Author: Harutyunian Christine

SIX REPRISALS FOR THE SO-CALLED BILL

Sabah, Turkey
Oct 8 2007

Ankara will make six reprisals if the US House of Representatives
passes the Armenian bill.

The permission for the passage of logistic needs for the US military
will not be extended. When the USA begins to withdraw soldiers from
Iraq, it will not be permitted to doso using Turkey. Turkey will slow
down cooperation in NATO.

Six reprisals are on the way if the bill passes

Prime Minister Erdoðan, who will go to the USA in November, plans to
give the message that Turkey will implement strict sanctions on the
USA if the Armenian genocide bill passes.

The Armenian lobby is struggling to ensure the Armenian genocide claims
are accepted in the US Congress, meanwhile, Turkey is discussing the
actions to be taken if the bill passes. PM Erdoðan will go to the USA
in November and will give the message that the relationship between
the two allies will be negatively affected if the bill passes.

Turkey will bring on such sanctions as not extending the decree for
permitting the passage of logistic needs of US soldiers from the
Ýncirlik Air Base; permitting the use of the Ýncirlik Air Base as
well as the US’ use of Turkish land when withdrawing soldiers from
Iraq; a slowing down of the cooperation in NATO; an agreement with
Iran on the natural gas issue as well as seeking new agreements,
the cancellation of the US Joint Strike Fighter Planes project and
ending the role of balance in Washington’s Middle East policies.

–Boundary_(ID_7TrP7LFPCyLGs3CSYsrgiA)- –

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER’S UN SPEECH CONTRADICTS THE TEXT PUBLICIZED BY THE COUNTRY’S PERMANENT REPRESENTATION

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 8 2007

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan’s UN speech on October 3
contradicts the written text of the speech publicized by the country’s
permanent representation. APA US bureau reports that Azerbaijani
Bakhtiyar Hajiyev first found it out.

Watching the video of Armenian Foreign Minister’s speech, he observed
that the principal points of this speech are not reflected in the
text posted on the website of Yerevan’s permanent representation to UN.

For example, Vardan Oskanyan said that "Kosovo variant can not be
precedent for Nagorno Karabakh conflict. But no one can prohibit
Armenia to use this precedent".

These words were not reflected in the text published by the permanent
representation.

Oskanyan said that UN is not the place to discuss the conflicts in
GUAM countries, as the negotiations are carried out in the framework
of OSCE. This expression was also removed from the text.

Pontifical Visit Media Advisory

His Holiness Karekin II
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians

Pontifical Visit of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue New York, New York 10016
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate

Pontifical Visit
Media Relations Office
Michael O’Hurley-Pitts, Ph.D.
Director
Telephone: 212.686.0710 ext. 154
[email protected]
Facsimile: 212.689.1934
Cellular: 212.533.0335

Sylvie Keshishian
Public Relations Director
Telephone: 212.686.0710 ext. 160
[email protected]
Facsimile: 212.689.1934

PRESS RELEASE
6 October 2007

Catholicos of All Armenians Meets with Over 300 Young Professionals in
Boston

Boston – His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, arrived in Boston to attend the first of 22 different events in
three days, including youth activities at St. James Armenian Church in
Watertown, a Pontifical Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Armenian Church in
Cambridge, a visit to the Armenian Library and Museum of America. His
Holiness Karekin II also paid his respects at the Holocaust Memorial, and
blessed four cornerstones for a new Armenian Church being built in Hye
Point, north of Boston.

Friday night, His Holiness Karekin II was received by more than 300 Armenian
men and women, primarily between the ages of 18 and 45, who gathered at One
Exchange Place to greet their Pontiff. The evening’s activities included
the singing of both the US and Armenian national anthems, remarks by young
Boston professionals Christhopher Tashjian and Ani Bagdasarian, a musical
performance of traditional Armenian music by David Gevorkian and Martin
Haroutunian, and a dramatic poetry recital in both English and Armenian by
Ani Nalbandian. Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston gave a command
performance for His Holiness Karekin II and His Eminence Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern), the host Archbishop for the Pontifical Visit.

Pictured (L to R) Bishop Yesras Nersissian, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and

His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian at Young Professionals Event at one
Exchange Place, Boston, Massachusetts

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian introduced His Holiness Karekin II to the
audience. Recalling the three-day weekend, he praised the young
professionals who chose to pay their respects and receive the blessing of
the Catholicos of All Armenians. "You are truly demonstrating your faith by
making choices and showing your love and respect for your faith, your Church
and our beloved Catholicos by being here this evening," he said. "The theme
of His Holiness’ Pontifical Visit to our Eastern Diocese is A Pastoral
Journey – Bringing Faith Home. As you can see, he loves his sons and
daughters and wants to hear of your concerns, needs and hopes. You’re
welcome to him, and your being here this evening gives him the opportunity
to hear you, know you better and love you all the more."

Dancers for the Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston perform for His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians

In his remarks to the assembled crowds, His Holiness Karekin II expressed
his gratitude for the exceptional enthusiasm with which he was greeted,
saying, "If it were not for the presence of your wonderful Primate,
Archbishoip Khajag Barsamian sitting before me, I would have thought that I
was in Yerevan. Your enthusiasm and demonstration of spirit have inspired
me and given me great joy. You are a credit to your parents and your
priests who have helped form you as faithful sons and daughters of our
beloved Church." The Catholicos underlined the importance of practicing the
Armenian Christian faith by inviting all Armenians to celebrate their faith
regularly. "On Sunday, when we celebrate the Divine Liturgy with you, we
give testimony to the Christian heritage and faith our fathers and mothers
passed down to us for more than 1,700 years. Draw close to God, love your
Church, be faithful Americans and never forget your Armenian Christian
identity – bringing it home as part of your daily lives," he said.

The Primate of the Eastern Diocese, His Eminence Khajag Barsamian, invited
His Holiness Karekin II to pay a pastoral, Pontifical Visit to his Diocese
more than two years ago. This is the Catholicos’ second Pontifical Visit to
the Eastern Diocese, the first taking place upon the 1,700th anniversary of
Armenia’s conversion to Christianity in 2001. During this Pontifical Visit,
His Holiness Karekin II will be visiting 18 different cities in 13 states
over a 30-day period.

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians
is Greeted by Young Woman Who Recieved His Apostolic Blessing

The Diocesan Center for The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern) is in New York City at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral. It is the
largest Armenian Church diocese in the world. The diocese consists of 63
parishes and four mission communities, primarily located east of the
Mississippi River and Texas.

Please log on to our website
<http://www.pontificalv isit.org/> to receive regular updates, including
daily photographs and webcast video presentations for the Pontifical Visit
of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians.

# # #

A1+

SERGE SARGSYAN RECEIVES WB DIRECTOR
[06:44 pm] 05 October, 2007

Today, RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan hosted the Director of the
World Bank Yerevan Office Aristomene Varoudakis.

The parties dwelt on issues connected with the WB programs underway in
Armenia, the bank’s future cooperation with the Armenian Government,
as well as questions related to the RA Prime Minister’s forthcoming
visit to Washington.

Serge Sargsyan will participate in the annual forum of the WB and the
International Monetary Fund and the sitting of the Armenian-American
Intergovernmental Economic Cooperation Commission in Washington.

According to the RA Prime Minister, the Armenian Government highly
appreciates the cooperation with the World Bank and is inclined to
develop it in the future.

Serge Sargsyan and Aristomene Varoudakis turned to the document
entitled `The World Bank and Armenia: Partnership for Best Future,’
which presents the whole path of the Bank’s partnership with Armenia,
the Bank’s mission, the package of documents, the results achieved,
the new strategic direction of assistance for 2008-2012, the
challenges and a number of other issues.

The interlocutors discussed the possible directions of the Bank’s
cooperation with the Armenian Government. Serge Sargsyan stressed the
importance of implementation of regional development programs, which
have both political and economic components.

BAKU BANNED AZERI MUSICIANS TO GIVE CONCERT IN PACE

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.10.2007 18:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A concert of the Caucasus chamber orchestra took
place in Strasbourg in the framework of the PACE fall session. The
concert with participation of musicians from Armenia, Georgia and
Russia was organized by PACE rapporteur on South Caucasus, Leo Platvoet
and chairwoman of the South Caucasus parliamentary delegation, Marie
Anne Isler Beguin.

The purpose of the event was to show that music is human value which
united peoples and calls for peace in the Caucasus.

The initiators requested Azerbaijan to join the event.

However, the Azeri authorities prohibited the musicians from taking
part in the concert.

Mr Platvoet thanked permanent representatives of Armenia and Georgia
for assistance and voiced regret over absence of Azeri musicians.

PACE President, Rene van der Linden expressed hope that next time
Azeri musicians will be allowed to participate in concerts, the RA
MFA press office reported.

NATURAL PERSONS TO HAVE TO DECLARE THEIR PROPERTY AND INCOMES IN ARMENIA FROM JANUARY 1, 2008
Author: Tonoyan Susanna
Editor: Eghian Robert

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 4 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. In accordance with the RA Law on
Declaration of Property and Incomes of Natural Persons and the RA
Law on Incomes, the Armenian government at the October 4 sitting
approved the order of filling in a declaration on property and
incomes of a natural person and the form of such a declaration. The
government’s decision No 27 of January 14, 2002 on approval of the
forms of declaration of property and incomes of the RA government
bodies’ officials and persons interrelated to them and on the order
of filling in and keeping these forms was recognized as invalid.

By another decision, the list of information included in a declaration
of property and incomes of natural persons and subject to making public
and the order of providing this information to the press has been
approved. The RA government’s respective decision No 304 of April 1,
2002 was recognized as invalid. The above mentioned decisions will
take effect on January 1, 2008.

The deputy head of the RA State Tax Service Armen Alaverdian told
reporters following the sitting that the decisions solve procedural
issues of the Law on Declaration of Property and Incomes of Natural
Persons which will take effect on January 1, 2008.

He said that starting from January 1, Armenian citizens whose annual
income exceeds 8 million drams, who have more than 6 million drams in
their bank account and possess real estate of over 40 million drams
will have to declare their incomes. According to him, these persons
have to declare their real estate, movables, money, incomes from
securities or other investment, ingots of precious metals in banks.

A. Alaverdian said that a fine of 5% of undeclared incomes will be
imposed for declaration evasion. The mass media may receive information
about any person presenting a declaration.

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL CALLS ON NANCY PELOSI TO PREVENT THE VOTE ON H. RES. 106

ArmRadio – Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 4 2007

The Wall Street Journal called on the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to
prevent the vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

The newspaper advises the American Congressmen to "leave the history
to historians." US politicians must not interfere with this painful
chapter of the Ottoman times. Before giving evaluation to the history
of people living in distant countries the lawmakers have to think
that eh gambles with history may hurt the political interests of
the US. Politicians are paid to think about future, not the past,"
the paper wrote.

PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COURT WELCOMES THE IMPLEMENTATION OF JUDICIAL-LEGAL REFORMS IN ARMENIA

ArmRadio – Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 4 2007

President Robert Kocharyan today received the President of the
European Court of Human Rights Jen-Paul Costa, who is visiting Armenia
to participate in the international conference on "International
experience of cooperation between the Constitutional Court and the
Ombudsman in the field of human rights protection."

Welcoming the conduct of the conference in Armenia, the President said
it is taking place in a very important period from the perspective
of judicial-legal reforms. In his words, such discussions enable our
specialists to have better view of development of the judiciary in
compliance with the demands of time.

Noting that the reforms pursue the aim to form a qualitatively new
judicial-legal system based on impartiality and independence, Robert
Kocharyan said "today we are working in the direction of implementing
deeper reforms, which will provide the opportunity to secure higher
level of judicial-legal independence and deeper respect or human
rights."

Mr. Costa highly appreciated the reforms underway in Armenia,
especially from the perspective of ensuring judicial-legal
independence.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 28 – OCTOBER 4, 2007

HIGHLIGHTS:

"PRESS CLUB" SHOWS TO DEAL WITH UPCOMING ELECTIONS FROM NOW ON

ARMENIA AND ITS NEIGHBORS: INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION IN ODZUN

PHOTOFIT OF AN ASSAULTER OF "ISKAKAN IRAVUNK" EDITOR PUBLISHED

ANOTHER NEWSPAPER FAILED TO REACH READERS – THIS TIME IN ARARAT REGION

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CENTER NAMED THE BEARERS OF GOLD KEYS AND A RUSTY
LOCK

"PRESS CLUB" SHOWS TO DEAL WITH UPCOMING ELECTIONS FROM NOW ON

On October 3 on the evening air of "Yerkir Media" TV another "Press Club"
was aired. Ahead of the presidential elections of 2008 the format of the
program has undergone certain changes: now, apart from its guests,
politicians and public figures, the possible presidency candidates and the
parties that support them, the discussions would also include studio
audience, representing students of Yerevan universities and NGOs. The debate
subject would be the upcoming elections.

On October 3 the guest of the program host, the President of Yerevan Press
Club Boris Navasardian, was the Chairman of Armenian Sociological
Association Gevorg Poghosian. The participants of "Press Club" discussed, in
particular, such issues as the importance of upcoming presidential
elections, the specifics of the current domestic political situation, the
sentiments of voters.

The next program of "Press Club" cycle will be aired by "Yerkir Media" on
October 10 at 21.40.

The "Press Club" cycle is produced under a project of Media Diversity
Institute, supported by Open Society Institute Assistance
Foundation-Armenia.

ARMENIA AND ITS NEIGHBORS: INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION IN ODZUN

On September 28-30 in Odzun (Lori region) "Reflection of the Relations of
Armenia with Its Neighbor Countries in Armenian Media" seminar was held. The
event was organized by Yerevan Press Club under the project "Karabagh Issue
and Armenian-Turkish Relations in the Pre-Election Rhetoric of Armenian
Political Figures", supported by Friedrich Ebert Foundation. The seminar
brought together the representatives of the leading print and broadcast
media of the country.

The interactive discussion developed around three major subjects:
parliamentary elections in Turkey and their influence on the situation in
the region; prospects of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations and the resolution
of Mountainous Karabagh problem; possible scenarios of regional development
and the place of Armenia in them. The journalists presented the situation in
each of their media: how frequently it addresses the given issue, whether it
has distinct policy for its coverage, to what extent journalists/authors
have a right to express a viewpoint, different from the editorial stance.
The discussions were wrapped up respectively by the YPC project coordinator
Anna Simonian, the head of the Analytical Center of Globalization and
Regional Cooperation Stepan Grigorian and the observer of "Golos Armenii"
newspaper Ruben Margarian.

PHOTOFIT OF AN ASSAULTER OF "ISKAKAN IRAVUNK" EDITOR PUBLISHED

On September 29 a number of Armenian media published a photofit of one of
the two strangers that assaulted the Chief Editor of "Iskakan Iravunk"
newspaper Hovhannes Galajian on September 15. As it has been reported, the
incident occurred in the building of the editorial office. The head of
"Iskakan Iravunk" was beaten by iron rods and hospitalized with a brain
concussion and bruises (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, September
14-20, 2007).

As YPC was told by Hovhannes Galajian, he did not remember the second
offender, because he attacked from behind. On September 24 Hovhannes
Galajian left hospital and is currently back to his work as an editor.

ANOTHER NEWSPAPER FAILED TO REACH READERS – THIS TIME IN ARARAT REGION

The issues of "Chorrord Ishkhanutiun" newspaper of September 26 and 28, 2007
did not reach the readers of Artashat city and the neighboring villages of
Ararat region. This was stated to YPC by the Chief Editor of the newspaper
Shogher Matevosian. According to her, the distribution of these issues was
prevented through the effort of the head of the local branch of "Haymamul"
press dissemination agency. In the opinion of "Chorrord Ishkhanutiun", the
reason for the action was the article "With Much Gratitude and Best Regards
– Henrik Abrahamian", published on September 26, and the subsequent report
of the editorial staff about the disappearance of the previous issue from
the newspaper stalls of Artashat. The publication was dealing with RA
National Assembly deputy from Ararat region Henrik Abrahamian, the brother
of the Deputy Prime Minister, the RA Minister for Territorial Governance
Hovik Abrahamian. The article described the background of the deputy and his
current entrepreneurial and parliamentary activities. "(…) Newspapers can
always be collected, yet this will certainly not change the moral image of
Henrik Abrahamian. Do not have doubts", "Chorrord Ishkhanutiun" noted, in
particular, in its communication of September 28.

Similar incidents, when readers were deprived of a chance to buy the
newspaper, occurred earlier, too – both with other outlets and with the same
"Chorrord Ishkhanutiun". Thus, on September 11 the print run of
"Zhamanak-Yerevan" was bought out from the stalls – as the daily believes,
on the initiative of NA Deputy Karen Karapetian (see details in YPC Weekly
Newsletter, September 7-13, 2007).

Actually, as "Azg" daily reports on September 29, 2007, the rumors about the
possible sale of "Haymamul" stalls to a private person that had been around
for a long time have come true – the deal has been struck. "Azg" writes that
according to reliable sources the new owner of 221 newspaper stalls of
"Haymamul" in Yerevan and regions, as well as the delivery vehicles is now
"Press Stand" company. "Haymamul" currently holds only the administrative
facilities and the subscription sales of press, "Azg" informs. Whether this
will benefit the print media or harm them remains to be seen.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CENTER NAMED THE BEARERS OF GOLD KEYS AND A RUSTY
LOCK

On September 28 at "Regine" hotel in Yerevan the Freedom of Information
Center announced the results of its annual competition. The event was
dedicated to the International Right to Know Day (established in 2002) and
organized with the assistance of OSCE Office in Yerevan.

The most open institution in 2007 was recognized to be the Charentsavan
municipality.

The Yerevan municipality was awarded for the introduction of the most
effective electronic system, intended for the citizens’ address to
administrative agencies.

The public organization that is most active and efficient in using its right
to information was named to be "Asparez" Journalist’s Club of Gyumri.

The journalist who is most consistent in covering the freedom of information
issues and using the RA Law "On Freedom of Information" was announced to be
Angela Stepanian ("ALT" TV company of Armavir).

The most active defenders of their right to information among students were
named the students of the Yerevan State University Journalism Department.

By tradition all persons and organizations, listed above, received prizes of
a gold key – as a symbol of openness.

The most closed local self-government body was recognized to be Armavir
municipality, who was awarded a rusty lock – a symbol of secrecy.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

CONNECTING RISE IN PRICES WITH FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS IS SPECULATION, ARMENIA’S PRIME MINISTER SAYS

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 3 2007

YEREVAN, October 3. /ARKA/. RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsian
believes attempts to connect the rise in prices with the forthcoming
presidential election are a speculation. "The rise in prices recently
recorded in Armenia has no connection with the future political
changes in Armenia," the Prime Minister said.

According to him, no political party will raise prices to earn
money before the election. "Proving the contrary is just an absurd,"
Sargsian said.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the RA Government are concerned
about the rise in prices and are studying the situation at present.

These studies are carried out within the policy of reducing shadow
market and making business more transparent.

"If we succeed in solving the problem, those who are gaining super
profits will face other problems in the future," Sargsian said.

A research conducted by the ARKA News Agency on the internal and
external influences on Armenia’s food market, as well as comments of
experts show that the rise in prices of a number of foodstuffs is
conditioned by external factors. The reason for the rise of prices
is that the self-sufficiency of foodstuffs is Armenia is not enough
to resist the influence of external factors on inflation by securing
a considerable volume of imports of vitally important agricultural
goods and foodstuffs.