Author: Kalashian Nyrie

OPPOSITION DOES NOT RULE OUT THAT A DEAL BETWEEN YEREVAN AND ANKARA BEING REALIZED REGARDING KARABAKH CONFLICT

Noyan Tapan

Se p 11, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The opposition is concerned that
the visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul is being used by Serzh
Sargsyan as a cover for legitimation of his power, coordinator of the
center of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) Levon Zurabian stated
at the September 11 press conference.

Accoridng to him, the ANC is even more concerned about Turkey’s
increased role in the issue of settlement of the Karabakh
conflict, in particular, the possibility of its getting the role
of a mediator in this conflict – with the connivance of Armenian
authorities. L. Zurabian reminded that Turkey has repeatedly tried
to act as a mediator in the Karabakh conflict, but the Armenian side
has never allowed it, taking into account the fact that Turkey cannot
be an impartial mediator.

As regards the further role of the OSCE Minsk Group in resolution of
the Karabakh conflict, L. Zurabian noted that today there is talk of
this format’s inefficiency. In his words, the opposition is worried
about Turkey’s becoming active and the relative inactivity of the
Minsk Group, especially as the relations of two members of the Minks
Group – Russia and the U.S. have become strained: "We are concerned
that a deal between Armenian and Turkish authorities is being realized
regarding the resolution of the Karabakh conflict," L. Zurabian said.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 689-7810
Fax: (212) 689-7168
Email: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

September 11, 2008

WE PAUSE TO REMEMBER..
Today, Thursday, September 11, is the seventh anniversary of the
terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. We pause to
remember the thousands who perished and their families who continue to mourn
the loss of their loved ones. We give thanks for the thousands who survived,
exiting the World Trade Center before the collapse of the towers that
defined the New York skyline. And let us also remember and pray for the many
workers at Ground Zero who today are seriously ill as a result of their
recovery efforts.

VICAR PARTICIPATES IN SEPTEMBER 11 COMMEMORATION
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General of the Prelacy, will participate in the
World Trade Center Floating Lanterns Ceremony this evening on the shores of
the Hudson River. The annual commemoration is sponsored by the Interfaith
Center of New York, New York Disaster Interfaith Services, and the New York
Buddhist Temple.

CATHOLICOS ARAM AND EASTERN PRELACY EXPRESS CONDOLENCES
TO ARMENIAN DIOCESES IN IRAN
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, sent a
letter of condolence to Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of the Diocese
of Tehran following the tragic death of 16 Iranian Armenian pilgrims
in a bus accident in eastern Turkey near the Iranian border. Many others
were injured. The crash took place near the town of Dogubayazit in the
province of Agri. The Armenian tourists had completed a week visiting
historical Armenian sites in eastern Turkey. According to reports, the bus
driver lost control of the bus, crashing off the road. Bishop Nishan
Topouzian, the Prelate of the Iranian Azerbaijan diocese, went to the crash
site with Iranian regional government officials to assist
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar, sent condolences to Bishop Nishan on behalf of
the Prelate Archbishop Oshagan who is enroute to New York from Lebanon.

RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS TO MEET
The Prelacy’s Religious and Executive Councils will convene their
monthly meetings tomorrow and Saturday, September 12 and 13, at the Prelacy
offices in New York.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL VISIT TROY, NEW YORK
On Sunday, September 14, Archbishop Oshagan will celebrate the Divine
Liturgy at Holy Cross Church, Troy, New York. He will be assisted by the
pastor, Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian. The Prelate will also preside over the
parish’s 50th anniversary celebration and the 50th anniversary of the
Prelacy’s affiliation with the Holy See of Cilicia, at a dinner following
the church services. Jack Mardoian, Esq., chairman of the Prelacy’s
Executive Council will accompany the Prelate. See calendar of events for
more details.

VICAR GENERAL WILL TRAVEL TO CLEVELAND
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at
Holy Cross Church, Cleveland, Ohio, this Sunday, September 14.

LINKED IN: A WEEKEND WORKSHOP FOR STUDENTS & PROFESSIONALS
Are you looking for a way to connect with friends and with your church?
Would you like to learn more about your Armenian spiritual heritage?
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the
Catholicosate of Cilicia, a workshop for students and professionals (ages 18
to 35) will take place September 26 to 28, at St. Mary Coptic Orthodox
Retreat Center in Charlton, Massachusetts. Along with lectures and
workshops, Linked In will feature small group discussions, Bible study, and
an intimate Sunday-morning Divine Liturgy celebrated by the Prelacy’s newest
clergyman, Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian.
For more details click
Direct your questions via email to [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE: The registration form is now on the web page. Don’t delay. Send
in your form right away as space is limited. Click
f.

ANNIVERSARY BANQUET SET FOR OCTOBER 25
The dual anniversaries of the 110th anniversary of the establishment of
the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and the 50th
anniversary of the Prelacy’s affiliation with the Great House of Cilicia
will be marked with a gala banquet on Saturday, October 25, at the Marriott
at Glenpointe in Teaneck New Jersey. An exhibit about the history of the
Prelacy and a DVD film, "A Journey of Faith" will be on display during the
cocktail hour.

CATHOLICOS ARAM MEETS WITH SYRIAN PRESIDENT;
MEETS WITH PATRIARCHS HAZIM AND ZAKKA
His Holiness Aram I met with the President of Syria, Basher Al-Assad, in
the Presidential Palace in Damascus this week. The Pontiff and the President
met for more than an hour discussing issues related to the Armenian
community of Syria, the bilateral relations between Syria and Lebanon, the
Middle East peace process, and interfaith dialogue.
The Syrian president praised the Catholicos’ role in the ecumenical and
interfaith spheres. President Al-Assad promised to visit the St. Karasnits
Mangants Church in Aleppo in the presence of His Holiness. Also attending
the meeting were: Bishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate of the Diocese of
Aleppo; Mr. Tsolag Tutelian, member of the Central Committee; Sounboul
Sounboulian, Armenian deputy in the Syrian Parliament; Daron Avedissian,
chairman of the Lay Council of the Diocese of Aleppo; Mesrob Shirinian, the
Catholicosate of Cilicia’s representative in Damascus; and Father Mesrob
Sarkissian, staff bearer.
During his visit to Damascus, Catholicos Aram met with the spiritual
heads of the Greek Orthodox Church, Patriarch Hazim IV, and the Syrian
Orthodox Church, Patriarch Zakka I.

OUTREACH ONLINE
The September 2008 issue of Outreach (Volume 30, Number 1) is at the
printers and will be mailed next week. For a sneak preview click
df.

MAJOR RENOVATION UNDERWAY AT ST. ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL
Major renovation of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City is
continuing. Archbishop Oshagan is a frequent on-site visitor to monitor the
progress. The Prelate reports that right now there is dust everywhere, but
he can already see that when it is completed it is going to be beautiful!
Until the interior renovation is completed the Divine Liturgy is being
offered every Sunday at 10:40 a.m. at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th
Street, Woodside, New York.

WLIW TO BROADCAST ARMENIAN FILMS
Next Wednesday, September 17, at 8 pm, PBS station WLIW (Channel 21 in
New York metro area) will re-broadcast two films: "The Armenian Genocide"
followed by "The Armenian Americans." The director of the films, Andrew
Goldberg will be in the studio. The New York Times described "The Armenian
Genocide" film as "powerful" and a fitting honor for "the victims of the
Armenian genocide and also pays tribute to dissidents in Turkey who are
brave enough to speak out despite government censorship."

DATEVIK HOVANESIAN AT JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER
This Tuesday, September 15, Jazz at Lincoln Center presents the Datevik
Hovanesian Quintet. For information 212-259-5858.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, September 11, are: 2 Corinthians
9:19-10:6; Mark 9:13-26.
I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ-I
who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am
away!-I ask that when I am present I need not show boldness by daring to
oppose those who think we are acting according to human standards. Indeed,
we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human
standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they
have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every
proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every
thought captive to obey Christ. We are ready to punish every disobedience
when your obedience is complete. (2 Corinthians 10:1-6)

EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
This Sunday, September 14, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of
the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khachverats), which is one of the five
Tabernacle (Daghavar) Feasts commemorated by the Armenian Church.
This holiday is a general celebration of the Cross and is commemorated
by all of Christendom. Most churches celebrate it on September 14; the
Armenian Church celebrates it on the Sunday closest to the 14th. This year
it happens that Sunday is the 14th of September.
The Cross, once a means of death for criminals, gradually became the
dominant symbol of the Christian world and an object of reverence and
worship. There are four feasts of the Holy Cross in the Armenian liturgical
calendar, with the Exaltation being the most important. The other three are
Apparation of the Cross; Holy Cross of Varak; and Discovery of the Cross.
The ceremony begins with the decoration of the Cross with sweet basil
(rehan), symbolizing the "living cross." After the Bible readings, the
officiating priest lefts the Cross and makes the sign of the cross with it,
and blesses the four corners of the world (Andastan) and asks the Almighty
to grant peace and prosperity to the people of the world.
The Khachverats ceremony was prepared by Catholicos Sahag Dzoraporetsi
(677-703). He is also the composer of the hymn sung on this occasion. As
with other Tabernacle Feasts, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is preceded
by a period of Fasting (Monday to Friday), and followed by a Memorial Day
(Monday).
There are many Armenian churches named Holy Cross (Sourp Khatch). Within
the Eastern Prelacy, we have four: Washington, DC; Ocala, Florida; Troy, New
York; Cleveland, Ohio. Perhaps the most famous is the Church of the Holy
Cross on the island of Akhtamar on Lake Van, built in the tenth century.
Names commemorated this Sunday include: Khatchadour, Khatchig,
Khatcheres, Rehan, Khatchkhatoun, Khachouhi, Khachperouhi, Khosrov,
Khosrovanoush, Khosrovitoukhd.

MEDITATION ON THE CROSS
What is the meaning of the Cross? Is it a symbol or the reality of how
much God loves us? If we ask the question whether God loves us or not, all
we have to do is look at Christ on the Cross. Can there be a greater
expression of God’s unconditional love for all of us than the fact that
Christ gave His life on the reality of the Cross for our redemption. If we
have to think about that at any length then perhaps it is a time to examine
our Christianity.
As you worship this week take a moment to look at the icon of the
crucifixion of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Contemplate and think about
the fact that the very Cross that He died upon for us became the reality of
the victory of life over death, light over darkness, and of goodness over
evil. This is the essence of what we believe as Orthodox Christians.
St. Paul wrote to the Romans, "If God is for us who can be against us?"
The Cross is the reality that God is our greatest advocate. If we truly
believe God is with us, then we can be assured that whatever life may bring,
God will be there to help and guide us. Remember the sacrifice Christ made
for us. If we seek the definition of love, let us look at Christ upon the
Cross and ask: Am I worth dying for?
Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian, Pastor
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover,
Massachusetts

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September 14-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Celebration of
the Holy Cross and Madagh. For information 201-943-2950.

September 14-50th anniversary of Holy Cross Armenian Church, Troy, New York,
and 50th anniversary of the Prelacy. Badarak will be celebrated by
Archbishop Oshagan, assisted by Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian. Dinner will
follow at the Franklin Terrace Ballroom, 126 Campbell Avenue, Troy. $50 per
person; $20 for children 12 and under. For information: 518-283-3515.

September 19-Sts. Vartanantz Church Ladies Guild, Providence, Rhode Island,
present "Remembering the Good Old Days. 8 pm, Aramian Auditorium. For
tickets and information 401-434-4467.

September 20-Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference with Executive Council,
Pastors, Boards of Trustees and Delegates to the National Representative
Assembly, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Hosted by St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia,
Pa.

September 21-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, annual
church banquet.

September 21-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, a wonderful,
old-fashioned picnic on the church grounds. Good food, music and supervised
activities for children.

September 22-13th annual St. Stephen’s School/ACEC Golf Tournament,
Framingham Country Club, Framingham, MA. For information, Astor Guzelian,
781-326-5764.

September 25-Sixth annual golf outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey, at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For information contact Richard Krikorian 201-784-2236 or church office
201-943-2950.

September 26-28-National Youth Conference at Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.

September 29-30-Clergy conference at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.

October 5-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Requiem Service for
benefactor Mrs. Suzanne Hagopian.

October 5-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. Lecture by His Grace
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.

October 12-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Lecture by Rev. Fr.
Nareg Terterian.

October 12-St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, New York, Annual
Book Fair, dedicated to the Holy Translators in celebrating of the Cultural
Month. Immediately after the Badarak at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th
Avenue, Woodside, New York. For information, 212-689-5880.

October 17-18-Annual Fall Fair of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall.

October 19-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Lecture by Dn. Shant
Kazanjian.

October 19-St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain-Hartford, first Connecticut
performance of "Hello Ellis Island," at Silas Deane Middle School, 551 Silas
Deane Highway, Wethersfield, Connecticut. Program starts at 3 pm; reception
follows. Advance reservation desired. Adults $25; Students $10; Children
under 12 $5. Tickets at door $30. For information: 860-229-8322.

October 25-Gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America under the jurisdiction of the Great
House of Cilicia and the 110th anniversary of the establishment of the
Armenian Church of America. Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New Jersey.

October 31, November 1 and 2-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.

November 1-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Harvest Dinner Dance.
For information: 718-352-3848.

November 2-St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain-Hartford, Connecticut, 83rd
anniversary banquet at Indian Hill Country Club, 111 Golf Street, Newington,
Connecticut. Reception 1 pm, dinner at 2 pm. For information: 860-229-8322.

November 7 & 8-Annual bazaar, St. Stephen’s Armenian Church, 10 am to 9 pm,
at the ACED, 47 Nichols Ave., Watertown, Massachusetts. Dinners and gourmet
delicacies, arts and crafts, games and activities for children. For
information, 617-924-7562.

November 8-Mid-West Regional Conference with Executive Council, Pastors,
Boards of Trustees, and Delegates to the National Representative Assembly,
9:30 to 4:30 pm, hosted by All Saints Armenian Church, Glenview, Illinois.

November 8 & 9-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, largest
Armenian Fest in New England. Saturday 12 noon to 10 pm; Sunday 12 noon to 8
pm. Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Broad Street, Cranston, Rhode Island. Kebobs and
kufta dinners. Live Armenian music. For information: 401-434-4467.

November 9-38th anniversary of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, and 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the Holy See of
Cilicia, presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan at Jaffarian Hall
following Divine Liturgy.

November 15-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Annual Bazaar and Food
Festival by Ladies Guild.

November 21 and 22-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Fall Food Festival.

November 23-William Saroyan Centennial Celebration, co-sponsored by the
Anthropology/Armenian Museum at Queens College and the AGBU, 3 pm at Lefrak
Concert Hall, Queens College, Flushing, New York. Archbishop Oshagan will
participate. The program includes readings and a play by Saroyan. Also
special performance by the Aaron Copeland School of Music students of the
music of composer Arno Babadjanian. For information: 718-428-5650.

February 7-50th anniversary celebration of Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Dinner Dance at Rockleigh Country Club.

March 8-Musical Armenia, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City,
sponsored by Prelacy and Prelacy Ladies Guild.

March 28-ARS Centennial Gala Banquet, Yale Club, New York City.

MAY 7-9-National Representative Assembly of Eastern Prelacy, hosted by All
Saints Armenian Apostolic Church, Glenview, Illinois. Clergy Conference
begins May 6.

JUNE 29 – JULY 5-St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute, St. Mary of
Providence Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania.

ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE EVENTS DEDICATED TO THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EARTHQUAKE DISCUSSED

armradio.am
10.09.2008 15:48

The state commission set to organize the arrangements dedicated to
the 20th anniversary of the earthquake of 1988 convened a sitting
today, presided over by President of the Council, RA Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan.

The process of accomplishment of the program of arrangements dedicated
to the 20th anniversary of the earthquake of 1988 was discussed. RA
Ministers of Culture, Urban Development, Transport and Communication,
Agriculture, the Marzpets of Shirak, Lori and Tavush, Heads of
corresponding agencies reported that part of the 50 events included
in the program have already been realized, others are still in process.

Regarding the enlisting of the homeless families and their
accommodation it was noted that a corresponding doctrine and a
program of arrangements has been adopted, the list of the homeless
families has been compiled. It was reported that certain works have
been done in the direction of building and reconstructing educational
establishments, roads and bridges, reconstruction of culture houses,
community centers and medical establishments.

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan instructed to prepare an interim report
on the process of works and present it to the public.

Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan was instructed to discuss the
arrangements scheduled for December with all the interested parties.

The commission also discussed issues connected with the list of people
to be invited to the events.

Summing up the results of the discussions, RA Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan assessed the work in the direction of accomplishing
the program of arrangements as generally sufficient, taking into
consideration that there have been problems connected with just 2
out of the 50 events envisaged.

AZERBAIJAN URGES TURKEY TO CO-PRESIDE IN THE OSCE MINSK GROUP

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.09.2008 GMT+04:00

In all probability Baku and Ankara are eager to billet international
peacekeeping troops in the region of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
and change of format is exactly what they need.

Visit of the Turkish President to Yerevan once again revived the
problem of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict regulation. Azerbaijan’s
enthusiasm to promote Turkey’s co-presidency in the OSCE Minsk
Group over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict regulation is not new to
us, especially when Turkey together with France, USA, and Russia
(co-chairs), as well as with Belarus, Germany, Italy, Portugal,
Netherlands, Sweden and Finland is a member of the OSCE Minsk Group,
established in 1992 with the aim of the conflict settlement.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ However, the Minsk Regulation claims that parties
interested or occupying a one-sided position in the conflict are not
eligible for co-presidency. That is, Turkey, which backs up Azerbaijan,
cannot be elected a co-chair, and Baku and Ankara can’t but know about
it. But a complete change of format is quite another matter. There are
lots of examples – Russia agreed to allow European peacekeeping troops
in the region of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. In all probability
Baku and Ankara are eager to billet international peacekeeping troops
in the region of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and change of format
is exactly what they need. However, a question arises – who will
Turkey substitute: Russia, USA or France? The question is in no way
rhetorical, since presently it is only France that occupies a more
or less balanced position, which is not true about the USA and Russia.

"Armenia will hardly trust Turkey, a pro-Azeri country, as a
mediator in the process of regulation of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. Besides, being a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group and eager
to maintain the present format, Russia will hardly allow mediation of
Turkey," declared Svante Cornell, Research Director of the Central
Asia-Caucasus Institute and Co-founder of Stockholm Institue for
Security and Development.

Like France, the USA will hardly renounce its participation in the
conflict settlement. Quite possibly it will be proved that these
hypotheses were provoked by well-known Azeri political scientist
Vafa Guluzade. "The USA has already announced about its leaving the
OSCE Minsk Group in order not to appear in the same structure with
Russia. And it is quite explicable. After the undisguised military
aggression of Russia against Georgia the relations between the
Kremlin and the White House have been extremely chilled. Besides,
the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group has long changed into an object
of ridicule and no longer does it enjoy confidence. That is why the
talks on suspending the OSCE Minsk Group activity are becoming more
and more frequent," declared Guluzade, an Azeri political scientist,
who always gives the desired for a fact.

"The OSCE Minsk Group has failed to produce effect during 17 years
of its existence," declared President of Turkey Abdullah Gul. The
Turkey-Armenia and Azerbaijan-Armenia issues are not only bilateral but
also territorial, according to him. "The situation has considerably
changed in the region. Peace in the Caucasus and regulation of
conflicts between the countries will lead to both political and
economic stability," Gul said. It should be noted that previously
the Turkish President had declared about his willingness to serve as
a mediator between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. In his
words Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has given consent to arrange
the meeting. At the same time the Turkish Leader expressed hope that
he would receive the approval of the Azerbaijani President too. "I
will meet him soon to discuss the details and will brief on the
outcomes of my visit to Armenia," he said. Meanwhile Turkish experts
do not exclude the possibility of a meeting between the Presidents
of Armenia, Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan with the aim to discuss
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

Judging by the interview that Gul gave after his visit to Yerevan the
major topic of the meeting had been the problem of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict settlement. "Serzh Sargsyan declared about Aemania’s
willingness to regulate the regional problems and expressed pleasure
towards our participation in the process. He announced his country’s
support of the Caucasian platform of stability and cooperation and
said that they observe in it a possibility of conflict regulation
in the region, at the same time realizing the necessity of a broad
participation in the dialogue after the Georgian events. Serzh Sargsyan
noted that he had often met the Aliyevs and intended to continue the
regular meetings with him," the Turkish President informed.

Meanwhile, according to Mikhail Alexandrov, Head of the Caucasus
Department at the Institute of CIS Studies, it is essential for
Armenia to restore relations with Turkey and open a regular passage
for the delivery of goods. "Russia welcomes the meeting between
the Presidents of Armenia and Turkey. "Russian Railways" (RZD),
which has gained concession over the Armenian Railway for 30 years,
is interested in restoration of Kars-Gyumri line and opening of the
Armenian-Turkish border," Alexandrov said. "Unfortunately, two major
questions still remain unsettled. Turkey urges Armenia to give up
its policy of calling for international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide and to withdraw its forces from 7 regions surrounding
Nagorno Karabakh. I think there is a mutually acceptable variant:
Armenia doesn’t renounce the Genocide recognition but stops the
worldwide recognition campaign. For its part, Turkey doesn’t insist
on the withdrawal of Armenian troops from Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia
has to choose between economic blockade and Genocide recognition,"
the Russian expert believes.

Heads of Turkish and Armenian delegations to Congress welcome President
Gül’s visit to Armenia

Strasbourg, 09.09.2008 – Congress President Yavuz Mildon, in his
capacity as Head of the Turkish delegation to the Congress, and
Vice-President Emin Yeritsyan, Head of the Armenian delegation, welcomed
the recent visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gül to Armenia, on the
occasion of a sports event, as a positive step in developing friendly
relations between the two countries.

"President Gül’s visit opens a new perspective for promoting
good-neighbourly relations in the region, also at the local level, and
presents an opportunity for establishing cooperation between Turkish and
Armenian municipalities, an opportunity which should be seized," said
President Mildon and Vice-President Yeritsyan.

Les Chefs des délégations turque et arménienne auprès du
Congrès se réjouissent de la visite du Président Gül en
Arménie

Strasbourg, 09.09.2008 – Le Président du Congrès Yavuz Mildon, en sa
qualité de Chef de la délégation turque auprès du Congrès, et
le Vice-Président Emin Yeritsyan, Chef de la délégation
arménienne, se sont réjouis de la récente visite en Arménie du
Président de la Turquie Abdullah Gül, à l’occasion d’un
événement sportif, qu’ils considèrent comme une avancée positive
dans le développement de relations d’amitié entre les deux pays.

" La visite du Président Gül ouvre une nouvelle perspective pour
promouvoir des relations de bon voisinage dans la région, également
au niveau local, et offre une opportunité d’instaurer une
coopération entre municipalités turques et arméniennes, une
opportunité qu’il convient de saisir ", ont déclaré le Président
Mildon et le Vice-Président Yeritsyan.

ED150b08

ARMENIAN POLITICAL EXPERT: RUSSIA ENTERED NEW STAGE OF ‘COLD’ WAR

arminfo
2008-09-08 15:56:00

ArmInfo. After Vladimir Putin’s Munich speech, Russia entered a new
stage of a war, Head of the Analytical Center on Globalization and
Regional Cooperation Stepan Grigoryan said at today’s international
conference in Yerevan ‘Situation in the Caucasus. Role of NATO and
EU’. ‘It is not a secret that a ‘cold’ war between the West and Russia
resumed almost a year ago after RF President Vladimir Putin’s speech
in Munich, however, after the events in Georgia, this war entered a
new stage’, he said.

The political expert thinks that exclusion of Russia from the "Big
eight" and delay of signing of a Strategic agreement of partnership
with RF by the European Union will probably become the West’s reply
to recognition of sovereignty of Abkhazia and Ossetia by Russia. This
will strike Russia strongly enough as this country has and develops
trade relations with EU, first of all, and then with the USA and
CIS partners.

‘Russia did harm to the West strongly enough by its actions in
Georgia, in particular, bombarding the ports of Poti and Batumi,
through which almost all the communications of the Europe with the
region passed. Noteworthy, the Russian military men are still in
this Georgian town, as a result of which almost all the transport and
transit programmes, being implemented by the USA and EU in the region,
have been suspended’, S. Grigoryan resumed.

Libération, France
4 Septembre 2008

Diplomatie du football entre la Turquie et l’Arménie

M.S.
QUOTIDIEN : vendredi 5 septembre 2008

Si l’opposition kémaliste dénonce «un déplacement qui n’a pas lieu
d’être», la plupart des journaux turcs et des capitales européennes
saluent «la visite historique», même de quelques heures. Abdullah Gül
sera le premier chef d’Etat turc à se rendre en Arménie à l’invitation de
son homologue, Serge Sarkissian, pour assister samedi au match de football
Arménie-Turquie de qualification pour le Mondial 2010. Les deux pays n’ont
pas de relations diplomatiques même si la Turquie a reconnu cette
ex-République soviétique devenue indépendante en 1991. En outre la Turquie
a fermé sa frontière avec ce pays en 1993 sur fond de crise dans le
Haut-Karabagh, enclave arménienne en Azerbaïdjan qui par les armes s’était
rattachée à la mère patrie au début des années 90. Le contentieux le
plus lourd reste le génocide des Arméniens de l’Empire ottoman entre 1915
et 1917 qui a fait 1,5 million de morts. Ankara parle de 500 000 morts dans
des massacres des deux côtés.

MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE BENEFICIARIES TO BE ELECTED IN SEP 27

ARKA
September 5, 2008

YEREVAN, September 5. /ARKA/. Millennium Challenge Armenia (MCA) will
hold new elections of the Stakeholders’ Committee on September 27,
reported Ara Hovsepyan, MCA executive director.

The 15 members of the committee will be elected by a secret ballot. The
term of office of the acting SC will end on September 29.

Farmers, NGO representatives and all the interested parties approved
today the SC election procedure, Hovsepyan said.

"The Millennium Challenge Program enjoys popularity, being a unique
and highly effective grant program," he was quoted saying.

The mission of SC is to protect the interests of beneficiaries and
make their own suggestions to program implementation.

Launched on September 29, 2006, MCA signed a five-year, $235mln compact
with the Government of Armenia. The document focuses on rural poverty
reduction and sustainable increase in the economic performance of
the agricultural sector.

TURKISH-ARMENIAN SOCCER DIPLOMACY
Ralph Boulton

Reuters
Sept 5 2008
UK

Following the national soccer team to a foreign country is usually a
safe enough bet for any national leader. Photographs of the president
or premier smiling and waving, the local colour, the national flags
all play well at home; a few platitudes to charm the local press and
a handshake. Simple, harmless political fun.

When Turkish President Abdullah Gul visits Yerevan this weekend for
Turkey’s World Cup qualifier against Armenia, however, there will be
nothing simple about it.

For the two countries, divided over a wartime slaughter that occurred
early in the last century, it will be a historic moment, fraught
with perils.

For many Armenians, Gul’s presence will be an act of sheer effrontery
by a state they accuse of an act of genocide against the Armenian
people; an act of savagery by the old, collapsing Ottoman Empire for
which they demand an apology and redress.

For many nationalist Turks, his unprecedented venture, the first
visit to Armenia by a Turkish leader, borders on betrayal of their
country which they say committed no genocide. Hundreds of thousands,
Turks and Armenians alike, they argue, died in the fierce fighting
that consumed the region. Opposition leader Deniz Baykal gave a taste
of that mood, remarking sarcastically that Gul should lay a wreath
at the Yerevan genocide monument.

Recklesness or statesmanship? Whichever it is, if it is either, it is
arguably an act of political courage — as was the invitation issued
by Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan. Gul might have left well alone
as generations of Turkish leaders have done before him. Few in Turkey
or Armenia, would have raised an eyebrow.

There may well be anti-Turkish demonstrations in Yerevan and rumblings
at home. Gul, a naturally mild-mannered man, must watch his words
and his body language. Maybe soccer diplomacy could break the ice
between Armenia and Turkey in the same way ping-pong diplomacy launched
relations between the United States and Communist China.

Gul’s visit to Armenia is the latest in a string of Turkish foreign
policy interventions around his country’s troubled border areas,
involving Syria, Iran, Israel, Iraq and more recently Georgia. Gul
and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan might be seen as pandering to a
foreign policy fantasy nurtured by Washington and Brussels of a Turkey
building bridges between the West and the Arab world, helping secure
the energy routes of the Caucasus and healing the wound of Cyprus;
but Ankara is pursuing its own vested interests. While the Turkish
economy may prosper in Istanbul or central Anatolia, the country’s
east remains steeped in poverty.

Why? Look around.

Eastern Turkey is caught, effectively, in a dead end, surrounded
by closed or virtually closed borders and weak neighbouring
economies. Armenia is one such neighbour, but an important one.

A landlocked country still emerging from the ruins of the Soviet
Union, Armenia also suffers from a closed border with its huge
western neighbour.

The argument about whether or not the events of the last century were
an act of systematic killing, a genocide, will continue with a passion.

The idea that governments write history or interpret it is not one
that sits easily with me. I’ve lived in countries where the history
books are written by the government or the Party.

The Turks have compromised themselves over decades on this count
by prosecuting historians or journalists who dare to entertain the
question of whether there was genocide; but things in Turkey are
changing. The country is opening, if not quickly enough for some.

Armenians might argue that the killing in what is today eastern Turkey
is not history but very much a modern event for families driven into
exile and living with the consequences. Some of those exile families,
from Paris to Los Angeles, are among the most vocal proponents of
diplomatic action against Turkey.

Soccer matches can be emotional occasions. Turkish and Armenian
colours will vie for attention. Hopefully, the emotion this time will
be confined largely to the action on the pitch, but politics will
be foremost in many people’s minds, within and beyond the borders of
Turkey and Armenia.

A risky and courageous political act by Gul or a move long overdue
for both Turkey and Armenia? Much depends on what comes after the
final whistle. Both sides are showing good will. The Armenians, for
instance, are removing from the emblems on their kit the image of
Mount Ararat, a mountain now in Turkey but closely linked to Armenian
culture and history.

As Turkish national coach Fatih Terim said on Tuesday, the team is
going to Yervan ‘to play a game and not to fight a war’.

RUSSIAN SECURITY COUNCIL: ECONOMIC COMPONENT CONTRIBUTES TO SITUATION IN SOUTH OSSETIA

ARKA
Sep 4, 2008

YEREVAN, September 4. /ARKA/. Economic component has also contributed
to the situation in South Ossetia, Secretary of Russia’s Security
Council Nikolay Patrushev said.

Northern Caucasus and Central Asia are rich with carbohydrates, oil
and gas and the USA wishes to have access to them, Patrushev said
after the meeting of Committee of CSTO (Collective Security Treaty
Organization) security councils in Yerevan.

Apart from production, gas and oil need to be transported and for
this appropriate regimes are required in the region’s countries,
Patrushev said. "We remember how Saakashvili was brought to power. It
has nothing to do with democracy," Patrushev said.

"We have never denied the territorial integrity principle, but the
forms and methods it is achieved by may differ. A war against people
living on a territory, in South Ossetia in particular, genocide of
the people are inadmissible," Patrushev said.