Author: Hambardsumian Paul

RAS AL KHAIMAH OFFICIALS LEAD UAE DELEGATION IN TALKS WITH ARMENIA

Select Property
Aug 7 2008
UK

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met today with a UAE delegation led
by Saud bin Sakr Al-Kasimi, crown prince and deputy ruler of Ras Al
Khaimah , to discuss development of bilateral relations.

"The commodity turnover between our republic and the UAE doubled
during the past six months, and proves the huge potential of
bilateral relations," the Armenian President said. The Armenian
President confirmed that the government will promote investment
programs launched in the republic.

The Crown Prince and deputy ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Saud bin Sakr
Al-Kasimi thanked Armenia for support to UAE companies and expressed
hope for further cooperation. "We work to achieve stability and a
favourable atmosphere for economic growth," he said.

SEDAT LACINER: TURKEY READY TO COOPERATE ON EVERY ISSUE WITH ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.08.2008 16:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It was a wish for the Turkish statesmen that at least
a small portion of the line pass through Armenia because Armenia has
so many advantages about both energy and transportation projects,
Sedat Laciner, Director of USAK (International Strategic Research
Organization), writes in his "Railroads and Pipelines Integrate the
Caucasus" article published in Turkish Weekly.

The article says in part,

"However, obstinacy of the country caused her to be by-passed from the
project. Yerevan tried to block the projects that she is not included
but failed. Armenia and Armenian Diaspora spent a great deal of effort
in order to create difficulties for the railroad project…

Russia made Armenia economically dependent to her with loans until
now. Russia for example has the monopoly of energy supplies in
Armenia. In other words, Armenia pays high costs for not cooperating
with Turkey but only Russia…

Yerevan does not recognize national borders of Turkey and tries to
harm Turkey’s interests around the world. As a consequence of these
problems, Armenia’s border with Turkey is closed and of course the
one with Azerbaijan.

However, if only Armenia could withdraw from the occupied Azerbaijani
territory, recognize Turkish borders and stop using genocide claims as
a weapon against Turkey and Turkish people, there would be no reason
to exclude Armenia from the regional integration.

There is not a solid hatred among Turkish people against
Armenia. Turkey is ready to speak any issue. Turkey is ready to
cooperate on every issue with Armenia. However, if one wants to
cooperate with his/her neighbor, he/she should show respect to the
neighbor’s home."

WHY GUL’S INVITATION FROM YEREVAN IS NOT AN ‘OPPORTUNITY’
By Elsever Salmanov

Today’s Zaman
Aug 7 2008
Turkey

Azerbaijan is one of the most eager countries in seeking peace,
harmony and cooperation in international relations. Its commitment
to international law and the maintaining of good relations with other
countries despite being a victim is clear evidence of this.

International law recommends friendly relations between states and
bans hostile actions, recommending sanctions in the event of breaches
and violations. Azerbaijan has never been party to bad relations with
other countries. Quite the contrary, it has always favored and promoted
peace and cooperation among all countries in the world. Therefore,
in principle, Azerbaijan is not opposed to any probable rapprochement
between Turkey and Armenia. The matter that bothers Azerbaijan is this:
respect for the inviolability of the borders of the state recognized
by the international community.

Turkey bases its decision to keep its border with Armenia closed
and not to establish diplomatic relations with this country on the
following factors: the failure of Armenia to officially recognize
the Kars agreement, which determined the border between the two
countries after Armenia gained independence, Armenian demands for
Turkish recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide in the Armenian
Declaration of Independence and Armenia’s insistence on keeping 20
percent of Azerbaijan’s territory under occupation.

Those who work to smooth relations between the two countries say there
are only a few who oppose normalization of these relations, all of
whom are well known and closely followed in Turkish and Azeri societies
because Armenia suffers from difficult economic conditions because of
its aggression and it is being excluded from regional projects for the
same reason. Despite this, it still maintains its aggressive stance,
by which it violates basic international legal rules, and it still
makes attempts to ensure that its aggressive policies are endorsed by
the international community. The latest example of this is the soccer
diplomacy that has occupied a central place in the recent agenda. The
newly elected Armenian president, Serzh Sarksyan, has invited Turkish
President Abdullah Gul to watch a 2010 World Cup qualification match
between the national teams of the two countries in Yerevan. Whether
Gul will accept the invitation is not clear.

Armenia needs to take positive steps

But if the Armenian side does not consider the reasons I mention
above for Turkey’s decision not to improve its relations with Armenia
or if it fails to take positive and concrete steps toward this end,
it is most likely that President Gul will not accept the invitation,
because he is not an ordinary figure due to his position. Therefore,
none of his actions are simply and ordinary. Watching a soccer game
may be the act of an ordinary man. But if a president watches a soccer
game in a place other than his country, this may lead to different
diplomatic interpretations, particularly if the host country is known
for its aggression against your country and your allies.

Turkey is a big state. It is an actor in international
relations. Therefore, it should not be possible for a country like
Armenia to force it to give up on a policy or take any particular
step. Armenia’s suggestion of opening the border between the
two countries and assigning a commission for investigation of the
alleged "genocide" without taking any concrete steps is nothing but
an attempt to get rid of the economic difficulties that the country
is currently facing.

>From the perspective of international relations perspective and that
of big powers and other neighboring countries, we reach the following
conclusion: The US is asking for the opening of the border gate between
Turkey and Armenia to alleviate Armenia’s economic suffering because a
more economically stable Armenia will be resistant to Russian influence
and will maintain low-profile relations with Iran. Consequently,
the influence of Russia and Iran will be reduced in the region. The
reason for the Russia and Iran’s eagerness to ensure the opening of
the border between Turkey and Armenia, on the other hand, is that in
such an event, Azerbaijan will lose on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue,
because a more economically stable Armenia will adopt a harsher stance
in peace talks.

Russia and Iran are seeking to ensure that the Nagorno-Karabakh issue
remains as it is now, because it is easier for them to interfere
with the region when there are problems. Moreover, the presence of
more than 30 million Azeris in Iran has always forced it to remain
cautious in its relations with Azerbaijan. On the other hand, Georgia
does not want improved relations between Turkey and Armenia because
Armenia would then be more comfortable in demanding territories
from Georgia. Therefore, when this conjecture is con sidered, a
rapprochement with Armenia without Turkey receiving strong guarantees
that Armenia will comply with international legal rules will be a
compromise and encourage a violator of international law. It would
not be an exaggeration to say that Turkey holds the key for justice in
the Caucasus region. Furthermore, the motives of those who so eagerly
seek the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia should
be investigated. I hold that it would be a mistake to compromise
Turkey’s national interests for the sake of the appreciation of a
small Armenian population in Turkey and the probable economic benefits
of such a rapprochement. Moreover, concrete steps should be taken to
ensure the integration of the Armenians living in Turkey into Turkish
society. Otherwise, it is not suitable for Turkey to remind them of
their "homeland" every opportunity it gets.

Turkish-Armenian relations not a domestic issue

I think it would be useful to stress this point as well: It is wrong
to connect Turkish-Armenian relations with the domestic politics of
Turkey. It is wrong to hope that Turkey will improve its relations
with Armenia in an attempt to show that it is a democratic state
or to make recommendations toward this end after the murder of a
distinguished Armenian intellectual who was a Turkish citizen because
the Turkish administration does and did everything that needs to be
done by a democratic state. Therefore, those who hope that Turkey
will improve its relations with Armenia after dealing with gangs
and secret organizations and those who see improved relations with
Armenia as the extension of this legal process are simply wrong,
because this legal process is part of Turkey’s internal affairs and the
institutions of the Turkish state have done everything that needs to
be done. Moreover, Turkey’s insistence on receiving guarantees from
Armenia prior to improving its relations with this country because
of its own security interests and those of its allies is not an
isolationist foreign policy.

Therefore, Sarksyan’s invitation to Gul to watch a soccer game in
Yerevan is not an opportunity for Turkey because the Armenian side
is currently dealing with economic difficulties and maintaining
its aggressive policies. Those who present this as an opportunity
are approaching the issue with a fait accompli view for different
reasons. If Turkey takes action or steps toward the improvement of
relations without making the Armenian side respect international
law, this violator of international law will be encouraged and start
demanding territory from Georgia. Furtherance of the issue may even
become an international precedent. It is obvious that the improvement
of Turkish-Armenian relations without ensuring Armenia’s commitment
to international law will greatly damage Turkish-Azeri relations.

U.S NEWLY-APPOINTED AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA TO VISIT YEREVAN IN SEPTEMBER

Azeri Press Agency
Aug 5 2008
Azerbaijan

Yerevan- APA. On August 1, 2008, Marie L. Yovanovitch was confirmed by
the U.S. Senate as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the
Republic of Armenia. She is expected to arrive in Armenia in September,
U.S. Embassy Spokesperson Taguhi Jahukian told PanARMENIAN.Net.

Former Ambassador John Evans has been recalled, because of
irresponsible statements made by him on so-called Armenian genocide.

Prior to her appointment to Armenia, Ms. Yovanovitch was Ambassador of
the United States of America to the Kyrgyz Republic from 2005 to 2008.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Monday, August 4, 2008

AGBU Lebanon District Celebrates 50th Anniversary of "Khosnag" Monthly

On June 15, 2008, the golden jubilee anniversary of the AGBU Lebanon
District Committee’s Armenian-language "Khosnag" publication
("Announcer" in English) was marked with a special celebration at the
AGBU Demirdjian Center in Antelias, Lebanon. In attendance were Bishop
Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Diocese of Lebanon, members of AGBU
Lebanon District Committee, members of the executive committee of the
local Armenian Youth Association (AYA), and many devoted readers of
"Khosnag."

Angele Misisian delivered the opening remarks, in which she elaborated
on the influence that "Khosnag" has had on generations of Armenian youth
and young professionals. Writer and educator Jirair Tanielian, and
former "Khosnag" editors Bariur Aghbashian and Aram Sepetjian reflected
on the periodical’s history and the role it has played in
Lebanese-Armenian life, also making reference to its offshoot the
"Khosnag-Badanegan" ("Khosnag-Youth") periodical.

Words of congratulations were then offered by Garo Jeghelian, chairman
of AYA Executive Committee, and Avedis Demirdjian, chairman of the AGBU
Lebanon District Committee. Rosette Alemian, in turn, was invited to
read the official words of AGBU Central Board of Directors President
Berge Setrakian on the occasion. Finally, current "Khosnag" editor
Hampig Mardirossian took to the podium to share his feelings about the
publication.

Plaques were awarded to all the past editors of "Khosnag": Onnig
Sarkissian (1957-1959), Levon Vartan (1961-1963), Sarkis Minassian
(1964-1973), Aram Sepetjian and Bariur Aghbashian. Family members of the
two deceased editors, Sarkissian and Vartan, accepted plaques in their
honor.

The 50th-anniversary celebration also featured an artistic program of
song, dance and recitation by various student groups, including the
Garmirian and Nazarian schools’ choral group, which was led by Nora
Yeghiayan; Raffi Arakelian (piano and organ); Toukhig Avedisian
(recitation); Arin Cherchian and Houri Babahekian (dance); Anna
Batouzian and Ani Madjoulian (solos) and the AGBU "Spitak" choral group.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with an
annual budget of $34 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians on six continents.

CONSULTATION ON CORRUPTION PROBLEMS CONDUCTED WITH PARTICIPATION OF LAW ENFORCERS IN SOUTHERN MARZES

Noyan Tapan

Au g 4, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, NOYAN TAPAN. In order to efficiently fight against
corruption, the law enforcement bodies first of all should not
tolerate corruption within themselves, the RA Prosecutor General
Aghvan Hovsepian stated at the August 2 cluster consultation
"The Peculiarities of Prevention, Disclosure and Investigation of
Corruption Crimes" held in Yeghegnadzor. "The society should feel
that the actions and cooperation of law enforcement bodies give
real and desirable results," he said, attaching special importance
to the role of the mass media in the fight against corruption. Law
enforcers of Armenia’s southern marzes (regions) took part in the
August 2 cluster consultation.

The head of the RA Special Investigation Service Andranik Mirzoyan said
that in the first half of 2008 the Service investigated 29 criminal
cases of corruption nature, including 12 cases under Article 308
(abuse of official authority), 6 cases under Article 309 (exceeding
official authority), 6 cases under Article 311 (taking bribes), as
well as cases under the following articles: Article 179 (squandering
or embezzlement), Article 214 (abuse of authority by employees of
commercial and other organization), Article 215 (contraband), Article
314 (official forgery), and Article 349 (forgery of evidence). Out of
29 criminal cases, 13 ones with a conclusion of "guilty" with respect
to 19 persons were sent to court. According to A. Mirzoyan, among
the most noteworthy cases are the case on demanding and receiving
a 1,500-dollar bribe from Gurgen Nasibian by investigator of the
investigation unit of N garrison of the the RA defence ministry’s
investigation department Arthur Baghinian for not subjecting the
former’s brother to criminal responsibility, as well as the criminal
case which was opened on the fact of receiving a 1,000-dollar bribe
from citizens Torgom Hambartsumian and Tigran Tadevosian by the head
of the Bagratashen customs shift for permission to import 4,100 kg
of tangerines without customs clearance.

The head of the RA Special Investigation Service said that 3 criminal
cases were quashed – with acquittals, and 7 criminal cases remained
incompleted.

17 cases on corruption were opened in Lori marz, 4 – in Shirak marz,
4 cases – in Tavush marz, and no case was opened, for example, in
Ararat marz, to which the RA prosecutor general drew attention of
those present. He said that during investigation of corruption cases,
there have been cases when the persons who had made a statement
about corruption later renounced their evidence, saying that they
gave false evidence due to a bribe or influence.

SUSPECTS IN MONTH-OLD KIDNAPPING SOUGHT

Contra Costa Times
i_10081514
Aug 3 2008
CA

LOS ANGELES — Felony arrest warrants have been issued for two
brothers suspected of kidnapping their three sons a month ago,
a publicist hired by the boys’ mothers announced today.

The arrest warrants for George Silah and Jean John Silah were issued
Friday after the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office determined they
may have abducted the children, according to Cherie Kerr of KerrPR.

A District Attorney spokesperson was not immediately available for
comment.

The mothers of the boys claim the two men have received threats against
their lives, and are worried because the three sons are apparently
with their fathers, according to the publicist.

John Silah, 47, picked up his child, 9-year-old Greg, from his ex-wife
for a summer vacation visit on June 23.

A court order obligated him to return Greg to his mother by July 2,
but he failed to do so.

Police noted that he had threatened to take their son to his home
nation of Syria in the past.

At the same time, George Silah, 46, had his two sons, Alexander,
12, and Zaven Silah, 8, at the home the brothers shared with their
parents in the 7300 block of West 81st Street.

He was scheduled to take his sons on a cruise on July 5, but never
made that cruise.

Police discovered that the brothers had not paid the rent for several
months and their home appeared abandoned.

There is a $500,000 bond on both brothers, according to the family
law attorney for the mothers of the missing children, Ronald Brot of
Brot & Gross in Sherman Oaks.

"These children have been missing since early July and we have
reason to believe they are in danger," Brot said. "We are hopeful
that with these warrants the pursuit of the children will be stepped
up considerably."

According to the mothers, the men left a trail of evidence pointing
to criminal acts, and are on the run from members of the Armenian
community. The mothers claim their ex-husbands bilked more than $5
million from Armenians.

They were last thought to be in a stolen, silver Infiniti G-35,
plate number 6DZS016.

Authorities do not believe the two fathers have left California.

Zanni Merguerian, mother of Alex and Zaven, and Christine Jeanbart,
mother of Greg, pleaded for the fathers to return their sons unharmed.

"We’re begging them to drop the children off in a safe place so they
may return home," said Zanni Merguerian.

"Our children must be terrified," said Christine Jeanbart.

"We have some reason to believe that the children may still be in
the United States," Brot said. "Our belief is based on the fact that
the mothers had refused to release the boys’ passports, though they
had been requested, and also because the identities of the brothers
and their sons have been posted on various government agency ‘watch
lists’ nationwide."

According to the mother’s publicist, the recent investigation of the
brothers’ abandoned home revealed that the brothers left in a hurry
sometime on or shortly after July 2, and George Silah’s girlfriend
disappeared at the same time.

The mothers’ fears are heightened in view of the fact that the
brothers’ parents left for Syria the week prior to the children’s
disappearance, and remain in Syria at this time.

According to the mothers, shredded documents were also found
of fake documents of immigration applications, other persons’
identification documents, passport photos, notes verifying alleged
illegal transactions for thousands of dollars, evidence of bank and
credit card fraud, and evidence of at least one firearm, shell casings,
ammunition and a manual for a Smith and Wesson revolver.

The men may have been involved in selling fake identities to people
entering the country illegally. Christine Jeanbart believes her
identity was sold by her ex-husband years earlier, based on an FBI
investigation which took place in 2000.

On July 24, a Superior Court judge determined that the three boys
had been abducted and wrongfully retained and awarded sole legal and
physical custody to the mothers.

The judge also cut off all visitation rights for the fathers and
ordered that an investigation be opened immediately by the Los Angeles
District Attorneys office to "locate, retrieve and return the minor
children" to their mothers.

Christine Jeanbart and her husband separated in June 2001 and their
divorce became final in October of 2003. Zanni Meguerian left her
husband in August 2004, and their divorce judgment was entered in
March 2006.

Both mothers are American citizens, as are their sons.

They are asking the public, organizations committed to finding abducted
children and the media for help.

REFERENDUM TO DECIDE THE STATUS

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on Aug 02, 2008
Armenia

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, OSCE Minsk Group co-Chairman
Mathew Braise announced that it is up to Karabakh people to decide
whether or not they will become part of Azerbaijan or they will
gain independence.

"Karabakh people will decide it by means of a referendum." Mathew
Braise said to the journalist in Moscow, touching upon the results
of the meeting between Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers.

FIRST OLYMPIC DELEGATION OF ARMENIA LEAVES FOR BEIJING

Noyan Tapan

Au g 2, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The first Olympic delegation of Armenia
left for Beijing on July 31. The delegation is composed of sportsmen
(judo, shooting) and their coaches. The others will leave for China
on August 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7.

The Armenian delegation is headed by the President of the National
Olympic Committee of Armenia (NOCA) Gagik Tsarukian. The chief
commissioner is the Vice President of NOCA Derenik Gabrielian. The
delegation is also composed of the RA minister of sport and youth
issues, NOCA Secretary General Armen Grigorian, heads of various
sport departments, doctors and reporters.

During the opening ceremony, former Olympic champion, the best
Armenian sportsman of the 20th century Albert Azarian will be Armenia’s
flag-bearer.

The Armenian president Serzh Sargsian sent a message to Armenian
sportsmen – participants in Beijing Olympics. He will be present to
watch their participation in various competitions in Beijing.

25 Armenian sportsmen and sportswomen will represent 8 kinds of sports
during the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8-24:

weightlifting – Ripsime Khurshudian (75 kg), Tigran G. Martirosian
(69 kg), Gevorg Davtian (77 kg), Ara Khachatrian (77 kg), Tigran
V. Martirosian (85 kg), Edgar Gevorgian (85 kg),

boxing – Hovhannes Danielian (48 kg), Hrachik Javakhian (60 kg),
Edward Hambartsumian (64 kg), Andranik Hakobian (75 kg),

freestyle wrestling – Martin Berberian (60 kg), Suren Markosian
(66 kg), Harutyuan Yenokian (84 kg),

Greco-Roman wrestling – Roman Amoyan (55 kg), Karen Mnatsakanian (60
kg), Arman Adikian (66 kg), Arsen Julfalakian (74 kg), Denis Forov
(84 kg), Yuri Patrikeyev (120 kg),

judo – Hovhannes Davtian (60 kg), Armen Nazarian (66 kg),

athletics – Melik Janoyan (javelin throwing), Ani Khachikian (race),

swimming – Mikael Koloyan,

shooting – Norayr Bakhtamian.

ARMENIA’S RAILROADERS TO CELEBRATE HOLIDAY

ARKA
July 31, 2008

YEREVAN, July 31. /ARKA/. The South-Caucasian Railway managed by the
Armenian Railways Company plans a number of events for August 2-3 on
the occasion of Railroader’s Day.

The press service of the South-Caucasian Railway reports that a
new electric train will leave Gyumri for Yerevan on August 2. The
commuter train arrived in Armenia with the assistance of the Russian
Railways Company. A function will be held at the Gyumri station,
which will be attended by the regional officials, command staff of
the South-Caucasian Railway and public representatives.

A special train with a steam-driven engine will arrive in Yerevan
from Gyumri on August 3. Armenia’s best variety actors will give a
concert at the Arno Babajanyan concert hall.

Railroader’s Day was first celebrated on August 3, 1886. At present,
this is the principal professional holiday of railroaders in the
countries with a common 1,520mm-wide gauge – the Commonwealth of
Independent States, Baltic States, Finland and Mongolia).