Author: Jagharian Tania

US WARILY EYES TURKISH POLITICAL TURMOIL

Today’s Zaman
July 12 2008
Turkey

The United States is anxiously watching political turmoil in Turkey
amid concern that instability could affect Ankara’s role on issues
of mutual concern from Iraq to Israeli-Syrian talks, analysts say.

Turkey’s Constitutional Court is expected to rule in the next month
whether to ban the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party)
and bar close US ally Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan from office
for allegedly seeking to turn the country into an Islamist state,
which the party denies.

Unlike many European nations that have had tough words for what some
say is a "judicial coup," the Bush administration has been more muted,
preferring to stress support for "democratic processes" while making
clear that whatever happens, Washington wants good ties with its NATO
ally. "I do believe that Turkish-American relations are in a good
place," said US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after a meeting
last month with Turkey’s foreign minister.

A senior US official conceded if Erdogan’s government and party were
ousted it would "not be the optimal outcome," but he said "Washington
was determined to keep strong ties." "Our relationship is much stronger
than it has been in a decade and we have been building on it in a
meticulous way. Even if the current government were out, we would
continue on the same track," said the official, who declined to be
named because the issue is sensitive. "I am not arguing that this is
a positive development but it is hard to say what the impact is going
to be. I think the Turks will find a way to wiggle out of this crisis."

Relations were rocky between the two nations at the time of the US
invasion of Iraq in 2003, and even though ties are better now, the
United States is unpopular in Turkey. The latest Pew Global Attitudes
poll found only 12 percent of Turks had a favorable view of the
United States. The two countries share a list of strategic interests,
from Turkey’s neighbors Iraq and Iran to Ankara’s recent mediation
efforts between Israel and Syria. Ankara is a key US military ally
in the Middle East region and Washington needs Turkey’s cooperation
in trying to stabilize Iraq, particularly in the Kurdish north.

"If a weak government replaces the current one it will be harder
to tackle many of these issues and Turkey will undergo a period of
navel-gazing," said Turkey analyst and author Gareth Jenkins.

Turkey’s role in mediating between Israel and Syria could also be
affected as Turkey, a predominantly Muslim but officially secular
country, is consumed by domestic strife. "The inevitable outcome
is that it (instability) will take a toll on the [Israeli-Syria]
talks. I don’t think you could have seen Turkey playing this role
under any other government," said Sam Brannen, a fellow at the Center
for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank.

"Turkey is generally going to draw in and not look to be engaged. It
may even look towards countries such as Russia rather than turning
West," he added. Tensions were exacerbated last week by the arrests
of two senior retired generals and others — all critical of the
Islamist-rooted ruling party — on suspicion of seeking to overthrow
the government. Several analysts cautioned Washington against using
harsh rhetoric when the court makes its decision as this could be
interpreted as interfering in Turkish affairs and siding with Erdogan.

"The EU will pretty much do the bad cop stuff for the US as it has more
legitimacy to interfere," said Zeyno Baran from the Hudson Institute,
referring to Turkey’s accession bid to the European Union.

Former State Department official Henri Barkey said Washington should
take a tougher stand as the potential damage to US interests was
too great. "But the State Department is so afraid of its own shadow
when it comes to Turkey," said Barkey, now at Lehigh University
in Pennsylvania.

One wildcard is how the US Congress might respond, particularly
after the uproar last year when a congressional committee branded
as genocide the killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks. The Armenia
resolution, which was ultimately dropped, caused a diplomatic storm and
harmed relations. "From a Turkish perspective they don’t distinguish
much between the administration and Congress," Baran, of the Hudson
Institute, said of Turkish views towards Congress. "The administration
will want to keep them (lawmakers) quiet but it is election time,"
Baran added, referring to the US presidential election in November.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Sabine Frezier: Karabakh status determination is matter of future
10.07.2008 14:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs do not mind if EU played
greater role in the resolution of the conflict, said Sabine Frezier,
International Crisis Group’s Europe program director.

`Ambassador Bernard Fassier regularly informs EU member states about
the achievements in the negotiation process. The role of the EU
special representation is gradually growing. Though, frankly speaking,
I doubt that many EU member states want to engage deeply in the
process and replace OSCE Minsk Group. They are satisfied with the
current format of talks. Expansion of the UN role in the resolution of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict is possible but existence of two parallel
mediators or two parallel negotiation processes will not help the
solution,’ she said.

Ms. Freizer is convinced that basic principles, developed by the OSCE
MG in cooperation with the conflict parties are the best way to move
forward.

`Azerbaijan has done everything possible for inclusion of paragraphs
about release of seven occupied regions and return of all internally
displaced persons to their houses, including in Nagorno Karabakh, to
the basic principles of the framework agreement. The main differences
are related to the possible status of Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia
insists on inclusion of the possible independence of Nagorno Karabakh
into the basic principles, which Azerbaijan is against is. I think
that definition of the status of Nagorno Karabakh should be put off
until the time, when mutual trust between Azerbaijanis and Armenians
is restored,’ she said, Day.az reports.

NMDC MAY BUY TWO ORE MINES IN ARMENIA

Livemint
July 9 2008
India

India’s biggest iron ore producer is looking at forming several joint
ventures to acquire and develop mines overseas

Debarati Roy / Bloomberg

Mumbai: India’s biggest iron ore producer National Mineral Development
Corp., or NMDC, is looking at acquiring iron ore mines overseas,
including two in Armenia, chairman Rana Som said on Wednesday.

"We are looking at forming several joint ventures to acquire and
develop iron ore mines overseas," Som said in a phone interview from
Hyderabad, where NMDC is based.

"Spice Energy approached us with existing mining assets in Armenia
with one deposit of 300 million tonnes (mt) and another of 75mt. These
deposits are magnetite deposits. We have signed an agreement with
Spice saying that we are interested in having a joint venture to
explore iron ore on the basis of 50:50 partnership," he said. "The
total amount that will be spent will be about $500 million (Rs2,155
crore)." Speaking on ore prices, Som said an NMDC team will visit
Japan from 26 July to negotiate prices with customers.

ALVARD PETROSSIAN IS SUBJECTED TO TERROR

A1+
10 July, 2008

Member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutiun (ARFD)
lives on 4/3 Kiyevian. She says the residents of their building
are terrorised by the owners and visitors of objects in Hrazdan
Canyon. At weekends feasts are accompanied by shots. "The number of
shots depends on visitors’ pockets. You cannot imagine what a hell it
is! They don’t even realise that the Memorial to the Genocide victims,
Tsitsernakaberd, is a little above," she said.

Mrs. Petrossian reminded that the world-known artist Hakob Hakobian
lives on the tenth floor and urged the owners of the objects to stop
the terror out of respect to the greatest painter.

"Things worsen during the summer months when people are forced to
keep windows open. I have already become an expert of backstreet
music. The air has become stagnant from the music. It seems as if
the same people organise feasts there all day long," she added.

Alvard Petrossian thinks that the National Assembly is to consider
the issue but the latter sits idle. It is due to mention that the
disputed objects belong to high-rank officials and their relatives.

Residents of 4/3 Kiyevian are terrorised by NA MP Samvel Alexanian
who owes an object in the canyon. Alvard Petrossian was unaware of
it. "The Armenian parliamentarian appreciates the role and functions
of the National Assembly with his behaviour."

Alvard Petrossian frequently raises the question from the NA rostrum
but it never finds a favourable solution. She thinks it will never
do as if the Armenian MPs don’t respect the outstanding painter why
they should respect a woman-parliamentarian

IRAN ASKS ARMENIAN SUPPORT

Trend News Agency
July 7 2008
Azerbaijan

Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia, Seyid Ali Segayian, presented Iranian
Foreign Minister’s letter to the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Eduard
Nalbandyan.

In the letter, the Foreign Minister of Iran asks Armenia to contribute
to his country in joining the UN Security Council, Iranian new agency
IRNA reported.

In addition during the meeting, Nalbandyan and Segayian discussed
bilateral relations, upcoming visit of the Armenian Foreign Minister
to Iran and joint meeting on economic relations of the two countries,
whi ch will take place in October in Tehran.

RA ombudsman requests personal guard and transport for him and his family
MEMBERS

ArmInfo
2008-07-07 12:11:00

Ombudsman of Armenia Armen Harutyunyan appealed to Head of RA National
Security Service under RA government Gorik Hakopyan with request to
provide him and his family members with personal security.

As RA ombudsman’s office told ArmInfo today, the written application
of A.

Harutyunyan says, in particular, that according to Article 21 of the
Law on Ombudsman, the latter and his family members are under the
state protection.

Based on the ombudsman’s application, the authoritative governmental
bodies have to take the required measures to assure security of the
ombudsman and his family members.

AHN

July 4, 2008 7:59 p.m. EST

Melvin Baker – AHN

Ottawa, Canada (AHN) – The "Frank Sinatra of France," Charles
Aznavour, will be named an honorary officer of the Order of Canada on
Saturday, a distinction reserved for non-Canadians.

Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean will make the presentation at the governor’s
residence in Quebec City. The 84-year-old singer is scheduled to
perform Sunday in the Quebec capital to mark the city’s 400th
anniversary.

"This enduring legend has charmed audiences around the world; but
first and foremost, he remains an ambassador of the French language,"
Jean’s office said Friday in a statement.

Aznavour was born in Paris to Armenian parents. He began performing
when he was nine. He has sold more than 100 million records and
appeared in more than 60 films.

In 1998, CNN named Aznavour the century’s outstanding performer,
topping Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan.

TIGRAN SARGSYAN: CURRENT FISCAL AND MONATRY POLCY WILL NOT SUPRESS GROWTH

Interview of Armenian prime minister Tigran Sargsian with "Noyan Tapan"
agency

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Mr. Prime Minister. In one of your
speeches you said that in order to curb inflation the government
intends to increase budgetary revenues and reduce expenditures. In this
regard we ask you to answer the following questions:

1. What have been the dynamics of revenues of the state budget this
year, especially in the past two months? Is there any dependence
between the dynamics of budgetary revenues and the tax and customs
administration reforms being implemented by the government?

Tigran Sargsyan: The total amount of fiscal revenues in the first half
of 2008 made 284.4 billion drams (app. 939 million U.S. dollars), which
is 36 percent more than in the same period of the last year. And
collections have been growing from month to month, whereas in January
the fiscal revenues made 39.0 billion drams, they grew to 54.6 billion
in May and 50.5 billion in June. The overall collections of the last
two months are thus 105 billion AMD, which is 27.8 billion more than
the same period a year ago.

So, revenue growth rate is maintained, and it is evidently due to
improvement in tax and custom administration. As for the dependence of
budgetary revenue dynamics on the government reforms, in our opinion,
it will have its impact. Nevertheless, it is early to translate our
assessment to the language of figures.

2. As regards expenditures, so far a prospect of their growth rather
than reduction has been seen, as three new standing committees are
being formed at the National Assembly and a new ministry – at the
government. Under such conditions, at the expense of what expense items
can the government reduce its expenditures? Is it possible to use a
restriction at the expense of investment (infrastructural) expenditures?

Tigran Sargsyan: The expenditure restriction policy means that ?ll
other things being equal, restrictions on their growth should be used.

As for the three new standing committees to be created at the National
Assembly and a new ministry at the government, it will not be done by
means of reducing expenses in any other sphere.

It should be mentioned for comparison that according to the already
developed 2009-2011 draft medium-term expenditure program of the RA,
the growth of expenditures on state government bodies (along with the
indicated changes) makes 10.8% in conditions of 15.2% growth of overall
expenditures, while the growth of expenditures in branches of the
prioritized social sector will be noticeably greater: it will make
22.1% in education, 21.7% in health care, and 16.3% in social
protection.

3. The above mentioned political line of the government and the
gradually tightening monetary and policy of the Central Bank of Armenia
(CBA) may have a negative impact on the economic development of the
country. By the data of May, there was almost no growth in industry and
agriculture. Does the government expect a change in GDP growth
envisaged for this year?

Tigran Sargsyan: The growth in industry and agriculture in January-May
2008 was not high, however, construction and services played a great
role in ensuring an economic growth which made 9.8% in the indicated
period. Taking into account also the fact that in Armenia, usually only
about 22% of the gross domestic product is produced in the first five
months, while the economic growth trends are accelerating by the end of
a year, the existing trends show that the 10% economic growth level,
which was envisaged for 2008 and forms the basis of the state budget
program, is within reach – taking also into consideration the
relatively restricting nature (anticipated for the second half of 2008)
of the fiscal and monetary policies.

As regards the alternative between inflation and economic growth, it is
no secret that in conditions of accelerating inflationary rates which
in turn increase the expectations of future inflation, the long-term
economic growth is virtually endangered. International experience shows
that in such a situation countries set anchoring high inflationary
expectations as a priority task, and imply restraining fiscal and
monetary policies so that they will ensure – through achieving a
macroeconomic stability – an environment necessary for a long-term
economic growth in the future. The Armenian government and the CBA have
adopted such an approach but they attach importance to the scale of
restraining policies in this issue: they should not result in a
considerable decline of GDP growth rates. In particular, with respect
to the fiscal policy, it was estimated that in 2008 the proposed
inflation curbing policy will not, hinder economic development, while
freezing inflation expectations, and not to feed inflation (and
inflation expectations) with an excessive demand growth.

NOYAN TAPAN

Ju ly 3

A sit-down strike followed the brawl on July 2 in Northern
Avenue. According to the Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper, witnesses say
that those instigating the brawl were the "skinheads" (guards members)
of Erebuni prefect Mher Sedrakian (Mher of Tokhmakh) and of Kentron
prefect Gagik Beglarian (Chorni Gago). It is mentioned that Babken
Ghazarian distinguished himself among them. He had hit Haykakan
Zhamanak’s correspondent at a polling station on February 19.

The Hraparak newspaper, in its turn, reported that the people
constantly walking in Northern Avenue told that they recognized
some of the instigators, there were young RPA members, members of
M. Sedrakian’s guards and women who held rallies near Ter-Petrosian’s
office and private house in spring among them. "Some of those injured
in the incident had noticed before the incident that some of them
came up to the policemen in Tumanian street, then walked to Republic
Square with them."

It should be mentioned that both the Hraparak and Aravot newspapers
reported that the policemen intended to bring to the Police one of
the young people instigating the brawl, seated him into a car, but
set him free a bit later.

GLENDALE’S BRAND BOULEVARD
Pauline.OConnor

Los Angeles Times
July 3, 2008
CA

GLENDALE’S main drag, Brand Boulevard, emerged as the town’s
epicenter thanks to its proximity to the Pacific Electric railway
line that arrived in 1904. Like many things in this foothill city,
the thoroughfare is named after Leslie C. Brand, the local tycoon and
civic booster who, during the early 1900s, ran full-page ads in Los
Angeles newspapers every Sunday posing the question, "Have you been
to Glendale?"

That question has been coming up with greater frequency of late,
especially since the grand opening of Americana, the boulevard’s
spanking-new 15.5-acre shopping complex featuring 75 retail stores,
338 residential units, restaurants, an 18-screen multiplex and a
2-acre public park.

Although the $400-million mall has its share of detractors, who bemoan
the attendant traffic snarls and erosion of small-town charm, many
residents welcome the injection of excitement and status it’s brought
to a neighborhood more commonly associated with the car dealerships
to the south. (Speaking of cars and traffic: Glendale’s 15th annual
Cruise Night, when Brand is overrun by hundreds of hot rod, classic
and antique cars, happens July 19.) Still, city leaders are hopeful
Americana will bring new customers to other businesses along the
boulevard, such as the neighborhood establishments shown here.

SPEAKING VOLUMES

With its more than 100,000 titles in more than 1,400 well-organized
sections, it’s virtually impossible to leave Brand Bookshop (231
N. Brand Blvd., [818] 507-5943) empty-handed. (May we suggest James
M. Cain’s gritty noir classic set in Glendale, "Mildred Pierce"?)

ALL THAT JAZZ

Jax Bar & Grill (339 N. Brand Blvd., [818] 500-1604) serves hearty
meat ‘n’ potatoes fare (best bets: baby back ribs, Jack Daniel’s
bread pudding) to a grown-up crowd, but the true specialty of
this dimly lighted, late-night spot is jazz. Most Thursday nights,
trumpeter-singer-raconteur Jack Sheldon — the distinctive voice behind
Schoolhouse Rock’s "Conjunction Junction" and "I’m Just a Bill" —
holds court.

LET THEM EAT CAKE

The lines are long at Porto’s Bakery (315 N. Brand Blvd., [818]
956-5996), but devotees of the guava-and-cream-cheese refugiados,
potato croquetas, media noche and other Cuban-style delicacies swear
they’re worth the wait.

FEAST YOUR SENSES

Bedecked with Persian frescoes, scimitars and other antiques,
Armenian/Middle Eastern Carousel (304 N. Brand Blvd., [818] 246-7775)
is not your everyday kebabery. Weekends feature multi-course
family-style dining, live music and belly dancing.

DECO CHAMBER

A registered historic landmark, the Alex Theatre (216 N. Brand Blvd.,
[818] 243-2539) began life in 1925 as a vaudeville and silent movie
house. Closed after falling into disrepair, the Art Deco palace was
lovingly restored to its former glory in 1993 and is a performing
arts center.

ON THE WEB For more about Glendale’s Brand Boulevard and
other neighborhoods throughout Southern California, go to
theguide.latimes.com/neighborhoods