Author: Emil Lazarian

Chicago Sun Times, IL
Nov 10 2006
They fought our wars, now they’re citizens
‘It’s the greatest feeling’: Soldiers, veterans sworn in
November 10, 2006
BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN Staff Reporter
Anthony Savarino thought he would automatically become an American
citizen when he joined the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
The Italy native eventually learned otherwise, and a busy life
raising a family and running a restaurant kept him from fulfilling a
longtime dream of gaining citizenship.
>From many nations
That is, until Thursday, when the 58-year-old Orland Park man —
along with 14 other current and former U.S. military members, and two
military spouses — were naturalized in a special pre-Veterans Day
ceremony in federal court downtown.
The new citizens came from countries including South Korea, Haiti and
the Dominican Republic.
‘You have answered the call’
“It’s hard to believe,” Savarino said of the milestone day — also
his 36th wedding anniversary. “It was about time. I wanted [the
opportunity] to vote.”
U.S. District Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan — who was born in Armenia
— swore in the group, telling those taking the Oath of Allegiance
that it was not only a “happy day” for them, but for the country as
well. “You have answered the call for duty,” he said.
Speeded-up process
More than 25,000 service men and women have become naturalized
citizens since President Bush signed the “Expedited Naturalization
Executive Order” in 2002, speeding up the naturalization process for
legal permanent residents serving on active duty in the armed forces
in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship
and Immigration Services.
Army Sgt. Bernard Ramos’ parents and five siblings had already
obtained U.S. citizenship. The family moved to the United States from
the Philippines in 1982.
But being the last in the family to gain citizenship didn’t lessen
the emotional impact of the day for the 35-year-old Morton Grove
resident and Iraq veteran.
A father of four, Ramos tightly gripped his youngest child, Maya, in
one hand and a mini American flag in the other during the ceremony.
“It’s the greatest feeling next to my kids being born,” he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2006
Armenian Armed Forces Break Ceasefire Regime Again

Source: Trend
Author: Sh.Jaliloglu

10.11.2006

On 9 November, the divisions of the Armenian Armed Forces once again
broke the ceasefire regime on the frontline, Trend Regional
Correspondent reports.
On 9 November, from 22:30-23:15, the divisions of the Armenian Armed
Forces fired at the Azerbaijani Armed Forces from the occupied
village Bash Garvend of Agdam District of Azerbaijan, using machines
guns and sub-machine guns.
The Azerbaijani Armed Forces retaliated causing the enemy to back
off.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Messenger, Georgia
Nov 10 2006
United Javakh leader warns of protests if Kars-Akhalkalaki railway
goes ahead
By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Tiko Giorgadze)
The United Javakh NGO is against the construction of the
Kars-Akhalkalaki railway project, a segment of railroad that will
extend from Turkey into Georgia via the Armenian populated Javakheti
region.
United Javakh, which calls for greater autonomy for Javakheti, is
often characterised as a radical organisation, and sometimes held to
have links to Russia, one of the organisations leaders has warned of
large scale protests if construction goes ahead.
A railway already exists linking Turkey to Azerbaijan via Armenia;
however this route is unusable due to the Turkish government’s
closure of its border with Armenia in response to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenia is against the construction of the
new railway, saying it further isolates the country and further
reduces the chances of settling its problems with Turkey.
At the meeting of foreign ministers at the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation (BSEC) summit last week, Armenian Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Vardan Oskanian, stated that the construction of the
Kars-Akhalkalaki railway should not go ahead, and called on the
Georgian government to not participate in the project.
On a recent visit to Moscow, Oskanian said that new transport routes
were being constructed without the participation of several BSEC
member countries, and already existing routes were being completely
ignored.
United Javakh leader, Vagan Chakhalian, has expressed concern that
violent protest might erupt in the area. Last month Armenian police
detained Chakhalian for illegally crossing the Armenian border. He
was released only after several political organizations held protests
in Yerevan demanding his release. Chakhalian has been making more and
more radical statements since his release.
Kote Gabashvili, chair of the parliamentary Foreign Relations
Committee, says there will not be any confrontations or conflict
between the people of two friendly nations, but at the same time he
adds that provocative statements and actions of this kind should be
prevented in the provinces. It is worth stressing that the
construction of the railway will bring much needed jobs to the area,
which is one of the poorest in Georgia.
Political analyst Ramaz Sakvarelidze says that the issue of Javakheti
is often raised when Georgian-Russian relations becomes tense. He is
concerned that Russia will encourage the Armenian side to create
problems in Georgia.
According to Sakvarelidze some steps should be taken to ease tensions
locally, but the Georgian government should also pay attention to its
relationship with the president of Armenia, because the population of
Javakheti always listens to Yerevan’s opinion.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #216, 11/11/2006

Neighbors
EDITORS OF FIVE AZERI NEWSPAPERS GO ON HUNGER STRIKE
On November 8, editors of five Baku based opposition
newspapers went on a hunger strike in support to
“Azatlig” newspaper. The Azeri mass media inform that
the hunger strike is directed against the state
property management commission that applied to the
court for depriving “Azatlig” newspaper (the
periodical of Popular Front Party) of the office it
used to occupy.
According to the statement of the editors, the
decision to deprive the newspaper of its office is of
no economic but political importance. It’s worth
mentioning that at present, not only “Azatlig,” but
also a number of the newspapers and ANS TV have
problems with the Azeri authorities.
By Aghavni Harutyunian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #216, 11/11/2006

Diaspora
ARMENIAN-ARAB RELATIONS LESS IMPORTANT?
Editor of Zartonk Asks
In an article titled “Time to Sober Up”
editor-in-chief of Lebanon-based Zartonk newspaper,
Paruyr Aghbashian, voices concern over groundless
excuses of Armenian authorities to provide a site for
a monument symbolizing Armenian-Arab friendship. The
author reminds that Syria’s Armenian community
suggested erecting such a monument a few years ago.
Then, the authorities provided a site and financial
means. But soon after the site was changed and until
today no new site was provided.
On October 27, a memorial dedicated to the Armenian
Genocide and Holocaust was unveiled on the crossroad
of Terian-Miskovian streets, writes the editor and
reminds of the presence of big, important and
influential Armenian communities. He poses a question:
why the issue is not solved so far, why are the
authorities continually finding excuses? “Isn’t this a
national offence in the end, a matter of dignity? The
Armenian people is proud of preserving decent and
honest Armenian-Arab relations but the monument issue
still remains shelved,” Paruyr Aghbashian rounds off
saying that time to sober up has not passed yet.
By Gohar Gevorgian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #216, 11/11/2006

Culture
FEAST OF GREAT MUSIC HELD ALMOST UNNOTICED
On November 3, a significant concert of modern classic
music was held in Yerevan. The concert was dedicated
to the 85th anniversary of Armenian composer Eduard
Mirzoyan. The concert was interesting for two reasons:
firstly, for its conductor Murad Annamamedov, head of
the Philharmonic Orchestra of Yaroslavl, secondly, two
pieces by Eduard Mirzoyan and his great student Avet
Terterian were performed. Annamamedov performed the
famous Symphony by Mirzoyan and one of the unknown
pieces by Terterian.
Murad Annamamedov is one of those musicians who are
devoted to the Armenian art and carry out its
propaganda abroad. In the beginning of the concert, he
heartily greeted our people and country. At the end of
the concert, in response to “bravos” addressed to him,
Annamamedov suddenly turned to the audience and said:
“Let’s preserve this treasure. They represent the
Armenian culture in the world,” pointing out our
Philharmonic Orchestra.
At the same time, unfortunately, the premiere of Avet
Terterian’s piece was not properly welcomed. The
concert hall was half empty. Moreover, none of the TV
channels or the newspapers highlighted the event or
made an interview with Murad Annamamedov. Something is
strange in Armenia. We all are guilty that the
large-scale audience didn’t pull in for such an
events.
After the concert, when congratulating the conductor,
another Armenian classical musician Aleksander
Harutyunian approached Annamamedov to congratulate and
thank him for brilliant performance of the pieces.
When Annamamedov learnt who was congratulating him, he
knelt before of Harutyunian.
By Harutyun Khachatrian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Panorama.am
18:37 10/11/06

COMMITTEE DECLINES REQUEST ON ARMAN BABAJANYAN
Serzh Sargsyan, defense minister, told a reporter of
Jamanak Yerevan newspaper at Yerevan State University
today that the republican draft committee has a
written conclusion on the case of Arman Babajanyan,
editor-in-chief of Jamanak Yerevan. According to the
document, `The committee is not entitled to discuss
cases which have court ruling on them.’
Reminder: Attorney of Arman Babajanyan applied to the
committee with a request to pay fine and receive
military certificate according to the law on citizens
who have failed to pass their military service.
Speaking about cases when people with disabilities are
drafted, Sargsyan said, `I support that such officials
be punished.’ In the words of the minister, the system
managed by him is not ideal but it is stable and good. /Panorama.am/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2006
Resolution of Frozen Conflicts is Essential for S.Caucasus to
Progress – EU High Representative Comments During Interview

Source: Trend
Author: A.Mammadova

10.11.2006

Trend’s Interview with EU High Representative Javier Solana
Question: What importance does the European Union attach to the
co-operation with the South Caucasus countries? What factors promote
and broaden the co-operation and what factors impede it?
Answer: The fact of the three South Caucasus countries being
neighbours of the EU, being included in the European Neighbourhood
Policy, already signals the EU’s desire for a special relationship
with the region. Having an ENP Action Plan with the three countries
will further deepen our relations by arriving at agreed reform
priorities which the EU will support through partnerships for reform.
The importance the EU attaches to its relations with the South
Caucasus is also reflected in the high number of recent visits by EU
and European officials to the three countries. The EU Special
Representative, in close coordination with the EU Heads of Mission in
Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan, is in constant contact with the
authorities of the three countries in order to facilitate intensive
and trustful communication between the three countries and the EU. In
our contacts with all three governments in the South Caucasus we have
stressed that resolving their frozen conflicts is essential for the
region to progress. Regional stability is necessary for each of those
countries to derive the full benefits from the ENP Action Plans.
Question: How do you estimate the relations between Azerbaijan and
EU? What steps might the EU take after the adoption of the ENP Action
Plan, which is expected during the session of the Council on
cooperation in mid-November?
Answer: The EU considers Azerbaijan a very important partner on
several accounts. The EU-Azerbaijan Action Plan builds on common
values and principles – democracy, human rights, market economy,
challenges such as terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction, to contribute to conflict resolution and to abide by
international law. We have, after its adoption, the very ambitious
but demanding task of implementing of the Action Plan without delay.
To this end priority actions for the next twelve months should be
identified between Azerbaijan and the EU.
Question: How could the conflicts in the South Caucasus be resolved?
Will the EU remain passive observer of Armenia’s aggressive policy
with respect to Azerbaijan, a country that becomes an important
alternative source in providing the energy security of Europe?
Answer: You cannot say the EU remains passive. The EU has done a lot.
The conflicts are at the root of many of the problems that the region
is facing. I underline the importance of continued and sustained
negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan with a view to reaching
an agreement as soon as possible. The EU supports the mediation
efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group. I hope that the meeting of both
Foreign Ministers in Brussels on 14 November will help to make
further progress.
Also regarding Georgian internal conflicts, the EU considers that
peaceful resolution of these conflicts is of vital importance for the
future of all region. Peter Semneby, the EU Special Representative
for the South Caucasus is assisting Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia
to pursue further political and economic reforms and the sustainable
development of the region, by contributing to the peaceful settlement
of conflicts, and by supporting further cooperation between the
States of the region.
Question: Energy sphere is considered as an important element of
stability and integration, an essential part of foreign policy and
European security policy. How will this factor promote the proximity
between Azerbaijan and EU?
Answer: Energy security is becoming a political challenge for the
entire world. It’s not only important for consumers like the EU, but
also for emerging producers that have to face important investments
and competition constraints in order to secure their market’s shares.
Strong relations between producers, transit and consumers are the key
answer. The EU has been cooperating with Azerbaijan since its
independence. However, we believe it’s time to enhance our
cooperation at strategic level. The Memorandum of Understanding aimed
at establishing a strategic energy partnership, reflects the growing
importance of Azerbaijan as a key energy supplier to the EU as well
as an important transit country for Caspian basin resources.
Question: What are views on the ways of resolution of the Iranian
nuclear problem at present? Does the use of sanctions on this country
remain actual?
Answer: The EU position, which is well-known to Iran, is that it
wants to see a negotiated solution. The EU has repeatedly expressed
its readiness to develop a long-term, durable relationship with Iran.
However, despite calls by the board of the International Atomic
Energy Agency and the UN Security Council, Iran has not agreed to
suspend its uranium enrichment activities, which remains a
precondition for re-entering the negotiations on the basis of the
offer I presented to Iran in June, on behalf of the five permanent
members of the Security Council plus Germany and with the support of
the EU. This issue has been my top priority because it is crucial for
international security. We negotiated for endless hours and my
Iranian counterpart and I established common ground on a number of
subjects. However, as no agreement was reached on the suspension of
enrichment activities, work is now under way on a draft resolution in
the UN Security Council. But the door to negotiations with Iran will
be reopened if Iran indicates its readiness to cooperate and build
confidence. I am certain that the dispute concerning Iran’s nuclear
programme can only be solved through negotiation. The framework for
this exists and, indeed, the nuclear issue is just one element –
albeit a key one – of a much broader relationship with Iran, which is
a key partner in regional and world affairs.
Question: What is your position on a draft legislation to criminalize
the denial of so called “Armenians genocide” of 1915, adopted by the
French National Assembly in a first reading?
Answer: The legislation adopted at first reading by the French
National Assembly is an internal French matter and therefore a
separate issue from EU-Turkey relations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GEORGIA REJECTS GAZPROM’S COMPROMISE GAS PRICE OFFER, READY FOR ROW
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 9 2006
(mosnews.com) – Georgia rejected a compromise deal with the Russian
state-controlled gas monopoly Gazprom. The deal offered by Gazprom
would see Georgia hand over control of its domestic gas distribution
network to Russia. Now Georgia is left with the prospect of either
paying twice the current price or having supplies cut off, reports
Trend.
Georgia is currently paying $110 per 1,000 cubic meters of Russian
gas and Gazprom already announced that in 2007 it wants Georgia
to pay $230, which is the average price that the Russian monopoly
charges its European customers. Gazprom has already warned that if
no contract is signed, supplies will be cut on Jan. 1, 2007.
Gazprom offered to soften the increase if Tbilisi handed over control
of its domestic gas distribution network to Russia. The same scheme was
used with Russia-friendly Armenia that will continue to pay $110 price
until the end of 2008 in exchange for its energy distribution assets.
Unlike his Armenian colleague, the Georgian Prime Minister Zurab
Nogaideli rejected that offer. “I want to repeat once again — we are
not going to bow to blackmail,” he was quoting by Reuters as telling
a cabinet meeting.
Energy Minister Nika Gilauri, asked by reporters if Georgia might
cede energy infrastructure to Gazprom, replied: “Never.”
Russia supplies almost all of Georgia’s gas needs. The Georgian
government is seeking alternative suppliers in Azerbaijan and Iran,
but they are not ready to replace Russian gas in full.
Tbilisi says Moscow is using gas as a political tool to punish it
for its pro-Western policies. Gazprom says the increase is purely
commercial.
If the price stays at $230, Georgia — where the average monthly
income is just over $100 a month — would pay the same for its gas
as rich countries such as Germany and Italy.
Alarmed at the prospect of a gas cutoff, a leading Georgian opposition
figure urged Nogaideli to seek a compromise.
“The prime minister should explain if his statement means Georgia
will be left without gas this winter because for now there is no real
alternative to Russian gas,” Interfax news agency quoted lawmaker
David Berdzenishvili as saying.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NKR PRESIDENT HELD MEETINGS IN THE U. S.
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Nov 9 2006
The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Arkady Ghoukassian, who is
in the U. S. on an official visit to prepare an annual TV marathon
to be held in Los Angeles November 23 under the aegis of Hayastan
All-Armenian Fund, met with the Armenian General Benevolent Union
(AGBU) President Berge Setrakian.
According to the information DE FACTO received at the NKR President’s
administration, the interlocutors had discussed a number of issues
referring to the AGBU programs and cooperation outlooks being
implemented in the Nagorno-Karabakh. Berge Setrakian stated the Union
would go on expanding the programs aimed at the Karabakh villages’
restoration and various cultural and education programs’ financing.
Arkady Ghoukassian also met with the leadership and members of the
U. S. Eastern coast Union of Armenian Jewelers. Having presented the
situation in the NKR, the President mentioned considerable success
achieved in the Republic’s post-war restoration and the development
of economy. Arkady Ghoukassian underscored the Armenian Diaspora’s
important contribution to the process.
In the course of the meetings the NKR President urged those present to
actively participate in the forthcoming marathon. The funds received
will be targeted at the restoration of the infrastructure of the
Republic’s Hadrut region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress