Author: Kalantarian Kevo

CAUCASUS DOMINO
by Oleg Dvinsky

WPS Agency, Russia
What the Papers Say Weekly Review (Russia)
September 1, 2008 Monday

EVENTS IN SOUTH OSSETIA WILL CHANGE THE GEOPOLITICAL MAP OF THE REGION
FOR YEARS TO COME; Georgian escapade in South Ossetia changed the
geopolitical map of the region.

Destabilized by the Georgian move against South Ossetia, situation
in the Black Sea – Caspian Sea region remains tricky. Tension did
not even abate with withdrawal of the Russian army from the Georgian
territory in keeping with the Medvedev-Sarkozy plan.

Three NATO ships sailed into the Black Sea (German Luebeck, Spanish
Adm. Juan de Bourbon, and Polish General K. Pulaski) through the
Bosporus and their appearance did not ease the tension either. NATO
feigns innocence and claims that the ships are there for the planned
exercise and not because of the events in Georgia, but nobody is
fooled. Appearance of NATO’s surface combatants in the region when
the Russian-Georgian war barely ended is nothing short of provocation.

Tbilisi in the meantime keeps making militaristic statements and
aggressive gestures. Georgia requested $1-2 billion from the United
States for restoration of the military infrastructure. Analysts wonder
what will happen in the Black Sea – Caspian Sea region now.

The first conclusion is inescapable: Georgian aggression against
South Ossetia voided all previous international agreements concerning
political geography of the Caucasus. Absence of any global strategic
view on the region in the United States and its NATO allies,
their efforts to preserve the administrative territorial borders
set up by the Bolsheviks, lack of professionalism on the part of
Western diplomacy and provincialism on the part of the local – all
of that resulted in gross political mistakes that leave the issue of
territorial integrity of the countries of the region unanswered.

It is clear that the turn of events that already transpired in the
Balkans may repeat itself in the Caucasus. It is gradually dawning on
the international community that neither South Ossetia nor Abkhazia
will return to Georgia ever again. Neither does Nagorno-Karabakh
appear to be eager to return to Azerbaijan.

The second conclusion: The process of unification – provided it is
possible in the first place – is going to take place in no foreseeable
future. It is possible only in theory, provided the local leaders
want something like the Caucasus Confederation with an emphasis on
a common market, hard currency, and legislation rather than on the
territorial integrity principle.

The third conclusion: when Washington recovers from the emotional
shock caused by Georgia’s unexpected military-political fiasco, the
United States had better come up with a more constructive approach to
evaluation of the situation in this region. It requires an unprejudiced
view on the existing correlation of forces and exact knowledge of
America’s own national interests. It should be remembered as well
that only a chance put Georgia into the epicenter of the international
politics.

Two variants are possible. The optimistic one is as follows:
putting an end to the phase of the military-political confrontation
and transforming the Caucasus into a region of mutually beneficial
cooperation. The pessimistic one is this: unless cooperation is chosen,
the United States will be eventually ousted from the Caucasus.

As things stand, Professor Ali Demir of the University of Galatasarai
suspects that Georgian escapade in South Ossetia compromises
fulfillment of several promising economic projects Azerbaijan
counted on. The Turkish analyst does not rule out the possibility
that economic interests of the EU may shift now from Azerbaijan to
Iran with its colossal oil and gas fields. And that will mean wholly
different geopolitics.

WEEK OF LEBANON’S CULTURE BEING HELD IN ARMENIA FROM AUGUST 27 TO
SEPTEMBER 2

YEREVAN, AUGUST 29, NOYAN TAPAN. Narekatsi Art Union (NAU) with the
support of Ministries of Culture of the RA and the Republic of Lebanon,
as well as with the support of the two countries’ embassies holds a
Week of Lebanon’s Culture from August 27 to September 2. During these
days the Armenian audience will get acquainted with Lebanon’s rich
culture. A celebration devoted to the Lebanese poet Gibran Kahlil
Gibran will be held at the RA Writers’ Union, Fayha Choir will give
concerts, the performance of An Unfinished Novel will be on in the
State Puppet Theatre after Hovhannes Toumanian based on the play of the
same name by Lebanese-Armenian writer Ara Artsrouni.

Within the framework of the week an exhibition of Lebanese-Armenian
artist Raffi Antonian’s works opened at NAU on August 27. The
traditions and everyday life of the inhabitants of Mousa Dag prevail in
the thematics of the artist’s works.

As Fayha’s artistic director Pargev Taslakian noted during the
press-conference on the same day, Arabic, French, Iraqi and Armenian
songs are included in the song-list of the choir founded in 2003. Fayha
is a laureate of a number of international contests, it released its
first album in 2007, it has also participated in the musical setting of
a number of films. In 2008 the choir will perform in Italy, Egypt,
France and Lebanon.

In the words of contemporary Arab poet Henri Zogeyb, he is very glad
that Gibran Kahlil Gibran’s works are being translated into Armenian.
He hopes that Armenian readers who strive for peace, love and justice
will also be inspired by the works of the great poet.

Riad Alamedi, director of the Culture Department of Safadi Fund of
Lebanon, said that there is a great wish to organize a Week of
Armenia’s Culture in Lebanon. It was also mentioned that 500 thousand
Armenians live in Lebanon and that they have made a great contribution
to the development of Lebanese culture.

LA STRATEGIE DES ETATS-UNIS AU SUD DU CAUCASE

Le Figaro
Vendredi 29 Août 2008
France

Pour ce chercheur a l’Institut francais de geopolitique, (Paris-VIII),
une reflexion sur la crise en Georgie ne peut pas faire l’impasse sur
la politique americaine (et ses investissements financiers) dans cette
region du monde. Alors que la crise fait rage entre la Georgie et la
Russie et que les politiques de la Russie sont largement decryptees et
souvent pointees du doigt, il est necessaire, pour une comprehension
globale, de se pencher plus longuement sur la strategie americaine
au sud du Caucase.

Cette strategie depasse en general les trois petites republiques
d’Armenie, d’Azerbaïdjan et de Georgie, independantes de l’URSS fin
1991. Elle s’intègre a des logiques pour l’influence en Eurasie,
immense region du monde hautement strategique et concept geopolitique
largement usite outre-Atlantique. Pour les stratèges americains,
la plupart des tendances confondues, la securite du monde depend
largement de la stabilite, et donc du contrôle, de l’Eurasie, qui
abrite, en outre, environ 75 % des reserves energetiques mondiales.

La region au sud du Caucase est situee aux marges de plusieurs grands
ensembles qui s’y disputent l’influence. Traditionnel pre carre de
la Russie, c’est aussi une zone d’influence naturelle pour l’Iran
et la Turquie qui y ont joue un rôle historique majeur. Depuis la
chute de l’URSS, deux nouveaux acteurs s’ajoutent a cette liste :
l’Union europeenne et, en particulier, les Etats-Unis.

La politique americaine s’y est mise en place peu a peu, surtout
dans la seconde moitie des annees 1990. Ce sont les ressources
energetiques de la mer Caspienne, depuis revues a la baisse, qui ont
attire l’attention des leaders americains. Un rapprochement net s’est
alors opere entre Washington et l’Azerbaïdjan, qui contrôle une partie
de la production et de l’acheminement de ces ressources. L’oleoduc
BTC (Bakou-Tbilissi-Ceyhan), double ensuite du gazoduc BTE
(Bakou-Tbilissi-Erzurum), est le symbole de ce rapprochement. Ce
projet de grande envergure a permis la consolidation d’un axe de
cooperation Ouest-Est (incluant notamment les Etats-Unis, la Turquie,
la Georgie et l’Azerbaïdjan), tandis que la Russie, qui contrôlait
jusque-la l’acheminement des energies caspiennes et d’Asie centrale
vers l’ouest, l’Iran, mais aussi l’Armenie, en sont exclus.

Dans le meme temps, et non sans quelques difficultes, les Etats-Unis
s’impliquent dans la resolution du conflit du Haut-Karabakh, entre
l’Azerbaïdjan et l’Armenie, dont ils sont en charge avec la Russie
et la France, via le groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE. Alors que l’executif
americain exprimait avec retenue une certaine sympathie pour le
partenaire azeri, le Congrès, presse en ce sens par la communaute
armeno-americaine, votait l’allocation d’aides financières annuelles
importantes a l’Armenie, et un gel de ces memes aides a l’Azerbaïdjan
(gel effectif jusqu’en 2002). Cette aide financière americaine directe
est l’une des plus elevees du monde par habitant, et se monte a plus
d’un milliard de dollars depuis l’independance de l’Armenie. De meme,
la Georgie est aussi devenue un des recipiendaires de cette aide
financière, et est elle aussi un des rares pays d’Eurasie a avoir recu
plus d’un milliard de dollars des Etats-Unis depuis 1992. Depuis peu,
l’Armenie et la Georgie sont membres du programme americain Millennium,
dont le but est de fournir une assistance a un nombre restreint de
pays a bas revenu qui, selon des critères etablis par le gouvernement
americain, mettent en oeuvre des politiques de developpement viables,
investissent dans leur peuple, et encourage la liberte economique.

Un autre outil de politique etrangère remarque est la cooperation
militaire que les Etats-Unis ont mise en place avec les trois pays de
la region, soit de manière bilaterale, soit via l’Otan. Les trois pays
sont membres du Partenariat pour la paix de l’Organisation atlantique
(PpP) et ont chacun signe en 2005 un plan d’action individuel pour
le partenariat (Ipap) avec elle. L’Ipap est souvent considere comme
le degre le plus pousse de cooperation avant l’integration. Sur les
trois republiques, seule l’Armenie, proche de la Russie qui est son
alliee sur le plan militaire, a fait savoir qu’elle ne souhaitait pas
integrer pleinement l’Otan. La Georgie et, de manière plus discrète,
l’Azerbaïdjan ont clairement affiche leur souhait d’integrer
l’organisation.

Ces divers rapprochements entre les Etats-Unis et les republiques
au sud du Caucase sont percus par la Russie comme autant de reculs
de sa propre influence regionale. D’autant que le soutien, au moins
indirect, de Washington aux " revolutions de velours " qui ont mis
a la tete de la Georgie et de l’Ukraine des leaders pro-occidentaux,
ou encore la volonte americaine d’installer un bouclier antimissile
en Pologne et en Republique tchèque, ont ete percus par la Russie
comme des signes d’hostilite a son egard.

La region au sud du Caucase est donc bien un des enjeux, et sans
doute non des moindres, du " grand jeu " americano-russe. Le bras de
fer diplomatique entre Moscou et Washington et dont la Georgie et
les republiques autoproclamees d’Ossetie du Sud et d’Abkhazie sont
aujourd’hui l’enjeu principal doit etre interprete au travers de ce
prisme. Ainsi, pour une bonne comprehension de la situation, il faut
certes tenir compte de la volonte russe de garder la main dans son
" etranger proche ", mais ne pas occulter non plus les ambitions
americaines sur ces regions.

"La politique americaine s’y est mise en place peu a peu, surtout dans
la seconde moitie des annees 1990. Ce sont les ressources energetiques
de la mer Caspienne qui ont attire l’attention de Washington "

–Boundary_(ID_241ToEcFFzj2sbJvFJs1kw)–

YURI SHEDRIN: "AZERBAIJAN IS, UNDOUBTEDLY, RUSSIA’S MAIN PARTNER IN THE REGION"

Today.Az
siness/47254.html
Aug 28 2008
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with Yuri Shedrin, head of Russia’s trade
representation in Azerbaijan.

– Do you think the situation, established in Georgian-Russian
relations, will influence Russia’s economic presence in the South
Caucasus? Will the Russian side focus on the trade and economic
cooperation with Azerbaijan and Armenia? If yes, in which spheres
will it concentrate this cooperation?

– The trade representation can not analyze the political situation in
the world. As regards Russia’s presence in the South Caucasus region,
Azerbaijan is, undoubtedly, its main partner with its trade turnover
exceeding this trade indicator with Georgia and Armenia by 1.4 times
altogether. I consider it unfounded to worsen our bilateral trade and
economic relations for the further perspective. Moreover, I hope for
significant progress in mutually profitable investment cooperation.

– How did the July visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to
Azerbaijan influence the development of economic relations between
Russia and Azerbaijan? Have you noticed any progress as regards the
unsettled issues?

– First I all, I would like to note that Azerbaijan was one of
the first foreign countries, which President of Russia Medvedev
visited. This proves the external political priorities of our country.

The process and results of the visit were covered by the mass media
in details. Therefore, without boring you with details, I would
like to state with confidence that the talks on the high level,
conducted in friendly and constructive environment, signing of a
joint declaration on friendship and strategic partnership, as well
as a number of other bilateral documents will be a new stimulus for
the Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation, including in trade and economic
sector. It is not by accident that the official Russian delegation
included the minister of energy, heads of federal departments of the
economic bloc and such big companies, as Lukoil, Gazprom, Transneft,
Russian railroads, Vneshtorgbank, heads of frontier subjects of Russia.

I suppose that in the near future we will witness implementation
of joint and regional projects in the sphere of energy, industry,
transport and others. This, as well as indicators of the trade turnover
between our countries in the first half of this year ($1,042 bln),
allow to propose the execution of the task, set by Medvedev for
hitting the 2 bln limit in mutual trade by the end of the year.

– What can you say about the coordination of the document on mutual
protection and encouragement of investments and can it be possibly
signed during the next session of the intergovernmental commission
on economic cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan? Russian mass
media have spread information that the reason of the failure to agree
was Russia’s demand of more privileged conditions of support of its
investments. Is it true?

– Unfortunately, there have been no significant progress at the talks
on the draft intergovernmental agreement on encouragement and mutual
protection of investments. The main cause is again the differences
between the parties on the order and terms of effectiveness of the
said document. I consider the thoughts about any other demands of the
Russian side on this issue to be false. Naturally, we would like this
agreement to be signed by the end of this year, which would allow
bringing our investment cooperation to quite a new level.

– Have the terms and site for conduction of the next session of the
commission been defined yet?

– I hope that the next 12th session of the intergovernmental commission
will be held in Q3 of this year in Baku, as fixed in the protocol
of the next session of the commission. The final decision on this
issue will be passed by the commission co-chairs, including Russian
Energy Minister Shmatko and first deputy Premier of Azerbaijan Eyubov,
who are maintaining a constructive dialogue.

– What do you think are the most urgent aspects of bilateral relations,
to be discussed at the session?

– As a rule, during the sessions the commission discusses a wide
range of issues of our cooperation in the economic, scientific and
technical and humanitarian spheres. The recent 11th session of the
commission, which considered about 30 different issues, was not an
exception. Their implementation is under constant control of the
national secretariats of the commission and, certainly, the trade
representation, in the framework of its powers. I suppose that in
the conceptual plan, the next session will primarily consider issues
of implementation of well-known agreements, attained during the July
visit of Russian President to Baku.

It is planning to ratify the corrected measures to the program of a
long-term economic cooperation for period until 2010, hear reports
of the heads of the joint work group, created for assessment of
the technical state of a bridge via the Samur river. Certainly, the
sides will also discuss execution of agreements in different economic
spheres, in the sphere of regional and frontier cooperation, as well
as humanitarian sector. I hope that serious attention will be paid
to the further development of the contract basis of the bilateral
cooperation and other measures, aimed to create favorable conditions
for the interaction of the business circles of the two countries.

– Which steps are taken to intensify the operation of control
checkpoints at the Russian-Azerbaijani border?

– The question is urgent enough, as a car checkpoint on the
Russian-Azerbaijani border is too narrow for conducting of the growing
volumes of mutual cargo and passenger transportations. The motor bridge
via the Samur river is in a disastrous state. In line with the decision
of the commission, a joint commission was created in February of this
year to examine its technical state and develop due decisions. The
members of the commission, led by deputy Foreign Ministries of Russia
and Azerbaijan, visited the spot in May of this year and they will
soon present their recommendations. It is important that during the
visit of Russian President Medvedev to Baku the customs services
of Russia and Azerbaijan signed an agreement on cooperation in the
sphere of combat with customs crimes. I hope that while fulfilling
the resolutions of the 11th session of the commission, the frontier
and customs services will take all measures for improvement of the
operation of border checkpoints with participation of the Transport
Ministers of both countries.

– Are Russian officials or business circle representatives expected
to visit Azerbaijan?

– A delegation of Astrakhan, led by chairman of the government
Markelov, intends to visit Azerbaijan soon. In turn, the organizers
of the Azerbaijan-Turkmen conference on problems of economy, energy
and ecology, to be held in Baku in early September of this year,
have invited the concerned Russian business circles, including those,
representing the Caspian littoral subjects of Russia, to attend the
conference. The number of mutual contacts in the framework of business
partnership is endless.

– Are there any preliminary agreements regarding spheres of cooperation
between Azerbaijan and Astrakhan? Do you know which Russian companies
will attend the conference, organized by Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan?

– First of all, during the visit it is planning to discuss the
implementation of an intergovernmental agreement on trade and
economic, scientific and technical and cultural cooperation, signed
in 2004. The development of bilateral partner relations in the sphere
of shipbuilding, marine and air transportations, trade, restoration
of biological resources of the Caspian Sea, education, science and
culture is an urgent question. Representatives of 11 leading Russian
companies, engaged in exploration, production and transportation of
Caspian hydrocarbons, have been invited to attend the the conference,
organized by Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

– How is the problem of deficit of stable communication between
Azerbaijan and Russia’s regions (for example, absence of a ferry and
direct air communication between Astrakhan and Baku) settled?

– There is no special deficit of transport communication between
Russian regions and Azerbaijan. They are connected with numerous
railway, motor and aviation routes. For example, the Nalchik-Baku
air transportations will start operating soon. I suppose that during
Markelov’s visit to Azerbaijan, the sides will reach an agreement
on opening of a direct air flight between Astrakhan and Baku and
organization of ferry transportations between the ports of Baku and
Olya (Astrakhan).

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.

569

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