Armenia’s relations with its
neighbors were discussed during Paet’s meeting with Armenian Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian who is now on a visit to Estonia.

The foreign ministers stated at the meeting that relations between the
two countries needed development. Paet noted that the relations
between the two countries were good but not as intensive as they could
be.

Paet Friday told reporters that he had suggested to his Armenian
colleague to consder abolishment of the visa requirement for Estonian
citizens.

Paet thanked Armenia for assistance in the safe return home of
Estonian citizens during the Russian-Georgian hostilities. He said
that also Estonia’s relief consignments moved to Georgia via Armenia.

Nalbandian thanked Estonia for support given to it in the framework of
development cooperation, underlining the importance of exchange and
sharing of Estonia’s information technology experience. Cooperation
between higher shools was also discussed at the meeting.

Paet said that Estonia was in favor of opening of visa facilitation
talks and over a new trade regime for the purpose of signing in-depth
free trade agreements between the EU and target countries of the
eastern dimension.

Also the situation in the Southern Caucasian region and Armenia’s
relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan was discussed. Nalbandian said
that Armenia was prepared to normalize relations with Turkey.

Nalbandian said that next year Armenia would open an embassy in
Vilnius covering the three Baltic countries. He said that in the
future Armenia was planning to open embassies also in Tallinn and
Riga.

Nalbandian extended to Paet an invitation to visit Armenia and the
Estonian foreign minister accepted it. Paet said that he would go to
Armenia next year.

LATVIA INTERESTED IN EXPANSION AND CONSOLIDATION OF FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
Nov 21, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS: Latvian President Valdis Zatlers
received November 20 Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian who
is in Latvia on an official visit. Press service of the Armenian
Foreign Ministry told Armenpress that greeting E. Nalbandian,
V. Zatlers noted that Latvia is interested in the expansion and
consolidation of friendly relations with Armenia. Reminding his New
York meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsian in September,
V. Zatlers expressed wish to visit Armenia during the next year.

Congratulating Valdis Zatlers on the 90th anniversary of Latvian
statehood E. Nalbandian said that the high level political dialogue
and the extended contract-agreement field between the two countries
are a firm bases for the further expansion of cooperation.

Armenian Foreign Minister presented to the Latvian president the
negotiation process over Karabakh conflict regulation and opportunities
of normalization of Armenia-Turkish relations.

During the meeting they also referred to Armenia-EU relations. Taking
into consideration Latvia’s experience in the Euro integration issue,
the Latvian president expressed readiness to support Armenia in
that direction.

Within the frameworks of his visit to Riga, the Armenian Foreign
Minister gave an extended interview to "Free Latvia" daily.

On the same day E. Nalbandian visited the Armenian St. Grigor
Lusavorich church in Riga where he had a meeting with members of
church council.

In the second half of November 20 Edward Nalbandian finished his
official visit to Latvia and left for Estonia.

CATHOLICOS ARAM I IN CYPRUS

Gibrahayer
14 Nov 08

Gibrahayer – Nicosia – His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia
delivered the sermon on Sunday 16 November at Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Church in Nicosia in front of a packed crowd of worshippers, who had
come to listen to his message and receive his blessings.

Celebrating Holy Liturgy was Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, who together
with His Holiness had earlier arrived to Cyprus to participate in the
inter-faith dialogue organised by the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus.

NKR PRESIDENT MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF AMERICAN-ARMENIAN ORGANIZATIONS IN BOSTON

ARMENPRESS
Nov 20, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS: President of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic Bako Sahakyan who is in USA on a working visit to take part
in the annual fund rising organized by the "Hayastan" All-Armenian
fund met November 19 at the central headquarter of the Armenian
Relief Society (ARS) with representatives of the ARS, Eastern USA
Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Party,
Youth Union of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Party, Homentmen
and "Hamazgayin" Cultural Union.

Central information department of the Karabakh president told
Armenpress that during the meetings issues related to different
projects being carried out in the NKR, social-economic development
of the republic and Artsakh-Diaspora relations were discussed.

Bako Sahakyan pointed out that new format of relations with different
Diaspora organizations, in particular with the ARS, has already
brought positive results. According to him, the new format based on
close cooperation between different Diaspora organizations and the
government of the NKR is a solid guarantee of effective cooperation.

The need for deepening the Artsakh-Diaspora ties and giving them new
impetus was mutually noted. Within this context President Sahakyan paid
special attention to the issue of further strengthening ties between
Diaspora youth and Artsakh, to the importance of frequent visits to
Artsakh making them implicated with the development of the Motherland.

On November 19 Bako Sahakyan met with the president of the Armenian
Assembly of America (AAA) Carolyn Mugar, vice-chairman Anthony
Barsamyan, executive director of the organization Bryan Ardouny and
member of the board of trustees of the AAA Van Krikoryan.

Issues related to the current level of cooperation between the AAA
and Artsakh and prospects of deepening and enlarging it were discussed
during the meeting.

Bako Sahakyan highly underscored the role of the Assembly in the
development of Artsakh and support shown to it and noted that today it
is necessary to pay special attention to the development of science
intensive technologies and education, as well as to preparation and
training of different specialists.

After the meeting the Karabakh president participated in the
New England Annual regional meeting of the Armenian Assembly of
America. The leadership of the Assembly headed by the chairman of
the AAA’s board of trustees Hirair Hovnanyan, representatives of
Armenian community of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
were present at the meeting.

Bako Sahakyan introduced to the participants current social-economic
situation in the republic, recent developments in the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement process and answered questions raised during
the meeting.

On November 19 President Sahakyan met with a group of Armenian
entrepreneurs from Massachusetts. During the meeting a wide range of
issues related to investments and realization of different projects
in Artsakh were discussed.

On the same day Bako Sahakyan met with journalists from Boston Globe
daily, Armenian Mirror Spectator and Hayrenik weekly newspapers.

The president gave answers to a wide range of issues related to the
settlement of Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict, recent developments in
the South Caucasian region, bilateral ties between the United States
of America and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, social-economic situation
in the republic and Artsakh-Diaspora relations.

Head of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop
Pargev, NKR finance minister Spartak Tevosyan and other officials
were also present at the NKR president’s meetings in Boston.

ONE AZERI REPORTEDLY KILLED IN CLASH WITH KARABAKH SEPARATISTS

Mediamax
Nov 17 2008
Armenia

Yerevan, 17 November: Subdivisions of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic’s
(NKR) defence army suppressed the efforts of an Azerbaijani diversion
group to enter the rear of the Karabakh army.

As Mediamax was told in the press service of NKR defence ministry, on
the night of 15/16 November, the special detachment of the Azerbaijani
armed forces crossed the south-eastern section of the contact line
and tried to enter the rear of Karabakh forces, dislocated in the
direction of Asagi Seyidahmadli settlement.

The press service noted that this is the first serious border incident
after the subversive actions of the enemy on the night of 3/4 March
near Levonarkh village of NKR Martakert region, when the enemy lost
over 10 people killed.

"Just like the last time, the soldiers on military duty in proper time
noticed the actions of the Azerbaijani diversion group and took up
organized defence", the press service noted. After intensive military
actions, which lasted for almost 30 minutes, the enemy, leaving one
dead in the battle field, backed off to the initial positions. There
are no losses from the Karabakh side.

NKR ministry of defence invited attention to the fact that the
Azerbaijani side took up aggressive actions while OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs were in Stepanakert.

PRESIDENT OF THE NAGORNO KARABAGH REPUBLIC BAKO SAHAKYAN PARTOOK…

Azat Artsakh Daily
18 Nov 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

On 4 November President of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic Bako
Sahakyan partook at a solemn ceremony of handing over keys for the new
hand-operated cars to a group of disabled Artsakh war veterans. The
ceremony took place at the Stepanakert Veratsnund square. On the
same day a group of NKR Defense Army servicemen was decorated in
President’s residence with NKR state awards for the courage shown in
the defence of combat positions. Handing over madals, Bako Sahakyan
noted, that neutralizing the intrusion of azeri subversive group into
our republic’s territory, NKR Defense Army servicemen demonstrated
what kind of reply would receive anybody, who would make an attempt
on security of our land and on our people’s right to live and ñreate
on their own land. The head of state wished good service to soldiers
and emphasized, that NKR authorities would do everything to create
safe conditions for their service. NKR minister of defense Movses
Hakobyan and Defense Army deputy commander Kamo Aghajanyan partook
at the meeting.

–Boundary_(ID_dg9RCyuslmeOB4S0QWFn+g)–

IT WILL TAKE MUCH TIME FOR ARMENIA TO RESTORE REAL PICTURE OF NAGORNO KARABAKH PROBLEM, ALEXANDER MANASIAN CONSIDERS

Noyan Tapan

Nov 17, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The bilateral negotiations
over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict rather remind of discussions
or consultations, and the real negotiations will proceed when
a representative of Karabakh also takes part in them. Political
scientist Alexander Manasian, the Chairman of the Academy of Political
Studies NGO, stated at the November 17 press conference. In his words,
several years ago OSCE had established that the third side, Karabakh,
should also take part in the negotiations process, but some time later,
under the pressure by the Azeri side, Minsk Group Co-chairs started to
organize bilateral meetings between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the level
of the Presidents or Foreign Ministers. In any case, according to A.

Manasian, it is reassuring that Minsk Group French Co-chair Bernard
Fassier said lately that every time he and his colleagues visit
Karabakh not only to drink mulberry vodka, but also to inform NKR
representatives of the negotiations process.

According to the political scientist, the Moscow declaration would
not be signed but for the latest developments over South Ossetia,
in particular, the Russian-Georgian armed conflict. "All tripartite
documents have been signed on Russia’s initiative so far. It means
that this country has an exact role in the Caucasus," A. Manasian
said. And the positive peculiarity of the the proper Declaration,
according to him, is that according to the Declaration, the conflict
settlement should be done on the basis of documents adopted in the
sphere of the international law so far.

As A. Manasian classed it, today the essence of the Nagorno Karabakh
problem is misrepresented, and the international community has no
idea about its real content. Under the conditions Azerbaijan wants to
take advantage and to achieve a quick settlement, but Armenia should
exert efforts in the direction of restoring problem’s real picture,
which will require much time.

NKR PRESIDENT LEAVES FOR U.S.

Noyan Tapan

Nov 17, 2008

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The President of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakian on November 17 left for the U.S. for
a working visit in order to take part in the organization work of
an annual television marathon of "Hayasatan" All-Armenian Fund,
Noyan Tapan was informed by the Central Information Department of
the Office of the NKR President.