Author: Kalantarian Kevo

OUT OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES LEVON TER-PETROSIAN IS ONLY ONE TO ADMIT HIS MISTAKES IN PERSONNEL POLICY

Noyan Tapan
Feb 1, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1, NOYAN TAPAN. Four candidates for the presidency
of the RA: the first president Levon Ter-Petrosian, the current prime
minister Serge Sargsian, the leader of "Orinats Yerkir" party Artur
Baghdasarian and the head of the National Democratic Union Vazgen
Manukian previously held important state positions. Reminding this
at the February 1 discussion, the secretary of the "Zharangutyun"
("Heritage") party Stepan Safarian said that out of these candidates,
Levon Ter-Petrosian is the only one to admit the mistakes he made
previously in conducting the personnel policy. In particular, he
expressed regret at having "imposed" Robert Kocharian and Serge
Sargsian on the Armenian people. According to the representative
of "Heritage", the former prime minister V. Manukian and the
former speaker of the RA National Assembly also frequently made
petrsonnel-related mistakes during their terms of office but they
prefer not to speak about it now. In the words of S. Safarian, Serge
Sargsian and his supporters have adopted the slogan "everything is
fine, fair marquise".

S. Safarian said that the name of the future prime minister is not
given definitely in the entourage of Serge Sargsian: there are 7-8
pretenders to this post: the mayor of Yerevan Yervand Zakharian, the
chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia Tigran Sargsian, member of
the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) board Karen Karapetian and some
others. This circumstance makes these persons to harness themselves
to work hard in the election campaign of S. Sargsian, as the one to
show the greatest activity will become prime minister.

TURKEY WILL BE READY FOR EU BY 2013

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.02.2008 14:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Turkey
would have complied with the EU acquis by 2013. "Turkey is not only
an aspirant but also a member state at the moment," he said.

"Over the last five months 229 meetings were held in both Ankara and
Brussels to advance various chapters.

In the same period, 46 visits were paid to EU countries at the level
of state minister and head of government. Now the EU process is part
of Turkey’s daily work. We can’t hold back the process only because
one of the 27 EU members is discontent with something. Turkey’s full
membership is one of the most important peace projects of the 21st
century," he said, Milliyet reports.

Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor
Angela Merkel spoke out for ‘privileged partnership’ for Turkey.

NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS COUNCIL OF ARMENIA HOLDS ITS FIRST SITTING

armradio.am
01.02.2008 15:35

The first sitting of the National Competitiveness Council of Armenia
chaired by the Chairman of the Council Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan
was held on February 1st.

The National Competitiveness Council of Armenia, established
in November 2007 by the decision of the Government, is aimed at
promoting Armenia’s sustainable economic development and enhance
global competitiveness of the country.

Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan stressed the importance of the Council,
noting that it was a direct outcome of the adopted policies and
programs of the Government. He emphasized the need for identifying
the potential of the nation for promoting the sustainable development
of the country and enhancement of the public-private partnership.

A package of strategic documents presented by the Executive Director
of the Council Ms. Gayane Afrikyan was approved by the Council. It
included the mission, vision, strategic goals, the 2008 work program
and the principles of the draft National Competitiveness Strategy
of Armenia.

It was decided to continue discussions on next steps during the next
meeting. At the end of the sitting PM Serge Sargsyan gave certain
instruction.

ARKA PUBLISHES ITS RATINGS OF ARMENIA’S BANKS AS OF END OF 4TH Q 2007

ARKA News Agency
Jan 31 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, January 31. /ARKA/. ARKA information agency published the
ratings of activities of Armenia’s banks as of the end of the 4th
quarter 2007.

The bulletin is made based on unified financial reports of the
banking organizations published in the press, as well as on additional
information provided by the banks.

The bulletin "indicators of activities of Armenian banks" contains
80 pages of tabular information on banking indicators and has the
following 10 main sections describing the banking system: 1. Main
characteristics of banks, 2. Assets, 3. Obligations, 4. Active and
passive transactions of banks with non-residents, 5. Capital, 6.

Profit/Losses, 7. Information about financial flows, 8. Level of
capitalization and liquidity, 9. Standard risk indicators and 10.

Indicators of banks’ profitability and yield.

The information in the bulletin provides the general picture of the
financial state of Armenia’s banks and gives an opportunity to make
comparative analysis of their activities.

ARKA information agency has operated since May 1 1996 and specializes
in financial, economic and political information. The agency has issued
its quarterly bulletin "Indicators of the activities of Armenian banks"
since 1999 and "Crediting organizations of Armenia" quarterly bulleting
since March 2005.

Since May 2006 ARKA agency has issued "Financial indicators of banks"
as per the data of annual independent audits.

HILLARY CLINTON SUPPORTS ADOPTION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION; PLEDGES TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AS PRESIDENT

AZG Armenian Daily
29/01/2008

Armenian Genocide

Democratic Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton called for
Congressional passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution and pledged
that, as President, she will recognize the Armenian Genocide, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

"Our common morality and our nation’s credibility as a voice for
human rights challenge us to ensure that the Armenian Genocide be
recognized and remembered by the Congress and the President of the
United States," said Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY).

"Armenian Americans from across the United States welcome Hillary
Clinton’s strong support for the adoption of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, and her pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide as
President of the United States," said ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian. "Hillary Clinton’s statement, which reflects her consistent
track record of support in public office, speaks powerfully to our
community’s deeply held concerns regarding the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, the expansion of the U.S.-Armenia relationship, and
a fair and democratic resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict."As
a Senator, Hillary Clinton has, since 2002, cosponsored successive
Armenian Genocide resolutions. She joined Senate colleagues in
cosigning letters to President Bush in 2005 and 2006 urging him to
recognize the Armenian Genocide.

It’s worth to mention that Hillary’s spouse, in spite of his
pre-election promises, didn’t spoke of the fact of the Armenian
Genocide after becoming US President.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 28 2008

Books about so-called Armenian genocide translated into Arabic,
English and German in Turkey

[ 28 Jan 2008 16:51 ]

Books about the so-called Armenian genocide published in Turkish
Historical Society are translated into Arabic, English and German,
APA’s Turkey bureau reports. Chairman of Turkish Historical Society
Yusuf Halacoglu said that the world community had learnt the history
from the books serving the interests of Armenian Diaspora.
`The world will learn the historical truth, after these books are
translated. Armenian Diaspora has recently started propaganda against
the Arab world. Armenian genocide claims spread in the Arab world
now. Therefore, we decided to translate the books, which prove with
facts that Armenian genocide claims are not true, into Arabic,’ he
said. /APA/

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Jan 28 2008

Denmark does not recognize Armenian historical claims

Monday , 28 January 2008
By Kezban HURI (JTW)

COPENHAGEN – Denmark does not officially recognize that 1915 communal
clashes between Armenians, Turks and Kurds in the Ottoman time
constitute genocide, Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller said
Thursday.

"In the government’s opinion, this is a historical question that
should be left up to the historians," Moeller said in a written
parliamentary answer.

Moeller’s note came in response to a question from parliamentary
member, Morten Messerchmidt, of the far-right Danish People’s Party,
on whether "Denmark had officially recognized this genocide."

The far-rightist parliamenterian Messerchmidt told the AFP "It is
unfortunate that the Danish government refuses to join other
countries in recognizing this genocide. It is as if they fear
Turkey’s reactions."

Many Armenians and Muslims were killed in the 1915 communal clashes
when the Armenians rioted against the Ottoman State as a support of
the occupying Russian forces during the First World War. More than
520.000 Turkish and Kurdish people were massacred by the armed
Armenian nationalists. Many Jews were also killed by the Tashnak
militants in the Hakkari province. Armenia and some of the Armenian
diaspora groups label the 1915 events as genocide while the Turks
also accuse the Armenians of committing genocide against the Muslims.
Armenia does not recognise Turkey’s national borders and occupies 20
percent of another neighbouring country, Azerbaijan.

28 January 2008

The Financial, Georgia
Jan 26 2008

Armenian President and PM received the leadership of `Gazprombank’

26/01/2008 12:30 (11:09 minutes ago)

The FINANCIAL — According to Banks.AM, Armenian President and Prime
Minister received in Yerevan on January 25 the Chairman of the Board
of `Gazprombank’ Andrey Akimov and his Deputy Farid Kantserov.

Mediamax notes that in December of 2007 `Gazprombank’ purchased 80%
of shares of the Armenian `Areximbank’.

As Mediamax was told in the presidential press service, Robert
Kocharian notes that `Gazprom’ realizes large-scale programs in the
sphere of Armenian energy, and the arrival of `Gazprombank’ will
allow hoping to attract its resource and opportunities.

According to the President, in Armenia the bank will face serious
competition, since the banking system of the country develops with
high speeds, and last year five foreign banks opened their branches
in Armenia.

Robert Kocharian noted that, being quite liberal, the banking
legislation of Armenia at the same time provides for serious control
over the activities of the banks.

Andrey Akimov noted that in Armenia the bank does not expect
momentary results, it intends to carry out serious work, has
far-reaching plans and long-term projects. Chairman of the Board of
the bank assured Robert Kocharian that `Gazprombank’ will become a
`serious, reliable and reasonable partner’ for Armenia.

The delegation of `Gazprombank’ was also received today by the
Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian. He noted that the
cooperation with large and authority financial structures is one of
the priority direction of the economic policy of the Armenian
government.

VISIT OF CSTO UNITED HEADQUARTERS’ WORKING GROUP TO ARMENIA ENDS

Noyan Tapan
Jan 25, 2008

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the 2008 program
of joint operative and fighting preparedness of armed forces of
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states’ armed
forces and preparation program of the Rubezh 2008 joint commander
and headquarters’ exercise, the working group of the CSTO united
headquarters was in Armenia on January 22-25, headed by Major-General
Sergei Chuvakin, the Head of the Preparation and Use Department of
Armed Forces.

The schedule of holding Rubezh 2008 exercise was worked out during
the working consultations held in Yerevan, an agreement on creation
of exercise’s information center was reached.

As NT was informed by the RA Defence Ministry, Major-General Seyran
Ohanian, the Head of the RA Armed Forces’ General Headquarters, the
first Deputy Minister of Defence, received the members of the working
group of the CSTO united headquarters. Issues of preparation of holding
of joint commander and headquarters exercises in the territory of
Armenia were discussed during the meeting.

HOLOCAUST PROGRAM REMINDS SOCIETY TO FI GHT MASS MURDER

Oakland Press
8/opi_20080125231.shtml
Jan 25 2008
MI

The Michigan chapter of the Zionist Organization of America is hosting
a special program Sunday to honor the United Nations International
Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Advertisement

It’s a program that you should attend, if possible. It will be
enlightening, although don’t come to be amused. It will commemorate the
60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

The 2:30 p.m. Zionist program is in the Holocaust Memorial Center
– Zekelman Family Campus, at 28123 Orchard Lake Road, on the west
side of the road just north of 12 Mile Road. For information, call
(248) 282-0088.

Admittance is free, but the information you will receive is priceless,
especially for anyone with an open mind and a heart for humanity.

Two speakers will be featured in the program, titled "Confronting Evil,
Now and Then, Terrorism and Nazism."

One speaker is Henry Gleisner of Oxford, a Holocaust survivor who
successfully escaped the ghetto in Lwow, Poland. He functioned with
false documents and worked as an interpreter in German construction.

In 1944, he joined the Italian Resistance, sabotaging a German
airfield. In 1945, he served with the American military government
in Austria and helped in the liberation and rescue of the Ebenese
concentration camp. He is the author of "Defying the Fates," a
chronicle of his life story.

Also speaking is Gleisner’s grandson, Chief Warrant Officer Eric
T. Howe of California, a highly trained and decorated Marine Corps
officer. He enlisted in 1987 and has served at the American Embassies
in Panama; Belgrade, Yugoslavia; and Santiago, Chile. He also has
participated in several special operations; Operation Just Cause
(Panama), Operation Southern Watch (Iraq), Operation Vigilant Warrior
(Kuwait) and Operation Restore Hope (Somalia).

Through the years, numerous neo-Nazi and hate groups have tried to
deny the Holocaust ever happened. It’s like trying to deny the sun
rises in the east and sets in the west, but it’s frightening that so
many believe the lies.

That’s why programs such as the one at the Holocaust Memorial Center
are critical today. It’s important to remember what happened 60 years
ago and further back so that people don’t forget and can try – and
that’s a key little word – to prevent future occurrences.

Obviously, the controversial Armenian Genocide in Turkey, which began
in 1915, didn’t prevent the Holocaust during World War II. And the
latter has failed to prevent such horrors as the Darfur slaughter in
Africa, where hundreds of thousands of people have been massacred.

That doesn’t mean people and nations of good will and true humanity
should give up. That will only guarantee future butchery.

A holocaust or genocide by any other name is still the mass murder
of innocent men, women and children.

It should never be tolerated, accepted or denied.

As the title of the remembrance day program states, the "evil" needs
to be "confronted" head-on by every human whose heart has not grown
stone cold by prejudice and bigotry.

The day should be a remembrance and a commitment to continue to fight
the senseless annihilation of your fellow man.