Author: Kalantarian Kevo

OLYMPIC CHAMPION ISRAEL MILITOSIAN TURNS 40

Noyan Tapan

Au g 26, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The famous Armenian weightlifter
Israel Militosian (Gyumri) turned 40 on August 25. He has been a
champion and prize-winner of the USSR, the world, European champonships
and Olympic Games. As a member of the USSR Olympic team he won a
silver medal at the Seoul Olympic Games and became a champion of the
Barcelona Olympic Games.

I. Militosian is an Honored Master of Sports of the USSR. He is
currently the director of the Gyumri weighlifting school of the RA
ministry of sport and youth issues.

THE FINAL STAGE OF "RUBEZH-2008" TOOK PLACE

; p=0&id=631&y=2008&m=08&d=25
22.08. 08

On August 22, 2008 the last forth phase of "Rubezh-2008" took place
at the military school after H. Bakhramyan. The RA President Serzh
Sargsyan, RA Defense minister S. Ohanyan, the Secretary General of
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Nikolay Borduzha and
other officials were present.

Before the beginning of the military exercises the whole military
technique included in the exercises were presented to the guests and
militaries. The guests with great interest examined especially the
ammunitions produced in the military-industrial offices of Armenia.

Colonel-Lieutenant Miqael Grigoryan informed that about 2500 servicemen
from Armenia and Russia, 496 points military technique etc took part in
the exercises. "Such military exercises are being held in our country
for the first time. The exercises consist of four phases with three
levels – military, operative and strategic", the RA Defense Minister
Seyran Ohanyan said and noted that the bodies of state governance of
Armenia were also included in the exercises.

During the exercises the participants expressed high psychological
qualities, readiness and professionalism. So the relationship between
the member countries of CSTO is more tightened.

It was a very important step in providing the region by collective
security.

The armed forces of the CSTO member countries got a new quality.

Tthe Secretary General of the CSTO Nikolay Borduzha said that the
fourth phase of exercises was the most difficult one. Generally
"Rubezh-2008" was a great experiment for the participants and the
organization. To the question if CSTO will help its member countries
in the case of menace Nikolay Borduzha answered that it is a technique
question and will depend on the thing how CSTO will be able to prepare
its armed forces.

At the end of the exercises there was a solemn march. The RA
President greeted first the Armenian-Russian united army then gave
them encouraging gifts.

Catholic News Agency, CO
Aug 24 2008

Saint of the day: ST. BARTHOLOMEW, APOSTLE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2008

Saint Bartholomew is one of the Twelve Apostles, mentioned sixth in
the three Gospel lists (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14), and
seventh in the list of Acts (1:13). The name (Bartholomaios) means
"son of Talmai" which was an ancient Hebrew name.

Besides being listed as an Apostle, he is not otherwise mentioned in
the New Testament. At least not under the name Bartholomew: many
ancient writers, and Catholic tradition have identified Bartholomew as
Nathaniel in the Gospel of John (John 1:45-51, and 21:2).

The Gospel passage read at Mass on the feast of Saint Bartholomew is
precisely this passage from John (1:45-51) where Nathaniel is
introduced to Jesus by his friend Phillip, and Jesus says of him "Here
is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him (1:47)."

We are presented with the Apostle’s character in this brief and
beautiful dialogue with the Lord Jesus. He is a good Jew, honest and
innocent, a just man, who devotes much time to quiet reflection and
prayer – "under the fig tree (1:48)" – and has been awaiting the
Messiah, the Holy One of God.

At Jesus’ mention that "Before Philip called you, when you were under
the fig tree, I saw you (1:48)," Nathaniel responded "Rabbi, you are
the Son of God! You are the King of Israel (1:49)!"

Being "a true child of Israel," Nathaniel was a man well-read in the
Scriptures and knew what they said of the Messiah and where he would
come from. This is why he is skeptical of Phillip’s claim that Jesus
is the Messiah, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth (1:46)?"

But Nathaniel was lacking "duplicity" – that is, his heart was
undivided, his intentions pure – his openness to reality was always
ready to recognize and surrender to the truth when he encountered
it. He remained open to his friend Phillip’s invitation to "Come and
see (1:46)."

In encountering Jesus and hearing His words, he found himself face to
face with the Truth Himself, and, like John the Baptist’s leap in his
mother’s womb at the Lord’s presence, Nathaniel’s words lept out of
his own heart in a clear and simple confession of faith, "Rabbi, you
are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"

Jesus, in Matthew 5:8, says, "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they
shall see God." In Nathaniel we have an example of the pure man who
sees – recognizes – God when confronted with Him, and on seeing Him
believes in Him, and upon believing in Him follows Him.

Nothing is known for sure about the life of Nathaniel/Bartholomew
after the Ascension of Jesus. But tradition has it that he preached in
the East and died a martyr’s death in Armenia, being flayed alive for
having won converts to the Lord Jesus.

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World Markets Research Centres
Global Insight
August 22, 2008

Armenian Trade Gap Remains Deep in January-July as Export Growth
Stalls

by Venla Sipila

The latest trade figures from the Armenian National Statistical
Service give little hope of any swift improvement in Armenia’s
external balances. Indeed, the first seven months of 2008 saw
Armenia’s exports fall by 0.2% in annual comparison, totalling 192.6
billion dram ($640US million) for the seven-month period, ARKA News
reports. At the same time, imports surged by 40.9% y/y and totalled
703.4 billion dram. Over July alone, exports increased by 8.7% while
imports grew by 10.5% from June. July developments brought the trade
deficit for the first seven months of 2008 to 510.8 billion dram. Over
last year, Armenia’s trade gap soared by 73% from 2006, totalling over
$2US billion.

Significance:Persistently very robust domestic demand keeps fuelling
imports. While high international commodity prices have boosted import
value, the strong appreciation trend of the dram, on the other hand,
has had the opposite effect as a strengthening exchange rate has made
imports more affordable in dram terms. However, there still should be
some scope for appreciation before a clear deteriorating effect on
export competitiveness is likely to take hold. However, at the same
time, export potential remains limited, to an extent dependent on
diamond trade. Thus, it would be important for Armenia to continue
firmly on its well-started structural reform path, so that its export
earnings capacity improves before dram strengthening starts to have a
clear deteriorating effect on external competitiveness. Given that
domestic demand is holding surprisingly well, imports are likely to
keep growing at a rapid rate in the near term. Moreover, Armenia has
agreed with Russia to bring gas prices charged by Russia’s Gazprom to
market prices by 2011, and this will boost the import bill looking
forward.

Panorama.am
20:42 22/08/2008

HUNTING SEASON OPENED

80% of Armenian authorities and the second President of Armenia Robert
Kocharyan are the members of `National Union of Armenian Hunters’ NGO,
said Grigor Grigoryan, the chairman of the organization in the opening
ceremony of hunting season. According to him not all the
member-authorities take part in organized hunting as they are busy.

By the decision of the minister on August 11 hunting season will be
announced open on August 23. This time the hunting period is longer `
till March for some types.

Note that the type and quantity of the animals have been specified
before.

Source: Panorama.am

Panorama.am

17:26 23/08/2008

Call of the civil society representatives upon the Governments in
Ankara, Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan

A number of Civil Society Organizations from Armenia, Turkey, Georgia
and the USA have signed a statement urging to open the
Turkish-Armenian border for at least 10-15 days.

`Open up to your neighbors!’
Call of the civil society representatives upon the Governments in
Ankara, Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan.

The war in Georgia has left the countries of the South Caucasus
struggling with substantial risks and challenges. As a consequence of
the recent crisis, which further exacerbated an impasse created by the
existence of the protracted conflicts, the region is deprived of a
vital vain to transport goods through the countries of the
region. That is a matter of our strongest concern. The railroad
running through Georgia is practically useless today because of the
destruction of the bridge near Gori, whereas reconstruction is being
delayed for different reasons. This situation and its consequences
threaten to deprive people in our countries of their basic rights and
endanger their hopes for stability, security and prosperity.

This crisis should make us assess the situation realistically and
initiate a new age of cooperation. The Governments in Ankara, Baku,
Tbilisi and Yerevan have a unique chance to prove their credentials of
good neighbors willing to contribute positively to the regional peace
and stability. We request them to take a collective action and unblock
immediately railroad communication networks in the region.

We made our own calculations that we would like to share with the
public. Any train can reach from Samsun on the Black Sea coast of
Turkey to Yerevan in 34 hours, to Tbilisi in 36 hours and to Baku in
49 hours. From Mersin, which is on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey,
it will take 37, 39 and 52 hours respectively. This simple. The
railroad can become functional in few hours, once a political decision
is made.

Thus, we urge to open the Turkish-Armenian border at least for 10-15
days to address the urgency in the Caucasus.

For years we have been engaged in Track Two Diplomacy projects and
have been able to build excellent working relations with our
colleagues across those borders. Having enjoyed the positive
experience of cooperation, we would like to take this opportunity to
call upon the Governments in Ankara, Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan to
reconsider their positions on that matter. We urge our leaders to
demonstrate their statecraft in these times of turbulence and
uncertainty and prevent possible escalation of distrust in this
region.

Signatories:
Tevan Poghosyan, International Center for Human Development, Armenia
Noyan Soyak, Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council, Turkey
Natela Sakhokia, Strategic research Centre, Georgia
David L. Phillips, Columbia University, Visiting Scholar, Center for
the Study of Human Rights
Co-Director, Study Group on U.S.-Russian and Georgian Relations, the USA
Dr. Murat Cagatay, GAYA Research Institute, Turkey
Artush Lazarian, Chairman, Caucasian Center for Proposing
Non-Traditional Conflict Resolution Methods, Gyumri, Armenia
Guran Abashidze, Caucasus Business and Development Network, Tbilisi, Georgia
Klara Galstyan, Director, Gyumri Development Foundation, Armenia
Levon Barseghyan, `Asparez’ Journalist Club, Gyumri, Armenia
Alu Gamakharia, Caucasus Business and Development Network, Kutaisi, Georgia
Betty J. Sitka, American University, Center for Global Peace, the USA "

Source: Panorama.am

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
Aug 23 2008

Armenian expert Gagik Arutyunyan: "If there is a threat of armed
conflict to Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia will immediately sign a treaty
of alliance"

23 August 2008 [12:24] – Today.Az

The legal recognition of Nagorno Karabakh’s independence by Armenia is
possible any time and if it does not occur, there are probably
definite grounds, said head of the Noravank scientific research center
Gagik Arutyunyan.

"If I am not mistaken, the Armenian President said that in case there
is a threat of armed conflict to Nagorno Karabakh, we will immediately
sign the due treaty of alliance on the same day. I think, it is
currently not suitable for Armenia to recognize Nagorno Karabakh’s
independence", noted he.

The expert considers that the legal recognition of Nagorno Karabakh or
signing any treaty by Armenia in the negotiation process will not be
effective, as "we are de-facto united". He said on the current stage
Armenia’s recognition of Nagorno Karabakh’s independence will be
purely declarative. "This is rather a show than a serious political
step", announced Arutyunyan.

As regards the possible recognition of independence of Abkhazia and
South Ossetia by Armenia, the expert noted that it is necessary to pay
attention to the conduct of the world community and not to be
"pioneers" in this case.

"Russia will be the first to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but
the recognognition is not likely to be of global scale, like it was in
case of Kosovo. Yet, naturally, there will be other countries,
alongside with Russia, which will recognize their independence", noted
he.

The expert also announced that the self-declared "Nagorno Karabakh
Republic" takes a balanced position in the relations with Abkhazia and
South Ossetia and it did not sign any binding documents and the recent
developments proved the correctness of such a position.

"Imagine that Nagorno Karabakh, like Abkhazia, was obliged to conduct
certain military actions or fulfill military commitments", noted the
expert.

As for the prospects of further relations between Nagorno Karabakh and
Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the expert said that it is early to
establish closer formal and legal relations. "It can be discussed
after independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is recognized", noted
he.

"Abkhazia and South Ossetia will certainly maintain ties with
unrecognized Nagorno Karabakh, as it meets their interests: ""Nagorno
Karabakh Republic" has always… provided its assistance when
possible. I hope that this cooperation will continue developing",
concluded the political scientist.

/Regnum/

URL:

AZERI DAILY CRITICIZES TURKEY’S HANDLING OF GEORGIAN-RUSSIAN CONFLICT

BBC Monitoring International Reports
August 21, 2008 Thursday

An Azerbaijani independent daily has described as "insincere" Turkey’s
handling of the conflict between Georgia and Russia.

Russian-language Zerkalo said on 21 August that Turkey, which is a
NATO member, is openly aiding Russia. While Turkey backed the NATO
declaration on Georgia, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
failed to condemn Russia’s invasion of Georgia during his visit to
Baku on 20 August, Zerkalo said.

The paper also criticized Ankara for its failure to discuss the idea
of a Caucasus stability pact with its NATO allies, including the
USA. The Caucasus Home, suggested by Turkey, is to include Turkey,
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia and Russia.

"Apparently, the Turkish leadership has an illusion that the
Kremlin will be reckoning with its opinion in geopolitical issues
in the region," Zerkalo said. "In fact, Erdogan is suggesting that
Azerbaijan toe Russia’s line. This is a dangerous path which will
sooner or later make Azerbaijan a vassal of Russia."

The daily said that the reason for Turkey’s behaviour could be its
attempt to delay the regional countries’ Euroatlantic integration.

"Up until today, Turkey was the ‘last barrier’ on NATO’s southeastern
flank. However, after the regional countries integrate into the
Euroatlantic space, Turkey will lose this significance for the
West. This is where its interests coincide with those of Russia,"
Zerkalo said.

NEW STATE COMMITTEE SET UP IN ARMENIA

Mediamax
Aug 20 2008
Armenia

Yerevan, 20 August: Under a decree signed by Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan, the State Customs Committee and the State Tax Service
were merged into the Committee on State Incomes under the Armenian
government.

Under another decree signed by the president, Vahram Baghdasaryan
was relieved of the post of the head of the State Tax Service, and
Gagik Khachatryan, who earlier headed the State Customs Committee,
was appointed chairman of the Committee on State Incomes under the
Armenian government, the press service of the Armenian President has
told Mediamax.

THE TRANSIT RAILWAY BRIDGE WILL BE RECOVERED IN 1-2 WEEKS

armradio.am
20.08.2008 16:48

The transit railway bridge, which was bombarded in August 16, is being
recovered in Georgia for soon transportation of cargos. The transit
railway bridge has not been used for a long time and now it s in a
bad situation.

The Press serving of the "South Caucasian railway" informs that 57
wagons of bread-stuff are waiting in the territory of Georgia to
left for Armenia. 12 colleagues of the "South Caucasian railway"
left for Georgia to take part in the reconstruction works of the
bridge. According to the got information about 1-2 weeks will be
required for recovering the bombarded bridge.