Author: Hunanian Jack

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER REPORTS PROGRESS IN MEETING WITH ARMENIAN OFFICIALS

Anadolu Agency
Feb 8 2009
Turkey

MUNICH (A.A) -08.02.2009 -Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan has
said, "we have initiated a process in which we discuss our problems
with Armenia on bilateral level."

Babacan, who is currently in Munich Germany, to attend the 45th Munich
Security Conference, told Turkish reporters that he held talks with
President Serzh Sargsian and Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian of
Armenia and that they made progress during the talks. "Our target is
to fully normalize the relations between the two countries. I think
that the third countries’ making contributions to this process would
be beneficial," he said.

Upon a question, Babacan said that Turkey would deploy one of its
frigates as part of a United Nations-led force off the Somali coast
to prevent hijacking of ships by pirates.

Meanwhile, Babacan met with Gen. James Jones, US national security
adviser, and Richard Holbrook, US Special envoy for Afghanistan
and Pakistan.

Interfax, Russia
Feb 7 2009

U.S. diplomat believes Armenia, Azerbaijan could sign framework deal
on Karabakh in summer

YEREVAN Feb 7

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch believes Armenia and
Azerbaijan could sign a framework treaty on basic principles of the
settlement of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh in summer 2009.

Speaking on Radio Liberty, Yovanovitch said she positively viewed the
recent meetings between the Armenian and Azeri presidents in Moscow
and Davos in this context.

The U.S. also welcomes dialogue between Armenia and Turkey and is
willing to facilitate further steps in this direction, she said.

Public discussions on National Security Concept of NKR to be organized

933

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. During the February 6 sitting,
the Public Council of Foreign Policy and Security made a decision to
initiate public discussions of the National Security Concept of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic and to contribute to adoption of the document.

The draft concept will be developed by members of the Council and
experts. Taking into account the fact the the NKR and the Republic of
Armenia are located in the united security territory, the Council was
unanimous that the draft National Security Concept of the NKR must be
related to the National Security Strategy of the RA and become its
organic continuation and addition.

According to a press release of the Public Councul, the chairman of the
Council Masis Mailian underlined the importance of such a political
document as a key element of the NKR’s security system. In his words,
while taking the existing potential and opportunities into
consideration, the document should include the envisaged goals for
ensuring the security of individuals, the public and the state from
external and domestic threats, as well as the official comprehensive
position of the state strategy.

Armswissbank becomes market maker for newly listed HSBC Bank Armenia bonds

2009-02-06 20:47:00

ArmInfo. Starting February 6, 2009, Armswissbank cjsc will provide buy
and sell prices for nominal coupon bonds of "HSBC Bank Armenia" cjsc,
which have been listed on NASDAQ OMX Armenia since February 2, 2009
under ticker symbol HSBCB1.

The press service of NASDAQ OMX Armenia reports that this issue
consists of 10,000 bonds with nominal value AMD 100,000, maturity 365
days and coupon yield 9%p.a, and is included in the Bbond list of the
stock exchange.

In its status of a market maker Armswissbank will ensure that investors
are always able to buy and sell the bonds of the issuer on NASDAQ OMX
Armenia, thus promoting the liquidity of the securities in
the secondary market.

Armswissbank has been a member of the stock exchange since September
14, 2007 and, apart from HSBCB1, is also the market maker for corporate
bonds issued by "ArmRusGasprom" cjsc (HRGAB2), which is currently the
only security on NASDAQ OMX Armenia Abond list, "Valletta" LLC (VALTB2,
VALTB3), and "Armenian Copper Programme" cjsc (ARCPB1) ` all three on
the exchange’s Bbond list.

Earlier this January, HSBC Bank Armenia also became a member of NASDAQ
OMX Armenia. The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world’s largest exchange
company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company
services across six continents, and with over 3,900 companies, it is
number one in worldwide listings among major markets. NASDAQ OMX
technology supports the operations of over 60 exchanges, clearing
organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50
countries.

In January 2008, Nordic exchange operator OMX Group acquired 100% of
shares of the Armenian Stock Exchange (Armex) and the Central
Depository of Armenia (CDA). After the combination of NASDAQ and OMX in
March 2008, Armex and CDA have become fully owned by the NASDAQ OMX
Group, Inc.

On January 27, 2009, "Armenian Stock Exchange" ojsc was officially
renamed as "NASDAQ OMX Armenia" ojsc.

AMBASSADOR OF ARMENIA MEETS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BELARUS’ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

armradio.am
06.02.2009 13:56

Armenian Ambassador to Belarus Oleg Yesayan had a meeting with the
Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of
Belarus, Vladimir Andreychenko.

Vladimir Andreychenoko appreciated the development of Armenia-Belarus
relations, as well as the effective cooperation between the two
countries within international organizations. He presented his
expectations of new initiatives targeted at the further development
of bilateral trade-economic relations from the 3rd sitting of the
Interparliamentary Commission to be held in Minsk later in February,
as well as from the meetings during the forthcoming visit of the
delegation by Armenian Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan to Belarus
in 2009. In his words, the energy security issue on the agenda of the
3rd sitting of the Interparliamentary Commission is extremely urgent
for Belarus.

The Armenian Ambassador congratulated Vladimir Andreychenko on being
elected to the high post of Chairman of the House of Representatives
of the National Assembly of Belarus and conveyed the invitation
of the Armenian Parliament Speaker, Hovik Abrahamyan, to pay an
official visit to Armenia in the current year. Turning to issues of
interparliamentary cooperation, Oleg Yesayan noted that Armenia’s
experience of legislative regulation of the activity of small and
medium-sized busine sses, and development of the local self-governance
system could be useful for Belarus.

DID AZERBAIJANI SOLDIER SAY OF HIS INTENTION TO PASS TO THE ARMENIAN PARTY?

ArmInfo
2009-02-05 12:38:00

ArmInfo. Azerbaijani Bakililar.az agency has disseminated a strange
information about intention of an Azerbaijani soldier to pass to the
Armenian party

Referring to ‘Armenian mass media’ the agency says that soldier
Vusal Hasanov allegedly sent these media (not mentioned and defined
– edit) a letter in which he says about spiteful attitude of his
commanders and asks for help from the leadership of the Republic
of Armenia. Moreover, Vusal willingly wants to pass to the Armenian
party. Here is the text of his letter: ‘Dear friends and neighbours. My
name is Vusal Hasanov. I am 23 and was called up for military service
by the military enlishment office of Sumgait. When serving in the army
our commanders always demand money from us and beat us. As a soldier
several times I was trying to commit suicide, but failed. Please help
me. I cannot stay here any more and I want to pass to your side. I
think you will understand me. Then I am going to pass to the third
country. I attached my several photos for you to recognize me when
I will cross the border. This is my final decision’.

To note, we have not yet managed to disclose the author of the letter
and Armenian mass media that published it.

BILL ON AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES 225 AND 300 OF CRIMINAL CODE LIKELY TO BE DISCUSSED AT NEXT FOUR-DAY SESSIONS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Noyan Tapan

Feb 5, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The working group, which was set up
to develop a bill on making amendments and additions to Articles 225
(Mass Disorder) and 300 (Usurpation of State Power) of the RA Criminal
Code, held its first sitting on February 5. According to the group’s
head, chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on State
and Legal Issues, head of the Armenian delegation in the PACE David
Harutyunian, the envisaged amendments to the indicated articles of
the Criminal Code pursue two goals: to reflect the principle of legal
certainty in these articles and to bring them into line with European
standards. Commenting on these two articles, he said that their legal
wording is not good: in particular Article 300 contains the phrase
"actions aimed at overthrowing the constitutional order of the Republic
of Armenia by violence". In the opinion of D. Harutyunian, first of
all, it is necessary to define what the "constitutional order" is,
as the wording of the article gives cause for extensive comments. As
regards Article 225 about mass disorder, he mentioned that the article
does not say what can be considered as mass disorder.

Following the sitting, D. Harutyunian told reporters that the group
had planned its future work. Besides, the group members presented
their analyses on the two articles.

D. Harutyunian expressed a hope that the group will have some written
material for discission at the sitting to be held next week. He did not
rule out that in case of necessity the group will invite local experts,
as well as European ones – in the period between the adoption in first
reading and the second reading. In his opinion, if the work proceeds
as planned, in all likelihood, during the four-day sessions of the
NA to start on February 23, the bill on amendments and additions to
two articles of the Criminal Code will be presented for discussion
in first reading.

TURKISH FILM TO BE SHOT IN ARMENIA

Panorama.am
16:20 04/02/2009

Turkish party applied to authorities of Armenia to make agreements on
shooting a film in Armenia, reports our confidential source. The name
of the film is "Breake up". The title seemed diverging for the Armenian
authorities, hence they have asked the Turkish party to make some
clarifications. Turkish party have not yet answered to the request.

Regional Kinetics
USA Office
Contact: David Davidian
Email: <[email protected]>
www.regionalkine tics.com

January 13, 2009

Web Site on Land Reparations for Armenia Has Nearly 11,000 Hits

Regional Kinetics’s website `Land Reparations for the Turkish Genocide
of the Armenians’ has had nearly 11,000 page hits from visitors from 56
countries since being on-line September 2008. Its Facebook "Cause"
currently has over 900 members. This level of interest is
uncharacteristically high for this type of web site. The 11 minute
historical documentary `1915 Turkish Genocide of the Armenians,’ which
is accessible on the site home page, had the highest viewership, after
the home pages.

The web site, written in six languages,
provides a rationale for Armenian land claims against the Republic of
Turkey. Quoting from the web site, `Reparations from the Turkish state
to the Armenian people for the crime of genocide must include a land
transfer for Armenia to exist as a self-sustaining state. Sovereign
access to the Black Sea is the requisite element for its survival.’

The intent of the Turks was to remove the capability of Armenians to
exist as a nation on their ancestral lands, and Regional Kinetics
believes the capacity of Armenians to be self-sufficient must be
restored to the Republic of Armenia.

Regional Kinetics includes a set of six `Frequently Asked Questions8
0 and
their answers in English, Armenian, Persian, Turkish, Russian, and
Georgian to provide background on the issues raised by the web site.

An Academics Papers page specifically dealing reparations, land grants,
insurance settlements, and related issues is frequently updated.
Scholarly submissions to this site are encouraged.

Regional Kinetics is a virtual, worldwide organization composed of
individuals who assert that land reparations for the Turkish genocide of
the Armenians must be based on a clearly stated, reasonable argument.
The US office is managed by David Davidian, Belmont, MA, USA

Hurriyet, Turkey
Jan 28 2009

GOVERNMENT SOFTENS RHETORIC ON ISRAEL

The government has come under criticism for its strong rhetoric
against Israel during the latest Gaza offensive. In the face of
accusations of taking a pro-Hamas stance, Turkeys political leaders
have begun showing signs of toning it down a notch

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan has called on the Islamic group Hamas to
use peaceful means to achieve its aims rather than armed struggle and
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoethan will meet with Israeli President
Shimon Peres Thursday at a session on Middle East peace, making it the
countries first high-level encounter since the Turkish leaders severe
criticism of the Israeli military actions in Gaza

In his address, Erdoethan is expected to highlight that his criticism
targets not the Israeli people but the Israeli government and repeat
that anti-Semitism is a crime against humanity as is Islamophobia.

"The Israeli president often said in our private meetings that
democracy must be privatized; peace must be privatized. Well be
present at the same session in Davos on Thursday and Ill say to him,
You said democracy must be privatized. I think there is no democracy
more nationalized than this," Erdoethan told his ruling Justice and
Development Party deputies in Parliament yesterday.

He defended the governments foreign policy and said some circles were
uneasy with the multi-faceted policies that have broken the
established taboos.

"They have so far said no to a solution in Cyprus, no to the EU, no to
Greece, no to Armenia, and no to mediation in regional
problems. Theyve said do not establish ties with the Turkic republics,
otherwise you will have changed your direction and do not get
interested in the Middle East, or youll get headache. This is their
vision," said Erdoethan. He said the ruling party would not remain
silent to injustice and that it would not be a partner to injustice

Erdoethan also blamed the media for distorting the governments
position

"There is media in this country that dares to report lies by saying
our president was not invited to a dinner," he said. Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert held a dinner for European leaders who attended a
meeting in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheikh this month on the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. President Abdullah Gul participated in
the meeting co-chaired by the presidents of Egypt and France but was
not invited to the dinner given by Olmert in Israel later in the day.

"What happened is different from what they report," said Erdoethan.

[HH] Hamas must make a choice, says Babacan

Erdoethan called Israels operations into the Gaza Strip controlled by
Hamas "a crime against humanity," deploring what he saw as excessive
force, and he suggested Israel be barred from the United Nations. His
remarks shocked Israel and were interpreted by political observers as
pro-Hamas.

"Hamas should make a decision. Do they want to be an armed
organization or a political movement?" Babacan said to a group of
newspaper journalists yesterday. He said Turkey was not approving of
what Hamas has done but stressed that peace was impossible without
Hamas. "We must see the truth," he said.

"There is a Hamas reality in Gaza. We are not in a position to approve
of what Hamas is doing but it is not possible to reach success by
ignoring Hamas. An intermediate formula definitely must be found. A
solution must be generated in Gaza in line with the truth," said
Babacan.

"Our position, as Turkey, is very clear. First of all, we criticized
the drama unfolding in Gaza and then we criticized the policies
pursued by Israel. We condemned the (Israeli) operations from the very
first day. Our prime minister said many times in the past that
anti-Semitism is a crime against humanity," he said

In a recent joint letter to Erdoethan, the leaders of five U.S. Jewish
groups presented their concerns about Turkish Jews and said what they
see as rising anti-Semitism in Turkey is connected to the strong
condemnation by Turkish officials of Israel for the recent fighting in
Gaza. Government spokesman Cemil Cicek said Erdoethans criticism
targeted the Israeli policies.

"Nobody should distort the statements made by the prime minister," he
told reporters after Mondays Cabinet meeting. Cicek said all citizens
living in Turkey enjoy the same rights and opportunities and stressed
Turkish Jews are "beloved citizens of this country" and contribute to
its development

In an attempt to dispel the concerns among Turkish Jews after the
governments harsh criticism, he said: "Their security is under the
guarantee of the Turkish Republic."

[HH] No change in Heron agreement

The strained ties due to the Gaza crisis appear not to affect the
military ties between the two regional allies, Turkey and
Israel. Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said yesterday that the agreement
with Israel on the purchase of Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
systems would be followed through, adding Turkey had already received
two Heron systems and the remaining would be delivered in April.

"There is a schedule for the delivery of Herons and any agreement we
abide by is going to be followed through," said a diplomatic source,
denying press reports that Israel canceled the military deal due to
the Turkish governments severe criticism of Tel-Aviv