Author: Frangulian Shushan

BABACAN: TURKEY HOPES FOR DIALOG WITH ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.09.2008 13:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey hopes for a dialog with Armenia, Turkish
Foreign Minister said.

"A new era of Armenian-Turkish relations has come. However, we still
have unsettled problems such the 1915 events and Karabakh. We don’t
have diplomatic relations either," Ali Babacan said, NTV-turk reports.

"We discussed the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations during a meeting with
RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and we have an impression that
Armenia has a firm intention to resolve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,"
he said.

Earlier, Turkish President Abdullah Gul announced his intention to
mediate tensions between the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents. "The
OSCE Minsk Group failed to produce effect during 17 years of its
mediation. Turkey-Armenia and Azerbaijan-Armenia issues are not
only bilateral but also territorial. The situation in the region has
changed. Resolution of conflicts will lead to political and economic
stability," he said.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE: AZERBAIJAN’S CONSTITUTION PROVIDES FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION, AND OTHER LAWS AND POLICIES CONTRIBUTED TO THE GENERALLY FREE PRACTICE OF RELIGION

Azeri Press Agency
20 Sep 2008 12:35
Azerbaijan

Tamara Grigoryeva- APA. U.S. Department of State has released
International Religious Freedom Report 2008, APA reports quoting
official website of the Department of State.

The report says that the Constitution provides for freedom of religion,
and other laws and policies contributed to the generally free
practice of religion. "There was no change in the status of respect
for religious freedom by the Government during the period covered by
this report. Some religious groups reported delays in and denials of
registration. There continued to be some limitations on the ability
of groups to import religious literature. Most religious groups met
without government interference; however, local authorities monitored
religious services, and officials at times harassed and detained
members of Islamic and "nontraditional" religious groups."

The reports says that the U.S. Government discusses religious freedom
with the Government as part of its overall policy to promote human
rights. According to official figures approximately 96 percent
of the population is Muslim. Among the Muslim majority, religious
observance is relatively low, and Muslim identity tends to be based
more on culture and ethnicity than religion; however, there has been
a gradual growth in the number of observant Muslims. According to
the State Committee on Work with Religious Associations (SCWRA), the
Muslim population is approximately 65 percent Shi’a and 35 percent
Sunni; traditionally, differences are not defined sharply.

The Constitution provides that persons of all faiths may choose
and practice their religion without restriction. Authorities
generally permitted expatriate members of Christian groups in Baku
to worship freely, but Azerbaijani Christian communities encountered
obstacles. The Baptist churches in Neftchala and Aliabad (the latter
has sought registration for approximately 15 years) were not able to
obtain registration, with local notaries in Aliabad refusing to certify
the Aliabad congregation’s registration applications. Authorities
prevented Muslims from wearing headscarves in passport photos and
other official identity documents. Individuals are not forbidden from
wearing headscarves in educational facilities or at state facilities,
according to the law.

According to the report, hostility between Armenians and Azerbaijanis,
intensified by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, remained strong. In
those areas of the country controlled by ethnic Armenian separatists,
all ethnic Azeris have fled, and the mosques that were not destroyed
remained inactive.

BIPARTISAN GROUP OF U.S. REPRESENTATIVES CALL FOR POST-CONFLICT AID TO JAVAKHK AND ARMENIA

armradio.am
20.09.2008 12:14

Twenty Members of the U.S. House of Representatives joined with
Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and George Radanovich (R-CA)
in formally calling upon President Bush to dedicate portions of
the proposed $1 billion post Georgia- Russia conflict aid package
to meeting economic development needs in Samtskhe-Javakhk region of
Georgia and to helping to offset the economic impact of the recent
crisis on Armenia, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).

The signatories of the letter included two key members of the House
panel that writes the foreign aid bill, Adam Schiff (D-CA) and
Steve Rothman (D-NJ); the Chairman of the House Republican Policy
Committee, Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI); as well as the chamber’s two
members of Armenian heritage, Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier
(D-CA). Also signing the letter were the Chairman of the Financial
Services Committee, Barney Frank (D-MA), the Co-Chairman of the Human
Rights Caucus, Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Jim Costa (D-CA), Chaka Fattah
(D-PA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Mike Honda (D-CA), Patrick Kennedy
(D-RI), James Langevin (D-RI), Stephen Lynch (D- MA), Carolyn Maloney
(D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), Michael McNulty (D- NY), Grace Napolitano
(D-CA), Donald Payne (D-NJ), and Colin Peterson (D-MN).

In a September 12th Dear Colleague letter, Reps. Radanovich and
P allone explained to their fellow Representatives that Armenia,
which continues to be materially harmed by the fighting to its north,
has remained "a constructive partner to Georgia through ensuring
safe transit for humanitarian needs, reconstruction assistance,
and diplomatic measures."

They also stressed the urgency of providing funds specifically for
Samtskhe-Javakhk, a chronically underdeveloped region in Georgia,
heavily populated by Armenians.

"Armenians Americans – from Fresno, New Jersey and around the nation
– thank Representatives Pallone and Radanovich and all those who
added their names to this worthwhile effort to address the pressing
post-conflict humanitarian and developmental needs in Georgia and in
Armenia," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We look forward
to working with these legislators and our other friends on Capitol
Hill to reach out to these populations during their time of need."

The Congressional letter suggests that the Administration implement
two specific policy recommendations:

1) Ensuring that a meaningful level of the new Georgia aid
program is specifically targeted to the vital Samtskhe-Javakhk
region. This largely Armenian-inhabited area, home to roughly five
percent of Georgia’s overall population, remains, in great measure,
economically undeveloped. Of the $1 billion being proposed for Georgia,
a proportional share on a per capita basis, should be officially
dedicated to developmental programs in20Samtskhe-Javakhk, with a
special focus on alleviating poverty, developing transportation and
communication links, promoting international trade and investment,
and supporting sustainable economic growth.

2) In light of Yerevan’s extensive assistance during this crisis and
also the large-scale harm it has endured as a result of the fighting
in the region, portions of the new Georgia assistance package should
be used to help offset the damage to Armenia’s economy. This damage,
estimated at between $680 and $1 billion, has largely been the result
of higher transportation costs, increased prices for basic commodities
such as food and fuel, and a slow down in international investments.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO SERZH SARGSYAN ON OCCASION OF 17th ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE

Noyan Tapan

Se p 19, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. Her Britannic Majesty’s Embassy
presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Armenia and has the honour to forward the following message
from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan,
President of the Republic of Armenia.

The message reads:

"It gives me much pleasure to send Your Excellency my congratulations
on the celebration of your National Day, together with my best wishes
for the happiness and prosperity of the Government and people of
Armenia in the coming year."

STRUGGLE AGAINST "THE STATE OF CHIEFTAINS" ONE YEAR OLD
Kima Yeghiazaryan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
17 Sep 2008
Armenia

Alas The Conversation Is About Anniversary

The revolutionary year came to a close by the meeting near Matenadaran
that took place the day before yesterday.

The next demonstration announced by the "Pan National Movement" which
is to take place on September 26, passes round the "historical" day of
September 21. It was a year ago, the very day when Levon Ter-Petrosyan
broke the oath of silence and the status of self-isolation and decided
to return to public politics and recited his "famous" speech in
"Armenia-Marriott" hotel.

On September 21, 2007, the "wise" leader tried to manifest discretion
in his speech and avoided foul estimations. During his hotel-meetings
with his companions-in-arm, the activists of Armenian Pan National
Movement, he "modestly" recorded that the ruling power is nothing
more than a "criminal administration" and he promised not to spare
his efforts in his struggle against the ruling power.

It was later when the leader of Armenian Pan National Movement
started to attract the revolutionary crowd with his eloquent
speeches. Beginning from October 26, 2007 he showered threats and
abuses, with an exclusive skill of an inventor he put into circulation
expressions like "state of chieftains", "Tatar Mongolian khans"
and many other similar word combinations.

Later he entered the year 2008, pushing the protestant electorate with
him and during the presidential elections with the self-confidence of
the "winner candidate" held his campaign in almost all the provinces.

Where he was trying to convince the people that the mission of
"dismantling" the state is exclusively reserved for himself.

There were people who really believed that no one could overthrow
the ruling administration except LTP. The fans of the latter really
believed that finally the embodiment of the savior came to Armenian
world.

The most ridiculous thing is – even after the crush of their candidate
during the presidential elections the activists of the movement and
the "peaceful demonstrators" continued to believe that their idol
will very soon overthrow the ruling power and they will take LTP to
Baghramyan 26, on their hands and will coronate him as a President
in the Presidential palace.

The wild fanatics, victims of psychological diversion, who have
gathered in the square during the last ten days of February, refused
to comprehend that elections are over and the election returns are
published.

It is not less noteworthy that during the post-election spring
and summer the analysts belonging to Armenian Pan National
Movement completely forgot about LTP’s primary go al to uproot the
"state of chieftains" and used to speak exclusively about their
"achievements", underscoring that due to the long-term struggle of the
revolutionaries at the moment we have "free citizens" in our country
and that we managed to overcome the "atmosphere of fear", that the
authorities don’t "dare" to ban their demonstrations, and so on and
so forth. Whereas everyone knows which is the famous "achievement"
of the movement. The revolutionaries really managed to organize and
realize "March-1".

This is the only achievement of the movement – the instigation of
mass disorders in the center of the city with tens of victims.

Thus the fighters for freedom reached the culmination of their
struggle on the very first day of March. And the "decisive"
summer demonstrations following it, the "political walks" on the
Northern Avenue, simply tend to guarantee the continuation of the
struggle. Because the culmination of the struggle was followed by the
deterioration of the process. And at present it is really ridiculous
to hear about the fiery autumn. The last meeting proves this. The
leaders were evidently unaware of their future programs.

Most probably they rely on the elections of the governor of Kentron
Community, which they hope to use for livening up their revolutionary
struggle. Empty hopes.

The revolutionaries have one more chance, but it is difficult to say
whether or not they will manage to take the "people" to the streets in
the spring of 2009. Anyway during the last meeting LTP inspired hope
saying: "taking into account the criminal economic policy pursued by
the authorities a very difficult winter is in store for our people
and crises in the beginning of spring."

We should notice that this announcement is made in the 21st century but
it seems as if it was heard from the mouth of the opposition leaders
of 1992-93. We have heard lots of similar ominous predictions but we
have always managed to overcome such winters.

No! Our country will never see proper opposition.

ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE
September 17, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Email: [email protected]

20th ANNIVERSARY OF NAGORNO KARABAGH MOVEMENT
MARKED AT CAPITOL HILL PROGRAM

— Special Guest Mark Geragos Joined by More than Ten Members of
Congress; Community Leadership; Armenia and NKR Diplomatic Corps

— Geragos Challenges Congress to Provide at least $100 Million
to Artsakh

WASHINGTON, DC – Members of Congress joined together on a
bipartisan basis this evening to mark the 20th anniversary of the
Nagorno Karabagh Republic (Artsakh) freedom movement, at a Capitol
Hill program headlined by prominent lawyer and humanitarian Mark
Geragos, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).

The evening, titled "Nagorno Karabakh Republic/Artsakh: 20 Years of
Freedom, Democracy and Progress," was hosted by the Congressional
Caucus of Armenian Issues in cooperation with the Embassy of the
Republic of Armenia, the Nagorno Karabagh Representation in the
U.S., and Armenian American organizations.

"As a community deeply devoted to Artsakh’s security, we are
pleased to be joined by our Congressional friends at today’s
Capitol Hill celebration of Nagorno Karabagh’s hard-won freedom,"
said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We take from this
event an added measure of devotion to standing up against
Azerbaijani and Caspian energy interests, increasing developmental
aid to Nagorno Karabagh, zeroing-out military aid to Azerbaijan,
and breaking down the artificial barriers to U.S.-Artsakh
dialogue."

Throughout the evening, Members of Congress offered remarks
congratulating Nagorno Karabagh — praising its commitment to
democracy, peace and stability, and citing it as an example for
other countries in the region. Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-
Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), who served
as Masters of Ceremony for the evening, offered moving remarks
along with Reps. Shelly Berkley (D-NV), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Jim
Costa (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), George
Radanovich (R-CA), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Brad Sherman (D-CA), and
Tim Walz (D-MN).

The event invocation was offered by His Eminence Archbishop Vicken
Aykazian, legate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
the Eastern U.S., while a special presentation on the Nagorno
Karabagh liberation movement was made by His Eminence Archbishop
Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Eastern U.S.
In recognition of Congressional support for Artsakh, the
Congressional Caucus Co-Chairs were given a special book of letters
and drawing prepared by the children of Artsakh, presented by Ms.
Nelly Martirosyan, who had recently spent over two months working
with youth there.

In his keynote address, Geragos challenged Members of Congress to
increase their support for Nagorno Karabagh, calling the $30
million in U.S. assistance allocated to date to Nagorno Karabagh
insufficient, and asserting that this aid package, to a democratic
nation in a troubled region, should be at least at the $100 million
level.

Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Tatoul Markarian and NKR
Representative in the U.S. Vardan Barseghian provided insight on
the current peace talks over Nagorno Karabagh and the ongoing
commitment of both countries to a peaceful resolution of the
conflict. A special video marking the 20th anniversary of the
Artsakh movement, prepared by film-maker and documentary producer
Peter Musurlian, highlighted the economic progress and
strengthening of democracy in the Republic. The evening concluded
with moving remarks by human rights activist Kathryn Porter, a
frequent visitor to Artsakh who has shared trying and triumphant
moments with the women of Artsakh during and after the conflict in
the region.

Photos and video coverage of Congressional remarks from the event
will be posted on the ANCA website () and YouTube
channel –

#####

Note to the Editor: Photos Available Upon request. Please email:
[email protected]

IRAN URGES NEW SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS IN CAUCASIA

Tehran Times
Sept 17 2008
Iran

TEHRAN – Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Tuesday that the Caucasus
region needs "new security arrangements" and called for adopting new
measures to prevent armed conflicts in the region.

Russian tanks, troops and warplanes repelled the Georgian attack on
its South Ossetian allies and drove deep into Georgia in a five-day
war that killed hundreds of people and displaced nearly 200,000.

Georgia has emerged as a major focus of a struggle for influence,
pitting Russia against the United States and the EU amid relations
that have become increasingly frayed over the past decade.

Some analysts are of the opinion that the Georgian attack on South
Ossetia took place with a green light from the White House.

"The events and recent developments in the Caucasus region indicate
that the era of unilateralism has come to an end," Larijani told
visiting Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Eduard Nalbandian

Larijani said signing agreements with regional countries on
establishing security in the region can be very effective in allaying
security concerns.

The speaker stated that the Iranian parliament is ready to develop
cooperation with regional countries especially Armenia to help set
up regional alliances.

The Armenian chief diplomat described Iran as an important and great
neighbor.

Nalbandian insisted that regional countries should resolve tension
in the region without the interference of outsiders.

No need for NATO involvement in Caucasia

President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said there is no need for the intervention
of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the Caucasus tension.

"To settle differences among regional countries there is no need
for the NATO interference," the president said in a separate meeting
with Nalbandian.

Experience has shown that the Western countries’ intervention in
regional conflicts will make the situation worse, he stated.

Ahmadinejad said expansion of relations between regional countries
will help promote security and peace in the region.

He also said the unipolar system has almost collapsed and its
repercussions are seen in different parts of the world.

Georgia has angered Russia with its drive to join NATO. The alliance
in April declined to take a key step toward membership for Georgia
but assured the nation that it will eventually join.

The NATO leader also condemned Russia’s use of ""disproportional
force"" and emphasized NATO’s demand that Moscow withdraw to positions
its forces held before the fighting erupted, complying with a
cease-fire deal brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The unresolved status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia has always given
alliance members pause about accepting Georgia.

Russia has adamantly opposed NATO membership for Georgia, whose
location straddling a key westward energy route for Caspian and Central
Asian oil and gas supplies gives it outsize geopolitical importance.

RUSSIA LURES AZERBAIJAN WITH NEW PEACE AND ENERGY INITIATIVES
by Natalia Leshchenko

World Markets Research Centre
Global Insight
September 16, 2008

The president of Azerbaijan is visiting his Russian counterpart
Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow today at the latter’s invitation. The
conversation will focus on two principal subjects: a peace settlement
in Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan’s energy policy.

Significance:Russia is keen to play a peacemaker role in the
protracted conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the
pro-Armenian separatist republic on Azerbaijani territory. Azerbaijan
has been building up its military muscle recently, and calls for a
military solution of the conflict are heard increasingly. Russia,
a traditional ally of Armenia, is keen to avoid another military
confrontation in the Caucasus, and the situation where it may be
forced to support its ally Armenia in the framework of Collective
Security Treaty Organisation. Hence, Medvedev is initiating talks
between the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders, which he has offered
to mediate, to broker an eventual peace deal. Russia is equally keen
to preclude Azerbaijan’s military, political and energy gravitation
towards NATO and the Western organisations, and to counterbalance the
obvious efforts taken by the U.S. administration recently, including
a visit by vice-president Dick Cheney, to draw Azerbaijan into its
sphere of influence. Medvedev will be proposing a treaty banning
deployment of military forces from outside the region and will also
be lobbying Russia’s purchases of Azerbaijani gas from the second
stage of Shah-Deniz field. The Azerbaijani president faces some
rather tough–if ultimately luxury–choices between the wooings of
the Western and Russian leadership. Known for his diplomatic skills,
Aliyev is likely to seek to navigate the situation without making a
clear alliance with either of the contending sides.

REASONS BEHIND CHENEY’S VISITS
By Beril Dedeoglu

Turkish Press
Sept 14 2008

STAR- Certain foreign visits are very high-profile, like President
Abdullah Gul’s visit to Armenia or his French counterpart Nicholas
Sarkozy’s visit to Moscow, while others keep to the sidelines
or shadows. US Vice President Dick Cheney’s recent trip to nearby
countries fits in the latter category. Cheney visited Azerbaijan not
even a month after the South Ossetia conflict, even as Russia hasn’t
implemented the cease-fire. Considering Cheney’s itinerary, which
continued with Georgia and Ukraine, it’s clear that these visits were
designed to disturb Russia. The US sent its vice president to places
Russia considers vital in order to show that the US also sees them
as vital. The US thus showed the entire world who it considers allies.

Actually, nobody knows if the Azeris and Ukrainians really welcomed
the visits, because being a close US ally in the Caucasus or
Ukraine – that is, near Russia – carries a price. Russia can punish
governments seeking a strategic relationship with the US, as it did to
Georgia. Countries that the US shows a close interest in are likely
to become Russian targets. Cheney’s visits might actually endanger
the soft Westernization policies of Azerbaijan and Ukraine, which
stem mostly from their desire to get closer to the European Union.

Even in explaining the reason for his visits, Cheney showed the
nature of his expectations by stressing energy issues, and he more or
less said that the US will do whatever is needed to keep Russia from
being an energy monopoly. As his last stop Cheney met with Italian
Prime Minister Silvia Berlusconi, as the issue of energy dependence
on Russia worries the EU. Meanwhile, I guess by coincidence US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also visited Libya in a bid to
normalize relations. Even if Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi signaled
that he didn’t trust the US, there was an impression that energy
issues might encourage the two countries to get closer. So two top
US officials pursued energy issues to Turkey’s north and south, and
thus showed the EU what Washington is pursuing in the Mediterranean
and Black Sea regions. Meanwhile, Cheney stressed the importance of
Turkey, located between these two regions and their energy routes,
in terms of energy transportation lines, its strategic importance,
and the usefulness of its possible EU membership.

But Cheney talking about Turkey’s importance might not be such good
news. Actually everybody is saying that Turkey is important. In
addition, when our conservative government thinks about it, there are
many reasons to doubt that Turkish-US ties will develop in line with
Turkey’s interests. So the US is expected to toe Turkey’s line on the
Montreux Treaty, the future of northern Iraq, NATO enlargement, and
how duties are divided in international peacekeeping forces. As part
of this, Turkey might have to take measures to head off pressure in
such areas as Cyprus, the so-called Armenian genocide issue, and the
Kurdish issue as soon as possible, at least before Cheney comes here."

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT GIVES INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTINUE MEASURES ON CATTLE
IMPORT AND PROVIDING FARMERS WITH HIGH QUALITY SEEDS

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. During the September 13 working
meeting, the RA Minister of Agriculture Aramais Grigorian informed
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan about the current state of the
agricultural sector. According to him, there has been a 6.9% economic
growth in agriculture, a 9.8% growth in plant growing and 4.4% growth
in cattle breeding.

A. Grigorian presented the harvest process. In this connection the
president told him to continue paying attention to the harvest as well
as to the work of processing plants so that farmers will be paid on
time for their production.

According to the RA presidential press service, S. Sargsyan gave
instructions to continue measures on the import of cattle and providing
farmers with a sufficient amount of high quality seeds.