Author: Emil Lazarian

MOTTAKI DEPARTS ROME FOR TEHRAN

Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Dec 27 2006

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, who arrived in Rome on Wednesday
morning to submit President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s message to Pope
Benedict XVI, departed Leonardo Da vinci Airport for Tehran Wednesday
afternoon.

During his 8-hour stay in Italy, Mottaki had a 45-minute meeting with
the Pope, world catholics religious leader, and submitted President
Ahmadinejad’s message to him.

In the meeting, Vice-President and Head of Cultural Heritage,
Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (CHHTO) Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei
were also present.

Pope Benedict XVI in a speech appreciated president’s message and
sent his greetings to the president.

Head of CHHTO, Armenian Deputy in Majlis Georg Vartanian and Iran’s
former Ambassador to Vatican Hojjatoleslam Mostafa Boroujerdi
accompanied foreign minister in his trip to Vatican.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AMAZING SMALL THINGS HAPPEN EVERYDAY

Washington Post, DC
Dec 27 2006

It’s a gorgeous afternoon in Beirut, the sky is a clear Kodak blue,
the sun warm, a soft breeze blows cold. A quiet day it is, quiet days
they have been preceding the holidays. The usual frenzy is palpably
(understandably) dimmed. Everything seems smaller, shrunk to a barely
functional size, Christmas decorations, the commerce of gift-giving,
celebrations. The mobilization in downtown Beirut, where more often
than not one can hear Christmas carols blaring in English on one
square and thundering calls for overthrow of government on the square
right adjacent to it, is also a little dimmed. Much to my surprise
(but that’s the result of my own failing), Beirut has managed to
cope with the political upheavals with the two factions effectively
looking away from one another. Even when cars jam in traffic along
the periphery of the protest area, you look around and see drivers
chatting away casually with their passengers, taxi drivers are able
to have conversations worlds removed even when the outpour of either
Christmas caroling or revolutionary fervor are deafening. The country
is stuck in an impasse, we have been granted a lull for the holidays
(Christmas, New Year’s, Adha and Armenian Christmas… who knows). On
the one hand the protestors promise to up the ante and stage violent
disruptions (civil disobedience) after the holidays, and on the other
hand the other side is bracing for more assassinations. They are all
living martyrs, potentially. There is no resolution for the present
conflict in sight. Blood will be spilled. It will have to. Since the
assassination of Hariri, this country seems to be living a big noir
moment, at moments I suspected the script to be pretty bad, closer to
dinner theater than fiction from the 1930s and 1940s, but I have been
systematically surprised with the turn of events. Except for Bogie and
Bacall, all the motifs of noir novels are here, added to them, hordes
of ghosts from unsettled deaths, unavenged assassinations. I have grown
in the habit of writing that Beirut is now the realm where Stephen
King would be king and Guy Debord never dreamed such a spectacle,
and if the two should have ever met, it would have been here.

The present crisis is so complicated to disentangle it’s not even
funny to explain anymore. Thus I will spare you the excruciating
minutia. The conflict has a local Lebanese articulation, it is
also bound to the conflict with Syria, the conflict with Israel,
the conflict between Syria and Israel, the conflict between Saudi
Arabia and Iran, the conflict between the US and Iran and US designs
for a New Middle East. Ultimately it’s like puff pastry, thin layers
stacked atop one another, not necessarily harmoniously, with sparse
sprinkles for sugar coating, all ready to crumble under any form of
pressure into meaningless crumbs and smithereens.

It’s not as tragic here, the civil conflict in Iraq and in Palestine
are, respectively and for lack of a better word, humbling. In fact,
just following the news has driven me to new depths of despair. This,
indeed, is a sad Christmas in this part of the world, all round. And
why shouldn’t be? We might avert being driven straight to hell with
our eyes and ears open if this US administration does not pursue it’s
doomsday plan of an attack on Iran. But we are presently, just short
of that, between dreams of mad men (and women) in the White House
and how their local proxies franchise, free-ride, or implement those
dreams, there seem to be few reasons for anyone to send conveyances
of merriment and joy from this part of the world.

It is not all lost, however. Our lot has been sinister, and it might
be for a while longer, but I cannot get myself to write that we are
altogether broken. Yes, conversations in geopolitics easily lead
to despair, but there are countless anecdotes, incidents, actions,
that take place everyday from one end of the Arab world to the next,
that fill one’s heart with love, hope and strength. This region is
populated with gorgeous spirits, valiant women and men, fearless,
brilliant, creative, generous, luminous who work against the odds,
against the tide of history. They are the territories that will never
be occupied, the memory that will never be erased, the justice that
will never be thwarted. I know it’s very corny to conclude in this
manner, but I am not writing to impress. There is no other way of
explaining how amazing small things happen everyday, countless of
times, in this region, from one end to the other.

Drawing on their light and energy, I wish you all merry holidays and
a New Year filled with felicity and merriment.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DEPORTED PIANIST BURAK BEDIKYAN THANKED TURKISH MFA FOR IMMEDIATE REACTION

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 27 2006

Turkish citizen of Armenian origin, pianist Burak Bedikyan, deported
from Azerbaijani airport Bine on Dec 19, made allegation against
Azerbaijan in his release to the press, APA’s bureau reports.

The pianist said that he visited Azerbaijan as a Turkish and the
visit was professional.

"I was insulted at the airport in Baku. They asked my surname. I
answered that I am a Turkish citizen of Armenian origin. I also noted
that I have always represented Turkey in other countries. Though
I was calm, the Azerbaijanis answered my questions concerning the
issue very rough and in ill-mannered way. I felt dizzy but they did
not give me a cup of water, not even let me to the restroom. I could
not get in touch with the embassy and friends. Three hours later I
was sent back. I will defend my right till the end. I thank Turkish
Ministry of Foreign Affairs for immediate reaction", he said.

He also noted that Sertab Erener failed though she tried hard to
have him admitted to Azerbaijan. So, the singer performed without
the assistance of the pianist at the concert on occasion of 10th
anniversary of Azercell. Turkish MFA sent a note to Azerbaijan
concerning the issue twice. Turkish ministry appealed to Azerbaijani
MFA and Azerbaijani embassy and demanded the explanation on the
issue. Azerbaijani ambassador to Turkey Zakir Hashimov rejected the
information about the note. The counselor Jeyhun Mammedov told that
Burak Bedikyan did not appealed to the embassy to get a visa.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RASIZADE: KARS-AHIKELEK-TBILISI-BAKU RAILWAY AGREEMENT WILL BE SIGNED NEXT MONTH

The New Anatolian, Turkey
Dec 27 2006

Azerbaijani Premier Artur Rasizade stated yesterday that efforts to
establish a transportation link between Azerbaijan and Turkey are
continuing, and that an agreement on the Kars-Ahikelek-Tbilisi-Baku
railway will be signed in January.

Turkey has been pushing the region’s states to begin construction of
the railway, amid some countries’ fears that the project could cut
out Armenia. The announcement of the planned agreement on the railway
project came during Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nohaydeli’s meeting
with Rasizade in Azerbaijan. It is also significant since it followed
Georgia’s announcement on Sunday that the country has reached a gas
agreement with Turkey following a visit by the Georgian president to
Turkey last week.

Rasizade also announced that the construction and preparation work
for the Kars-Ahikelek-Tbilisi-Baku railway project are planned to
begin in May.

Stressing that Georgia will face energy shortage problems this winter
following Russia doubling its gas price starting next year, Rasizade
stated that Georgia’s neighbors will help the country through the
supply of some 1 million cubic meters of gas daily.

Touching on efforts to attain regional cooperation on energy issues,
Rasizade said besides the Turkish-Georgian gas agreement, Azerbaijan
will contribute to the construction of new energy stations in Georgia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. DIPLOMAT THANKS PEOPLE OF ARMENIA FOR SUPPORT TO US-ARMENIAN FRIENDSHIP IN HIS NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Dec 27 2006

YEREVAN, December 27. /ARKA/. U.S. Charge d’Affaires in Armenia
Anthony Godfrey thanked the people of Armenia for continuing to
support the friendship between Armenia and the United States. "I
would like to thank the people of Armenia for continuing to support
the strong friendship and close cooperation that exists between our
two countries", his New Year’s Message addressed to the people of
Armenia says, according to the U.S. Embassy.

In his words, " Through U.S. assistance programs, which have totalled
over 1.6 billion dollars since 1992, the United States is working
to strengthen democratic institutions, provide for a more stable and
secure South Caucasus, and build the economies of all three countries
of the region".

"As we look forward to 2007, it is my hope that Armenia and the United
States can work together to create a brighter future for the people
of Armenia", Godfrey said.

"2007 will be particularly significant, and my government is committed
to supporting Armenia as it works to establish itself as a thriving
democracy and a country where the benefits of economic growth are
shared broadly. The coming year will be especially important and
exciting since Armenia has the opportunity to display its commitment
to democracy by holding free and fair parliamentary elections",
Godfrey said. S.P.

New Years Message >>From U.S. Charge d’Affaires Anthony Godfrey

On this first day of the New Year, I would like to thank the people
of Armenia for continuing to support the strong friendship and close
cooperation that exists between our two countries. This has been an
important year for U.S. – Armenian relations. Through U.S. assistance
programs, which have totalled over 1.6 billion dollars since 1992,
the United States is working to strengthen democratic institutions,
provide for a more stable and secure South Caucasus, and build the
economies of all three countries of the region.

As we look forward to 2007, it is my hope that Armenia and the United
States can work together to create a brighter future for the people of
Armenia. 2007 will be particularly significant, and my government is
committed to supporting Armenia as it works to establish itself as a
thriving democracy and a country where the benefits of economic growth
are shared broadly. The coming year will be especially important and
exciting since Armenia has the opportunity to display its commitment
to democracy by holding free and fair parliamentary elections.

As we look forward to 2007, I would like to express my admiration
for the Armenian people and thank you for the warm welcome you have
continued to show my family and me during our stay in your country.

The American people, the Embassy staff and I wish you a Merry
Christmas, a Happy New Year, and all the best in 2007.

NKR PARLIAMENT ADOPTS 2007 STATE BUDGET

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Dec 27 2006

STEPANAKERT, December 27. /ARKA/. The NKR Parliament has adopted
the 2007 state budget of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR). The
NKR plans to receive a total of AMD 19,402.4mln from Armenia as an
international credit.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA’S RESERVES TO BE OPENED FOR TOURISTS IN 2007

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Dec 27 2006

YEREVAN, December 27. /ARKA/. In 2007, Armenia’s nature reserves
will be opened for tourists, RA Minister of Nature Protection Vardan
Aivazyan told reporters.

He said that ecotourism infrastructures will be formed and tourist
routes elaborated.

The Minister pointed out that the ecosystem of nature reserves will
not be affected.

Armenia has the largest territories protected by the state in the
South Caucasus.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY REGRETS ARMENIAN PRO-GENOCIDE EFFORTS

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Dec 27 2006

Ankara, 27 December: "Turkey follows with regret the efforts of
the Armenian lobbies (seeking to win votes) to exploit political
developments in the United States," Turkish Foreign Affairs spokesman
Namik Tan told a weekly news conference in Ankara on Wednesday
[27 December].

Asked to comment on a bill on so-called Armenian genocide, claimed
to be discussed at US Congress, and on the recent statements of the
Armenian executives, Tan said, "We have observed that there were
expectations of the Armenian circles about adoption of so-called
Armenian genocide after the elections held in the United States
in November."

Tan said relations between Turkey and the United States were
"multidimensional" and "strategic", and indicated that the relations
included comprehensive topics.

"The United States has been pursuing a common-sensical approach so
far. We believe that US administration will maintain the relations
with the same understanding. Relations between Turkey and the United
States have importance beyond this small expectations," he added.

Statements of Armenian executives

Commenting on the statements of Armenian executives on establishment
of diplomatic relations (without any precondition) with Turkey,
Tan recalled that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had
earlier asked Armenian President Robert Kocharyan to establish a
joint committee of Turkish and Armenian historians to investigate
1915 incidents.

Tan said a tangible progress could not be made so far because of the
negative approach of Armenia towards the proposal in question.

"We think that the joint committee would be a mechanism that eliminates
difference of interpretations as regards to 1915 incidents and assumes
the function of confidence-building measures between Turkish and
Armenian peoples," Tan stated.

"Turkey believes that the committee will contribute to the
normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia. Turkey is
decisive in restoration of peace, stability and tranquillity in line
with its traditional foreign policy principles," Tan said.

Tan also said yielding a result from the efforts depended on a more
flexible approach from Armenia (to overcome bilateral and regional
problems) and Armenia’s acting in line with international laws.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Haigazian University
Mira Yardemian, Public Relations Director
Rue Mexique – Kantari
P.O. Box 11-1748
Riad El-Solh 1107 2090
Beirut – Lebanon

"This year’s special greetings of Christmas come as a bouquet of
musical pieces and performances, with the hope of sharing the message of
reconciliation and peace that took concrete form in the birth of the Lord
Jesus Christ", was the reflection of Rev. Paul Haidostian, president of
Haigazian University on the Christmas musicale, which took place on the eve
of December 22, 2006 in the sanctuary of the First Armenian Evangelical
Church in Beirut.

A repertoire underlined by joy, love and celebration themes,
with a smart selection of all time classics and 16th and 17th century
contemporary music, the Haigazian University string ensemble and hand bell
choir, in addition to the Armenian Evangelical Armiss Choir, cheered the
capacity audience with a heart-warming spirit.

Of special appearance, the guest soloist , Elie Francis, a
unique tenor, who moved the audience to an even higher level of joy and
celebration.

The string ensemble’s coach, Roubina Artinian appreciated the
young artists for their time and year-round dedication, especially during
these current moments of crisis and instability.

The conductor of the multi-generation Armiss Choir, and the
coordinator of the whole event, Campus Minister Rev. Nishan Balakian was
very satisfied with the young artists and amateurs who expressed eagerness
to bring the spirit of Christmas to the Lebanese audience after a period of
war and political turmoil.

The pleasant surprise of the musicale was the Handbell Choir,
conducted by Mr. Nabil Melki, and composed of 13 Haigazian University
students and staff, who cheered the audience by the mere sound of bells,
specially with the tune of Jingle Bells.

The program concluded, with the over cheered audience joining
the Armiss Choir and accompanists in singing all time favorite Christmas
carols, like "Joy to the world", "Silent night" and "Hark, the Herald
Angels sing".

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CLAIMANT PARTY ANNOUNCES CHALLENGE TO JUDGE PRESIDING AT TRIAL ON CASE OF INVALIDATING RESULTS OF VOTING OF CLU CONFERENCE

Noyan Tapan
Dec 26 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. At the December 26 sitting of first
instance court of Kentron and Nork-Marash communities of Yerevan on
case of recognizing invalid voting results of Constitutional Law Union
(CLU) Party’s last conference, representative of claimant party,
lawyer Gevorg Gyozalian again came up with a petition demanding to
introduce some documents kept at CLU office. The court in its turn,
like at the previous sitting, rejected this petition, in response to
which G.Gyozalian announced challenge to judge Vazgen Lalayan. In
the lawyer’s words, the judge impedes objective examination of the
case. In G.Gyozalian’s words, second part of Article 49 of RA Civil
Procedure determines that "a person involved in the case who has
no possibility to get the necessary proof on his own from a person
involved or not involved in the case who has this proof has the right
to apply to the court with the petition of demanding this proof." In
this case, in the lawyer’s words, the judge contributed to violation of
principle of equal rights of parties. The same day CLU Press Service
spread a statement, according to which this case should be quashed,
as issues relating to party’s inner life cannot be subject of judicial
examination of general competence. "We should state that attempts
to slander CLU and to suspend publication of the Iravunk newspaper
by a number of persons standing close to the authorities giving
rise to laughter and compassion are nothing else but continuation
of authorities’ convulsive efforts to weaken CLU strengthening
day by day in preelection period and to reduce to silence the most
influential media, Iravunk. We would advise the authorities instead
of such fruitless and self-discrediting actions to try to repent
before the people and voluntarily to leave the political sphere,"
the CLU statement read.